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Monday, April 30, 2012

Debbie's Challenge Project

Hello!

The April Challenge was to use any folding technique in a project and today we're sharing Debbie's Challenge project!  Let's take a look...


Le' Romantique Shadow-box Frame by Debbie

This month's challenge was to use a folding technique.  Since I had already done a couple of origami pieces for other projects, I was looking for something different.  My inspiration for this 3D framed picture was found in this post on Pinterest:
http://iritshalom.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-shaped-shadow-box-tutorial.html

I looked through my paper collection for a large scenic design for the insert and came across several sheets from the Le' Romantique Collection from Graphic 45.  As soon as I flipped through the sheets and saw the one covered with peach roses, I changed up the design and decided to use a photograph in the insert and the roses on the actual frame.

I started by fan-folding four sheets of black 8 1/2 x 11 paper as shown in the link above and then trimmed two to 8" and two to 9".  The pieces fit together more easily than you'd think but need lots of scor-tape to hold the sides together.  Tape loosely until you get all the sides squared up. 

The outside of the frame was covered with four pieces of black/peach dotted paper mounted on peach cardstock - and then the corners were mitered.  Next I cut another sheet of black paper to make the back of the frame and covered it with the peach patterned paper.  Do not attach the backing yet.

Now the fun begins.....I used a small Quickutz banner die to make five banners and then mounted each on black patterned paper from the Graphic 45 collection and handcut to leave a small border.  I used a small circle punch and punched out butterflies, roses and the profile of the couple and mounted them on the banners with foam-tape.  Four rhinestones finished off each banner.  I strung them from a piece of white baker's twine and then punched two small holes in the fan-folds and tied the twine across the face of the open frame.

I handcut several roses and outlined the leaves with a Spica pen.  The flowers and leaves are overlapped and popped up with foam-tape.  A few more cut-outs from the patterned paper, including two hanging from a piece of ribbon, complete the frame's embellishments.  Finally, I double-matted the photo, centered it on the backing under the banner and then attached the backing to the frame. 

Supply List:
Le' Romantique Collection from Graphic 45
Cardstock - Bazzill
Peach satin ribbon
Spica pen - buttermilk
Small clear rhinestones
Scor-tape
3/4" circle punch
1/4" hole punch
Foam tape
Small layering doily die -Taylored Expressions
Small banner die - Quickutz

Thanks, Debbie!  This project is in the store now, you should really stop in and see it because the folding technique is very neat and detailed - it's a beautiful shadow box.

Have a great day!
Andrea  

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mixed Media With Sherry Mendoza



Prima Mixed Media Journal Album with Sherry Mendoza

Do you want to learn to take your paper crafting to the next level? If so, then you will not want to miss an amazing workshop with Sherry Mendoza, Prima Educator. Sherry incorporates many different Mixed Media techniques and styles into a beautiful Prima Mixed Media Journal Album.

You will get to play with gorgeous Prima products and get some expert insight and instruction for a brand new paint product, PanPastels which are the crafters latest "must-have item! You will get messy with Ranger sprays and as well as Faber Castell pens. Sherry will teach you blending techniques with different mediums such as texture paste, gel medium, gesso and acrylic paints, creating some beautiful backgrounds for your Mixed Media Journal. As an added bonus, during this workshop Sherry is going to teach you a very cool photo transfer technique that can be used in most areas of your crafting portfolios.

So ladies, be prepared to get your hands very dirty and bring your aprons.

As a bonus, each class attendee will receive a copy of our new Art-Zine ‘My Prima Place’

Saturday May 19th  Cost $60.00
6:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Our Final DT Reveal with Becky!

Good Morning!

Today we're back with out final Design Team reveal, which is from Becky!  But don't worry, we'll be sharing the Design Team Challenge projects next week!  Let's take a look at Becky's cards!


The design team assignment for this month was to create 3 cards, with one of the cards being "masculine." When making this card I kept my husband in mind and created something that I would give to him. The rich, rustic colors of the Basic Grey "Pyrus" line coupled with embellishments from Authentique's "Gathering" collection made this very easy. Along with the DT assignment I also tried to create cards that could be made using scraps to encourage myself (and maybe others!) to finally use all of those little pieces of paper I cling so dearly to.

Masculine "Together" Card


Supply List

Authentique "Gathering" - Noteables
Authentique "Gathering" - Expessions
Coordinating Cardstock
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Beurre d'Anjou Paper
Basic Grey "Pryus" - Bradford Paper

Pearl Pen in Dark Brown
Jute in Natural
Stick Pin (head pin, beads, Diamond Glaze or Glossy Accents)

I covered my card and added the two sentiments. I wrapped the bottom portion using jute and added a stick pin. I made my own stick pin using head pins and beads that I found in the jewelry section of a craft store. Using Diamond Glaze (Glossy Accents would work, too) I adhered the beads to the pin. I finished the card by adding some accents using my Pearl Pen.


Friend Card


Supply List

Authentique "Gathering" - Noteables
Authentique "Gathering" - Expessions
Coordinating Cardstock
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Beurre d'Anjou Paper (Scraps)
Basic Grey "Pryus" - Bradford Paper (Scraps)
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Pear Pie (Scraps)
Pearl Pen in Dark Brown


Continuing with the idea of using scraps, I found this wonderful CardMap by Becky Fleck. I used 1/2" strips and wove them until I was happy with the look. I added some sentiments from the Authentique Noteables and Expressions cards and finished it all with some accents using my Pearl Pen. The quote, "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words," really struck a chord for me and I know exactly who I will be sending this to!


Warmth in Your Heart Card


Supply List

Authentique "Gathering" - Noteables
Coordinating Cardstock
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Beurre d'Anjou Paper (Scraps)
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Bradford Paper (Scraps)
Basic Grey "Pyrus" - Pear Pie (Scraps)
Pearl Pen in Dark Brown

Other: Heart cut on Cricut using George and Basic Shapes at 3" and 3 1/4"

I made this card by taking a couple of cards I had seen on Pinterest and smashing them all together! I had seen the idea for the heart recently on the Pebbles Inc. blog and in an issue of Scrapbook Etc. I started by cutting two hearts on my Cricut, one at 3" and one at 3 1/4". I used my scraps and cut several one inch squares. Starting in the center of the heart, I started layering the squares. Once the heart was covered (there are two small spaces that didn't get covered but I hid them by using my distress ink!) I turned it over and trimmed off the excess. I added two long banners and a sentiment from the Authentique Noteables card.

Thanks, Becky!  These cards are wonderful and I hope everyone feels full of inspiration after all of the teams projects!  Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week with more challenges!

Take care-
Andrea

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Debbie's Design Team Reveal

Good Morning!

Today we're back with Debbie's cards, who had Basic Grey's "Little Black Dress" Collection.  Debbie created 3 cards, one with a great easel fold that you could morph to fit any theme!  Let's take a look!

Cards by Debbie

I received several sheets from the Little Black Dress collection by Basic Grey, ribbon, "thank you" stickers and Bazzill cardstock for this month's challenge project - design three cards: one masculine, one birthday and one designer's choice.


The chevron pattern on Etiquette reminded me of tire tracks and I used that theme for my masculine card.  I angled the paper before I cut it to fit the card front and accented each corner with small brads.  I also used the brads in the tires of the trucks cut from a 2x2 QuicKutz die.  I repeated the circle pattern with a button and some scalloped circles used as the background for the trucks.


One of my favorite and most versatile stamps, the "happy birthday" tag hung from the button with twine finished off a quick and simple birthday card for guys of all ages.



For my 2nd card, I wanted to make an easel card and the cream lace pattern on the Black and White paper seemed like a perfect background for a card you'd want to display on your desk.  An easel card is really simple...fold your card to whatever size you want and then make another horizontal fold across the top of the card base. 

You will assemble the face of the card separately and then adhere it to only the bottom part of  the base below the fold.  This way, your card will fold flat for mailing but stand up for display.  You will want to plan to use a raised bar design for the sentiment inside your card in order to form a stand for the easel front panel.  Thanks to Sara for showing me how to make the rolled flowers - see what else you missed by not attending the St. Patrick's Day Crop!. 

After I spiral-cut the circles, I ran them through my crimper several times to add texture and make the paper more pliable.  After rolling the flowers, I added a bit of raspberry ink on the edges for the only bit of color in this monochromatic card.  The stickers from SRM are terrific!  The backing is clear and nearly disappears into the background and it's a great value with lots of stickers in all styles in the package.


I was left with the Tuxedo gray and cream paper and wide black lace for my last card.  My friend Tina had recently shared a tip with me about using my square punch to make a notch in a banner flag and so I decided to use a banner with a thin red border to break up the pattern.  I pleated the lace into a circle and secured it with a brad that I covered with a cream flower made from pearl buttons.  I found these embellishments in an opened package in the clearance aisle at Michael's.  The stamp is from a Taylored Expressions collection. 



Supply List:

Patterned Paper - Little Black Dress collection by Basic Grey
Cardstock - Bazzill
Dies - Quickutz, Taylored Expressions
Punches - Fiskars, Recollections
Pearls - Michaels
Stickers - SRM
Other - twine, button, brads, ribibon

Thanks, Debbie!  Debbie has such a elegant style to her cards!  Remember, you can always pop into Page's and see all of the teams projects!

We'll be back tomorrow with Becky's reveal!
Have a great day!
Andi

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Lauren's Reveal!

Good Morning!

Today we'll be taking a look at Lauren's cards!  Lauren did a wonderful job with her different collection; let's take a look!

Birthday Card

Konnichiwa by Basic Grey was such a great line to work with this month. The colors and brightness of it all was so fun! I wanted to show something unique that you can make for a birthday card.


This is a card made from an 12 x 12" piece of card stock instead of the traditional half sheet of 8-1/2 x 11". And it's a great fold to have on display! I love how when it stands up and you can see all three panels.

I cut the 12 x 12" down to 12 x 5-1/2" and scored at 4" and 8". When the card is folded, it will be 4 x 5-1/2" and will still fit into an A2 envelope.

I used both sides of "Good Afternoon" along with the stickers from the Konnichiwa line, ribbon and paper flowers. I made my own embellishments - the girl and fan - from stamps and Letraset markers.


Supplies
Paper
Pink 12 x 12" card stock
Cream card stock
Basic Grey konnichiwa: good afternoon
Ink
Color Box chalk ink
Brown ink pen
Brown non-blending ink pad
Alcohol-based markers
Embellishments
Pink ribbon
Green and blue gems
Bazzill Basic Paper blue paper flowers
Basic Grey konnichiwa: stickers
Stickles Diamond glitter
Tools
Slot punch
Glue
Dimensionals
Scissors
Corner rounder
Scoring tool
Paper trimmer
Stamps
harold's abcs by Lawn Fawn
Kyoto by Recollections

Masculine Card

When you first look at Basic Grey's Konnichiwa line, masculine isn't what first pops into your mind. But when I saw the "Mt. Fuji" paper, I knew it would be possible. The key thing for masculine cards is keeping the card simple and no glitter or flowers allowed. ;) I used brown card stock as the base of the card and Mt. Fuji as the background.

Using my crimper, I crimped a piece of cream card stock, sprayed with some blue mist and lightly "stamped" a brown ink pad onto the crimps. I added a scrap piece of mesh I had, tied around some twine, added a sticker and a few buttons to match.

I stamped out the sentiment "for you," but you can use a die cut as well. I think the card radiates masculinity, don't you?


Supplies
Paper
Brown card stock
Cream card stock
Basic Grey konnichiwa: mt. fuji
Ink
Brown ink pad
Mister Huey Heirloom Blue
Embellishments
Twine
Various buttons
Basic Grey konnichiwa: stickers
Scrap piece of mesh
Tools
Crimper
Glue
Dimensionals
Scissors
Scoring tool
Paper trimmer
Stamps
quinn's abcs by Lawn Fawn


Designer's Choice
Basic Grey's Konnichiwa line has a great sticker collection and I wanted to use the large sticker with "Good company on a journey makes the way seem shorter" as the focus of my card. It has a great sentiment and decoration already in the sticker which is a perfect embellishment for a quick card. I layered the sticker onto a piece of pink card stock and before gluing it to my brown card base, I wrapped around some pink ribbon.

I knew it needed something else so I tied a bow and added very cute, blue flowers. I absolutely love glitter so I used Stickles on the edges of the flower as well as in the centers of the flowers on the sticker. Such a quick, cute card!


Supplies
Paper
Brown card stock
Pink card stock
Ink
Brown ink pen
Embellishments
Basic Grey konnichiwa: stickers
Pink ribbon
Stickles Diamond glitter
Bazzill basic paper blue paper flowers
Tools
Glue
Glue dots
Slot punch
Scissors
Scoring tool
Paper trimmer
Corner rounder

Well, that's it for today!  Lauren did a wonderful job showing how versatile a paperline can be!  I love that she incorporated 2 very feminine cards and 1 masculine cards so that we're able to see what you can do with one line of papers!

Have a great day!  We'll be back tomorrow with more cards reveals!
Andi

Monday, April 9, 2012

April Design Team Reveals!

Good Morning!

I hope that everyone had a beautiful weekend!  Today we're starting the April Design Team reveals with Michelle - so let's take a look!

Trio of Square Cards by Michelle McClure

Since the assignment this month is to make three cards, I thought it would be fun to make one type of card in three different ways. Then you'd only have to learn one method of assembling a card, and can spend the rest of your energy on decorating the card base.


This is the inside view. Each card is folded from one piece of 12 x 12" cardstock, with an internal area measuring 6 x 6" for your message.


This is the back view. The card folds together nicely, so you don't need an envelope, although I did make one to match if you did want to send one through the mail.



Supplies:
Featured Collection: Canvas Corp’s
Green & White Collection
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Papers: Canvas Corp
Stickers: S.R.M. Press
Twine: The Twinery
Ribbon: May Arts
Punches: EK Success
Other: buttons


Card #1: Shirt
Starting with the same base, I decided to transform each square into a different object. With Father's Day coming up, I thought a shirt design might be fun to give dear ol' dad. The pocket can hold a tag with a secret message, and the bow tie is 3-D.

Card #2: Present


For my second card, I turned the square into a present with a giant 3-D bow. This would be good for any type of invitation or to go along with a birthday or wedding gift. You can modify it to any occasion that has a present involved. The bow is on a wrapper that slides off.

Card #3: Mortar Board

For my third card, I changed the square into a mortar board as graduation season is almost upon us. I made a tassel from twine, plus a diploma from a scrap piece of paper. I also made an envelope from a piece of 12 x 12" cardstock to match the card in case you want it to look more formal when presenting it to the graduate.

I made a template for the card, so stop by Pages if you want to see how to fold this versatile design. Be creative and have fun adapting these cards to suit any occasion.


Thanks for stoppin' by,
Michelle