Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Some treat bags for my grandkids!



I chose not to get them candy this year.  I know they get lots while out trick or treating!  I found some glow in the dark bracelets, glow sticks and gum instead. 

I stamped these cute Halloween characters with Penny Black "Scary Halloween" Transparent set.  Each one is colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out. I added Stickles for sparkle on their hats and the eyes of the pumpkins.   For each one, I cut a white circle using Spellbinders Standard Circles, a yellow or green scalloped circle with Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles, and an orange scalloped circle cut with Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles.   I stamped "happy halloween" on orange paper and cut it out with a shape from Spellbinders Nested Pennants.  Each name strip was cut with the smallest die template from SPellbinders Nested Lacey Pennants.  I punched a hole on the side of each tag and tied on the tags. 
I found these cute dotted kraft bags at Whiskargraphics!  They have a nice selection of bakers twine, too.  I used the Halloween twine on my bags.


Have a great Halloween Day! 
-judy

Friday, October 28, 2011

Another Decorated Candle


This time I decorated a small jar candle.  It's only about 4-5" tall.  I'd measure it but I don't have it here!  It's at Fond Memories, my LSS.  They sell the candles.
I used a die template from Spellbinders S5-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents to cut the label of cream cardstock.  I stamped around the edges using a stamp from Orchard Harvest by Unity Stamp Co.  I used Espresso, Butterscotch and Cranberry inks.  I rubbed Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress ink over it.  The band (not visible) is also stamped and distressed.  This one is really easy to make!!!
 I inked several strands of brown and white bakers' twine to use for the bow.  There's a small foil die cut leaf on the lid, cut with Spellbinders S5-073 Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents.
A great gift idea!!!

Please visit again soon!
-judy

Monday, October 24, 2011

Autumn Card

Thinking Fall with this card! 
This card is very similar to my decoratied candle shown in my post on October 18th.  Click here or scroll down a bit to see it. 
I used SpellbindersS5-073 Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents to cut and emboss the frame around the verse and the foil leaves.  It's one of my favorite sets right now!!!  The verse is from an older cling stamp set by JustRite, called "A Day in the Country".  THe little leaves stamped around the verse are also from that set.  The verse is stamped on Worldwin Canvas card stock with Espresso ink.  I added the leaves with Rust, Butterscotch, and Terra Cotta inks.  I used my finger to dab some matching ink onto each one.  Then I used Antique Linen Distress ink over all of it. 
The frame is cut and embossed from a My Mind's Eye brown paper.  I sanded the embossed areas to reveal the inner core color of the paper.  Then I rubbed Vintage Photo ink over it.  This is one of my favorite techniques!  It's a great way to accent the embossed pattern from the Spellbinders die template.  I especially like the dot pattern along the edge of this one!
My card is cut with Spellbinders LF-246 Grand Labels Eleven.  Easy to do!  Simply fold a piece of card stock slightly bigger than the die template.  Align the fold along an inner straight edge on the die template and tape in place and cut with the Grand Calibur™.  I've also used Grand Labels Eleven to cut a frame of brown paper.  I've nested 2 sizes and cut and embossed them at the same time.  I cut the check paper with the bigger die template used for the frame.  A perfect fit behind the frame!  THe same small leaves are stamped on the check paper with Espresso ink.
The foil leaves are cut from Spellbinders™ Precious Metals Premium Craft Foil.  I've used gold and copper color.  I like to adhere the foil to scrap card stock before cutting.  It makes the shapes stronger so they aren't bent as easily. I use Adhesive Sheets by Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.  It works well and doesn't gum up my die templates.  
After cutting and embossing the leaves, I lightly rubbed my solvent stamp cleaner over the embossing.  The solvent takes off the color. It's safest to use it on a Q-tip with a very light touch.  The solvent tends to bleed or run and suddenly a big spot of color is gone!!!   I shaped the leaves and fastened them to the card with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares.  I added a button with bakers twine and distressed with Vintage Photo ink.  More bakers twine wraps around the card front under the frame and leaves.  THe ends are hidden behind the frame!
This frame and leaves would be great on the front of a journal.  Or maybe a wooden box.  A scrapbook page! 
Thanks for looking!!!
Have fun creating!
-judy

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Spellbinders and Unity Stamp Co. Blog Hop

Welcome to Spellbinders
and Unity Stamp Co. TWO-day event!




You should be joining me from Maria Gurnsey's blog - Gingham and Polka Dots, if not then head to the beginning on the Unity Stamp Co. BlogYou wouldn't want to miss any of the inspiration or a chance to win a prize!

With all the blog-swaps that are happening out there lately, I can't think of one more exciting than when the amazing women of SPELLBINDERS™ get together with the rock stars of UNITY STAMP COMPANY! We can't wait to show you a special line of coordinating products featuring SPELLBINDERS die templates and SAMANTHA WALKER for Unity Stamp Co. rubber stamps!
Not only are we thrilled to be collaborating on such a special 2-day event, but ONE of you will win ALL of the coordinating stamps and dies from the Samantha Walker collection! We will also have 1 winner each day from the comments that will receive one Samantha Walker stamp set and coordinating dies. So be sure to enjoy our hop both days, leave comments on all of the blogs each day and check back to see if you won! (winners will be posted on Wednesday, October 19th on the Unity Blog and Spellbinders Blog)

Today, I have 2 projects to share!  A card and a little notebook! 

I worked with Spellbinders S5-074 Retro Mod Clocks and a coordinating stamp set from Unity Stamp Co., also called Retro Mod Clocks.  The stamps add such great detail to the clocks. 

First, I put together this card......





Do you see what I mean about the detail on the clock?  All the scrolls and shape lines!
First, I stamped the clock with black ink and clear heat embossed it.  Then I aligned the matching Spellbinders S5-074 Retro Mod Clocks die template and taped it in place.   I cut it out using my Grand Calibur Machine.  I also had the clock face die template in place to cut out the clock face at the same time.  I stamped the clock face again on cream card stock with black ink and also clear heat embossed it.  I used the matching clock face die template to cut it out.  Of course, it fits perfectly in the clock! 
For the card background, I used just a portion of Spellbinders LF-190 Grand Labels Four #6 (#1 being the smallest) to cut the shaped background from My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas "trees" paper.  I made the same cut on black card stock.  I matted it behind slightly offset to add the narrow border. 
Below the clock, I created a border with at strip of My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas "Boughs" paper and black card stock.  I cut one edge of the black card stock with Spellbinders E8-002 Classic Bracket Edgeabilities.  It makes a great border to define the space for my verse.  I also added another strip with the bracket edge at the bottom.  I added some tiny dots of black Enamel Accents across the wider strip.
This card is 3 1/2 x 8 1/2".


For my second project, I dressed up a Target notebook .

This is what it looked like before.......







and the the notebook after........


I added a clock and a verse to the cover!  Really quite simple and quick!

The clock was stamped and heat embossed with gold embossing powder on black card stock.  I cut out the clock using the matching die template from Spellbinders Retro Mod Clocks.  This time I didn't cut out the clock face.  Instead, I stamped it again on cream card stock, cut it out with the matching Spellbinders die template and glued it over the black clock.   I used a Versamark marker to ink a few details on the clock and then heat embossed those spots with clear embossing powder. It adds a few shiny accents! 
 I stamped the verse with black ink and clear heat embossed it. 
I inked the cover a little with Distress Vintage Photo to add a little more color.   I inked the back cover, too.
On the inside cover, I stamped another verse. 
A quick and inexpensive project when you need just a little gift!

Thanks so much for stopping!!!

Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a Unity stamp set and matching Spellbinders die template set!

Now, please head over to Eva Doblias's Blog for more inspiration!


Card Supplies:

Spellbinders S5-074 Retro Mod Clocks
Spellbinders E8-002 Classic Bracket
Spellbinders LF-190 Grand Labels Four
Unity Stamp Co. Retro Mod Clocks stamp set
My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas 0 trees, boughs
My MInd's Eye Lost & Found Two Sunshine "lovely"
Black card stock
Cream card stock
Versafine Onyx Black ink
Ranger Clear Embossing powder
Ranger Enamel Accents - black
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - E-Z Runner

Notebook Supplies:

Spellbinders S5-074 Retro Mod Clocks
Unity Stamp Co. Retro Mod Clocks stamp set

Black card stock
Cream card stock
Ranger Gold embossing powder
Versafine Black Onyx ink
Versamark marker
Ranger Clear embossing powder
Craft glue
Notebook
Ranger Gold embossing powder

Fall Candle Decor

I've used Spellbinders S5-073 Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents along with E8-002 Classic Bracket Edgeabilities to make the band.
I started with the framed verse which I cut and embossed of brown dp and sanded the edges. I over inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress ink. I cut a piece of Worldwin Canvas paper to fit behind the frame. The verse, from Unity 's Orchard Harvest stamp set that matches Orchard Harvest Tags and Accents die template set, was stamped with Espresso ink with a touch of Rust ink on the edges. Around the verse I stamped leaves with 3 Adirondack ink colors: Butterscotch, Rust, Espresso. Next I inked my finger tip on each matching ink pad to add color to each leaf. Finally, I rubbed Distress Antique Linen ink over all and glued the frame in place.
I cut the edges of a 12" strip of dark brown dp with Classic Bracket. Over it I added a narrower strip of Graphic 45 paper overstamped with leaves in multiple colors. The 12" strip is just long enough to fit around my jar candle with the framed verse fastened at each end with Scor-Tape.
I cut and embossed the leaves out of Spellbinders copper and gold colored craft foil that was adhered to card stock. The card stock adds strength to the foil. I've used StazOn ink to add some shading to the veins. I shaped each one before adding them to the candle with 3D Foam Squares. A button with twine adds interest to the big leaf. There's a large leaf on the lid, too.
I used multiple strands of brown and white baker's twine colored with the various inks to tie a bow around the jar neck.
I hope to make few of these for gifts. The band is not fastened to the candle so it can easily be slid off to add a different one for another holiday, maybe one for Christmas.
Thanks for visiting!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Embellished Frame

 This is a Dollar Tree frame! At least, it started that way!

To start, I painted the edges of the frame black.  Then I adhered a piece of brown designer paper over the front.  I liked the texture  and subtle color variation better than painting it.  I added some Distress Walnut Stain and Black Soot ink to it, too! 
Next, I cut and embossed a frame of black glossy card stock using Spellbinders LF-347 Grand Labels Twenty-Three #4 and #6 (the smallest die template is #1).  I sanded all the embossed edges.  I rubbed Distres Vintage Photo ink into the sanded areas.  The core of the black glossy paper is white. After sanding the white core is exposed and it's very absorbent.  I love the antique look it creates when the ink is added!  Almost like a well worn leather!  I added a tiny gold paper fastener in each corner and then glued it to the frame.
For the gold accents, I used gold craft foil that was adhered to card stock.  I like to use card stock on the back of foil to give it more strength.  It's not as easily dented or bent.  A good use for all those odd colors of card stock!   I use Adhesive Sheet from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L to adhere the two together.  So easy, cuts without gumming the die templates!
I used Spellbinders S5-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents to cut and emboss the foil.  Each corner piece is the exact cut piece from the die template.  The other pieces were cut and embossed from the same corner shape, then cut with a scissors to use just a portion of it.  They fit so well into the Labels Twenty-Three shape!  Last of all, there's 2 tiny pieces tucked under the Labels Twenty-Three at the center top and bottom.  Each is a part of one larger piece from Twisted Metal Tags and Accents, just cut in half and glued behind the border. 
That's all there is to it!!! Really dresses up this frame, don't you think?!

Of course, the photo of my grandsons is really the best part!!!

smiles
-judy

Supplies:
Spellbinders S5-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents
Spellbinders LF-347 Labels Twenty-Three
My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Little Boy Blue "Curious"
Creative Impression Paper Fasteners
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - Adhesive Sheet
Ranger Distress inks: Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Black Soot
Craft Glue

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Updates to Creating...My Style

I added lots of photos to my Spellbinders DT 2010  and Spellbinders DT 2011 pages.  I've linked the titles for you or just click on one of the tabs at the under my blog header.  It's about time I got that updated!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Sarah and Grandpa Scrapbook Page

This is such a great photo of my dad and daughter that I naturally had to use it for a scrapbook page!!!

I ceeated this page for Spellbinders. As you can see there are several different die cut shapes on it!  I used mostly papers from GCD, Donna Salazar's Antiquities collection except for the ruler border and mat behind the photo. 
I started with a light color 12 x 12" page.  This one has some gears and a figure of a gentleman along the left side.  I incorporated that into my page and added to it.
My photo is 5 x 7".  I've framed it by cutting Spellbinders LF-347 Grand Labels Twenty Three from MME Holly Jolly "Deck the Halls" paper. (I liked the color and the holly really doesn't show!!!)  There's a light colored mat at the top of the photo.  I liked the light paper next to the light area of the photo, leaving the darker area of the photo against the darker mat. It just seemed to make the photo pop!   I've added some scrolly pieces to soften the corners. These were cut with Spellbinders S5-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents (one of my favorite sets!).  The lighter ones have been stenciled through the die template before removing the paper with Distress Pumice Stone ink. To get the lighter edge on the darker ones, I've layered  and glued 2 pieces together, one light and one dark, offsetting them slightly.  To one top corner, I added some gears. All the gears were cut with Spellbinders S5-048 Sprightly Sprockets.  I placed my photo in the upper corner to allow some of the images on the background page to show along the left and lower edge. 
My border started with a piece of ruler paper from Authentique Blissful "Prosperity".  I added a "lace" edge which is actually paper cut with Spellbinders S5-063 Lace Doily Accents.  I crumpled it a bit to look more distressed.  It's pieced behind one of the flowers.   The border actually threads through the biggest gear.  The rest are layerd over the top.  I've mixed in a few flowers with button centers.  These were cut with Spellbinders S4-352 Spiral Blossom Two.  The smaller ones are coiled a bit tighter than the bigger one.  I smashed them with my hand, more distressed and flatter for the page!  There's also some more scrolly pieces tucked under the ruler, too.
"you & me" was cut with Spellbinders PP-001 Presto Punch machine and punch templates PT-F01 Plain Jane capital and PT-F02 Plain Jane lower case (ampersand from upper case).  "G'PA" was cut and embossed with Spellbinders LF-003 Donna's Alphas and sanded. 
I added the names and a date with a fine tip permanent brown marker.
My thoughts as I incorporated gears and flowers plus lace was that the gears and ruler fit my dad.  He's a farmer and constantly seems to be fixing something, sometimes gears!  The flowers and lace fit add a femine touch for Sarah!  Using the coordinating papers pulls them all together!

Thanks for visiting!
judy

Supplies:
Spellbinders LF-347 Grand Labels Twenty Three
Spellbinders S5-048 Sprightly Sprockets
Spellbinders S5-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents
Spellbinders S4-352 Spiral Blossom Two
Spellbinders S5-063 Lace Doily Accents
 Spellbinders LF-003 Donna's Alphas
Spellbinders PP-001 Presto Punch machine
Spellbinders PT-F01 Plain Jane
Spellbinders PT-F02 Plain Jane
Spellbinders GC-001 Grand Calibur machine
GCD Studios Donna Salazar Antiquities
My Minds Eye Holly Jolly Deck the Halls
Authentique Blissful Prosperity
Creative Impressions Paper Fasteners
Buttons Galore & More Neutrals
Glue Dots
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L
Ranger Distress Pumice Stone