Born to Stand Out!

Here's a card I created for Artistic Outpost with the new set Think and Wonder. 

I had fun with this card!

I stamped the girl with Espresso ink on white cs.  I added color with Copic markers.  There's a little bit of distressing with Chipped Sapphire Distress ink around the edges.  I added teal, antique gold and purple mats.  The purple mat has rounded corners. 
The lacey edge mat was cut with Spellbinders S4-319 Lattice Rectangles (the same one I used for the Blog Frenzy!).  I had cut it for another project but it didn't work out.  It was perfect for this card! It's cut out of Graphic 45 paper from the LeRomantique collection.  I've added some Antique Linen Distress ink around the edges and threaded a piece of silk ribbon through the lattice edge.
The Bazzil paper on the card front is a light salmon color that I over stamped with a swirly leaf branch from Artistic Outpost's Serenity set. It's stamped with Spun Sugar Distress ink.  You really can't see it much.  It just addes a little variance in the color.
I stamped the verse with Espresso ink and clear embossed it.  It's matted with antique gold paper.  I added post ends from Spellbinders S5-032 Elegant Posts at each end. They just fit with the character of this card! 

To finish it off, I added the crown with some jewels!  The crown die template is from Spellbinders S4-298 Antiquities.  I cut it out of gold mirror paper.  Adding the crown is a little out of character for me!  It was fun to "step out of my box" so to speak! 
I can think of a number of friends to send this to!
I love the verse "why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

Happy Creating!
-judy

Garden Gate Layout

Yesterday, the Spellbinders blog featured my Garden Gate layout!  Thanks, Holly, for the great post!

Here's the layout.......

The first time I saw the new Spellbinders Motifs and Accents sets, I immediately thought of a wrought iron fence.  That idea and my photo were my inspiration for this layout.  

The photo is a portion of one of my gardens that I created on a sloped portion of our yard that was very hard to mow.  I set every one of the rocks to make a wall about 18-24" high along the slope. I worked on it about 3 years.  Most of the garden is perennials that don't require much care.  The plants are well established now and tumble over the rock wall in places.  Some of the plants self seed including the Gallardia (red and yellow flowers) and Spurge (blue green foliage).  It's always a surprise to see where they come up each year!

Back to the layout......

Most of the pieces for the fence and gate are from Spellbinders S5-034 Parisian Accents set.  I also used the S5-032 Elegant Posts set for the posts and hinges and latch on the gate.  The top on the gate is from S5-043 Fleur de Lis Motifs. 

I'm not going to share all the directions here.  You can find them all on the Spellbinders blog here. 

I thought you might like to see how I put the fence and gate together. 

Here are all the pieces cut from black card stock

For the gate, I simply layered the Parisian Motif piece over the Lattice Rectangle with Labels Eighteen cutout and glued in place.  I slipped the Fleur de Lis piece over the top of gate and glued it in place.  I trimmed the bottom edge of the posts, as indicated in the photo, to be straight. 

For the hinges and latch, I used just a short part of the small Elegant Posts pieces.  I trimmed them after I aligned the gate with the fence.  Each one has a piece of acetate or clear packaging glued to the back to make it more resilient when the gate is opened to see the journaling.

I've only shown a few of the strips for the fence in the upper photo.  I cut enough 1/8" strips to go all across the Parisian Motifs piece.  You can see in the photo below how I aligned them for gluing. I used my guillotine paper trimmer to cut them all even before adding the bottom piece. 

Once the fence was assembled, I decided where I wanted the gate on my layout.  Then I cut the fence in two pieces.  I laid the post over the fence and trimmed the fence to fit under the scrolls of the post.  I fastened the gate to the post with the hinge pieces.  I added the latch to the other side of the gate and trimmed it to tuck under the post when it's closed.  Once I had the fence glued in place on my layout, I trimmed the ends that  extended beyond the edges of the page. 

The gate has a piece of the yellow paper glued behind it to hide the journaling.  When it's closed it looks as if there's nothing behind it!   I used a small piece of text paper to write my journaling.  The complete directions for all of the layout are on the Spellbinder blog post.

I hope I've given you some ideas for using the Parisian Motifs, Lattice Rectangles, and Elegant Posts.  Thanks for visiting! 

-judy

Did you hear the news?

Woohoo!!!  I made the Spellbinders Design Team for 2011!!!

The annoucement was made earlier today on the Spellbinders blog!   I'm so excited to be on the team a second year!  What an adventure this past year has been!  Lots of challenges, a few stressful months, lots of projects and wonderful memories!  Three of the new DT were with me this year, AJ, Latisha, and Kimberly.  I'll meet the rest of the team at a retreat in Arizona in April.    

Now that the news is out I can share my first round project with you.  I had the option to create a card, scrapbook layout or something altered.  I chose "altered".  My thoughts were that "cards are easy for me, a layout the hardest so I'd do altered first".  I expected we would be asked to do a layout in the final round anyway.......that is if I made it that far.  That's history!

I created this journal.....

I started with chipboard for the covers.  I applied adhesive with my Xyron and then laid crinkled tissue paper over the adhesive.  It was pink!  Lots of layers of Glimmer Mist changed the color.  The vine was cut with a Spellbinders die template.  I kept the die template in place for some of the misting to get the two tone color on the leaves.   The butterflies are cut from actual copper craft foil that has been adhered to card stock.  The paper backing really strengthens the copper. 

Real copper will change colors when super heated.  I used my heat gun (takes quite awhile to get hot enough!) to heat them until I liked the color change.  You can see it best on the biggest butterfly. 

I used Glimmer Mist on the inside cover, too, only copper color.  I added a verse from Artistic Outpost's Happiness set......so appropriate with my butterflies!  The edges of the inside pages are distressed and then sprayed with Tattered Leather Glimmer Mist.  You can see it in the next photo.    I added seam binding to use as a marker, again sprayed and rolled in Glimmer Mist.  I keep a whole roll of white and beige seam binding to color as I need. 

The butterfly dangles are 2 die cut copper butterflies that have been embossed over Spellbinders 12-1006 Floral and Stone Impressabilities.  Each dangle is 2 butterflies fastened over an eye pin and held together with red line tape and glue.  I added a bead to the end of the eye pin and curled it shut.  There's another eye pin at the top with a bead and loops to fasten to the seam binding.  These dangles are my favorite part of this journal! 

I used my Zutter Bind-It-All to make the holes and add the coil binding.  I even used a copper metallic marker to add touches of copper to the binding.....it needed to match the journal!  I sprayed the whole journal  with clear finish to protect the color. 

Thanks for stopping!  I had a bit of break from posting the past few weeks.  I hope to get back to posting more often now.  I'm planning to share some great Spellbinders projects throughout the year!!!

-judy

Answer to an embossing question

I had a question in the comments yesterday about what I used for the embossed pattern on my anniversary ensemble. I forgot to mention it in my post. 
For embossing, I used Spellbinders 12-1014 Fleur de Lis Impressabilities.  It's one of my favorite patterns. To get a smooth border at the edge of a die cut, I run it through my Grand Calibur with the die template in place. For directions for embossing with the Grand Calibur, click here!  You'll find the directions and FAQs for numerous other die cutting machines on the Spellbinders website. Just click here!   (Lots of information under "How To" -> FAQ" at the top of the Spellbinders page.)

I started this post this morning and then decided to do some step out photos of embossing.

For my sample, I chose 2 dies to create a frame.  I'm using Spellbinders LF-190 Grand Labels Four #2 and S4-138 Petite Ovals LG #3.  The paper happens to be Bazzill so I'm using the backside without texture as the face.  I normally tape my die templates in place to keep them from moving when I run them through the Grand Calibur.

Next step is to emboss the pattern.  You can see I've kept the die templates in place around the die cut paper.  I placed the Spellbinders 12-1014 Fleur de Lis Impressabilities on the A-Base Plate (gray background).  Then I laid the die templates(cutting edges up) with paper over it.  I've used a couple little pieces of removable tape to keep the paper in the die templates.  To emboss, I placed the tan embossing mat and B-Embossing Plate on top. 

After I ran it through the Grand Calibur, the pattern is pressed into the paper.  The edges are defined by the smooth edge of the die template.  It's really quite an easy process.

I often mist the paper lightly with water before embossing.  The paper will take the impression better so the pattern is more defined.

Here's a way to really make the pattern pop!

Simply rub ink over the raised areas.  Distress ink pads work well for this because the pad is flat and fairly hard.  A soft pad will leave more ink in the impressions.  Another optin is to ink the Impressabilities before embossing.  It's a little messier that way but the results are great!

To use window screen for embossing, place the screen on the A-Base Plate.  Repeat the same layering of die templates with paper in place, tan embossing mat, and B-Embossing Plate.  Any thin product with texture will work.  Experiment!  It's so fun! 
I love the texture of burlap, too!

I hope I've inspired you to try embossing with your die cutting machine.  This works with most die cutting machines as long as you have a tan embossing mat.  Ask for it at you LSS or order one from Spellbinders here.

Have fun creating!

Remember When Ensemble

Today, I have photos of my ensemble created for this book, Spellbinders Nestabilities Basics & Beyond.

As I mentionned in my last post, my assignment was to create something elegant for wedding or anniversary.  I created my ensemble to work for a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration.  I designed 2 cards and a memory book. 

I used both gold and ivory pearlescent papers for the cards and book.  I embossed some parts for texture.  You'll be able to see that better on the individual photos below.

The Thank You card has an embossed frame out of ivory paper.  The gold background piece is alos embossed.  I used a piece of window screen to get that great texture!  It's beautiful in the pearlescent paper.  It takes the pattern so well.  I JustRite's Baroque Nested Frames set for stamp for "thank you".

The "Best Wishes" card  uses the same pearlescent papers, just combined differently.  The oval frame is embossed over window screen with the Spellbinders die templates in place which creates the nice smooth borders.  Many layers and 2 gold bows really dress it up!  The verse is from JustRite's Victorian Nested Frames.

And finally, the memory book.  "Remember When" is a stamp from JustRite's Cherish the Memories stamp set.  The book is aproximately 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".  I used lightweight chipboard for the covers.  I used spray adhesive to adhere the pearlescent paper to the chipboard. Again, the book like the cards has multiple frames and layers of gold and ivory paper.  I added a few pearls and two gold bows.  The bow had pearls on it, too.

On the first page, I created a framed space for a photo and wedding/anniversary details.  This is a photo of my parents from their wedding.  I printed the details on my ink jet printer and quickly heat embossed it with gold EP.   The rest of the pages are card stock with space for guests and more photos.








Thanks for visiting!

Supplies:
Spellbinders die templates: S4-138 Petite Ovals LG, S4-140 Petite Ovals SM; S4-190 Labels Four, S5-006 Curved Rectangles, S4-229 Labels Five, 12-1014 Fleur de Lis Pattern Impressabilities
JustRite Victorian Frames
JustRite Baroque Nested Frames
JustRite Cherish the Memories
The Paper Cut pearlescent papers: Gold and Hera (ivory)
Ranger Gold embossing powder
Tuskineko Versamark
Ranger Distress Antique Linen ink
Window Screen
Gold ribbon: Sheer and Striped
Amuse Creative Candy- pearls
Book Rings
Hold punch

Finally......

Hello everyone!

I'm finally back to my blog!  I've been back from vacation over a week.  I got out of the habit of posting and had many other things to do! 

I had a great trip to CHA!  Lots of new things to see, of course!  The ultimate thrill for me was seeing all my projects in the Spellbinders booth.  Everyone's work was beautiful!  Lots of inspiration!  I can't share photos of the projects yet because of possible publication of some of them. 

 I can share this photo of the ensemble I created for the Spellbinders Nestabilities Basics and Beyond book.  My assignment was Elegant Wedding or Anniversary.  I chose Anniversary with golden anniversary in my mind.  Both cards and the book are fairly simple to create.  The pearlescent paper really makes them elegant.  I'll post close up photos of each one tomorrow.

After CHA, I flew back to Minneapolis, stayed overnight and then flew to Mexico.  Yes, I didn't even get home.  I had packed a suitcase before I left for CHA.  My DH brought it with him.  When I got to the hotel, I combined things from both suitcases into one for the trip to Mexico.  It seems ages ago now.......

We went to Riviera Maya for my son's wedding.  I was a little reluctant to go but it was fabulous.  I'd go back!  The warm weather was such a treat after the cold and snow of Minnesota!!!  Every day was 82-87.  The beach was wonderful and the water warm.  We totally relaxed, spending almost every day in the water or laying on the beach.  When we weren't doing that, we were eating!  At least, it seemed that way. 

Here's Derek and Jenna after the wedding with this magnificent view of the beach and ocean.  Believe me only this section of the beach was this rocky.  It made for a great photo........no swimmers in the background!

Here's all my family who were there.  Jenna's parents and sister were there, too. It was a great trip!

We came back to the reality of Minnesota.......-12 degrees!  Boy, did that feel cold!  Thank goodness it warmed up 2 days after we got home.  We had temps from 32-49 degrees all last week.  All the snow banks shrunk to almost half their size.  What a relief! 

As I write this, we're expecting a blizzard to start later in a few hours, maybe a foot of snow!  I'm so glad I have Monday off, President's Day, because I probably wouldn't get to work if we get that much snow and winds! 

I spent most of my spare time last week finishing my final round project for the 2011 Spellbinders Design Team. I submitted it Friday!  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  I'm happy with my project so whatever happens will happen.  I did my best.  I'll keep you posted!

I hope to find time to stamp and play just for fun either today or Monday!  It's been so long since I've done that.  I'm looking forward to it.  I might even have something to post!  :-)

Stay tuned!

Smiles to you all!

-judy

Happy Creating! -judy

a Birthday Telegram

I created this birthday card with the telegram stamp from Ephemeral Backgrounds.  I added "Birthday" from Polaroid Cutie by masking off "Happy" when I inked it.  I dressed it up with a black mat, rounded corners and Distress ink.  I layered it onto a die cut embossed metal shape cut with the new Spellbinders Labels Twenty One!  I embossed it over Spellbinders Floral and Stone Impressabilities and added some ink and sanding.  It's all layered onto a black rectangle with rounded corners, then onto a piece of Graphic 45 paper.  There's a bit of ribbon, colored with Distress ink, tucked under each end with 3 square copper brads touched with StazOn Jet Black ink.  To set it all off, I added Ranger Black Enamel dots and dashes....seemed appropriate for a "telegram"!

As this post goes live, I should be on my way to Mexico to enjoy some warm days on the beach!  We're taking a little vacation for my son's wedding!  For that reason, you may not hear from me for awhile! I'm not sure if I'll have easy access to internet.

Be back soon!

Happy Creating!

-judy