Quietfire Design Guest Designer

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm the guest designer for Quietfire Design on the Quietfire Creations blog!  What an honor and a pleasure to work with Suzanne's beautiful calligraphy stamps! 

Here's a little sneak peak of my project....

Isn't that verse beautiful?  It's so elegant. 

You'll need to hop over to their blog to see the whole project and all the details!  Enjoy!

Happy Creating!

-judy

Pretty in Pink Poinsettia Card

 Today, I have a pretty Christmas card to share. 

This card uses products from several of the product partners participating in the Spellbinders Platinum Party Blog Hop and giveaway.  Click HERE to hop on over to their blog to get all the details! 
THANK YOU to these companies for their product partnership with Spellbinders!
 Fun Stampers Journey    Imagine Crafts    Want2Scrap  
JustRite    Heartfelt Creations   The Stamp Doctor



 Now to my card........

I’ve used JustRite’s Festive Poinsettia stamp set to add the pattern to the poinsettia petals and leaves. The verse is also from that set. I cut the poinsettias first.  Then I rubbed on Pixie Dust ink and heat set it.  I stamped the design with Toffee Crunch ink. I sprayed the flowers with Sparkle Shimmer Mist. I used the biggest poinsettia from Layered Poinsettias for my leaves.  There is a leaf die in the set but I preferred a smaller size for this card.  I simply cut the petals apart after stamping. 
The frame was cut from gold craft foil adhered to paper.  I almost always add a paper backing to foil when I make frames.  It makes the foil a little stiffer so it holds the shape better.  I use my Xyron to add adhesive to the foil and apply it to light cardstock or printer paper.  To create this frame, I first cut Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight #3 (#1 being the smallest) from the gold foil.  I kept the foil in the die and added Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight #2 die. I taped it in place with low tack tape. Then I embossed only with both dies in place.  I placed Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight #1 in the center and cut only.  I applied a thin coat of  black acrylic paint to the frame, allowed the paint to dry slightly and then wiped off the excess. The paint in the cracks and crevices really defines the embossing and adds an aged look.   The verse is stamped on cream cardstock cut with Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight #2.  I rubbed some the Pixie Dust ink around the edges after stamping the verse with Onyx Black ink. Be sure to heat set the black ink before rubbing too close!
The back ground mat is Kraft cardstock cut with 5 x 7 Matting Basics  #5.  Then I embossed it with Harlequin M-Bossabilities folder.  I rubbed Pixie Dust over it direct to paper.  I hand cut a narrow cream mat to fit behind it. 
I cut the cream card base with 5 x 7 Matting Basics  #6 .  To do this, I folded a 9 x 6 1/2” piece of cream card stock in half.  I placed the fold edge of the cardstock to the inside of one long cutting edge on the die.  I used low tack tape to hold the die in place while running it through the Grand Calibur Machine.  The card is the perfect size to match the mat!  I inked the edges with Pixie Dust ink to match the flowers.  It would have been a lot quicker to use pink card stock for the card but I didn’t have the right  color!
I sprayed the whole card with a light mist of Sparkle Shimmer Mist.
The bow is tied through the hole in the edge of the frame.

Thank you so much for stopping!  I hope I've inspired you in some way with this Pretty in Pink card!

Happy Creating!
Judy

Supplies:

• Spellbinders® S5-055 Layered Poinsettia
• Spellbinders® S6-001 5 x 7 Matting Basics A (#5,6)
• Spellbinders® S5-191 Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight (#1,2,3)
• Spellbinders® ES-013 Harlequin
• Spellbinders® GC-001 Grand Calibur® Machine
• Spellbinders® F-012 Precious Metals Craft Foil (gold)
• JustRite - Festive Poinsettia CR-04635
• Imagine Crafts – Versa Magic Pixie Dust, Versafine Onyx Black
• Imagine Crafts - Sparkle Shimmer Spray, Memento Olive Grove & Toffee Crunch
• Want2Scrap - Pearls
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L – 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runner, Glue Dodz
• Cardstock – Cream, Olive Green, Kraft
• Pink Silk Ribbon
• Black Acrylic paint

I'm back with a Beaded Bracelet to Share!

Hello!  My name is Judy..........thought I might need to introduce myself again!!!  It's been a very long time since I posted here. 
I needed a break......some time to refocus.   I'm working on renewing some of my creative energy!  I took time to create some art for myself, no deadlines, no requirements!  I'll share a journal that I'm working on in some future blog posts.

Here's a few highlights from the last 2 1/2 months.......

In early August, I went to Phoenix for the Spellbinders Design Teams retreat, my 4th trip.  Wow, time does fly!  A big change this year with all the design teams attending the retreat.  So much talent!   What fun!
Later in August I had some minor surgery.  Everything went well but boy did it zap my energy for a week or so!
In September, I went to Sweden and Norway with my parents, husband, sisters and nephew.  A trip of a lifetime!  We went to see where my Mom's grandfather came from in Norway and visit cousins there.  We also visited the area of Sweden where my Dad's grandfather came from. Lots to see, lots of travel!  Wonderful to experience it with family!!!  A great trip!
Back to reality when I got home........projects due! 
October brought birthdays to celebrate!  My youngest granddaughter turned 1!  My grandsons turned 12!  My son in law celebrated a birthday, too.  We celebrated an anniversary!
Now, it's already the 22nd of October! 

So let's get to something crafty!!!

This is a bracelet I designed for Julianna Hudgins' Positively Me! blog. 
  

 

 

This is a simple beaded design composed of 2 rows of seed beads on each side of a row of black bugle beads. It's fairly simple to do on Julianna's Jewel Loom.  You can see a video about the Jewel Loom at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs3JLbrNbXE

When I started the bracelet, my intention was to make a simple, quick bracelet.  I wanted a narrow bracelet that I could pair with other bracelets.  I really like how it turned out!

As I finished gluing the string ends and put the clasp on it, I noticed some charms laying on my work table.  An "Aha!" moment!  Why not add a charm to the bracelet clasp?

So that's what I did!  My first photo shows the leaf charm added to the clasp with a jump ring.  I  glued 2 seed beads onto the leaf which adds the blue color to it and ties it to the bracelet.

  

I still like the bracelet without the charm!!!  I really should make a couple more to wear together! 

 

If you'd like to see the post on Julianna's blog, here's the link  http://juliannahudgins.com/jewelry/blue-beaded-bracelet/

The supply list it there.

It's good to be back!  Thanks for visiting! 

Have a creative day!
-judy

A Book Created for Spellbinders CHA Class

Good Morning Blog Friends!

Today is my first day on Spellbinders new Mixed Media and Jewelry Design Team!!!  I'm really excited about this new venture.

At the same time, I'm a bit sad that my three plus years on the Spellbinders Design Team has ended. Yesterday was my last official day on that team. 

I'm looking forward to new challenges!  Mixed Media is a perfect fit for me!!! 


Here's a fun mixed media book that I created for one of Spellbinders' classes taught at CHA last week.  It was fun to be at the class and see the attendees put together their own version of this book! It was a lot to do but I think they all enjoyed the class!

The journal is covered with black fabric with faux stitches made with a Elmer's Painters white marker.  Brightly colored flowers, butterfly, birds and a birdhouse are glued to the cover.  The birds and butterfly are Spellbinders blanks from the Media Mixage line.  I've painted them white before adding StazOn ink for color.  The flowers are all cut from Roc-lon fabric.  It takes color so well and does not fray!  To cut the fabric, I've used a new metal shim from Spellbinders that makes cutting most fabrics easy!  All the flowers were colored with StazOn inks sponged onto the fabric.  The bird  house is one of the new hatpins revealed at CHA.  It makes a cute birdhouse with an aluminum roof, don't you think?!?
Along with the book is a jewelry piece pinned onto the book ties.  The bird and house are blanks.  The flower is cut from fabric.  The art words are from Cosmo Cricket "Life" Tiny Text sheet.

  This was such a fun project to put together! 


Happy creating!
Judy

Beaded Leather Cuff

I posted this beaded cuff on Positively Me blog.



I'm on my way to CHA! I'll be working in the Spellbinders booth. I'm so looking forward to seeing all my craft industry friends!

Happy Creating!
Judy

Spellbinders Shape It Up Sneak Peek and Giveaway Day Two!

Hello blog friends!

Today, I’m excited to reveal some new Spellbinders® Media Mixage™ products: MB3-002 Oval Hatpin – Bronze and MT1-009 Keys texture plate. Yes, you read it right! Hatpins!!! You’ll also want to check out Ken Oliver’s blog as he’s also showcasing new Media Mixage products today!

Here's my project……



.....a Keys Hatpin and matching Keys Box.

 

Supply List for Hatpin and Box:

• Spellbinders® MMM-001 Artisan X-plorer™
• Spellbinders® MB3-002 Oval Hatpin - Bronze
• Spellbinders® MT1-009 Keys Texture Plates
• Spellbinders® MD1-001 Ovals One
• Spellbinders® MMs-002 Foil Pack 2
• Spellbinders® S4-168 Large Labels
• Spellbinders® S4-130 Classic Rectangles SM
• ICE Resin®
• Susan Lenart Kazmer – Aqua Glass Glitter
• Elmer’s Painters – Black
• Tattered Angels – Chalkboard Mist - Concord, Strawberry Shortcake, Glimmer Glaze - Saffron
• Scor-Tape – ¼, ½, 2”
• Beacon Adhesives – Fabri-Tac™
• Beads – crystal, aqua, purple
• Bronze eye pins and head pins
• Bronze Jump Ring
• Micro Beads – turquoise/silver mix
• Craft Foam - Black
• Black Card Stock
• Wood Box
• Crystal Clear Satin spray
• Gold fabric
• Fiberfill

Let's get to the How-To for the Keys Hatpin!

I started with these products:

 

 

First,  I cut an oval of black self-adhesive craft foam with Spellbinders® MD1-001 Ovals One #2 die (#1 being the smallest)   I used the craft foam as filler to raise the embossed foil closer to the top.  It’s super easy to cut!

Next, I cut an oval of aqua craft foil with the same Ovals One #2 die.

 

 Now for the texture!  I placed the oval foil on the Spellbinders® MT1-009 Keys texture plate, aqua side up.  The texture plate is placed on the Spellbinders® MMM-001 Artisan X-plorer™ base plate with the cutting plate on top.  I put it through the Artisan X-plorer.  The first pass flattened the foil to the keys and started the embossing.  Next, I removed the cutting plate and replaced it with the tan embossing mat and pink embossing plate.  I put it through the Artisan X-plorer.  Voila! Beautiful detailed texture!

 

I applied black paint over the foil and rubbed off the excess leaving a hint of black in the recessed areas and around the edges of the keys.  It gives it a more vintage look. 

  
The foil oval is applied to the adhesive on the craft foam oval. 

Before I glued it into the hatpin, I cut 2 tiny slits near one end for the jump ring that holds the bead dangles.  It fits under the foil and foam.  Once the ICE Resin sets up, it holds it in place.  I placed the jump ring so the opening is just above the rim of the hatpin.  It can be open at this point ready for the beads.  Or left closed and opened after the ICE Resin is cured.  

I glued the foil with foam and jump ring into the hatpin. 

Next step, mix the ICE Resin!   Follow the directions on the ICE Resin package to mix it.  It’s very important to mix for 2 minutes and let it set for 5 minutes!  

I poured resin into the hatpin until it was almost to the rim.  Then I added glass glitter around the jump ring.  It hides the slits in the foil!  I also added micro beads around the edges of the hatpin bezel.  I added more ICE Resin to fill the bezel.  Then I waited for it to cure!  That’s the hardest part for me!!!  I usually pour any ICE Resin pieces in the evening so they can cure overnight.

In the meantime, I put together the bead dangles.  There are 5 separate wrapped bead pieces.  I’ve used 3 head pins and 2 eye pins.  The eye pins have a small jump ring with seed beads as a dangle.  I made a loop at the top of each one and wire wrapped the end.

 When the ICE Resin was cured, I opened the jump ring, added the bead sections, and closed it.  Finished! 

I love the vintage look of it, especially the colors!  It would be very pretty on the lapel of a coat!

This pretty hatpin needed an elegant place to rest!  I decorated a wood box to coordinate with the hatpin.  

Here are the directions for the box:

I started with a recycled wood box.  It came from some specialty candy.  Any craft box that fits the pin will work.  Mine is 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ x 1 ½”.

I painted it black and then over sprayed it with Tattered Angles Concord and Strawberry Shortcake Chalkboard mists.  When the mists were totally dry, I sprayed a clear satin sealer over the box.

For the top, I cut a rectangle of aqua craft foil using Spellbinders® S4-130 Classic Rectangles SM #7.  I textured it with the Keys same as for the hatpin, adding black paint as well.  I snipped off each corner diagonally so it wouldn’t show beyond the gold frame. 

When I poured the ICE Resin in the hatpin, I also poured ICE Resin on this foil piece.  I spread it rather thin.  I sprinkled some of the silver and aqua micro beads over it and worked them into the ICE Resin.  I left it to cure overnight.

I cut/embossed 2 frames of black card stock using Spellbinders S4-168 Large Labels #4 and 5 nested together.  I glued them together for thickness.   I painted on Tattered Angels Saffron Glimmer Glaze.  When it was dry, I sprayed it with clear satin sealer.

To assemble the pieces, I applied Scor-Tape to the back of the foil and the frame.  I fastened both to the box lid.

To create the cushion inside the box, I started with a piece of card board cut to fit inside.  I cut batting/fiberfill to fit the cardboard and glued it to it.  I wrapped a piece of gold lining fabric over it and glued the edges to the bottom side of the cardboard. It’s glued into the box with craft glue.  A nice pin cushion for the hatpin!

Have I inspired you to try texturing craft foil?  Or even paper as shown in my second project below?  How about trying this same design as a pendant?  There are oval bezels the same size in the Media Mixage collection.   Have you tried ICE Resin?  I remember being afraid to try it at first.  It’s really quite easy!  The look is so amazing!  On my hatpin, I actually had to carve a bit of the ICE Resin off around the jump ring. A little mishap!   I poured another layer over it and it doesn’t even show!

For a little more inspiration, I have a second project with a totally different look!  I’ve used the small Spellbinders MB3-001 Circles Hatpin-Bronze and MT1-009 Keys texture plate to create this mini canvas…….

 

Can you see a circle hatpin?  It’s the flower center and stem. The "pot" is embossed with keys touched with copper Gilders Paste.  That makes the keys pop!   I’ll share more details on my blog sometime later.

For contest rules click HERE
 

To enter giveaway click HERE
 

Be sure to check out Ken’s project today!  He’s showcasing more new Media Mixage products.  I’m sure he’ll have an awesome project to get you even more inspired!  Click here for his blog!

Questions? calexander@spellbinders.us No entries will be accepted at this email address.

Spellbinders Sneak Peek

Are you ready for the Spellbinders Sneak Peek and Giveaway? 

It starts July 11th!
You can click on the button on my sidebar to take you to the Spellbinders Blog!  From there you can go to the designers blogs to see what's new!

Check back here on Friday, July 12th for my Sneak Peek!!!  It's awesome!!! See you then!

Until then here's some advice on a quick card.....

 

Happy Creating!

Judy

 

 

Supplies:

• S4-396 You Are Here
• S5-168 On The Edge
• Spellbinders® Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine
• IMAGINE Crafts®/Tsukineko® , VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• Sparkle N' Sprinkle®, Clear Embossing Powder
• Waltzingmouse, Words of Wisdom Stamp
• WorldWin Papers®, Cardinal Red and Citron Treasures, Pool ColorMates Cardstock
• Xyron®, Mega Runner
• White Card Stock
• Tape Adhesive

Americana Bird

Happy Independence Day!

I'm enjoying a relaxing day at home!  It's wonderful!  And I took some time to play!  It's been a very long time since I created something purely for fun! 

In observance of the 4th of July, I put together this little Americana bird.......

I used Spellbinders® Media Mixage™ Birds One dies and Artisan X-plorer® to cut 2 birds from worn denim. Well worn denim that's thin-medium weight cuts quite well in the Artisan X-plorer.    I glued the edges together except for the tail, leaving about 3./4" opening near the bottom.  I stuffed it with a tiny bit of fiberfill and glued it closed. I cut 2 wings from some navy fabric with stars on it and 2 wings from red vinyl that I drew stripes on with a white Painters marker. I had to improvise because I couldn't find any red/white stripe fabric in my stash!  I glued the star wing over the stripe wing offset so the stripes would show. The wings are glued to each side of the bird with Fabri-Tac glue. Next, I cut some red and white string and glued it in the tail.  The eye is a dot of black paint added with a Painters marker.

The base is 2 layers of self-adhesive craft foam, 1 of cardboard and 1 of navy paper cut with Spellbinders Stars Five #2 (#1 being the smallest), .  The foam stars are adhered together and then the paper star is glued to the top. I punched a tiny hole in the center for the twisted wire.  I splayed the wire ends for support. The cardboard star is glued to the bottom over the wire ends.  To put the other end of  the wire in the bird, I used a needle tool to separate the seam a tiny bit and pushed the wire in.  Then I glued the tiny opening shut again.
The bird holds 3 stars dangling from strings.  The stars are cut using Spellbinders Stars Five #1. I cut 2 of each: red vinyl, natural canvas, worn denim.  I glued each set of stars together back to back with string between.  The strings are glued into the birds beak. I didn't think ahead to leave the beak unglued!  It was pretty easy to separate the fabric as the glue wasn't fully set and tuck the strings in place.  

I hope you've had a great 4th of July!!! 

Happy creating!
-judy


Supplies:
Spellbinders® MMM-001 Artisan X-plorer®
Spellbinders® MD2-011 Birds One
Spellbinders® S4-092 Stars Five
Worn Denim
Navy Star Fabric
Red Vinyl
Natural Canvas
String - red, white
Elmer's Painters Markers - White, Black
Beadalon Artistic Wire - 20 gauge Bronze
Black Craft Foam
Cardboard
Beacon Adhesives - Fabri-Tac™
Fiberfill

Father's Day Card

This is the card I made for my Dad! 

It actually started as a scrap card.......made from a scrap of black card stock with a hole from cutting a cog out of it.  It's a little hard to see in my photo.  The opening around the stamped guys was cut with a die from Spellbinders Cogs. 

I embossed the piece with Industrial M-Bossabilities folder.  I was trying to create the look of farm machinery!  I rubbed silver and rust Gilders Paste over the embossed pattern.  The Gilders Paste has a very metallic color.  It really pops the pattern! 
Next I cut 2 gears using dies from Spellbinders Cogs.  The one with the brads was cut with #2 and 4 nested together.  The center #2 is the small gear.  I cut a piece from Celtic Motifs to layer over the bigger gear.  Doesn't it make a great gear?  Again, I've used Gilders Paste to create the metallic look.
In back of the cog opening, I've glued a piece of clear packaging for a window.  I stamped the image, an old stamp from my collection, on Kraft paper and added a touch of blue to their clothes and tan ink around the edges.  Since the image was too small to fill the opening, I backed it with green paper.
The greeting was stamped in black and clear heat embossed on green paper.  I cut that with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A, the thin long die. I hand cut a gold mat.  It's mounted with 3D Foam Squares.
The card size is 5 x 7".
This was a fun card to make! I started with the scrap of black card stock and it evolved from there!  I chose the green and gold because my dad has John Deere tractors! 

Happy creating!
-judy

• Supplies:
• Spellbinders® GC-001 Grand Calibur machine
• Spellbinders® EL-017 Industrial
• Spellbinders® S4-386 Cogs
• Spellbinders® S5-163 Celtic Motifs
• Spellbinders® S5-131 A2 Matting Basics A
• SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L - 3D Foam Squares
• Bazill Basics Paper - green, gold
• Imagine Crafts - Versafine Onyx Black
• Imagine Crafts - Memento Desert Sand, Peanut Brittle, Summer Sky
• Creative Impressions - antique silver paper fasteners
• Baroque Art Gilders Paste - Silver, Rust
• Black, Kraft - Card stock
• Ranger Clear Embossing Powder
• Endless Creations Stamp

Paper Flowers

Today, I have a little vase of paper flowers and coordinating card on Julianna Hudgins' Positively Me blog!   You'll find all the details there.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Creating!
-judy