It just takes a little focus

The last few days went by in a blur. Between DT commitments and the contest at My Scrapbook Nook, I've had to keep my head down! But what I've learned is that if I focus (and stay off the computer) I can accomplish a lot. I made these three projects yesterday. They are all variations on the theme "Found"




With my lesson learned in mind I am planning the week ahead. My hope is to try a new craft over the next seven days. Most likely sewing.

Tuesday To-Do : Important Numbers

This is an older tutorial that I developed for Self-Addressed last year and uses an invitation size card. If you don't have a ready made card blank, you can make one by cutting a letter sized piece of cardstock in half widthwise.

Supplies

1 blank card
Patterned papers (these are American Crafts)
1 6x6 sheet of matching cardstock
Felt flowers
Alphabet rub-ons
Alphabet rubber stamps
Piece of black cardstock
Notebook paper
Stamping ink
2-piece metal file fastener
Anywhere hole punch and regular hole punch
Sewing machine (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut 13 pieces of notebook paper measuring 4”x 5&1/4”
2. Stamp the letters A B on the top right corner of one sheet, B C on the next and so on until you reach the end of the alphabet
3. Cut a piece of cardstock 4&1/8 ” x 5&3/8” and a piece of patterned paper 4” x 5&1/4”.
4. Stick the patterned paper to the card stock and then stitch around all four sides (you can also use rub-on, stamped or faux stitching)
5. Cut out a flower motif from a second piece of patterned paper, ink the edges, and adhere to stitched piece
6. Cut a third piece of patterned paper (preferably in a lighter shade) measuring 1&1/2”x2” and a piece of black cardstock 1&5/8”x2&1/8”.
7. Mat the patterned paper with the cardstock and stitch around the sides (you can also use rub-on, stamped or faux stitching)
8. Use the rub-ons to spell out “important numbers” on this smaller piece
9. Stick to top right corner of larger piece
10. Adhere entire piece to front of card
11. Decorate the lower left corner with felt flowers and brad.
12. Use the fastener as a template to mark two holes on the inside back cover of the card. Punch holes with anywhere punch
13. Mark and punch matching holes into the notebook sheets
14. Use fastener to bind pages into the card. The advantage of this kind of fastener is that it is easy to add more pages in later if you need them!

If you make your own version of this make sure to link me up in the comments by next Monday at midnight to be entered into the goodie draw.

Bambino!!!

This month I am working with the Bambino line from Daisy D's for ScrapGenie. Here's a little sneak peek of my project which was posted today on the Scrap Dreamie Blog. You can see the entire project there.


And yes, those count for MATADFAM. I actually finished them up yesterday. Did you create today? Don't forget to link me up!

Tool Caddy - Tuesday To-Do

I bought this cutlery holder to alter for my scrap space.



First I covered up the design with some patterned paper, scraps from a current favourite by Pink Paislee

Then added a piece of KI Memories Lace Cardstock


Followed by the scallopped edge from the Making Memories sheet

Then an arrow tag from Every Jot & Tittle and the word using American Crafts Thickers


The entire project took me less than 30 minutes, including taking the photos. All supplies except the tag came from the store at A Walk Down Memory Lane

Another little banner

I may have found a new addiction. After making the Spring banner, I had the idea to make this Art banner for my scrap space.

I think Create and Inspire won't be far behind. Maybe as a tutorial on the blog?

Inspire

I used up a bunch of scraps to make this little inspiration notebook.


See more details on the DT blog for The Scrapbook Site.

And this month I have the pleasure of being the Guest on Variations Créatives! Here's a sneak peek of my project, you can see all my projects on the DT Blog there.

The theme for the month is to use chalks with Versamark, a technique I haven't used in a while. But once I got going I was happy to discover how effective and enjoyable it was! Thanks to Sandra, Isa and the team for having me!

And finally here are a couple of peeks of some goodies I'll be adding to the etsy store later today. Everything is 20% off until Friday!

Spring Banner

Here are some photos of the Spring Banner that I taught at Scrapbook Takeout last weekend. Complete instructions are available here

Tuesday To-Do - Spring Blossom Mirror

This is an older project, but it's perfect for this time of year. Just substitute some newer supplies, or dig into your stash for the original papers used. Come on, you know you've been hoarding them!

Spring Blossoms Altered Mirror

Supplies:

Wooden frame mirror (this one is available at Ikea)

Patterned Papers:

Twigs and Soar from Lily Kate Collection by BasicGrey

Acrylic Paint:

Anise

Almond Green

Chipboard Flower border:

Fancy Pants Designs

Paper Flowers:

Prima Marketing

Silk Flowers:

Bazzill Basics Paper

Rhinestones:

Moments Defined

Micro beads:

Queen and Company

Dimensional adhesive:

Glossy Accents, Ranger

Decoupage glue (e.g. Mod Podge)

Gesso

Tools:

Craft Knife and/or sharp scissors

Paintbrushes

Instructions:

Step 1:

Prepare frame by painting with gesso. Allow to dry completely.

Tip: to avoid getting paint on the mirror, protect the edges with low-tack masking tape or painters tape. If any paint does get on mirror, clean immediately with a baby wipe

Step 2:

Paint frame with three coats of Anise paint, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Paint chipboard border with 2 coats of Almond Green, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Step 3:

Using your craft knife/scissors cut out designs from the patterned paper. Measure the mirror to ensure the patterned paper is the right size, and trim any excess.

Step 4.

Using a clean paint brush and the decoupage glue adhere patterned paper to mirror. Once adhered, paint a layer of decoupage over the papers as well as the painted frame. This will act as a fixative as well as give a finished look.Allow to dry.

Step 5.

Stick chipboard border to frame, cutting off any overhang. In the center of each flower shape squeeze a layer of dimensional adhesive, and pour beads in. Allow to dry, preferably overnight. Decorate papers with silk and paper flowers, and rhinestones as shown.

Tuesday To-Do

Here are the instructions to make this canvas which I posted a couple weeks ago

Supplies

Canvas or canvas board

Two colours of Ranger Perfect Pearls (I used Sparkle Yellow and Rust)

Ranger Embossing ink

Ranger clear embossing powder

Image stamp - I used clear acrylic stamps by Alpha Stamps

Rub-ons: 7 Gypsies

Sticker: Daisy D’s

Trim: Prima

Fabric butterfly: from Alpha Stamps fabric collage sheet

Two spray bottles

Paper towels

Stickers and embellishments

Instructions

1. Ink your stamp with embossing ink and randomly stamp image across the canvas.

I did my stamping in a trail across the canvas because of the follow your bliss theme I was going for.

2. Cover with embossing powder and tap off the excess. Because the canvas is textured make sure to really tap it against your table so that it adheres only to the stamped image.

3. Use heat gun to melt embossing powder

4. Mix lighter colour of Perfect Pearls with a little water in a spray bottle

And spray over entire canvas.

Don’t worry about any drips or drabbles, that will only add to the effect J

Let dry entirely. If you’re impatient (like me!) you might want to use your heat gun to speed this process up a bit.

5. Once dry mix second colour of Perfect Pearls and spray over canvas, making sure to concentrate on the areas of the canvas that are still white.

6. At this point you can use a crumpled up piece of paper towel to dab into the wet “ink”. This gives a nice texture to the pattern

7. You can choose to either stop at this point or add another layer of colour.

Once the canvas is dry use a clean paper towel or soft cloth to wipe colour off the embossed image

Now you can decorate the canvas to suit your theme!

Some details: