My Crafty Life

Paper Crafting Tip #31: Try Some Scallops! They're good for you!

No, not the kind you eat!  I mean the kind you create with punches, die cut machines, and scissors.  Scalloped edges are all the rage right now; and, while I don't consider myself a very trendy person, once in a while, something comes along (or is revived) that really catches my eye and inspires me to try something new.  Whether I'm using my new Threading Water punch by Fiskars or creating embellishments and borders with my Cricut Design Studio, I just can't resist scallops. 

I made this card for a 3-year-old girl's birthday. The dot stamps are by Hero Arts, the sundress stamp is by Impression Obsession, and the Happy Birthday is TAC. The ribbon is by May Arts.  I used my Threading Water punch to make the scallops.

I'd love to see what you create!  Post a comment AND send me a scan/photo of your scalloped creation, and I will enter your name in a drawing for a little surprise gift from me.  Remember, you must post a comment AND send me a jpeg of your creation in order to be eligible for the prize.  Have fun, and HAPPY CRAFTING!

*All entries must be received by May 31 (2008!).

Paper Crafting Tip # 29: Journal around a layout.

This week's Try It Tuesday challenge is to journal around the perimeter of your layout.  Another option is to journal around individual photos.  This is a great way to fit more photos on a layout.  Tip:  A white gel or Souffle pen works great on dark paper.  TRY IT!

Paper Crafting Tip # 27: Make Faux Chipboard

Hi there!  This week's Try It Tuesday Challenge is to make faux chipboard.  It's so easy!  Just punch/die cut a shape or letter out of cardstock 3 or 4 times.  Use the heaviest cardstock your punch/die cut machine will take.  Glue the shapes together, and you will have a "chipboard" accent or letter.  For these circles,  I stamped the images with Palette Noir Black ink and colored the images with watercolor pencils.  Then I punched them out with my circle punch. After that, I punched circles out of heavy cardstock and glued 2 of these under the circle images.  You can't tell the difference, even in real life!  TRY IT!

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Paper Crafting Tip # 26: Cut out your stamped images.

With all the great stamps that are available now, it's sometimes hard to decide just what to do with them.  Here's an oldie but a goodie.  Try cutting out the stamped image and then attaching it to a card/layout.  If you pop them up with a little foam tape, they really stand out. 

On the card below, I used stamps by Hero Arts, pigment inks, a dye ink for the background, and velvet paper for the stems and leaves.  The leaves were made with heart punches cut in half.

TRY IT!

Remember, you can email me if you want some suggestions for TAC stamps that work great with this technique!

Paper Crafting Tip # 24: Make a Mini Gift Card

Here is this week's Try It Tuesday Challenge that I have going on at Scrapbook Queens

Wondering what to do with those scraps that you have left over from a layout or regular card?  You know, the ones that are too big to throw away but too small to make standard size card?  Try making a mini card.  These are so quick and easy, you'll be searching your scraps to make them. 

Cut a piece of cardstock to 3" x 6".  Fold in half so that it is 3" x 3". Cut or punch a scrap of patterned paper to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" (or whatever size you'd like, as long as it's a square).  Layer on top of card. Adhere a flower or other embellishment. Add some finishing touches. You're done!    TRY IT!

Please post your comments and projects.  I'd love to see what you come up with!  Happy crafting!

Paper Crafting Tip #20: Glitter Star Ornaments

Here's an easy ornament that can also be used as a package topper.  You have to play a little bit to get the cone shape right.  Look carefully at the photos in the directions, and you'll see how to form it correctly.  If you place the cones at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 on the circle, and then fill in the rest, you will get a more uniform looking star shape.  Glitter Star Ornaments

 

Merry Christmas to All!

Paper Crafting Tip #19: Christmas Card Ideas

Happy Holidays everybody!  I hope you've all finished your Christmas cards and have mailed them out already.  (Right?)  Well, for those of you who haven't, here are some card ideas for you.  Feel free to "lift" them as you see fit.  If you have any questions about materials or techniques, please post them here.  I'll answer them as quickly as I can, so you can get those cards out!

I used the Glue Pad  (available through me from  TAC) to make the blue and silver snowflake card between the teddy bear and the penguin. It's an easy way to apply glitter to a large image. It works very well, BUT you must let it set for a few hours.  Otherwise, the glitter will rub off. Contact me for more information.  Enjoy!   

Paper Crafting Tip #18: Sprucing things up a bit

This week is going to be very busy - and very expensive - for me, as I'm sure it will be for most of you.  Every year I say that I will spend less money on Christmas gifts, and every year I end up spending too much again. Well, I'm not here to tell you to spend less.  I wouldn't dream of it!  Rather, I'm here to give you a tip on saving some money by jazzing up some of the stuff you already have.  (This way, you'll have more money to spend on everyone else! :))

I've had this old clipboard hanging around the house for years.  You know, one of the big legal pad-sized ones.  The ones with the ugly brown base?  Yuck!  Just take a look at it now.  Here's how you do it:

Choose 3 colors of acrylic paint that coordinate.  Adding white or black adds an extra "pop" to the colors.  Make sure that your clipboard is clean but not wet or damp.  Paint the base with 2-3 coats of paint.  (I even gave the back 2 coats.)  Make sure you get the sides and underneath the clip.  Apply a thin coat of paint to foam stamps.  Here I used the Making Memories flowers.  Make sure that you don't put too much paint on the stamp, or it will be "globby."  Start with a large design, and then add smaller ones.  Remember that you can use different colors on the same stamp.  Add your black and/or white touches at the end, and paint a thin line of either color on the edges to give your project some definition.  If you want, you can paint the clip with alcohol inks, as I did.  Add a big bow, and you've got a clipboard that is not only functional, but nice to look at too!  Have a great week!  Now go buy some presents! :)

Paper Crafting Tip #17: Use your scrapbook supplies to make a 3D paper snowflake.

Happy Holidays everyone!  Well, it's that time of the year again.  Time to deck those halls, fa la la la la.  But instead of boughs of holly, try this 3D snowflake.  Don't let the instructions intimidate you.  It's really easier than it looks or sounds.  I used medium-weight 6 x 6 squares to make this one.  Although I used some really cool Christmas scrapbook paper from Die Cuts With A View, you can use almost any paper.  I used tacky glue instead of staples, except for the innermost connections on the snowflake. There I did use the staples.  Have fun with this, and email me photos of your creations.  I'd love to post them here. 

Oh, before I forget, here's an update on the Crafty Girls Swap Group (Check my blog entry for last week).  So far, there are 5 people who have expressed an interest.  By Wednesday, Dec. 5th, I will send an email with further details to everyone who has responded.  If you're interested in joining, please email me or post a comment here by December 5.

Enjoy your week! 

Link to directions for snowflake:  3D Paper Snowflake

Paper Crafting Tip #16: Follow through on your commitments

I know that all of my previous tips have been positive ones, but I am very upset over a swap I joined back in September on a stamping board (which will remain nameless).  The swap was due on October 19, but it still hasn't been returned.  I've posted inquiries and sent Personal Messages, but the hostess doesn't seem to be interested in following up on what happened to the packages.  She said she already mailed them, but that was more than 2 weeks ago. 

This infuriates me.  I understand that things happen, and almost nothing goes exactly as planned, but to just abandon a swap like this is very irresponsible.  I put a lot of work into those cards.  And what makes it worse is that none of the other 3 members in the swap seem to care either.

So my tip this week, fellow crafters, is to follow through on your commitments.  If you host or join a swap, make sure that you do your best to fulfill your responsibilities.  If some emergency arises that prohibits you from doing that, let the members of your group know.  Most people (especially crafters) are pretty understanding.  Just don't ignore their concerns.

Okay, so now, with all of that said, how about forming our own swap group?  I'll host a different swap each month, each with a different theme.  You'll be able to use any brand of products you want, although I'll probably use a lot of TAC products. :)  Just post a comment here, or email me, if you're interested.  It's not a commitment yet.  I'll email details to all who are interested and let you know the deadline for signing up for the "Crafty Girls Swap Group."

Anyone who joins the Crafty Girls Swap Group will receive a kit to make this adorable Christmas Penguin card.  I will include all of the materials you will need (except adhesive and coloring materials).  Please note that there might be some variation in papers.
















     Card sketch by Inky Fingers