Tool Love :: Adhering Ribbon To Projects

Good morning! I first want to say thank you for stopping by the blog this weekend and checking out both the S.W.A.T and Practical Scrappers blog hops! Hope you had a blast, found lots of inspiration, and are excited to hear the winners tomorrow! There's still a few more hours to be entered in the numerous drawings, so scroll down to view both posts! 

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite tools - The Xyron Create-A-Sticker

I love the 1.5" Create-A-Sticker machine. It's beyond easy to use and works wonders for adhering small die cut shapes and letters. As you can see from the above picture, I also love using it for ribbon! Sheer, grosgrain, rickrack and more! You simply put it into the top of the machine, and pull it out the bottom with permanent adhesive. Depending on the width of the ribbon, you can fit two ribbons at a time and not waste any adhesive!

Here's a simple card I created with this technique:

Because the adhesive is thin and permanent, you can tightly wrap it around paper, create ruffles... or anything else you can think up! It will stick to scrapbook pages and home decor. I'm starting to sound like a salesman... I just really love this little tool. 

I'd love to hear if you've tried any Xyron sticker makers and what you've created with it! Leave me a note in the comment section below. Thanks for joining me today.

CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut, American Crafts
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Stamp: KaiserCraft
Ink: Memento (Rich Cocoa)
Ribbon: Creative Imaginations

Coloring Glitter with Copics :: A Tutorial

Hello friends. You can find me on the Creations Galore blog today posting a tutorial using Elizabeth Craft Designs Microfine Glitter, Double Sided Adhesive, and Peel-Off Stickers. It was such a fun product to use, and the results were incredible. 

I have a no glitter in the house rule, so I was a tad nervous to give this a try. Glitter sticks to anything and everything. I cringed at just the thought of coloring over the glitter with my Copic markers. Wouldn't it ruin them?! I'm here to tell you it didn't. When it came to working with the glitter; however, I developed a few tips and 'don't do this' moments. Check it out! 

I found these fantastic library pockets at Creations Galore. They're the perfect size for a gift card and a tag with a handwritten note. 

Check out the Creations Galore blog for the full tutorial. Enjoy your day!

Create Your Own Gift Tags :: Glitter Love

Hello blogland! I received some great winter and valentine themed products from A Muse Studio yesterday. I was too busy last night preparing for a ladies tea and cookie exchange that I didn't get to play with all the fun supplies until tonight! Here's the first thing I created with the winter items:

All of the stamps and papers are currently 30% off at A Muse Studio! And this tag will be one of three projects I'll be offering in my December Workshop next Saturday. You can find out more information about my workshops by clicking here.

This tag is actually a 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" piece of Sugar cardstock. To transform it from just a piece of cardstock to a traditional tag, I cut the top corner off the right hand side. Then I placed the scrap triangle on the opposite corner as a cutting guide to ensure both sides were exact.  

How gorgeous is this even layer of glitter?! Replicating this technique is far easier than it looks! Just place a strip of 1/4" Scor-Tape onto the tag base like this:

After lifting up the tape backing, sprinkle diamond glitter over the area, tap off the excess, and use a paint brush to sweep away any stray flecks. The end result is stunning! 

To create the bottom half of the tag, cut a separate 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" piece of cardstock. Place more strips of Scor-Tape onto the piece and peal off the backing. I cut 6- 1/2"x 2" strips, but you could cut any size and quantity. Place the strips diagonally onto the cardstock base. Trim ends and adhere to the tag.

I used the Vintage Holiday Greetings stamp set which offers a few different sayings and stamped them in cherry ink. 

For a matching tag reinforcement, cut a circle from cherry cardstock using a 1/2" punch. After adhering it to the tag, use a smaller punch to create a hole through the circle and the tag base. Insert some fun baker's twine in matching cherry, and you have a gorgeous tag to add to your gifts, cards, or scrapbook pages.

I hope you've enjoyed today's project. Thanks for stopping by. 

CARD SUPPLIES

All products A Muse Studio {visit my webstore before Dec 16th for 30% off these supplies}

Cardstock: Sugar, Kraft, Wasabi, Sky, Cherry

Patterned Paper: Candy Cane Stripe

Stamps: Vintage Holiday Greetings

Ink: Cherry 

Baker's Twine: Cherry

Glitter: Diamond

Free Treat Tray Template :: Decorate for any holiday!

Looking for a last minute Thanksgiving treat for family and friends? A Muse Studio has a FREE downloadable template of this adorable tray. The tray, which you can fill with any homemade (or storemade) treat, can be decorated for any holiday. Download the template here. I recommend using Super Stick tape or Scor-Tape, not your regular adhesive, to make sure it stays together.

Of course, A Muse Studio paper, stamps, felt, and twine make this package so pretty. You can find some of these supplies on sale as part of November's Spotlight products. Head over to my webstore to purchase any of these products. 

TRAY SUPPLIES

All A Muse Studio

Cardstock: Squash, Wheat (10% off in November)

Ribbon: French Roast Satin

Twine: Toffee

Felt: Sky

Die: Leaf Trio Die Set

Stamp: Fresh Foliage (10% off in November)

Ink: French Roast

October Spotlight :: Free Project Downloads

Each month, select stamps will share the A Muse Studio Spotlight with a gorgeous color palette to create projects that showcase the versatility of paper crafting.  October's Spotlight is coming to an end, and I don't want you to miss out on these great deals and free project downloads!

Let's first get into the projects!

To start it off, we have these fantastic witch boots cupcake toppers! Download the free template here. Simply print the template on the white side of A Muse Studio cardstock, and cut out each boot with scissors or an x-acto knife. Use our fun Onyx Paper Straws for the legs - Cut to size and make a slit in the top of straw to hold the boot. You can add some bling with A Muse Studio pearls or twinkle stickers. This would be a great treat for a Wizard of Oz themed party too!

Pretty Party favors: Look how easy these ones are to make. A little tissue paper to wrap your goodies, a stamped sheet of cardstock, and some baker's twine to tie the ends. Fast. Easy. Pretty. Perfect!

How about some treat bags? These adorable owls would be great for Halloween, but what about party favors at a child's birthday party or baby shower. And they're so easy to make! 

To make them, you'll need a piece of cardstock that measures 8" x 2-3/4". Download the easy to follow template here. Score the cardstock at 3", 3-1/2" and 6-1/2". Make diagonal cuts from the 6-1/2" line to the center to make the beak. Now decorate!

Did you spot the orange and black baker's twine on the owl favors?  Make your own with our Onyx Baker's Twine and Orange Splash!  The possibilities are endless! Cut a length of baker's twine, spritz some Splash! into a plastic container and roll the twine around in the Splash! ink.  Let stand to dry.  Colored twine in an instant! And the ink is permanent! The baker's twine rolls are 280 yards each for only $9.95.  Such a great deal! Available in three essential colors - Cherry, French Roast and Onyx.  One of my favorite A Muse Studio products!

Lastly, we have bat-themed cupcake toppers. With the help of A Muse Studio Cupcake Wrapper Dies in Big & Small, Cupcake Toppers Die Set, the Cupcake Companion Stamp Set, and the Rosette Die, dressing up the dessert table has never been easier!

The special sale prices on the Spotlight stamp sets and paper pack are only available until 11:59 Eastern  time, October 31st, 2012. Take a look at the specials below and head to my shop to get your hands on them! 

Spooky Boo Day Sale Price $22.49

Woodgrain Background Sale Price $14.39

Chevrons Sale Price $17.99

Vintage Labels 2 Sale Price $16.19

Creepy Hollow Sale Price $16.19

October Spotlight Cardstock 20 Pk Sale Price $7.65

This has me ready and excited for Halloween! What decorations, treats, and gifts are you creating for the holiday?

Forest Collage Card & Mini Tutorial

I've been addicted to this stamp set from Market Street Stamps, designed by Julie Day. Check out Julie's blog for endless inspiration! She creates snowmen out of the circles, trees from the triangles, and so much more! After seeing one of her tree designs, I was inspired to give it a try. 

Here's my take on her tree scenes:

Curious to know how I created the trees with this stamp set? Here's a mini tutorial:

Step One: Stamp the triangles onto your cardstock.

Step Two: Stamp the same triangle onto patterned papers or cardstock scraps.

For the circle collage behind the trees, I used VersaMark Watermark. Versamark creates just that: a watermark. The circles will show up just a bit darker than the cardstock you've chosen. 

Don't worry about stamping inside the triangles. You'll cover that up with your paper pieces.

Cut out the triangles stamped onto colored cardstock and adhere to your collage. Ink up the line stamps in the set and press down over the triangles to create the tree trunks.

This would be great to recreate on a camping or road trip themed scrapbook page! Looking for different styles of trees? Try a circle, or multiple triangles on one tree trunk! 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend in your neck of the woods!

CARD SUPPLIES

Patterned Paper: A Muse Studio, Reminisce

Cardstock: Paper Cut, American Crafts

Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Nuts about Nature)

Inks: Memento (Tuxedo Black), VersaMark Watermark

Edge Punch: EK Success (Scallop)

Corner Punch: EK Success (Purple Round)

Ink Mist Guest Post

I created a scrapbook layout and tutorial on the Creations Galore blog today. Head over to discover how you can create one-of-a-kind patterned papers with ink mists. 

Christmas In July :: Alcohol Ink Coasters & Other Decor Items

Hello! If you've found your way over from Unscripted Sketches, I want to welcome you to my little blog where I share my illustrations, paper crafting projects, and life stories. I'm glad you stopped by. 

Unscripted Sketches is celebrating Christmas in July with a virtual Christmas Party, Song Bingo, and Card Challenges. There's even prizes! Head over to the US Blog to see what you've missed this past week. It's not too late to join in all of the Christmas fun! 

Today is my spotlight day, and if you visit the US blog, you'll get the opportunity to get to know me just a little bit better. I had a great time answering their questions. Now let's move on to the goods... For this virtual Christmas party, we're headed to my living room where I have a few crafty projects that will add some holiday spirit to your home. 

First up, a few Christmas tags made with some paper and ribbon scraps. 

And a Christmas Banner I made from 6x6 squares of patterned paper. The Letters are cut from white cardstock using the Cricut and painted with Distress Stain. To see more of this banner, visit the Creations Galore blog where I originally showed it off! 

And a big drumroll for today's tutorial. I've created a little how-to for holiday coasters! 

 You'll need basic tiles and some Alcohol Inks. The Adirondack line Tim Holtz has created with Ranger is my favorite group of inks. I've also used the applicator tool, felt, and craft mat with this project. 

Alcohol inks are designed to stick to glossy surfaces such as glossy paper, acrylic, glass, and tile! There are many different techniques for applying the ink to your surface, but today I used the pounce technique. You add a large drop of ink onto the felt applicator tool and pounce it onto the tile. 

For the first tile, I used Rust, Red Pepper, Cranberry, and Pink Sherbert. By simply adding Oregano and Lettuce to the collection of colors, you end up with the tile on the right hand side below. What a difference in color! 

You can continue adding color onto the tile until you're happy with the result. To stamp on glossy surfaces, I go to my trusty StazOn ink. As you can see, stamping on tiles can be somewhat of a challenge. The first tile, I didn't stamp too hard and missed a bit of the image. On the second, I pushed so hard that I moved the stamp and got a faded, double image. But no worries! This is one craft boo-boo we can fix!

Grab some of the Alcohol Ink Blending Solution from Ranger and squeeze a few drops onto the tile. You can remove all of the ink or just a portion! 

And then try the technique again! With alcohol ink, a small amount goes a long way; therefore, I never worry when I need to start over! 

Now you can stamp any image you'd like. Blank tiles can be found at your local hardware store for under $1, and therefore, and inexpensive gift. You could easily and affordable make a set for every season! 

Have you tried alcohol inks and want to take it a step further? How about a resist technique?!

For this technique you'll need to gather some embossing supplies. Start out by rubbing a static pouch onto the tile to eliminate any static or moisture. I always use this before embossing! Next, use an embossing ink pad to stamp your images onto the tile. I use VersaMark Watermark as it leaves a clear image at the end of this technique. Sprinkle on some clear embossing powder, tap off the excess, and use a heat tool to cure the powder. 

Add your alcohol ink over the top of the clear embossed images. For this coaster, I used Pool, Cool Peri, Eggplant, and Denim.

Once you've added the alcohol ink you'll need a scrap piece of paper and an iron. I have found that thin computer paper and a craft iron work best, but use what you have on hand. Lay the paper on top of the tile, and then iron the surface. You'll start to notice the embossed images melting and attaching to the paper. You'll need to quickly pull up the paper as you melt the image. If you pick up your paper and it sticks to the tile, be patient. You've just allowed the powder to cool again. Add more heat with the iron and try removing the paper. It should easily come right off, along with the melted embossing powder and ink. The result? White snowflakes!

I hope this has inspired you to create some Christmas projects or gifts. Don't forget to head over to the Unscripted Sketches blog to see what the other design team members are creating and join in the fun! Thanks for stopping by the blog today!