simple dreams

Crafting With Kids: Color It In

Coloring - it is so soothing! Coloring in this sweet little girl was so much fun! It had been so long since I had colored a face that I needed to start over as I couldn't remember what colors I prefered to use on people - I had made her peach, very peach - LOL!

Today I would like to share a very simple idea with you. It seems like every time we turn around there is another birthday party on the horizon and we don't have a card ready. I would like to suggest that together with your kids decide what images they would like to use on birthday cards.

Stamp them off on little squares of Neenah cardstock and take them with you in the car, together with a set of markers or colored pencils. Your kids can color them when waiting for a sibling at swimming lessons or whenever they need to sit and wait. Hopefully it will help reduce those "can we go yet?" moments.

This idea can also work REALLY well for all ages of crafters - keep your favorite Copic markers in a wallet and then you can just walk out the door with your tools at a moments notice!

I used Neenah cardstock and Memento ink so that these could be colored in using Copic markers. If your kids will be using Crayola markers (which are water based) I would like to recommend using Ranger Archival or Palette Noir ink to stamp your images.

This is the selection of Copics that I used to color in the images for this Crafting with Kids series. For the skin tone I used E0000, E000, E11 and R11 for the cheeks and mouth. For the hair I used E31, E34 and E37.

Due to this being such a simple idea I wanted to share a fun way that you can gift these images to someone special. They can then use this little envelope to take their work with them on the road.

I love the "flourish" envelope closure of the Hero Arts envies. Using their liner template I simply cut out two decorative pieces of Olivia paper. I prefer to use my fingertip knife to quickly cut these designs out following along the edge of the liner.

Insert one into the interior of the envelope and affix as shown above.

The other will be used on the outside of the envelope to add some pizzaz.

TIP: To help determine the best fit of a decorative punch edge to the piece you are enhancing create a decorative strip out of plain paper that is longer than your decorative paper or card front. Place the piece that you want to edge along your guide to determine best placement. This will help you from having those odd uneven ends.

Punch a hole in the envelope flap using the large hole size on the Crop-a-dile. This will give you a spot to thread your ribbon through and tie the envelope shut.

The Hero Arts Cloud background is incredibly versatile! I love this background stamp! Today I only wanted a couple of clouds. Stamp the image and then using little snips cut out the individual clouds you would like to use, leaving a border around each cloud. Use a 2-way glue pen and some glitter to brighten up the clouds.

Add a Faded texture label and a cute "hippo and friend" and now you have a very special coloring "book" to share with your child.

 
stamps: Hero Arts Sending Smiles, Hippo Friends, Clouds, Kiss the Cook, Let's Chill

paper: Neenah Solar White, Basic Grey Olivia 6x6 Paper Pad, Memory Box Parsley, Hero Hues Punch Envelope

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Adirondack Aqua and Pool

accessories: Microfine Glitter Ice Blue and Grasshopper, Seafoam Faux Linen Ribbon, Deco Scallop Edger Punch, Black Silk Ribbon, Crop-a-dile, Dot Matrix Fades Embossing Folder, Hero Arts Envie Liner, Fingertip Knife

Crafting With Kids: Punch It Out

Thinking about creative processes that are active was my goal when trying to come up with things I think boys would like to do. Many moons ago I taught third and fourth graders - what a fantastic age group! It was important to me as a teacher that I try to meet the needs of all the different learning styles - one of which is the student that needs action to learn.

Your craft tools can be more than craft tools - use the fun punch shapes to have your kids punch out different shapes to learn their math skills - adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing. Fractions, shapes - it truly is endless! Punches are one of the tools that I think your kids could get SO much use out of.

Again today I wanted to create a card that would hopefully appeal to a boy - something he could use for an upcoming birthday party.

Think outside the box when you are creating - turning the picket fence into a railroad track was my out-of-the-box idea for this punch. Kim turned the cupcake punch into a graduation cap. There are SO many different things you can do. Give your kids your punches and see what they come up with!

To complete the railroad track look I first cut the picket points off with my paper cutter and then made a second cut to turn it into a track. Easy and fun! If one is too small to use up the space then use two or three to bring the proportion together. AND if you are kids perhaps you will want to cover the entire card with train tracks :-D

I will be using more punches shapes in another upcoming idea - they are so very versatile and easy for kids to use!

 
paper: Basic Grey Oliver 6x6 Paper Pad, Memory Box Bayou

accessories: Basic Grey Oliver Gummies, Sticker Elements and Clips, Martha Stewart Picket Fence Edger Punch
  

Crafting With Kids: Watch It Appear

I will always think back to the magic of "disappearing ink." Writing with lemon juice and then heating the paper to watch it appear. The sophisticated products that we now have that allow us to magically watch a pattern appear still intrigue me as an adult and so my thinking with this project was that kids would find this to be so much fun!

The first two tools that I believe will make this process so very easy to clean up are the non-stick craft mats and the craft scraper. These craft mats come in a number of sizes I am currently working with the XL mat on my work surface so that I can completely protect my tabletop. I then use the smaller one on top of it because it is so much easier to store and carry to the sink if need be. When working with a craft mat allow your paints to dry on the surface and then simply scrap them off using the craft scrapper. It is SO very easy! No more big messes to worry about.

Depending on the age of your children you can do the first step of this technique, but this is not about perfection - it's more about the process. Remember all those foam stamps we accumulated! Well, for this project I pulled one of those out. They work fantastic for this type of technique. You can also use "regular" stamps as well - the only important consideration is to pick a design that is quite bold such as a silhouette or one with thicker outlines.

Paint the Matte Medium on your non-stick craft sheet and use this as your "stamp pad." Randomly stamp the image on your Sticky Back Canvas. You can have small diecut shapes, as I have used here, or work with an entire sheet cutting it into pieces later. 

Using the Heat It tool I dried the Matte Medium - I'm an impatient crafter - LOL! If you want to extend the project out over time you can simply set this aside and allow it to airdry.

Using popsicle sticks so that I don't mix my colors in my jars I selected three different Studio paints and dabbed them on my craft sheet. "A little dab will do ya!" Less is more with these paints :-D Then add moisture to your paint with a mini mister, watering it down to a very thin consistency as shown. Using the large size Studio Brush randomly paint your canvas and watch the magic happen. It is so very fun to watch as the design appears!!!

I used Pumice Stone Distress Ink to mute the beautiful colors to coordinate with the Olivia papers. Showing your child how to use the ink blending tool will be so much fun for them. When Trina was creating her Social Studies project it was so fabulous to watch as she adapted the techniques I shared with her to transform her project. Your child's school projects will take on a whole new level if you share some of these little techniques with them!

Another wonderful tip I learned at Ranger U is how to use the Studio Paint as an "ink pad." By simply mixing a little Extra Time with the paint and rolling it out on my craft mat I can then use any stamp to add detail to my canvas projects! This will hold up to washing if you want to stamp on fabric!!!

I didn't have any hair clips at work, but I felt that these adorable Posies from Basic Grey would make the absolute cutest embellishments when fastened to hair clips. Clip a couple of hair clips to your card and you have a quick and fun gift!

Not only will this technique shared today work on Sticky Back canvas, BUT I believe that it will work on T-shirts, tote bags and so much more! The canvas aprons and camera bags we carry are begging for some color. If you haven't seen the fabulous Copic camera bag that Debbie shared yesterday you must visit and leave her a comment. STUNNING I tell you! 

This could be an absolutely amazing project to explore with not only your younger set, but your teens who want to have unique, custom clothing! I sincerely hope that we are inspiring you to try crafting with kids this summer. If you don't have any of your own, then go out and borrow a few - they really can be so much fun to watch and listen to as they create! As well all of us "older set" are young at heart and can be considered kids at times - LOL! So grab a couple of friends and be as free-spirited as kids when you create. Simply have fun!

Thank you for stopping by again today - we hope to see you again tomorrow as we share another idea for a fun summer project!

stamps: Making Memories Foam Stamp (old - I don't remember what the set is called), Hero Arts Clear Design Kiss From the Sun

ink: Pumice Stone Distress Ink

paper: Basic Grey Olivia 6x6 Paper Pad, Memory Box Begonia and Peony

accessories: Non-Stick Craft Sheet, Craft Scraper, Studio Line by Claudine Hellmuth - Matte Medium, Studio Brushes, Sticky Back Canvas, Extra Time, Blank Canvas, Classic Teal, Smidge of Blue, Charcoal Black, Brayer, Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Edger Punch, Basic Grey Olivia Cozy Posies, Ink Blending Tool
  

Crafting With Kids: Rough It Up

Thank you for joining me today! It has been a slow start to summer here in Seattle. We are finally beginning to see the sunshine - can you see us doing the happy dance?!? I find it interesting how our kids look forward to summer and free time, but then they don't know what do during their free time. Hopefully if you have kids in your house, asking what they can do, some of these ideas will be helpful.

I firmly believe that boys should have the opportunity to be creative as well. In fact they should have a little push in the right direction - LOL! So the activities that I thought might appeal to them will be the more "active" types of craft projects and they will probably involve machines ;-D

This first card is so incredibly simple and I can see kids creating a series using the fun new collection from Basic Grey called Oliver. It is so wonderful to see a manufacturer put together a line that will appeal to the boys in our lives!

Teach them to insert the notecards into the embossing folders and crank them through the Big Shot. Watching the texture appear as you rough them up will be so much fun! Tim Holtz's newest folders called Fades (scroll down towards the bottom of this page) have a bunch of different designs that boys will find appealing - yeah! Not only do I love the fact that there are some more masculine designs, but I love how the designs are not even throughout - I love how they fade in and out.

I love the little pieces that come in the Sticker Elements collection. The self-adhesive makes it easy to stick and go. Leave them as is or show them how to color in portions of the designs.

I added a hint of color to the smoke-stack. I could have also added color to the headlights or the front grill, but wanted to keep this project super easy. Each sticker element will allow for different types of creativity. I would show them one example and then let them run with it and use their own creative thinking. Allow them to do what they would like - it doesn't have to be perfect in our eyes. It should be fun and empowering in theirs.

Let them use the Gummies to add depth to their cards. I think that kids will find these little pieces particularly appealing because of the texture.

So get those boys behind your machines cranking out some texture for their own projects or yours!

 
paper: Basic Grey Oliver 6x6 Paper Pad and Sticker Elements, Memory Box Dove Gray Notecards and Envelopes

accessories: Rays and Retro Circles Fades Texture Folder, Basic Grey Oliver Gummies
  

Puttin' on the Ritz - Creating Glittered Designer Paper

Thank you for joining me over the last few days as I share one of my newest intrigues! Today I will be sharing the most complex of the three projects I worked on last week Friday. Let me tell you that last Friday afternoon was "WAY fun" as I found my sparkle again :-D

CLUE #6

Inch on in and go back in time, to a magnetic post in January 2009.

ETA: Direct link to Clue #7.

As you can see I selected Delovely as the basis for my color theme and ran it throughout this collection. Using the chart I am creating made it easy to select the perfect colors of glitter. As soon as I have that information complete I will link you to it in hopes that it makes your selection process easier as well.

I am SO diggin' the new Hero Arts release. I cannot believe the beautiful impressions I am able to create with the clear stamp line. I can't be as "techniquey" with these stamps, but for stamping and coloring they are fabulous! Thank you Hero Arts and Jennifer McGuire for getting me hooked! LOL!

Once again you can see the Copic colors from which I selected above. Just pretend that the BG's aren't in the mug and you will have the complete grouping for coloring in these darling drink glasses. I do want to point out that I used a Copic multiliner .03 to extend the lines of the straw down into the drink glass - it was just bugging me that I was making the glass clear and couldn't see the straw - LOL! I should have drawn in the fruit as well, but... I'm such a goof!

So here we go - I want to share with you how to make your own designer glitter paper! NEVER throw away the backing that comes with your tape. Yep, you heard me - hoard it as if it were gold :-D This backing is what you will use to create magic with the microfine glitter!

Take your favorite punch shapes and punch to your hearts content. Punch edges, punch flowers, punch butterflies, punch, punch, punch - yep - I think you get the picture! Then save these. I am developing a storage system using little ziplock baggies (I'll share these at another time.) So save those little baggies we send your thank you notes and ribbon in and put them to good use.

Next label them with what is in the bag - flowers, butterflies, yep - whatever it is that you love. Now punch a hole and put it on a ring.

Below you can see the collection of punch shapes that I used for my designer paper. To begin I drew the basic shape of the label I was planning on using on a piece of scrap paper. I should have selected something that was not so distracting. For this I apologize, but I wasn't thinking about that - only about my finished project - LOL!

Arrange your punched backing shapes until you are satisfied. It is much easier to rearrange the shapes here than on your sticky project :-)

For this project I used shapes punched from the following punches:

• English Ivy Edger Punch
• Flowers and Leaves Large Punch
• Star Confetti Punch
• 2-Piece Flower and Retro Flower Punch

I applied my Be Creative Tape to a piece of Solar White cardstock and using my Label die I cut it out. For some odd reason my die did not cut all the way through this time and so I did need to use my Tim Holtz teflon coated scissors to cut through some of the remaining spots. Every other time I have tried this my die cut all the way through, so I'm not certain what was up with it this time. 

Next I removed my "worded" backing. Yes, I saved that piece for future punched shapes :-D

Now using our very fine-tipped teflon coated tweezers (or any other fine-tipped tweezers - I like the teflon coated because if they happen to stick to the adhesive it will have less of a tendency to damage it) place your shapes in the same position as you did on your planned layout. 

Always position your punched shapes with the wording face up!

To create the center in my flower I needed to first place the "abstract" star shape and then position my flower piece over top as shown on the right hand side of the picture. The little star shape is already under neath of this flower.

Finish positioning each piece.

Using an extra piece of backing paper smooth down over your entire project, making certain that each shape is firmly attached.

Cover with glitter.

Remove excess and using your soft make-up style brush (I use my Perfect Pearls brush) brush off the excess glitter.

Now burnish! Remember burnishing simply means to rub over the entire glitter surface with your finger tips. This will keep your glitter in place and ensure that future glitter colors do not become embedded into the current color family.

 

Next I removed the flower shaped backing and applied my Rose glitter.

Once again lift your piece and allow the excess glitter to fall onto your work paper. Use your soft brush to remove any excess. The top right portion is one that was brushed - the lower left is how it will appear when not brushed.

BURNISH with your finger tips!

As you can see I use my tweezers to get in and remove the little shapes that are firmly attached to my backing. If the shape is delicate you will need to work from several different places on your shape so as not to tear it. These little shapes can be reused until they start pulling apart and tearing. Once removed simply store them back into your little bags for future use. 

As you can see in this picture I have removed all of the shapes for my next color application. I wanted yellow to be in the flower centers, as well as on each individual small shaped flower.

Cover with glitter, remove excess glitter by brushing softly and burnish.

Remove small leaves and repeat with Grasshopper colored glitter.

I completed my project by adding yellow gemstones to the centers of three flowers, some Cool Transparent glitter to my fruit pieces, and applying Glossy Accents to my glasses.

So why do I love this product so much - it allows me to be creative! I am only limited by my own imagination. I have other projects to share with you in which I hand cut my shapes to be used on my glitter paper. The possibilities are so incredible!

Now it's time for us to "just chill" :-D Cheers to a marvelous and hopefully sunny weekend ahead - we NEED sunshine here in the Pacific Northwest!!!

stamps: Hero Arts Let's Chill

paper: Cosmo Cricket Delovely, Memory Box Granny Smith, Neenah Solar White

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

accessories: Be Creative 4 1/2" Tape or Sheets, Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter - Ice Blue, Grasshopper, Rose, Dark Gold, and Cool Microfine; Curved Mega Rectangle Nestability, Summer Mixed Gemstones, Yellow Twill, Glossy Accents, see links above for punch shapes, Tweezer Bees

Puttin' on the Ritz! Creating Glitter Borders

The last few days have been SO busy. School ended today and all the last minute flurry of activity has me "sleepless in Seattle." I could literally fall asleep here at the computer this afternoon, but as I wasn't able to complete this post last night I am filled with renewed determination to get it done this afternoon. I am SO very excited to be sharing these glitter techniques with you because as I stated in my previous post there is something incredibly different about this glitter.

 
We hope to share little glitter samples as shown below in a variety of colors with the orders that are coming in over the next few weeks so that you can see for yourself how gorgeous and different this glitter is. It just is impossible to translate the beauty through the computer screen.

First we have two transparent colors as shown below.

 

This is the cool tone glitter that was applied to the Delovely paper in the previous post. It is difficult to actually take a picture and have the colors be true, but you can see how this glitter is shown on white paper on the left and black paper on the right. It has such an elegant and luxurious look and feel to it.

There are so many scrumptious colors to select from.

 

I am currently working on an Excel spreadsheet that will show the glitter color that corresponds with the Memory Box and Hero Arts cardstock we carry. They coordinate AMAZINGLY!

 

As you can see I have been busy :-D I am working hard to try and make this easier for you because I know that you will love these just as much as I do! Now on with the project.

 

This gorgeous Hero Arts image is so fun to color. Above are the Copic colors I used to color the image. I apologize that we have already run out of this set - I should have know that when it was shown colored it would be gone instantaneously - more are on their way and we hope will be here shortly.

I am not going to go in to the coloring of this image because that would make this post insanely long, so on with the glitter directions.

I applied a piece of Be Creative tape to my Neenah cardstock.

I prefer to cut my tape slightly larger than my project and then using my Fiskars fingertip knife I cut through the adhesive only (it's much easier than it sounds as you use the edge of the cardstock to guide you) and roll the exposed adhesive away and discard it. This gives me little "tabs" to work with when I am applying the glitter. 

Next I used my Scalloped On the Edge die to cut through the layers of tape and paper and then snipped the end tabs free.

If you haven't created little swatches when you receive your glitter you will find that it is easy to select your color by simply turning your bottle over and hold it next to your project as shown above.

Remove the wording from your tape and pour your glitter over the adhesive. Shake off the excess and using a soft brush such as a make-up brush remove the remaining glitter. The next step is always critical - BURNISH the glitter into the adhesive on the tape using your fingertips. It is incredible how it brings the glitter to life and makes it permanent. You might get glitter on you as you are working, BUT it will not come off your project and be all over the recipient of your gift after you burnish it in. :-D

 

There are so many ways to add additional colors and with this post I wanted to keep it easy. After completing the process above I simply added a thin strip of tape overtop my glittered project as shown above.

Again remove the liner with the words on it and pour your glitter over your adhesive. If you forgot to burnish your project you will end up having the two colors mixed together, but if you burnish you will be amazed at how clean and precise each color of glitter remains.

There are so many options available to you depending on the final look you would like for your project!

Remove the excess glitter, use your soft make-up style brush to remove even more glitter flakes and then burnish again.

Not only can you use the tape with the glitter but I find that the Designer Dries Clear Adhesive is magical as well. I dotted little droplets of glue on the stamens in the flowers and applied glitter to these. The gorgeous subtle gleam and texture were the perfect compliment. 

Tomorrow brings my most complex project. I hope that you have been enjoying learning about the creative options that you will be able to achieve with this product! We ran out of some colors quickly, but hope to have more the beginning of next week. So keep checking back to our store or join our Face Book Fan Club to be updated when the glitter arrives back at our warehouse.

Simple elegance - it's my favorite look :-D

 
stamps: Hero Arts Delicate Blossoms

paper: Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Sunflower

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see mug in picture above for colors)

accessories: Be Creative 5mm and 40mm (1 1/2") , Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter -  Ice Blue, Dark Gold, and Apricot, Designer Dries Clear Adhesive, On the Edge Scalloped Die,   

   

Puttin' on the Ritz - Glitter Ritz that is! Going Transparent

One of my all time favorite things to do is discover new products and then learn how to use them. Lis told me about the "glitter ladies" and how she thought I would be intrigued with this microfine glitter. She didn't warn me though that I would be hooked!!! LOL!

I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Lisa and she took me to have a play date with Deanna and Haroldine. Haroldine is the tape lady and Deanna is the glitter lady and together they regaled me with fabulous stories. But even better they showed me the magic behind the tape and the glitter. We laughed and glittered until one in the morning and now I am one sparkly girl :-D

I wish that I could pass this card through the screen to you. It is not only the beauty of the sparkles that intrigues me, but it is the finished hand of the product that makes me giddy. The technique that Deanna and Haroldine invented is called Burnished Velvet. The final product feels like a very beautiful velvet, or perhaps satin. I was joking with one of our customers who stopped by today that perhaps this could be my grown-up version of a silky blankie. I could carry a piece around in my pocket and when I was stressed I could just pull out my Burnished Velvet sample and rub it between my fingers like a baby does a silky blankie. LOL! OK - I know I'm goofy, but I thought it might be the cheapest and easiest form of stress relief :-D

OK, I'll get to the point - enough with my being silly. The first post I would like to share is the difference between the two types of Microfine glitter we have in the store. The first is transparent. It is available in two different formats. I used the cool version for the project today. The cool tones of this glitter bring a beautiful silvery, blue cast to the project you add it to. The warm tone glitter has a warm golden effect when added to a project. I will try and get to snapping a picture of the difference and putting it on our website shortly. It is so very difficult to bring these to life in pictures but I can guarantee you that the effect is magical.

The second type of Microfine glitter is the opaque versions. Below I stamped the measuring tape in a tone-on-tone ink to bring texture to the background. I then wanted to add additional tone-on-tone glamour to my card base and so I selected the cool transparent glitter and an opaque Ice Blue glitter so that you could see the difference between these two products.

We have elected to carry numerous widths of the tape in our store to allow you to create fun effects more easily. Above I have used the 3mm and 5mm widths. I will be sharing some special tips tomorrow to show you how easy it is to use the tape and glitter together. Today's post is designed only to show you the difference between the transparent and opaque versions of the glitter.

 

In the bottle you can't tell a difference. The transparent appears to be white in the jar, but when you use it on a project - THEN you see the difference.

First I applied a piece of tape over my Cosmo Cricket designer paper. I applied my colored image to the center and then covered the remaining exposed tape with the transparent glitter. After removing the excess (tips to come tomorrow) and placing it back in my jar it is essential to then "burnish" or rub over the surface of your project with your fingers. I don't know if it is the natural oils in your fingertips, or the pressure that is applied, but after you burnish the glitter into the tape with your fingertips your project will absolutely glow!

I hope that you can see the difference between the paper that is "glitterfied" and the piece that was left plain.

Just a few simple embellishments and I have a project that is "Sew cute!" So now I will leave you with my bad humor and let you anticipate my return tomorrow - perhaps tomorrows post won't be filled with bad humor - LOL! I have two more posts prepared in which I get more "techy" on you. I can hardly wait to share more information with you! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more.

 

stamps: Hero Arts Clear Design Sew Artsy and Sew Stylish

paper: Cosmo Cricket Delovely, Memory Box Bayou

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

accessories: Be Creative Tape 3mm, 5mm and 4 1/2" widths, Glitter Ritz Microfine Transparent Cool Highlights and Ice Blue  and Hero Arts Clear Crystal Gemstones, Jenni Bowlin Vintage Red Button