simple dreams

Crafting With Kids: Make It Sticky

Let's make it sticky - kids like sticky (and perhaps a few of the grown-up variety of kids do too :-D)

 

The deep edger Happy Birthday punch makes the cutest tags! I love how it leaves a top border on the image - it makes for the perfect tag to hang on to the side of a gift bag.

 

Color the sweet cupcake image from Hero Arts.

This is the same picture I showed in an earlier post - I used these colors throughout this crafting with kids series to try and keep it simple.

 

To turn your image into a sticker simply back it with Be Creative tape and cut it out. Then place the image face down on yet another piece of tape. I prefer to then use a fingertip knife to cut around the outside of the image and roll the excess tape off with my finger. You could also use a pair of teflon coated scissors to cut out the image. You can see both of these options on the image above.

 

Remove the tape backing and pour micro beads over the surface, pressing them into place. You could also use our transparent glitter to add that little extra pizazz to the image.

It is these little extra steps that make crafting extra special for kids. So try making it sticky the next time you craft!

stamps: Hero Arts Kiss the Cook

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

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

accessories: Happy Birthday Punch, MicroBeads, Be Creative Tape, Mauve Silk Ribbon 

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

  

Be Creative and use Perfect Pearls for an Elegant Look!

Welcome everyone. I have to start by telling you that I have a serious love/hate relationship with my computer - LOL! I am so very unhappy with it right now, because I lost an hour of my time :-(. I stayed up late last night doing the newsletter and then got up this morning, did the must get done list and started immediately in on this blog post. AND I kid you not when I tell you that I am almost finished with the epistle length write-up and out of no where my computer shuts down for updates!!! WHAT?!?

So here we go again - LOL! The second time around I'm not certain I'll be nearly as funny as the first, but perhaps it will be a little shorter (which is probably a good thing :-D)

This morning I introduced you to the Be Creative Tape in our newsletter. I have always thought of my adhesive as "glue" - a way of sticking two surfaces together. It was not until I saw Haroldine at work at CHA, and when I attended Ranger U, was I exposed to the idea that perhaps sticky surfaces are designed for more than just putting paper to paper, or ribbon to paper!

A whole new world of creativity has been opened up to me and I would like to share that vision with you as we support the individuals who brought about that first creative vision by utilizing their products to create with.

This little beauty above was quite the experimental process as you will see. I have to admit that I am thrilled with the end result and my hope is that you will see that sometimes the imperfections that occur during the creative process just bring it to a whole new level as you just carry on.

Begin by stamping your image on your transparency or plastic. (I will provide links at the end of this post to help you find the different products I used for this project.) I prefer Palette Noir and/or Archival Ink. My first mistake was to not allow my ink to dry - LOL! Hurry, excitement - don't let it happen to you - allow your ink to dry :-D

Cut your Be Creative Tape to size - in this case my pieces are 2 1/2" x 4". Remove the brown backing and burnish the tape, sticky-side down, in place.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these little pots of color! So beautiful! Now here is a tip that Tim shared with us at Ranger U. If you can see the writing when you open these little pots - you are in TROUBLE. Yep, beautiful, sparkly color will be all over - LOL! SO...

TIP: NO writing should be visible when you open these containers. Turn them over :-D then gently tap the container once on the table before opening. When closing the container, turn the lid backwards until you feel a "click" then screw the lid on. It will be closed properly each time. Thank you Tim for saving me from powdery messes - LOL!

Now here is my next tip - do NOT put your backing tape under the image like I did - LOL! It is much easier to see what you are doing if you work on a white surface. (see photo below - :-D)

Begin by using a very fine-tip brush and VERY little powder. Just barely dip the tip of your brush into the Perfect Pearls as you apply your color. It is much easier to bring on more than to remove the excess.

Aww - yes, the moment of discovery that perhaps I was not so precise in the placement of my colors - LOL! Oh well, you can't learn without trying is my motto.

I still have to figure out how to remove the excess powder. The beautiful "halo" effect came about after I turned my piece, holding it over a garbage can and "flicking" it with my fingernail.

Not to be deterred I carried on. I applied the Perfect Gold directly around the image with a tiny brush and then used a larger brush to spread it over the entire sticky surface.

Perfection I thought - LOL!

Next I took my second piece of 2 1/2" x 4" adhesive and removed the protective backing. I applied it directly over the surface shown two photos above and burnished it in place.

I now had a gorgeous sticker!

or so I thought until I turned it over and realized that I still  had my halo happening - LOL! In hindsight and looking at this photo it really isn't as bad as I thought at the time. Ms. Perfectionism really wanted to hit it out of the ball park and so I just carried on.

You will find that these images look different depending on what surface you adhere them to. In this instance I held it over several different colors of paper before applying it to a piece of black cardstock. The black really makes the Perfect Pearls just jump off the page.

So I removed the protective backing and adhered my giant "sticker" to black cardstock.

This is when ingenuity began on my part. I felt that the color was still a little flat and wondered what I should have or could have done differently. It was at that moment when it hit me - COPIC MARKERS! I could add transparent color over the surface and still have my pearlescent sheen! I very carefully added color (as I was working on the same side as I had stamped my image and Copics can remove your ink on plastics.) I absolutely LOVE the added depth the shot of color provides!

It was at that moment that another realization hit! I would not have been so intricate in the application of my colors. I could have put color in the major areas only and added the definition at the end with my Copic markers! I can hardly wait to try this again and see what happens next time!!!

Because I was still on my quest for perfection I then cut out my image with my fine-tipped scissors.

Oh how I wish you could see this in real-life. I just have not learned how to capture shimmery, shiny surfaces on my camera. The shot above is the best I can do.

I hope that you will join me as we learn how to BE CREATIVE with our TAPE :) Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

 
stamps: Lockhart Phalaenopsis

ink: Palette Noir or Archival Ink, Copic Markers to add color depth (sorry I didn't write these down)

paper: Basic Grey Kioshi, Memory Box Concord Grape

accessories: Be Creative Tape Sheets (you could also use this 2 1/2" roll or this 4 1/2" roll), Crystal Clear Medium Weight Plastic, Teflon Bone Folder, Perfect Pearls - Forever Green, Green Patina, Interference Violet, Forever Violet, Forever Red, Heirloom Gold, Forever Gold, Long Rectangle Nestability, Word Charm, Silk Ribbon