simple dreams

Cardmaking with Trina

Yes, it's true - I work on the weekends. Some of you have asked how I get it all done - well in all honesty I don't - LOL! I try REALLY hard, but reality is that my studio is not as put away as I would like, my desk has "piles" that need to be put away, and...

It was nice to have my family drop in this weekend to help. My DH vacuumed, Maddi started putting products away and Trina created a card and "gift" for the friend's birthday party she was headed to that evening.

Her friend loves flourescent things and I do believe she selected colors that fit the bill :-D

She filled this awesome little pillow box with flourescent colored paper clips - the perfect combo to go with the animal print footie p.j.'s don't you think :-D

Thank you for stopping in and taking a peek at her creations - if you have any thoughts to share with Trina I know she would love to hear from you :-D

Oops - forgot her supply list - she would not have been happy with me - LOL!

 
stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Have a Donut and Wonderful Birthday

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper: Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Currant and Basic Grey Green at Heart

accessories: Open Scallop Edger Punch, Pillow Box Die (6x6 paper works PERFECT with this :-D)

"BOO" Your Neighbor --- It's a Good Thing!

This activity has been one my family has REALLY enjoyed, especially when my girls were a little younger than they are now ;-D It is always so much fun to hear the laughter as they tell their get away stories and it just feels good to bring this little "tradition" to other families.

Here at work I started asking the others if they had ever "Boo'ed" their neighbors. They gave me the funniest look when I asked this question. I then realized that everyone but Cathy had no clue what I was talking about! Thank you for sharing your poem with us Cathy (I couldn't find mine - insert pink cheeks here).

BOO!

The Phantom Ghost has come to call, and left some goodies for one and all.

The Treats that came with this special note, are yours to keep, enjoy them both.

The fun comes when friends like you, will copy this and make it two.

Then others here among our friends, will give warm puzzles that will not end.

We'll have smiles upon our face, no one will know who boo'ed whose place.

Just one short day to work your fun, or a big zap will strike, so run!

And don't forget a nifty treat, like something cute or something sweet.

Please join the fun, let's really bear it, and spread some boos and a kind spirit.

So here is what you do:

1. Make two fun "ghostly" tags,
2. Make two copies of the attached BOO! poem and stamp some fun images around the corners: Download Boo Poem
3. Fill two bags with a couple of treats,
   
4. Place a copy of the BOO! poem in each bag,
5. Secretly deliver to two neighbors or friends,
6. Watch the excitement grow :-D

Above are just a couple of close-ups to help you replicate this design if you choose. I had so much fun masking, aging, texturizing... I hope to share the how-to's for all these fabulous techniques soon :-D

stamps: Stampers Anonymous Winter Sketchbook, Hero Arts ClearDesign Frightful

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and Tea Dye; Copic Markers

paper: Manila Tags, #10 (X-Large), Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante 8x8

accessories: Sizzix DIes - Rickety House and On the Fence; Texture Fades - Bricked and Wooden; Martha Stewart Witch and Cauldron, Frisket Film, Adirondack Dabbers - Snow Cap and Espresso, Tim Holtz TImepieces, Game Spinner, Film Strip Ribbon, Memo Pin and Tiny Attacher, 7 Gypsies Antique Brass Reinforcers, White Prismacolor Pencil,  Gold Silk Ribbon

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 

Crafting With Kids: Dab It

Today I used the same fishbowl as yesterday and just applied a different technique that I thought would be fun for any age. It is a technique that Tim taught us at Ranger U and so both kids and those of us who are "older" kids will all enjoy giving this a try :-D

I had to share a close-up of the fishbowl before beginning just to give you a better view of these splendid little creatures. 

To begin simply take three different distress ink pads and rub them on the non-stick craft sheet. 

Use a mini mister and spray the surface until you see little beads form. I love the weight of the tags we carry and so used the white tags for this project. They curl when you wet them, but then the flatten right back out when dried.  Simply drag your tag through this delicious little color field.

The next technique is simply scribbling and dragging a reinker tip through your color field before misting.

As you can see the color is so much more vibrant.

The tag in the center is a combination of the two techniques. I created it using the first method and then dabbed it in the remaining vibrant colors from the second scribble technique. It is magical to see what will happen with each new application. Not only will this be fun for kids, but it will be fun for us older kids as well ;-D

 
This photo is to share what not to use - as you can see I used Memento Ink on the first set of fish and when I applied my Rock Candy stickles, well... SO attempt number two using an appropriate ink for this project, in this case Archival Ink.

I should have thought about my finished project before selecting my ink - I knew I wanted to add Rock Candy stickles to my fish to bring up the glam factor. As you can see the Memento Ink was not waterproof beneath the stickles.

At Ranger U I learned that Rock Candy Stickles can be heated! Yippie - I no longer have to wait to allow this beauty to dry. It is the only Stickles product that can be heated - the shimmer that emerges as it dries is gorgeous!

To create the water effect in the fish bowl I rubbed Distress Ink on my craft sheet, lightly misted it and then placed the fishbowl atop the ink puddles. Neenah cardstock will curl, but if you use your Heat It tool to dry it and then drag it over a rounded hard work surface edge in both directions you can eliminate many of the wrinkles and curls that result.

We hope that you have fun scribbling and dabbing! The results can be quite beautiful.
 

stamps: Kim Hughes Ocean Friends

paper: Neenah Solar White

ink: Jet Black Archival Ink Pad

accessories: Non-Stick Craft Sheet, Mini Mister, Distress Ink Pad - Dusty Concord, Broken China, Wild Honey, Distress Reinkers - Broken China, Dried Marigold, Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Large White Tags

Template: Download Fishbowl Template 

  

Crafting With Kids: Scribble It

It has been a "few" years since my girls were toddlers, but I remember those days like they were yesterday. I really miss the funny things they would say!

Our kitchen table is a testiment to the creative adventures that have taken place in our home - LOL! We talk about refinishing it, but then I think some of the memories might disappear with a more desireable surface.

With a little help a toddler can have fun creating too!

Two lines of stamps that we carry that are especially fun for kids are the Kim Hughes images and the Hero Arts selection. Making little stickers and having kids put them on their cards will be a fun activity for even the youngest child.

To begin I covered a piece of Neenah cardstock with the 4 1/2" wide tape. The smaller 2 1/2" size will work for many images and you can do several rows placed together for larger images.

I cut the piece of cardstock off that was backed with tape and randomly stamped a bunch of "fishy" images.

Next I did my best to imitate the coloring of my youth as I don't have any little helpers here at work. Using my left hand I had very little control - LOL! To help make certain that you don't end up with bunches of black and brown simply select the colors in advance - then there will be no tears when Mom decides that those colors just aren't working :-D

One thing I did realize after I had cut out my pieces is that a hard scribble looks better ;-D So let your kids color at will.

Julia helped me create this little fishbowl and we would like to share it with you in hopes that you will try this with your kids. (Scroll to the bottom of this post - you will find it in the supplies section.) All you have to do is insert your cardstock and print :-D

Then score and cut out your fishbowl as shown above.

Using a stamp-a-ma-jig I was able to line up the cute waves along the top edge and then added some seaweed and bubbles.

 
Remove the sticker backing and put your fish in the bowl.

You can outline some of the bubbles, the waves and parts of the fish using a 2-way glue pen and then sprinkle on the glitter.

This could make the perfect card to send to grandparents or give to Dad by simply adding the "your fintastic" sentiment inside.

This idea can be translated on so many different levels. Create your own sticker page scenes or coloring book pages. So try getting crafty with your wee ones! Scribbling can be so very cute!

 
stamps: Kim Hughes Ocean Friends

paper: Neenah Solar White

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (or if you would like to let them watercolor I would recommend Palette Noir)

accessories: Be Creative 2 1/2" or 4 1/2" Tape, Cool Highlights Microfine Glitter, 2-way Glue Pen, Teflon Scissors (so that the adhesive doesn't stick), Crayola Wax Crayons

template: Download Fishbowl Template  

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