the CLASSroom

Paper Tole and Memory Capsules by Debbie Olson

Good morning! Today I would like to share a new-to-me product that works in conjunction with Ranger's Memory Glass and Memory Frames line, Memory Capsules. I saw these at Winter CHA and loved them because they made it possible to have a three-dimensional piece in the Memory Frames. 

See the little plastic bubbles in the lower right of the photograph above? Those are the 1-1/2" Memory Capsules. I am using them with some Graphic 45 Botanicabella papers here, but I can see these used as a fabulous first Christmas ornament for a baby--perhaps in a larger size capsule (like the 2"), and with a tiny lock of hair and a baby picture--wouldn't that be a fun and simple gift? 

I chose an image from the Garden Suite sheet of Botanicabella. (Since none of the images are repeated on a sheet, you will want two sheets of the same paper.) In the 1-1/2" frame, the black corners would have shown. I decided to trim the flowers carefully and mount them on the script sheet shown on the left.

Here you can see my first layer of flowers glued down to the script sheet. I added some shadows with my Copic W1 marker in order to make even my flat layer look dimensional. In front of the flat layer are two more flowers that I cut out and backed with foam tape.

Using the Memory Capsule to determine where my flowers would look best, I added the flowers and an additional small leaf to the base layer.

Here is a side view so that you can see the foam tape under the layers. I did not layer the flowers exactly on top of the ones I had first glued to the  script paper, but I moved them around a bit to add fullness.

So, the question is probably what to do with it, right? After stacking my layers (glass, patterned paper backing, patterned paper image that I had layered, and capsule), I put the stack inside the Memory Frame. Next I used the same line of papers (Graphic 45 Botanicabella) to create a card base. I used a Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Punch on the script layer to create a decorative border. Next I added pearls up the side of the lattice strip and a wide silk ribbon from which to hang the ornament. It is attached with a glue dot, making it fairly simple to remove from the ribbon. 

Can you think of some possibilities for the Memory Capsules? Feel free to brainstorm and share them here! Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today.

Happy 4th of July

We are in the final stretch heading home today and even though we have had a marvelous time there is no feeling as good as that of knowing you are headed home!!! We get to have doggy kisses, watch fireworks and sleep in our own beds.

A couple of things this trip has once again given me is reinforcement of how amazing this country that we live in is. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the military families for all they give! We hope to do a more major fundraiser in the very near future to help raise funds for those who have been injured and have given so much for their country. So please stay tuned.

As a Canadian living on this beautiful continent of North America I have much gratitude for what those who have come before me have given, what others continue to do today and a hope that I can continue to help in any way possible, so that our children, grandchildren and all future generations will have a good life to look forwards to in the years ahead.

 

We will see much change yet in my lifetime - this amazing sculpture of Crazy Horse is just at it's beginning stages. I hope to someday return to see the progress of this incredible monument.

 

Moreover, I hope that there will always be vast open spaces for all those to come, to enjoy as much as we have. Thank you for joining me here today on the CLASSroom and our family wishes you a very safe, happy 4th of July!

Jammin' Card by Kim Hughes

ohhh, how I just love jam, strawberry, raspberry, peach...how about you?  Loving these new jar stamps by Karen Lockhart.

 

supplies:

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Solids

Copic Markers (B00, C1, Y35, grey)

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Peach Bellini

Karen Lockhart IB Jar of Berries, IB Jar of Peaches, IB Jar of Jam

Backgrounder, Leaves Cornish Heritage Farms

memory box card stock, Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Sweetbay

Botanical Paper, Natural Obsessions Neutrals

other:

Chestnut Roan ink by Clearsnap

I die cut my white paper with a Nestabilities shape and then stamped in the center.  I colored each jar with the same colors.  First starting with a yellow Copic and added dimension with an orange shade.

I added in some blue and grey and made sure to color the blue in the darkest spots...and blended with the grey marker.

I placed my die cut shape on top of the textured paper, traced around and cut out.  i glued it on with liquid adhesive.

next, i inked the entire surface of the leaf patterned stamp with peach ink.

and pressed the front of my card base onto the inked stamp. I applied even pressure over the entire surface.

I matted the main panel onto a larger die cut shape in blue and decided to ink the edges, to help each paper stand out more.  i finished off the card with some Martha Stewart twine.  I created a card, but this look can be easily replicated to use on recipe cards or a gift bag.  I appreciate you stopping by.  :)

Tooth Fairy Box by Sharon Harnist

 

Supplies:

• Stamp: Lockhart Noel Angel
• Paper: Neenah Classic Natural White cardstock, Memory Box Sugar Plum cardstock
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic Markers & Spica Glitter Pens
• Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Edge Frame, Island Blossom Dew Drops

My youngest daughter (almost 7) has been asking me for a tooth fairy box for about a year ... even though she doesn't have a loose tooth in sight!  But since her older sister has one, of course she "needs" to have one ASAP, too!  We do boxes around here -- they make make the Tooth Fairy's job a lot easier to find those tiny teeth!

The closest stamp I have that resembled a tooth fairy was Karen Lockhart's angels, so I chose this Noel one so I could omit the "Noel" from her banner and write in "Tooth".  I think it turned out okay and my daughter was thrilled to finally have her pretty tooth box!

I started by stamping the angel with Rich Coco ink, so it would be a little softer -- in keeping with the color tones of the box.  By the way, that box was a lucky find at the dollar store a while back and was already made of this pretty soft pink damask pattern ... score!  It measures 3" wide x 2.50" tall x 3.75" deep and has two drawers that pull out.  If you can't find something similar, you could always glue two small match boxes together and cover them in paper -- it will be smaller but will work.

After stamping the angel, I colored her with these Copic markers and Spica Glitter Pens (Clear, Gold & Pink):

 

Hopefully, you can see that lovely Spica glitter in this photo (click on it for a larger view):

 

I searched for a die the right size to cut out this sweet angel and still fit on the top of the box and found the center of Spellbinders' Scalloped Edge Frame to be perfect!  After die cutting the angel, I also die cut & embossed a piece of Memory Box Sugar Plum cardstock and while the cardstock was still in the frame, I colored the embossed dots with Pink Copic Spica Glitter Pen:

 

I really liked the whimsy the embossed dots added to the angel.  I adhered everything on top of the box and then added some Island Blossom Dew Drops for accents.  Those drawers will come in handy ... one for the teeth and one for the money!

 

I hope this project gets you thinking about other ways you can use Karen Lockhart's pretty Angels!

Americana Rocker by Debbie Olson

I love Karen Lockhart's new stamps! I thought that I had a favorite--the pie in the window stamp--but having seen what Kim, Sharon, and Susan have done over the past few days, I'm not sure which is my favorite now. Today I'm using one that hasn't been used in the CLASSroom yet, the Rocker. (As always, click on any image to see it larger.)

I started by stamping the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloring the browns (Copic E55 and E57). Individual Copic markers can be found here.

Next I colored the blues (Copic B41, B95, and B97). I kept the seat of the rocker lighter, assuming that it would be more faded than the edges of the cushion.

I then colored the greenery, shadows, and sky. The second marker from the left, the clear blender with a blue mark on the cap, is a mixture of colorless blender fluid and BG000. Other Copic markers used were 0, W1, W2, YG11, YG17.

Finally I added my reds (0 to pull the highlights out of the apples, and R27 and R59 as the reds). I saved the reds for last because I didn't want to risk causing them to bleed when I put the paler colors around the reds. A dark red is easy to smear if you touch it with a lighter marker.

To add some texture to the quilt on the back of the rocker, I cut a small piece of paper towel and saturated it with Copic colorless blender fluid. I then touched this bit of paper towel to the quilt, lightening a pattern of color.

For patterned papers, I chose some Graphic 45 Fashionista papers, Buttons a la Mode and Fasionista. A bit of sanding, sewing, and sponging of distress ink, combined with natural twill and buttons from my stash finished it off.

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Flitter Flutter Fly by Susan Roberts

Today I have made a couple of cards using the "Star Butterfly" image which is one of several new stamps that Karen Lockhart has released this week.  Here is the first card.  Doesn't this butterfly make the cutest "flag"!

I love this May Arts twill ribbon.  The designer papers used on the card are from Graphic 45's "Playtimes Past" and "Times Nouveau" Collections.  Memory Box's "Classic Cream" and "Paprika" cardstock were also used.  The button is from Hero Arts "Summer" line.

The image was stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers.

The sentiment is from a CHF set called "We Remember".

The second card has the butterfly dressed not for the 4th of July but, instead, for Fall with a quilt made using three different designer papers from Graphic 45's "Botanicabella" and "Communique" Collections.

The sentiment is also a new Lockhart release.  Pearls were added to the corners, the butterfly and the sentiment.

As with the first card, the butterfly was stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers.  The green Memory Box cardstock is "Granny Smith" and the brown card base is "Vanilla Bean".

Since I wanted a distressed or more vintage look to the images, I sponged each butterfly with Ranger Distress Ink in "Tea Dye" after first coloring them with the Copics.  I also sponged one of the flowers on the first card and around the edges of the felt button on the second card.

 

After sponging, I dotted the stars on each butterfly with a white gel pen.  Glitter was also added to the "flag" butterfly's stars with a Stardust Glitter Pen.

To get a slightly different look with the flowers , I turned them upside down.  The petals turn up rather than into the card creating a little more dimension.

 

I cut and used a couple petals from a green flower for the leaves.

 

One last thing I want to mention.  When sewing the "quilt" on the second card, I first taped each square into place.  However whenever you are going to sew on a project, make sure that the tape does not cover any area where there will be sewing.  This can really mess up your sewing machine/needle.  (Don't ask!! LOL)

 

I hope that you will check out the new Lockhart stamps.  This butterfly was so fun to work with and can easily be used to make something other than a patriotic card.

Happy Crafting!

Cupcakes in a Window Card by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Lockhart Stamp Company Cupcakes in the Window and Happy Cupcake Day sentiment
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic markers: BV31, BV02, BV11, R20, R22, R24, G21, G24, E31, E55, B21, C1, C2 and Spica Glitter Pens: Pink & Olive
• BasicGrey Wisteria 6x6 papers, Memory Box Hyacinth cardstock, Neenah Classic Natural White cardstock 
• Fingertip Craft Knife

• Tim Holtz Paper Distresser 

Aren't Karen Lockhart's new window stamps adorable?  The first thing that came to mind for me was, naturally, a window card -- so here it is! 

I stamped the window image onto natural cardstock, colored it with the Copic markers listed above, and then cut it out.  A craft knife makes the job of cutting the inside of the window, around those curvy curtains, much easier.  I also carefully cut around the cupcakes/stand so I could use that image on the inside of the card.

Wisteria paper was distressed and machine stitched to a Hyacinth card base.  I placed the cut out window image on top of the card base, to see where I wanted the placement.  Then I lightly marked with a pencil the window opening, so I would know where to cut the window in the card base.  After the cut was made, I popped the window up on dimensional foam tape on the card front.

A strip of coordinating Wisteria paper was placed on the inside of the card, along with a base layer of more Hyacinth cardstock (as Memory Box's cardstock has a white back).  You wouldn't have to line the inside of your card with the Hyacinth cardstock, I just liked the finished look of it.  Then the colored cupcakes/stand were adhered onto the decorative paper on the inside of the card.

The Lockhart cupcake sentiment was stamped on the inside of the card, to finish it off.  I can't wait to see what creative things you come up with for these new Lockhart window stamps!

Warm Greetings card by Kim Hughes

I suppose it can be assumed that a hand made card is like sending a warm greeting...and a sentiment is not always essential.  This new image from Karen Lockhart just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, hope it has the same effect on you too.

 

Supplies:

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black

Copic E00, C1, T5, YR21, RV11, R21, G82, YG95, YG63, YO00, V01

In the Window, Pie Karen Lockhart stamp (new release)

Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Brandywine

Basic Grey Buttons, Porcelain

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Solids

other:

Chestnut Roan ink by Clearsnap

 

Copic color E00 is the main ingredient for this card and does most of the work.

I started by coloring the pie and going over the image multiple times with the same color to give depth to the bottom

 

I then added dark grey to the top of the pie tin

 

and the lighter grey color to the bottom.  I blended the 2 shades together

 

Next, I colored the walls, behind the pie purple and the curtains green.  I admit that when I first colored this, I thought..."Oh dear, what have I done?"   

I didn't like the look, so I decided to soften it up by coloring E00 (cream) over the entire image.  I added some grey tones as well, to add more charecter to the shutters

 

I colored the flowers pink and accented them with a bit of yellow.

 

I then colored the entire paper with YO00 and added some light grey to the flower box

 

I chalked the edges of the paper and colored an accent paper with a Copic marker to draw in more of the rustic color.

 

I also aged the twine, by coloring it to help it coordinate better with the feel of the card.

 

 

I matted the panel onto Memory Bx paper and machine sewed around the edges.  I punched the paper that I added some color to and embellished with a clear button.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial.  We appreciate you stopping by the CLASSroom.  Have a great day :)

Dad Card: Enhancing Texture by Debbie Olson

Several years ago, the fabulously talented and equally witty Janine Tinklenburg, aka JanTink, created a  denim card that I loved. As I stared at my stamps with Father's Day in mind, I remembered her card and thought that a tutorial might be in order. (Don't worry--I checked with JanTink first and have her blessing!) Now I realize that it's a bit late for making one this year if you don't have the Denim backgrounder, but guys have birthdays too!  Please Note: The store seems to have sold out of the Denim Backgrounder today, making the link appear to be non-existent; I have no projected date for restock since I am not on the supply end of things.

I started by stamping my Denim Backgrounder on some Memory Box Ocean cardstock in Adirondack Denim ink. It is important to use a brayer when you are inking a finely-textured background. You will get much better ink coverage (and consequently more believeable texture) if you apply ink evenly.

 

After inking the denim background, I applied some Tea Dye Distress ink around the edges to age my jeans a bit. (Jan did a great job of having wrinkled jeans in places; consider mine dress jeans, and feel free to grunge them more as you wish. ;-D)

 

After distressing the edges slightly, I used aTim Holtz ruler and piercing tool to pierce a double row of holes, 1/4" apart down one side.

 

After piercing the double row, I used the ruler and white Prismacolor pencil to draw a hard edge on the right side of the double-pierced rows and free-handed a soft edge on the left side of the pierced rows. Important: avoid getting white pencil on the pierced lines. If you get a waxy coating on them, you will not get the white gel pen in the next step to write on the paper.

 

The right side of the lines will became my seam, and the left side is unseamed, though "sewn." I used a white gel pen to draw the stitches. Next I used a Copic B34 to deepen the blue on the right side, the hard edge. I used a Copic W1 to soften the blue edge and blend it into the rest of the denim on the right.

 

For the area between the two stitched rows, I used a Copic B34 to create random depressions in the seam--places where the cloth has shrunk and puckered a bit. In the center of each B34 patch, a spot of B95 deepens the shadow. In between the darker blue patches, I used the W1 to blend and soften, adding to the realism.

 

The background is finished; for the sentiment, I created a sewn-on tag by stamping the sentiment (from the Mona Lisa Moments Father's Day Centers set) in black ink on Kraft cardstock. (It occurred to me later that Grungepaper would have been the perfect paper for a faux leather tag, so if you have some, you might give it a try.) I repeated the pierced edges and gel pen faux stitching made famous a few years back by Julie Ebersole, stamping queen.

 

That tag needed to be grunged up a bit, so I sponged on some Tea Dye Distress ink and used the edge of my scissors to distress the cardstock edges and curl the corners.

  

Voila--jeans for Dad. This is a very simple technique--you can do it! Please leave a link if you do; we would love to see your handiwork. Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom.

Summer Collage by Kim Hughes

I'd like to show you how to make the most out of a stamp set.  By layering images with different colors, you can create an interesting scene with lots of interest.  Some designers like to mask off images, but I like to show the entire image and create a collage look.

 

Supplies;

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Aqua, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Peach Bellini, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Terra Cotta, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lettuce, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Cranberry, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Butterscotch

General Motors, The Beach, Kim Hughes, Summer Trees (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Dew Drops Bottle, Plumeria

D Cardstock, Eggshell, E5 Cardstock, Key Lime (Memory Box)

Basic Grey Buttons, Lime Rickey

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Solids

 

I start by placing images face up to see where they can overlap.  Remember that they will face the other way once you stamp them.

Next, choose what ink colors to use.  The images that have center stage, should have the boldest colors.  In this card's case, the car and sentiment should stand out above the rest.  Most ink colors should be soft or light

 

I start stamping the side that will anchor the other images.  In this case, I will move from right to left

 

 

I felt that it needed a little something to "anchor" the scene, so I added some clouds.

 

I added a machine stitch around the card and embellished with 2 clear buttons to compliment the Dew Drop used on the sun.  This is what the inside of my card looks like.  I always secure m stitch with a foam square and tape my ribbons or string onto the inside of the card.

 

I hope that you will give this look a try.

Have a great day!