the CLASSroom

Hello, Monday 10.29.2012

(click on the pic to en-biggan)

Do you love the look of collage, but feel somewhat intimidated at how to pull it off, like me? *wink*

Freestyle collage is a popular trend right now in paper crafts that I am completely intrigued by! I'm particularly fond of the ones that embrace white space (if you know me at all, you know how I adore me some white space, and lots of it!) and feature a small, tightly clustered group of design elements.

The fact that the elements are deliberately and slightly askew adds to the charm and is also rather liberating and fun!

Enjoy the video here or in HD over on YouTube!

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Technique Tuesday Clear Stamps, In Stitches	Prima Press, Typewriter	Tim Holtz, Spills and Splatters	Delicata Ink Pad, Golden Glitz
Brilliance Pad, Pearlescent Chocolate	Distress Ink Pad, Scattered Straw	Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Peach Bellini	Impression Obsession Dies, Leave
A Cardstock, Essentials by Ellen: White Linen #100 Cardstock, 25 Pack	Basic Grey Clippings, 6x6 Paper Pad	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream
Sponge Applicator, Sponge Dauber with Airtight Cap	3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini

InLinkz.com

Hello, Monday Video: GOT CANDY? by Julie Ebersole

(click on the pics to en-biggan)

I had seriously way too much fun making this Halloween design--this tiny shopping bag is to die for--LITERALLY!!!

I can't help but have a lot of fun when it comes to Halloween--it's the Mister's birthday! Candy, cake AND ice cream???!!! Oh, yeah, baby!!!

This week's video shows you how the whole thing came together and you can watch it right here, or hop over to YouTube to watch it in HD!  Enjoy!

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Ream	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Ream	Echo Park 6x6 Pad, Dots & Stripes, Soda Fountain	Echo Park 6x6 Dots and Stripes - Homefront
Memory Box Dies, Mini Shopping Bag	Memory Box Dies, Dangling Spider	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Be Creative (Sookwang) Tape, 3mm (1/8")
Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini	Soft Grip Embossing and Stylus Set	Tweezers, Stainless	3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick
Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White	Teflon Bone Folder	Sakura Quickie Glue Pen	Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers, Black
Glitter Ritz Microfine, Black	Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker Machine	Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper Tool, Angle & Photo Corner

InLinkz.com

Hello Fall by Julie Ebersole

(click on the pics to en-biggan)

Here's a super fun way to add some texture to your paper craft projects! I've been fascinated with Real Wood Paper and the fact that it can be cut by hand, die cut, and even embossed much like regular card stock, making it a very interesting supply to create with!

In a word, I love it. LOVE!!! Combine woodgrain with my favorite color, green, and mmmm mm mmmm! It's a good thing, as Martha says! ;)

The added texture of Sage colored Flower Soft creates the illusion of "moss"--have you seen those fun moss-covered home decor letters and terrariums? I think they're so cool looking, and it's fun to recreate a bit of that style and effect on a card!

You can watch the video here or directly on YouTube in HD.

Perhaps this design will spark other ideas for you to try the next time you sit down to create!

Thanks for joining me today!

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

Studio Calico ClearDesign, Claire from Hero Arts	Memento Ink Pad, Espresso Truffle	COPIC Sketch Marker E09, Burnt Sienna	COPIC Sketch Marker YR14, Caramel
Essentials by Ellen, White Linen Cardstock, 25 pk	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, 25 pk	Real Wood Cherry, Thin, 8.5x11	Flower Soft, Ultra Fine Sage
American Crafts, DIY Foam Thickers, Shoebox White	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Ream	Memory Box Dies, Nutty Acorn	Teflon Bone Folder
Tweezers, Stainless	Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Glue Glider Pro
Glue Glider Pro Plus Refill, High Tac 58'	3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick

InLinkz.com

Lawnscaping Fall Blog Hop Sponsorship and Blog Candy

With World Card Making Day tomorrow we wanted to start off with some FUN today! Be certain to note that we have TWO posts for you today! Please join me in welcoming our guest designer Jean Manis in the following post, as well carefully read through this post being we have a special discount for EVERYONE who participates in this challenge AND a discount code for shopping today and tomorrow! 

Over the next two days we will be offering you a MULTITUDE of challenges to participate in and prizes to win!!! So be certain to return again tomorrow! For today and tomorrow we have a special shopping discount for you - if you place an order with us at www.ellenhutson.com either today or tomorrow please use the code WCMD2012 to receive 15% off everything in-stock on your order except Copic products!

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It is such a privilege to be sponsoring the Lawnscaping Challenges fall blog hop!!! When Laurel sent me the badge for the hop I just had to create using it AND I wanted for each of you to have the opportunity to participate as well! After you have completed hopping we hope you feel incredibly inspired and will get busy creating because we have a FABULOUS surprise for those who take this on. We will be offering a one-time discount code to all participants who create a project following the directions below!

To play along in this challenge and be qualified for the discount code you must do the following:

• create a new project for only this challenge based on the photo inspiration above - then link this challenge AND inspiration photo to your post and add the direct link to your post or online gallery to the InLinkz below,
• you must use at least one Lawn Fawn image or product (paper or hemp) in your creation,
• if you do not have a blog you can upload your image to the Gallery, the Lawnscaping Challenges Flickr group or Splitcoaststampers,
• you have one week to complete your project - deadline is Friday, October 12th! Watch the little timer on the InLinkz at the bottom of this post for exact time left.

On Monday, October 15 we will use the email address you provide when entering your project using the InLinkz information included below to send out a special email to all those who have participated with a one-time use discount code of 15%. You will be able to use this code on any order you place with us at anytime until the end of this year - December 31, 2012. We hope this gets you busy creating and joining in the fun ;-D

Be certain to head over to the Lawnscaping Challenge Blog for additional fun and more blog candy!!!

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When I first saw the blog hop badge I couldn't help but have flowers on my brain - I just love these big, beautiful sunflower blossoms! I have been wanting to try a fabulous idea I had pinned to my Pinterest board that brought me back to elementary school days when we wrapped tin cans with string and yarn. Everything just seemed to come together when it dawned on me that Lawn Fawn has the most fabulous hemp!

Mason jars are a hot trend right now! So what better and more fun way to use your crafty supplies than to create an up-to-date centerpiece for the upcoming Thanksgiving festivities! I must admit I didn't part with one of my pretty Mason jars, but rather used a pickle jar that had just been washed to recycle. Begin by applying two rows of 2 1/2" Be-Creative (Sookwang) tape to your jar.

I worked from the bottom up, only removing the protective covering from the lower portion of the tape. This made it easy to hold on to the jar and wrap the hemp as shown in the photo above.

Hide the "tails" of the hemp as shown above. I like to work using odd numbers - the look is always more balanced that way. So I started with 5 rows of the mustard, 3 rows of the teal, etc.

When you complete your last row simply tuck the tail end beneath the previous row. I used my craft knife to help me gently lift the previous row and tuck the end in place. Then use the knife to scrape away any excessive adhesive and an adhesive eraser to eliminate any tape remains.

To create the tag I embossed the die cut Desert Storm tag and added this fabulous cornucopia from Lawn Fawn's Harvest set. Coloring on the Desert Storm paper using Prismacolor pencils gives a warm look to the completed image!

I couldn't resist creating a second tag using the same stamp set - this tag being a little more modern in appearance.

Mount all three leaf stamps on an acrylic block and stamp multiple times using Distress Embossing ink. Then apply Adirondack's Butterscotch embossing powder and heat set it. This embossing powder is a perfect coordinate to the Lawn Fawn hemp! To create the coordinating ribbon colored a segment of 1/4" silk ribbon with coordinating Copic markers.

Can you imagine little jelly jars done in this manner and situated at each place setting?!! You could write individual names on the tags and use them as place holders or line them up down the center of the table and use as a centerpiece. I hope that this inspires you to go and pull out your Lawn Fawn stamps and join in this fun challenge!

InLinkz.com

Lawnscaping Fall Blog Hop with Jean Manis

Who better to join in sharing some fabulous inspiration for our portion of the Lawnscaping Fall Blog Hop challenge than the talented artist who introduced me to these fun challenges!! Today I am so very excited to share the beautiful work of Jean Manis with you! It was about a year and a half ago when I first met Jean at a school related function, little did I know at that time what an avid paper crafter she was. Over the past short months I have had the pleasure of getting to know Jean better as she stops in here at our office/warehouse. It was during one of those visits that she shared how much she enjoyed the Lawnscaping challenges.

Jean is on both the Simple Scrapper and the Neat and Tangled Design Teams and she shares more of her gorgeous work on her blog Right as Rain. I would like to invite you to head over to Jean's blog to be inspired and leave some comments for her!

Being Jean does not have ready access to her in-box this weekend please join me in welcoming Jean here in the CLASSroom by leaving a comment for her here on this post! You will have until midnight October 7, 2012 Pacific Daylight Time to share your thoughts and be included in our random drawing for some of the fun products Jean used to create this fabulous fall forest for the Lawnscaping Fall Blog Hop Challenge!

 Head to the bottom of this post to find the comments section!

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Fall in the Pacific Northwest is glorious as the deciduous trees show their color against an evergreen backdrop. I wanted to capture the Pacific Northwest fall, specifically the textures and colors, in a card using a combination of Lawn Fawn stamp sets, a couple of which are intended for the winter and holidays. As soon as I saw the “Let It Snow” set, I knew it was a must-have given its combination of solid and open evergreen trees. Several of the patterned papers from the Basic Grey “Aspen Frost” pad and Echo Park’s “Everyday Eclectic” offer texture with their prints. We are often wearing scarves here, (not just in the winter!), so I donned the “Winter Owl” with a fall-colored scarf, paper-pieced with a print from “Aspen Frost.”

With each card I make I set out to make an improvement in some way – try a new design, try a new technique or polish my stamping or card-making skills. To that end, I have two tips to share.

To “season” the solid trees in the Lawn Fawn “Let It Snow” set, I used a sanding block from Lucky Squirrel.

Stamped with black Ranger Archival ink, you can see that my first tree (on the far right) has some splotches. I sanded the stamp, on the stamping block, lightly and then stamped again (middle image). I wanted to err on the side of under-sanding rather than over sanding. Since I still had a little bit of splotch, I sanded a bit more and finally achieved a clean solid image (on the far left).

I clear-embossed the owl stamped with Versafine black ink. I find that having the embossed edge makes my paper-piecing easier. There’s something about that raised barrier. I stamped and embossed the owl several times, using the owl stamped on Memory Box Vanilla Bean cardstock as the base. Another tip I wanted to share, which I learned from Chari Moss http://www.mossymade.com/, is to use a marker on the edges of cut stamped pieces. This tip was especially useful when I cut out the owl’s eyes, since I didn’t want there to be any white paper outside of the stamped image. Holding the cut paper with tweezers, due to its size, I went around the edge with a Memento marker. It’s best to dedicate a marker to this task as the fibers of the marker will eventually get paper cuts that could lead to bleeding when you use the marker to color.

I stamped the solid trees from the “Let It Snow” set for the forest foreground using “Peeled Paint” and “Forest Moss” Distress inks. These inks paired nicely together color-wise and provide a watercolor-like effect when stamped with the solid tree. I wanted the forest to have a natural feel to it. Three fussy-cut trees sit in the foreground of my scene. I stamped the background forest with the open trees in the set using the same two ink colors. I wanted there to be some overlap to create a cluster. The tallest cut tree was adhered directly to the background; I used 1/16” 3-D dots for the other two solid trees. I used 1/8” 3-D dots to adhere the owl and stapled the banner for a metallic accent.

Going back to my card-making goals, I periodically like to try a different approach. In this case, the “Winter Owl” stamp was one that I wanted to try Copic coloring. This owl uses brown Versafine ink, rather than black, and is clear embossed. I’m a novice when it comes to using my Copics, so my owl doesn’t include any shading. The Copic-colored approach was definitely less time-consuming than the paper-pieced one.  Using the colorless blender, I “added” polka dots to the scarf.

InLinkz.com

Tissue Paper and Die Cuts - Part 2, Faux Watercolor

I hope my recent post has you thinking about new ways of using your dies together with tissue paper! When thinking about what makes tissue paper unique I remembered that when wet, color puddles form... and it dawned on me - I could use it as a watercolor medium!

Begin with watercolor paper - in this case I used Hero Arts felt finish paper. My guess is that the Jennifer's watercolor paper we carry, would work even better. OR if you have Julie's Bristol you could try that as well. I just didn't have quite enough time to try all three and do a side-by-side comparison that day. Be certain to watch for an update as I give that a try!

To create a watercolor background spritz your watercolor paper with water (I'm going to have to try Perfect Pearls mists and Studio Calico mists soon as well!) Position your die cut leaves randomly atop the paper. Continue to spritz and lay down more leaves until your sheet is covered.

Once you have your finished look you must allow it to rest for a while to allow the tissue paper to release it's color into the watercolor paper surface. I have to admit I'm not certain how long I was patient enough to leave it this way - perhaps 30 minutes. I then pulled out my Heat It tool (LOVE this embossing tool because it doesn't blow things every which way!) and hurried the drying process along. Your finished piece will be warped, but simply drawing it back and forth over a soft table or desk edge will help straighten it to look like new. :-D

Impression Obsession Dies, Leaves	Memory Box Die, Metal Adaptor Plate	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Vagabond Cutting Machine by Tim Holtz
Watercolor Paper, Felt Finish Bright White	Hero Arts, Layering Paper, Iris	Basic Grey, Little Black Dress ClearDesign, Love and Lace from Hero Arts	Shadow Ink, Soft Purple
Inkssentials Mister, 2 oz.

InLinkz.com

Tissue Paper and Die Cuts - Part 1, Collage

It is hard to believe that fall is in the air! The air is crisp now in the evenings and mornings and the leaves are beginning to turn. This time of year brings SO much inspiration!

It was while putting together a birthday package that this idea came to mind and I really think that it is going to trigger something fun in each of your minds. This is the first of a couple of different ideas I am sharing using tissue paper and die cuts, so let the fun begin!

Claudine's video on how to use Studio Multi-Medium (find it at this link) will come in handy when creating a project similar to this. The beauty of tissue paper is that it is semi-transparent one wet and when it dries the pattern of the stamped image below shows through.

Die cut various colors of tissue paper - I was able to cut through at least 6 sheets of tissue paper at one time. You will need to carefully pull the sheets apart once they are removed.

I began by stamping through a circular mask on to linen cardstock using the Hero Arts woodgrain stamp - LOVE this stamp! Be certain to use a waterproof ink such as Archival ink.

Apply a thin layer of Multi-medium to the cardstock surface and place your tissue paper leaf in the wet area and paint over the entire leaf using more Multi-medium.

If you are uncertain of leaf placement allow the first piece to dry, or if you are confident in your layout just keep working. Add a leaf at a time until your project is complete.

To adhere the letters I held each one using a pair of tweezers and applied Multi-medium to the back side of each letter. Multi-medium dries clear and is a phenomenal adhesive. I liked using it for this project because it allowed me to scotch the letters around on the wet surface until I had them perfectly straight. Tweezers are an absolute must for crafting in my opinion!

I hope to see loads of projects using die cuts and tissue paper from each of you - let's see how long this idea takes to catch on :-D My hope is that I have planted a new seed and I can hardly wait to see it sprout (or leaf out - ha, ha!)

Memory Box Dies, Maple Leaf	Memory Box Dies, Parker Lower Alphabet	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Memory Box Die, Metal Adaptor Plate
Hero Arts Designer Woodgrain	Archival Ink Pad, Sepia	Essentials by Ellen, White Linen Cardstock, 25 pk	Studio Multi-Medium, Matte
Studio Artist Brushes

InLinkz.com

Fall Leaves Combo by Julia Stainton

Before you know it, it will be time for Thanksgiving. If you're American, you still have lots of time to prepare, but if you're Canadian like me, well... you have a couple days left. Today I have a couple quick projects that are fun and festive for the season. Better yet, you can easily change them up to suit any occasion.

As I looked through my supplies, I realized that I didn't have anything directly Thanksgiving themed on hand. But that's ok. By using what I have creatively, I can design for almost any occasion.

To start off my card I stamped the card base in white ink with this Hero Arts stamp. It adds a great distressed look which always works for a fall-themed card.

Now here's a little trick for the stamping...

I wanted the text to be the background and also on the die cut leaf. I could have just stamped the card after I'd adhered the leaf but with even the slight difference in surface height between the papers, I'd would have ended up with a halo like effect and the text would not have stamped cleanly right through.

First of all, stamp the text directly onto the card base. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of this step but it's pretty basic, right?

Next stamp your text onto a scrap piece of cardstock as in the picture below...

I wanted my leaf to be an exact way across the text for design purposes but also wanted the text stamped on the leaf to line up perfectly with the text beneath it. By laying my die cut leaf on the text stamp scrap paper, I can see exactly how I want me leaf to be on the final card and also easily line up the text.

Once you have the leaf lined up the scrap paper, stamp the text onto the leaf and remove the leaf.

Now you can line it up perfectly onto the text on the card for a seamless look. It's really quick and easy and gives a great look. Try it and see!

I also wanted to include a sentiment on my card but didn't have any Thanksgiving ones. Sending you Warm Thoughts from the Hero Arts set seemed to work well in a pinch. I tried stamping it but with my design, it just didn't look right. The sentiment was too long. I decided on just stamping the "warm thoughts" portion. Because this is a clear stamp, it can be easily cut apart. Really. It's OK to do this. The stamp will be fine placed back on the storage sheet and you can easily put it back together on an acrylic block if you want the entire sentiment. Don't worry! The stamp police won't come and get you. ;)

To finish off my card, I stamped my sentiment onto some Sticky-Back Canvas and stapled it on. A sanded button adds a fun look and the twine adds a tiny hit of color.

Next I decided to make a few quick pillow boxes to hold treats on my Thanksgiving table. I've used the new Lily Bee Harvest Market Collection Kit for these little boxes and also for the die cut leaf in the above card.

When you're creating for a crowd, it's always a good idea to keep it simple so that you don't get overwhelmed. Simple is classic and always in style.

These little boxes are die cut from the Sizzix Bigz Pillow Box die and are so easy to put together. You can even die cut a couple layers of paper at a time to speed things up even more.I just adore this Sizzix die. It's a timeless must-have in my opinion!

This time I've used a different leaf that is die cut using the same die and sanded the edges to define them. Wrapping them with twine and add a Leaf Trinket Pin quickly finishes off the project.

Supplies:

Harvest Market Collection Kit by Lily Bee Design

Kraft Layering Papers by Hero Arts

Snow Chalk Ink by Hero Arts

Clear Design: Dictionary Greetings stamp set by Hero Arts

Clear Design: Find Joy stamp set by Hero Arts

Cling Aged Print Frame Background Stamp by Hero Arts

Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger

Sticky Back Canvas by Claudine Hellmuth

Tonic Non-Stick Serrated Scissors

Sew Easy Baker's Twine by We R Memory Keepers

Button by Basic Grey

Tiny Attacher by Advantus

Sanding Block by Advantus

Tattered Leaves die by Sizzix

Pillow Box die by Sizzix

Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road

Thanks so much for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Hope you enjoy creating for Fall!

Fall Altered Frame by Sharon Harnist

The calendar says it's officially Fall ... at least in some parts of the country (still not here in Texas, though)!  So I thought to help me get into a Fall frame of mind, I would make a Fall photo frame!  Here's what I came up with:

To start this project, I decoupaged (using Royal Coat Decoupage) some neutral papers from Authentique's 6x6 Glowing patterned paper onto a 12-inch MDF photo frame from a local craft store (I liked the nice, large 5" x 7" opening).  I always put a final coat of decoupage glue over the top of the patterned paper, to make it more resilient.  

I finished the edges of the frame with Studio Sable Brown Acrylic Paint.

To make the cascading leaves, I die cut leaves out of several fabulous colors of 100% wool felt Ellen carries: Butter, Dark Sage, Rhubarb and Terra Cotta, using Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves Bigz Die.

The Bigz dies can easily be used in the Cuttlebug, by using a sandwich of B plates:

This felt is wonderfully thick, but this die cuts it like butter!

Next, I cut a small dead branch from a tree and attached the die cut felt leaves to the branch, using Fabri-Tac glue.  Since I covered the front side of the branch up with all of the leaves, here's a photo of the backside of the branch, so you can see how the leaves are attached:

The branch was secured to the frame using one of Tim Holtz's Hinge Clips, so I could have the option of maybe switching out this branch with a different seasonal decoration in the future.  Plus, the clip holds things nice and securely!  

The clip was attached to the frame using Glossy Accents -- it's also a great quick-drying permanent glue!  To accent the clip, I tied some black and brown Baker's Twine to the top.

To accent the top right corner of the frame, more leaves were die cut from Nutmeg felt, machine stitched, and accented with a large brown button tied with brown twine.

For the FALL tiles at the bottom, I used Inchie Arts Neutral Inchie Squares (Dark Cream) and embossed them with Tim Holtz's Bricked Texture Fades Embossing Folder.  

(The Inchie on the left above has not been texturized yet).  Then I painted the Inchies with Copper Adirondack Acrylic Metallic Paint Dabber and topped them with Maya Road Mini Alphabet Chipboard Letters that were painted with metallic Gold Paint Dabber.  

To distress and age the brighter metallic paints, I used Walnut (or any dark brown) Stain Distress Ink to darken them.  Here's a comparison of what the tiles and letters looked like before adding the Distress Ink (items on the right in the photo below) vs. the distressed versions on the left:

To finish this frame, I chose a few cute patterned papers from My Mind's Eye Mischievous 6x6 pad and made a photo mat, ready for a new Fall photo with a couple of mischievous little girls I know (namely my 9 and 11 year olds)!

Thanks for joining me today ... Happy Fall!  ~ Sharon 

Paper: Authentique 6x6-Glowing; My Mind's Eye 6x6-Mischievous;  
Dimensions 100% Wool Felt: Butter, Dark Sage, Nutmeg, Rhubarb, Terra Cotta 
Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks-Walnut Stain + Ink Blending Tool; 
Dies/Embossing: Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Die-Tattered Leaves, Tim Holtz Texture Fades Embossing Folder-Bricked, 
Accessories: Inchie Arts Neutral Inchie Squares (Dark Cream); Maya Road Mini Alphabet Chipboard Letters-Noah; Ranger Glossy Accents, Studio Acrylic Paint-Sable Brown, Adirondack Acrylic Metallic Paint Dabbers-Copper & Gold; Royal Coat Decoupage; Tim Holtz Hinge Clips; Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac glue; Glue Dots; We R Memory Keepers Neutral Fancy Floss Baker's Twine (black & brown);  
Other: 12-inch MDF wood frame, tree branch 

Easy Distress Halloween Design by Julie Ebersole

 

*click on the pics to enlarge*

I'll admit it--I very rarely "distress" anything--I love the look, it's just not a technique that automatically pops into my head.

BUT . . . (you knew that was comin', right?!) I adore kraft paper, and when I saw this color coated kraft paper, I had to play with it a little!

It has a little linen like texture, and when you sand through the color, the kraft core is revealed!  TOTALLY WICKED!!!

So then a Halloween design sprang to mind, and one thing led to another . . . *chuckle*

I needed a moon.  Not just any moon.  A BIG moon!  So, I grabbed a larger EK Success circle punch and punched a circle from masking paper.  You could use Eclipse Tape, too.  These are great for larger images and when you need ALL the edges securely tacked down while you are working.

Sponging right over the top with dye ink was quick & easy . . .

Tip:  When sponging ink, you can achieve a smoother blended look--almost airbrushed in appearance--by hitting the paper with a circular motion, as opposed to "pouncing".

When I removed the mask, I had a nice "orb" to serve as a back-drop to my focal image.

This really makes the silhouette of the crow & fence "pop"!

After cutting the image down to size, I mounted a decorative edge punched from black card stock and then I used a scoring board and the single Piercing Bug to pierce a straight line.  I then connected the holes with a fine point black marker to create "faux stitching".  I have a sewing machine. I actually bought it for the express intention of sewing on paper. I have yet to thread it . . . (hangs head in shame)

Snagged a black button and bow-tied it with some ivory twine (both from my stash) for just a little adornment and voilá!

Isn't this fun?!

I really like how it turned out! And, it was ridiculously easy! Isn't that an awesome effect?!

Happy Mundane!

 

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Supplies & Materials used:

Stamps:  Old Fence (Memory Box); Happy Halloween Combo (Memory Box)

Adirondack Dye Ink in Terra Cotta
Archival Ink in Jet Black
Eclipse Tape
EK Success
2.25" Circle Punch
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Edger Punch
Sanding Block
Kraft Card Stock
Kraft-Core Card Stock
A5 Cardstock, Black

Using an Out of Season Stamp For This Season

Often I have a stamp that I just adore that doesn't get enough face time before the season changes, so what could be better than thinking of ways to give it a little extra love?

Often a simple adjustment can be made with masking, or using different colors when stamping it. But sometimes the theme is so seasonal that those adjustments won't do the trick. That was the case that I had with the Hero Arts stamp set Say Hello.  A very fun and whimsical group of images that I love to use and coloring in the little leaves and flowers in the Spring and Summer was very fun. But now with the leaves changing and Thanksgiving on our minds I wanted to create a card with this image that I could share with a friend who has really been there for me. So with a few patterned papers from the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness line, a Quickie Glue Pen, some Spiced Marmalade and Scattered Straw Stickles, a Peach colored Copic Spica pen and Walnut Stain Distress ink I gave this adorable tree some fall flair.

First stamp out the image onto a few of the patterned papers and fussy cut out a few of the leaves from each color.

Use the Quickie Glue Pen to adhere them in place, and then scatter a few of the extras along the bottom for the fallen leaves.

Color in the smaller leaves with the Peach colored spica pen.

Carefully dot the Stickles onto the smaller flowers (since we stamped with Distress ink the ink will be compromised if it gets to wet or smears)

Adhere the cute little owl into the tree using 3-D Foam squares for a little extra bit of dimension.

On the inside of the Kraft Hero Arts card base stamp the sentiment from the Essential Message set.

Tie a bow from a double sided satin and adhere in place, this ribbon was one of my thank you ribbons from the fabulous customer service note that Ellen sends in every beautifully packed box  :o)

Easy to make quite a few of at once, this could be changed up a little and made into an adorable Christmas card as well.

So I want to leave you with this challenge, look at your stamps with a fresh eye and see if you can take some of them from one season to the next. You will get more value from your crafting dollar and be proud of yourself when you are done!

B-

Fall Scrap Page by Sharon Harnist

I decided it was time for another one of my 6-inch scrapbooking-for-the-fridge magnets, especially since Fall, with its changing leaves, is one of my very favorite times of the year!

 

I've had a piece of corregated cardboard box torn up and waiting for a great idea to hit me on how to use it and I wondered if it could be die cut.  The answer -- most definitely yes!

To start, just cut up any regular old cardboard box into pieces that will fit through your die cut machine, and then peel the layers apart, to reveal the corregation on the inside layers.

Next, I inked the ridges of my piece of cardboard with white pigment ink, just to give it some color variation, and let it dry.  Then I tried die cutting it with Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf (largest) die: 

 

At first, I thought the sandwich might be too tight and took out the magnetic spacer (or white cutting plate, depending on your Wizard model) piece of my Wizard sandwich but sure enough, it was needed (but a bit tight).  The result was a wonderfully embossed and very well cut leaf!

 

After die cutting and inking the edges of the cardboard leaf with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, I cut a piece of Basic Grey Pyrus patterned paper with the middle-sized Nested Maple Leaf die to layer on top of the cardboard leaf.  I sanded the embossed edges of the paper leaf, after inking the edges -- I love this look!  A Hero Arts Fancy Felt Flower and a button tied with twine finish the leaf embellishement.

To finish my page (6 inches, cut from olive Basic Grey Pyrus patterned paper), I added a Jenni Bowlin Vintage Mini Bingo Card and FALL letters die cut with the Sizzix Tim Holtz Vintage Market Alpha die from more Pyrus patterned paper. 

 

TIP: Outline your die cuts with a Copic marker -- this will really help define them and make them jump off your page, instead of blending in, unnoticed!  Here, I used 110-Special Black.  Zig 2-Way Fine Tip Glue Pen makes it easy to glue down small die cuts.

Since I've become addicted to glittered embellishments, I added a scalloped edge on the left side that was made by using Martha Stewart's Scallop Dot edger punch to punch a piece of paper covered with Glitter Ritz Opaque Micro Fine Glitter in Spice Brown!  Hopefully you can see the gorgeous coppery color of the glitter here (although there was some glare on the photos!):

 

Oh, and I can't forget the film strip of photos I printed of my sweet (most of the time!) daughters!  By adhering Inchie Arts Inchie Magnets on the back of my 6-inch page, it becomes refrigerator art, holding the school lunch menu or other important school papers we refer to each day!  When the season is over, place the page in a brag book album.

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom today ... I hope Fall is on the way to wherever you live! ~ Sharon

 
Paper: Basic Grey Pyrus patterned papers, Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo Cards-Vintage,
Ink: Ranger Adirondack Snow Cap Pigment ink pad & Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink; Copic 110-Special Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf die set, Sizzix Tim Holtz Vintage Market Alpha dies, Martha Stewart Scallop Dot edger punch, Hero Arts Fancy Felt Flowers-Neutral, Glitter Ritz Opaque Micro Fine Glitter-Spice Brown, Jillibean Soup Twine-Brown, Zig 2-Way Fine Tip Glue Pen, Inchie Arts Inchie Magnets, Sanding Block, Button,
Other: corregated cardboard box

Fall Photo Tray Decor by Sharon Harnist

 

I've been wanting to alter this 7 Gypsies Black Photo Tray for quite some time now and finally decided on just the project for it ... a seasonal home decor piece!  So you are likely to see this tray again, just revamped for each season!  I adhered each 4" x 6" panel in place with repositionable adhesive, so the panels can be changed out easily.  Overall, this tray measures approximately 13" square.

I began by selecting the pieces of Basic Grey's new Pyrus 12" collection I wanted to use, since this collection contains some fabulous Fall colors and images!  For the top "home" banner, I covered four of Maya Road's Mixed Scallop Mini Triangle Banner chipboard pieces with rusty brown and olive solid pieces of the Basic Grey papers (using a glue stick), sanded the edges and then adhered Maya Road's Noah Chipboard Alphabet letters that had been glittered to the triangles:

 

Here are some tips for glittering chipboard:  First, I started by coloring the chipboard pieces with Copic markers that closely match the color of glitter I wanted to use (including the edges) -- this just helps to prevent the gray chipboard from showing through the glitter and it also finishes the edges of the chipboard pieces nicely.  See how well the Copic markers color the chipboard:

 

The Copics I used here were E08 and YG03.  You could just use the letters like this, but wait -- glitter makes everything better, in my opinion, and is my favorite thing lately, so let's glitter up these babies!  To do so, I ran the colored chipboard letters through my Xyron Sticker Maker and then covered the letters with Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitters in Chartreuse and Spice Brown.  The triangles were strung together with twine to form a banner.

 

The large bird on the left is a Maya Road Song Bird Coaster, covered in more Basic Grey Pyrus paper.  The edges were also sanded and the tail tied with twine.  The teal flower on the top right was cut from some of the Pyrus patterned papers and a yellow gemstone crystal added to the center.

 

The "sweet" word was made with Maya Road's Noah Chipboard Alphabet, colored with BG13 Copic marker and then covered with Ice Blue Glitter Ritz microfine glitter:

 

The pumpkin and maple leaf were cut from more Pyrus paper with Spellbinders dies, then sanded to bring out the embossed edges.  Both are tied with twine.  The bottom "home" word was created with Maya Road's David Chipboard Alphabet and the heart is from Maya's Love Mini Chipboard Set:

 

This photo was taken in the bright sunshine -- hopefully you can see how gorgeous the glitter is, in a closer view (click on any photo for a closer view).

I hope this gives you some ideas on how you can use this fabulous photo tray -- you can even tuck in a few family photos as the season goes along.  Then I'm thinking each of these 4" x 6" removable panels can then be taken out of the tray after the season ends and put into a scrapbook!

Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom today!   ~ Sharon

 
Paper: Basic Grey Pyrus 12" collection
Ink: Copic markers E08, YG03 & BG13
Accessories: 7 Gypsies Black Photo Tray; Maya Road Song Bird Coaster, David Chipboard Alphabet, Noah Chipboard Alphabet, Love Mini Chipboard Set, & Mixed Scallop Mini Triangle Banner chipboard sets; Spellbinders Nested Pumpkin & Nested Maple Leaf die sets; Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitters-Chartreuse, Ice Blue & Spice Brown, Sanding Block, Glue Glider Pro Repositionable Adhesive Cartridge, yellow gemstone crystal
Other: Xyron Sticker Maker, glue stick, twine

Belated Fall Birthday In Wonderland

I loved to do themed birthday parties for my family when I was younger - LOL! OK, I still love to do them, but I just don't seem to have the same amount of time as I once did. For Maddi's 5th birthday party we did an elaborate Alice in Wonderland themed party in which Maddi wore a special Alice in Wonderland dress I had sewed. I dressed up as the White Rabbit, my DH was the Mad Hatter and other friends took on the role of the other characters in this fun tale. I painted large props with characters and scenery for games and created loads of beautiful colored tissue paper flowers. Our back yard was quite the Wonderland.

When Graphic 45 released this line of papers I knew immediately that I would have to do something birthday oriented. It was shortly after, that I saw Karen Lockhart's latest release and knew that the Pumpkin Cupcake was THE perfect fit.

I felt that this card needed a "hole" to represent Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I am so literal - LOL! I don't know where these goofy ideas come from, but they do and so I just need to run with them.

I first applied the black rabbit paper, then a strip of adhesive, next the striped paper and last another strip of adhesive. Next I cut the circle out using a Nestability.

Black ultrafine glitter was applied to the adhesive strip and burnished in place using the burnished velvet technique. I am absolutely loving the touch of elegance this glitter gives my creations!

Humor makes me happy and I am always trying to come up with little quips and so I created my custom saying using a font called Harrington in Office Word. I punched out the sentiments with my tag dies and distressed with Antique Linen.

Rather than using a letter in the Tim Holtz Type Charms I simply punched out one of the fun embellishments on the Hallowe'en in Wonderland Tags sheet. We carry the 1/2" circle punch specifically for this purpose. A girl can never have enough options for those little charms. :-D

I sewed the last of my tags to the Jabberwocky paper and closed my card to place the Pumpkin Cupcake perfectly in the center of the hole. It was shortly after placing the cupcake that I realized I could have and perhaps should have created a little "flame" to place atop the cupcake.

One little tip that I would like to share in creating this cupcakes coloring to coordinate with the Graphic 45 papers is to color your image with your true bright Copic markers and then once you have the look completed color over the surface of the entire pumpkin with a W2 marker. This helps to bring down the brightness of the colors and allows the colors to blend more accurately with the colors in the papers. Always remember that you can alter your Copic colors with your neutrals!

If you have a fall birthday you might specifically want to be late in sending out a birthday card :-D Never pass up a good reason to be a little late - your birthday recipient will be tickled to receive something on the day that it is not their birthday just to extend the days of well wishes. Or use a similar idea as an invitation to a last minute Halloween party. There are loads of options and with the popularity of Cupcakes and Alice in Wonderland you just can't miss :-D

stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company Pumpkin Cupcake

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (and Prismacolor Pencils)

paper: Graphic 45 Hallowe'en in Wonderland 8x8 paper pad and Tags, Memory Box Jack O' Lantern

accessories: Nestability Circle, Tags Trio, Labels Trio, 1/2" Circle Punch, Tim Holtz Typewriter Charms and Mini Pins, Be Creative 1/4" Tape, Black Ultrafine Glitter

Use the Martha Stewart Scoreboard to Create Wonderful Texture

Yes, it has been months since I wanted to share this technique with you. Finally... I hope that you enjoy it and that it was worth the wait - LOL!

As you all know I am a true-blue Scor-It girl. When I want a score line to fold a card I believe that there is no better tool than the Scor-It. BUT that is not to say that tools like the new Martha Stewart Scoreboard don't have their place in my workroom - LOL! Yes, the gadget girl does like this gadget! It is perfect for creating texture details on cards, doing accordion folds to create the lovely flowers we are seeing all over the place right now and so much more. Waaaaay back I created a series of embossed cards that made quite a statement. It wasn't nearly as easy as the way that I created the card today. Rather it took some tape on my old Fiskars cutting/scoring tool to get my angles and a lot of determination to stay "in the lines" to create the look on this card.

I love how the texture on the card front emulates the look of the basket. Repeating elements within a focal point can create a stronger look. I know I could have stepped this design up a notch, or perhaps two ;-D if I wanted. The 1/8" incremental difference allows for loads of textural combinations.

 

To create the look simply position the corner angle piece as shown. Then score every 1/2" using an embossing stylus. I prefer to use an embossing stylus with my scoring board as it does not slip outside the lines as I work. It is also so very easy to create the score line right up to the edge of the side rails or corner angle tool.

Change the direction of the card and repeat to create squares.

 

You could stop at this point, but I really loved the look of the grid in the Lockhart stamp basket.

Using a piercing bug run it down the score line. When you work with this tool on the scoring board I would like to recommend that you position your card front away from the rails to more easily run it off both edges of the paper for a more even look. You will also want to practice and hold the tool in an upright, completely vertical, position to minimize the chance of jumping outside the guidelines.

If you like adding texture to your projects this is an awesome tool for that purpose. Thank you for stopping by the CLASSroom today - hopefully I will soon be able to share some of the other patterns and ideas that I have :-D

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company Basket of Leaves

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Neenah Natural White, Memory Box Mango Cardstock, Blackbird 6x6 Paper Pad,

Accessories: Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Embossing Stylus, Piercing Bug, Memory Box Halloween Jewels, Olive Silk Ribbon, Nestabilities Label One

Sparkling Trees by Kim Hughes

Since I recently moved to Arizona from a place that had all 4 seasons, it's hard for me to realize that winter is coming (or has already arrived in some places).  The weather is more fall like for us, so I was inspired to create this card.  BUT, it can be easily conformed to fit any season or occasion.   Simply change the color scheme and voila..it's the perfect card for any time of year.

Supplies:

Basic Grey Buttons, Nook and Pantry

Gemstones, Small Blossom

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Solids

Ranger: Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Salmon, Distressed Stickles, Dried Marigold, Stickles, Fruit Punch, Distressed Stickles, Antique Linen, Distressed Stickles, Old Paper

Memory Box Tree Border, B1 Notecards and Envelopes, Cotton Candy, E8 Notecards and Envelopes, Dill

CHF Backgrounder, Wood Grain, Mona Lisa Moments, Motivational Centers

start by creating your own patterned paper by stamping a wood grain pattern onto your card base with a slightly darker colored ink color than the paper.

 

Stamp the tree border at the bottom and we will build from here.

 

The Stickles applicator can come out pretty fast sometimes, so I chose to use the eraser end of a mechanical pencil to apply the liquid glitter.  Apply Stickles to the end and dab onto the trees.  Experiment and cover the entire tree top or apply sparingly to make it look like leaves have fallen.

Allow plenty of time to dry before touching.  Once the small dots of glittered color have dried, go back and add some flower sparkle gems and some larger dabs of glitter Stickles.

 

Complete the card by adding a graphic element to the bottom...in this case, a bold piece of solid card stock to balance out the color.  Stamp the sentiment to the left with the same ink as the tree border and balance the weight with 3 accent buttons on top.  I added some Stickles to the larger button to help draw your eye up the left side of the card.  Finish off with colored twine through the button holes and along the tree line.

Create this card in blue hues and add sparkling silver to the trees...ohhh, I can only imagine how beautiful that would look!  You can mass produce this concept for your holiday cards, just leave off the bulk.  The design is strong enough to stand on it's own without the extra dimension.

Thanks so much for stopping by :)

Technique Tag Multi-Colored Napkin Ring

Looking for a quick and easy way to create some unique decorations for your table on Thanksgiving? Why not start here with a multi-colored napkin ring that is sure to give your plate pizazz.

Start with a few colors that will compliment the decor of your room or table. I used "Espresso" "Terra Cotta" and "Carmel" Adirondack ink for my project.

I pressed the pad lightly into my "Craft Sheet", it is important to work on this surface for this technique. The craft sheet keeps the ink in place, isn't absorbed and cleans up quickly and easily when we are done.

Next gently roll your "large brayer" back and forth gently until it is covered around the circumference with the ink. It is important to keep it in approximately the same area so you get pretty distinct colors, if you move it around to much it will all become the same color. (ask me how I know this)

 

Then take the brayer and roll it onto your "Picotage" Backgrounder. Again, keep it in the same approximate area so that the colors don't get mushed together.

 

Apply the stamp to a "Large #8 Tag" and apply even pressure. There is a little tag bit left over, re-apply the ink and flip the stamp the opposite direction and the colors will match up and create a nice coverage for the entire tag.

This is what the tag looks like when it has been stamped. I think these colors are so beautiful together and really encompass the rich colors of the fall season.

I needed a ribbon that would compliment the colors in the tag and didn't have one on hand so used the May Arts "white silk ribbon" and colored it with my E35 Copic marker.

I trimmed a piece of paper from my "Cosmo Cricket Earth Love" 6" x 6" paper deck to 1" and adhered it through the middle of the tag. The way the blues in the paper compliment the rich colors of the inks is so beautiful to me!

Of course I had to stitch it on, but you don't have to. I really like how finished it looks this way. Punch a little hole so your ribbon has a place to slip through and trim the corners of the other end. I used another tag as the template so they were even.

Fold your ribbon in half and stitch it down at the half way point to the other end of the tag. I do recommend stitching at this point, there is a lot of tension created when we roll it up and tie it. I am not sure what kinds of adhesive would hold it in place, so even just a quick hand stitch if you don't want to get out (or don't have) the machine.

This is what it looks like finished, and it would be really easy to tie a tiny tag with a name on it if you wanted to use the napkin ring as a name card as well. There will only be five at my table this year, so I didn't do that, but it would be a very quick and cute add if you would like.

The multi-color technique is great for so many different types of projects and seasons, I hope you find some time to play with it and make it your own!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoys what it brings into your life. I will be celebrating with an attitude of gratitude for what I have been blessed with, and trying to help my loved ones do the same.

B-

Thankful Tag Book by Sharon Harnist

It is certainly the season to be thankful so just in time for the holiday, I created this thankful tag book.  The idea is that while your family is gathered for the holiday, each person writes down what they are thankful for.  It becomes a wonderfully treasured album to look back through each year!

The pages on the inside of the album are made from Tag Envelopes (one for each year) and each envelope contains tags for each member of the family to write on (you can click on any photo, for a larger view).

To start, I inked the Tag Envelope with Broken China Distress ink on the areas the patterned paper wouldn't cover (since the Webster's Petite Paper is 6" and the Tag Envelope is 6.50", not including the flap):

Then I lined the inside of the envelope flap and covered the outside of the envelope with patterned paper (Webster's Postcards/Cherry Pie Petite Papers).  Here are each of the tags I created for my family:

Basic instructions will follow; these are the inks I used on each tag:

Tag 1 (Gary) - Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Espresso (Lined Paper), Stream (dandelion)
Tag 2 (Alix) - Worn Lipstick, Dusty Concord, Fired Brick, Watermelon (Writer's Block), Purple Twilight (flowers)

Inks:
Tag 3 (Sharon) - Tattered Rose, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Espresso (Lined Paper), Cranberry (flowers)
Tag 4 (Alyssa) - Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy (on tag edges & Writer's Block), Terra Cotta (flower)

The basic steps for each tag are:

Step 1 - Using first ink, add color on about half the tag (in whatever pattern you'd like), using Ink Blending Tool.

Step 2 - Add next ink to the remaining uninked area.


Step 3 - Add darkest color to edges of tag.

Step 4 - Stamp journaling lines (I used Writer's Block and Lined Paper backgrounders) onto tag with Adirondack dye ink.
Step 5 - Stamp flowers (I used Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I & II) in a contrasting color, using dye ink.
Step 6 - Add name and year with label maker.
Step 7 - Tie ribbon through tag hole (Webster's Classic Trim and Holiday/Winter Trim).

I used the back side of each tag, too, so we'll just have two tags in each year's envelope (which will keep the book not quite as thick).  But you could make separate tags for each person, if you think they'll have a lot to write! 

For my cover, I used Craft-A-Board and cut it to mimic the tag envelope shape.  It ended up measuring approximately 8.25" long and 4" tall.  I covered it in more Webster's Petite Papers (Magical Wishes/Sweet Life) and stamped Kim Hughes' "thankful hearts" (from Fall Silhouettes) in the center of the cover (with Cranberry Adirondack dye ink).  Then I cut out the bird from another piece of this paper pad and added it with foam tape to the center circle. 

More of Webster's wonderful trim (brown lace from the Classic trim package) finishes off the cover.  Then I bound it with my Bind-It-All, using 1/2" Antique Brass wire.  I know we will enjoy looking back through this book each year and reading what each person was thankful for.  Having two young children, this will no doubt prove a bit hilarious at times!  But wonderful to see it in their own handwriting.  We can also tuck some photos of the day inside the envelope, too.

If you happen to not celebrate Thanksgiving, you could always make this book and use it year round -- maybe having an envelope for each month and writing what you were thankful for that month.

We are thankful for YOU coming to visit us today (and every other day of the year!) and hope you are enjoying the store's anniversary celebration this week before enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with your families next week.  Take care!

 
Stamps: CHF Backgrounders Writer's Block & Lined Paper. Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I & II, Fall Silhouettes
Paper: Large Manilla Tag #8, Webster's Petite Pages-Postcards/Cherry Pie & Magical Wishes/Sweet Life
Ink: Ranger Distress Inks: Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy, Broken China, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tattered Rose, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Worn Lipstick, Dusty Concord. Adirondack dye inks: Terra Cotta, Espresso, Stream, Cranberry, Watermelon, Purple Twilight 
Accessories: Craft-A-Board, Ranger Ink Blending Tool, Tag Envelopes, Webster's Classic Trim and Holiday/Winter Trim, Bind-It-All, Bind-It-All 1/2" Antique Brass Owire

Die Cut Ribbon Buckles by Sharon Harnist

 
Today I'm sharing a simple way to dress up your papercrafting ... custom die cut ribbon buckles!  Just about any shape will work and I have tons of ideas for these that I hope to share in the future.  I started out seasonally, with a pretty die cut leaf that can be used for any Fall occasion.  I thought this card would work well for a thank-you OR a Thanksgiving card.  Simply change the sentiment for a Fall birthday or sympathy card.

It's very simple ... just die cut a good heavy weight cardstock.  Here, I used Memory Box Vanilla Bean cardstock and Spellbinders Leaf Assortment die set -- the Nested Maple Leaf die set would also work well.  After die cutting, just punch two holes in the middle of your die cut:

and then thread your ribbon through the holes.  Told you it was simple!  But I think it adds a very elegant touch to this strip of Basic Grey Indian Summer paper on the Crimson Memory Box notecard.

Another simple detail to this card is the lattice punched top fold.  But sometimes your punches may not be able to punch through thicker weight cardstock, especially when it is doubled, as in the case of my top fold card here. 

The solution?  I just punched a single layer of the notecard and then trimmed it, leaving about 1/8" of solid, un-punched cardstock below the decorative punched edge.  Then I placed the punched strip of cardstsock at the top fold of my notecard, opened the notecard up flat and machine stitched the strip to the top edge of the cardfront! 

Note: Adding the punched strip to the top of your card will, of course, make it too tall to fit into your standard envelope, so just trim the lower edge of your notecard to fit the envelope.

Kim Hughes' Scripty Words stamp set gives you a lot of great sentiments that work well for this layout and many different occasions.  I stamped "thanks" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  And thanks to YOU for joining us today ... I hope this gives you some ideas on how to use your die cuts differently!

 
Stamps: Kim Hughes Scripty Words
Paper: Basic Grey Indian Summer, Memory Box Crimson notecard & Vanilla Bean cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Spellbinders Leaf Assortment dies, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice edger punch, ribbon, sewing machine

Nutmeg Fall Shadowbox Card by Debbie Olson

This week I was playing with some Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg paper (6" x 6" Mini Deck) and my favorite little Kim Hughes Autumn Tree when I remembered making shadowbox cards a few years ago. Since stamping often seems cyclical, I thought that it might be time to re-share this oldie but goodie, the shadowbox card.

 

First I chose my papers from the Nutmeg Mini Deck. I already knew that I wanted to use the Autumn Trees stamp set, and I really liked the leaf prints as well as the sky paper to coordinate. For a card base, I used two squares of natural white (light ivory) cardstock cut to 5-1/2" square. 

Pictured here are really two steps. First, I tool a Long Rectangle Nestability and cut a window into my card front with its attached brown leaf mat layer. I seemed to need some kind of accent, so I cut a second rectangle from an aqua cardstock, trimming a bit past the outside edges to form my frame. This gave me a more finished look on the front.

For the area inside the window, I created a little background by piecing the sky along with some rolling hills, all sanded so that they would stand out better. I left the sewing off, though I was tempted to put it!

I colored the little tree in the Copic markers shown above (E356, E37, BG72. YR15, and E07). The most time consuming part of this card was trimming carefully around the tree, but it was necessary and worth it.

 

My card back and front are scored at 1/2" and 1" in on both sides, the top so that it bows up, and the bottom so that it bows down.

I attached the back to the front with three eyelets on either side, wanting to make sure that it didn't pop open accidentally. Obviously, you would have to sign this kind of card on the back rather than on the inside (since it doesn't open), but it's a nice type of card to display.

If you make a shadowbox card, I would love to see a link!  Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today.

Fall at Twilight by Debbie Olson

 

This week I found three sheets of Basic Grey's Eerie paper in my stash. Although I don't make many Halloween cards, I loved the colors and patterns in this collection and decided to use it in a general fall application.

In addition to the Eerie papers, I chose the Kim Hughes Autumn Trees stamp set, a handful of Copic markers, and a white Prismacolor pencil. (My Eerie papers were the 12" x 12" variety, but they are also available in a 6" x 6" pad.)

I stamped the bare birch tree image in Memento Black ink on Kraft cardstock and colored the tree with the gray Copic markers shown above (C0 and C2).  Next, I used a white Prismacolor pencil to lighten one side of the birch tree. I was aiming for a twilight feel, so having shadows on a white tree didn't bother me. Still, I needed some highlights in order so give it dimension, and a white Prismacolor on top of Copic marker is perfect for that. (Do NOT use your markers on top of the Prismacolor since the wax will be harmful to your marker tips.) In this picture, I've left the left branch of the tree without a Prismacolor shading so that you can see it before and after over the gray marker.

I colored the leaf pile with the Copic markers shown above (Y35, Y38, and YR16), and enhanced a few of the leaves with my white Prismacolor pencil before trimming closely around the leaf pile to place it in front of the tree.

Accents are the Baker's Twine and some Paris Dew Drops. I used an Binder Edge punch to punch the strip of patterned paper on the left edge. 

Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Fall Whimsy by Debbie Olson

 

As I watch the leaves spiral madly from the trees in our back yard today, I look at some of my stamps differently. For instance, the weeping willow from Primitive Beginnings never shouted "fall" to me before, but today it begged to be used with the colors in Basic Grey's Indian Summer papers. (This paper is also available in a 6" x 6" pad; I just happened to have a few sheets of the 12" x 12".)

To ink the tree, I started with four Adirondack ink pad colors and one water-based dark brown marker. I inked the inside top leaves with Lettuce ink, then Sunset Orange below the green, Terra Cotta at the very top, and Cranberry at the very bottom. I used the corner of my ink pads and didn't really mess my ink pads up at all. For the tree trunk and branches, I used a water based brown marker directly on the rubber, then huffed on the rubber to re-moisten it before stamping my paper. (If you aren't pleased with your first try, be sure to clean your stamp before re-inking, or you may end up with muddy colors.)

To add a bit of background and "ground" the tree, I tore a piece of Eclipse paper and used the top half to mask for airbrushed grass (Copic YG95), and the bottom half to mask for a hint of sky (Copic Y32).

For the patterned paper background, I chose the brown leafy sheet as my base and accented it with the striped layer and the rose-toned layer, using the Binding Edge punch as well as some machine stitching to add interest.

This card started out quite normally, as you can see by the progression of pictures. When I got close to the end, however, it seemed to need something--like a bit of whimsy. I added the sheep and paper pieced him with some of the Indian Summer paper. Of course that made him need a creative sentiment, right? Finally "Home is where the heart lives" became "art lives" and my sentiment was born. 

That's it--an evolution from fall to whimsy. Sometimes your creativity doesn't take you where you thought you were going, but it generally works out anyway. Enjoy the journey, and thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Cornucopia Stamp of the Month by Sharon Harnist

There's a chill in the air and it's finally feeling like Fall down here in the South USA, so I thought I'd get a head start on my Thanksgiving cards AND wish our Canadian friends a very happy upcoming Thanksgiving!  Karen Lockhart's beautiful new Cornucopia stamp is perfect for the holiday and I have step-by-step Copic coloring tutorial for you today. 

Some of the supplies I used are from this month's Stamp Of The Month Kit.  Ellen put together this wonderfully matched kit of notecards, patterned paper, cardstock, ribbon & buttons and all you have to do is choose which stamp you'd like to pair it up with!

 

Here's your step-by-step Copic coloring instructions, under each photo.  You can click on any of the photos for a larger view:

1-Color cornucopia with E33, shade the bottom and edge opening with E35, color pumpkin and orange with YR12, add YR12 highlights to cornucopia.  2-Blend pumpkin and orange with YR00, color inside of cornucopia with E39.

3-Color squash and top of apples with Y21, base coat pear & right apple with YG11, add shadow to lower part of right apple with YG23.  4-Shadow lower part of pear and squash with E21 and color lower part of acrorns, add darker shadows to pumpkin and orange with YR04, color center apple with R24.

5-Blend pumpkin and orange with YR00 and base coat the oak leaves, color pear with YG93 and use to add shadow to bottom of green apple, use Y21 to blend green apple and add to oak leaves.  6-Color grapes first with V12, add shadows to bottoms of grapes with V15 & V17.

7-Color fruit leaves with YG93, color acorn tops with E35.  8-Color oak leaves with YR12, YG23, E35; blend with YR00.

9-Color vines with YG23, flowers with V15 and dots around flower with Lemon Spica Glitter Pen.  10-Shadow around bottom of cornucopia and fruit with W1, blending edges with 0-Colorless Blender.

11-Die cut image with Classic Circle Nestabilities; airbrush outer edges with E31.

There you have it!  I finished the card by zig-zag stitching a brightly colored piece of the Indian Summer paper onto another piece of brown leaf paper from the pad and punched the lower edge.  Karen Lockhart's Give Thanks sentiment was stamped onto the Mango notecard.

 
The focal image was layered onto another die cut (Labels Three Nestabilities) of paper from Indian Summer and popped up on foam tape.  Thanks for visiting today -- I hope you all enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving!

 

• Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company-Cornucopia (stamp of the month) & Give Thanks sentiment
• Paper: Neenah Natural White, Basic Grey Indian Summer 6x6 & Memory Box Mango Notecard (from October Stamp of the Month Packet)
• Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Copic markers (shown above) & Lemon Spica Glitter Pen
• Accessories: Copic Airbrush System, Classic Circle & Labels Three Nestabilities dies, Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Edger Punch, sewing machine 

Tri-Fold Gift Card Holder by Sharon Harnist

With the holidays and Fall birthdays fast approaching, I thought I'd revive a tri-fold card/gift card holder I originally made back in May 2006 and update it a bit (you won't be able to view that May '06 link unless you are a SCS Fan Club member).

I adore rich, dark reds, so these new Memory Box Spiceberry 6x6 patterned papers were calling my name!  I selected this pattern because of the tree branches and decided this sweet Memory Box Owl Branch would accent them pretty well.

I started with a 5.50" x 11" piece of Memory Box Crimson cardstock and scored it on the back side at 4.25" and 8.50" (Memory Box cardstock has a white core/back).  This will leave you with a 2.50" flap that will fold to the inside of the card (showing the crimson color) and become the pocket for your gift card:

Next, I die cut the edge of the longer end (opposite the small flap) of my card base with the Curved Rectangle Mega Nestabilities ... the Labels 8 would work well, too.  I also die cut the dotted & tree patterned papers (lower edges only) and adhered them to my cardfront.  For a little bit of added interested, I sanded the edges to bring out the white core of the cardstock and accentuate the angles of the die cutting.

I stamped the owls and their branch with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock, cut them out, and then colored them with these Copic markers:

The sentiment from Mona Lisa Moments Essential Expressions was stamped onto Sage cardstock and then die cut with the smallest Labels Trio die and anchored to the cardfront with a tied clear button that was customized by placing a punched circle of coordinating patterned paper underneath it! 

The inside crimson flap was notched out by die cutting with Classic Circle Nestabilities and then machine stitching the edges, forming a pocket:

I hope you'll find some uses for this quick & easy gift card holder -- I know I will!  Thanks so much for visiting the CLASSroom today!

• Stamps: Memory Box Owl Branch, Mona Lisa Moments-Essential Expressions 
• Paper: Memory Box Spiceberry 6x6 patterned paper, Crimson cardstock, Sage cardstock.  Neenah Classic Cream cardstock
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copic markers (shown above) 
• Accessories: Scor-It board, Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Mega Nestabilities, Classic Circle Nestabilities & Labels Trio dies. Clear Card Buttons, Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Sanding block 

Halloween Greetings by Kim Hughes

Happy 9/9/09 :)

I get excited about Halloween when I see all of the aisles of candy in stores, so I thought I'd create a card to prepare us for such a fun holiday.  I realize that it's a  not a huge card giving holiday, but why not, right?

Supplies:

 

Craft-a-Board

 

Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Foam

 

Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Dewfrost, Memory Box 6x6 Cardstock, Twilight

 

Halloween Greetings

 

Web Crawler Memory Box stamp (web and spider on one stamp)

 

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black,

 

Dew Drops Bottle, Cowboy

 

other:

 

Buttons

 

Cut Craft a board and Stamp pad foam to the same size as the web stamp.

 

 

Heat the grey side of the Stamp Pad Foam with a heat gun.  I heated it for about 1 minute.  Press the red rubber stamp onto the hot pad.

 

 

Once you lift the stamp, ink the entire surface with Pitch Black ink

 

 

Press the foam stamp onto the craft a board.  By creating a foam stamp, you are creating a reversed image of the original.

 

 

then use the white side of the Stamp Pad Foam to ink the edges of the craft a board.

 

...until it looks a bit "spooky"

 

then use some paper scraps to design your card.  Stamp sentiment in the lower right corner

 

 

And then use the same foam pad to chalk the edges with pitch black ink.

 

 

Assemble the card and add 2 button accents to anchor the main panel.  I added some machine stitching to add interest.  Stamp a spider accent next to the sentiment and add a dew drop to the spider's body (I think it looks eerily real, but it adds such a fun touch)  As I sit back to look at the finished card, it reminds me of Charlott's web as she hangs out in the barn.  This card will be mailed out to someone, for sure...are you with me?

 

Thank you for joining me today.  :)

Indian Summer Cheer

I came in to work today to put all the new Basic Grey goodies---Eerie, Eskimo Kisses, and Indian Summer---that arrived in our warehouse up on the store for you to enjoy some fun holiday weekend shopping. As I did so a friend going through a hard time right now was on my mind the entire time, so I decided to make a quick card to let her know that she is on my mind and in my heart.

The colors in this set are stunningly beautiful and I believe that these are some of her favorite colors. I utitlized the woolies bird (it sort of looks like a dove) to symbolize the peace that I hope she finds soon.

To adhere the ribbon in a very quick manner I typically now pull out my Glue Glider. The tiny little "striplets" work perfect for adhering narrow ribbon and really does stick!

I wanted to add just a little more pizazz to the bird, as well as bring more of the golden tone to it. On the other woolies in this packet I noticed little rhinestones adhered to a number of the embellishments. In this case I felt that the pearls had a softer, more serene appearance. I gently removed pearls and adhered them to the bird wing. It is super easy to affix these because they have an adhesive strip that keeps them moving along your project with a perfect distance spaced between each pearl.

Lastly I added a little stitching to the upper corner. Using an Ornare template (I apologize for using a discontinued one - I didn't realize that we are completely sold out of this particular one and sadly many of these designs are no longer available) I poked the holes and then used embroidery thread to complete the stitching.

When one needs to create a quick card I highly recommend these new elements, woolies and pops, that Basic Grey has created. They are beautifully designed and add a wonderful focal point to your project.

stamps:  Mona Lisa Moments Encouragement Expressions

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper:  Basic Grey Indian Summer 6x6 pad, Memory Box Vanilla Bean

other: Basic Grey Indian Summer Take Note, Woolies and Glazed Brads, Ornare Template, Embroidery Thread, Websters Pages Classic Trim, Martha Stewart Simple Scallop Edger Punch, Glue Glider Pro, 24 Karat Pearls

Stamp of the Month Inchie Spotlight by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company Rocking Chair (Stamp of the Month)
• Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia, Neenah Classic Cream
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Sketch markers (colors shown below)
• Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Three Nestabilities dies, Inchie Arts White Inchie Squares, Prima  Jellie Ribbon Lace, Basic Grey Buttons-Ambrosia

This sweet Lockhart Rocking Chair stamp is included in this month's Stamp of the Month packet (hopefully it's still showing available in the store by the time you read this!).  I thought I would show you some other ideas for it, once you get it home.

I chose to do a spotlight technique and focus on the basket of apples.  By stamping the chair image on gray paper (Basic Grey Ambrosia) and a portion of the image on an Inchie Arts White Inchie Square, this allows the main focus to be on the apple basket, while the chair recedes into the background.  After stamping onto the Inchie, I colored with these Copic markers:

My custom lighter Copic YR31 on the bottom left (created with 2 parts Colorless Blender and 1 part YR31 Various Ink Refill in an empty Various Refill bottle, then put into an empty Sketch marker) was used to make a sunshiney background.  The YR21 is the first layer I used on my apple tops and then I continued shading the apples with R02, R08 & R29.

The image was then die cut with Labels Three Nestabilities die and the Inchie adhered over the top of the stamped image. 

TIP: I used my N7 Copic marker to edge the die cut -- this covers the white edges of the paper where it was cut and gives a little bit of pop to the edges of the die cut, makig it more prominent. 

Two more patterns from the Ambrosia 6x6 paper pad were adhered to the A2 sized (5.50" x 4.25") cream card base, then machine stitched.  The focal image was then added with foam dimensional tape and pretty Prima crocheted lace trim and buttons complete the rustic/vintage look I was going for. 

There are a variety of Lockhart sentiments that could accent this image well ... Cozy, Friends, Give Thanks, "Get comfy, rest and get better", "sit back and relax".  I chose one of my favorites, "thanks a bunch" to compliment the highlighted bounty of apples.

I hope this sparks some ideas on how you can use this sweet Rocking Chair image or to highlight other images with this Inchie spotlight technique!

Hooty Halloween

I have been wanting to make this card for a very long time and thought today would be THE perfect day to share this cute little owl and to wish you all a "Hooty" Halloween!

 

To begin I stamped the Wood Grain backgrounder in black on Vanilla Bean. I couldn't believe the WOW that this simple contrast made. The whole idea is to have this little owl sitting in a tree with the moon peeking from behind. I then used my circle Nestie to create both the moon and the window in my card.

 

Being I didn't have a "swiss cheese" type of background I thought I would share a wonderful trick I use my airbrush for. If you have any interesting textured papers, or products around the house that have holes in them you can create THE most interesting backgrounds. 

 

I used W4, Warm Gray No 4 to create the shadows and craters on my moon. I then used W1, Warm Gray No 1 to spray over the entire mango moon to bring down the color and have it meld better with the coloring of the owl.

 

I then stamped my tree branch and owl using Memento Tuxedo Black on Solar White. First I colored the entire branch with E31. I then added the darkest colors using E47.

 

My favorite palette for blending colors is the non-stick craft mat. The reason I like this surface is two-fold. First is the texture of this surface. I have found that it will really "grab" the color from my marker and therefore give me more ink to work with when blending. Secondly, it is SO easy to clean up! Just a little regular rubbing alcohol wipes it clean. Using my E31 I picked up the E47 from my palette and added depth to the branch, providing some shadowing around the lower edge as well as the top to help the branch feel rounded.

The same tones were used on the owl, with the addition of Y21, YR24, and Y38 for the beak and feet. Just a little sparkle on her eyelids, beak and feet using the Copic Spica Glitter Pens.

 

I hope that you have fun with the little ghouls and goblins in your lives tonight. My girls think that I'm a goof, but I told them we only do "cute Halloween" at our house Ü So a "whoot, whoot" sent out to you on this Halloween eve from this cute little "spooky" owl!