simple dreams

Noel Wreath Card using Digital Letters

Each month as I create the thank you note that goes out with your orders I try to think of an image that is appropriate for the upcoming season. This will then allow you to either use it as a color reference and/or create a card with that image :-D I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the appreciation you share with us when you receive this note and the little snippet of ribbon. I want you to know that you are special to us and I couldn't do this without your support - so once again I would like to thank you so much for being here and shopping with us!

To begin I selected the Wreath of Gifts. I had a blast creating this card and want to share another way to use the letters that Julia created for this holiday season. When I asked her if this would be something she could do I told her some of the ideas I had in mind that I wanted them for, along with some patterns I wanted her to create with and she just went to work. I am SO very proud of her and the creativity she is bringing to our team. Thank you Julia!

So one of the ideas is to use the letters as ornaments. I felt that the wreath made the perfect letter "O". I colored the packages to coordinate with the beautiful Webster's Pages Sweet Season papers, using a silvery gray ribbon to tie them all together.

The fantastic value in these letters is that you can resize them to whatever size you need. To begin follow the instructions in this post.

Once you have pasted the letters into your Word document resizing is simple. Note where the red arrows are pointing. Double click on the letter itself and you will see it outlined as shown above. By double clicking it will take you to the "Format" window. On the right side of the page you will see two boxes with dimensions in them. For this project input the number 1 in the first box and click enter. This will automatically resize your letters to 1" in size.

Use your space bar to add additional spacing between the letters if desired.

I then used a 1 1/8" punch (which has been ordered but I'm still waiting for them to arrive in the store) to create my circle.

My next steps were to punch the border trim with my edger punch and sew the trim to the decorative paper. By sewing at this point I am able to hide the bottom stitching.

Using a 2-way glue pen around the edge of the circle and dipping the letter in Microfine Glitter gives it that final sparkly touch! Position the ornament letters and wreath by using a see-through ruler. This helps you align them evenly and in a straight line. Yes, the perfectionist syndrome coming out in me again - LOL!

Once the letters are positioned it is time to attach the "string." The new Webster's Pages silver trim is AMAZING! The incredulous thing about this trim is that it is linked together with tiny jump ring like circles. I have absolutely no idea how they even manufacture something so delicate. The beauty of this trim is that you can cut it easily with scissors. As I experimented I realized that when you cut it to a single line it falls apart into individual little circles that they look like little bells :-D I love happy accidents!

As you can also see in the photo above this one I am becoming addicted to this little bottle of Studio Matte Medium. It REALLY holds and to have a non-shiny adhesion is important to me. By placing a very small dab of adhesive on the top of the ornament I was able to attach my "chain". I allowed this to dry before moving on.

Once dry stretch the chain up and over your trim and cut to fit.

Then lift the purple trim apply yet another small dab of Matte Medium and attach the upper end of the "chain."

Not only does this chain sparkle, but it actually creates a musical sound when you shake the card :) I'm such a sucker for little details like this - LOL!

Using my favorite tweezers I then placed little jingle bells on each ornament in the wreath using Matte Medium to hold them in place. A final sparkle was added with the Sakura Stardust pen.

I hope that you can use some of these little details in the creating of your holiday cards. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour this morning! Thanks for stopping in again today and I hope you have a fabulous Sunday.

downloads: Candy Lane Seasonal Alphabet

stamps: Lockhart Wreath of Gifts

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper: Webster's Pages Sweet Season and Waiting for Santa 6x6 Paper Pack,

accessories: Webster's Pages Sweet Season and Waiting for Santa Trim Pack and Silver Chain Trim, Studio Matte Medium Mini, 2-Way Glue Pen, Silver Microfine Glitter, Vintage Lace Punch around the Page Edger

Waiting for Santa Letterpress Tray - Part 1, Digital Alphabet

I am LOVING the 7 Gypsies display items! When Maddi was born I made a rather lame attempt at creating a scrapbook. I never seemed to have enough time to finish anything and so over the years I gave up on the traditional scrapbook creating. Rather I have become much more into making little books that commemorate a vacation, or special event. Now that I have these display items I am having a blast using them to create special pieces for my home and office. I would also like to rave a little about the Webster's Pages Waiting for Santa and Sweet Treats collections - I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-Y  F-U-N to work with and oh so classicly elegant. OK, on with it now - I've got pictures to take of a costumed girl :-D

Today I want to introduce you to a new product we are carrying in our store :-D These have arisen out of my love for the Optical Lenses, rub ons and rosette die - LOL! Julia has been helping in so many ways here at work and she is the heart behind the alphabets we now have in our store. I asked her if she could create an alphabet in this fall's Pantone color selections. We then pulled out our paper selections to see what they would work with :-D We want to make these super easy to use and hope to share today exactly how fabulous they are!

I will be posting this Letterpress Tray project over a series of days to keep each post as simple as possible. Today we are starting with how to download the file and create the "joy" banner.

To find the alphabet's we created visit our Digital Download section here.

• Add the alphabet of choice to your cart and check out.
• After you have paid for your order you will see the page with the confirmation number pop up. On that same page will be text that says "Download Product Files."
• A screen will pop-up with the files you have purchased.
• Click on the file you would like to save.
• You will then be prompted with the question - "Do you want to open or save this file?" I would like to recomment that you save the file.
• This is the part that can be tricky for some. It is important to keep the files on your computer organized! :-D
• I have created a special file in my "Pictures" folder that I have named Digital Files. This allows me to save my files where I can find them again in the future.
• Click Save.

• Once this action is completed it will ask you if you would like to "Open, Open Folder, or Close" the file.
• Simple select open. In the top left-hand corner of the screen then select "Extract All."
• Your letters are now ready to copy and paste, insert etc.
• If you happen to close the file highlight it as shown in the figure above and in the drop down menu select "Extract All."

• To use your alphabet is as easy as copying and pasting.
• Open up a new Word document
• Highlight the letter you would like to use in the file and using your shortcut keys - Ctrl C, copy that letter.
• Move to your Word document window and using your shortcut keys - Ctrl V, paste that letter in your document.
• Repeat for the remaining letters.
• Print on Neenah cardstock

I used a nesting circle to quickly punch out my letter. We are waiting for the nesting circle punches to arrive in our store as I find this is the quickest and easiest method of preparing my circles.

Tim's rosette dies is one of my all-time faves! I love the neat little pleats that are created during the die-cut process - simple and oh so easy!

TIP: Be certain to use a strong adhesive to hold the rosette together. After a quick exchange with Tim I would like to recommend using a hot glue gun to hold these beauties together :)

Also be certain to follow the directions and have "discs" prepared for both sides of the rosette at your ready before creating your flower, otherwise it will pop right out of your hands. Quess how I know that - LOL!

To raise the rosette off the tray base I stacked a couple of thickness of plain old cardboard. Cardboard is not acid-free, but I highly doubt that this little "work of art" will be saved for posterity :-D

Oh the fun combinations that can be created! The little alphabet circles could have been rolled in glue and glitter to add even more pop. If I were putting them on a banner I would have probably done so, but in this case I really want the Santa picture to be the focal point and am trying to draw your eye to it rather than all the other fantastic little details in this tray :-D

More details will be shared over the next few days, so be certain to stay tuned and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping in today as it is such a busy time of year. Wishing you a healthy and safe Halloween evening!

Download: Traditional Seasonal Alphabet

stamps: Tim Holtz Festive Sounds and Take Flight

paper: Webster's Paper Waiting for Santa Paper Kit, Grunge Board

ink: Distress Ink Pads - Forest Moss, Antique Linen, and Walnut Stain; Tattered Angels English Ivy and Sweet Clover Glimmer Mist

accessories: 7 Gypsies Letterpress Tray, Princesca Crystal Hardware, and Antique Silver Printer Label Holders; Tim Holtz Dies - Reindeer Flight and Rosette (both so fabulous!); Melissa Frances Tree Applique, Large Newstead Frame, Chipboard Ornaments, White Mica Flakes, Silver Glass Glitter; Webster's Pages Tinsel Trim, Fall Bloomers Deluxe Trim; Glitter Ritz - Celadon, Apple Red and Sand, Crystal Ice Stickles

Maya Road Chipboard Onesie Gift Card Holder

It is so fun to have an excuse to create and babies are the ideal one! It was GREAT fun to create this special little gift card holder. When Maya Road first showed these chipboard pieces I was completely enamored! I know that my own children are well past the board book stage and so to create one was not really something that made sense. BUT a gift card holder - now we're talkin' :-D

I wanted to share a picture of the completed back before you begin a project that is similar. Before beginning it is extremely important to do your math --- when our kids suggest that the things they are learning in school are never used again, you can prove them wrong ;-)

Make certain that the chipboard coaster you are using is large enough to create a pocket to fit your gift card!

This next idea is not my own - it was something I saw on the Maya Road design team blog that got my brain a tickin' - you can see their post here! You really do need to visit their blog for some AMAZING inspiration - you will then see why I am SO very in love with their product line. What the designers do with it is exquisite!!!

I used a pencil to outline my image. I just didn't have the confidence to start with a marker - LOL! I then used my Copic Multiliner to draw over my pencil lines and darken them. Next I scanned the image.

 

Using Photoshop I cleaned up my scanned image. For those who don't have this knowledge base I do think that you will receive good results doing it the way that the designer on the Maya Road blog did (see link above) but being that I was shooting for precision I just can't leave well enough alone. 

I then turned my black-line drawing into a transparent file. I know that I am losing some of you with this brief explanation, but I wanted to share this for the more advanced users and my continued explanation below.

It was then that I realized that I really didn't have a paper that I found 100% suitable - yes, it had to be baby blue with polka dots - it was what was in my mind and I couldn't let go of it. I then realized that I could really take this to the next level by heading over to my ScrapHD resources! So I did just that!

ScrapHD is designed for making easy and quick scrapbook pages, BUT it is also the most amazing resource for these types of projects. Being an intermediate level Photoshop user I can take the images from my ScrapHD files and incorporate them into my projects on Photoshop! I'm in love with this capability and I know that advanced Photoshop users will have the ability to create amazing projects that blow mine out of the water!

I found this wonderful blue polka dot in the My Mind's Eye collections by putting the words blue polka dot in the ScrapHD search engine - VOILA

With the Club Membership I am sent a file that I was then able to open in Photoshop and layer my little transparent onesie over the top to print a perfect little compliment to my chipboard element! WOOHOO - I was so very excited... aww, perfection - LOL!

I then printed this on Neenah cardstock.

I also printed out the plain polka dot file from ScrapHD onto Neenah cardstock. This was used to create the reverse side. I flipped my chipboard over and traced the onesie - this was my "back side." I traced a second one --- only the lower portion, to create my little "pocket." As you can see I cut just inside my pencil line - this allows for a very nice fit on the backside of the onesie.

I saved my "dimensional" onesie - the first one in the ring for a future project. I plan on painting it and playing with the wonderful embossed detail. Using the second piece on the chipboard ring I gave it a more finished look by edging it with a silver leaf Krylon pen. Be certain to allow the silver leaf to dry before continuing to work or you might have silvery goodness everywhere - LOL!

I stitched the back pocket along the top side and then stitched it to the coordinating piece, so that the gift card could slip between the layers. This little piece just makes me giggle. It is almost like those little drop-down/drawer style P.J.'s - oh so cute!

I selected a coordinating striped paper (My Mind's Eye - Little One) from ScrapHD and scaled it way down so that the pattern would be appropriate for this darling piece. It is yet another reason I am absolutely loving that I have digital files at my fingertips! Cutting and embossing the circle with my Nestability I then left the die in place as I once again used my Copic Multiliner to add my faux stitching.

Using the Hero Arts Precious Baby Boy set (it is the perfect scale for SO many projects and again TOTALLY cute!) I created the little accent pieces, coloring them with coordinating Copic markers.

A little ribbon and a couple of brads completed the look. Babies --- I can still smell my girl's hair even 10 years later! What a blessing to this world they are!

I hope that this spurs you to thinking about other uses for these adorable chipboard coasters! I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as to what you would use them for. Have a fabulous evening and thank you for stopping by today.

 

digital elements: ScrapHD My Mind's Eye Little One Striped Paper and Be Merry Polka Dot

stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Precious Baby Boy

inks: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper: Neenah Solar White

accessories: Maya Road Baby Onesie Coaster, Mini Pins
   

Jenni Bowlin Printed Transparency Hybrid Card

As many of you have already read we are adding a new tool to our creative options - our computers. In January I asked in this blog post what your thoughts were in regards to hybrid design? It was a fairly resounding affirmation that many would like to learn how to use their computers in the creative process. The timing was amazing - I asked the question and then two days later learned about ScrapHD. After spending some time with the Petersen family at CHA and looking at what their product had to offer I signed up to work together with them. I believe that the ease of use of their builder, together with an unmatched assortment of digital elements, that the value and ease of use will make this tool a must have for many crafters. You can read more about why I am excited about this product and answer some of the most frequently asked questions by reading the following two posts:

ScrapHD + Ellen Hutson, LLC = endless creative possibilities

ScrapHD FAQ's

Today I am going to do my best to share with you the ease of using this program and how I incorporated the "digital" aspect together with my traditional paper crafting products. I am also going to share how I created the mini crepe paper roses - they were so much fun to make!

Following are a series of stepped out pictures showing you how simple it is to create using the ScrapHD builder. You will see a new "icon" on the sidebar of all of our blogs - this icon when clicked on, will take you directly to the Ellen Hutson, LLC + ScrapHD builder.

Joining is free and there are some wonderful free options available to try, but I must admit that I was a free member for such a short time that I am uncertain to all that is free. I am now a "Club Member," which costs $9.99/month or $99/year and so when I sign in now everything is ready and waiting for me to explore and experiment with.

CREATING A SCRAPHD PRINT FILE

Each one of the following "tiny" windows can be popped open to reveal an example of the steps involved I followed as I printed my transparency.

Upon signing in you will see that you can start with a blank page or a theme. I selected a blank page. The next window that pops up allows you to select either a 5x7, 8x8 or 12x12 size. For this project I selected the 8x8. (We have already requested they add an 8.5x11 size ;-) It's now just a matter of time as they continue to add to what the program can do :D)

 

Once the program is open you can hover your cursor over the symbols that are on the left hand side of the page. Each symbol represents a category. Following are the categories from top to bottom:

• photos (you add your own photos here)
• backgrounds
• embellishments
• layering papers
• frames
• text
• shapes

I selected backgrounds because I knew that I wanted to keep this lesson simple. Next, select the little + symbol and a whole new world of paper options opens up to you as seen in the second photo.

I used the search mechanism and put in the word Tangerine in doing the write-up for this post because I knew the name of the Jenni Bowlin paper collection I had used and wanted to keep my options down. I can use colors, designers, collection names, elements and more to narrow down my search.

Simply clicking on the paper element I wanted to add puts it into my left column. You can select as many backgrounds to try as you would like. I only selected the one I knew I was going to use.

When you have completed selecting background papers click on done. This will close the selection window.

Then drag the paper from the left tray into the square and drop it in place.

My pattern was now ready and so I then selected the "Print from Home" option. 

An email notification was then sent to me, but I decided to show you how to go to "My Account" and you will find the page under "My Scrapbook." Click on the green download button next to the image. A box will pop up and I select save. 

It is important to keep your computer files organized. I would like to recommend that before you begin that you create a file in your Pictures Directory called ScrapHD. This will allow you to save all of your ScrapHD files in one location and make it easier to find later on. :D

The files are emailed in a zipped format. When the next window pops up simply click open and it will show you a window similar to the first photo above. I select extract all and this unzips the file, giving you easy access to it.

Next I opened Office Word. In word there is an "insert picture" option. When your browser opens simply select your file in your ScrapHD folder and click on the file and then insert.

It is now simple to resize the file - note where my arrow is pointed above. I resized the file to 4". I then printed on to my transparency. This write-up took WAAAY longer than actually completing all of these steps - LOL! It truly is a very easy process!

CREATING CREPE RIBBON ROSES

I have fallen in love with the many paper flowers we are seeing all over the place now. When Michelle Obama wore her first large flower I knew that this would be a trend that would become huge! As an interior designer I worked with a lady that created THE most exquisite silk roses. Using this technique I decided to give it a try with the crepe ribbon we carry in the store (yes, more colors are on their way - LOL!)

Being that I am all thumbs I decided to try using my quilling tool (also known as a slotted tool) to help me keep my flower precise. It worked like a charm! Remember each of these pictures can be clicked on to open in a large view.

Begin by folding the crepe paper over as shown in the first photo above. Then slip the ends between the two prongs on the quilling tool as shown in the second photo.

Wrap a couple of times and then using a toothpick dab a tiny droplet of adhesive at the base of the flower.

The last photo in the series above and the first photo below show the alignment of the paper as you wrap. Fold the ribbon at a 45 degree angle and then keeping the top portion (the portion that is parallel to my finger) even with the top of the rose wrap until this segment of the ribbon is used up. Then make another 45 degree fold, add a droplet of adhesive to the base and wrap again.

Continue to wrap and glue until you reach the end. At the end I apply glue to the tail as well as the base and finish off as shown in the third picture. I then remove my rose from the slotted tool and add adhesive to the base, allowing it to dry thoroughly.

Simply vary the length of your crepe ribbon to vary the size of your rosebud. I apologize for not writing down the lengths of ribbon I used - I thought I would remember. Oops-LOL! I think that the lengths were between 6-12 inches when I began, but can't be certain.

I cut one of the Jenni Bowlin mini papers down to a 3" size and pierced holes through the corners of my transparency and mini paper inserting a brad. The look was completed with some of that gorgeous silk ribbon we carry, some softly Glitter Misted leaves and my three crepe paper roses.

I absolutely LOVE this color combination - Jenni did a fabulous job with this collection and to now have it available in transparency format added just the right twist :D

 
digital element: ScrapHD - Jenni Bowlin Studio, Tangerine Dream Collection-Dream Floral

paper: Ink Jet Transparency, Memory Box Lagoon, Jenni Bowlin Mini Papers-Tangerine Dream

accessories: Jenni Bowlin Turquoise Crepe Paper Ribbon, Mulberry Rose Leaves, Silk Ribbon, Marrakech Brads, Quilling Tool (Slotted Tool), Perfect Paper Adhesive