simple dreams

Crafting With Kids: Dab It

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

stamps: Kim Hughes Ocean Friends

paper: Neenah Solar White

ink: Jet Black Archival Ink Pad

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

Template: Download Fishbowl Template 

  

Crafting With Kids: Scribble It

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then score and cut out your fishbowl as shown above.

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

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

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

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

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

 
stamps: Kim Hughes Ocean Friends

paper: Neenah Solar White

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

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

template: Download Fishbowl Template  

Clearly Inspired

I am not certain where I saw a clear card with a layout similar to this - I should have written it down being I just can't remember, but I loved how the clear card was set off with a strip of cardstock all the way up the front and down the back side. This is such a great concept and immediately it was stored in my mind in that special spot of inspirational ideas to try.

Finding the right acetate is sometimes tricky and I have been looking for something that would be suitable. Wouldn't you know it - I already have it in my collection - LOL! This 10 mil plastic acetate works fabulously to make a nice, sturdy clear card. The most important part is to score the top (I really like the Scor It for this part being it needs a sturdy score to fold properly) then I bend it and lay a piece of scrap paper over it and using my Teflon Bone Folder I make certain to get a nice smooth fold in the plastic.

 

The new Urban Prairie collection from Basic Grey is made up of colors that are absolutely delicious. I was completely surprised that this was part of their summer/fall collection being it feels so springy to me. I needed to add some color to my day today so I grabbed this pad of papers. The stripe that is included in this collection is one of my faves and so I decided that less is more in some cases, especially being I want to hoard that stripe - LOL! So I cut a strip and layered it on top of a piece of Granny Smith cardstock.

All that was left to do was to stamp the butterfly from Kim's new Little Gal set (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this set Kim! I have a house full of girlie girls all the time Ü), add a couple of Hero Arts Spring collection flowers, a few gemstones and my project was complete! Yippie, I now have another card ready and waiting for that "stash" I am starting for those occasions that slip by me when I'm not prepared. This could work for so many different occasions - birthday, thank you, or just because. 

 

All that is left to do is add a piece of white cardstock on the inside and write or stamp an appropriate greeting!