the CLASSroom

Postage Keeper by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Paper: Graphic 45 Communique patterned papers & Tags, Memory Box Licorice cardstock 
• Ink: Ranger Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink
• Accessories: Craft-a-Board, Ranger Ink Blending Tool, Royal Coat Decoupage, Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps, black twill ribbon, Neutral Card Buttons, Neutral Art Flowers, Brads

They say "necessity is the mother of invention" and that's exactly how this postage keeper came about!  The glassine envelope I received with postage from the post office ages ago was finally totally worn out, so I thought it would be nice to have a pretty keeper for it!  Here's what I came up with ... a 7"x4" "notebook".

I started with a 7" tall x8" wide piece of Craft-a-Board and created a spine by scoring it at 3-3/4" and 4-1/4" (along the 8" side, so the scores are 7" tall) -- hopefully you can see that in the photo above.  Then I cut and also scored my patterned papers for the outside and inside of my notebook and adhered them to the Craft-a-Board using decoupage glue.

TIP: Cut your patterned papers a little bit wider than 8", to allow for the "shrinkage" the papers will have, fitting snugly around the scored spine.

Once the decoupage glue was dry, I inked the edges of the papers and Craft-a-Board with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, to age the papers and cover the white of the Craft-a-Board:

Then I gave the outside of the papers a final coat of decoupage glue, to make the papers more resilient and water resistant.

For the inside pockets to hold my postage stamps, I cut two pieces of Craft-a-Board 3-3/4" wide x 3-1/4" tall and also decoupaged them with patterned paper.  Foam mounting tape was used along three edges of each pocket, to adhere the pockets to the inside of the notebook.

 

I finished the cover of my postage keeper with a tag from the Graphic 45 Communique tag sheet, that I matted with black cardstock and customized with the word "postage" created with my label maker.  Black flowers and red brads also accent the tag.  I created a closure for my notebook using black twill ribbon and magnetic snaps, tied up with a button.

I think one of these postage keepers would make a wonderful gift, to go along with a set of handmade cards -- how about you?  Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Christmas Tidbits from CHA by Debbie Olson

CHA wound down today, while the CHA Supershow starts in the morning. I hope that some of you have been able to visit! Ellen suggested that you might enjoy seeing some of the Christmas lines as a part of her Christmas in July event, so I'm sharing some in the moments that i have a working internet connection.

Basic Grey's new Christmas line is Eskimo Kisses. (You can click on photos to see them larger, if you would like.)

 

I loved the colors and the lacey overlays. Here's a great layout and beautiful card from the basic Grey Booth.

 

Next, here's the display board for the Cosmo Cricket jolly by Golly line--I'm loving the pale aquas and pinks in that collection and can't wait to play with more of the papers and chipboard!

 

Isn't this a fun little Christmas piece?

 

Sorry that the Graphic 45 lines appear dark--it's my picture-taking--NOT their beautiful papers! Christmas Past is their new Christmas line--an elegant vintage.

 

 

 

Finally, on a non-Christmas note, I took this picture at the Ranger booth and thought that it might help some of you see how the different Distress Ink colors compare with one another. I don't have them all, and I'm always wondering which one I might want next. I thought that seeing their fabulous display chart night help you too.

 

Thank you for visiting, and enjoy Ellen's Christmas festivities!

Pearly Butterfly Pair by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Stamps: Mona Lisa Moments Encouragement Expressions & Script Essential Espressions
• Paper: Webster's Pages Journaling Cards, Memory Box Vanilla Bean Notecards
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ranger Distress Reinkers
• Spellbinders Dies: Flower Creations 2, Flower Creations 3, Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Deckle & Scallop Borderabilities 
• Accessories: 1/4" Round It All Corner Rounder, Ranger Mini Mister & Perfect Pearls, Tim Holtz Design Ruler.  Ornare Border Piercing Template, Piercing Pad & Piercing Tool 

I have a pair of cards to show you today, using one of the techniques Ellen shared last week -- Perfect Pearls Glimmer Mist (<== you'll find the recipe in that post).  I'd been meaning to make some of these, so Ellen's technique tutorial prompted me to experiment with some of my favorite Perfect Pearls colors.  This is what I came up with:

For some distressed metallic combos, I used Antique Linen Distress Reinker with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls (left side in the photo above) and Brushed Corduroy with Bronze Perfect Pearls (right side above), sprayed onto Craft-a-Board.  I can't wait to use these rich colors for Fall projects coming up right around the corner!

While trying out these different combos, I wondered how I would make a "generic" clear-ish pearl spray that could be used on any paper color so that the color underneath would still show through.  Since distress ink is dye and water based and you add water when making up the Perfect Pearl Glimmer Mist, I tried mixing Perfect Pearl (a pearly white) colored Perfect Pearls with just water (no colored reinker).  I'm happy to report the combo works perfectly!  While I'm probably not the first to think of this, I was certainly happy with myself for trying and discovering it ... I can't wait to try it on some snowy winter projects!

Here's how I used it -- to pearlize my die cut flowers and accent butterflies on the patterned paper!

I intended my first card to be for a young woman high school graduate. I started with a Memory Box Vanilla Bean (brown) notecard and trimmed 3/4" off the right front side and then adhered that piece on the right side inside the card and rounded the corners with a small (1/4") corner rounder.  Since Memory Box cardstock is white core/backed, this gave me the brown background I wanted for the soft yellow scalloped edge.  I made the scalloped edge with Spellbinders Deckle & Scalloped Borderabilities, trimmed it to 3/4" and then adhered it to the inside of the card front.

That pretty blue butterfly paper on the card front is more of Webster's Pages Journaling Cards (a different set than I used on my last project).  I added a flower I created with petals from Spellbinders Flower Creations 3 die set.  The flower center is from the Flower Creations 2 die set.  After die cutting the flower center, I sprayed it with my "clear" Pearl glimmer mist and then adhered it with dimensional foam tape to the flower petals.  Then I decided the whole flower needed the glimmer mist (more shimmer is usually better, right?!!) but didn't want to get it all over the card front (the flower was already adhered to the card).  So I misted some of the pearl spray onto a cotton swab and then rubbed it on the flower petals.  This gave a little softer effect, which I like.

To finish this card, I added some piercing along with right side with an Ornare border piercing template and for the inside of the card, I chose this sentiment from Mona Lisa Moments' Encouragement Expressions -- I thought it might be fitting for a new high school graduate about to enter college and a new chapter in her life.

My second card stemmed from using a yellow edge from the side of this Webster's Journaling Card for the first card ... I figured since it was already trimmed to about the same size as the other card front, I'd just go ahead and make another card with this same basic layout! 

I cut this flower from another coordinating Webster's Journaling Card using the Flower Creations 2 die set -- I just cut the flower in half and layered it together.  The sentiment on the flower center is from Mona Lisa Moments' Script Essential Espressions.  This whole flower was also rubbed with my Pearl glimmer mist.

I also rubbed some of the Pearl glimmer mist on the butterfly in the patterned paper.  The scalloped edge on this card was cut with a Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities die.  I finished the card with pierced holes on the pattern in the paper using the Tim Holtz Design Ruler, Ornare Piercing Pad and Piercing Tool. 

And one more experiment with the glimmer mist ... I tried spraying some on Tim Holtz' Fragments.  As expected, it just puddled on the surface of the clear plastic tile.  I forgot about it and went to bed, only to discover the next morning that it had dried overnight and had a very good bond! 

First, I had dabbed my darker Bronze Perfect Pearl mixture on one side of the fragment (just took the spray nozzle out of the Mini Mister and touched the other end of the nozzle to the fragment) and a little while later flipped it over and sprayed the Pearl mist, then left it to dry.  So that's why you are seeing the bronze color on the under side, through the pearl!  I say a very good bond because I had also dabbed some Copic Various ink onto the back side of the tile, over the bronze glimmer mist and then decided to remove it in the morning.  Even when rubbing the Copic Various ink off with Copic alcohol Clear Blender Solution, the bronze glimmer mist remained!  BUT the dried glimmer mist WILL come off with some vigorous fingernail scraping, so I think the best use of this technique would be to have the glimmer-misted side face down on your project.  I'll be experimenting more with this technique, for sure!

I hope you'll try making some custom colors of Perfect Pearl Glimmer Mist ... they are fun and will really add a lovely touch to your projects!

crackle birds by cindy lyles

 

Distress Crackle Paint - An incredibly versatile, easy and fun product developed by Tim Holtz and Ranger Industries.  This medium produces decades of distress in a simple, one-step paint.  Crazing occurs as the paint dries, and each container has a convenient, built-in applicator brush.  The colors coordinate with Distress Inks too.  Made in the USA.

Once the crackles start to appear by air drying, one can use a heat tool to speed the crazing process along.  It is my experience the crazing process is best left to air drying, but if you're in a pinch, a heat tool can save the day...once the crazing process has started naturally (via air drying).

A thick layer of Distress Crackle Paint will produce the look above - large crazing/cracks and will take longer to dry.

A thin layer of Distress Crackle Paint will produce the look below - finer, more detailed crazing and will dry rapidly.  Dry time for the bird below is roughly 20 minutes - humidity, temperature, and so forth will affect dry time.

The crazing can be emphasized by applying Distress Inks using an Ink Blending Tool to the dried crazing, and burnishing the ink into the cracks.  This eliminates worrying about what color your project base is prior to beginning your project - you can simply change it with Distress Inks and a Blending Tool. Yeah baybee!

For the series of projects in this post, I die-cut four Nested Birds using Nestabilies Dies and Grungepaper.  Grungepaper is thinner than Grungeboard, and like Grungeboard, Grungepaper will not tear, disintegrate or become flimsy like chipboard when it becomes wet from water or paint.  

If storing Distress Crackle Paint in a drawer where only the black tops are visible, I created this template - just punch out the printed circles using a 1-1/4" circle punch, dab a dot of the product in the center, allow to dry then adhere to each appropriate lid.

Grungepaper will curl slightly after the Crackle Paint dries, so to train the Grungepaper flat I I placed the dried Crackle Birds under a heavy book for an hour or so.

Dried and flattened birds...

Dressed and decorated birds.  Ribbon snippets and buttons are held in place with Glossy Accents. A drop of Glossy Accents was used to secure the eyes and bow - to prevent it from being untied by little fingers - as well.  Faceted bling made excellent eyes for these projects.

Each card base features a pierced portion.  The green crackle bird card uses this template.

The edges of the crackle birds were inked with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks using an Ink Blending Tool.  Try stitching on ribbon for wings if you don't want to use buttons.  Grungepaper and a sewing machine are a match in heaven!

Tattered Rose Crackle Paint - this is going to be a welcome baby card!  The birds can be adhered using foam dimensionals, Glue Dots or any similar product.

This cutie is my favorite.  Try Crackle Paint with your next project!! 

A quick note about Distress Crackle Paint: 

This is a water-based product.  If you experience upon opening the product or over time the product has become thick, simply add a teaspoon of water at a time and shake, until the desired thickness is achieved.  If product is too thick try incorporating water with a wooden popsicle stick or similar tool, then re-capping and shaking well.

Alcohol Ink "Painting" Technique using Copic Various Ink Refills and Perfect Pearls Glimmer Spritz

This "beauty" has been saved on my laptop in my "Blog Post pictures to be edited" category for over a month now. I think it is absolutely ironic that Sharon used the exact same Webster's pages paper in her post yesterday. Perhaps it's because this collection is so strikingly beautiful and so easy to use in so many different ways. I am thrilled to tell you that we will be adding the new 6x6 pads of this luscious paper manufacturer to our collection. I can hardly wait!

I always have so many different things I would like to try and then share with you once I know for certain that it will work. This "experiment" was to test a couple of different things. First I wanted to play with Various Ink Refills. For those who are unfamiliar with this product they are the alcohol inks we use to refill Copic markers. There are so many fun uses for them other than filling markers, but it seems to take me much longer than I would like to share all these little details. Today I finally have this opportunity.

Secondly I absolutely love the beautiful pearlized mists that can be created with Perfect Pearls, Distress Reinkers and water. I have been wondering how they would work with the Craft-a-Board. I am tickled with the results!!! WAY COOL! (at least I think so - LOL!)

 

I must admit that I can't stop gazing at this particular creation when I walk past it at work. This technique is begging me to explore it further.

 

To begin I removed one side from the wonderful plastic we carry. This plastic is fabulous for making your own embellishments, focal points and scrapbook pages. The larger size is begging me to create a wipe-off calender. Is anyone up for that challenge? I want to do this so badly, but there just doesn't seem to be enought time in the day!!! Is anyone out there up for that challenge?

I prefer to use Palette Noir for stamping on plastics. You will need to allow this to dry for some time before proceeding to cut out your image. When doing a project like this I will stamp my image (Shady Tree, Large Bloom) well in advance and just walk away from it, coming back to it later that day or the next day. So plan this project with a little lead time in mind. I then use my little snips to cut out my image. I have shared the image above to give you an idea as to how to cut out intricate shapes.

When cutting out designs that are "tight" as is the area between the bloom and the foilage you can see above that I cut the long lengths in to the fine point first. This allows for some flexibility in the material and makes it easier to bend it so that you can get precise cuts. This plastic is a little too thick to use the Fiskars cutting blade or retractable blade on, but the scissors work great!

 

Once complete you will want to remove the backing from the other side as well. I leave it in place during cutting to minize getting finger prints all over the surface. When cutting I also prefer to hold my project by the edges for the same reason. Finger prints are no fun to remove - LOL! Now you can more easily see the colors that you will be applying.

 

I then place drops of Various ink on the corners of my felt pad. I find that I have more control over where the ink goes when I work from my corners only. As you can better see in the photograph below I used a couple of different shades of blues.

When applying alcohol ink to your clear stamped project be certain to ink your design on the opposite side of your stamped image. Alcohol ink will "eat away" your stamped image when stamped on plastic if applied directly to this image no matter what ink you use. If any of you have an ink that you have used on plastic and then applied alcohol ink to without this happening I would love to learn more about it!

 

I am sharing the above photo for a couple of reasons. This was my first attempt at applying the alcohol ink. As you can see when comparing the above photo with the one directly below the color is more "puddled" above. When touching the alcohol ink pad back on a surface that is already covered with alcohol ink you will "push" the first layer of alcohol ink to different locations. Sometimes this is exactly the look you are going for, but in this case I wanted a really deep, smoother color in the center.

The wonderful thing about alcohol ink is that it is forgiving! Simply take a paper towel and apply a small amount (note I said small!) of Colorless Blender Fluid to dampen one corner. Simply wipe your project clean and you can start from square one once again.

 

This is much more the effect I was going for! It reminds me of the Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park.

To get this smooth, clean effect quickly apply the ink around your flower, working quickly so as to not let it dry before you apply the next impression.

If you happen to extend your blue on to the area that is supposed to be green, use your Colorless Blender marker to precisely remove the color. This is how I was able to remove the blue from the flower centers!

 

Two create your own custom frames use the square and label nestabilities together. I use a magnetic sheet to assist in keeping my dies perfectly aligned. Cut out your Craft-a-Board as shown below.

 

It was six years ago that I first discovered a beautiful watery mists at a stamping convention where I learned of a product called Glitz Spritz. Glitz Spritz needed to be mixed with a hairspray solution. We then started creating our own with Pearl Ex and hairspray mixtures. When I was exposed to Tim Holtz's beautiful "concoctions" I was totally hooked. The fact that Perfect Pearl mixtures do not need hairspray is huge! Hairspray would clog the mister and make me crazy - now I can make any color mixture and combination that strikes me and for much less $$$ then purchasing Tattered Angels Mist in numerous colors. The flexibility of being albe to create my own color combinations is awesome! So today I also share how these custom mixes work to alter the color of Craft-a-board.

 

As you can see I selected two complimenting colors - turquoise Perfect Pearls with Shabby Shutters Re-Inker.

 

The little "tea" spoons from my girls' old tea sets have become so useful in my crafting - LOL! They are the perfect size for measuring Perfect Pearls and adding them to a Mini Mister. Next insert an entire dropper full (not one drop, but the entire dropper) of Re-inker in to the Mini Mister. Fill up the remainder of the bottle with water, leaving about a half inch at the top of the bottle so that you will have room to shake up the mixture. Now put on some good music and do a little shaking (or perhaps a lot of shaking - insert grin). Each time you use this mixture you will need to give it a good shaking.

 

As you can see I placed my project on top of a paper towel, on top of my non-stick craft sheet.

 

Complete the project with a little lace, some gorgeous jewels, stickles, punched edge, piercing and a little more stamping (Aged Sheet Music) on the Lagoon base card.

I would like to encourage you to start putting those Various Ink Refills to more use than just filling your markers. They are SO much fun to play with!!!

Scrapbook Art by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Paper: Webster's Journaling Cards-Hello Beautiful, Memory Box Vanilla Bean cardstock, Neenah Classic Creamcardstock
• Ink: Copic Sketch marker BG05 
• Accessories: Webster's Classic Trim Collection, Neutral Art Flowers, Summer Card Buttons, Martha Stewart Solid Baker's Twine, Basic Grey Bling It Rhinestone Swirls, Sanding Block, Craft-a-Board, Inchie Magnets

• Tools: Spellbinders Classic Lace Large Border, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser

I thought it was time for some new refrigerator art, and had been editing some recent vacation photos when I came across this one I knew I wanted to do something with.  My youngest (6 years) struck this pose for me, totally unsolicited ... ahhh, melts my heart! 

I decided to try printing the photo in sepia tones directly onto my cardstock (in this case, a 4.75" x 5.50" Journaling Card by Webster's Pages).  To accomplish this, I measured the space where I wanted my photo to be, so I would know what size to make the print (you can adjust the size in the print feature of your printer or software -- I use Photoshop Elements).  My software also allows for positioning the printed photo from the top and side edges of the paper, so once again I got those measurements from the Journaling Card.

Then I printed the photo onto regular printer paper.  Next, I positioned the Journaling Card over the printed image and held it up to the light to make sure the photo was positioned correctly.  I secured the Journaling Card to the printer paper with repositionable/removable adhesive and then ran the sheet back through my printer again to print the photo onto the Journaling Card.  Try this with different colors and textures of cardstock -- you'll be surprised at what a stunning difference cardstock can make to your printed photos!

I sanded the edges of the photo a little bit, to soften them.  I adhered the Journaling Card/photo to a piece of 5-7/8"" x 5-3/8" Vanilla Bean (brown) cardstock that I distressed the edges.  Then I adhered that to a piece of 6" x 5.50" Cream cardstock.  Next, I die cut and embossed the Large Lace Border from more Vanilla Bean cardstock and also lightly sanded the embossed areas. 

TIP: Since Memory Box cardstock has a white core/back, sanding it on the colored side takes off the color, revealing the white core. I adhered the die-cut Lace Border on the left edge of the Journaling Card photo, so that some of the lace extends off the left edge of the page.

I added Webster's blue pom-pom trim to the bottom of the page . . . isn't that quote printed on the Webster's Journaling Card wonderful?  If it's hard to see in the photo, it says: "Beauty ... is not in the face. It is a light in the heart. I will let my light shine."

Flowers with a tied button and rhinestone swirl bling at the top finish off this scrap page.  I used clear rhinestones and tinted them to match the blue in the Journaling Card and pom-pom trim with BG05 Copic Sketch marker.

I backed the page with Craft-a-Board to make it sturdy, and then adhered some Inchie Magnets to the back so this page can be displayed on our refrigerator.  Alternately, you could display this art on an easel or adhere a ribbon hanger on the back, to make this a door hanger or wall art.  And since our theme here in the CLASSroom this month is Christmas in July, wouldn't these pieces of scrapbook art make some great Christmas presents for your family?!!

Christmas and Copics and Cosmo, Oh My! by Debbie Olson

I am thrilled that Ellen will be carrying the new Cosmo Cricket lines in the 6" x 6" pads that are being introduced at Summer CHA! When Ellen mentioned that the July newsletter had a Christmas focus, I asked if I could share some of the new Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly line. 

I chose one of the CHF Kim Hughes images from Heart Warmers to paper-piece for my focal image. The really tiny prints are from the cover sheet of my 12" x 12" paper collection, but since these are being produced in 6" x 6" pads, the scale is 1/4 what it is on the 12" x 12" papers--you won't need a cover sheet to get small patterns.

Next I stamped various trees on the small patterned paper pieces, and the tree trunks on a fifth paper piece.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch. . . For my focal image base, I stamped the tree image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Natural White cardstock and used my Copic Airbrush Systemand a BG15 Copic marker to airbrush the sky, with a Classic Plain Rectangle die as the mask. I did not mask the snow because I was using white felt to cut snow. (I think Ellen carries the BG13, but that would work the same--just a bit more subtle.) The Claudine Helmuth canvas would be nice for this too--more opaque. I used felt because it had more loft.

 

With my trimmed paper scraps, I pieced the trees and trunks, tucking the trunks behind my felt snow.

One thing bothered me about my sky and snow, however: it was too white and clean to coordinate perfectly with the patterned paper. A bit of airbrushing with a Copic E31marker took care of that little problem, giving my scene a gently aged look more suitable for the paper. (I could have used distress ink on the cardstock, but I wasn't sure how else to get felt snow toned down besides with my airbrush.)

I zig-zag stitched the two papers together and straight-stitched a border around the entire background to give a subtle mat effect.

Here is a close-up of my finished card, with a twill bow, button, and tag to complete it. So, what do you think of the Jolly by Golly? Mmmmmm--just what I was hoping for this Christmas! Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today.

BIG NEWS - Ranger's Heat It Craft Tool is here!!!

This is huge news in my opinion - LOL! I am so excited to be letting you know that the heat guns we have had on order for more than one year are finally here!!!

 

Sometimes I find a product that is not available and I will just wait until it becomes available. Rather than selling a different product that I think is inferior I will just be patient in hopes that the "dream" tool will return. This is just such a case.

So WHY am I so excited about this particular heat gun? The "other" heat guns in the market place blow - they blow loud and hard!!! They blow more than they heat. They blow your embossing powder all over the place and make a sizeable mess. This leads to a very large dislike for embossing. Well I am here to tell you today that this Heat It Craft Tool is spectacular!!! It is SO much quieter, in fact it is like a whisper in comparison and it does not blow like a tornado is going through. It still does blow, but it is more like a gentle breeze and the heat comes out quickly setting your embossing powder (insert big, happy grin here).

Here is my little "test picture" to show you the difference in end result.

The snowflake on the left was then set using my Stampin' Up! Heat Gun - I kid you not when I tell you that you could see the particles of embossing powder blow from the surface when I brought my tool over the snowflake. Hopefully you can see that in the picture below on the left

Then I set the snowflake on the right. The Heat It Craft tool quietly and gently melted the embossing powder in to a detailed glossy image. Ahhhhh - perfection! A girl's got to love a good tool Ü

Yes, it's true we have these in stock, but my guess is that they may not last long, so if you are in the market for a new heat gun this is a must have!!!

Every Day is a Blessing

Have you seen the new Lockhart images released this month?  I so love these sweet little preserves "IB Jam", "IB Peaches" and "IB Berries".

Each image was colored with Copics as follows.



I used a Copic Black Multiliner to add dots to some of the blueberries.

I also used a Copic Marker to color in a white art flower for a more vintage look.  The button is from Hero Arts Neutral line.

Several designer papers from the different Graphic 45 collections were used including this darling vintage tag.  Card base is Memory Box's "Jack O Lantern".

The sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms' set "Time to Stamp".  Only a portion of the sentiment was used.  I love doing this.  It's like getting several sentiments for the price of one!

What fun this card was to make!  Hope you have a blessed day.  Thanks for dropping by the CLASSroom.

"The hardest arithmetic to master
is that which enables us to count our blessings."
~Eric Hoffer~

Summer Fun Countdown Calendar by Sharon Harnist

I first heard of these adorable three dimensional countdown calendars last Christmas, but couldn't find any in stock anywhere to get one made in time for Christmas ... they were selling like hotcakes everywhere!  Then this Spring, Ellen got them in the store.  I was so anxious to make something with it, I thought a "Summer Time Fun" theme would be a good way to occupy my bored children this summer!

 

Supplies:

• Stamps: Kim Hughes Little Gal & Number Fun 
• Paper: BasicGrey Lime Rickey, Neenah Classic Natural White cardstock 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black 
• Copic Sketch Markers: B05, E55, E57, R27, R29, R81, R85, Y15, YR04, YG13 & Copic Multiliner
• Spellbinders dies: Star Nestabilities, Sm Pinked Circle Nestabilities, Flower Creations 3, Tags 5

• Accessories: Karen Foster 3D Countdown Calendar, Art Flowers, Card Buttons, Gemstone Crystals, Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch & Baker's Twine, Ranger Star Dust Stickles & White Opaque Pen

I'm sorry I didn't get a better photo of the dimension of this calendar, so you could see that overall, it is about 1-5/8" deep, 8" tall and 8-1/2" wide.  You can see the dimension a little better in the product view at the store HERE.  Each individual drawer is about 1-1/2" square and pulls all the way out of its little cubby.  This makes it easy to alter AND to hide small treasures or treats, like this:

 

(Kim Hughes' Little Gal ice cream, stamped twice with Tuxedo Black ink on Natural White cardstock, colored with Copic markers & cut out. Adhered together with Baker's Twine between; accented with Star Dust Stickles).

I think we'll be shuffling this ice cream around for at least a once per week treat (wink)!  The idea is to hide a little something in each box for each day ... a small trinket, money, movie tickets, jewelry; a slip of paper that says family bicycle ride, swimming, trip to the library, instructions for a craft, or something as simple as an "I love you" note -- anything for the kids to look forward to each day.

The calendar comes with a template to use, to make cutting paper to cover the drawer-front easy.  Then I just used a liquid glue to adhere the papers to the drawers.  By using one collection of patterned paper (BasicGrey's Lime Rickey), I was assured all the colors and patterns would mix well together, for a fun summery look! 

A full set of number stickers are also included with the calendar (like the 1, 3 & 7 shown below).  I used mostly those but also added some stamped numbers from Kim Hughes' Number Fun stamp set, just to change things up a bit.

Here are some closeup views of the drawers, with notes about each one:

 

1-Button with number sticker, tied with Baker's Twine; 2-Photo of my oldest daughter at the beach last summer, with Art Flowers and Crystal Gemstones; 3-Number sticker; 6-Spellbinders Pinked Circle Nestabilities die cut & Kim Hughes' Number Fun stamped and Crystal Gemstones; 7-Number sticker; 8-Spellbinders Star Nestabilities die cut & Kim Hughes Number Fun stamped, with Baker's Twine tied Card Buttons.

 

4-Kim Hughes' Little Gal ladybug stamped & colored with Copic marker, with number sticker, Art Flower & Crystal Gemstones; 5-Spellbinders Star Nestabilities die cut with number sticker; 9-Number sticker; 10-Kim Hughes' Little Gal bird stamped for number "1", colored with Copics + number sticker.

 

11-Number stickers on coordinating paper and cut out; 12-Kim Hughes Little Gal kite stamped for number "1", colored with Copics; Number Fun "2" stamped & accented with White Opaque pen; 16-Spellbinders Scalloped Heart Nestabilities die cut with number stickers; 17-Kim Hughes' Number Fun stamps; 18-Kim Hughes' Little Gal flower stamp with Art Flower, Crystal Gemstone and number sticker.

 

14-Photo of my youngest daughter at the beach last summer, with Art Flowers & Crystal Gemstones; 15-Number stickers with Art Flower & Crystal Gemstone; 19-Number stickers; 20-Number stickers and Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch, with Crystal Gemstones; 24-Spellbinders Pinked Circle Nestabilities with number stickers; 25-Kim Hughes' Number Fun stamps with Art Flowers & Crystal Gemstones.

 

21-Spellbinders Tags 5 die cut with number stickers and Baker's Twine; 22-Kim Hughes' Little Gal rainbow stamped and colored with Copics, accented with Star Dust Stickles & Number Fun stamps; 23-Spellbinders Flower Creations 3 die cut flower center, number handwritten with black Copic Multiliner & accented with Crystal Gemstones.

If you've made it this far, here's a big bonus ... if you keep the embellishments relatively flat on the fronts of these drawers, the drawers can be taken out, turned around and altered again on the other side, for a totally different theme!  That's another reason I didn't use all the number stickers on this project -- now I'll have some left to use on the other sides!  I think I'll be doing a holiday countdown calendar this Fall, so watch for that!

Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom today ... I hope your summer isn't as boring as my kids think theirs is!

Make A Wish card by Kim Hughes

Hello everyone.  How about something soft and furry to make you smile?

 

Supplies:

Copic (E00 and YG95)

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Pitch Black

Memory Box party panda

Memory Box Biscotti Cardstock, Collection

Flower Soft Glue

Flower Soft, Soft Ivory

Mona Lisa Moments, Birthday Centers

Gemstones, Small Blossom

memory box card stock

COPIC NEW Spica Glitter Pen, Buttermilk

Start by stamping the adorable panda onto the patterned paper.  cover the belly and face of the panda with liquid glue

generously sprinkle flower soft onto the glue and press.  allow time to dry.

tap off excess flower soft

I used the end of my closed scissors to scrape away the flower soft that went over the stameped lines.  A paper piercer or tweezers should work well also.

if you have "bald' spots, you can add more glue, and flower soft and fill in where needed.

double mat the main panel image.  Color the hat with a yellow Copic marker and embellish with a yellow flower crystal.  Use a glitter pen to add a subtle sparkle to the sparklers.

Create a paper ribbon accent, but cutting a thin paper strip and gently tying it into a knot.  Tape onto the back side of your paper.

jjj

complete this card by stamping a sentiment.  i think this card will be fun for anyone at any age.  who can resist a furry panda bear?  Not me.

thank you so much for stopping by today

The Bee List Gift Card Set by Debbie Olson

Welcome to the CLASSroom! Today I have a simple gift card set to share with you. Because of its old fashioned charm, I have loved this The Bee List stamp from the first time I saw it. I started working on a card using the stamp, but quickly realized that it would make a perfect little gift card set. If you leave all of the boxes unchecked, the giver can decide which box to check based upon whatever type of card she needs.

I started by choosing some Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers. You see, I buy these little 6" x 6" pads and then for get to use them, or use just a sheet or two of them. All of a sudden, they aren't the latest and greatest any more, and they end up on the bottom of a stack. So I thought that making a card set would help me to USE these lovely papers before they suffer that fate.

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Natural White cardstock (which is actually a pale cream). This image is super simple to color, but I'll share some step by-step pictures just in case you need some color suggestions.

First I colored the greens, Copic YG00, YG03, and YG63 for the shadow areas. I used the new Spica Mint glitter pen to trace over the stems and highlight the leaves.

Next was the rose, with Copic R20, R43, and just a touch of R46 in a couple of areas.

FInally, I used some BG000 to color in the boxes as well as the border; I wanted to make sure that the writer/giftee remembers to add those check marks! Also, I colored the bodies of the bees with Y15, purposely coloring a bit outside the body so that you could see the yellow. Otherwise, the black of the body totally obscured the yellow. I used a glue pen to paint the bee wings and dusted them with clear glitter while the glue was wet.

To add distress to the little Bee card, I first used Old Paper Distress ink to sponge the edges before "crazy sewing" around the edges a couple of times. After sewing, I further distressed the edges with a scissor blade.

The rest was the simple part--choosing four pretty patterns (shown at the top of the post), a coordinating button, and some mat layers.

Don't tell the other three cards, but I think this is my favorite. . . ;-D That black pattern reminds me of my great grandmother. Thank you for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Debbie Olson

Friend Magnet by Kim Hughes

I remember back when I was a child, looking at my Grandmother's broaches and appreciating their beauty.  I decided to create a little something that is a little "old" looking, but can become an easy, modern gift idea,

 

supplies:

Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Lettuce, Adirondack Dye Ink Pad, Terra Cotta

Stickles, Fruit Punch

Invisibles, Paper "Borders"

Ornate Book Plates & Fasteners

COPIC Sketch Marker YG63, Pea Green

Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool

Basic Grey Brads, Porcelain Glazed

other:

flower by Zva Creative

magnet

I started by cutting down the invisibles paper to fit behind the metal book plate.

I first rubbed on the terra cotta ink and gently added a touch of the lettuce ink pad.  I rubbed the color in with a swirly motion.

 

I colored the entire surface of the book plate with a pea green Copic marker.  This tones down the metallic look.

trim the invisibles paper down so that it will fit nicely behind the book plate and adhere it into place with a liquid adhesive.

color metal rimmed brads with a pea green Copic marker.

squeeze fruit punch Stickles onto a Ranger applicator tool.

rub the glitter onto the book plate.  Dab over the entire surface.

color the green flowers with a pea green Copic or a cream colored one to coordinate with the other green hues that have been used,

 

embellish with a stamped sentiment that is cut down small and place over the flower stem.  Add a magnet behind or you can hang this book plate from a string or chain.  this would alos make a beautiful ornament as well.

Thank you so much for stopping by :)

Paper Tole and Memory Capsules by Debbie Olson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy 4th of July

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Jammin' Card by Kim Hughes

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

 

supplies:

Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, Solids

Copic Markers (B00, C1, Y35, grey)

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

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

Backgrounder, Leaves Cornish Heritage Farms

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

Botanical Paper, Natural Obsessions Neutrals

other:

Chestnut Roan ink by Clearsnap

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

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

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

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

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

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