the CLASSroom

Doily Cards by Sharon Harnist

It's another fun week here in the CLASSroom, using some of my very favorite papercrafting tools, dies!

The beautiful dies I used to create these cards are Waffle Flower's Doily Circle and Lacy Layers 5x7 (I have the two largest dies of this set stored on the back side of the right card below)

I used Distress Oxide Inks to create the backgrounds, which I think turned out to resemble a soft faux watercolor look!  Here's how I created them:

Let's start with my first blue notecard, which measures 3-1/2" x 5". I decided to keep this one simple, without a greeting, so it could be used for anything. It's the perfect size to present a gift card!

To create the background for the blue card, I pressed these Distress Oxide Inks onto my Non-Stick Craft Sheet: Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, and Faded Jeans, then spritzed them with water:

Next, I took a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" panel of Neenah Solar White 110 Lb. cardstock and dipped it into the ink. I prefer a heavier weight cardstock when using a water technique such as this. For this particular panel I didn't have as much water on the ink, so the colors didn't move around as much and sank into the cardstock quickly, which resulted in a more separated look to the colors:

If you want to add more color in spots, just dip the paper into the remaining inks again, until you are satisfied with the results. Dry the panel with your heat tool between dippings, to achieve different looks. I love that this technique always creates such different and varying results! After I finished with the first panel, I was able to spritz the remaining ink on my craft sheet two more times, to create two more backgrounds! The more water you add, the lighter the results will be:

I chose the center panel above because I wanted softer muted colors. I die cut it with the second largest Lacy Layers 5x7 die, which is a beautiful scallop edge with pierced holes all along the edges. I adhered the blue panel to a notecard I created with the largest stitched Lacy Layers 5x7 die, which measures a generous 5" x 7", and scored it in half:

I used my favorite new tape runner to adhere the panel to the card base, X-Press It's Tape Runner.  I know many of you were equally as distraught as I was when Tombow's Stamp Runner was discontinued ... I have found this tape to have a fantastic hold, even with this warped background I created!

After assembling the background, I die cut the Doily Circle from Neenah Solar White cardstock. Do yourself a huge favor and use a lighter 80 Lb. weight cardstock with this intricate die and you'll achieve a nice cut.  I would also suggest using a layer of wax paper between the die and cardstock and using a Metal Adaptor Plate in your die cutting sandwich, until you find out how your die cutting machine's pressure interacts. 

My next card uses the die cut negative, to create a mosaic look!

For this card, I started the same way I did with the blue background, using these Distress Oxide Inks (I apologize for not getting a photo of the inking process): Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, and Fossilized Amber. Then I die cut the inked panel with the Doily die. This was actually the first time I had used the Doily die, used 110 Lb. cardstock and did not use the wax paper or metal adaptor, so all the pieces lifted out of the die together. This was both a good and slightly bad outcome -- a few of the pieces were not cut all the way through, which I decided to make work in my favor. 

I placed the die cut right side down onto some Glad Press 'N Seal wrap (found at your local grocery store). This wrap has a tacky surface, yet removes from paper easily!  Then I slowly and gently removed the die cut (shown on the right below) from its negative space on the Glad wrap (on the left below), finishing the cuts with a craft knife on a few pieces as needed: 

Next, I applied Matte Multi Medium onto the back side of the die negative pieces (still attached to the Glad wrap), then turned the wrap and die cut pieces over and positioned them on my scalloped die cut background (made from the second largest Lacy Layers 5x7 scalloped die). 

I let the adhesive dry a few minutes, then gently and carefully removed the wrap:

I love the raised mosaic effect!  The Congratulations sentiment is from Julie's 12 Days Companion Greetings. It was gold heat embossed. The scalloped panel was adhered to a Neenah Solar White card base.

Since I wanted to use this as a wedding card, inside I adhered the leftover white doily from my first project and stamped a Mr. & Mrs. sentiment (also from the 12 Days Companion Greetings stamp set) in Delicata Gold ink:

And there you have two totally different looks from the same two die sets -- I love versatility!

I think this Distress Oxide background technique lends itself very well to all types of Spring and Easter cards, don't you?  (I apologize -- As of this writing, some of the Distress Oxide inks are currently out of stock, but more are expected soon. So please click the "Notify Me" button on the product page and you'll receive an email as soon as more are received in the store! Meanwhile, you could achieve similar results with your regular Distress Inks or Refills!). 

Happy stamping!  :)

 

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, 12 Days Companion Greetings by Julie Ebersole

Waffle Flower Dies, Lacy Layers 5 X 7

Waffle Flower Dies, Doily Circle

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Cracked Pistachio

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Cracked Pistachio

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Worn Lipstick

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Worn Lipstick

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Spiced Marmalade

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Spiced Marmalade

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Broken China

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Broken China

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Faded Jeans

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Faded Jeans

Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Pad, Fossilized Amber

Ranger Distress Oxide Reinker, Fossilized Amber

VersaMark Ink Pad

Delicata Ink Pad, Golden Glitz

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Ranger Inkssentials Mister, 2 oz.

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Cheery Lynn Designs Metal Adaptor Plate

Inkadinkado Embossing Magic Bag

Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder, Gold

Ranger Heat It Craft Tool

X-Press It Tape Runner

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Teflon Bone Folder

Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer (12")

EK Craft Tweezers

Happy Easter Bouquet Window by Sharon Harnist

Happy March, crafters!  Today I'm sharing a happy Easter bouquet window card made with Julie's Essentials by Ellen Diagonal Window (brilliant idea!) die and gorgeous Wild Garden and Bold Blossom dies!  

Above is what the card looks like all tied up, as it would come out of the envelope.  Below is what the recipient sees as they are untying and opening the card, to reveal the message inside (all bold products are linked below in the supply section):

Let me tell you how it came together . . .

1. I started by die cutting Essentials by Ellen Laurel Wreath, Wild Garden, and Bold Blossom Stand Alone dies from Neenah 80 lb Solar White cardstock. I wanted to use the lighter weight cardstock for all the layers, so they would be easier to cut through later:

2. I also die cut the Diagonal Window from the Neenah cardstock and then arranged my bouquet on top of the window, to get an idea of each flower's placement.  I tired to get as few layers as possible overlapping the cut lines of the window:

3. Next, I began coloring my die cut florals with Copic Sketch markers.  First, the Laurel Wreath (G21, G24, G28, E35):

Then the purple flowers/berries (V12, V15, E31, E35):

Yellow/orange flowers (Y15, Y19, Y38):

Pink flowers (RV13, RV14):

Green leaves (I wanted these to be a different shade of green, so they would be distinguishable from the laurel wreaths (YG23, YG25):

TIP: Notice I am keeping most of my color ranges in the Copic 1's and 2's (G21, V15, RV13, etc.) ... this way, I am assured all of my colors will be the more vibrant Spring-y hues of each color family.  Here's how the florals look, all colored and arranged on the window die cut:

4. Next, I started adhering each of the colored die cuts with X-Press It Glue Marker.  I love this adhesive when working with small die cuts -- the marker bullet tip makes applying the adhesive to every small bit of die cut very easy.  It dries quickly and adheres very well, which is what you want, since you will be cutting these small die cuts again in a moment ... AND bending back the window panels.

5. After all the die cuts were adhered in place, I flipped the window over to the back side and used a craft knife to cut along the window's previous cut lines:

You could also just put the finished panel back into the die and die cut it again ... but honestly, I didn't think of that until I was writing this, LOL!  But it didn't take long to use the craft knife and I was assured of not taking the chance of the die shifting while re-cutting the panel.

6. Next, I re-scored over the window's score lines, which run 1/2-inch all around the perimeter of the panel, and positioned the open window panel over my Neenah Solar White top-folding card base so I would know where to place my "happy" (from the Merry & Bright Essentials by Ellen die set) die cut and stamp my custom "Easter" sentiment created with Julie's new Basic Alpha stamp set:

7. The top panel was then adhered to the card base using 1/2-inch X-Press It High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape around the perimeter.

8. Tie Gold Metallic String through the window's center holes and this pretty Easter bouquet window card is ready to send!

Thanks so much for joining me today . . . I hope you have a lovely Spring weekend!

  

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Diagonal Window by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Laurel Wreath by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Wild Garden by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Bold Blossom Stand-Alone by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Merry & Bright by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Basic Alpha

Memento Ink Pad, Bamboo Leaves

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

COPIC Sketch Marker V15, Mallow

COPIC Sketch Marker G21, Lime Green

COPIC Sketch Marker G28, Ocean Green

COPIC Sketch Marker Y15, Cadmium Yellow

COPIC Various Ink Refill RV13, Tender Pink

COPIC Various Ink Refill RV14, Begonia Pink

COPIC Sketch Marker YG25, Celadon Green

COPIC Sketch Marker E35, Chamois

String by the Spool, Metallic Gold

X-Press It Glue Marker

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Sizzix Accessory, Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies

Cheery Lynn Designs Metal Adaptor Plate

Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer (12")

High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2"

Tim Holtz Tonic Retractable Craft Knife

Easter Cutout Silhouette by Kittie Caracciolo

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to the CLASSroom.  My project today is a clean and simple silhouette scene using the springy Impression Obsession Easter Cutout Square and Bunny Set and framed using the My Favorite Things Pierced Square Frames.  Sadly, I had a very difficult time getting good pictures that show the true color of the Bazzill Robin’s Egg frame and Neenah Natural White die cut images.

 

Cut and assemble the pieces of the card.

Apply double stick tape to the back of the frame.

Attach the cutout scene to the back of the frame.

Apply thin strips of mounting tape around the back of the frame and small pieces to a few key images to hold the scene up away from the card base.

Attach the completed frame to the card base.

The Bunny Set images are a perfect match to the bunny in the right corner of the silhouette scene and bring another element of interest and dimension to the project. I cut all three bunnies but ended up using only two.

Apply mounting tape to the back of the bunnies.

Set the bunnies in place on the outside of the frame.

This is a really fast and easy project to put together and would be perfect to make several at a time if you send Easter cards to family and friends. 

Here is another one that I did a while back using Sour Grape, Easter Grass and white.

Here is one that I cut using watercolor paper and colored using my waterbrush and Distress Ink reinkers. The bunnies were colored using mini applicators and distress inks. I cut extra flowers from the cutout die and a few butterflies to fill in the scene.  This took quite a bit longer but I loved it when I was finished.

Thanks for coming by and I hope you have a great day.

Impression Obsession Dies, Easter Cutout Square

Impression Obsession Dies, Bunny

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Pierced Square Frames

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Sizzix Accessory, Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies

Sizzix Precision Base Plate for Thinlits Dies

Memory Box Dies, Metal Adaptor Plate

Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape

Ranger Accents, Glossy Accents

Be Creative Tape, 3mm (1/8")

Be Creative Tape, 5mm (1/4")

ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider

Glue Dots, Mini (3/16")

Teflon Bone Folder

Tonic Maxi 12 Inch Guillotine Paper Trimmer

EK Tools, Precision 5 Inch Scissors with Sheath

Elizabeth Craft Designs Susan's Garden Tool Kit

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, 25 pk

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Robin's Egg, 25 pk

Easy Copic Spring Background by Sharon Harnist

Hello and welcome to the CLASSroom weekend edition! Today I wanted to share a quick and easy background you can create with your Copic markers. While this technique could also be achieved with Copic's Airbrush System, I wanted to keep things simple in case the ABS is still on your wish list or you happen to be away from home with only markers in your crafting arsenal.

I wanted the background for this Easter (or Spring) card to mimick a dip-dyed Easter egg and was pleased with the results! You can easily adjust the colors for whatever season or holiday cardmaking time you need. Here are the easy steps:

1. Choose five Copic Sketch colors within two or three color families of each other (the first Copic number) and keep the value/brightness (the second Copic number) relatively close together. Here I used YR31, YG23, BG23, BG45 and B23, so my color family numbers range from 2 to 4 and the brightness numbers I chose are in the upper half (1 to 5) of the brightness scale. This way, you are assured good results!

2. Next, just color on Copic X-Press It Blending Card! I stayed in ROY G BIV color sequence, starting with yellow and just eye-balled about 1/5 of the top of the white cardfront (cut to approximately 5.25" x 4") to start coloring (click on photos for a larger view):

In the last step above on the right, I used Copic Colorless Blender Solution in a Waterbrush to help blend together the transition "seams" between the colors. If you choose to do this, too, I would just caution you to test out the wetness of your waterbrush first. I didn't do that and you can see the splotch of green towards the top of the card where it meets yellow. In hindsight, it would probably would have been better to just use the lighter (yellow) marker to help blend the transition into the green (and subsequently on down between each of the other colors -- using the lighter color before the next darker one). Or you could also use the 0-Colorless Blender Marker.

3. Next, die cut the Sizzix Moroccan Card Front by Rachael Bright from Neenah Solar White cardstock, using the Big Shot:

Tip: With a very intricate die with thin details such as this, place a piece of wax paper between the die and cardstock to make removing the cut cardstock WAY easier!

4. Use Copic's X-Press It Glue Marker to adhere the die cut to the colored background:

5. Trim the overhanging Moroccan white pieces and adhere the front panel with Copic Foam Tape to the white card base. 

6. Stamp Hero Arts Clear Celebrate Everyday Happy Easter sentiment with Memento Pear Tart ink and the bird from the same stamp set with Summer Sky ink onto Neenah Solar White cardstock. Die cut sentiment and Memory Box Sweet Corn Notecard with Sizzix Framelits Funky Labels (I like how they mimick the Moroccan background die!). Adhere sentiment and yellow mat layer to card front with more Copic Foam Tape.

7. Finish card by scattering different colors of Ellen's Sequins around the card front -- I used Daffodil, Grass and Iris Blue, held in place with Mini Glue Dots.

Many thanks for stopping by today!  ~ Sharon

Blending Card by X-Press It, 25 Pack	Copic Sketch Markers	COPIC Colorless Blender Solution 200cc Bottle	Waterbrush, Small
COPIC Sketch Marker, 0 Colorless Blender	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Powder Blue & Teal	Sizzix Rachael Bright Thinlits Die, Moroccan Card Front
Celebrate Everyday STamp Set by Hero Art	Memento Ink Pad, Pear Tart	Memento Ink Pad, Summer Sky	Memory Box Notecards & Envelopes, Sweet Corn
Sizzix Karen Burniston Framelits Die Set, Funky Labels	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Daffodil	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Sky	Copic X-Press It Glue Marker
Glue Dots, Mini (3/16")	Copic High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2"	Non-Stick Craft Sheet

InLinkz.com

Sending You Sunshine Card by Sharon Harnist

Spring is starting to make an appearance down here in the south, so to go along with Daylight Savings Time "Spring Forward" this weekend here in the U.S., I thought I would bring a little sunshine to the CLASSroom today with this sweet card:

Coincidentally, I had started the base of this card with My Favorite Things' Petal Pattern Stencil a few days before Jean Manis did her wonderful review of stencils here in the CLASSroom last week. So if you haven't already, you may want to read her informative article for some more tips when using stencils.

Here's how I made the background for my card:

1. Secure the stencil to Neenah Desert Storm cardstock with washi tape and then spread Wendy Vecchi's White Embossing Paste through the stencil using a folded index card, or you could use an embossing paste spreader (personally, I prefer something I can just dispose of, instead of have to clean up!):

I see the store is temporarily out-of-stock on Wendy's embossing paste, but Dreamweaver White Embossing Paste would work the same.

Here's what the background looks like with the stencil removed. Be sure to immediately clean the embossing paste off the stencil.

2. Once the embossing paste is dry (about 1 hour), place the stencil back over the cardstock/dried paste and secure with washi/removable tape again. Add color to the centers of the flowers with the Copic Airbrush System and Copic Y17-Golden Yellow Sketch marker:

Clean the Copic ink off the stencil using regular household rubbing alcohol (at least 70%) or Copic Colorless Blender Solution.

3. Next, I used Sizzix's Stephanie Barnard Framelits Circle Flip-Its #2 Card Die Set to cut a card base out of Hero Arts Poppy Layering Paper (at the top of the photo below). This fabulous die set makes flip-flop style cards SO easy to make! I used the coordinating front panel dies to die cut my stencil embossed background and then used Copic High Tack Double-Sided Tissue Tape to securely adhere the front panels to the card base:

4. To finish the card, I used Hero Arts Clear Everyday Sayings stamp set to stamp the sunshine sentiment with Versmark and then heat emboss with white detail powder onto Hero Arts Layering Paper-Mixed Sunshine (Mandarin). The additional layers behind the sentiment were die cut from more Mixed Sunshine Layering Paper (Daffodil), using most all of the scalloped dies that are included in this wonderful, big 11-piece die set! The layers were stacked and adhered with Copic Foam Tape:

5. I added one more mat layer of My Favorite Things Dainty Doily Duo-Circle Die-namics, cut from Neenah Natural White cardstock behind the sentiment. Here's what the card looks like open:

I hope sunshine and warmer weather is on its way to you, wherever you may be!
~ Sharon

MFT Stencils, Petal Pattern by Mona Pendleton	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, 250 Sheet Ream	Dreamweaver Embossing Paste, White 4oz	Studio 490 Embossing Paste by Wendy Vecchi, White
Copic Airbrush jSystem Starter Kit 1N	Sparmax Windstorm Airbrush Compressor	COPIC Sketch Marker Y17, Golden Yellow	COPIC Colorless Blender Solution 200cc Bottle
My Favorite Things Die-namics, Dainty Doily Duo-Circle	Sizzix Stephanie Barnard Framelits Die Set, Circle Flip-Its #2	Hero Arts Layering Paper, Mixed Sunshine	ClearDesign: Everyday Sayings
Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White	VersaMark Inkpad	Heat It Craft Tool	Tim Holtz, Tissue Tape, Journeyman
Copic High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2"

InLinkz.com

Easter Window Card by Julia Stainton

It's an early Easter this year! We don't have to wait for April as Easter falls on the last weekend of March. This means that it can also sneak up on you and it's coming up quicker than you might think.

Do you make cards for Easter? I have a sweet window design to share with you today. It's actually more of a Spring theme with an Easter sentiment but you'll definitely see touches of Easter in the oval (egg) shaped window and the pretty lavendar and soft yellow color scheme.

Window cards are a little more work than regular card designs and so I don't make them as often as I should. I confess to being a very lazy crafter. I had so much fun creating this one though that another will be on my to-do list very, very soon.

What originally inspired this design was a sheet of Secret Garden 12x12 paper from Graphic 45. This particular one is called Springtime and one side is patterned and the other has the most gorgeous little images that can be cut apart as images, accents and journaling card type embellishments. It's seriously amazing just how many projects could be made from one single sheet.

And HELLO?! It's only a dollar. I just couldn't resist.

To go along with it I also purchased the Secret Garden Chipboard pieces. I wanted to use this particular frame for it's oval shape and it would make a great focal point for my card design. It's pretty basic. You just punch it out of the chipboard sheet. So why the image? I wanted to show you a little trick.

See the little paper "spurs" that are left after you punch it out? You want to get rid of those for a nice finish on your project. To do that, simply file off the extra paper bits with a Sanding Block or the Basic Grey Precision File Set.

As a picture is worth a thousand words...I have lots of step outs for you today. This first one is basically how I start designing a project. I lay some of the pieces together to see how the design layout will work. You'll notice that some of the pieces I started with didn't make the final cut. That's OK. Just go with the flow.

Here's where I start putting the card layers together. And actually, it's also where I decided that this card needed a window and not just another layer.

Once the layers are all adhered together I planned out exactly where my window needed to be and then traced the inside of the oval onto the card front in pencil. As this is just a touch smaller in size than what I want the opening to be I just cut a very tiny amount outside the circle.

I wish I'd had an oval die that matching up in size perfectly but I didn't so hand-cutting was the only option. This is good to know though so that you make a window and size and shape that you desire.

Because there are so many layers of paper and cardstock, you may have to cut the oval out a few times with your craft knife. The first time I cut it only removed the top layer of patterned paper as you can see in the above shot. You'll find that after you cut one oval, the next layers go really quickly.

To get a nice smooth edge to all those layers of cut paper, I pulled out my Precision File set again and just filed them smooth. This makes it almost look as if it were die cut.

Place your frame on and you have a nice window card design.

You can leave it open or you can also put in a piece of Crystal Clear Plastic to make it easier to adhere your embellishments.

It's always nice to finish the inside of a card but it's really essential with a window card design. Here's the beautiful image panel that I finally decided on adhere to the inside of the card. I'm very fond of florals and birds and so that's what I went with.

To finish off the inside of the card, stamp the sentiment and add a few little flowers and pearls as an accent.

 

The card front needs some embellishing too. I adore the new Maya Road Wood Birdcages and this one worked perfectly for the front of this card. Add in a few more pins and accents and it's complete!

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a lovely weekend!

Supplies:

 

InLinkz.com

Hello, Monday 03.04.2013

I still have Easter on the brain, so you're getting another dose of Spring-time creations this week! The ideas just kept coming, so since I was on a roll... 

But, you'll have to pardon me... I have a terrible, TERRIBLE head/chest cold, and I completely lost my voice.  I mean, COMPLETELY. :(  I laid down a music track for today's video and hopefully I'll be flexin' the golden pipes once again by next week.

Meantime, I have some additional tips to share that you otherwise would have heard on the voice-over:

• A 1/4" hole punch can be used to take "bites" out of your die cut "chocolate" bunnies (the bunnies card, by the way, was a card I'd seen in a store and have been dying ever since to recreate cuz it's hilarious!)
• I always prefer to stamp my sentiments, but if I simply don't have what I need, I will use my computer or alpha stickers (depends on how elaborate/lengthy the greeting is)
• Shape N Tape or Washi Tape is a great way to add a little bit of pattern and can serve as a substitute for patterned paper in a pinch
• I use a craft knife blade to separate Shape N Tape from the liner; my fingers are too clunky and can't get between the layers
• Due to Shape N Tape's size, you can die cut fairly large shapes from the sheets, but you can also cut strips to size, apply them to card stock and then die cut for a multi-patterned/multi-colored effect
• When applying Stickles glitter glue to tiny areas, I try to apply a drop but use a pin to spread it out

Enjoy the video here or on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

Thanks for joining me this Mundane!

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Savvy Stamps, Hello Spring Memento Ink Pad, Pear Tart Memory Box Cardstock, Vanilla Bean Memory Box Cardstock, Squash EEE3 Cardstock, Pool B2 Cardstock, Bubblegum Memory Box Cardstock, Parsley A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack Savvy Stamps Dies, Grass Impression Obsession Dies, Chocolate Bunny Memory Box Dies, Family Ties Impression Obsession Dies, Egg Set Shape 'N Tape, Yellow Shape 'N Tape, Teal Blue Shape 'N Tape, Orange My Mind's Eye Decorative Tape, Green & Navy Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers, Yellow Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink Stickles, Orange Peel Stickles, Yellow Glaze Pen, Black, 2 pk Sakura Quickie Glue Pen Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, .88 oz 3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick Glue Glider Pro Glue Glider Pro Plus Refill, High Tac 58' InLinkz.com

"Faux"berge Easter Eggs

Easter is right around the corner and I thought I would share an idea that has been brewing in my head for some time. I figured I'd best get busy and share it if anyone is to have time to play with it this Easter season.

It was as I thought about the many ways to use adhesives that these ideas popped into my head. I cannot lay claim to the clever title of these eggs. Julia E, here at work, is so very clever with words!!! After sharing my idea she just popped out the word "faux"berge and I started to laugh - it was perfect!

Glitter, foil, pearls, gemstones, Be Creative (Sookwang) tape, embossing powder, Distress Stain... the list of products in our studio that can be used to embellish an Easter egg is LONG. It is so fun to think of different ways to use these products!

I would like to recommend that you blow out the insides of your eggs before beginning, but due to limited time I just went for it being VERY careful not to drop it as I worked. Sadly these eggs would not smell very good if I were to actually put them out on display, so I keep peeking at them in the fridge from time to time - LOL! Next time I will definitely be blowing the insides out!

The first idea was to use the beautiful Design Adhesives we carry. The smaller designs are simpler to use because you do not need to worry about them overlapping themselves when you adhere it to the rounded surface. Cut out an individual shape and burnish on to the surface of your egg.

Gently peel back the protective coating.

Apply glitter and press glitter into adhesive with your fingertip.

Pour off the excess glitter and burnish the glitter into the adhesive, just as you would when doing the burnished velvet technique on paper.

Remove excess glitter with a soft brush.

These glittery eggs are absolutely spectacular! Use one color or many colors of glitter for a variety of looks.

The larger adhesive designs are a little more difficult to work with on the rounded surface. You will need to slightly overlap the design, but I found the look to be worth the extra effort.

Apply the Designer Foil to the sticky adhesive surface and gently rub the foil into place making certain all adhesive is covered with foil.

Peel it back and the foil remains attached to the adhesive.

If you have little gaps left exposing the adhesive simply apply a little Microfine glitter. You can use a coordinating color or contrasting - just think of all the options this leaves you!

Not only can you use Design Adhesive for this technique but you can create your own adhesive shapes using your dies and Be Creative (also known as Sookwang) tape! You must use the sheets which have the protective backing attached.

Select a design that would compliment the shape of an egg and cut it out. Dies that are extremely intricate will not work for this technique because the adhesive will stretch as you remove the backing and apply it to your egg. Select your dies with this in mind.

Begin to peel back the protective backing and attach this to your egg. Remove a small portion at a time and adhere to your egg surface.

Once you have it attached apply a light pressure over the entire design to make certain the adhesive is adhered to the egg.

Remove the backing and apply your glitter, burnishing it in to the adhesive.

Add additional embellishments to glam up your egg!

As with all things crafty one things leads to another --- what would Distress Stains do to an egg? I simply applied the stain to my egg and used a soft tissue to remove the excess.

Eggs are so very interesting - the striped appearance just happened naturally!

Using the dots from my previous experiment with diecutting Be Creative sheets I covered my egg. You could easily use Glue Dots if you were simply applying glitter or foil, but if heated Glue Dots will begin to bubble, whereas Sookwang tape can be used with heat.

Remove the backing and apply white embossing powder. Heat the embossing powder to melt.

You could create so many different patterns using tape - stripes, plaids, chevrons, mixed dots and stripes, more die cut shapes - my oh my the list is endless!

How cute is the polka dotty egg?!? These would make awesome little decorations on your Easter table!

I hope that you try making "Faux"berge eggs this year!!!

adhesive: Design Adhesives - Leaf Nouveau and French Swirl, Be Creative Tape Sheets

accessories: Grasshopper Microfine Glitter, Limeburst Designer Foil, 3" Nest, Circle Borders Lifestyle Crafts Die, Smooth Clear Round Gemstones, Opaque White Embossing Powder, Peeled Paint Distress Stain

Easter Lily Cake Box YouTube Videos, with Susan Tierney Cockburn and Ellen Hutson

We thank you for your questions, patience and interest in the video we did for this month's newsletter. Many of you have tried to view the video, but due to computer, browser, and who knows what other issues you have had difficulty viewing the entire video. In an effort to make certain that we don't leave anyone out we are redoing the entire post here in the CLASSroom. We have now uploaded the video to YouTube in three segments due to the length, so please view each segment individually below. Thank you again for your willingness to learn with us and for your patience! So let's begin with "Take #2!"

We have also announced the winner of the Easter Lily Blog Candy here - congratulations go out to Shelley Smith. Please contact us at [email protected] with your snail mail address so that we can get your goodies right out to you.

How many of you are passionate about flowers and/or gardening? How many of you can no longer garden the way that you once did? It has been too many years now since I have been able to climb all over my hillside gardening. Before my hip injury I was passionate about my flowers and covered my hillside in beautiful perennials. Some still remain, but they are not in the same "shape" as they once were, so perhaps this is the reason paper flowers appeal to me so much. I can make these in my craft room without squatting AND at any time of the year :-D

One of my greatest blessings in life has been the friendship and bond I have had the good fortune of developing with Susan! It is such an honor to have her join me for today's lesson in paper flower making. Susan has pioneered the art of paper flower making for the past 15 years. Her work is such an inspiration and it is always so much fun to collaborate with her on projects!!!

 

This beautiful cake box is the project we worked on together for this month's newsletter. We hope that you enjoy the video we created to share with you today and that it empowers you to give flower making a try. In this video Susan will teach you how to create the beautiful lilies showcased above and below, sharing many wonderful tips throughout. Please grab your favorite drink and settle in for this 45 minute class with Susan as she shares many of the fabulous techniques she has innovated to bring this art form to us. 

 

 

  

Step-by-step written instructions for creating beautiful lilies are included in Susan's first book The Paper Garden. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful her books have been to me as I learn to create beautiful blooms! If you are a visual learner like me you will also find this book a wealth of information.

CREATING THE CAKE BOX

Now that you know how to make the flowers for this project I am going to share just a few basics regarding the construction of the cake box.

I prefer to attach my decorative paper to the Craft-a-Board before die cutting the pieces using the 3-D Cake Box Die. By affixing the paper to the Craft-a-Board with Be Creative (Sookwang) tape I am assured that I will have a perfectly covered project.

To create today's project I used Lilybee's 12x12 paper. For the scalloped top and base I applied decorative paper to both sides of the Craft-a-Board before die cutting. 

For the cake sides, decorative paper was applied to only one side of the Craft-a-Board. Being careful to position the paper so that the decorative side is cut all the way through, and the Craft-a-Board only scored, is important. To do this place the paper, decorative side to the die, and then send the die through your Vagabond or Big Shot using the crease pad. This will give pieces as shown above and below.

Carefully bend each piece along the score line before attaching them together to get a more uniform look.

 

You will also need to cut and score three pieces of cardstock to hold the cake pieces together. Using a strong adhesive affix the cardstock to the die cut pieces on the back or Craft-a-Board side as shown above.

 

Attach each piece one at a time.

 

When you have all three pieces attached, form the piece into a circle, affixing the last edge.

 

Next you will need to attach the base - the piece with the four tabs. I find it easiest to insert this piece from the top. Push it down through the center until it is firmly positioned in the bottom of the circular piece. Using a pair of needle nose tweezers insert a Glue Dot behind each of the flaps and affix these to the cake tube.

To adhere the scalloped top and base I prefer to use Ultimate Glue. The base is easy to affix due to the large surface you will be attaching it to. Apply Ultimate Glue to the base of the cake and position the scalloped piece holding it in place for a few seconds until you feel it is firmly in place. The cap or top is a little trickier. I run Ultimate Glue all the way around the top of the circular form and then position the scalloped top in place. The glue allows you to move it slightly until you have it in the desired position, then hold it for a few seconds until the glue grabs hold. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes before continuing your work on the base.
 

To add interest to my cake base I attached a strip of white silk ribbon and then added pearls to either side of it. I also ran a strip of pearls around the top.

I wanted to include just a few close-up photos of the finished project so that you could better see the detail on these beautiful Easter blooms. 

The lily was one of Susan's first punch designs back in 2006. Sadly there are others who have taken Susan's work and called it their own, but the truth of the matter is that these designs, the techniques and wording, are copywritten by Susan --- I am so proud and honored to share her designs with you. With Easter right around the corner and spring knocking at our doors it has been a thrill to be able to share this beauty with all of you. Thank you so much for joining us! 

 
ink: Copic Markers -YG00, YG63, YG95, YR14, Y15, Y17

paper: Lilybee Designs 12x12 Picket Fence and Stationery Designer Paper, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Punch Bunch punches - Mega Lily, Large Alta Flake, Mega Big Sky Flake, Small Caladium Leaf, Small Birch Leaf; Punch Bunch Papercrafting Tools and Magnum Power Punch Aid; The Paper Garden, Sizzix 3-D Cake Box Die, Faber-Castell PITT Pastel Pencils - #104 and #170, Flower Soft - Earth, Toffee, Russet Red, Sunshine Yellow; 12" strip White Pearls, 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, Be Creative (Sookwang) 4 1/2" Tape or Sheets, The Ultimate Glue

Once Upon a Springtime Treat Wrapper by Becky Olsen

I am so ready for Spring, and with snow falling on my hyacinth and daffodils it seems that a Springtime made from paper might be all I have for a few more weeks. I love decorating for this season with brighter colors and the Once Upon a Springtime line from Graphic 45 delivers loads of inspiration with gorgeous images and fresh colors. With this delightful inspiration in hand I thought it would be fun to create treat wrappers that could be used as place cards for a more formal event or made in many different sizes that could be hidden about when it is time to hunt for the goodies that a certain celebrity bunny might have left lying around the yard. (hopefully not covered in snow!)

To begin cut a piece of Melissa Frances Cream Crepe Paper at 10" x 5" and placed a piece of 1/4" double sided Be Creative tape along the center of one edge that is about 2" from each of the ends.

Remove the protective backing from the tape and and carefully adhere to the other end forming a tube. I tied it with some simple garden twine, but it would be stunning with most any of the gorgeous May Arts silk ribbons, or you could use the white silk ribbon and use Copic Marker refill ink to die a unique color.Trim the ends of the crepe paper to have a little fringe if you like.

Now that the end is tied up you can fill with most any kind of treat or surprise that suits your whim. Tie up the other end and then trim.

Now is the fun part, decorating the outside of the wrap! I cut a piece of Primrose Cottage at 4" x 5" and adhered it around with another piece of the 1/4" Be Creative double sided tape. I then cut a piece of Tiny Treasures at 2" x 5" and adhered it the same way. A piece of Neenah Classic Cream card stock was stamped with the images from the Hampton Art Once Upon a Springtime Cling set 2. First the postage in Antique Linen and then the sweet rabbit in Walnut Stain Distress ink.

The rabbit was then colored with a few various Copic colors and then adhered to the top of the wrap. Fussy cut a few of the flowers out from the sheet of Primrose Cottage, adhere and then share a little Springtime with everyone who could use a little too.

B-

April Calendar by Sharon Harnist

April (and Easter!) is upon us, so I wanted to share my April calendar with you today. 

 

I love all the pretty pastel colors of Spring and thought this beautiful floral wreath stamp from Hero Arts ClearDesign-Special Note of Thanks stamp set would be the perfect Spring touch to my calendar!  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card and colored it with some of the new Copic 2011 Sketch Colors (notated with a black dot on the marker caps in the photo below): BG70 (a beautiful color for skies), E23 (branches and flower centers), RV63, RV66 (purple flowers), YG61 (leaves and behind branches).

 

These other colors of Copic Sketch markers were also used: R20, R22, YG63, YR31. Some Melon Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen accents the leaves and branches. The beautiful background paper is Hero Arts Hero Hues Designer Papers in Blush. I thought this Spellbinders Fair Isle Border Petites die resembled Easter eggs, especially cut from this cute Memory Box Brioche patterned cardstock!  They are accented with Hero Arts Medium Accent Pearls.

 

The Easter sentiment is from Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday set.  I stamped it with Ranger Adirondack Mountain Rose dye ink (matches the background paper perfectly!) on Copic X-Press It Blending Card and cut it into a banner shape.  The calendar I created myself and printed onto a half sheet of Neenah Natural White cardstock.

I hope the pretty colors of Spring are appearing soon, wherever you are!  ~ Sharon

 
Stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign-Special Note of Thanks (wreath) & Celebrate Everyday (Easter sentiment),
Paper: Copic X-Press It Blending Card (stamped images), Hero Arts Hero Hues Designer Papers-Blush (background), Memory Box Brioche 6x6 patterned cardstock (egg border), Neenah Natural White cardstock (printed calendar)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Adirondack Mountain Rose dye ink,
Copic New 2011 Sketch Markers: BG70, E23, RV63, RV66, YG61; Other Copic Markers: R20, R22, YG63, YR31; Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen-Melon
Tools: Spellbinders Fair Isle Border Petites die,
Accessories: Hero Arts Medium Accent Pearls, Mini Glue Dots,

Spring Cards With Dies by Sharon Harnist

 

Dies can make your papercrafting a very quick & easy task AND give beautiful professional results with little effort . . . no wonder I love them so much!  :)  I have a few such examples for you today.

 

My first card was shaped with Spellbinders' new  Big Scalloped Circle-Lg Nestabilities die (largest in the set) from Basic Grey's Green At Heart collection.  I like that these scalloped circles resemble a flower, so I chose some of Prima's wonderful Natural Obsessions Botanical Paper in Bright Tones to compliment that.  This botanical paper pack includes 8.50" x 11" sheets of three different colors of this fabulously textured handmade paper AND six already-die cut 2.50" flowers!  I used the red die cut flower from the pack and then die cut a yellow center myself from the sheet of yellow paper, using the smallest die from the Big Scalloped Circle Nestabilities-Lg set.

TIP:I discovered that this highly-textured and open weave paper die cut crisper and cleaner if I placed a layer of cardstock underneath it:

 

In the photo above, the top flower (that sill has the white cardstock under it) cut much better than the bottom flower without the cardstock.  To complete the flower center, I used a brand new Eco Green product Ellen is now carrying, their flat-backed glass bubble Glass Glintz in the 12mm size.  This product is made from recycled glass and is perfectly clear, so it makes a great magnifying glass to spotlight anything you'd like!  It's adhered with Ranger's Glossy Accents that dries clear.  Karen Lockhart's wonderful new Roses, Daisies & Polka Dots stamp was stamped and colored with these Copic markers:

 

The image is cut out and adhered with foam tape.  Glossy Accents was added to the flower vase, to give it a realistic look and Copic Spica Glitter Pens in yellow and clear accent the flowers (hopefully you can see all that sparkle and shine if you click on the photo below for a larger view):

 

My next card uses a scrap piece of leftover negative space from die cutting a Memory Box Meadow notecard with Spellbinders' Nested Dahlia die set (so save those scraps!): 

 

I placed the green die cut piece over more of Basic grey's Green At Heart patterned paper, machine stitched it and added one of my favorite Spring sentiments from Kim Hughes' Spring Trees stamp set. The whole panel is raised on foam tape.  Hero Arts' Art Flowers-Summer & Card Buttons-Summer are a nice compliment and finish this card VERY quickly!

I hope these samples help get you into the Spring spirit AND give you some more ideas of using dies in your papercrafting!

 
{Roses & Daisies}
Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co Roses, Daisies & Polka Dots
Paper: Basic Grey 6x6 Green At Heart, Prima Natural Obsessions Botanical Paper-Bright Tones, Neenah Natural White cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markersshown above, Clear & Lemon Copic Spica Glitter Pens
Accessories: Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circle-Lg Nestabilities, Eco Green Glass Glintz 12mm, Ranger Glossy Accents
Other: Ribbon

{Hello Spring}
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms-Kim Hughes' Spring Trees
Paper: Basic Grey 6x6 Green At Heart, Memory Box Mango & Meadownotecards
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, 
Accessories: Spellbinders Nested Dahlia die set, Hero Arts Art Flowers-Summer & Card Buttons-Summer, Glue Dots
Other: Sewing machine

Button Tree & Butterfly by Sharon Harnist

What a happy coincidence -- I had these button projects planned out a few weeks ago, before seeing Becky's Trend Watch Tuesday post this week about buttons!  I guess it's safe to say we all like our buttons, don't we?!!

I thought Memory Box's Twizzle Tree would be a great stamp to embellish with buttons.  And since the tree is a classic basic tree, you can change the colors of the buttons to suit the season or holiday!  I chose to celebrate Spring by using Memory Box's Frond 6x6 patterned paper as a base for my tree.  I machine zig-zag stitched two different patterns to the bottom of my card base made out of Memory Box Kraft cardstock.

The tree was stamped with Ranger Adirondack Espresso dye ink.  I used Hero Arts Clear Card Buttons, punched more coordinating patterned papers from the Frond collection and then adhered the two together with Glossy Accents:

 

There are three different sizes of these clear buttons in each package, so you can find just about any size you need.  On the tree, I used all three sizes.  It's quick and easy to adhere the patterned paper to the button, by using Glossy Accents -- it dries clear and quickly, to give you a perfectly-matched button for your project!  These buttons can also be stamped on, for another unique look.

 

A tip for sewing buttons on your project easily . . . use a Piercing Tool on a Piercing Pad to poke the holes for the buttons exactly where you want them.  This makes sewing the buttons to the cardstock easier and quicker, especially if you are trying to sew through more than one layer of cardstock, like I did with my butterfly card below:

 

The inside of my button tree card was finished with a little more patterned Frond paper, cut with pinking shears and Memory Box's Happy Spring sentiment:

 

I just recently discovered in the store these adorable Butterfly Cards & Envelopes by Memory Box:

 
While they make cute, quick & easy notecards as is, I thought it would be fun to use the butterflies like a die cut.  I cut one butterfly notecard apart where it was hinged together at the left wing and positioned it on a Memory Box Hyacinth Notecard that I punched the right edge with Martha Stewart's Scalloped Dot Edger Punch:

 

I machine stitched around the butterfly and then used buttons in the same manner as above, for the butterfly's body.  The butterfly antennae was created with thread, after sewing the buttons on the card.

 

The Happy Spring sentiment was stamped with Hero Arts Iris Chalk Ink.  I hope these Spring cards give you some more ideas of ways to use buttons!

 
Stamps: Memory Box Twizzle Tree & Happy Spring
Paper: Memory Box Frond 6x6 patterned, Kraft cardstock, Butterfly Cards & Envelopes-Cool, Hyacinth Notecard
Ink: Ranger Adirondack Espresso dye ink pad, Hero Arts Iris Chalk Ink
Accessories: Hero Arts Clear Card Buttons, Ranger Glossy Accents, Ornare Piercing Tool & Piercing Pad. EK Success 5/8" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch & 3/4" circle punch.  Martha Stewart Edger Punch-Scalloped Dot
Other: sewing machine

Spring Decorations by Kim Hughes

Spring is on it's way! Yay!!   How about making some fun critters to adorn your home or work place.   I think they would make a sweet little gift as well.

 

Supplies:

Basic Grey Buttons, Bittersweet

Kim Hughes Paper Pack, Mocha Chica

Punch, 5/8" Circle

Red Liner Tape, 1/4"

Cardstock, Neenah Classic Solar White

Beading Wire, 28 Ga, Silver ( I used craft wire, but I am sure this will work great as well)

other:

embroidery Floss: DMC

black card stock

 

First, start by drawing a bird shape onto heavy white card stock with a pencil.

 

 

Once you are happy with your image, cut it out to make a pattern.  Trace it onto the back side of your desired paper and cut it out.  Cut 2 bird bodies. (they need to be facing 2 different ways, not the same way)  You will need 2 eyes and 2 beaks. Save your pattern for future use. 

 

punch a white and black circle for the eyes, and a triangle for the beak.  Cut 2 beaks, cut one in half so that you can add it on top if the base one.  This just adds more interest (it's not necessary)

 

to form the bird legs and feet, start at one end of an 18 inch piece of sturdy wire and bend 3 toes that are about 1 inch long.

 

cross over the other wire and bend them together.  Repeat on the other end of the wire

 

then bend in the center of the wire.  You may need to adjust the feet so that it will stand on it's own.

 

Use a VERY sturdy adhesive.  Apply red tape on the back of the paper bird and pull off backing.  Place wire securely on top.

 

add more red tape on top to secure the legs.  Adhere beaks and eyes and add second bird to cover the back.

 

I created a butterfly shape, you can use a die cutting system if you are not comfortable doing this.  Draw half the butterfly and fold the paper.  Cut the paper while folded for even wings.  String thread through button holes to create the antennas (attach with a Zot).  Bend a curl in the wire, bend a loop around your finger in the middle and attach the butterfly, like I did with the bird.

*Tip make sure your paper is light, otherwise the image could be top heavy and have a hard time standing up*

Hope you have a great day.  Thanks for  visiting.

Spring Arrangement & Soldered Easter Eggs by Sharon Harnist

Here's the Spring arrangement I came up with to put in the altered vase I showed you earlier this week:

I started with a decorative branch and two sprigs of tall silk flowers from the craft store, and stuck them in floral foam inside the vase.  Alternately, you could gather some small limbs from your yard and either leave them natural or spray paint to coordinate with your theme.

I decided the arrangement needed some signs of Spring . . . birds & butterflies!  So I cut two large butterflies from Basic Grey's Porcelain paper with Spellbinders largest Nested Butterfly die and adhered them back-to-back, so it would be double-sided and pretty from either side, too.  It was adhered with a mini glue dot to one of the top small branches.

I die cut three medium butterflies from another pattern in the Basic Grey Porcelain collection (using the same Nested Butterfly set) and adhered two of them on top of each other, only in the center of the butterfly's body, to give the butterfly more dimension. 

The other die-cut butterfly was adhered to the back of the base butterfly so it would be nicely finished, too.  A piece of looped heavy thread was sandwiched in between the layers, to serve as a hanger.

The bird was die cut with Spellbinders largest Nested Bird die from Basic Grey Porcelain paper.  He is also backed with more of the same decorative paper, to make him two-sided (also with thread sandwiched between the paper layers, to serve as a hanger).

To get the mirror image you need for the back side of the bird, die cut from the back (white) side of your paper (if you are using a single-sided decorative paper), as opposed to die cutting from the front/patterned side of the paper.

 

Birdie's wings were made with the smallest bird from the Nested Bird die set -- I just trimmed off the beak!  Then to make it look more like a dimensional wing, I used the Scor-It Mini Board to score a flap along the top of the bird and adhered just the flap to the bird's body:

Now, time for some soldered Easter eggs for our Spring tree!  I decided to make two different eggs -- one for my young daughters and one for me!  The girls' egg was stamped with this cute chick and flowers from Kim Hughes' Sweet Spring stamp set, using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I masked off the chick before overstamping the flowers, and then colored him with these Copic markers:

He is backed with some pretty Spring floral paper from the Memory Box Poppyfinch collection, sandwiched between 1.50" x 2" Oval Glass pieces.

I used the Wavy Edge Copper Foil Tape (which is straight on one edge) and Simply Swank's Lead-Free Solder to solder the pieces together.  The Heart Solder Scrolls were used at the top, to form a hanger for the White Silk ribbon.

For my egg, I used the angel from The Rummage Bin's Storybook stamp set.  The angel was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Memory Box Poppyfinch paper.  If you can't make out the words on the angel's wings, they read "rejoice & believe" and she is holding "love" -- very appropriate for Easter, I think.

The angel egg is backed with another pattern from the Poppyfinch paper, and soldered the same way as the chick egg:

You could always take these "eggs" off the tree and wear them as pendants, too!

I know this project is a little late for most of you to be able to replicate for this Easter holiday weekend, but I hope you'll keep it in mind for next year ... or better yet, start on it now so you'll already have it for next year!  Alternately, you could use this idea for most any holiday or occasion ... the items you put in your arrangement will make it unique to you and the occasion you are celebrating.  Many thanks to Ms. Ellen for suggesting this wonderful idea for me to carry out! 

We hope all of you will have a lovely Easter holiday this weekend -- thank you so much for visiting!

Spring Vase by Sharon Harnist

Today I'll start a two-part tutorial on a Spring project and follow up in a few days with part two.  I've had this metal vase for a few years now -- I picked it up at WalMart on clearance, knowing the shape would be easy to work with altering.  It measures 8" tall and is 7" square at the top.

 

Now, this vase might be great as it is for some decors but I wanted a lighter, springier feel for my project.  Upon closer inspection of this metal vase, I discovered it was covered with the printed rooster paper.  I peeled off as much of the paper as I could -- but that one piece on the right side just wouldn't budge!

 

Then I sanded off as much of the rest of the paper as I could and gave the vase a coat of Gesso.  Gesso is white and acts as a paint primer for your project, filling in low spots and helping to make your project smoother:

  

Next, I custom mixed a base coat of tan paint from Claudine Hellmuth's Sable Brown and Blank Canvas Studio Paints. 

 

The shade I ended up with is probably close to her Traditional Tan color, if you wanted to avoid having to custom mix colors.  But that's the beauty of these paints -- you CAN custom mix colors very easily, without the fear of muddied colors, so I worked with what I had on hand.

 

Next, I used Tim Holtz's Flourish Mask and placed it exactly where I wanted the pattern.  It is green in the photo below because this was the second side of the vase that I'd painted (and thus, painted over the mask with green paint!).  Normally the mask is clear and has a low tack to it, so it will temporarily stick on your project while you paint over it.

 

Then I painted a coat of Claudine's Landscape Green paint over the mask and tan base coat and ended up with this:

 

You'll love these paints -- they cover very nicely in just one coat!  The silver you see is from a silver paint pen that I used to outline the mask shape, once the paint was dry.  I also used it to dab in the crevices of the vase's feet, to highlight them:

 

I also used the silver pen to finish off the top rim of the vase:

 

I hope this project helps you see the beauty in some garage sale finds or clearance items OR lets you think about recycling something you already have ... definitely "green" in more ways than one!  I hope you'll join me back here on the CLASSroom in a few days to see what I'ved cooked up to put IN this spring vase!

Martha Stewart Paper Easter Egg Boxes

 

When I first saw these Easter Eggs I just grinned - I knew that at last I would have an egg I could decorate that would last more than one season. There are SO many different ways to decorate these eggs. I decided to share a pastel version of these eggs being most of the Easter candies are pastel in color.

 

To begin I decided to try two different methods of painting the eggs. The egg on the left was painted with Gesso first, whereas the egg on the right I decided to paint directly with the Studio paints. I wasn't certain if it would make any difference whatsoever in the application. As you can see the glossy finish on the egg made for a rather "splotchy" first layer.

 

It is amazing the difference when applying the first layer of color on the egg that has been gessoed! When applying the second coat of paint to the egg on the right it went on a whole lot smoother than the first though.

I proceeded to paint all three eggs in different colors - purple, pink and yellow, and allowed them to fully dry before proceeding.

 

Tip: Create any color glass glitter by simply adding a couple of drops of Various Ink to Diamond Dust. To create the color above I added a couple of drops of RV11 and a drop of RV34. Remember less is more! It is easier to add a drop than to continue to add more Diamond Dust.

 

To adhere the glitter to my egg I wrapped red liner tape around the egg band.

 

To create my whimsical butterflies I used two Butterfly punches. I love how the punch size graduates in three different sizes from large to small when combining the Classic Butterfly and the 3-in-1 Classic Butterfly punches. Punch the butterflies out of coffee filters and color using Copic markers. Coffee filter paper is extremely porous and soaks up a lot of alcohol ink, but it has an exquisite look when completed. For these butterflies I began with RV11. For the top butterflies I then edged them with V15 and BV04, ending with another layer of RV11 to saturate the edges and allow the colors to bleed. As you can see I worked on my craft sheet so that I would not ruin my work surface.

To create the pink butterflies I simply used RV11 and RV34.

I then used a slight amount of Icicle stickles on the wing edges and dipped it into my special Diamond Dust.

 

I removed the red liner from the tape and adhered the glitter to the egg band. Using a finer glitter I then sprinkled it between the spaces that the glass glitter leaves. Absolutely stunning is all I can say!

I adhered the pink butterflies to my egg first by using mini glue dots. Then I layered my glittered, purple edged butterflies on top and added pink Micro Twinkle Stickers

 

This is perhaps my favorite egg due to it's simplicity and sparkle.

 

For my next egg I wanted to share how you can decoupage patterned paper to your eggs. I cut out a flower and leaf from the Poppyfinch collection. It was this collection of paper that helped determine my color scheme. Being there wasn't quite as much purple in this flower as I would like I added just a hint of Studio paint to it before applying.

To decoupage simply place a layer of your adhesive down on the egg where you will be attaching your papers. Then apply adhesive to the back of your cut outs, placing them in the desired location. Next paint another layer of decoupage over the surface. I use my finger to help mold the paper to the shape of the egg. I then use my brush to smooth out the surface yet again. Once dry I add a second layer of decoupage to my image.

 

A little more Icicle Stickles combined with my custom colored Diamond Dust, another butterfly, and I have another beautiful egg awaiting some special gift for Easter morning.

 

I would like to advise you to proceed with this type of egg treatment with caution! It is imperative that you are ready to move quickly when working with gesso on large rubber stamp surfaces. If you allow the gesso to dry on the surface good luck getting your stamp surface clean.

I love how gesso acts as a resist when covered with a wash of paint, so I just had to give this a try. Begin by preparing all your materials. I have an old toothbrush that I place next to my sink in advance so that I am ready to brush my stamp clean as soon as I have finished applying the gesso to my project.

If you have Penscore I would suggest that you paint your gesso on the penscore and use it as an "ink pad" to apply the gesso to your stamp surface. It will be much quicker and I believe that you will get a more even application than what you see here. Unfortunately I didn't have any penscore here at work and so I just proceeded by quickly brushing the gesso directly to my Fiery Floral Scrapblock.

 

I then took my egg and rolled it around on the painted surface. The first application REALLY slipped and so I grabbed a paper towel and just quickly wiped my egg. I felt that the textured look would add apppeal to the overall look and so I just left it and reapplied the gesso to my stamp. This time I rotated my egg in a more uniform manner and voila I had a funky textured egg surface.

I must admit that this technique would be much simpler if the surface of my project were flat, but you know me - why try something easy first?!? LOL!

Allow the gesso to fully dry before proceeding.

Then mix equal parts of purple, pink and water. Apply this wash to the egg surface and allow to dry. As usual I forgot to take a picture at this point and so you will need to peek through the butterflies to see the finished egg surface. 

 

To finish this egg I punched out oodles of different butterflies and layered them in a flight pattern across the egg surface. A few more pink twinkle stickers and my first Easter Egg Box project was complete.

There are SO many more things I would like to try! A vintage look with gorgeous trims, decoupaged napkins, stamped tissue paper images, airbrushing... these are just a few things that are running through my mind as I ponder the possibilities these eggs hold.

Remember Easter is just around the corner, so be certain to get started soon. Surprise a friend or family member this Easter with a gift presented in this funky little container!