the CLASSroom

Lockhart Pumpkin Cookies Foldover Bookmark

There are times when I wonder if I'm living under a rock - LOL! With everything going on in life I don't have any time to blog hop and so I have no idea if someone else has shared a version of this project before. Using a large, shaped die to create a "foldover" is an idea that I just thought was fun and so I had to share it with you - I hope that you enjoy it even if you have heard it before.

 

I have been LOVING the label dies from Memory Box Company and it was after creating the Halloweenie card with the Chadwick Label that this idea dawned on me. Why not create "foldovers" with my larger dies?!?

 

To create a "foldover" you simply score your cardstock and fold it. Then using a piece of tissue tape attach the cardstock, with the fold line end slightly lower then where the die would normally make the cut, to the face of your die.

 

Run it through your die cut machine and voila a very nifty "foldover." These then can turn into darling bookmarks that have fabulous shapes!

 

To hold the bookmark in place use a Basic Grey magnet - these are still the best magnets on the market for something like this.

 

Shown above are the colors of Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils and Spica Glitter pen that I used to color the Pumpkin Cookies. I <3 this image and have used it as our thank you's this month.

I also used the Copic Markers to color the 1/4" white silk ribbon with purple to add a little "pop" to the project.

As a little aside - I must tell you that Indie Bloom has papers in the collection that have a fabulous halloween feel.

 

To close I had to share the first version of my project - it is so amazing to me that sometimes when I view my completed project through the camera lens I see missing elements. That is precisely the case in today's project - do you see the difference? It's the littlest of details that can make a card special. By simply adding texture to the edges of the foldover with a pierced design the project comes to life.

 

stamps: Lockhart Halloween Cookies

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lavender Spica Glitter Pen

paper: Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Mango CS, Basic Grey Indie Bloom

accessories: Tim Holtz Mini Cabinet Die, Mini Paper Clip, and Design Ruler, 1/4" White Silk Ribbon,

Summertime with New Lockhart Stamps and Mykonos Paper

I just have to giggle this morning as I write this post - most obviously I hid my "clue" in the picture on Facebook well. Yes, it is new Lockhart stamps that I am so excited about! Lockhart stamps were my first "babies" here in our store. I would head out and teach coloring classes using these images and would love every minute of it. I still love every minute of the time I get to spend coloring these delightful images. The details make me smile and feel all warm inside.

Over the next three days I will be sharing a new project each day, showcasing the new images AND we have a special give-away here for you today, so be certain to read all the way through this post and leave a comment to the question below to become eligible for this random drawing.

 

Ready To Plant... I am SO ready to plant this spring! I really would like to have some of my favorite home-grown tomatoes again this year, but the weather - oh vey! So for now I will have to satisfy myself with coloring pretty garden images :-D The shape of today's tag was inspired by the fabulous little tags available in the new Mykonos collection. The colors in this collection just scream summertime to me and so I began to color my series of projects with these beautiful papers sitting next to me.

 

As always I begin to color my image by "picking out" the details in my image using a light colored Copic marker.

I then come back in and add darker highlights such as the red, as you can see I am beginning to do in the petunias above. There are times when I am uncertain what colors I will want to use on certain pieces of the image, such as the wheelbarrow, and so I leave them alone until I get further into my color selection.

 

Once I have all my colors in place I then come back with the lightest color to blend them all together. If the range of the color values is too large I will scribble some of the darkest color in the area I am blending on my non-stick craft sheet and using the lightest color I will pick this color up off the sheet with the tip of my marker and bring it back into the design to blend the colors. This will create depth in your image with the varied color values.

 

I used two coordinating patterns and the tag series shape as inspiration. A layer of squash cardstock is used on the reverse center section to "disguise" the inky backside of my colored image and add sturdiness.

A button was created using Craft-a-Board and covered with Squash cardstock. I adhered the cardstock to the Craft-a-Board using a small amount of Matte Multi-Medium.

To create the stitching I simply punched holes in my tag using Tim's Design Ruler. The perfectly spaced holes make it so very easy to create simple stitching patterns on your paper. Then thread good old-fashioned and inexpensive DMC floss on a needle and stitch.

The rain is coming down outside yet again today - crossing my fingers and toes that tomorrow brings sunshine so that I can spend some much needed time in my garden. :-D

 
stamps: Lockhart Ready to Plant

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

paper: 7 Gypsies Mykonos 6x6, Neenah Solar White, Memory Box Squash Cardstock

accessories: Memory Box Button Die, Craft-a-Board, Design Ruler, Retractable Craft Pick, Matte Multi-Medium

Do you like to garden? What is your favorite plant --- is it a flower or a garden vegetable? By taking the time to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below you have a chance at winning this fun little prize package of (3) new Lockhart images, the 6x6 pack of Mykonos paper and the new Memory Box Button Die!

You have until 12:00pm PDT Monday, May 30th to leave your comment and be eligible. (One comment per person please.) We will do our random drawing on Tuesday morning and announce the winner here in the CLASSroom as well as on our Facebook Fan Club page.

Thank you for stopping in here at the CLASSroom - we wish you a happy Memorial weekend and thank all those who help protect us by serving this country!

Use the Martha Stewart Scoreboard to Create Wonderful Texture

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company Basket of Leaves

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

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

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

Tag 3 - Botanical Merry Christmas By Lisa Strahl

Well, Ms. Becky certainly rocked the house yesterday didn't she?  :^)  Go Bek!

Today's tag is definately a non-traditional Christmas Tag.  Let's begin trimming a Webster's Pages Vellum Journaling Card with detail scissors. It's always good to leave a small amount white space around the edge of the image rather than trimming right next to the line.

 

This white paper may not look like much but it's an amazing product line by Heidi Swapp called "Invisibles".  Basically they are 12 x12 pre-embossed pages with absolutely gorgeous designs.  They allow you to apply resist techniques, but you get to skip the heat embossing step.  The pattern is very visible in real life but hard to discern in the photo.  Let's add some ink so you can see what I am talking about.  This piece is from the Classic Vintage Page.

 

Using Cut 'n Dry Foam, I sponged Shabby Shutters Distress Ink onto the Invisible.  Please see the Tag 1 post for more information about adding ink to a project with Cut 'N Dry Foam.

 

Add Antique Linen Distress Ink in the same fashion.  I used the images on the sheet to determine where to add color.

 

The last color added was Brushed Corduroy.  It is the most "red" brown of the 5 Distress browns, but still didn't quite match the color in the vellum overlay I wanted to use, so I added a little Aged Mahogany Distress Ink over the Brushed Corduroy until I achieved the desired color. 

 

Stamp the Reindeer (Mini Holidays stamp set by Tim Holtz) with a permanent ink such as Archival or StazOn.

 

Now you might find this next step interesting.  How shall we attach the vellum to the tag?  There are vellum tape runners or you can use brads or eyelets, but I chose to paint so that the vellum basically became part of the tag.  Simply paint a relatively large portion of the back side of the vellum with Blank Canvas Studio Paint and press to the tag.  I really wanted this beautiful flower to "pop" so I painted that portion to secure the vellum.  You will need to smooth it a little as it sets and dries.  Claudine's Paint Brush Set is an amazing value with all of the different sizes and cuts of brushes.

Once this portion was smooth and dry, there were a few areas around the edge I wanted to be a little more secure, so I just added some Glossy Accents and pressed the seam flat.

 

Trim around the tag with Tonic Non-Stick Scissors.  These work great to cut through any of the extra glue that has seeped out around the edges. 

 

Add Rock Candy Distress Sticklesto some of the ornamental areas.  This product literally dries like sugar on your project, giving it a fascinating texture.

 

Stamp the Reindeer image again on a clean tag and cut out, minus the antlers.

 

Those non-stick scissors came in handy again when I needed to cut my foam tape to fit my deer.

 

Apply Vintage Photo Distress Stickles to the antlers.  If you apply more than you wanted, just use a piercing tool or the tip of your scissors to redirect the glitter glue or even to remove some of it. 

 

Sand a piece of Translucent Lucky Squirell Shrink Film in both directions, but make sure you don't do it on the craft sheet, it will damage it!  I used the Sanding Grip, but Lucky Squirell actually makes great sanding blocks with a very fine grain, for this very purpose.

 

Stamp the Merry Christmas from the Santa's Wish stamp set with a permanent brown ink (I know this looks red, but trust me, it's brown) and gently heat set to dry the ink with the Ranger Craft tool.  Make sure you don't heat it too much or it will start to shrink.  Cut around the the sentiment and shrink based on the manufacturer's instructions.

 

 

When I was pulling the ribbons I wanted to use for this tag together, I realized that I really needed a red/brown and didn't have anything quite right.  Copic Markers to the rescue!  Use the chisel tip to color this 1/4 inch white silk ribbon and allow to dry.  I used Leather Copic as you can see.

 

Being the piercing junkie that I am, I did some decorating around the leaves.

 

There are a few extra details that I added near the end of the project, but forgot to snap photos!  I got so carried away in my creative head, please let me describe them for you...

-Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink was sponge around the entire edge of the tag with Cut 'n Dry Foam

-the Celery 1 1/4 inch Silk, White 1/4 inchand my Copic colored ribbons were wrapped around the bronze Sprocket Gear and tied with some Martha Stewart Baker's Twine

-Nikki Lace Trim was secured to the bottom of the tag with the Tiny Attacher Stapler

-Design Ruler used to pierce a line of holes down the right side of the tag

-Glossy Accents applied to the "shrunk" sentiment

Thank you so much for visiting us again today and happy 12 tags of Christmas to you!

Tag 1 - Angel Wings by Mona Lisa

A very warm welcome to the Ellen Hutson 12 Days of Christmas.  Thank you so much for joining us in kicking off the holiday season!

I am honored to be able to create with my dearest friend Ellen for a few weeks and share my passion for paper crafting with her amazing customers.  Becky and I are having much too much fun behind the scenes creating to our heart's delight.

Without further adieu, let's get right to the first tag...

I began by cutting this adorable pair of angels out of the Ode to Joy 12 x 12 sheet (Graphic 45) with my sharp tip detail scissors.  Using a good pair of scissors makes all the difference when cutting out detailed images.

It's very important to have a non-stick surface such as the Ranger Craft Sheet when applying products like Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint.  Any paint or ink wipes right up or flakes off when dry.  Paint a thin layer of the Rock Candy over the entire surface and allow to dry.  This paint cracks like a fine porcelain over these richly colored images.  Gorgeous!

 

Paint the surface of the tag with Tea Dye Distress Crackle Paint, but paint "lightly".  Leave lots of open space because we are going to add ink in those areas later.  With Crackle Paint, the thicker you apply, the deeper the cracks.  This color matches the Christmas Past Collection perfectly.  Allow the paint to fully dry.  Cracks will appear as the paint dries.

Here is the what the paint looks like dry:

Edge the mini wooden Scrabble Pieces with the Copper Krylon Pen.  The trick with these pens is to get the flow of ink moving to the tip.  Simply press down repeatedly on the Craft Sheet until it begins to pool.  You can create a nice pool on the sheet if you like and just dip the tip of the pen into the ink as needed.  Drag the tip around each side of the letters and allow to dry.

Cut a small piece (I like about 2x2 inches) of Cut 'n Dry Foam from the 8.5 x 11 sheet and grab your Peeled Paint Distress Ink Pad.

 

Load the sponge with ink by pressing it into the pad several times and then ink the tag in a circular motion beginning ON the Craft Sheet and then dragging the foam onto the tag.  Add color as desired.

Add Perfect Pearl Pigment Powder to a Mini Mister filled 3/4 full with water.  1-2 scoops on the end of a paint brush will do the trick to create a lovely shimmery mist over the project.

Spritz 3-4 times over the tag and allow to dry or heat set with the Ranger Craft Tool.

Stamp the border from the Floral Tattoo Set (Stampers Anonymous) with Archival Ink.  This stamp set will be in the shop soon!

Then stamp the floral spring from the same set.

 

I wanted to really add some texture below where the angels would sit and chose this amazing cream colored Botanical Paper.  I tore the bottom of the piece to get lots of "stringy" bits and then used my ever handy Tonic Non-Stick scissors to cut through the fibers and adhesive underneath.

The Botanical Paper is adhered until the the Angels which are popped up on foam squares.

Attach the "wings" tiles with Red Tape Liner.

Pierce a line of hole in the paper using the piercing template on the Design Ruler.

Use a white gel pen to "Faux Stitch" the border of the tag.

Decorate the berries with Fruit Punch Stickles.

...and the branches with Patina Stickles.

Add small dots of Flower Soft Glue to the Angels' Wings and dust Polar White Flower Soft over the glued areas several times.  Flower Soft is much easier to use in a big container once it has been unpacked from the container.

Attach the lace with the Tiny Attacher Stapler.  This handy little tool really does allow you to attach all sorts of things and the staples are so stinkin' small, you don't even notice them!

Last but not least, tie a soft and romantic piece of silk ribbon to the tag and voila!  A very special tag that someone could enjoy all year round.  Oh, I almost forgot...at the last second I realized that the blond angel needed a flower in her hair.  Tim's Foliage Hardware was perfect topped with a little bling.

Thank you so much for visiting and make sure you check back as I know Ellen has some giveaways planned!

Inchie Twinchies by Susan Roberts

These new little Inchie+ and Twinchies are just as fun to play with as their Inchie sibling.  In fact with 3 sizes and all the wonderful neutral tones now available, there is even more opportunity for some creative adventures and mixing and matching.

 

On my first card I decided it would be fun to use the Inchies themselves as the focal point.

 

I punched half circles along the edges of a black Inchie+, at the corners of an Inchie and holes through the center of both.

 

The two Inchies were connected with a large flat brad making a perfect platform for a cute little Art Flower and Pearl.

 

On the second card the Inchie+ and Twinchie are not altered in any way but are instead left completely original in their fabulousness.

 

They make a perfect backdrop for the Art Flowers and Button.

 

The green Art Flower was colored with a yellow Copic Marker to better match the Graphic 45 designer paper used on the card.  The top flower shows the original color of the flower.  I love being able to alter/color the Art Flowers to match any dp.

 

The third card also used a Twinchie and 2 Inchies as a backdrop and also as an accent for the flowers (hand drawn and colored with Copics).

 

However instead of just stacking the Inchies, they have been offset to create a slightly different look.

 

The flourishes were made using an Ornare Template and Piercing Tool.  A Copic Multiliner (0.1) was used to create the faux stitching.

 

I so love the many mix and match possibilities with these cute little Inchies and hope that you can have some creative fun with them, too.

(Click image for larger view.)

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Stamps:  Card 1:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I”, “Rice Paper Backgrounder”, and “Scene It, Mountains”; Card 2:  Cornish Heritage Farms "Mona Lisa Moments Christmas Expressions"

Supplies:  Inchies, Inchie+ and Twinchie Squares; Ornare Piercing Tool and Template; Graphic 45 Designer Paper "Christmas Past Glad Tidings", "Renaissance Faire, Triumphant", "Renaissance Faire, Enlightened", Off White 1-5/8" Twill Ribbon; Jellie Ribbon Lace; Art Flowers; Pearls; Copics; Button

Inchie challenge by Cindy Lyles and NEW Inchie Products (EHWCMD1)

We are so excited to reveal brand new products from Inchie Arts - Neutrals!!  Inchie Arts has released new Neutrals Inchie Notes and Neutrals Inchie Squares - soft, delicate hues that are rich in color, yet pale enough to stamp on and color! 

Inchie Squares consist of the highest grade Alpharag Artcare, 100% cotton, museum-quality archival matboard.  Each Inchie Square is four-ply matboard and one-millimeter thick, fade and bleed resistant, and acid free and lignin free.  These make a bold statement on any project when used singly or in multiples. 

For today's project we arranged three gradient colors from the new neutrals Inchie Squares - pale ivory, pale bisque and a light taupe.  For the challenge, try and arrange three Inchie Squares (or one-inch squares) on a simple card, and stretch the image over the three squares.

Memory Box's Bird and Nest image was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink over the gradient arrangement of Inchie Squares.

Using Copic markers the nest was quickly shaded and used BV0000 Pale Thistle to add shadows to the entire image.  The wee bitty bird was stamped using Adirondack Cranberry ink.

The edges of the neutral Inchie Squares were inked and blended using Distress Vintage Photo ink and an ink blending tool.  The three gradient Inchie Squares were mounted onto pierced Crimson cardstock then a Vanilla Bean layer.

The nest image was stamped again onto Neenah Classic Cream cardstock, colored with the same Copic markers and cut out.  Three Basic Grey Opaline Half Pearls were added to the nest, followed by the nest layer mounted on a sliver of foam.

Finished card size is three and half inches square (89mm square). 

INCHIE CHALLENGE

For the Inchie challenge, try and arrange three Inchie Squares (or one-inch squares) on a simple card, and stretch the image over the three squares.

Once you have completed this challenge be certain to post a comment as well as a link to your project, in our WCMD Challenge Blog Candy post! It would also be great if you could please refer to Challenge EHWCMD1 when you upload to a gallery to make it easier for us to spot your creations!

BLOG CANDY

Thank you for stopping by our corner of World Card Making Day today! After you have finished drooling on your keyboard be certain to leave a comment to be entered in a random drawing for the following delicious goodies used to create this project:

• Inchie Arts Neutral Inchie Squares,
• Inchie Arts Netural Inchie Notes,
• Memory Box Bird and Nest,
• Basic Grey Opaline Half Pearls, Teal/Aquamarine

All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, October 4th to be eligible.

Indian Summer Cheer

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

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

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

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

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

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

stamps:  Mona Lisa Moments Encouragement Expressions

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

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

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

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.

Embroidery With Piercing Templates by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:

• Ornare Piercing Templates, Vellum Piercing Tool & Piercing Pad
• Spellbinders Flower Creations 3 die set and Wizard Tan Embossing Mat
• Memory Box Kraft cardstock, Red Pepper notecard & Fernbrae 6x6 paper pad
• Zutter 1/4" Round It All corner rounder
• Mona Lisa Moments Encouragement Expressions  
• Ranger Fired Brick Distress Ink 

Sewing in conjunction with papercrafting is all the rage right now, so I set out to find some templates in my papercrafting supplies that could also be used as sewing guides.  I found the perfect answer . . . paper piercing templates! 

While the exact Ornare piercing template I used isn't showing in stock at the store right now, Ellen has MANY different piercing templates to choose from HERE.

Since the template I chose to use has a pretty decorative edge, I started by embossing the template onto a piece of 5.25" x 4" Kraft cardstock in my Wizard die cutting machine, so those pretty edges would be dry embossed into my cardstock:

Then I used parts of the template to selectively pierce my cardstock (the red/orange underneath my cardstock is Ornare's piercing pad):

 

Then I used those holes as a stitching guide and did some basic embroidery, skipping over every other hole and did a simple backstitch with green embroidery floss. 

Then I die cut two flowers (same size) from Memory Box's Fernbrae paper and stitched them together onto the card with French Knots in yellow embroidery floss:

To finish the card, I added more yellow French Knots to the dips in the scalloped border, rounded the corners of the kraft cardstock, and adhered it to a red notecard so the back side of my stitching would be hidden and finished off nicely. 

Finally, I added this wonderful sentiment from Mona Lisa Moments' Encouragement Expressions, because I know someone who could certainly use an encouraging note through some trying times right now . . . I bet you do, too.

Sorry for my not-so-bright photos above, but it was the only way I could get the dry embossing to show up on the card ... my normal studio lighting (below) washed it out!

 

Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom today!

Inchie Puzzle Card by Susan Roberts

Want to try something fun with your Inchies?  Try making a "puzzle" with them!  It's an easy technique that really adds some interest to a project.

On my card today I used 15 Inchies!  I lined them up in a pattern that would fit on a standard A2 sized card.

Next I inked up the "Fiery Floral Scrapblock" from CHF by coloring directly onto the rubber stamp with my markers.  By using this technique, different colors could be put on the flowers and leaves.

Before stamping I spritzed the image with water.  I know.  I know.  I seem to always do this, but I LOVE the water colored look this technique gives.

The scrapblocks are very large stamps.  I didn't use any acrylic block or other mount with it.  I simply pressed it as is onto the Inchies.  It worked great!

I sponged around each individual Inchie before adhering them to the card stock.

A strip of parchment paper was embossed with an Ornare piercing/embossing template (please note that we are currently out of stock with this template).

The sentiment is from the Mona Lisa Moments, Motivational Centers set and is stamped in Memento's Tuxedo Black ink.  Some other products used include Memory Box's "Meadow" card stock and "Brandywine" designer paper.  The flower and leaves are Art Flowers.  The leaves were made by cutting a green flower.  A dew drop was used for the flower's center.

Thanks so much for stopping by the CLASSroom today.  For lots of Inchie inspiration, be sure to visit Ellen's Inchie INKlings Blog.

Happy crafting! 

Ghosted Floral Sympathy by Sharon Harnist

 

I couldn't wait to try Ellen's first Technique Tuesday on Ghosting, as I had never tried this technique.  Here are the supplies I chose to work with:

 

Supplies:

• BasicGrey Wisteria paper pad & Wisteria brads
• Ranger Snow Cap pigment ink pad
• Ranger Distress inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord & Ink Blending Tool
• Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I
• #5 Medium Manila Tag
• White & Cream Art Flowers
• Ornare Piercing Tool
• Tim Holtz Design Ruler & Paper Distresser

I chose a smaller manila tag for my card, but otherwise followed Ellen's instructions for the ghosting technique.  I will say that I wasn't very pleased with my ghosting effect until I had applied a very heavy coverage of Distress Ink to it.  So keep that in mind -- if you don't like what you are seeing at first, keep applying ink!  Starting at the top of my tag, I used these Distress Inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Dusty Concord.

After completing the tag, I distressed the edges, pierced a double row of holes at the bottom, using Tim Holtz's Design/piercing ruler (not sure if it's showing too well in the photo), and then adhered it to my card base with dimensional foam tape.  I decided to make the sentiment element of the Card Architecture Blueprint #1 (don't you just love this name?  Being married to an Architect, I love it!) a little shorter because it was covering up some of the best of my ghosting technique at the top of that tallest left flower.  So I zig-zag machine stitched the sentiment to my tag, to give it an "anchor".

I didn't have any flowers to match my card, so I inked some cream flowers with the same Distress Inks I used for the card ... and got a perfect match!

I hope you'll give this technique a try -- you never know when you might find a new favorite!

Watercoloring with Distress Inks by Sharon Harnist

 

I was SO excited to see Ellen add the full line of Tim Holtz Distress Inks to the store and the first thing I wanted to do was watercolor with them!

Supplies you will need:

• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads & Distress Reinkers by Ranger
• Niji Waterbrush
• Arturo Cards, Single White Small (2.50" x 3.75") -- for watercolored image 
• Arturo Cards & Envelopes, Assorted (5" x 3.25") -- card base
• Ornare Piercing Template, Elegant Corner Template & Piercing Tool
• Shady Tree Studio Artsy Blooms stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms
• Jet Black StazOn Ink
• Silk Ribbon

 

I began by stamping the Artsy Blooms with water-resistant StazOn ink onto a small single white Arturo card (2.5" x 3.75") -- the luxiourious finish on these Italian notecards is wonderful for watercoloring.  Next, I selected the Distress Ink colors I wanted to use.  This process is made simpler by having a color chart to work with.  I stamped each color onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock (and because I KNOW someone will ask, that cute leaf stamp is from Kim Hughes' Fall Silhouettes!):

 

I grouped the colors into familes, to make it easier to see which colors would be good to shade with, etc.  The first green I chose was Shabby Shutters:

 

Using a water reservoir brush and dipping the brush into a drop of reinker (in the lid), I quickly colored this base layer of lighter green on the stems and leaves.  Then, using a darker green (Peeled Paint) I added some shading:

 

Next, I used Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade to give some color to the flower heads:

 

You can see in the ink pad lid above (left) the drop of reinker I'm using.  I prefer using the move vivid color concentration of the reinker but you can either press the lid into the pad (while it's closed), to transfer some ink onto the lid and use that, or you can take color directly from the pad with your brush tip -- the choice is yours.

I finished the flowers with a little Worn Lipstick (pink):

 

Here's how they finished up (the colors are actually softer in person -- my camera just disagrees!):

 

I chose a Celadon Arturo card (5" x 3.25") for the base of my card and decided to extend the watercolored image above the top fold by about 3/4", so the overall height of the card is 4.25" and will still fit into a standard A2-sized (4.25" x 5.50") envelope.  The floral is adhered with dimensional foam tape to the card.  Beautiful silk ribbon is tied through a punched hole in the watercolored piece.

A little Ornare paper piercing on the base layer and in the corner of the watercolored piece finish this card.  These pretty blooms and warmer weather in my parts are making me ready for spring -- how about you?!!  Thanks for visiting today!

Pierced Violets by Sharon Harnist

Supplies:
Lockhart Violet Cupcake
Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic Sketch Markers:  V01, V15, V17, YG03, YG63, E50, E31, E57, W1
Neenah Classic Natural White cardstock
Memory Box Wisteria Notecard & Sprout 6x6 patterned cardstock
Ornare Elegant Corner Piercing Template, Piercing Tool & Piercing Pad
Tim Holtz Design Ruler
Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities (Large & Small sets) & Flower Creations 2 die templates
Summer Art Flowers
Orchid Dew Drops

Today I wanted to show you how easy it is to use this small Ornare Elegant Corner Piercing template for something it may not have been intended -- adding small touches of piercing in spots other than corners!  Of course, just as a lot of things are discovered -- by trial and error -- so was this.  After finishing this card, I felt it needed just a little "something else", so this little piercing template came to my rescue!

The smaller size and rounded inside corner allowed me to fit it around the flowers that were already adhered to my card (The orange showing underneath my card is the Ornare Piercing Pad):

The sturdy metal Ornare piercing templates can also be used from the reverse side, too, so you can flip it over and achieve a nicely mirrored piercing pattern:

Notice the lavendar Art Flowers match the Wisteria Memory Box notecard base perfectly?  That's because they are designed to specifically coordinate with Memory Box colors (I love that!).  In the Art Flower item description Ellen has at the store, she lists all the colors of Memory Box cardstock that the flowers will match!  The same is true for the Card Buttons and Memory Box 6x6 patterned papers . . . color coordination at your fingertips!  The flower centers were created with Spellbinders Flower Creations 2 die, and topped with Dew Drops.

The new Lockhart Violet Cupcake was stamped onto Neenah Natural White cardstock and colored with Copic Sketch markers to match the Memory Box cardstocks.  Star Dust Stickles accents the flower centers.  The cupcake was cut and matted with Classic Circle Nestabilities and a lace punch was used to make the cream cardstock trim.

To balance the piercing on the lower portion of this card, I also pierced a straight row across the top of the card, using the Tim Holtz Design Ruler:

I love all the markings on this clear ruler -- that makes it very easy to align a perfectly straight and centered row of piercing!  I sure am ready for a breath of Spring air, like the colors in this card -- how about you?!!

You Make My Heart Flutter by Debbie Olson

Have you seen the new Memory Box stamps and papers yet? Today I used the Periwinkle Butterfly stamp and the "You make my heart flutter" sentiment, paired with some Sugardrop papers.  I stamped the butterfly twice on Arturo paper using Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance ink and watercolored it with Twinkling H2O's. One butterfly I die-cut into a circle, and the second I cut out to mount on top.

On the background Sugardrop papers I added an extra little splash of color: I placed the reverse part of a mask on the green patterned paper, and then tapped some Pixie Dust Versamagic ink onto the paper. (I would have airbrushed with my Copic markers, but the transparent light pink might have looked a bit muddy on its complementary color, green.)

For the bottom of the card front, I chose an Ornare Border Stencil, using an Ornare Piercing Tool (much smaller diameter than a typical piercing tool) to add some texture. I used one of the corner ornare templates in the top corners, and a small pink taffeta ribbon and light green pearls to accessorize.

Thanks for visiting the CLASSroom!

Embroider It by Susan Roberts

It is so exciting to be a part of Ellen's CLASSroom Blog!  I hope that my posts will offer some helpful tips and information for you.  Let's get started!

Today I want to share a card that I made using a fun piercing and embroidery template by Ornare.  Long ago I enjoyed doing a little embroidering.  So when I saw this template, it was love at first sight.

The template offers several different piercing patterns one of which is this little honeycomb (or chicken wire for a chicken theme) design.

Tip:  One thing to note is the small holes on the template.  You will need to use a fine point such as the one on this Ornare piercing tool.  However, to make it easier to get the large embroidery needle with the gold cording through the holes on the card stock, I pierced all the holes again (without the template) using a piercing tool with a larger needle before beginning to embroider.

Who enjoys having to tie all the knots in back when you embroider or sew in general.  That has always been my least favorite part of it all.  Well the great news about embroidering on card stock is that there are no knots to tie!  Tip:  Simply tape the ends of your thread to the back of your card stock.  This is so quick and easy.  And since there are no knots you have no bumps or lumps showing through to the front!  I love that!!  It's a win win!

 

The sweet little bee is a Karen Lockhart stamp.  It is stamped with Memento ink on Neenah "Solar White" card stock, and is colored with Copics.

Memory Box has just released a beautiful designer paper package called "Sugardrop".  One of the designs is used on the card as a background.  The card base is one of Memory Box's Notecards in "Gourd".

I hope you have a chance to put a little embroidery on one of your future projects.  It's fun!!

Day 4 - pierced engagement card by cindy lyles

 

Do any of you have a sibling that you thought would NEVER get married?  Well, my 38-year old brother and his girlfriend, whom I have known for 25 years, got engaged this holiday - everyone is super excited!  Today's card is their 'congrats on your engagement' from our family.

With my brother and I growing up near Amish country (near Kutztown, PA) the Pennsylvania Dutch folk art still runs deep in our veins, and I knew my brother would 'get' this card, and Kath, my future SIL, would like the colors.  The Lockhart Folk Heart was the perfect image for this card, and it coordinates beautifully with Basic Grey's Urban Prairie 6x6 papers and the Ornare Piercing Border Template.

 

Using masking tape, the piercing template, an Ornare Piercing Tool and an Ornare Piercing Pad, I selected a portion of the template that would fit within the width of the card.

The Ornare Piercing Pad is nice and deep, allowing the quality Ornare piercing tool to do its job.  I'm using a strip of Basic Grey's Urban Prairie paper here to pierce through.

 

Once piercing was complete, the pierced layer was mounted to the card front using pop-up Glue Dots, to show off the design and add a nice shadow to the piercing.

 

The Lockhart Folk Heart was stamped in Palette Noir ink onto white cardstock, colored with Copic markers, then carefully cut out and mounted with pop-up Glue Dots.

 

Card base is Memory Box Sugar Plum - finished size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  'congratulations' sentiment is also from Lockhart Stamp Company.  Thank you for joining Ellen Hutson on the 4th day of Christmas and good luck!