the CLASSroom

Foxy Fall Hello by Sharon Harnist

Happy Friday, Friends!  Today I'm in a cooler Fall mood, so my papercrafting reaped the benefits!  Here's the card I have for you today:

Aren't these Mama Elephant New Family forest animals the cutest?!!  This stamp set is geared towards a new baby or baby shower, but here's how I turned it into a Fall themed card . . .

First, I stamped two of the foxes onto Prima Marketing's 140 Lb. Watercolor Paper Pad -- I love that you can just open this paper pad and start working on the 6x6 sheet(s).  The pad has a glue binding on both the top and bottom of the pad, which is meant to help keep the watercolor paper from warping while you work with a wet medium ... genius!  After stamping, I used my wide (4mm) Molotow Masking Pen to cover the images, so I could put my watercolor background wherever I wanted, leaving the animals to be colored as I wished later.  The blue masking fluid goes on very smoothly!

While the masking fluid was drying, I used the stamp that is meant to be a floral frame or divider (you can see it at the top of the photo below) to make Fall colored leaves that would be on a tree above the animals' heads.  I used these Distress Inks: Fired Brick, Ripe Persimmon, Wild Honey, and Peeled Paint:

Then I used a water brush to blend the stamped ink.  

TIP: Blend only one color at a time (moving to each spot you have stamped that same color), being sure to clean your brush between colors so you don't end up with mud!

Once the masking fluid was dry (it doesn't take very long) I repeated the leaf stamping process, using only the tips of the floral stamps to add some fallen leaves beneath and around the foxes. I also stamped a baby fox nose-to-nose to its Mama!  The masking fluid allows the baby to appear as if it is wrapped up in Mama's tail!

After blending the leaves on the ground, I used Thermoweb's Adhesive Pick-up square to gently rub off the masking fluid (below) -- the pick-up square makes removal a breeze!  Then I began watercoloring the foxes with Rusty Hinge and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks:

Next, I stamped the bunnies onto watercolor paper and colored them with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink and used Spun Sugar Distress Marker on their ears.  Their coordinating New Family dies were used to die cut them, then they were popped up on foam tape.  The 6-inch watercolor panel was trimmed down to A2 card size of 5.50" x 4.25".

For the greeting, I used the "hello brand new baby" sentiment, easily masking off the "brand new baby" part beneath the "hello".  It was stamped with crisp and bold Jet Black Archival ink:

I like using a strong high-tack double-sided tape like X-Press It's to secure heavier papers such as watercolor paper to a card base. Then a scattering of 6mm and 4mm Pretty Pink Posh clear sequins finish the card:

Is Fall in full color in your part of the country yet?  It's just beginning here in south Texas!

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, New Family

Mama Elephant Creative Cuts, New Family

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Fired Brick

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Ripe Persimmon

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Wild Honey

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Peeled Paint

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Rusty Hinge

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Brushed Corduroy

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Hickory Smoke

Ranger Distress Marker, Spun Sugar

Ranger Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black

Prima Marketing 140lb Cold Press Watercolor Pad, 6x6

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

Molotow Grafx Art Masking Pen, 4mm

Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush, Medium Fine Point (22653)

Thermoweb Adhesive Pick-Up Square

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Fiskars SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer (12")

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 6 mm Cupped, Sparkling Clear

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 4 mm Cupped, Sparkling Clear

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

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

High Tack Double-Sided Tape, 1/2"

Wildflower: A Cosmo Cricket WIP + Prima Confections Watercolor card video Tutorial

Hello! Carolyn Peeler with you today to share a card tutorial featuring the Cosmo Cricket WIP Book Art Deck and Prima Confections watercolors along with an assist from the beautiful "From all of us" floral stamp by Clearly Besotted. Won't you join me as I take you through this video tutorial of my process:

Thanks so much for watching today. Here are the links to the products used in today's tutorial. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section.

Clearly Besotted Clear Stamps, From All of Us

Ranger Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Tea Dye

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Tea Dye

Cosmo Cricket WIP Book Art Deck by Julie Comstock

Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

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

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Peanut Fudge, 10 pk

Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections, The Classics

Ranger Tim Holtz Water Brush, Detailer/Fine Brush Nib

Grumbacher Goldenedge Brush, Round 10

Royal Brush Paint Palette, Round

Kuretake Umezara Palette

Scrapbook Adhesives Thin 3-D Foam Squares, Mix White

Ranger Heat It Craft Tool

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

My Sweet Petunia MISTI Stamping Tool

My Sweet Petunia Mini MISTI Stamping Tool

#TexturalTuesdays - Felt Flower on Canvas by Lisa

Hi my lovely crafty friends! It's Lisa up on the blog and wowza do I have a project for my #texturaltuesdays fanatics today!! Strap yourselves in because it's gonna be a lengthy one. ;)

All of the Ellen Hutson, LLC designers are featuring FELT this week in our projects. So exciting, right? So I decided to work with the Memory Box Dies, Plush Ranunculus. I'm not sure that my flower really looks like a Ranunculus. But, truth be told? There are soooo many petals in a Ranunculus? I would have still been die-cutting felt!! :/ 

I used my Big Shot Plus to cut the Taylored Expressions Felt from the Yellows - Oranges pack (I used the color Butter).

I cut a LOT of these circles once I realized what a Ranunculus should really look like.

Beginning to build the flower, take the smallest circle and shape into a cone. Wrap another circle around it so it looks like this and adhere:

Start building your flower with the circles (petals) around this center. It may work best to work from the back. But, you want to work with larger and larger circles (petals), adhering as you go.

Here you can see how MANY pieces of felt I needed to make this flower as full as in the completed project!

I really should have counted. 

Completed flower (I had stuck some seed beads in the center, which I change my mind on):

I didn't want to make a HUGE canvas for this. A small 6" x 6" canvas is always suitable for most of my needs unless I'm doing something really out of the box. But these flat canvas panels can usually even be punched through with a Crop-A-Dile. Makes it nice for gift giving.

I started with 3 colors of Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint in Tangerine, Lemon & Magenta. I added White later on to soften and blend out the colors.

All that I did was dot one color and dry brush it onto the canvas, then use the next color doing the same thing, then the next.... The following photos are a succession of the painting of the background.

 

And then I used some bubble wrap for additional texture to lift off some paint with the next one:

I zapped my canvas with a heat tool to make sure that it was really dry before moving on.

Using a portion of patterned paper from Authentique's Cheerful 6" x 6" pad I tore a piece out and fit it to one side and corner of the canvas. Using Prima's Soft Gloss Gel and the 1" Silicone Brush (also from Prima) I brushed the gel on top of the canvas where the patterned paper was going. Placing the paper into the gel and another coat on top of the paper completes the process. Be certain that there are no air bubbles by lightly pressing over the paper. Air could cause the paper to lift.

I'm fairly impatient with my crafts so I usually heat set items that can be heat set. 

Stamp the words "Love, Hugs, Sunshine" from the Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, All Inside by Julie Ebersole onto white tissue paper using Coffee Archival ink by Ranger. I used the My Sweet Petunia MISTI Stamping Tool to help me line the stamps up. (I cannot line things straight to save my life!)

As you can see above I roughly tore the edges of the tissue paper after the words were stamped. Once you have the tissue in place, you may need to tear more off. Be very careful as this is a gentle surface.

Collage the tissue paper in place VERY gently using the same means as above with the patterned paper using the Soft Gloss Gel. Once the tissue paper is dry, color in the letters with markers.

(random sequin alert!!)

I used Barn Door Distress ink to deepen the background a little in some random areas using a mini ink blending tool and a small stencil from the Tim Holtz Mini Stencil Set 4. Blending the ink through the stencil onto the canvas leaves a very pretty design and also deepens the color. It's very subtle and something you wouldn't necessarily notice. It's also a great way to soften the edges of the tissue paper.

I had already gotten carried away adhering sequins so I had to use the stencil over the sequins...

The floral piece you see there at the bottom ⇑ in the photo above ⇑ is a really cool piece from 28 Lilac Lane and this is from one of their embellishments kits.

SO!! All that I have left is to adhere my flower. FINALLY!! Yay!! I used Prima's Modeling Paste since I knew it wouldn't take forever and a day to dry and it would hold my flower to the canvas.

Once I was done, though? I decided I wanted to add some shimmer to my flower and I painted on a little of the Soft Gloss Gel on the edges of the petals and then sprinkled Ranger Distress Stickles Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy over the Gel. I can't tell you how much I {puffy heart} love this.

It looks goopy now, because it's still wet, but when it's dry? Baby, watch out!

If you've read all the way through this YOU deserve some close-ups!!! ♥

(so sparkly!)

Isn't that FUN?!!

Thanks soooooooooo much for hanging out with me today and my ohhh-sooo-lengthy tutorial!! :D You all are why I love doing my thang. * mwah * Hope you had fun today. I sure did. My fingers are all painty and everything. :)

Check out my supplies below if you wanna make something like this for someone special in YOUR life.

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Pretty Pink Posh Droplets, 6mm Clear

Memory Box Dies, Plush Ranunculus

Taylored Expressions Felt Bundle, Yellows-Oranges

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint, Tangerine

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint, Magenta

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint, Lemon

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint, White

Ranger Heat It Craft Tool

Authentique Cheerful, 6x6 Bundle

Prima Marketing Art Basics Mixed Media Essentials, 6 pk assortment

Prima Marketing Art Basics Mixed Media Silicone Brush, 1 inch

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, All Inside

Ranger Archival Ink Pad, Coffee

Ranger Archival Reinker, Coffee

My Sweet Petunia MISTI Stamping Tool

My Sweet Petunia Mini MISTI Stamping Tool

Pitt Big Brush Pen, Red, Set of 3

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Barn Door

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Barn Door

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

Tim Holtz Mini Stencils, Set 4

28 Lilac Lane Embellishment Kits, Autumn Afternoon

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 6 mm Flat, Raspberry

Ranger Distress Stickles Dry Glitter, Clear Rock Candy

Christine Adolph Adhesive Rub-ons for Prima Video Tutorial

Hello crafty friends! Carolyn Peeler with you today with a video tutorial that features the new Christine Adolph Adhesive Rub-ons manufactured by Prima Marketing. If you aren't already familiar with Christine's artwork, I would encourage you to visit her website and connect with her on social media. While now I am now lucky enough to call her a friend, for many years I was simply a fan who loved the projects she had published in Stampington publications, purchased the stamps she designed for Stampington and her scrapbook collections for Creative Imaginations. However, as those of you who have been watching the paper crafts industry know, the one thing that is pretty constant in this industry is change. And for many years, once Creative Imaginations were no longer licensing artists, I missed being able to find Christine's products on the shelves of scrapbook stores. This is why I was thrilled to hear that she would be licensing her designs to Prima Marketing for a new line of Adhesive Rub-ons. Her product line debuted at the most recent industry trade show, and I have been looking forward to using her line once it was available. If you are a regular watcher of Julie Ebersol's Hello Monday series of videos for Ellen Hutson, you will have also seen the highly informative video she posted about this awesome product several weeks ago. If you haven't watched it, it is well worth a look.

So, won't you join me as I walk you through a card project which demos how incredibly easy it is to use these adhesive rub-ons and foil.

(PS - as I close out on the video, I commented about how easy it was to do the foil embossing...duh! I don't know why I said embossing, so let's pretend I didn't, ok?!)

Thank you so much for your time. Before I say goodbye, I want to encourage you to stop by and visit Christine on her artist Facebook page. She shares some wonderful inspiration and product tips on it. (For instance, one of her tips is to apply her rub-ons with foil onto candles for a fast-to-make, unique gift idea? Yes please!)

Here are the direct links for the products used in today's tutorial in the Ellen Hutson store. 

Prima Marketing Adhesive Rub Ons, Honeycomb by Christine Adolph

Prima Marketing Foil Sheets, Shine On!

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Totally Awesome

Clearly Besotted Clear Stamps, From All of Us

Clearly Besotted Dies, From All of Us

Pretty Pink Posh Dies, Stitched Tabs

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Crate Paper Bloom by Maggie Holmes, 6x6 Paper Pad

Memento Dew Drop Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black

DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors 15ml Tubes, Green Apatite Genuine (PrimaTek)

DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors 15ml Tubes, Red Fuchsite Genuine (PrimaTek)

ZIG Watercolor BrusH20, Medium

Zig Watercolor BrusH20, Long Detailer

Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Squares, Small White

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

#TexturalTuesdays - Art Journaling Using Texture Accents with Lisa

Hi there friends! Lisa back for another #TexturalTuesdays and boy-oh-boy do I have a treat for you today!! An art journal page jam-packed with texture and some of my favorite ways to achieve texture in some (perhaps) not so ordinary ways.

Believe it or not, as a person who dabbles mostly in mixed media-esque type projects I am deathly afraid of art journaling. This is only my 3rd page. I kid you not. Having said that, I am finding it immensely freeing and I really enjoy keeping my little works of art in a bound journal. I'm not sure how people can art journal in those teeny-tiny, itty-bitty journals? Mine is kinda big. And the paper needs to be substantial for all the goop, ummm...I mean PRODUCT (heh) I put on it. If you are already a mixed media art journaler, do what works for you. But if you're just getting started, like me? Make sure the paper is meant for mixed media and is large enough. Just my 2¢ on that!

One of the things I like to do as a mixed media "artist", is use tissue paper in my art. it creates texture and, if colored, is a beautiful way to add color WITHOUT painting. I also love to stamp on plain white tissue paper and then apply it to a canvas (or art journal page) with Gel Medium and then color it in. Super easy! So save all your tissue paper, folks! ;)

Once I figure out where I want the tissue paper to go (placement) I take a quick pic with my phone, slather down some Gel Medium, and then can look back at the photo I just took to remind me where the pieces of tissue go and lay down more Gel Medium on top (short term memory here, ladies & gents...just keepin' it real.)

Also, while that top layer of Gel Medium is still wet (and a little thick) I add in some of the Clear Droplets in both 4mm and 6mm from Pretty Pink Posh in one area.

I had added a little bit more Gel Medium to make sure those Droplets weren't going anywhere anytime soon. :) Make sure to let all the Gel Medium dry before going further.

Once that's all nice and dry, add a few dabs of Ranger's Dina Wakley Heavy Body Acrylic Paint in Magenta to a few places onto the journal page and, with a wet paintbrush, paint over the journal page. The paint will be either bright OR light, depending on how much water in your paintbrush or how much paint. So, keep that in mind.

Again, let the paint dry (heat set or air dry). 

Using the Prima Marketing Bloom Stencils, Circles by Jamie Dougherty and the White Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste with a palette knife, carefully scrape the texture paste over the large circle stencil and allow the paste to dry. (Lots of create and dry, huh?)

Before the texture paste has completely set up, it's easier to clean-up if you wish. I use a flat paint brush that has been lightly dampened and clean off each time. (See all that goopy stuff at the top near the coils? I totally did that on this page.)

With the art journal on it's side, and tilted upward, I added a dropper full of IZINK Pigment Ink, in Topaz along the edge. Then using a mini-mister I misted the ink and allowed it to flow and drip.

Dripping!!

I did the same thing on the opposite side with IZINK Pigment Ink in Safran. (Going to sound like a broken record here, but...be sure to dry between ink colors otherwise it could turn mucky.)

Next, I used the 6 x 6 " Prima Marketing Bloom Stencils, Spark by Jamie Dougherty along with the Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray, White Linen and sprayed onto the right side of the page and on the upper left hand side of the page.

It's so subtle, but just enough.

Next, I stamped the sentiment "Be Your Own Hero" using Dylusions Cling Stamps, Dy's Alphabet using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black. (Heat set the ink.)  I thought the black was a bit too stark looking so I dabbed just a tiny bit of Gesso with water onto my work surface and when it was VERY watered down, I rubbed it lightly over the letters. Heat set again! Then I added  highlights to the letters with a White Uni-Ball Impact Gel Pen. I also added contrast to the outer part of the letters using a PITT Big Brush Pen in Black.

More color was added using a Gelatos® Double Scoop® in Lemon and adding water to that as well.

My finishing touch was to die-cut a heart from the Essentials By Ellen Designer Dies, All Inside by Julie Ebersole. What I did first, was die-cut the heart from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® 3-D Foam Creative Sheets. Then I peeled back the top layer of adhesive and placed a small square of red foil from Wow! Fab Foil (shiny side up), rubbed it with my finger, and lifted the foil up. A perfectly beautiful, dimensional, foiled red heart! I peeled the backing off and stuck in smack dab in the center of my ray circle. 

More close-ups:

Look at how cool the Dew Drops are close up and they reflect whatever is underneath them.  ♥

I hope my art journal process inspired you to take your own out and find some easy things to play with. One paint, one or two stencils, maybe some sequins? And tissue paper!! So much fun!

 

IZINK Pigment Ink, Topaz

IZINK Pigment Ink, Safran

Prima Marketing Bloom Stencils, Circles by Jamie Dougherty

Prima Marketing Bloom Stencils, Spark by Jamie Dougherty

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Paint, Magenta

Prima Marketing Art Basics Mixed Media Essentials, 6 pk assortment

Prima Marketing Art Basics Mixed Media Silicone Brush, 1 inch

Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray, White Linen

Dylusions Cling Stamps, Dy's Alphabet

Pretty Pink Posh Droplets, 6mm Clear

Pretty Pink Posh Droplets, 4mm Clear

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, All Inside by Julie Ebersole

Wow Fabulous Foil, Red

Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Creative Sheets

Studio 490 Embossing Paste by Wendy Vecchi, White

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Gel Medium, 2 oz.

Faber-Castell Gel Medium

Gelatos Double Scoop, Lemon

Pitt Big Brush Pen, Black

Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White

Ranger Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal, Small

Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal, Square Standard

Strathmore Mixed Media Journal

#throwbackthursdays - Black & White Stenciled Background by Carly Tee Minner

Happy New Year's Eve! It's Carly and with the new year upon us I've been thinking about things I would like to do in 2016. I want to send more mail in 2016! Many of my best friends are too far away and I want to let them know how often I'm thinking about them and sending love their way. Nothing says "I love you" like a handmade card right?

With that in mind (and because I'm currently obsessed with stencils), I searched The Classroom archives for stencil card ideas. I found this amazing idea by Julia:

Stenciling on Black by Julia Stainton

Gorgeous right? I couldn't wait to try it and here's what I came up with:

1. I started with a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 piece of black cardstock. I secured it to my non-stick craft mat with Micropore tape and then secured my stencil on top.

2. I applied white pigment ink with an ink blending tool because as I learned from Julia's post, pigment ink is key when working on black cardstock.

I loved the result! It had that great chalkboard-effect that I adore.

3. I decided to use the Essentials by Ellen Bold Blooms Matching and Bold Blossom die sets on top of my stenciled background so I created colored cardstock with Distress ink and a blending tool (pink & green colored cardstock would work great too). For my petals I used Distress ink Abandoned Coral and Festive Berries. For my leaves I used Twisted Citron and Cracked Pistachio. 

4. After inking my cardstock, I die cut the smaller flower & leaf from the Bold Blossom set. Then I die cut the coordinating flower & leaf from the Bold Blooms Matching set with Solar White cardstock. Then I used a Quickie glue pen to adhere them together (I love the Quickie pen for tiny pieces).

5. On the inside flap of a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 Solar White card, I adhered a strip of gold glitter paper.

6. I trimmed just a little bit of the card front and stenciled panel down so the gold glitter paper would show through. 

7. I stamped a little sentiment from the Essentials by Ellen Fancy Thanks stamp set on Solar White. I trimmed my sentiment into a strip and tore the edge. On the torn edge, I added some Gold Stickles.

8. Then I glued everything together - my stenciled panel on my card, my sentiment strip & leaves on top of that and finally my flower in a nest of gold thread.

See you in 2016!

xo, Carly

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Fancy Thanks by Julie Ebersole

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Bold Blooms Matching by Julie Ebersole

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

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

Lawn Fawn Ink Pigment Pad, Yeti

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Abandoned Coral

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Kit #13

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Festive Berries

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Festive Berries

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Kit #11

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Twisted Citron

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Kit #14

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Cracked Pistachio

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 250 Sheet Ream

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Licorice Twist, 10 pk

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Licorice Twist, 25 pk

American Crafts, Pow! Glitter Paper, 12x12 Gold, 2 pk

Prima Marketing 6x6 Stencil, Magnolias

Ranger Stickles, Gold

Ranger Ice Stickles, Gold

Coats Metallic Thread, Gold

Coats Metallic Thread, Bright Gold

3M Micropore Paper Tape, 2 pk

Quickie Glue Pen

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

The holidays are coming! Joy to the World card

Hi everyone! Carolyn Peeler here. I don't know about you, but I love the Christmas season. I'm a fan of the music, the decor, and the crafts - oh, yes, I love Christmas crafting products. In order to indulge in my favorite season for as long as possible, I'm breaking out the holiday crafting projects early and sharing a holiday card with you today. We're going to combine one of the Essentials by Ellen stamp sets by Julie Ebersol with Avery Elle and some patterned paper. The complete supply list, and a link to the products in the Ellen Hutson store, is provided at the bottom of this post.

Let's start by gathering our stamps and dies. We are going to use the "Joy to the World" coordinating stamp and die set by Avery Elle. To create the globe base, I colored the stamp with "Brushed Corduroy" and "Gathered Twigs" Distress markers, then stamped it onto white cardstock. Using the coordinating die, cut the image out from the paper.

For the globe itself, I was going for a graphic feel with an homage to the chalkboard trend that is so huge across the visual arts fields at the moment. Using Memento "Tuxedo Black" ink, I stamped the globe onto white cardstock and then cut it out once again using the Avery Elle coordinating die.

Next, we're going to shine this baby up! Using the ever popular Glossy Accents, cover the globe with the product. (Quick tip: The easiest way to be sure that your glossy accents stays where you want it is to first outline the circle with the product, then fill it in with the glossy accents.) Now, set the globe aside so that it can dry (this will take several hours).

(Note, as seen in this photo, Glossy Accents will look cloudy when you first apply it, but will clear as it dries.)

Next it's time to build our card base. We're going to use 2 papers from the Basic Grey "Evergreen" paper pack (the red ones), 1 paper from "The Archivist" pad by Prima Marketing (the black one), and we are also going to make our own background using the evergreen boughs from the "Christmas Scribbles" stamp set by Essentials by Ellen Hutson.

To create the custom bough paper, we will use the "Christmas Scribbles" stamp, a water spray bottle, watercolor paper, "Bundled Sage" Distress ink pad and "Mowed Lawn" Distress marker. First, press the stamp onto the "Bundled Sage" ink pad, then using the "Mowed Lawn" marker, randomly add a few hits of this brighter green to the stamp. Holding the stamp approximately 6 inches from a water spray bottle, mist about 2-4 times with water in order to get a lovely soft watercolor look. (The more water you add/spray, the softer the stamped impression will be with less detail.) Randomly stamp the boughs onto a strip of watercolor paper 5.5" high and 2" wide.

Now that your papers are prepped, glue them onto a 4.25" wide x 5.5" high piece of cardstock (any color). First, glue the custom bough paper we just made onto the right side of the cardstock. If you want the same dimensions as my sample, the red watercolor paper on the top left of the card is 2 6/8" wide x 3.5" high.  The bottom portion of the card is the red and white floral pattern. The black paper from "The Archivist" paper pad is 5.5" high x 1/2" wide, and before gluing it down, you will want to cut a decorative scalloped edge using the "Blueprints 23" die by My Favorite Things.

Next, we're going to add some holiday pizzazz to the Basic Grey red watercolor paper. Using the snowflakes from the same "Christmas Scribbles" set by Essentials by Ellen, and white ink, stamp snowflakes onto the paper. Once the ink is dry, apply "Star Dust" Stickles overtop of the stamped images. Oh, so PRETTY!!

Using your sewing machine, sew a zig zag stitch vertically down the front of the card where the black paper and red papers meet.

Take a small strip of white cardstock and Memento "Tuxedo Black" ink and stamp the "The Lord is Come" onto it. 

Using "Brushed Corduroy" ink, lightly distress the edge of the strip of paper.

Using the "My Favorite Things" tag die, cut a tag out of white cardstock. Glue it front and center onto the red patterned papers on the left side of the card front. Take a small remnant of ribbon and tie it into a bow. Tie a button onto the front of the bow. Then, using a glue dot, stick the bow to the front of the tag. 

Using a dimensional adhesive (pop dots), stick your "The Lord has Come" strip centred across the bottom of the tag, as shown.

Glue the base of the globe onto the paper then, using dimensional adhesive (pop dots) glue the globe in position. Finally, to help the globe pop off the background a bit, use a "Pumice Stone" Distress Marker and draw a very thin line to add a bit of a shadow on the left side of the globe.

Finally, cut a piece of white cardstock 8.5" wide x 5.5" high. Fold in half to make a card base, and then glue the card front, which we just made, onto the front of this card. By building our card this way, we hide the tell-tale sewing lines so that the inside of the card is perfectly clean and does not have stitching lines through it.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed this project. I can't wait to see the holiday projects that my fellow CLASSroom instructors share over the next 2 months!

Avery Elle Clear Stamps, Joy To The World

Avery ELLE-ments Dies, Joy To The World

Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Christmas Scribbles by Julie Ebersole

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk

Basic Grey Evergreen, Collection Pack

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 23

My Favorite Things Die-namics, STAX Traditional Tags

Prima Marketing The Archivist, 6x6 Paper Pad

Memento Dew Drop Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black

Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black

Ranger Distress Marker, Walnut Stain

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Walnut Stain

Ranger Distress Marker, Brushed Corduroy

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Brushed Corduroy

Ranger Distress Marker, Mowed Lawn

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Mowed Lawn

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Bundled Sage

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Bundled Sage

Ranger Distress Marker, Pumice Stone

Ranger Distress Marker, Gathered Twigs

Ranger Pigment Ink Pad, Glacier White

Ranger Stickles, Star Dust

Ranger Accents, Mini Glossy Accents

Ranger Accents, Glossy Accents

Hero Arts Water Mist Bottle

Ranger Ink Blending Tool

Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Squares, Mixed

Sweet Deer Holiday Decor by Julia Stainton

It's never too soon to start getting ready for the holidays. If you start your holiday crafting soon, then there's no rush down the road to get it all done in a few short weeks. As the days get colder, I'm finding it easier and easier to spend more and more time tucked away in my craft room making pretty things.

 

Today's design came together in a couple different ways. A couple months ago I ordered some Cosmo Cricket Gallery Blocks to create with. I was actually thinking I could use the solid reverse sides to begin experimenting with a new art medium, encaustic. It turns out that I should take more time to read the product description and not just jump to conclusions about what I'm getting as these sweet little blocks have a nice hanger on the back-side. I had been planning on flipping them but that was no longer an option.

It turns out they are actually little blocks that can be covered with fabric for easy DIY home dec projects. Super sweet and what a great concept. And yes, had I read the product details it was very clear in the wording. Ellen Hutson LLC does a great job at this, so if you're in doubt, please check out the product info or contact customer service. They are always happy to help!

As I knew I'd be able to find a wonderful use for these blocks, I set them aside to think about it. It turns out they make fabulous little shadow boxes. You can stack them or use them separately. Each side has some GREAT sticky adhesive on the sides. This is perfect if you cover them with fabric or whatever else you with to use.

To start off my project I was inspired to make a little holiday decor accent using some new holiday goodies, the Basic Grey Juniper 6x6 paper pad, some darling Boxwood Twine and Trophy Antlers from Tim Holtz. To create the wreath, I just snipped off a length of the boxwood trim and then twisted it into a wreath. It's a double wrap and the wire in the trim holds it nicely into shape.

The Basic Grey Juniper paper is a gorgeous new paper pad. I used it on a few elements of this design. The first use it to cut 4 strips of paper that are 1" x 4" in size. Remove the adhesive backing along the sides of the wood frame and cover with the patterned paper strips.

Glass glitter is the epitome of glitter in my opinion. It's so beautiful and shiny and has a wonderful heavy texture. Be careful with it though, as it IS glass. This is the Prima Sterling Glass Glitter and it's perfect for the holidays.

To apply the glass glitter to the front of my wood shadow box I liberally coated the edge with Glossy Accents. Sprinkle with glitter and allow to dry before shaking off the excess. A Tidy Tray works great for keeping this glitter in one place as you definitely don't want it on the floor.

 

The sweet Tim Holtz Trophy Antlers are so much fun and play off the big trend of the past couple years. It's a resin embellishment and I wanted to give it a frosty feel. Some more Glossy Accents to the rescue, along with some Rock Candy Distress Glitter and he looks properly festive.

Since creating this project, the store is now sold out of the sweet little Antlers. To get a similar look, why not try die cutting a dear image from chipboard and then cover it with white glitter? The Essentials by Ellen Prize Stag die would be amazing as a substitute or simply just have the wreath with a lovely sentiment banner.

To put it all together, a 3" square piece of patterned paper from the Juniper paper pad lines the inside of the wood frame. The antlers needed to pop out a little more so that they wouldn't hit the frame so I created a little extra layer from some patterned paper and a piece of Craft-a-Board. It was cut 2" square and then covered with the paper.

To finish it all off, some sweet twine and jingle bells accent the wreath and a little hanger is formed on the back of the wood frame from some tape measure trim.

Have fun getting in the festive mood for crafting this year!

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a fabulous and creative weekend!

Supplies:

Imagine Crafts Craft Mat

Cosmo Cricket Gallery Block, 4x4

Funnel Tray

Prima Marketing Art Ingredients Glitter, Sterling

Ranger Distress Glitter, Clear Rock Candy

Ranger Accents, Glossy Accents

Basic Grey Juniper, 6x6 Paper Pad

Maya Road Ribbon, Vintage Tape Measure Trim, White, 2 yds

Lawn Fawn Hemp Cord, Aquamarine

Jingle Bells, 1/4", Silver

Essentials by Ellen, Craft-a-Board 6x12, 12 pk

Tim Holtz Boxwood Twine

Tim Holtz Trophy Antlers

Tim Holtz Pine Twine

Watercolor Fabric Background by Julia Stainton

I'm always up for exploring new products and techniques. Recently the Prima Water Soluble Oil Pastels caught my eye and I just had to order them and give them a try. One of the things that intrigued me about this product was the the oil pastels were water soluble. I'd always been taught that oil and water don't mix. Of course I had to try them to see if they worked!

One of the things I wanted to try using the oil pastels on was fabric. Today's project shares a scrapbook page created from a watercolor oil pastel background on beautiful embossed canvas. I love all the texture this creates and the resist is so pretty.

To start off with, I chose a few colors of pastels to create my background. These pastels are so vibrant and have a beautiful texture.

The color is easy to apply to fabric or paper just by scribbling it onto the layer. Add in colors where you want them. This background is so easy that anyone can do it.

To blend the colors on fabric, simply add water. You can use watercolor brushes or mist the pigments to blend them together. For this project I actually used both to get my colors blended the way I wanted them. This will leave the canvas very wet. I had placed a Craft Mat under my project to protect my work surface. Blot up excess water with a paper towel and allow to dry. I actually hung my canvas on the line for an hour. You can also press the fabric with an iron at a very low setting to flatten it well.

My next step was to add a photo area to my canvas. The She Art Coffee Filter Sheets are perfect for this and I adhered a 6x6 piece (with top edge torn) to the right side of my canvas. Multi Medium works great for this and I love how some of the color shows through the coffee filter layer.

I always love adding lots of embellishments to my projects. One of the things I used on this one was some plastic Basic Grey Capture Photo Frames. These came with a plastic protective coating on them that you just peel off.

Arrange all the layers to suit you and then adhere them to the canvas. When adhering things to fabric, I often use either a sewing machine or a hot glue gun.

Gold accents are always a fun way to glam up a project. I love this gold hastag sticker and the gold glitter text on the vellum envelope by Cosmo Cricket.

My journaling was adding in on the sweetest stitched tag from Studio Calico. Isn't it darling? And I didn't even have to pull out my sewing machine!

Have fun getting creative with different watercolor looks!

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Have a wonderful fall weekend!

Supplies:

Prima Marketing Resist Canvas, Dots

Pebbles Jen Hadfield Homemade, DIY Home Gold Clips

Prima Marketing Oil Pastel Crayons 24 pk

Ranger Distress Sprayer By Tim Holtz

Tim Holtz Heirloom Roses

Ranger Artist Brush Set (7 Piece)

Maya Road Transparencies, Vintage Butterfly, White

Basic Grey Capture, Photo Frames

Studio Calico Chipboard Shapes, Cameras, Gold

Maya Road Ribbon, Felt Roses, Milk White

Cosmo Cricket Envelopes, Glittery Vellum

Studio Calico Atlantic, Cork Stickers, Circles

Pebbles Jen Hadfield Homemade, Large Alphabet Stickers, Gold

Studio Calico Classic Calico Vol. 2, Stitched Tags, Notebook (Retiring)

Crate Paper Craft Market, Wood Hoops

Pink Paislee She Art, Printed Coffee Filter Sheets - Words

Ranger Multi Medium, Gloss Jar, 4 oz.

Maya Road Transparencies, Time Flies Clock, White

Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text Stickers, Pink Punch

Imagine Crafts Craft Mat

Colorful Soul Mixed Media Canvas by Lisa Adametz

The best part of CHA is the opportunity to meet the fabulous women who make up this wonderful community. This year when I headed over to the Faber Castell Design Memory Craft booth I had the good fortune to get hugs from Lisa Adametz AND ask her if she would be willing to share her talent with us here in the CLASSroom. Lucky us... she said YES :) Not only is Lisa extremely talented but she is also kind, thoughtful and so very easy to work with! She designs for Faber-Castell, Scrapbook Adhesives and is a Bloom Girl for Jamie Dougherty! Yep, she is a very busy young lady!!

"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts" is such an incredibly true statement and so very appropriate for the spectacular and colorful art piece Lisa created for us today! To learn more about Lisa and see more of the fantastic pieces she creates please visit her blog papergrace. Please join us there to thank her for sharing her creativity her in the CLASSroom and as our way of thanking you for taking your time to visit and explore Lisa's blog we have a package of goodies awaiting you there! Please leave a comment on her blog post about being a guest here by February 19th to be included in the random drawing she will be hosting there.

Thank you Lisa for the beautiful piece of art you are sharing with us today and for the excellent directions - you are one very talented chica and we are lucky to have you here! Big hugs and thanks! -Ellen

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Hi there crafty friends, it’s Lisa Adametz here with you today and can I first say “squeeeeeeee”?!!? at how incredibly excited I am to be here with you in the CLASSroom with the wonderful people of ellenhutson.com. I’m thrilled to be bringing you a mixed media art piece that I created using some really fun goodies from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft®, a beautiful stamp by the fabulous Jamie Dougherty (of Prima and her Bloom Girl line), and some gorgeous papers from the Aurora Collection by Basic Grey.

Here is what we’re making today…isn’t she gorgeous?

The canvases that I like to use are usually pre-primed or pre-Gessoed. But, it’s usually a good idea to check the packaging. If you’re unsure, it never hurts to put a coat of Gesso onto your canvas. Gesso will help keep the paints, Gelatos® or other wet mediums from seeping through.

1.  Stamp your image onto white tissue paper using Jet Black Archival Ink. Place a piece of copy paper underneath the tissue paper to prevent bleed through onto your work surface.

2.  Carefully tear the edges of the tissue paper around your stamped image to ensure that the image fits the proportion of the canvas.  Set aside.

3.  Gather patterned paper and tear into random pieces to fit your canvas. Be certain to leave a space for your stamped image. It is helpful to position the stamped image in place at this time and position the torn papers around her. (*Tip – I often take a photo at this time so I can see (and remember) where the pieces went and fit.)

4.  Using Gel Medium start to adhere the torn pieces down. Apply the Gel Medium underneath the paper and on top. This will also need to be done to the stamped image. Be very careful when applying to the image as the tissue can tear. Heat set or allow to air dry.

5. Rub Gelato® Double Scoop® Licorice all around edges and rub from outside edges in with fingers or a rag/cloth. It WILL look very dark at first.

6. Gather other colors of Gelatos® (blues, purples, pinks, and metallics) and rub over top of torn pieces. Blend colors in well with fingers or with a rag/cloth.

7. Start to color the stamped image by using the Art GRIP® Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils. The Neutral Collection is perfect for coloring her face and hair. Picking 3 shades within a color group will lead to very beautiful results for the butterflies. (*Tip – be careful not to oversaturate your paintbrush and work in small sections at a time. Remember that there is still tissue paper underneath the Gel Medium.)

8. Using the Gold Texture Luxe from Faber-Castel Design Memory Craft® and a sponge swipe over random areas of canvas. Such as where papers were torn, corners, image’s neck, etc.  A small paintbrush was also used to apply the gold Texture Luxe to highlight Bloom Girl Sharon’s hair. (If this is done, your brush must be cleaned ASAP. The Texture Luxe can be difficult to remove. )

9.  Next up is the Pearl Texture Luxe which will be applied through the Prima Marketing Checker Stencil using a sponge. Moving the stencil around gives it a really random look. By using the sponge it also gives more dimension AND texture.  Prior to cleaning, use white Gesso and stencil the areas around her head. Also use fingers (or sponge)  to blend the darker areas.

10. Embellish the canvas and Bloom Girl with Prima Flowers, Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, and Doodlebug Pearls. Add Glass Bead Glitter (using Gel Medium)  to a flower and accent the butterflies with Zig Wink of Stella in Black and Clear.

11. Attach letters from Basic Grey Aurora Collection pack to create quote. Outline using Black PITT Artist Pen.  Apply Gel Medium to coat letters to prevent peeling and lifting.

 

Admire!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope this has inspired you to create your very own mixed media canvas. They really are so easy! …AND fun. -Lisa

 

Prima Marketing Cling Stamps, Sharon by Jamie Dougherty

Basic Grey Aurora, Collection Pack

Prima Marketing Finnabair Stencils, Grungy Grid

Gelatos Tool Set

Faber-Castell Gel Medium

Faber-Castell Gesso

Ranger Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black

Gelatos, Set of 4, Blue

Gelatos, Set of 4, Red

Gelatos, Set of 4, Metallic Colors

Gelatos Double Scoop, Black Licorice

Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Set of 9, Red

Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Set of 9, Yellow

Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Set of 9, Green

Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Set of 9, Blue

Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils, Set of 9, Neutral

Faber-Castell Texture Luxe Texture Paste, Gold

Faber-Castell Texture Luxe Texture Paste, Pearl

Pitt Artist Pen, Black, Set of 4

Prima Marketing Art Ingredients Glitter, Gold Rush

Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Tip Marker, Black

Zig Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Tip Marker, Clear

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 4 mm Cupped, Sparkling Clear

Shiny & Bright Cards in Two Styles by Julia Stainton

We're counting down the days til Christmas! How about you? Today I'm in a festive mood and have created a couple more Christmas cards to share with you. I hope they bring you some holiday joy!

Today's projects are all about using one stamp and one die set and creating with them in two different styles. I love the flexibiliy of creating and especially love investing in product that can be used in many different ways and styles. If you're anything like me, you too love a) great value b) high quality and c) exploring your creativity in many different ways. I just wouldn't want to be pigeon-holed into creating in one style each and every time!

My first design approach uses a clean and crisp modern style. This is a great style for any time but especially the holidays. Keeping it clean and simple makes designing and mass-producing quicker. It also cuts down on postage as the cards tend to be less bulky.

I've used the Taylored Expressions Shiny & Bright stamp set and Shiny & Bright die set to create this design along with some beautiful Avery Elle pigment inks.

1. Create 4.25" x 4.25" white card base using Solar White cardstock.
2. Emboss 4" square piece of white cardstock using embossing folder. Adhere to card base with 3D foam squares.
3. Stamp ornaments on white cardstock using colored pigment inks. Die cut with coordinating dies and adhere to card using 3D foam squares.
4. Adhere Mirrored Stars as accents.

For my next design, I've used the exact same dies and stamps from Taylored Expressions and the same inks and colors as well. By adding in some stitching, distressing and lots of layers, you get a totally different look to the exact same images.

1. Create 4.25" x 5.5" card base from white cardstock.
2. Adhere 4" x 5.25" piece of text patterned paper.
3. Adhere 3.25" x 4.5" piece of pink patterned paper. Stitch layers as desired.
4. Stamp Library Card stamp onto white cardstock. Trim and adhere.
5. Adhere kraft tag to white cardstock leaving excess around edges. Trim with pinking shears. Adhere to card front using 3D foam squares.
6. Stamp ornaments on white cardstock using colored pigment inks. Die cut with coordinating dies and adhere to card using 3D foam squares.
7. Tie tinsel trim into a bow and adhere.
8. Ink wood bingo piece with pink ink by rubbing surface onto ink pad. Adhere.
9. Adhere mirrored star accent.

Note: to add to the vintage/shabby chic look, sponge edges of all paper layers with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Which project did you like the best? Are you a "pile it on crafter" or a "less is more girl"? The beauty of it is that you can be both depending on how you feel that day. Enjoying creativity is a wonderful thing. A gift!

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Wishing you and yours a wonderful (and creative) Christmas and holiday season!

Supplies:

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Tim Holtz, Tinsel Twine, Silver

Tim Holtz, Mirrored Stars

Taylored Expression Dies, Shiny and Bright

Taylored Expression Cling Stamps, Shiny and Bright by Nancy McKinney

Maya Road Wood Bingo Motifs, Alterable

Prima Marketing 6x6 Paper Pad, Coffee Break

Prima Marketing 6x6 Paper Pad, Something Blue

Avery Elle Ink Pad, Sea Glass

Avery Elle Ink Pad, Lemon Grass

Avery Elle Ink Pad, Raspberry

Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black

Distress Ink Pad, Brushed Corduroy

Lifestyle Crafts Embossing Folders, Celebrate

Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Squares, Regular White

Embedded Embossing Paste by Catherine Pooler

Today we are thrilled to welcome Catherine Pooler here to the CLASSroom and have several fantastic giveaways just for you! Catherine is the founder of StampNation, an online community whose membership learns, creates, plays and connects with one another. Catherine's passion for stamping and teaching comes through in her all of her creations and videos. 

Catherine recently launched her new look and improved site catherinepooler.com and is throwing a fabulous housewarming party! We are proud to be one of her sponsors and are giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to our store! So be certain to head over and join in the fun! For complete details head to this post. 

For all those of you who are joining us here today we are giving away the opportunity for you to join in the fun over on StampNation! By simply leaving a comment on this post today you will be entered in to a random drawing for a one-month membership to StampNation! Please leave a comment on this post before Friday, September 19th to be included.

Catherine has another huge treat in store for you when you visit her blog - she has another project AND video awaiting you there so be certain to head over to Catherine Pooler's blog now! As our way of thanking you for taking the time to visit Catherine's blog we have a package of goodies awaiting your there. Please help us thank Catherine by leaving a comment on her post about being a guest here by September 19th to be included in the random drawing she will be hosting there. You know you are in the right place if you see the following picture of our giveaway.

Thank you Catherine for sharing your creativity with us here in the CLASSroom today! -Ellen

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Hi Friends! To say that I’m excited to be a guest in Ellen Hutson’s CLASSroom today would be an understatement!

The products I got to work with here are so super fun! The stamp set was like playing with paper dolls, the additional images work perfectly with the doll and with the two sentiments, you can’t beat it!

You may notice that I tweaked up the sentiment from how it comes in the set…be sure to watch the video to learn more about that.

I thought some paper piecing would be fabulous with this image and even used it with the bat. A bit of Delicata Gold stenciled on to the background made a subtle, yet still glitzy pop.

The real show-stopper here is the circle accent piece. Gold Mica Flakes embedded in Translucent Embossing Paste. oh, WOW!

In the video, I actually thought this wasn’t quite dry yet…see the white-ish part northeast of her elbow? That is just Mica Flakes with a bunch of Translucent Embossing Paste over them! It is dry, but turned a milky white color.

It’s always fun to play and experiment and find new ways to use any products you have. I hope you have enjoyed today’s tutorial and are inspired!

Copic Markers: E31 E29, E39, E37, E00, E01, E04, YR02, YR04, YR09, G24, G28, C3, C5, C7

Prima Marketing Cling Stamps, Mixed Media Doll, Witchy Poo by Julie Nutting	Basic Grey Second City, 6x6 Paper Pad	Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Licorice Twist, 10 pk	Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Licorice Twist, 25 pk
Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk	Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 25 pk	Prima Marketing Art Ingredients Mica Flakes, Gold Leaf	Distress Ink Pad, Salty Ocean
Distress Ink Pad, Broken China	Mowed Lawn Distress Ink by Ranger	Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black	Delicata Ink Pad, Golden Glitz
Ink Blending Tool, 1 Round	Ink Blending Tool	Crafter's Workshop Templates, 6x6 Chevron

InLinkz.com

Stenciling With Watercolors by Julia Stainton

Stencils and watercolors are two really hot trends right now. Seriously! The possibilities are endless! I decided to give combining the two a whirl for today's project design. It's a fun and easy way to watercolor and the results are so pretty.

This design features the Peerless Watercolors and a stencil by Tim Holtz. Fall is just around the corner but perhaps you can tell by the colors, that I'm not quite ready to give up on summer yet!

 

The Peerless Watercolors are a truly unique product that was devised in 1885 and hasn't been changed since. You obviously have a good thing when it doesn't need improving in over a hundred years! The watercolor paint comes in the dry format on a paper fabric. They look like little scraps of paper but the intensity of the pigment means that you'll be using them for a very long time. To use, just dab with a wet paintbrush and it will pick up the color.

Note: the side of the paint swatch with the color on it is super saturated and will look much darker than the real color. The reverse side will give you a better idea of the true color but you'll want to test the hue on a scrap piece of paper before applying to your project.

 

Tape the stencil down to your paper securely to prevent it from shifting.

 

Apply color through the stencil.

Tips:

• The more water you use on your brush, the more color bleeding you get under the stencil. It's watercolor so this is an OK look. How much of that look you want depends on you.
• The watercolors are super saturated. To get a lighter watercolor effect pick up only the tinest bit of pigment.
• Adding two colors to one segment of the stencil will allow colors to blend.

Once you've added in all your color, remove the stencil to reveal your beautiful background.

Next step is to put the card together. I've added a pretty cluster of white roses for the focal point.

Another little trick I just discovered was a way to make the white paper leaves smaller. It's always nice to vary sizes when you are creating a cluster of embellishments. Simply twise the leaf about a third of the way from the stem to create a smaller leaf. Snip off excess paper.

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! I hope you'll give this technique a try!

 

 

Supplies:

Thanks a Bunch Clear Stamp Set	Peerless Water Color, Small Bonus Pack, Set of 40	Waterbrush, Small	Tim Holtz Stencils, Doily
laraine pearl white flowers	Neutral Hemp Cord	Maya Road Trinket Pin, Leaf, Green	Distress Ink Pad, Brushed Corduroy
Bazzill 40 lb. Vellum, 25 pk	A Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk	Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black	Tonic Paper Trimmer Guillotine, 8.5"

InLinkz.com

Sweet Shadowbox Book by Julia Stainton

 Many of my all-time favorite projects are altered projects. I love papercrafting off the page and away from the card to create a treasure that can be displayed. Yes, they can be time-consuming but the end result is always worth it. It's a labor of love.

 

Today I'm excited to share a new project with you using the Tim Holtz Mini Configurations Book. I love many things about this book.

1. It's a shadow box AND a book. The front cover can be closed for easy storage or mailing and it also a prop to help the shadow box stand up. And did I mention it's a book?! How can you not like a book? Fellow bibliophiles unite!
2. You can rearrange it. All those fun little boxes that can be embellished...they can be removed and reconfigured. Hmmm...how interesting. No wonder it's called a Configurations Book!
3. It you prefer to work in small projects, this works great. With 6 little boxes to design, this project can be completed in small increments. Bonus!

 

To start off this project, I decided to line each of the boxes with patterned paper and trim the edges and side walls with Tissue Tape. Even the outside of the book area of the box is trimmed out with tape for a cohesive look. There's lots of tape on a roll of Tissue Tape though, so don't worry, you won't run out. When choosing the inside paper colors, I used all prints from one pad of paper to make it easy and then varied and balanced the colors throughout.

Starting off with the largest box I layered in paper, a wood ATC panel and then filled a metal book plate will all manner of pretty embellishments.

The tiny square compartments are perfect for buttons, flair and other mini embellishments. Because this is a dimensional project, layering up your elements not only adds more interest but really helps the elements stand out in each box.

This key looked cute along in the little box but layering it on top of a chipboard tag, tying it with hemp and then adding on a button really makes it pop.

 

Finally, the last box layers together some painted chipboard, wrapped spools and pins and flowers. To keep the pins in the large spool from moving around, I placed a large daub of hot glue in the bottom of the spool, then set the pins in to dry.

Additional Design Notes:

• You can adhere the boxes into the book once the project is completed or leave them as is to change things up now and then. The tension fit will keep things in place.
• Use hot glue to adhere the standing embellishments so that they don't move around in the box.
• The box compartments are 3/4" deep. Keep the embellishing under that measurement so that your book will be able to close if desired.
• Mix it up...this is a great project for using up lots of wonderful bits and pieces.
• This book would look darling altered as a seasonal display, a mini wedding album or as a sweet accent for a child's room.
• Deciding on what you want to put in your box will help with designing the orientation of the compartments.

 Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom! Have a creative day!

Supplies:

 

Tim Holtz Mini Configurations Book	Oh Darling 6x6 paper pad by Crate Paper	Sketchbook Tissue Tape	Wooden ATC Lovely Prints
Jenni Bowlin Icon Flatbacks	Tim Holtz Word Keys	Tim Holtz hanger Clips	Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars
Tim Holtz, Ornate Book Plates & Fasteners	Maya Road Ruffle Blossoms, Cream & Mauve	Wood Mini Spools	Scallop Frames Chipboard Set
Chipboard Shipping Tags	Maya Road Wood Embellishments, Love You Heart Mini	Trinket Pins, Vintage Pearl	Maya Road Trinket Pin, Leaf, Green
Vintage Button Trinket Pins	Black Our Town Transparencies	laraine pearl white flowers	Vintage Style Wooden Spools
Distress Ink Pad, Brushed Corduroy	Studio Gesso	Studio Artist Brushes	Pink Lemonade Hemp Cord
Neutral Hemp Cord

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Fall Scrapbooking by Sharon Harnist

Hello and happy Fall, everyone! Cooler weather has finally made it down to the U.S. Gulf Coast, so it inspired me to do a little scrapbooking. I knew as soon as I saw this great "You are my sunshine" sentiment in the My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio patterned papers, I would use it on a scrap page of my daughters . . . I used to sing the song to both of them when they were little!  

I used the 6x6 paper pad and My Favorite Things Die-Namics Stax Pierced Rectangle (largest) was the perfect size to die cut it:

I am LOVING MFT's growing line of pierced edge dies (circle, rectangle, square and tag) ...  you can find them all HERE in Ellen's store. I know you'll be seeing a lot more projects from me using these sweet dies! And take a close look at how nicely they are packaged for you -- already on a magnetic storage sheet!  Hopefully you can see the great pierced edge detail by clicking on the photos for a larger view.

I also found this set of MFT's fabulous Blueprints dies that has some pierced/stitched elements in them ... Blueprints 1.  I used the scalloped rectangle from this die set to cut a mat for the sunshine sentiment from Memory Box Jack-O-Lantern Notecard. It is popped up with Copic's X-Press It Foam Tape over the photo:

The pierced/stitched long rectangle piece divides the photo of my girls from the great leaf embellishments, and I used the stitched circle element to stamp Fall 2013 (from MFT's Document It Days and Dates clear stamp set).

Since moving closer to the coast and more humidity, I've discovered my usual old faithful adhesive hasn't been holding heavier cardstock as well, so Copic's X-Press It 1/4-inch Tissue Tape has become my go-to adhesive for everything! Since it's acid-free, it's perfect for scrapbooking:

Ellen's Satin Silver Sequins were scattered in the lower left and top right of the page -- they pick up the grey tone of the dotted patterned paper and are held in place nicely with X-Press It's Glue Marker:

Tim Holtz's Tattered Leaves were die cut from more coordinating Chalk Studio patterned paper (sage and brown colors, to pick up tones in the photo) and were placed on a Prima ATC Stitched Canvas. My 8-inch page base is made from Hero Arts Layering Paper Mixed Sunshine -- to help resonate that great sunshine sentiment!

I hope your Fall weekend is filled with sunshine, too!

{Supplies}

My Mind's Eye 6x6 Paper Pad, Chalk Studio	MFT Die-namics Stax, Pierced Rectangle	MFT Die-namics, Blueprints 1	Sizzix Tim Holtz Bigz Die, Tattered Leaves
Prima Marketing ATC Canvas, Stitches	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Powder Blue & Teal	Memory Box Notecards, Jack-O-Lantern	Hero Arts Layering Paper, Mixed Sunshine
MFT Clear Stamps, Document It-Days and Dates	High Tack Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape, 1/2"	High Tack Double-Sided Tissue Tape, 1/4"	Copic X-Press It Glue Marker
Essentials by Ellen Sequins, Satin Silver	Tweezer Bee

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The Shabby Burlap Canvas by Julia Stainton

I'm a big fan of mini canvases.

I'm a big fan of burlap too.

That being said I just couldn't resist checking out the new Tim Holtz Burlap Panels.

I was pretty excited to get them and love how my first creative journey went with them. I made this sweet little mini canvas with one of the canvases. There's four in the package and that has me looking forward to creating more!

Here's what the burlap panel looks straight from the package. The texture is amazing! This panel measure 3"x4" in size.

To highlight all that gorgeous texture, I started off by brushing on some gesso. I like to put just a little on a brush and lighting brush it across to that you just get the tops of the fibers to make them stand out. Gesso dries really quickly so you can be onto the next step before you know it!

I like to use the Studio Multi-Mediums as an adhesive with mixed media projects. I've torn out a bird from some printed tissue. I like torn edges in mixed media as straight cut edges seem a bit hard and interrupt the flow of the design. This particular tissue by 7 Gypsies has recently sold out of Ellen's store but you'll find a link below to the Tim Holtz Melange tissue which is really very similar in style and works great as a substitute.

Another of Tim Holtz's new products that I just had to order and try is the new Fabric Packs. I love fabric and these swatches are going to get lots of use from me. They are perfect for paper crafting but I'm pretty sure my sewing machine will be coming out soon too! They come in 6x6", 8x8" and 12x12" sizes. I've used the 6x6" Eclectic Elements Pack.

Here's a piece of one of the prints cut out of the fabric using pinking shears.

Fabric is wonderful added to mixed media projects and it can be applied easily with the Studio Multi-Medium. I like to brush lots of the back of the fabric and in this case I've brushed it over the top as well once the fabric was adhered to the burlap panel.

Here's where I started experimenting a little. Rummaging through my stash looking for paint, I found some Ice Stickles and thought a little glitter and glam might be just the ticket on this project. I simply squirted a blob of it onto my work surface and spread it onto the burlap with my finger. Really truly, it wasn't that messy as fingers wipe clean easily and I was able to press it into the texture of the burlap exactly where I wanted it.

I found this a really great way to get the glitter into the project and not have it flying all around the room.

Next step in my canvas, I added in a little color using some Classic Teal Studio Paint. You'll see light touches of it here and there in the finished project. I still had a little on my brush when I painted the chipboard frame with white gesso and I love the hint of color it gives.

I like it so much that I just had to brush a little on the petals of these sweet paper flowers.

 I think these sweet mirrored stars are my absolute favorite product that Tim Holtz released at the recent tradeshow. I had to add one of them to the design as well.

The frame was adhered to the burlap panel and then all the pretty embellishments were adhered to finish off the design.

Lastly, here's a little closeup of all the fabulous texture on the edge of the burlap panel. When creating a canvas, don't forget the edges. Adding interest to them will finish off your design. If you'd like to see more detail on any of the images, just click on them and they'll expand in your browser.

With Christmas around the corner, this project has me thinking. Some little burlap panels would make a lovely and creative gift. What do you think?

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom! Have a safe and creative weekend!

Supplies:

Studio Gesso	Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars	Cosmo Cricket Canvas Brads	Ornate Tags Chipboard Set by Maya Road
laraine pearl white flowers	Melange Tissue Wrap	Tim Holtz Burlap Panels	Studio Multi-Medium, Matte
Studio Artist Brushes	Vintage Pale Pink Pearl Ball Pins	Ice Stickles Platinum	Studio Acrylic Paint Mini, Classic Teal

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Shabby Chic Assemblage Clock by Julia Stainton

Ever feel like there are just so many projects you want to try and just not enough time? I think most of us feel that way. I think the key is prioritizing and making a list of what you want to accomplish.

I've been keeping a crafting-must-try list lately and at the very top of it was the Tim Holtz Assemblage Clock. When I first saw it in the CHA Winter release previews, I gasped and knew it was going to be going into my shopping cart. I love all things to do with clocks and this clock/altered display item...well, it had me at hello.

When I first got my Assemblage clock, I was really impressed with how well made it is and how large it is. It's 7 inches tall. For some reason the photos I'd seen of it made me think it would be more like 5". I was thrilled with the larger size as it gave me a larger work area.

The back panel easily snaps on and off for altering. I decided that it would add extra dimension to alter the glass front of the clock as well as the inside and started off by adding rub-on transfers to the clock face. To apply the rub-ons, cut out the designs you wish to use and remove the backing. Apply to the surface you wish to transfer them to and then rub them on using firm pressure and a popsicle stick or the Basic Grey Rub-on Roller.

To create my background, I removed the back panel and traced the circle onto a piece of Craft-a-Board. You need something sturdy to support the embellishments and this does it well. After cutting the circle out, it was then covered with a piece of patterned paper. I went with a neutral paper and that works well as most of it gets covered up with the layers.

Next step is to add some layers. The kraft tag was stamped using some Shell Pink Paint Dabber and a Hero Arts Background stamp. I've used the same paint to coat the chipboard butterfly.

The coordinating solid butterfly from the same set was covered with patterned paper and the edges filed with the Basic Grey Precision File Set.

I like to keep adding layers until the design is balanced and it just feels right. The left side of the design is fairly simple, a large flower, as the rub-on on the front glass covers that area. I find using a hot glue gun works well for adding in all these heavy embellishments, especially when the design is going to be upright when on display.

You'll notice that I've repeated the rub-on transfer motifs throughout the design. You can see little butterflies and postage marks on the back layers near the top of the design. My favorite use of them is to embellish these sweet little wood spools.

Rub-on transfers are so versatile. This project uses them on glass, paper, paint, wood and even fabric. The little linen tag took the rub-on application perfectly and makes a sweet final accent.

Hope you've enjoyed this sweet timely project and that inspires you to make your own. Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom and have a wonderful weekend!

 

Supplies:

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Hello, Monday 03.18.2013

(click on the pic to en-biggan)

The camera trend is, well, trending! BAH HA HAAAA!!! And, I totally LOVE it! I have been collecting lots of camera embellishments to go with my stamps and dies. But, I am such a naughty little hoarder... *sigh*... I decided this week, that I was going to USE them and three card designs popped into my head, begging to be made real...

So, I hope you like cameras, too... 'Cuz when the little voices give me three ideas in one fell swoop, I have no choice but to ride the wave... I didn't even ride it to the end, but I got a good start. Heh, heh, heh! 

I also share a little tip for working with the Prima Marketing Metal Paper Clips in the video--if you watch and listen, you'll see what I mean. And, since I discovered that little trick, I'm stoked.  And, I want more of those Prima shaped clips!!! I'm kicking myself I didn't get the darn birds at the same time I got the cameras--cuz y'all know how I love me some birds, too!!! *chortle*

Hope you enjoy the video! You can watch it here or on YouTube and please subscribe to our channel!  We love sharing creative ideas with you!

Thanks for hangin' with me this Mundane morning and hope you have a gooder!

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

 

Clear Stamp Sheet, Say Cheese	Studio Calico ClearDesign, Oh Snap from Hero Arts	My Favorite Things Die-namics, Accent It - Cute Cameras	VersaFine, Onyx Black
Memento Ink Pad, Espresso Truffle	Prima Hello Pastel Collection, Metal Paper Clips	Studio Calico, Abroad Wood Veneer, Cameras	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Orange Flame
Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Vanilla	Essentials by Ellen: Sequins, Iridescent Daffodil	My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots, Boy Crazy	My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots, Cute from Collectable-Notable by Jen Allyson
Dylusions Ink Spray, White Linen	Accents, Glossy	Studio Calico Snippets 6x6 Paper Pad	My Mind's Eye Decorative Tape, Green & Navy
Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm 6x6 Paper Pad	Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Nesting Circles	Lifestyle Crafts Dies, Nesting Squares	Honey Bee Non Stick Scissors
Paper Shapers Circle Punch 1/2""	EK Paper Shapers Punch, 1/2 Circle	Tweezer Bee	Tweezers, Stainless
Craft Knife, Fingertip	Ruler, Tim Holtz Design	Glue Glider Pro Tool with Pro Plus PermaTac Cartridge	Glue Glider Pro Plus Refill, High Tac 58'
3D-Dots, 1/16" Thick	Essentials by Ellen: Craft-a-Board 6x12, 12p	Cardstock, Black, 10 pack	A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Ream
A Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pack	A3 Cardstock, Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Ream	Paper Trimmer, Tonic Guillotine 8 1/2"	Sew Easy Baker's Twine, Black
Doodle Twine Spool, Beetle Black	Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Black & Pink	Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini	Teflon Bone Folder

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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

Favorite Finds from CHA Winter 2013 - Video

Hi, everybody!

In lieu of a Hello Monday video, we're sharing some of the things we found at the CHA Winter 2013 show!  

CHA is the Craft & Hobby Association Trade Show that occurs every winter, typically down in Anaheim, CA. The show is open to the trade only (retailers, manufacturers, and other industry related businesses) and showcases products and lines that manufacturers are debuting for the new year.

Ellen and I arrived a day ahead of the show, and took classes to learn more about some of the exciting new products being released, such as the new Ranger Distress Paints!  This water based paint is very unique and features some very interesting properties, unlike any other paint we've ever worked with before! Watch the video to see and hear more about these paints and some of the other items we were *monkey clapping* over! 

You can enjoy the video here, or on YouTube!

Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse of some of the coming new products!  Keep your eye on the "Coming soon from CHA Winter 2013" category to see what will be arriving soon!

You are da' man... by Julie Ebersole

Guy cards can be hard. I'm lucky in that my guys have very definite tastes and interest so I know I can rely on themes like fishing, basketball, video games (the son), and nautical (we live on an island, and minus my son, the rest of the men in the family happen to find lighthouses intriguing. Go figure!).

But, what if your guy (dad, father, brother, friend, etc.) isn't into sports? Or the outdoors? Or tools? Or music? Or has absolutely no hobby whatsoever?

I've had this idea for a "generic" manly card for a while, and when Studio Calico released the Potty People Veneers, well, I just had to pull all the elements I thought would work together well into this card.

And, seriously?  Who can resist something called "Potty People"???  Cracks me!

I love the Veneers in their natural wood form, but for this design I felt he needed to be tinted, so I stuck him on the sticky side of a Post It Note--this way I could hang onto him and keep him stationary while I tinted him with some Distress Stain in Tumbled Glass.

I didn't have any herringbone patterned paper, so I used this fabulous Herringbone Cover-a-Card background stamp by Impression Obsession to make what I wanted--love that I can do that with stamps!  And, I used my favorite new gray colored ink--Memento Gray Flannel--LOVE!!!

BTW, I started out thinking the card base would be all herringbone, but as the project progressed, I realized it would be better as an accent with all the other elements I wanted to include, so I cut a strip from it and reserved the rest for a future project. I can see myself using the herringbone background stamp for making gobs of custom Washi Tape (video tutorial HERE) in the very near future...

 

I also knew I wanted to use one of my all-time favorite stamp sets "You're The Best" by Studio Calico/Hero Arts

There isn't a die to match that "seal" image, BUT don't be discouraged from fussy-cutting it out--it's actually quite easy and quick if you cut the points from one side, same direction, all the way around the whole image, and then go around and snip the opposite side of the points.

If you *really* do not want to trim it out, then try using a 2" circle punch or die--I didn't happen to have either one, but I love the look of it trimmed out anyway. So. *grin*

Once I realized I was going to need a different base card, I decided to go with black, for dramatic effect, and for texture I spritzed it using Mister Huey's in Calico White (tutorial for working with mists HERE). Calico White is *uber* cool on dark card stock, but it may take some time to dry (overnight).  Or if you're impatient like me, you can take a heat tool to it to speed things up.  The paper will warp a bit just from the mist, and from heating as well, so if that bothers you, once it's completely dry, stick it under a heavy book overnight to flatten.  However, I found that, once it was dry, as I continued working on the card it just became flatter on its own without me having to do too much. The Calico White Mist also has a slightly chalky residue, just so you're aware.

Remember Snap Stamps?  Karen Foster used to make them and we all went kinda nuts over them and then they quit making them.  To everyone's supreme disappointment.

Well, Prima Marketing has picked up the ball (thank you, Prima!!!) and revived the idea behind those alpha stamps, but I'd venture to say they also improved on the idea with their Prima Press Alphabets! Ellen and I were super excited when we spied them at CHA!  I'm using the one with the typewriter font (seriously, I cannot resist a typewriter font... ). I like the handle. I like the way the letters are screen-printed on the side of the plastic housing that mounts to the handle. I like that you can see very easily what you're trying to spell. I like that there are multiples of certain letters you'll probably need when composing a sentence or greeting. Like vowels.  *grin*

For the scale of my project, however, the letters were going to be spaced further apart than I wanted if mounted to the handle, so I left them off and just used them individually to get tighter spacing.  Worked FABULOUS!!!

 

If you're ever stumped for a generic masculine card that is suitable for pretty much ANY occasion, I hope this one sparks ya'.

Thanks for stopping by today!

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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS:

STAMPS: Hero Arts/Studio Calico "You're The Best" Clear Set, Starburst Background Rubber cling, Stepping Stone Alphabet Clear Set (Heyday Collection, coming soon); Impression Obsession Herringbone Cover-a-Card Background Cling Stamp; Prima Press Alphabet in Typewriter font by Prima Marketing

INKS: Adirondack Mountain Rose; Hero Arts Butter Bar, Soft Pool; Memento Gray Flannel & Tuxedo Black; Versamark; Mister Huey in Calico White; Distress Stain in Tumbled Glass

PAPER:  Neenah Solar White; Black Card Stock

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Potty People Wood Veneers by Studio Calico

TOOLS:  Embossing Magic; EK Success Honey Bee Scissors; Corner Chomper; Ranger Heat It Tool

OTHER: 3D Dots; Hero Arts White Embossing Powder

Watercolored Canvas by Julia Stainton

Canvas is such a wonderful textured fabric that is so popular in the papercrafting world right now. Is it any wonder with its beautiful texture and limitless possibilities? Recently I ordered some Canvas ATC's. That's Artist Trading Cards if you are unfamiliar with the term.

ATCs are usually 2.5" x 3.5" in size. Many crafters collect and trade them and they are a great little panel to experiment on.  I had thought to use them as a base for embellishments. I've done that and it's a great way to use them. The other day I decided to take a more artistic approach and use them to make a little stamped canvas panel for a birthday card for a friend. I'm pretty excited with how it turned out so I'll show you how I did it.

First of all I used a Craft Sheet to protect my work surface. This will get slightly messy with inks and water so this makes it super easy to clean up. I'm using a Hero Arts Basic Grey Stamp from the Konnichiwa line called Floral Blossoms. Using Jet Black Archival ink I inked it up and stamped my canvas ATC. Heat setting at this point will make your ink permanent.

Next I've added in my first layer of color. To do this I first mist the canvas with water so that the color will bleed all over the canvas and give you a beautiful watercolored look. A Mini Mister is perfect for applying water over your canvas. Apply inks to your canvas with a waterbrush and just get lots of color onto the canvas. It really doesn't look too exciting at this point but don't worry. It's easy to pick up ink by squishing your ink pad lids into the ink pad and then using the lid as a palette. After this step, use a heat gun to dry the canvas well.

Next build up the color slowly by adding in more color and shading with ink on your brush. You can also use dye-based markers to add in more precise details.

White gel pen makes it easy to add white highlights for a finishing touch. I really like the look of stamping over the entire piece when done with some text or a subtle background stamp. I've over-stamped this piece with the Old Letter Stamp in Aquamarine Archival Ink.

When creating a detailed panel, I always love to keep the focus on my mini work of art. That means a nice clean and simple white card base and a couple simple accents.

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom!

Happy creating!

 

Supplies: Stitches ATC Canvas by Prima Marketing, Floral Blossoms Basic Grey Konnichiwa Cling Stamp by Hero Arts, Old Letter Writing Stamp Set by Hero Arts, All Occasion Messages Stamp set by Hero Arts, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Aquamarine Archival ink by Ranger, Crystal Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Wood Buttons by Maya Road, Crushed Olive Distress Ink, Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Wild Plum Adirondack Ink and Sunshine Yellow Adirondack Ink by Ranger, Rose Bud Memento Marker by Tsukineko

WCMD 2011 - Sketch Challenge Julia Stainton (EHWCMD4)

Welcome to World Cardmaking Day fun at the CLASSroom! I'm excited to be bringing you a sketch challenge to get you creating today. Everyone loves a sketch challenge, right? I love creating sketches and I especially love a sketch challenge so I hope you'll join me and have some fun!

Here's the sketch...

 
Feel free to click on the image to enlarge and print it out.

I hope you enjoy this sketch. It's a square card that has many possibilities. I can't wait to see how you interpret it. Please feel free to turn it or flip it to suit your needs.

For my sample card for this sketch, I decided to put together a few of my favorite things. I love stamping with white ink on Kraft cardstock. It's such a classic and subtle look and isn't the Hero Arts Lace Background stamp stunning?

I was originally thinking patterned paper for the squares when I designed the sketch but decided to use squares of Printed Canvas to add texture to the design. The Ultimate Glue works really well for adhering this canvas to the card design.

To add in the circle to my design, I've traced a punched circle in pencil onto my card and then stitched over it. You can also try hand-stitching for this sketch detail or use your imagination.

To add color to my design, Glimmer Mist is perfect for altering flower embellishments. I love being able to customize them to each project.

The sentiment on this card uses both chipboard letters and stamping. I only wanted part of the sentiment (the word friend) and so I very carefully just inked up the one word and stamped it onto the canvas. To get a perfectly crisp impression when stamping on canvas and other fabrics, try using the Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. I find it works the best of any ink I've tried for this.

Supplies: Kraft Layering Cardstock by Hero Arts,  Lace Background Stamp by Hero Arts, Thank You for Being My Friend stamp set by Hero Arts,  Printed Canvas by Prima Marketing, Caribbean Blue Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, Twine by Jillibean Soup, Snowcap Adirondack Pigment Ink by Ranger, Wedding Shoes Innoscence Flower by Prima, sewing machine, Jet Black Archival ink by Ranger, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Alterable Ledger Alphas by Jenni Bowlin

Thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom and happy World Cardmaking Day!

---

SKETCH CHALLENGE

Come join in the fun and create a card using the fabulous sketch Julia provided above!

Once you have completed this challenge please be certain to link directly to that specific project in our WCMD Challenge Blog Candy post!

BLOG CANDY

We know you use fun supplies when creating, BUT we want to hear what is the most unusual found object (repurposed object) you have incorporated in to a paper crafting project. Please leave your answer to this question and some love for Julia in the comment section on this post for a chance to win the delicious goodies shown below.

 

All comments must be made by 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible.

Believe Canvas Layout by Julia Stainton

Have you ever created a project on something besides paper?

How about canvas?

This gorgeous canvas Mistable sheet was in my stash and just begging to be used. It's a fabulous surface for so many techniques. I've used a few today such as misting, stamping and embossing so why not join me for the tutorial? It's fun and do you know what I love most about it? Every time it turns out just a little different. I love the journey to the end result.

Today's layout is for my daughter. She's off to school this fall and I really miss her. Scrapbooking is a great way to relive those memories and hold your loved ones close.

This is what the canvas sheet looks like to start out with. It's already gorgeous plain but I thought I'd add a little color.

First of all I started off with embossing some designs on the canvas. Simply stamp in Versamark Ink and then emboss with clear embossing powder. If you do this on paper, you will form a resist. Because fabric is a little more porous, it usually doesn't resist too well but gives a great batik look and subtle design to the canvas.

Next up I added some misting to the design with Glimmer Mist. I love adding two or three colors together for a beautiful variation in the background. If you're in a hurry to continue, you can dry the canvas with a heat gun.

Adding some colored stamping to the canvas added a little more interest. I've used Aquamarine Archival ink by Ranger here. The Archival Inks are the best I've found for stamping on fabric.

Next step was to add some Stickles Glitter Glue to highlight the border of the design. This is the step that you won't want to rush to dry. Leave it and take a break for an hour.

My favorite part of creating is always adding in the embellishments. This flower is misted like the background to coordinate. The blue Prima Heart Trinket is simply stunning.

Canvas tags and butterflies are the perfect addition for this layout. A great way to adhere the buttons to the canvas is with Ranger Glossy Accents.

Finally, the title is made up of some very cool Wood Tiles. I've misted them as well to make them tone in with the layout.

 Have fun pulling out your mists and canvas and explore the possibilities!

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom!

 

Supplies: Mistables Canvas V by Prima Marketing, Eclectric Blue Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, Meadow Green Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, twine, Basic Grey Sweet Threads stamps by Hero Arts, Aquamarine Archival ink by Ranger, Doily Transparency by Maya Road, Vintage Green Pearl Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Buttons by Basic Grey, Glossy Accents by Ranger, Turquoise Stickles by Ranger, Snow Peony Innoscence Flower by Prima Marketing, Hearts Vintage Trinkets by Prima, Tiny Attacher by Advantus, Curio Canvas Tags by Basic Grey, Clear Embossing Powder by Ranger, Heat Gun, Butterfly - Romantique Reflections by Prima, Wood Alphabet Tiles, Antique Silver Keys

 

Canvas Purse by Sharon Harnist

You may remember this Canvas Wristlet I created a few months ago for my oldest (11 year old) daughter, which she loved!  But since I have two daughters, you know what happened ... yes, my 9-year old wanted to know where hers was!  So I found a different Canvas Alterable Wallet Ellen carries that I thought would work well for a little girl's clutch and it did!

Here's what the wallet looked like before altering:

It measures roughly 5.50" x 3.75".  I chose two coordinating colors of pretty pom-pom trim and attached one color to the front flap of the wallet (tangerine), and the other color to the inside of the flap (cherry pink), using Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive:

Since my girls love ANY kind of animal, she chose this sweet canvas/embroidered bird set to decorate her purse (you get both of birds in the package) -- I liked the denim color:

I used the Fabri-Tac again, to adhere the blue fabric bird to the front of the wallet.  The wings are detached, so you can choose to include them on your project or not, or perhaps mix and/or match or color the plain canvas wing a contrasting or coordinating color.  I opted for the coordinating fabric wing.

The canvas flower also comes detached from the wallet, so you can choose to use it or not on your wallet AND to make it easier to alter the front and then place the flower over the snap clasp.  I placed it a little off center, to give the bird a place to rest.

The inside of the wallet is just that -- two separate slots that would traditionally be used to hold credit cards and/or money, with an additional larger "pocket" to hold a little larger items (a lipstick or mirror, perhaps, or little girl trinkets!), along with a small zippered interior pocket:

 

To decorate the back of the wallet, I used one of the flocked butterflies I had left over from these canvas back-to-school tags I created.  It irons on quickly ... it took me longer to locate the iron and ironing board and get them all set up!

And best of all, the interior slots will also hold an iPod Touch, with plenty of room for earphones inside:

The detachable strap can also be used to clip this little wallet onto a belt loop or backpack ... for the girl on the go!  This is another fun, quick & easy project that your child can help you make -- I hope you'll try it and share your results!  ~ Sharon

Maya Road Canvas Alterable Wallet, 
Prima Canvas & Embroidered Birds, Cherry and Tangerine Pom-Pom Trim, Iron On Flocked Butterfly,
Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, 

Back-to-School Canvas Tags by Sharon Harnist

It’s Back-to-School time once again, so I thought I would make some cute personalized canvas tags my girls could use either on their backpacks or lunch bags.  Here’s what I came up with:

I started with this 6” x 3” Maya Road 3-Ring Rectangle Canvas Album and removed two of the “pages” to use for the base of the tags:

Next, I opened Ellen’s Seasonal Alphabet Download (letter A -- both of my girls’ first name initials) in Photoshop and changed the colors … one to a bright pink & green combo, the other to orange & green.  I added the monogram letters to each of my girls photographs and then printed them (approximately 2” x 2.5”) onto Claudine Hellmuth’s 8.5” x 11” Studio Sticky-Back Canvas.

I trimmed the photos, removed the backing from them, and stuck them to the canvas tags.  After machine stitching the photos to the canvas tags, I chose some Prima Iron On Butterflies and Iron On Daisies to add to the tags and ironed them on the fronts as well as the backs of the tags:

Lastly, I finished the fronts of the tags with some pretty natural colored lace, pom-pom, and tiny rose trims (either machine stitched on or held with Fabri-Tac).  Two of the three binder rings that came with the album will be used to attach the tags to whatever my girls would like to use them on.  I like that the holes in the tags are sturdy and reinforced with metal -- they should last a long time and I don’t think their backpacks or lunch bags will be mistaken for anyone else’s now!

I hope you’ll try some of the great canvas and iron-on items Ellen carries -- they can make some very unique, fun projects!  ~Sharon

Paper: Ranger Claudine Hellmuth’s 8.5” x 11” Studio Sticky-Back Canvas, 
Accessories: Maya Road 3-Ring Rectangle Canvas Album, Prima Donna Downey Iron On Butterflies and Iron On Daisies, Ellen’s Seasonal Alphabet Download, Prima Cream Crocheted Lace, Maya Road Ecru Pom-Pom and Small Organza Cream Roses, Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac,

Summer Bliss Card by Julia Stainton

The beautiful warm and lazy days of summer are here. For some that means more crafting time but for others like me, that can mean less. The kids are home and the lake is calling. I still want to find time to create. I still want the cards to be "me".

A great way to create cards and projects in the busy summer is to start with premade embellishments. Ellen carries a phenomenal selection and today I was drawn to create with some gorgeous Melissa Frances chipboard pieces. I could have created this card without the distressing and altering additions and it would have been perfectly beautiful and easy, just the way it was.

If you're like me though, you like to personalize things and truly make them your own. You like to get a little inky and play around with products that can quickly add dimension and alter a piece.

Here's a few things I did to step this card up just a little and still be able to put it together quickly.

1. Stamping: The large background chipboard piece is quickly stamped with a ledger stamp to anchor my cluster area and just add a little extra something.

In the above photo you can see the stamping and also take a peek at how the other embellishments looked before they were altered.

2. Ink: The quickest and easiest way to alter something is to brush or sponge it with ink. I've used white craft ink on this sweet little chipboard butterfly.

3. Crackling: I love a cracked glass finish. The garden lady chipboard piece was covered with Ranger Glossy Accents. Ranger's Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint would also work perfectly for this.

I admit to being a little impatient on this step for it to dry and used a heat gun to speed things up. If you allow it to dry naturally you will get MUCH better crackling on your item.

4.Stickles: Adding Stickles from Ranger is a great way to add a quick dab of shimmer and shine. I've used Rock Candy Distress Stickles to alter this white flower and add some very subtle texture. I love the Distress Stickles line when designing in a vintage style as the look is much more in keeping with the style.

Supplies: Cream Cardstock by Neenah, twine, 5th Avenue Chipboard Accents by Melissa Frances, Trendsetter/Ladies & Gents Petite Papers by Webster's Pages, Glossy Accents by Ranger, Rock Candy Distress Stickles by Ranger, White Pigment Ink, Mini Kraft Tickets by Maya Road, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Doilies Designer Threads by Webster's Pages, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger, Sepia Archival Ink by Ranger, Cream Ribbon Lace by Hero Arts, Wedding Shoes Flower by Prima, Receipt Stamp by Jenni Bowlin, Chipboard Butterflies by Magenta, Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz

Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a wonderful summer weekend!

Canvas Fun by Sharon Harnist

 

Canvas is a hot current trend and Ellen carries a HUGE selection of almost any kind of canvas item you'd like to try out . . . from pre-printed or blank canvas tags, to albums and 3-D items, purses or camera bags, even canvas laminated chipboard!  I decided to try out this Maya Road Alterable Canvas Wristlet (measuring approximately 3.5" x 4.5"), because I thought it would be the perfect size for my daughter's iPod Touch (or even a cell phone) and I was right ... it fit perfectly!

To dress it up, I chose these fun, bright and cheerful Prima Canvas Embroidered Fabric Flowers:

The bonus here is that not only do you get the printed fabric flower in the package, but also a plain canvas flower to use on another project (and there will be more from me, I'm sure!).

Upon examining the structure of these flowers, I discovered the petals of the printed fabric flower (but not the canvas flower) were all stitched separately, and then glued together well to form the flower.  I gave two of the petals a firm tug to take them off, so that three of the petals, center and stem would all fit on the back of the wristlet:

I used Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive to secure the flower to the back of the wristlet, wrapped the stem around to the front of the wristlet, and then finished off the front with one of the two remaining petals.  My experience with Fabri-Tac is that it holds extremely well, but you could also hand stitch the petals into place, if you wish.  The wristlet can even be clipped to jeans or shorts belt loop or a backpack, ready to hold the iPod or phone, complete with earphones!  There is also a pocket on the front, to hold money, credit card, etc.  I also like that with this whole project being made of canvas and fabric, it's totally washable!

Hummm . . . Mom just might have to borrow this wristlet for her own iPhone or iPod for her walks or bicycle rides!  What a great gift this would make for any pre-teen or teen . . . they could even make this project themselves!  ~ Sharon

 
Maya Road Alterable Canvas Wristlet (3.5" x 4.5"),
Prima Canvas Embroidered Fabric Flowers,
Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive,

Masking with Stencils...1,2,3 by Julia Stainton

Masking is one of those limitless techniques. There are just so many fabulous possibilities with it. Lately I've been enjoying masking with stencils and today I have three projects to share from one technique. I just couldn't bear to throw a scrap of it away.

Stencils are a wonderful tool. They are easy to use, store and they will last indefinitely. This pretty background was created by masking a stencil and sponging on different colors of distress ink.

To use your stencil as a mask, place it over your paper and then either hold it down firmly, adhere it with removable adhesive or as I've done here, hold it down with magnets and on the Basic Grey Magnetic Precision Mat Kit. You want to make sure that it doesn't slip or move.

Begin by sponging on ink over each flower and leaf.

Keep adding ink until the entire stencil area is covered and the colors blend together.

This is my favorite step...removing the stencil reveal the beautiful white pattern beneath. I cut this masked paper into three pieces to make my three projects.

To create my first card, I just left the beautiful pattern alone and simply stamped a sentiment from the Hero Arts stamp set. All three projects use stamped sentiments from this set. It's so versatile.

Next I created a 3"x4" tag to coordinate with the birthday card. I thought it would be fun to tie onto a kraft gift bag. I've added a little glitter to the masked surface to add some shimmer and shine.

 To cover an inked surface with glitter, I like to use a dry adhesive so that the ink doesn't run. The Be Creative Sheets work really well for this. After applying the adhesive sheet to your surface, sprinkle with glitter and burnish in for a beautiful shimmery finish.

My last project is a card that I decided to give a different look to. This time the panel was simply misted and flicked with Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist for a more rustic look.

To accent the design, I've added Maya Road wood buttons that have been inked to the center of three of the flowers.

Supplies:

Solar White cardstock by Neenah, Kraft Cardstock, Find Joy Stamp set by Hero Arts, 8x8 Mask III by Prima Marketing, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Dried Marigold Distress Ink and Crushed Olive Distress Ink by Ranger, twine, Green Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Fiesta Innoscence flower by Prima Marketing, Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, sewing machine, wood buttons by Maya Road, Be Creative Adhesive Sheets, Transparent Microfine Glitter by Glitter Ritz, Tim Holtz Hinge Clip, Mauve silk ribbon by May Arts

I hope you enjoy trying out this fun technique. Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and happy creating!

 

Shaded Delicate Blossoms by Sharon Harnist

Today I'm sharing this gorgeous Hero Arts ClearDesign-Delicate Blossoms stamp I used on this 6x6 stamped art piece that I colored with Copic markers.  I stamped the blossom image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic's X-Press It Blending Card.

I used two of the new Copic 2011 colors: BG70 and YG61 ... I love how these new lighter colors help extend the color range of some of my favorite blending groups!  The lightest part of the blossoms is the BG70 I used to base color the entire blossom, and then left that lighest color showing while adding depth to the rest of the blossoms, using the rest of the BG blending group: BG72, BG75, and BG78.  Remember, laying down the lightest color in your blending group first will allow the rest of your colors to blend easier.

Generally, you'll want to add your deepest color towards the bottom or inside of a blossom, or where one petal meets another one or casts a shadow onto another petal.

I used the new YG61 towards the bottom of the flower stems, where they would be lighter, with more daylight hitting them, and then used the darker colors of the blending group (YG63 & YG67) towards the tops of the stems where they would be darker and have shadows cast against them from the blossoms.

For the shadowing behind and under the flowers, I used this Copic blending group: E40, E41 and E42 since it matched the colors in the pretty Prima Reflections 6x6 paper I chose. Marianne Walker's Shadows & Shading-A Beginner's Guide to Lighting Placement is a fabulous tool that goes into great depth and detail on how to place cast shadows and shading and what color they should be:

I die cut the floral image with Tim Holtz's Sizzix On The Edge Die-Scallops simply by placing the edger die on each side of the image and running it through my die cut machine twice ... a different way to use those edger dies!

Finally, the Hero Arts Essential Messages sentiment was stamped on more of the Reflections patterned paper, hand cut into a banner shape, and the edges inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and machine stitched to the floral image.

~ Sharon

Stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign-Delicate Blossoms & Essential Messages,
Paper: Copic X-Press It Blending Card, Prima 6x6-Reflections,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Brushed Corduroy,
Copic Markers: BG72, BG75, BG78, YG63, YG67, E40, E41, E42; New Copic 2011 colors: BG70 and YG61; Pitch Black Atyou Spica Glitter Pen;
Tools: Sizzix Tim Holtz On The Edge Die-Scallops, Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper,
Accessories: Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Dots, Glue Glider Pro-Perma Tac, Sewing machine; Marianne Walker's Shadows & Shading-A Beginner's Guide to Lighting Placement

Spring Photo Tray by Sharon Harnist

Time for an update of my seasonal Photo Tray for Spring & Summer!  You can find my other seasonal Photo Trays here (Fall) and here (Christmas), if you care to get some other ideas of how this tray can be used.  I use temporary adhesive on each of the 4" x 6" panels within each tray section, so they can be removed and the tray used over and over again!  I used this gorgeous new Prima 6x6 paper pad-Madeline, for an easily coordinated tray.

In the top left section, I used Spellbinders largest Labels Large Nestabilities die to cut the photo of my oldest daughter (showing off her new glasses!) -- notice that pretty embossed edge of the photo!  I love using dies to cut my photos into unexpected shapes -- I think it gives my scrapbooking a nice professional touch.  

The flower accent was cut from coordinating Madeline paper using Tim Holt Bigz Die-Tattered Florals.  It's quick and easy to cut all the coordinating flower pieces you need in just one die!  I stacked the pieces together with 3D Foam Squares, and accented the center with a Hero Arts Medium accent pearl.

In the upper center section, the bird cage was die cut from a sheet of cork that was backed with a sheet of Be Creative tape:

Then I just cut away pieces of the adhesive backing from where I wanted the cork to adhere to the butterfly patterned paper in a curved dimensional shape.  The adhesive sheet helps give the cork more stability, to retain its curved shape and makes it super easy to adhere to the paper.  Then I just trimmed the patterned paper around the cage and laced it up with Brown Twine, and walah . . . caged butterflies!

This Tim Holtz Caged Bird die contains two images:

Here's how I used the bird in the upper right section:

For this sweet bird die cut, I adhered Creative Imaginations Real Cherry Wood Cherry to Craft-a-Board to give it more stability and then die cut it -- I love the texture!  It's popped up on foam tape.  I loved this wonderful scalloped sentiment piece that is from another piece of the Madeline paper. It says: "True beauty lies within. I know that yours will shine so brilliant it will be blinding."  Something I hope my beautiful daughters learn in life.

 
My favorite section is fabulous dress I created!  I used Tim Holt's Bigz Die-Sewing Room dress form to cut Craft-a-Board, which was then sponged with Antique Linen & Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks:

Then I adhered a large Prima Cherry Rose Trim to the dress form -- one flower was all that was needed of this gorgeous trim:

I trimmed the flowers to fit the dress form, and then finished it with a Hero Arts Small Accent Pearls necklace.  My oldest daughter said she wants a dress like this!

The final two sections on the lower right were accented with huge Spellbinders Nested Butterfly die cuts.  I cut the largest butterfly in half and adhered the halves in each section and then topped it with the middle butterfly die that was adhered on top of the section divider and finished with Hero Arts Medium accent pearls.  Some Maya Road Cream Small Organza Rose trim was used in each section, to help tie them together.  In the left section, I used pieces of the fuschia Tattered Flowers die cuts that were left over from the top left section, topped with one of the small organza roses.  The small label cut out in the left section is from another piece of the Madeline paper, cut in half:

The photo of my youngest daughter was cut with a circle die.  I hope this tray helps to give you some ideas of different ways you can use this wonderful 7 Gypsies Black Photo Tray!

~ Sharon Harnist

Paper: Prima 6x6 paper pad-Madeline, Magenta Cork sheet, Essentials by Ellen Craft-a-Board, Creative Imaginations Real Wood Cherry-Thin,
Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks-Antique Linen & Brushed Corduroy, Ink Blending Tool; 
Tools: Sizzix Tim Holt Bigz Die-Tattered Florals, Caged Bird & Sewing Room; Spellbinders Nested Butterfly, Labels Large Nestabilities & Circle Nestabilities die sets
Accessories: 7 Gypsies Black Photo Tray, Prima Cherry Rose Trim, Hero Arts Medium & Small Accent Pearls, Maya Road Cream Small Organza Roses, Jillibean Soup Brown Twine, Be Creative (Sookwang) Sheet adhesive, Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares, Glue Glider Pro Repositionable tape, 

ATC Fun and Random Drawing for Ellen's ATC

ATC's have always intrigued me, but I must admit this is a new adventure for me - I cannot remember ever creating one before (insert big eyes!) I had no idea what the "requirements" are for an ATC and so I began with what I know. I know that Claudine has ATC sized Sticky Back Canvas, so I went and grabbed one to use for this project :-D

So what is an ATC? I decided I'd best figure that out and there is NO better resource than the CLASSroom - right?!? Note the wonderful categories on the side index - yes sir, ATC or Altered Trading Cards are right there amongst the mix. A little reading was in order - I encourage you to follow this link and read more about ATC's if you have never created one and are intrigued. 

 

With Sticky Back in hand I decided to do a transfer, but what could I try that might be an interesting lesson. I decided to test the punched edge to see what type of interest this would add to a project.

 

Apply a generous amount of Matte Multi-Medium to the canvas face and then a small amount to the printed side of the patterned Prima paper. Rub the paper firmly to affix to the canvas and let it dry. Yes, this is the hardest part --- allowing it to fully dry is imperative!

 

Once completely dry mist the paper until you see the paper change color. In the photo above you will note how the paper in the center is not moist enough - this will not rub off easily. Once again use the flat part of your finger as I showed in the Transparency transfer to remove the excess paper. You will notice how the top edge does not have the decorative paper transfered to the canvas - this is because there just wasn't enough adhesive in that location to affix the decorative paper properly. I love that random look and so when applying the adhesive to my canvas I allow some portions to be drier than others to get this random application. You will also note that I really did try and define that punched edge by applying plenty of adhesive to that area before the drying process began.

 

Remove as much of the paper "fuzzies" as possible. If you would like to get rid of that white cast brush a very light coating of matte multi-medium over the finished piece. The part on the left is still not covered so that you can see a comparison.

 

I knew I wanted to add some fairly heavy embellishments to my ATC and so I decided to use Craft-a-Board as my base. Craft-a-Board and Color Wash are a match made in heaven! In my spray box I misted the surface with Stream Color Wash and some plain water until the surface was soaked. Using a brayer I then went over the surface. This grabbed a little of the color from previous sprayings and achieved the most gorgeous color mix. Hopefully soon I will have the time to do a "Use Your Spray Box To It's Full Advantage" post. :-D

 

Inking one of my favorite Hero Arts backgrounds with Walnut Ink was the finishing touch for my ATC backing.

 

I don't know if you recall my foray into Shimmer Sheetz the other day, but the flower shown above is one of those experiments :-D I simply punched the flower from the Shimmer Sheet and then heated it, curling the petals while it was warm. Susan, who happened to be in my studio that day (yes, I'm a lucky lady!) grabbed an embossing stylus and put a vein down the center of each petal. We then used the Crafter's Pick to add a hole. This flower turned out to be THE perfect color embellishment for this project - I love when a happy coincidence occurs! Using a Tim Holtz foliage piece together with a brad I attached the flower as shown above.

Remember that you can alter the length of chain on most of these embellishments. Simply removing a few of the links made the length much more appropriate.

 

What could be more perfect for an ATC than an Odds and Ends ticket (using a Stamp-a-ma-jig helps me get these tickets in the best position on my ticket strip), together with a mini paper clip and a bird for that little bird house?!?

 

Yes, my little ATC is REALLY lonely in this adorable Mini Library Drawer. If you collect ATC's then this little drawer is THE perfect place to store your collection.

I believe that the point of ATC's is to just create for art's sake and then trade them, so with that I will be giving my lonely little ATC to someone who might enjoy having this lonely little character - LOL! I know that there is absolutely no way I can make enough to trade but I can give the one away that I did make... if you would like to be included in a random drawing for this little ATC you must show me your ATC's! At the end of this post we would love for you to share one of your ATC projects! Link us up and inspire other's to just create art for arts sake :-D

 

stamps: Hero Arts Cling Fabric Design Background, Tim Holtz Odds and Ends

ink: Distress Walnut Stain Ink, Archival Coffee, Stream Color Wash

paper: Memory Box Bayou CS, Prima 6x6 Madeline, Craft-a-Board

accessories: Studio Line Natural ATC Sized Sticky Back Canvas and Matte Multi-Medium, Prima Vintage Bird Trinkets, Tim Holtz Crafter's Pick, Ticket Strip Die, Foliage, Mini Paper Clips, Swivel Clasp; Hero Arts Self-Adhesive Cream Ribbon Strip, EK Success Deco Scallop Punch, Iridescent Black Shimmer Sheetz, Martha Stewart Flower Punch and Stamp, 7 Gypsy Antique Brass Reinforcer and Mini Library Drawer

You have until March 2nd to create an ATC and share it with us here to be included in a random drawing for my ATC. I would love to hear from you --- tell me if you create and trade ATC's. If so how many do you typically create? Thank you and have a wonderful day!

ETA: Please feel free to add your ATC to the Gallery and link to it there!

Countdown to Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Mix and Match Products - 2

One of the projects that captivated me at CHA was a canvas apron that had been colored using the Faber-Castell product line. The Faber-Castell design team has been doing a fabulous job of educating on their blog using their new product line and I have been taking it all in. I would very much like to encourage you to visit their blog if you are intrigued; there is SO much to learn and gorgeous samples to whet your appetitie. 

I read through the directions that Rita Barakat put together for her apron project. Then with my basic little set of tools in hand I began to explore creating on canvas. I felt that starting small was definitely the way to go, so selected one of the smaller canvas products we carry. Trust me when I say that we have a LOT of canvas options for you to try - LOL!

As an aside I just wanted to share how easy it is to search our store for the products we use right here in the CLASSroom blog.

 

By typing a single word, such as canvas, in the search mechanism (note the red arrow above) and clicking on go, all the products in our store, Ellen Hutson LLC, that have the word canvas in them will show up for you to see. SO easy --- at least we hope - LOL! 

 

One of the products that Faber-Castell has in the line that intrigues me is the PITT Artist Pens. I felt that this product needed some exploration. Following are some of the key pieces of information I felt you should know about these pens included in the Faber Castell Design Match program:

• made from pigmented India Ink - which means they are permanent, waterproof when dry, smudge proof AND extremely fade-resistant (or lightfast),
• acid-free and archival,
• won't bleed through paper,
• two sizes of nibs - the Big Brush Pen (perfect for stamper's who want to ink larger stamp surfaces using a pen) and the Artist Pens (with reversible Brush Nib for long use),
• can be applied directly to Clear Stamps and red rubber alike for interesting impressions!,
• works on all types of paper, and even canvas,
• odorless and non-toxic,
• perfect companion to watercolor pencils and gelatos due to their waterproof quality,
• the black Artist Pens are lightfast for 100 years (I doubt anyone will want to hang on to my projects that long - LOL!) and are available in additional nib sizes - extra superfine (.1mm), superfine (0.4mm), medium (0.8mm) and brush.

 

I began with one of the gorgeous Prima masks, outlining it with the fine brush tip pen. As you can see I simply placed a glue dot on the bottom side of the mask to hold it in place on the canvas.

 

This photo is for comparison purposes - the top pen is the Big Brush Pen and the lower one is the Artist Pen. As you can see their is a lot more ink in the large pen, as well, the larger tip makes quick work of larger surfaces and coloring directly on your stamp. (That lesson is going to be coming soon :-D)

 

I then used the Big Brush pen to add additional color to my background and define this area more. The tones on these two markers complement one another perfectly.
 

Next I worked with a tube of the Gelato and brushed the surface of this chapstick like tube directly to my canvas.

 

The final step was to add some additional orangey-red with my Aquarelle watercolor pencil.

Using my fine-tip waterbrush I then began to work the color into the surface of the canvas. As you can see I stayed within the lines because I wanted a fairly crisp image defined. The wonderful thing about the PITT markers is that they are waterproof once dry. I found that even though I was working on canvas and thought that my color might really bleed into my image the bleed was minimal. If I had wanted I could have controlled this even further by heating my project to quickly dry it, but I loved the way it looked! 

 

As you can see the color really intensifies after it has had water added to it. Make certain to leave some "white space" when adding your colors so that you get a varied background!

 
To create the sentiment tag I simply colored directly on my clear stamp with the Big Brush marker and then stamped it on the mini ticket.

 

To complete the look I stamped a sentiment using Studio Paint to "ink" my stamp surface. I can hardly wait for the pens to arrive - I really want to try the Big Brush pen in black to see how it will work on canvas. There are many inks that do work on fabric, but I have found that with the bumpy texture of canvas paint is definitely the best medium for getting a clean stamped image.

Exploring and learning about a new product is so much fun! Being one who absolutely loves to color these products definitely intrigue me - so tell me, what do you think so far? Have you seen other's working with them?

 

Faber-Castell Design Match products are arriving Wednesday, February 23 and will be found in the New Category :-D

stamps: Studio 490, Be Happy Make Art, Inkadinkado Inchie Greetings

accessories: Prima Mask II and Bird Trinket, Red Twill, Hero Arts Cream Self-Adhesive Lace and Art Flower, Maya Road Mini Ticket, Tim Holtz Memo Pin, E-Line Bermuda Breeze Flower, Studio Line Charcoal Black Paint and Ink Blending Tool

Working with Flocked Rub-Ons

Good afternoon everyone! It is fun to see your response to our "Inside the Package" question. Yes, it is work, but I will do my best to start sharing what I "see" when the goodies arrive and I really do put it back or write down on the packing list that I took it (most of the time I think :-D)

I don't know if you realize that we try and take each new paper collection and pull all the coordinating Memory Box and Hero Hues colors, noting them within the product description to help you better know what colors will coordinate with each new paper collection we carry! (Here is an example of that listing.) We have put together color swatch samplers for both Memory Box and Hero Arts paper for you to purchase and have on hand to truly "see" the colors in person rather than just on your computer screen. We are currantly missing a couple of Memory Box papers, but hopefully Dave will get those to us soon so that we can put together more samplers. With SO many papers arriving we are a little behind, but I know that Julia and I will be doing our best to get these selected to help guide your choices within the next week.

Today I am going to share details on how to use some of the products I showcased in yesterday's post. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate your support of our store - to keep this business going is no easy task in today's economy and so we thank you for shopping with us when you have so many other's you could shop with. I will continue to try my best to show you how to use the products we sell.

 

So many beautiful products, so many choices... what is your favorite size to create in? OR are you like me and like to try a little of everything? My goal with these projects was to showcase a variety, in hopes of appealing to all of you.

 

This first project was designed to show you the new flocked rub-ons. I was just like each of you thinking, "How on earth will that work?"

 

These rub-ons come in sheets. Simply cut out the image you would like to use. Then remove the top protecting sheet of plastic leaving the sticky side shown above exposed.

 

Flip the image over and position it in the desired location. I REALLY like the Basic Grey Rub-On tool for affixing rub-ons. You can use a popsicle stick or a teflon bone folder to apply these as well, but the roller ball in the end of the Basic Grey tool makes applying the rub on so easy. Make certain to apply pressure evenly to the entire surface of the rub-on.

 

I lift just a corner of the rub-on to see if it has adhered properly before removing the backing. If I see any portion not affixed I lay it back down and continue to apply pressure evenly over that area. At CHA I even affixed one of these flocked rub-ons to a canvas surface - a simply stunning combination of textures!

 

Carefully remove and you will see the amazing detail revealed! So here is where I am a little odd... I can hardly wait to use the "trash" and turn that portion of the image into it's own little "treasure."

Using all the parts is something I love to do - watch for another challenge shortly, but for now you must join in our Tag Technique Challenge (the Gallery link) - there is a wonderful $50 shopping spree in store for one of the lucky individuals who participate in our current challenge!

 

Another product I have found so useful as of late is the Fabri-tac adhesive - it is a little "stringy" when applying, but positioning my trim and having it hold and dry quickly is a breeze with this glue!

 

Rather than applying it in one straight line I wanted to share that you can create wonderful wavy lines with some of these more open trims! Placing parts of it on top of the focal point really draws your eye to that focal point.

 

You will also note that I trimed a single flower from the new Prima trim. I then attached this single flower to a small styrofoam piece I cut from a styrofoam ball. This adds depth to that little hot pink flower.

I love the textures and translucency of the opal like drop and the satiny finish of the new Hero Arts dots. Spring is in the air with this creation - now if only it would be here in Seattle - :-D

This is going to be a very busy week here - it is mid-winter break so my daughter will be top priority. As well I have an upcoming birthday that I will be keeping for the rest of my life - LOL! I won't be getting any older in the coming years - ha! ha! ;-D I am trying to get some posts in place today that will go live throughout the week, so be certain to stay tuned as we begin the countdown to the arrival of the Faber-Castell product line over the next three days and then the final post to share how I created the ATC.

Thank you for once again stopping in here at the CLASSroom - have a wonderful day!

 
paper: Prima Marketing 6x6 Madeline, Memory Box Bayou Notecard

accessories: Prima Marketing Melody Flocked Rub On, Vintage Tear Drop Trinket, Turquoise Ribbon Lace and Cherry Rose Trim, Basic Grey Rub On Roller, Tim Holtz Mini Paper Clips and Jump Rings (I changed the jump ring out on the Tear Drop to Pewter to coordinate with the 7 Gypsy Clip) 7 Gypsy Gator Clip, Webster's Pages Sparkler, Hero Arts Foliage Dots, Fabri-Tac Adhesive, Micro Glue Dots (perfect with the new Hero Hues Dots)

Inside the Package - Prima Style

I thought I would start something a little different here in the CLASSroom. When the title "Inside the Package" pops up on your feed burner reader you will know that I have been bugging the girls in the warehouse again - LOL! 

When new products arrive in the warehouse I can't help myself... I jump up from my desk and start making the girls crazy by pulling things out of the boxes. I have tried to discipline myself and make certain that I put it all back, so that they can count it in, but sometimes I think perhaps I am to blame for the wrong inventory counts - oops! Sorry about that, but this is what I do...

I pull the new products out of the boxes to see the colors, to see what goes together, and... so I thought I would share some of my discoveries here in the CLASSroom.

This week we received a HUGE new group of products from Prima and they are simply breathtaking. Today's photo discoveries include the a size comparison between the 8 1/2" x 11" paper pads and the 6" x 6" paper pads.

 

The paper pad on the left is the new Madeline 8 1/2" x 11" size and on the right are two pages from the 6" x 6" paper pad.

 
As you will see the scale of these two paper pads is perfect for card making, ATC's, Inchies and more. These are sneak peeks of projects I created using the new Prima products and I will be sharing them this coming week :-D So please come back and join me!

Last year when I attended CHA I spoke with Tammy and asked her if she would be willing to create their paper pads in the 6x6 size, because if she did I would be interested in carrying them in our store. I explained to her that most of our customers create cards and that the typical paper size we start with is 8 1/2" x 11". I shared that I felt that we would love to work with the Prima style of papers and would appreciate so much if she would consider adding new sizes to her line. Well... ask and you shall receive :-D

 

The Inchie above is placed over one of the papers in the 6x6 paper pad and the inchie + and twinchie are placed atop the same paper in the 8.5 x 11 paper pad.

 

Included in some of the 8 1/2" x 11" pad are designs that can be cut to fit the front of your cards! The pad shown above is from the Botanical collection.

 

Another innovation that I had the pleasure of using at CHA were the flocked rub-ons. These are truly innovative and SO wonderful to touch :-D

 
This last picture was taken to show the scale of the trim. Each "flower" is about 2" in diameter, but is made up of eight blooms! In one of the projects I actually cut out an individual bloom to use on my card. SO many options!!!

So what do you think about this idea? Is it something that you appreciate or is it just an unnecessary taking up of space? Yes, I'm OK with you being brutally honest - LOL! My goal is to be gere to help you; not to just waste your time. I felt this might be helpful because I am an internet only store and I can see the goodies that arrive, I touch them, work with them and can share my findings with you. So tell me what you think in the comments section below. Would you like to see more photos than I shared today, was it helpful to see the products side-by-side, to see how the colors work together,... Share your thoughts - we would love to hear from you!