Stacy's Paper Crafts

Frosted Cookie Ornaments

Happy Saturday everyone! I’m back today to share some ornaments that I created for my Christmas tree this year. 

These faux frosted cookie ornaments were made from cardstock! I used my Silhouette to cut the shapes, and after adhering 8 or so layers to create a sturdy almost chipboard like base I applied some Distress ink around the edges to give them a baked appearance.

 

 

I also applied a few coats of Matte Medium especially along the sides to help preserve the "cookies" and then got to work decorating them! I added some Diamond Dust glitter to the snowflake cookies and sealed it with a few coats of Matte Medium.

I used white dimensional paint to create the frosting for all of the cookies and used some 4mm no hole plastic beads to create the sprinkles.

 

I added some superfine glitter to this one. I had a lot of fun creating these cookies and look forward to "baking up" some more batches!

 

Meet Gina The Telephone!

After seeing Kristianne's Old School Phone tutorial I had to make one! It's been a long while since I've created a 3D project without the aid of dies or SVG cut files. Actually the bulk of the project was created without them, however I did use circle dies, a heart die for the dial, and my Silhouette to cut the keyhole heart for the coin base. This was a really fun "back-to-basics" paper crafting project that was pretty easy to assemble and I love how it turned out!

 

Initially I struggled with getting the phone cord to stick. I'm not sure what it is about me and hot glue, but I'm not a fan. Whenever I use it, I find it to be super messy! Although it does set quickly, it doesn't always set permanently. Perhaps I'm using the wrong glue? Anyway, after fiddling with the phone cord I found that adding a "washer" and using hot glue to set it quickly was helpful but using a liquid permanent adhesive really makes a difference in helping the cord stay attached. I waited about 10 minutes to let the hot glue set, and then added some Beacon's 3-in-1 glue.

 

 

To create the "washer" I used a circle die to cut 5 or 6 circles, and then used a circle punch to cut out the centers. I adhered them together and then adhered it to the coin base. I'm definitely going to be making another one and will add a washer to the phone receiver as well. It does a nice job of adding a little extra support for the cord especially while the glue cures

 

Helpful tips to consider...

*Use a heavy weight cardstock. I used 100lb. for both versions, but I'm going to try using a 110 or 120lb. weight for my next one.

*Use a strong adhesive.

*Create some liner panels for the inside of the boxes for a more finished look. This is especially helpful if the glue tabs that you cut are wonky looking.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check out Kristianne's Youtube Channel and Instagram #pha2022ginathetelephone for more crafty inspiration!

Coffin Shaker Treat Box

Hi Everyone, Happy Halloween! I have a fun project to share with you today! I decided to try my hand at making a shaker treat box after creating yesterday's fun card. You could also use this box as a home decor piece too! This post is somewhat lengthy because I've included some pretty detailed instructions as to how I created this treat box, hopefully you'll find this information to be helpful!

 

 

I used my Cameo to cut the Spider Coffin Box SVG cut file from the Silhouette Design Store, but instead of using the spider web layer, I traced it to create a solid panel. I cut it to use as a template for my acetate window sheet. I then copied it, and did an internal offset to create the window for the box lid. In order to get the placement aligned, I selected the internal offset panel and the box lid and centered and then grouped them together. I also created an offset piece so that the box would coordinate with the card I created yesterday. I stamped it using Versamark ink and the Background Stripes stamp by Red Rubber Designs, heat embossed it using black sparkly embossing powder, and added some inking along the box using Versafine Onxy Black ink.

 

 

After assembling the box, I adhered the acetate panel to the inside of the lid, and applied a double layer of foam tape to line the inside edges. I added my shaker elements: seed beads, tube confetti, and glitter, and then adhered the inside panel to seal it. I went a little overboard with the shaker filler here, perhaps as I create more I'll get a better feel for the right ratio of shaker filling for my projects. I also added a layered strip of red & white cardstock and a little spider that I fussy cut from Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat Jumbo Digital Stamp Set to embellish the box. You can find a supply list below, thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Pickled Potpourri Designs' Scaredy Cat Jumbo Digital Stamp Set & Red Rubber Designs' Background Stripes

Paper: Bazzill Blackberry Swirl, Bazzill Cherry Splash & Neenah Solar White 80lb. cardstocks

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Versamark Ink

Other: Spider Coffin Box SVG cut file, Seed Beads, Tube confetti, Red glitter, Ranger Ink Black Sparkle Embossing Powder, Foam tape, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive, Double Sided Adhesive

 

*Some Scrapbook.com and Amazon.com affiliate links used at no extra cost to you

 

Layered Heat Embossing

Happy First Day of Fall! It's my absolute most favorite season of the year! It's the time of year when my body feels fewer MS aches and pains, my muscles are less spastic, the humidity is more bearable, AND I can actually spend some time outdoors. It's also when I feel most creatively inspired! The changing colors and textures in nature around my community has a way of stirring my crafty mojo. 

 

My project today is a super textured card inspired by the sketch challenge over at Sunday Stamps.

I started out by cutting a leaf die cut using my Silhouette. I inked the surface of it using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it using copper embossing powder. I then stamped the background stamp from the Here I Am stamp set by Red Rubber Designs using Versamark ink. I then heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I also sponged a little black ink along the edges of the leaf.

Although the crisp stamped pattern is lost, the second layer of embossing powder gives the leaf a fun subtle texture. Heat embossing the second application of embossing powder also caused the first layer to become "over embossed," which made the embossing powder bubble up creating additional texture! It's difficult to capture it in a still image, but I encourage you to try this this layered embossing technique. Your results will vary depending on your stamped image design and the type and coarse of embossing powder that you use. My embossing gun only has one setting, if yours has multiple settings, experiment with them! They may give you some varied textures.

I used patterned paper from the Robyn Digital Paper Collection by Pickled Potpourri Designs. I applied Distress Crazing Medium to a piece of the the brighter pink patterned pattern, and inked over it using Ground Espresso Archival Distress ink. I'm still experimenting with the best way to apply the Crazing Medium, but I really like it! It gives your project a slight crackled appearance without the texture of a traditional crackle medium. I then adhered the panel to a layer of chipboard to give it some depth. 

I cut a piece of the houndstooth patterned paper, distressed and inked the edges using more of the Ground Espresso ink. I adhered it to the card base, and layered the pink inked panel on top. I tore a piece of corrugated paper, applied a bit of Ground Espresso ink to it, and adhered it on top. To embellish the card I added some gold thread layered behind the leaf, applied some copper wax to a little chipboard heart and adhered it on top of the leaf. I stamped a partial sentiment from one of the sentiments in the Ever So Thankful stamp set on cream cardstock, adhered it on a strip of chipboard, and then inked the edges before adhering it to the card. I cut it a little wonky but figured it works with all the distressing on the rest of the card! LOL

As always you can click on the photos for a more detailed view. A supply list is provided below. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

^Supplies:

^{Stamps: Red Rubber Designs: Here I am & Ever So Thankful}

^{Paper: Pickled Potpourri Designs: Robyn Digital Paper Collection, Kraft & Cream Cardstock, chipboard}

^{Ink: Ranger Ink Archival Distress Ink Ground Espresso & Black Soot}

^{Other: Ranger Ink Copper & Gold Superfine embossing powders, Ranger Crazing Medium, Finnabair Metallique Wax Rich Copper, Mini Chipboard Heart, & Gold Thread}

 

Paper Pumpkins

I've been making paper pumpkins since September, they are so fun to create! The orange, teal, and white geometric pumpkins are from SVGCuts. For the teal and white pumpkins, I removed the cut lines to create a solid pumpkin. It was a little tricky assembling it, but I love how they turned out! I used Bazzill Smoothie cardstock for all of the pumpkins. Click the photos for a closeup view. 

I didn't have any teal cardstock, so I used white, and then painted the pieces using Dylusions Vibrant Turquoise Paint before assembling it. After doing so I decided that it would have easier to just paint it after I assembled it. I like the texture the paint provides, it almost feels like plastic. 

This orange pumpkin is also an SVGCuts file, from the Harvest Sunset Kit. I told you in my last post, I'm obsessed! This was actually the first SVGCuts file that I purchased. I always layer up my pieces when creating 3D designs, but I didn't need to with this one. The extra layers made it a little wonky looking but I'm keeping it LOL! I inked the pieces of this pumpkin using Ranger Archival ink in the colors Monarch Orange and Coffee before assembling it. That little pumpkin is a Lori Whitlock design called 3D Pumpkin Box Short that I reduced in size. I can't recall how much, but he's tiny :) It was a little cumbersome to assemble but he's so cute! 

The gold geometric pumpkin is covered with gold glitter & Mod Podge. I haven't used Mod Podge in a long time, but it's my new best friend to use with glitter! It really seals it in, so there is very little if any glitter fall out as long as you give it a few coats. I think the easiest way to do this is to apply a coat of Mod Podge, sprinkle on your glitter then allow it to dry. Repeat these steps and allow it to dry between layers until you achieve your desired coverage. Let your project dry completely and then add a coat or two of only the Mod Podge to seal the glitter.

By the way, in case you didn't know SVGCuts offers tons of FREE cut files! Check 'em out  SVG Free Cut Files

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

3D Witchy Hat

Hi All!

I'm sorry I've been so inconsistent about updating my blog. I really HATE MS and its' baggage! I've learned over the past couple of years that the worst thing about living with a chronic illness, for me, is that everyday is different. Nothing is consistent, it's difficult to keep commitments and I hate it so, so, so much!!! I hate not being able to follow through with the things that I want and need to do. I'm working on trying accept it and I'm trying to figure out how to work around it. Anyway.... all of that is just to say Hi! I'm still here and I'm still creating when I am feeling up to it. 

I wanted to share this witches hat I created this year. I'm currently OBSESSED with www.svgcuts.com cut files! This is not a sponsored post, nor have I used an affiliate link to their store. I just LOVE the designs and have purchased several and wanted to share with you. The assembly instructions for the 3D designs that I've purchased are so detailed. They also have video tutorials for many of the designs offered.

This witches hat comes from the Haunted Forest Collection. It's actually a box, but I added some hot glue to make it one piece. It's sooo sturdy! I wonder if Mary, the designer behind SVGCuts has an architectural background, because these designs are so detailed and so sturdy after assembling them! You can click the photos for a closeup view.

When I create 3D projects I usually use 100-120lb. weight cardstock, and or light or medium weight chipboard, and layer up the pieces. With this design, 100lb. weight cardstock was perfect! The file for this design includes 3 layers that make up brim of the hat which makes it really sturdy. I added some glitter tulle that I got from the Dollar Tree. It's super cute but I don't recommend it because the glitter fall out is the worst! 

I created the flower using black crepe paper and adhered some glitter foam balls, also from the Dollar Tree! My local Dollar Tree has been stocking some fun crafty items lately. These are apart of their Christmas stock, you might be able to find some in your stores. I bought these in Sept. before they had a lot of Christmas stock out because I knew they would sell out quickly! They had them in gold, silver, & red. 

I hope you all are doing well, thanks for stopping by today! 

 

Blessings

 

 

How is it that Thanksgiving is next week? This month has just flown by! I've been trying to get myself organized and de-clutter. It's not going well LOL, but I'm still chugging along. I think I need to make a list and just focus on one room, or one project and maybe It will help me to be more productive. 

I did mange to create another of the DIY home decor project I had on my to-do list for Thanksgiving. I used items from my Nov. Counterfeit kit to create this little banner. I adhered patterned paper using gel medium to some chipboard banner pieces. It was a very messy process, and I discovered half way through this project that liquid matte medium would have worked just as well! After they dried I used a sanding block to distress the surface of each banner piece a little bit.

I pulled some random chipboard alphabet pieces from my stash. I believe most are from Making Memories & Maya Road, I've had them forever! I applied Wild Honey distress paint to them, allowed them to dry, and then added some highlights using Vintage Photo Distress ink and my inking tool. I also applied Vintage Photo distress ink to the banner pieces & leaves. I attached mini gold brads to the leaves, adhered them with foam tape and added buttons & scrappers floss to accent the banner pieces.

I think I'm going to save the rest of my Thanksgiving projects for next year and get a head start on Christmas. I just might finish a few to enjoy most of the month of December.

Hope you all are well! Thanks for stopping by today!

Celebrate Fall 4x4 canvas

A few months ago Papertrey ink had a "Make it Monday" challenge that involved using dies to create die cuts from fabric.  The use of Heat N Bond  was recommended to help stabilize the fabric for easier die cutting but I didn't have any on hand. I remembered using Mod Podge before on ribbon and how stiff it became when it dried, so I decided to use Mod Podge instead, and it worked beautifully!

So anyway I had some extra fabric that had been Mod Podged left over from that challenge and decided to put it to use for some fall themed home decor.

This first project is a 4x4 mini canvas. This canvas actually has several layers of paint on it. I painted something on it and hated it. I started to throw it away but decided to just paint over it. After adding gesso, paint, fabric, & burlap you can't tell at all! 

I applied a layer of Mod Podge to both sides of the fabric and burlap and allowed them to dry over night. The Mod Podge helps stablize the fabric so that it cuts easily with wafer thin dies, and the Mod Podge applied to the burlap will help keep the fraying to a minimum when you cut it. Apply the Mod Podge liberally, and use wax paper or a craft mat so that it doesn't stick to your work surface after it dries. I then applied a layer of gesso on the canvas. Once that I dried I applied some basic brown acrylic paint over the canvas.

I used a scalloped border die & the largest leaf die from Lawn Fawn's Stitched Leaves die cut set to cut the fabric. I added some distress ink to the edges of burlap and fabric and then adhered the burlap over the edge of the scalloped using Scor-tape. I wrapped a piece of brown ribbon from American Crafts to cover the seam of the fabric and burlap.I also added distress ink to the edges and surface of the leaf.

I adhered the fabric and burlap piece to the canvas using Scor-tape. To create the sentiment label I used patterned paper and SU's word window punch. I trimmed it down and stamped the sentiment on the label and inked the edges.

I threaded a button and adhered it to the leaf, and adhered the leaf to the burlap using Scor-tape. I scrunched up the leaf a little to give it a little more texture. I then pulled some plain chipboard letters from my stash to create the title. I painted them black, added a layer of glossy accents, sprinkled on some glitter and let it dry. After it was dry I added a second layer of glossy accents to seal in the glitter. I then used glossy accents to adhere them to the burlap. You can click on the photos for an enlarged view.

 

Thanks so much for looking!

I ♥ Mini canvases

Hi all! It's been quite here on the blog but I can assure you I've been crafting! I'm still in Christmas mode... it's 95+ degrees outside here but that's not stopping me! LOL

A few years ago I purchased some Christmas garland, and each year that I use it, more of the petals fall off. However it's definitely my fault... I use it to wrap around my staircase banister so it's located in a "high traffic" area... and I have a son... need I say more? LOL

Anyway, I've been using the fallen pieces for other holiday decor items. I've used it for holiday gift wrap/packaging, and this year I used a bloom for this mini canvas.

 

This canvas measures 4x4 inches. I applied gesso to the canvas first, then adhered the pattered paper layers. The patterned papers were complementary but I applied a little bit of beige/cream colored acrylic paint to tie them together a little more. I added a gold border to the top layer of pattered paper using a Versamark pen & gold embossing powder.

I was going to use gold glitter, but I didn't want the glitter to flake off. I added a layer of matte medium to protect the patterned paper, but the embossed border lost it's glossy look. It still looks nice but I think on my next canvas I will add the matte medium first, and then add the embossing powder after it dries.

I used red acrylic paint to color the chipboard alphas, and then painted red Stickles over them to create the title. To adhere the bloom, I cut off the back of the bloom. Doing this separates the layers so I used a fabric glue to assemble them again. I then adhered them to a pop dot, and used a hot glue gun to adhere it to the canvas. I used more of the beige/cream acrylic paint along the sides of the canvas and then used a script background stamp & black ink to add more details. Finally I spread more of the red Stickles along the sides and top of the canvas. 

This was a fun project that can be completed in less than an hour, which includes drying time! So that's one project I can scratch off my "Christmas in July" project list :) I just need to work on my Christmas cards & some holiday throw pillows that I wanted to make last year but never got around to doing so.

Do you have any holiday crafts on your to-do list? Christmas is only five months away :)

 

Christmas in July Blog Hop & a give-a-way

I asked a few crafty friends to join me in creating some Christmas & Winter holiday themed projects. I know that summers are usually pretty busy for all of us, but I find that if I start thinking about Christmas in July, I'll have a better chance at finishing at least a few holiday crafts in time to enjoy by the time Christmas comes around. So let's get started :)

 

This project was so fun to create. I was so inspired by this adorable chair I wanted to apply the same concept but with a mixed media style using canvas. I wanted my Santa to be a little bit larger than the pattern so I just eyeballed it and sketched in pencil on the canvas, and made some tweaks and adjustments as I painted. 

I used paper clay to make Santa's nose. I shaped and flattened it, allowed it to dry over night, painted it with acrylic paint, and then adhered it to the canvas. To create the background I used scraps of patterned paper, stamps, paint, & Stickles and worked around the Santa sketch. If I were more confident about my drawing I would have created the entire background first and then painted Santa on top. I think it just would be easier and would have required less "touching up" to Santa's suit that way.

I wanted to incorporate more texture and depth to my painting so I added white fun flock to the trim of the hat. a chipboard snowflake & alphas, and some wood veneer shapes.  I painted the wood veneer shapes, snowflake, and alphas and then applied Stickles to the wood veneer shapes. I also added two buttons & scrappers floss to Santa's jacket. Finally I adhered all of the pieces to the canvas and added some shading using oil pastels.

  

I also created a mini canvas using a poinsettia flower I've had in my stash forever. I added a little ink to give it a little more depth, and then layered in on a stamped & inked cardstock square that I layered on top of a glittery corrugated paper that I die cut using a nestability die.

I'm really looking forward to creating more Christmas home decor projects and I hope my canvases have inspired you to pull out your brushes and paints to create a painting or two.

To help you get into the Christmas spirit I'm giving away a little collection of crafty goodness that you can use to create your own mini canvas. Just leave a comment below & on each of the blogs listed below before 12 noon EST. on Wednesday July 10th. for your chance to win. The winner will randomly selected.

For more crafty inspiration please check out the blogs below.

 

Kat     http://kateblue.blogspot.com/2013/07/christmas-in-july-blop-hop.html

Melisa    http://www.melisawaldorf.com/2013/07/christmas-in-july-blog-hop.html

Seleise     http://www.amethystcat.blogspot.com/2013/07/christmas-in-july-blog-hop.html

Rita     http://www.ritaholmes.blogspot.com/2013/07/christmas-in-july-blog-hop.html

Christy  http://www.tencraftyfingers.com/15/post/2013/07/christmas-in-july.html

 

 

It's finished :)

Well mostly anyway, I just need to hang it... but I finished my very first painting.  And I have to say I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! I probably broke every imaginable "painter's rule," but I always tell my son, there are no rules in art, just go with it! 

 

My painting was inspired by lot's of fabulous floral art paintings like these...

Donna Downey Poppy Canvases

Red Poppies & Black Vase

Van Gogh inspired flowers by 8th grade art students

My painting turned out pretty close to how I envisoned it, but there are a few things I will probably do a little differently next time. Most importantly, I learned so much in creating it. It kind of surprised me how closely art lessons can translate to life lessons... let me explain :)

Try something new

 You might surprise yourself and find that you actually enjoy doing something that you would have normally considered to be completely outside of your comfort zone.

I never thought I would like painting. In fact I hated art class in school. This process has really inspired me to reconsider art. I used a variety of mediums to create this canvas, and I found that I really enjoy mixed media as an art form. It's more forgiving, you really can write your own rules!

Don't be afraid to make mistakes

Sometimes you just have to wing it, you may end up liking the results, and you might not, but in you can always improvise... or tuck it in your back pocket as a lesson learned for your next adventure.

I used modeling paste & water soluble oil pastels for the first time. The modeling paste was so fun, but I went a little crazy with it! LOL Next time I'll center my flowers so they aren't so high up on the edge of the canvas. Because I am not an experienced painter, I found it difficult to add shading using paint, so the oil pastels were much easier for me. Love them!

I also used a combination of patterned paper, an painted paper to create a mosaic like effect for the vase. Some of the painted pieces smudged, the organized pattern I had going ended up not going! LOL But I just went with it, and love the imperfect look it gives.  

Do the best you can with what you have 

I sure many of you have experienced a time in your life, especially if you're a crafter, or a collector of things, that you just need "this or that." You already have things that would work just fine, but that "this or that" would make things so much easier, faster, or better! But sometimes you just have to use what you have. 

I knew that I wanted this painting to have a lot of texture to try to mask my inexperience as a painter, so I started looking at different texture mediums. I knew that I wanted to use modeling paste, stencils, & oil pastels, but then I saw Golden's Glass Bead Gel. That's some cool stuff! But I already spent more than I intended to on supplies so I didn't buy any. When I got home I remembered that I had some Stampin' Up glass beads in my stash.I played around with it, and basically just mixed the beads in with some acrylic paint, and it worked pretty good! I've never used glass bead gel, so I can't compare the results, but it definitely added some texture to the flowers and that's what I was hoping for! 

Good things come to those who wait 

Some things just take time. You can try to rush the process or take short cuts, but more often than not, you will not achieve the results you seek. 

Paint dries slow, especially when you add thick layers. I worked on this painting for several weeks. I tend to have several projects going on at once, and in this case it worked out great!

I thought about using my heat tool to speed up the drying process, but decided against it and I'm so glad I did. The waiting time gave me an opportunity to think about the next steps, and sketch out plans for my next painting. So stay tuned :) 

Thanks for looking! I hope I've inspired you to try something new or different today! 

New Year, New Craft Medium

One of the things I've been wanting to do for a long time is to explore other art mediums. I don't really consider myself to be an artist, but I'd like to be one! LOL

Anyway I've been watching a lot of art tutorials on YouTube lately and came across videos featuring paper clay projects. I figured that was right up my alley, so I picked up a bag/pack from Michaels around Christmas time and decided to play with it.

When I purchased the clay I initially thought I would use it to create ornaments for my Christmas tree, but time just slipped away and I never got around to making them. I started thinking about what else I could create relatively quickly just to see if this form of art was for me.

Then I remembered these little dishes that I bookmarked to my favorites. These are actually made from ceramic, but I thought maybe they'd work with the paper clay since it hardens as it dries.

So this is what I came up with...

I don't know all the specifics regarding the differences between different types of clay, but from what I can tell, paper clay is similar to polymer clay except that it doesn't require kiln firing or baking. You can just air dry your projects made with paper clay.

After rolling out the clay, I used a background stamp from Purple Onion Designs to add some texture to it. Then I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out my shape. I set it aside for about an hour and then began to mold the edges upward to create a little bit of a "lip" to give the clay a dish shape. After another hour or so I molded it some more, and repeated that a few times.

Then I set it aside for about 24 hours. I used white paperclay, but you can purchase it in a number of different colors. After the dish was hard, I painted it with red acrylic paint. I gave each side about 2 coats of paint, and then let it dry for another 24 hours. Then I applied a glossy varnish to give it some shine.

Not bad for my first paperclay project huh?

RESIN Tile Coasters :)

 
 This stuff is awesome! Resin is commonly used in jewelry making but apparently it has several other uses too! I will admit it's a little tricky to work with. It takes a lot of time and patience. 

It's also absolutely IMPERATIVE that you work in a dust & lint free environment when using resin otherwise you'll have those specks embedded on your tiles. The resin needs about 72 hours to fully cure but after 24 hours the resin hardens enough that you won't have to worry about dust or lint. 

  

You'll need to prop up the coasters before applying the resin, I used plastic cups turned upside down. Even though this is a pour-on version I applied the resin using a foam brush. The surface of the tiles are small, about 4.25 x 4.25 inches, so pouring on the resin will cause it to drip down the edges forming puddles underneath the tile. Once it hardens it's difficult to remove them and you really need a flat surface to apply the cork pads. If the resin begins to drip down the sides while you're applying it, just use your foam brush to remove the excess. 

Air bubbles may form in the resin after you apply it, you can use an embossing gun or blow dryer to remove them. You don't have to apply the heat long and you don't need to position the gun or blow dryer close to the surface. I applied a second coat of resin after 48hrs. The end result is a beautiful glossy coaster that is suitable for hot AND cold beverages! It looks store bought but you can be proud to say it's handmade! To clean it, you just wipe it with a damp cloth. 

The resin I used to create these tiles is sold at Michaels in the adhesive & spray paint section. I've also seen it at Home Depot. It contains two bottles, one bottle of resin and one bottle of harder. For this brand you mix equal parts of both to create your resin mixture, then you just pour it on your project!

 

We're hoping today...

The first day of Spring here was BEAUTIFUL! The weather was so nice, my cherry blossoms are blooming too! :) Hey... it doesn't take much to excite me! LOL

A few of my crafty friends and I are doing a Spring Themed blog hop, I hope you'll check out all the springy craftiness :)

Jennifer Carter   jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Melisa Waldorf http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/

Kemi Schreiber http://kssdesigns.blogspot.com/

Kim Sears http://angelatmydoor.blogspot.com/

Amy Kolling http://www.stamp-n-paradise.blogspot.com/

Laurie Willison http://soapboxcreations.blogspot.com/

Pam Upper         http://www.scrappypam.com/

I love yellow, I don't use it often but it's such a cheery color and Spring is reason enough to feel cheerful :) I added some crystal Stickles to the smaller flowers to give them a little glittery shimmer.My next creation I will preface by saying... I'm still learning. I am still VERY much a beginner...

 

But I wanted to share this fabric coaster that I made. I used this photo tutorial
which was really helpful especially visual learners! Just pretend you don't see my stitch errors. LOL I purchased a tiny piece of fabric to practice with and had some other scrap fabric I used. My last couple turned out MUCH better but they aren't really "Springy" so I'll share them another day. 

When I sew I tend to want to start at one corner and proceed to the next but for this project, I found it easier to start about a half an inch to an inch before the corner. When you go to turn your coaster inside out the corners will have a cleaner finish if you start it this way. I didn't do it this way with this coaster but I did with some others I made and they turned out much better! This may be common sense to someone more experienced but I thought I'd share that little tidbit for those of you who are new to sewing too. 

 If you are new to sewing this is a great quick & easy project to try. This coaster measures approximately 4.5 x 4.5 inches but you could easily increase the dimensions to create some place mats which is what my next project is going to be! 

Thanks for looking!

Coasters... revisited

Hi all! I wanted to share a fabric coaster tutorial I found while browsing The Long Thread I really love this idea! I'm learning to sew and I've found that I end up with random lengths of scrap fabric that I have no idea what to do with. This is a great solution!

Speaking of coasters... several weeks ago I shared with you how I create coaster tiles using patterned paper. Unfortunately I've discovered that hot beverages + Triple Thick sealant aren't the best of friends. 

My hot mug clung to the coaster temporarily. After my coffee cooled I was able to get it unstuck, however the imprint of the ring on the bottom of my mug is now permanently etched into the coaster. So I'm looking for another alternative coating/sealant and will let you know if I come across one that works well. 

I think the Triple Thick sealant would work best for decorative photo coasters like these You can display them using a table top easel similar to this one You can find them at Michaels or another framing store. Hope this helps!

Tile Coasters

A great way to use up your paper scraps. I absolutely adore Basic Grey patterned paper, especially this print. I purchased a LOT of it. So I decided to make good use of it :) This tile coasters should last a long time so long as they don't get dropped. 

 

I experimented with two types of Triple Thick sealers and I think I prefer the spray version. I like the "glue paste" version because you can apply it once and it sets like you've applied several. But it's MESSY.... messy, messy, messy! It has an odor but it isn't terribly overwhelming. 

The spray sealer doesn't set quite as thick it seems, but it dries fast. I used 3 coats. I applied the first, let it sit for an hour, applied the second coat and allow it to sit for a day, and then applied the 3rd coat and left it alone for 2 days. The spray sealer has a STRONG odor. Kinda like spray paint. I highly recommend using it outside because of that and also it releases a powdery like reside when you spray it. It's not necessarily visible but my work table is covered in it. So use a cardboard box or something similar under the tiles before applying. 

 

These tiles are white glazed 4.25 in squares and can be used as drink coasters or as an accent piece for a candle or other small decorative item.

I cut the patterned paper into 4 inch square pieces and applied Zip Glue(another strong scented adhesive) to the back of the paper and on the tile. Apply generously!! Other adhesives caused the paper to warp buckle and wrinkle. You might be able to use a spray adhesive and get some great results but the sealer was all the spray I could handle LOL.

 

I found that heavier patterned papers work best because after you apply the sealer, the colors would darken or brighten. With this paper it ended up being a good thing. I like it better darker.

 

But not so much with this one. It looks ok, but It looks much better as it was. This was my last scrap of this print. It's from The Angel Company's Catelynne patterned paper collection. 

Thanks for looking! 

 

Joy

Hello everyone! I've been neglecting my blog for awhile. I've been decluttering and fighting a cold this past week. So far I'm winning the battle against both. The decluttering is going to take awhile and I have a feeling this cough is going to linger for a long while but I'm feeling pretty good!

A couple of weeks ago my friend Barb had a blog candy giveaway... and I won! My first blog candy winning :) I created this using some ribbon and a circle coaster that was included in the giveaway. 

   

I added some patterned paper from TAC's Reece paper collection, some chipboard alphas, and a button & scrappers floss from my stash. It measures about 4inches so it's a little too big to be used as a tree ornament so I'm not sure how I'm going to use it just yet but I like it!

Thanks Barb for the awesome prize :)

TFL!