Thursday, April 28, 2016

What a Wonderful World

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Weather here is Texas has been a tad bit erratic and I am in some serious need for some sunshine!! Luckily, two of my favorite peeps, Xyron & Brutus Monroe, are tag teaming for today's project to help me make my own bright cheery weather. Complete with blooming flowers, blue skies and fluttering birds! 


Supplies Used
Wonderful World (Brutus Monroe)
Midway Paper Pad (Brutus Monroe)
Raven Detail Ink (Brutus Monroe)
Creative Station Lite, 5 in. (Xyron)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Alcohol Markers- BP3, BP4, BP7, HB2, DG2, LG5, TB1, BGR2, GT2, GT3 (Spectrum Noir)
White Gel Pen (Sakura)
White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
Black Magic- Freeze (Core'dinations)
Hemp Twine
Craft foam
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Blending Solution (Ranger)
Button

If you have a chance, stop by the Xyron Facebook Page and check out all the other Brutus Monroe/ Xyron projects made by the other Xyron Design Team Members!!

Here's a look at some a few products I used from Brutus Monroe...

I started by stamping my flower image from the Wonderful World set using the "Bru/Mo" (what I affectionately call them) Raven ink onto a 4"x 5.25" white piece of cardstock.

Because the stamps a clear photopolymer I can see through them for exact stamp placement.  

 I stamped my first bundle of flowers and aligned the next set barely overlapping/ slightly touching the previous stamp, varying the height of my stamp placement.

I love this detail ink... in picks up the tiniest of details in stamp! And the great thing about this ink is that it is permanent once dried!! So using my alcohol marker will not be a problem. No bleeding here!!
I used Spectrum Noir BP3, B4,BP7, & HB2 to color the flowers. Started by laying down a base of BP3, and filling in shadows with BP4, the centers with BP7, and splashes (really just tapping in dots) of HB2. For the greenery I filled the background with DG2 and traced /colored in the stems with LG5.

I also stamped the hummingbird from this stamp set and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers in GT2, GT3, BP4.

For my sky I used TB1 and then sprinkled blending solution over it to create the droplets.

 I used more Detail Ink to stamp my sentiment. But, to me, the words seemed to get lost in the  flowers. As a quick fix and to avoid redoing my card. I used a white gel pen to highlight the letters in the bottom word. And presto... the letters reappear!! 

Then, I ran my card front through my awesome little Xyron Creative Station Lite and attached it to a cut 4.25"x 5.5" piece of script cardstock (from the Midway pad).

I also cut a strip of blue burlap (1.75"x 5.75") and a strip of corrugated cardboard (both from the Brutus Monroe Midway Paper Pad) and ran them through the Creative Station Lite too.


Then I layered my strips and assembled my card front onto this black and white polkadot paper (also included in the Midway pad). Then I  used my Mega Runner to attach the finished card front onto a 6"x6" card base.

I added the hummingbird  and popped it up with a tiny piece of craft foam. I also added craft foam under the card front to even out the thickness of the corrugated cardboard.
And as a final touch, I added a bow made from twine topped with a button.

And here is my finished card...



I just love the different textures and the bright colors and how they all just pop off the black polkadotted paper!! And isn't that hummingbird the sweetest??!!

I am so grateful to have the pleasure of working with both of these amazing companies as part of each of their design teams. This was such an exciting collaboration!

Don't forget to check out what other Brutus Monroe projects the Xyron team rocked this week HERE.

I hope my project has inspire you to create your own bright cheery skies!!

And until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

My Favorite Things & Xyron Blog Hop


Hi Crafty Friends!! Welcome to fabulous day #2 of the MFT & Xyron Blog Hop!! We have some exciting projects from 2 amazing teams!! And IF you missed day #1, that's ok... there is still more awesome projects to see today and tomorrow. And... Do you want to hear more amazing news?! Xyron will be giving away one $50 Gift Certificate each day of the hop (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) to the My Favorite Things website. 
How freaking cool is that??!! Eeeeek!!!

Visit the Xyron Facebook page and leave a comment on any of the amazing MFT/ Xyron Hop Featured Posts... and Xyron will randomly choose a visitor/commenter to win. Yup, it's that simple!!

Now onto the crafty inspiration...

When I saw MFT Cool Cup die I knew I just had to get it!! I am a coffee lover and I absolutely am head over heals in love with frosty ones!! Maybe because it more closer to a dessert at that point! MMMMmmmm, they are so super yummy!! I don't care!! It's still coffee and so so delish! So I figured I'd indulge myself by making coffee themed projects!LOL 


Supplies Used
My Favorite Things Die-Namics Blueprints 18
My Favorite Things Pierced Traditional Tag Stax
My Favorite Things Die-Namics LLD Cool Cup
My Favorite Things LLD Stay Cool
DCWV Mini Album Stack & Stencil Projects Stack
Cut'n'boss (Craftwell)
eBrush (Craftwell)
Spectrum Noir Markers- GB9, EB3, JG5
White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
Heavy Vellum
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko)
2Way Glue Pen (EK Success)
1.5" Circle punch (EK Success)
Hemp Twine
3D Lacquer

I started by using my Cool Cup die to cut out all the cup pieces in white. The I ran it through again just cutting out the dome piece out of vellum.

Here I used my eBrush to airbrush my cup with a Spectrum Noir GB9 and the whipped cream with EB3 markers. Then ultimately decided I like the plain white better so I cut out a new topping and just left it white.

For the straw I went right over the top and colored it with a Spectrum Noir marker in JG5. This made it look like it came from a certain coffee house that is so popular.

Then I used my glue pen an attached my pieces together and added the dome

Then I ran my completed piece through my Creative Station Lite machine.


For my card base I standing A2 (4.25"x5.5") sized card made from craft cardstock.

Then I die-cut the tag from MFT's  Pierced Traditional Tags set. The double stitched circle and star is from the Blueprints 18 die set.
I used my Mega Runner to attach all my components to my card base. I used the Stay Cool stamp set and stamped my sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black Ink. Next, I attached a hemp bow  onto my card front.... And, for a cute little touch I hand drew stitch lines and highlights with a white gel pen.

For the coffee caddy ... All I did was used the box that came with my coffees and traced around it to make a template. Then I traced & cut my templates out. Then I ran all my panels through my Xyron Creative Station Lite. 

For the front of the caddy I mimic the same look of the card. Die cut a circle and star in coordinating patterned papers and attached with my Xyron Mega Runner. 

For the caps I didn't do much. I really like the taupe color but did cover up the coffee brand/ logo. I used a 1.5" circle paper punch. It was enough to cover the dark green of the logo but not enough to bury the taupe color I like! AWESOME!!

For the thin green strip I used the long thin rectangle die in the Blueprints 18 set an cut it out in coordinating paper. Again attaching with my Mega Runner then trimming off any excess.

Lastly, I wrapped twine around the handle and tied it into a bow.

And here is my Coffee Caddy and Matching Card!!! I hope you enjoyed this project!!


Don't forget to stop by the Xyron Facebook page HERE...for a chance to win that awesome $50 Gift Certificate from My Favorite Things!! **
Also, hop on over the MFT page HERE as well... For even more awe inspiring projects and maybe even a couple surprise too!! Share some love too and tell them that Mitsy form the Xyron Team sent ya!!

Hope you all continue to have a wonderful day!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~ Mitsy






Monday, April 11, 2016

Three times the fun

Hello, Crafty Friends!! It's a new term with Craftwell's Cut'n'boss team and I'm so excited to start this term off with a bang!! Today, I have a group of cards to share and will  teach you how I made amazing 3D embellishments with a variety of Teresa Collins dies.

Supplies Used
Cut'n'boss (Craftwell)
Teresa Collins Pocket Dies- TodayThankful Holiday, Girl's Best Friend, Lover's Lane, 
Noteworthy (Craftwell)
 Truly Mitsyana- Terrific Tags (Brutus Monroe) 
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Natural Burlap Stack (DCWV)
Classy Copper Stack ( DCWV)
 Brads (Prima Marketing Inc) 
Crop-a-dile (We R Memory Keepers)
Liquid Lacquer
Pages from an old book
Hemp twine



First, I used my Cut'n'boss machine and several different Teresa Collins dies, I cut out my diecuts from pages from an old book. With a large cutting platform, I can cut out several dies at once.

Also, these dies are very durable. So durable that I cut through 5 pages at a time. These pages were from an old book and cut very easily. I easily could have cut through more b the looks of it.


Next, I cut out these frames from metalic paper from DCWV's Classy Copper Premium Stack. This sheet had a houndstooth pattern to it and when diecut, gave the appearance of hammered metal... very cool!!


The Cut'n' boss doesn't only cut Craftwell brand dies but other competitor brands as well!! And not just for paper either!! Here I used one of my tag dies from the Terrific Tags set with DCWV's Natural burlap!! How freaking awesome is that?! For amazing results I used the following platform combo...

From Bottom to Top
D PLATE
A PLATE
B PLATE
MATERIAL 
DIE (CUTTING EDGE FACING MATERIAL)
A PLATE

Run this combo through your machine a few time to ensure best cutting results.


To make the rose I used the smallest flower from the Teresa Collins Girl's Best Friend set. I stacked my 5 layers on top of each other. And cut slits about a 1/4" toward the center of my flower, crating flower petals. 

Then I punched a hole in the center of my flower and fastened it with a brad.

Then, I pulled each petal upward toward the center. I skipped every other petal while working on a rotation. This ensured that each petal was separated. 

Then I curled the edges out the outer petals by pulling the edges slightly back.
For the daisy, I used the smallest flower from the Thankful Holiday set.  Again, I used 5 layers cut from and old book pages. This time I cut my hole first, inserted my brad, then cut my slits for the petals. Then I rotated each flower so that the flower petal below showed from between the petal from above. 

Next, I pinched each petal in half . I did this to each petal for each of my flower layers.

The butterfly was the easiest of all the dies to make three dimensional...

This time, I used only 4 layers. I glued just the bodies (not the wings) of the butterfly together. When my glue dried I bent the wings up.

I used my Creative Station Lite to attach my copper frames and some of my flat die cuts, like my butterfly, leaves, and frames.

I used the tag die on each card fronts but on one card I turned it sideways for a different look and tucked a doily die cut under it.  and trimmed off the overhanging edges. You don't need to have use your dies upright... a lot of the times if you tilt or turn your diecuts it give a whole new look.


Here are a close up of all the cards I made with all the different embellishments I made.




I hope you enjoyed a quick break down on how I create my embellishments!!

For more inspiration please visit my personal blog at:
www.upontippytoes.com

Until, next time...
HAppy Crafting!!
~ Mitsy



Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Nursery Rhyme Wall Art

Hello, Crafty Friends!!
Today marks midway through our week!
HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

I am so tickled to get to share with you today's project! Did you know that there's a National Library Week?? Yup, a whole week in observance to libraries!! It's always great to promote and show your support for your local library!  And today, I will help support my local library and repurpose old books.

 Limited space makes it hard for some libraries to accommodate their ever growing number of books. So, from time to time our local library (I'm sure others do this a s well), clear out and sell their old books. Most of which are tattered or outdated, to make room for new ones. Sales raised from these books go right back into the library system to fund new books or to help with other financial needs... internet may be free for the public to use,  but that doesn't mean that its free to the library. And certainly, any renovations made, also come along with a few dollar signs attached.

So whenever possible, my children and I go to our local library and check out the sales. I know what you're thinking craft with old books? Don't I love books? Why would I take apart and butcher books to craft with?? Simple... remember when I said most of these books are tattered and outdated?? Well, the books that are not sold get dumped into the recycle bins. Which is good that they are recycling, but the library doesn't receive any money for just tossing them... and I would be creating, crafting, and repurposing something  that already has been used and giving it new life as ART. Or in this case, WALL ART. 

These are super quick and easy to make too!!

Supplies Needed
Old Books (Hardback or paperback)
1- 12"x12" sheet of Black Cardstock (DCWV- Double Sided Cardstock Stack)
4 - 5"x7" Shadowbox Frames
Cricut Explore Air
Cricut Nursery Rhymes Cartridge
Craft knife (Fiskars)
Scissors (EK Success- CutterBee)

These books don't appear to be in bad shape but were really really outdate... put it this way one of these books was called the "No Cooking Cookbook"... it has a copyright date of 1962. That was several years before the first reasonably priced and sized microwave became available (1967). Yeah, I think it's safe to say, no one will miss that one! LOL

And, I got these from my local dollar store! Yuppers, $1!! Who knew they carried shadowbox picture frames (with mats included too)??!! SCORE!!

Ok, now this was probably the hardest part of the whole project... which really wasn't very hard at all.
Removing the pages from the cover. Seriously it took two slices. One in the front of the book and one in the back, running down the first page to the spine... and then again along the back of the book.

 I will be saving this hard cover to make another project with later.

 I used the chipboard insert as a template for my book pages, added adhesive to them with my Xyron Mega Runner, and adhered my pages directly onto them. Then trimmed off the excess with a scissors.

So super easy, right? Wow... 1, 2, 3, and 4 done in less than 2 minutes!!

Then I used my Cricut Explore Air and Cricut's Nursery Rhyme Cartridge to cut out silhouettes of some of my favorite childhood nursery rhymes... " Hey Diddle Diddle", " Little Jack Horner", "Little Boy Blue",  and "Mary Had a Little Lamb". 

I cut them all from one 12"x12" sheet of black cardstock. Sizing each image to fit into the 5"7" mat/ frame.

Since these will be hanging on the wall, I wanted them to stay put. So, I ran them all through my Xyron Creative Station using the 9" permanent adhesive refill cartridge. And placed them all back into their frames.


And, here are my finished pieces.


I love how these came out. The layout is simple but the old book print makes them distinctive and unique!! This was a great start to  many more "print" crafts! 

I hope you enjoyed this project!
And don't forget to go support your local public library!!

HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY LIBRARY WEEK!!