Wednesday, November 30, 2016

My Preppy Train Case


Hello Crafty Friends... Today is the last day of the DCWV and Eileen Hull Winter Wonderland Blog Hop!!


And I have this adorable Preppy Train Case for you today...

I absolutely LOVE this plaid paper by DCWV!! It kind of reminds me of my private school days. Back when I had to wear pleated plaid skirts and white button up collared shirts. I used to just  hate it!

But as I grew up, the plaid grew on me... I must've forgotten about how much I disliked it because I ended up wearing tons of pleated plaid skirts in my early twenties. Let it be known that these were more fashionable and didn't extend pass my knees though. And in a random turn of events,  I recently stumbled across in my closet. LOL... Hey, I was going through a very Britney Spears phase in my life. I think if you grew up in the 90's you may have too. **Side note** Man, I wish I could still fit those! Hahahaha!!

Aaaannnd, moving on...

So, my private school flashback is what inspired me to make this...

My little Preppy Train Case.

Supplies Used
Christmas Plaid Stack (DCWV)

Cranberry Christmas (DCWV)

Eileen Hull Designs' Train Case Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Twist and Style Tool (Sizzix)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)
Black Chipboard (Grafix)
Poinsettia- Jen Long Pillow Box & Poinsettias (Sizzix)
Black Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Rhinestone Ribbon Sliders
Rattail Cord
Eyelets
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Gold Flatback Pearl

I started by cutting down my chipboard to workable 6"x 12" pieces. I repeated that step with the red plaid patterned paper (from the Christmas Plaid Stack).

Then I die cut both using Eileen Hull's Train Case Die... Only die cutting the main box pieces.  I layered the paper onto the chipboard and ran both through at the same time.

The die cut separated the paper into segments but the ends were still attached... this is exactly how I wanted it. 

I ran those pieces through my Xyron Creative station (still barely together). When adhesive is added to the backs it come out in the proper order so I don't have to guess what piece goes where... that way when I peel and stick them onto the coordinate chipboard pieces the pattern will flow seamlessly.

As you can see in the picture above, the pattern is uniform. 

I did not adhere the "flap" pieces. There was no need to since those pieces will be covered.

Next, I added clear glue to the flaps (you can also use hot glue). I like using wet glue because it gives me time to wiggle it into the place I want it. Once positioned in place I use mini clothespins to hold it in place till the glue dries.

While that was setting, I went back and die cut the front latch and the handle of the box from the remainder of the  black chipboard. Only the chipboard, patterned paper wasn't necessary because these pieces were going to remain solid black. 

I die cut poinsettias from this cream and gold pattern paper (from the Cranberry Christmas Stack). I ended up not using the red flowers in the picture. then added a gold flatback pearl to the center. 

Then I die cut leaves from green patterned paper (from the Christmas Plaid Stack) and glued them under the poinsettia.

I made my own tassels from rattail cord using Eileen's Twist and Style Tool. I knotted both ends after twisting, trimmed the ends, then frayed them to separate the fibers for the tassels.


Instead of adding latches to the traincase I used ribbon to hinge my box. I lined up the sides of my box to make sure everything was aligned, and wrapped two 15-1/2" of double stitched grosgrain ribbon (one for each side). Then, glued down with more clear glue.

I slid on rhinestone sliders onto the over hanging ribbon and attached magnet discs. Now my ribbons straps are magnetic closures.

I centered the front latch and handle and adhered them with more clear glue.

Lastly, I added my handmade tassel and poinsettia flower onto the train case handle

This box is just too posh! 
AND
I LOVE IT!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project and the end of our blog hop!!
Thanks for stopping by!!

~Mitsy

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Love and Appreciation


Happy Thursday, Crafty Friends... It's fall and can you believe Thanksgiving is just in one week?!

Thanksgiving is the time of year to be thankful for all they have. For me, I am very thankful for family and friends! I appreciate each and everyone one of them. And though I try to show them I care everyday, sometimes life just get's in the way. I guess that's what I get for "adulting"... mommy & wifey duties, house chores, design team obligations... they all pile up! 

I'm making an active effort to let my loved ones know I appreciate & love them. 

Today is my first Guest DT post for FB stamps and I made this fall themed I love you card.

Supplies Used

Chipboard
Whimsy Embossing Folder (Lifestyle Crafts)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
VersaFine Onyx Black (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig/ Kuretake)
Wink of Stella (Zig/ Kuretake)
Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)
3D Dots (EK Success)
PITT Artist Pen XS (Faber-Castell)
Chalklets(EK Success)
White Gel Pen (Sakura)
Glitter Enamel Dots
Hemp Twine 
Button
Scissors


I started by stamping my images in black ink onto mixed media paper. then, I colored the flowers with my Zig Markers in Yellow, Mustard, Beige,Dark Oatmeal, &  Brown and went over the centers with a clear glitter pen. I also colored the leaves in Mild Green, Olive green, & Deep Green. 

I fussy cut the flowers all the images out but if you are not great at fussy cutting or just want to save time FB Stamps have the cut files for all their stamps and the coordinating digi dies are FREE!!

I stamped doubles of the bigger blooms and cut off the outer row of petals. then layered it onto the bigger bloom with foam dots.


I wanted my flowers to be an arrangement and not just floating on the card... so, I used Eileen Hull's Tea Cup Die for the cup and the tag. I cut them from Chipboard then adhered my patterned paper onto them with my Creative Station Lite.

I shaded the edges with  abit of chalk in colors that were at least 2 shades darker than the paper.

 The little "I love You" stamp comes included with the Gerbera Daisies set.

In the picture above it looked cute it felt it was missing something...


So, I added some texture to the background with a bit of modeling paste and a stencil.
And cut out a band for my teacup and embossed it and added enamel glitter dots.

I traced around the cup and tags with an extra fine black pen and then added highlights with a white gel pen. I also went over the embossed area with the same black pan as well. 

Then finally, I finished it off with a button topped multi-looped twine bow.

Here is a close up of all the dimension in this card...


I am enjoying this stamp set very much and I'm looking forward to making more with it!!

I hope you all enjoyed today's card!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsy



Wednesday, November 16, 2016

DIY Footed Candy Jars

Hello, Crafty Friends!! 
Thank you for joining us for the Decorations For the Holidays Blog Hop... featuring fabulous Xyron, Petaloo, & Graphic 45 products!! I super excited you are here today!!


It's all about decorating for the holidays this week!! And we couldn't be happier because it beginning to look a lot like Christmas here!!

For my project I have these DIY Footed Candy Jars... they are kind of like apothecary jars just without the lids.  A neat little  trick to add a touch of elegance to simple glass container. And they are ridiculously easy to make too! Keep reading to see how I made these...


Supplies Used
Glass Hurricanes Candle Holders (Libbey)
Glass Votive Candle Holders (Libbey)
Burlap Ribbon
Hemp Twine
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
Chipboard
E6000
Blue Painter's Tape



I wanted to make a small grouping of these candy jars. In groupings, ODD numbers are the key.
 I wanted to make it small enough to put on display for home decor and big enough to work as a little set up for parties and get togethers (if you have a need for a more prominent display just add more to you grouping, making sure that your end amount is an odd number... 3, 5, and 7 work very well).
Don't forget to add varying heights for interest.


I start by washing and drying my glass. I used flipped the hurricane over and found the center of the bottom using the glass votive. 

Once my center was found I added E600 to the bottom of my votive and attached it to the bottom of my glass hurricane.

I tightly taped in in place with blue painter's tape... using a level to make sure it is leveled.

Once dried, I removed the tape. The candy holders are now ready to be decorated!

To measure the circumference, I wrapped a piece of burlap ribbon around the neck of my glass.
I used this piece of ribbon to gage how much paper I need to go around.
Then, cut my paper into strips. This was 1-1/2" wide ribbon, so I cut my plaid paper 1" wide, then cut the center strip to 3/4".

Next, I ran all my strips through my Xyron Creative Station Lite. Peeled. and layered my black patterned paper onto the plaid one.

Then, applied the layered strip onto my cut burlap ribbon.
I used hot glue to attach the ends of the burlap. There was a gap that was left where the paper ended... It's ok, I covered this area with leaves, berries, and GORGEOUS velvet and canvas flowers. 

I hot glued each in place and added a multi-looped twine bow.

I found these awesome stamp prints in my paper pack... I ran those through my Xyron Creative Station Lite as well, and adhered them to chipboard and added them onto my arrangements.

The finished products are gorgeous and I am absolutely in love!!!


Here's a closer look and these amazing vintage inspired Santa stamps.


I love how Graphic 45 included several different ones in this pack... and they are all amazing!!


And...
They don't just look fabulous empty!

You can fill them with your favorite treats...


OR  add  your favorite candles!!

For safety reasons, always remember to make sure the all embellishments are clear from any open flames and that burning candles are never left unattended.


AND

For more fabulousness...
Graphic 45 is doing an AMAZING GIVEAWAY!!!

They are giving away $150+ in prizes from Graphic 45, Petaloo, and Xyron. Wow! All you have to do is comment here on the blog or on Facebook to win. Also, make sure to hop to all the blogs to be entered! We will announce a winner next Monday, November 21, so you have until Sunday at 11:59 PM PST to enter. ..

Visit the Graphic 45 Blog HERE
Or Visit their Facebook Page HERE 
and LEAVE A COMMENT TO ENTER!!

I hope you enjoyed my project for today!!
And Best of luck to all!!

~Mitsy


Friday, November 11, 2016

Handmade Hat Pin Book & Pins WINNER


Thank you to all who entered into my giveaway!!!

Thee WINNER for my Handmade Hat Pin Book & Hat Pins has been chosen...



CONGRATULATIONS
Scrapper69
Theresa from Theresa's Crafty Creations!!

Thank you all again for participating!
For all those who did not win... don't fret, I'll have another GIVEAWAY coming soon!



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Hat Pin Book Tutorial & GIVEAWAY


Hello, Crafty Friends!! It's another gorgeous day in and out of my craft room!! And I want to share some of that gorgeousness with all of you!!

Speaking of GORGEOUSNESS in the craft room...

Today's project was made using GORGEOUS papers from DCWV's Royal Gypsy Stack. This entire stack is filled with beautiful patterns with a variety of rich blues. And as an awesome bonus... check out the awesome gold foil!!

Other Supplies Used
Eileen Hull Designs' Scoreboards Needle Book Die (Sizzix)
Mat Board (Sizzix)
Crinkle Ribbon
Eyelash Yarn
Le Plume II MArkers- Pale Green, Violet, Light Blue (Marvy Uchida)
Water Brush (Pentek)
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Magnet Disks
Metal Embellishment (Momenta)
Rhinestone
Scissors
Paper Trimmer



This sheet is just an awesome sample of what is included. 
It is also what started this whole project! I was flipping through the pages and found a gold foiled feather. It was part of a panel that had a beautiful sentiment. But the sentiment was too large to what had in mind.


I decided to use it anyway. And used my Marvy Le Plume II Markers and a water brush to color and shade my gold feather. I used Pale Green for most of the feather with Lt. Blue down the center. I added more Lt. Blue up top and Violet in the center for the "eye". Then just blended out all the colors with my water brush.

Once I got the colors to the intensity I wanted, I cut the feather out by hand.

Such a pretty feather needs something just as pretty to lay on...

Image result for sizzix needle book
I had this awesome die in my collection and had been wanting to make one for a while now.

So, I used a couple coordinating sheets from the Royal Gypsy Stack and layered it onto some Mat Board. Then ran through my Big Shot stacked on my die... and cut it all at the same time!

It not only cut my patterned paper, it separated the patterned paper pieces at the crease lines (which saved me time from cutting them apart), and it made crease lines in the mat board, all in one pass!!

Next, I ran the segmented pieces through my Xyron Creative Station Lite to add adhesive to the backside of the paper.

Then attached the patterned paper to both sides of my book cover and buffed down the sharp edges with a sanding block.

I added a line of clear liquid adhesive to the inside middle of the book. ONLY down the center.

Then added a 4"x 3.25" piece of felt.

I didn't worry about glue showing through... I simply ran crinkle ribbon down the middle, flipped it over and tied it off on the outside. Finishing off with a basic bow.

Then I glued the closure to the outside of the back side of the book. wrapped around front to see where it met and added a magnet on both the book and to the closure strap. (No picture of this step sorry! By the time I realized I did take a pic I had already glue it down and was on the next step)

Once, my glue had dried. I moved onto dressing up my front. I wanted the feather to be the focal point of the cover but it got lost in the patterned paper I chose.

I found the really pretty gold foil doily on the Paper Lace pad and it was perfect... it just needed to be trimmed down a bit. I cut about 2 inches off and attached it to my front cover.

Then added foam adhesive behind the feather and mounted it onto the doily. I tied eyelash yarn around the feather for more texture, then added a metal embellishment to the bottom of the feather.

And here is my finished book...

I also added a tiny rhinestone to the top of the closure. 

And...

Remember when I said I wanted to SHARE some GORGEOUSNESS??!!

Well, I am giving away this Hat Pin Book to one lucky person!!
But what's a Hat Pin Book without HAT PINS, right??!!

So... Included in this GIVEAWAY are three handmade hat pins!!!!

Each pin was handmade (by me) with Swarovski Crystals!

***Disclaimer***
This giveaway is in no way sponsored, affiliated, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any of their subsidiaries.

You do not have to "follow" or "like" to be entered in the giveaway but if you did, it would be greatly appreciated!!

Good Luck, Everyone!!

Hope you all have a GORGEOUS day!!


**UPDATE**
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED AND THE WINNER WAS ANNOUNCED IN A SEPARATE POST

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