Friday, September 29, 2017

4 Cards - 1 stamp set w/ Xyron & Paper Smooches

Hello, Crafty Friends!!
I back on my blog with Team Xyron!
And we have been creating up a storm with Paper Smooches!!

I absolutely love Paper Smooches' fun and cutesy designs! They make me just giddy! Just look at these cute designs and tell me that just doesn't make you go "aawwwwe"!

When I heard we were collaborating with Paper Smooches, I just knew I had to use this set. I have a hard time finding a card from my whole family. Almost 99.99% of the time I sign my cards from my whole family. This set was the perfect set for me with sentiments that included "us "and "we" to let people know that their card isn't just from one person.




Supplies Used

We Adore You (Paper Smooches)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
140 lb Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Birthday Wishes Stack (DCWV)
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)
Clear Embossing powder (Judikins)
White Gel Pen ( Sakura)
Twine
Buttons


With all my cards, I started by stamping my image onto mixed media paper with VersaFine Onyx Black ink. All the images I used on today's projects were all stamped one 4"x 6" piece of paper.

Then, I colored my images with Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers. I totally love the vibrancy of alcohol inks and how the strokes are almost seamless.

After coloring my images, I cut my images out by hand.
Aren't these little critters adorable?!!

I love this fun paper from DCWV's Birthday Stack. The colors are bright and cheery.
This stack has lots awesome elements and it's what I decided to build my cards with.
I simply cut out different components by hand. I even cut out the little pennant banner.

The bottom row of pictures is a row of fun borders I also cut apart. These helped make my card building a cinch!

Down below, I show how quick and easy each card was put together.

For this card, I chose this paper that actually had a cool design already printed with borders. I cut it into a 4.25" x 11" piece of paper. Creased it on the 5"x 5" mark and folded it to make a simple A2 sized card.

Easy-Peasy already, right??!

Then, I tied a piece of twine around the front flap tied it off and added a multi-loop box with a button.I took one of my cut-out elements and added foam adhesive to the back for a bit of dimension.
Then I attached it to the card front and topped it with my little cutie owls image I had stamped out earlier.

To finish this card off, I simply added a cute pennant dangling down from one side.

Super cute so far, right??!!

Well, that's card one!!

The next card has a few more steps but nothing too hard.

I started again with one of my elements I had cut out previously. In this case, it was this cute plaid tag. I used my stamping tool and VeraFine ink and stamped the 'from all of us" sentiment at the bottom center of the tag.

This paper was extremely glossy so to ensure that the ink would not smudge I dipped it in a bit of clear embossing powder and heat set it.

I adhered the card onto white cardstock using my Mega Runner and trimmed around the tag leaving a 1/8" border around the edge.

I freehand cut a little wonky heart with my scissors and added faux stitching along the edges with a white gel pen. Then added onto the little tag (along with this adorable trio from the stamp set) using more foam adhesive.

Using my Xyron Mega Runner, I mounted my tag on onto a double matted A2 sized card base. 

Mat Measurements:
4"x 5.25"
&
3.75" x 5"

To finish this card, again I topped with a multi-looped bow and button. Card #2... DONE!!


For this next card, I created a 5"x7" card base by simply folding a 10"x 7" piece of patterned cardstock in half.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach the previously cut border onto the card front.


I attached my little monsters onto my tag, again backing it with foam adhesive for dimension.  I stamped the "sending birthday wishes to you" sentiment onto the tag.

Then, I  heat set it with clear embossing powder to prevent smudging.

Again I added a little swag of pennant banners across the top and button-topped, multi-looped, bow.

And... BOOM!! Card # 3 is DONE!

 This last card is also 5"x 7". I used 2 a couple of border cut-outs and adhered them together. Then I attached the borders onto the 5'x7" card using my Xyron Mega Runner. Then used the biggest of my cut-out elements and attached it over top.

I cut out two more wonky hearts using scrap paper from the previous cards I just made.
I layered and attached them and my stamped image using foam adhesive. And again topping off with a button-topped multi-looped bow.
WOOT WOOT!! 4 CARDS DONE!!

 These cards are ready for a celebration...
From all of us!!


Here are a few close-ups!










Well, I hope you enjoyed today's adventure with me!

If you would like to see more crafty goodness from my other Teamies, please check out Xyron's Facebook page HERE.

Paper Smooches also jsut released all their NEW October goodies... Check out what's new HERE.

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

**Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Friday, September 22, 2017

DIY Laminated Monogram Luggage Tags


Hey, Crafty Friends!! I'm back! 
This time with Team Xyron! This week the design team made projects using the laminate refill cartridges. And today, I made a few DIY Laminate Monogram Luggage Tags!

Supplies Used
140 lb. Mixed Media
Stitched Traditional Tag STAX (My Favorite Things)
Colorista Aqua Stamp Set- Love (Crafter's Companion)
Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers- Landscape, Nature (Crafter's Companion)
PITT Artist Pens- S, B (Faber-Castell)
Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink - Antique Linen (Ranger)
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Metal Findings/ Keyrings

I started by die-cutting 3 tags from 140 lb mixed media paper. I used this paper as the base of my tags because I was doing stamping and coloring and didn't want my colors to bleed through. This mixed media paper is nice and thick and it holds up to moisture very well.

I also die cut a 2.5" circle from patterned cardstock. Use whatever color you want for this part. White on white hurts my eyes and I just used a bold pattern to make it easy for me to see. 


Then, I ran my circle die-cut through my Xyron Creative Station Lite using the 5" Repositionable Cartridge to make the circle into a mask and placing it on my tag.

 I used a stamp positioning tool to help with exact placement and quick stamping. It really comes in handy when making multiples of the same project.

The rubber stamped I used on my tag was pretty big, it overlapped my tag on both sides. So, I placed my TAG at the 3" line so it would have room on either side of the stamp and not have a wall of the platform in the way of my stamp. I made sure to lay a piece of typewriting paper under my tag so I wouldn't get my platform inky.

Then, I placed my stamp on the "rubber" side of the platform lid, inked my stamp with VersaFine Onyx Black ink, and pressed firmly down on the stamped image.

Then, I lift up the lid to make sure the stamp gave a good impression.

 Once satisfied with the impression, I remove the circle mask. Then, I placed a new tag down in its place (in the same spot, at the 3" mark). Then repeated the previous steps onto the other two tags.

Then, I came to my favorite part, the COLORING!!

I used my Spectrum Noir Aqua Makers to color in the flowers and leaves of the stamped image and then blended the colors out with a water brush.

After I was done coloring, I placed the mask back onto the tag to re-mask the blank area.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxides in Antique Linen to shade the outer perimeter of the tag, leaving the center white.

I removed the mask, and hand drew my monogram. I call it faux hand-lettering. I can't hand-letter to save my life (#GOALS)!
But, I can draw each letter which is good enough for me, for now anyway! LOL

For my "faux" hand-lettering, I start by lightly drawing out my letters with a pencil. That way any mistakes I made or things I want to change can be erased.

Once I was satisfied with how my letters looked,  I traced over the pencil marks with a permanent ink pen. Then erased any pencil marks that I left behind.


I needed to switch out my cartridges. I wanted to make my luggage tags water resistant and more durable. So, I replaced the adhesive cartridge with a 2 Sided Laminate cartridge instead.

I punched holes at the top center of the tags. Then, ran them through the Creative Station Lite.

Next, I trimmed off the excess laminate and left a 1/8" border all the around.

I re-punched the hole to remove the adhesive. Then, slipped in a metal finding and attached a keyring onto each tag.

And here are my gorgeous Floral and MONOGRAMMED Luggage Tags!!

These can't just be used for suitcases!

How about on backpacks???

On School Supplies???

On purses and handbags???

Or why even hang it on a bag at all?? How but just using it as a keychain? 
I pretty sure you won't lose your keys now!! LOL


I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial!!

And if you can't hand-letter, have a go at "FAUX" lettering and draw them instead!

Hope you all have a very crafty day!!
Until next time, Friends!
~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.




Wednesday, September 20, 2017

PrettyNPink Mixed Media Canvas


Hi, Crafty Friends!!
I'm back again with Little Birdie Crafts to bring you another "Clean" Mixed Media Project.
I love mixed media but don't like getting too grungy and dirty. I like the textures and layering but am more drawn to more bright and fresh color palette. 

So, I create my mixed media with my personal style and likes in mind.. because ART is about personal expression and there's no wrong way to do art!

Little Birdie Crafts Supplies Used
Renae Blush (Flowers)

Other Supplies Used
Tulle Ribbon
Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)
Pebeo Gilding Wax (Crafter's Companion)
8"x10" Pre-Primed Canvas
2.5"x2.5" Decorative Picture Frame (Michael's)
White Gesso (Liquitex)
Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)
Spatula
Paintbrush
Scissors

First, I started by applying whipped spackle onto my pre-primed canvas using a palette knife and Script stencil. As you can see in the pictures below, this is a pretty good sized stencil and it covers most of my 8"x10" canvas. I personally did not need to use painters tape or washi tape to hold the stencil in place. But if you could if you wanted it to be more secure.

I removed my stencil, set the canvas aside to dry, then immediately washed my stencil off. Removal of the spackle is a lot easier while it is still wet and it helps to prevent damage to the stencil.

After the spackle dried I painted the entire canvas(including the sides) with  Little Birdie Crafts' French Rose chalk paint.

Once the paint was dried, I applied Pebeo Gilding Wax onto the raised areas of the canvas and along the perimeter edges. This paste is so easy to use... just gently dip your finger directly into the wax and rub your fingertip across the surface. You don't need too much, a little goes a long way!

I removed the easel and backing off the small decorative frame then attached it to the canvas using mixed media glue.

I prepped my chipboard pieces. First snipping a couple of links off of one of my pendants. (I'll save it to add it to the top of my other later to elongate it). 

I prepared a texture paste by mixing 1 teaspoon white gesso with about 1/4 teaspoon - 1/2 teaspoon of texture powder.

I applied the mixture to all my chipboard pieces, making sure to get in between the small creases and along the sides.

Once the pieces were fully dried, I rubbed more gilding wax over the raised textured areas. The wax has a creamy consistency and is very easy to apply and very easy to wash off. Simply wash off with soap and warm water to remove.


I applied the Garden Butterflies Chipboard piece onto the front of the decorative frame with more mixed media glue.  

Then arranged the Renae Blush flowers and leaves and Kraft Leaves around the decorative frame in a cascading fashion, tucking the leaves behind the flowers. Once I achieved the look I wanted, I secured the pieces in place with mixed media glue.

I love how elegant the Renae Blush flowers are. The centers of the flowers are filled with pearl beaded stamens and rhinestones. 



And here is my finished canvas...


Look at all these amazing details!! Those flowers absolutely heavenly!!


And the tulle surrounding the canvas is so dreamy!!



I hope you enjoyed this mixed media tutorial! 
I absolutely adore this style I hope it inspires you to give it a try!!

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

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving- Farm Harvest Card


Hello, Friends!! I'm back with Team Pink with another adorable project! 
I am so glad that the summer heat is dying down. It hasn't gone down that much here in Texas and we still have weather in the low to mid 90's but that is far cooler than the nasty 114-118 temps we've had during the height of summer... Um, Thanks but NO THANKS... I think I'll stay my behind inside!

By next month for sure, we should feel a significant temperature drop. And then HELLLOOOO Fall!!

Then we know what that means... it's time to prep for the one day it's acceptable to gorge till we pass out! THANKSGIVING!! YES!!

And because of this occasion, I decided to make this adorable Scarecrow Farm Harvest card.


Pink & Main Supplies Used
Image 1   


   

Other Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Black Cardstock (Recollections)
Happy Day Stack (DCWV)
Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
VersaFine Ony Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Ranger)
White Pigment Ink
Polka Dot Satin Ribbon

I made a 6x6 card using the brown plaid paper from Pink and Main's Pumpkin Spice and the blue cloud patterned paper from the Take Flight paper pad.

Paper Measurements
Brown Plaid: 6" x 6"
Black Cardstock: 5-5/8"x  5-5/8"
Cloud Pattern: 5-1/2" x 5-1/2"
Green Strip: 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" 

 I used Eileen Hull's House Pocket die to create the little barn in the background.  I just added 2 doors instead of one and I cut 1/8" strip from white cardstock and formed X's over the front and layered them on white rectangles that were 1/8" bigger than the doors. Then use o small window laid sideways for the top window the barn.

I attached the barn onto the front of the card using my Mega Runner. Then layered my stamped images in front. First applied the corn stalks then added the scarecrows on top, adding foam adhesive to the backs for added dimension. Then I topped off with a row of pumpkins, again adding foam to the backs for even more dimension.

Lastly, I adhered the whole card front to a 6"x6" mustard yellow card base. Then stamped the phrase Happy Thanksgiving from the Turkey Day Stamp set onto the barn using white pigment ink.

And here is the finished card...


And then... at the very last minute, even after all the picture taking was done, I decided to add a bow... LOL hahaha, I love where creativity takes me!

 Hope you enjoyed this card... and the newfound fall weather!!

Happy crafting, my friends!!
~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***
This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.