Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Gorgeous Floral Card with Wild Whisper & Xyron

Happy hump day!
All the winter weather has me feeling down. So I decided to give myself a much needed pick me up by making something pretty. Enter Wild Whisper, this week's collaboration with Team Xyron. And today I'll be showing how beautiful papers from this Canadian based company helped me to create this gorgeous floral card.


Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Eileen Hull Embroidery Hoop (Sizzix)
Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring (Sizzix)
Eileen Hull Journaling Card- Flowers & Leaves (Sizzix)
Magnetic Platform (Sizzix)
ColorBox Premium Dye Ink- Coral (Clearsnap)
ColorBox Art Daubers (Clearsnap)
Green Cardstock
Chipboard
Mini Pom-Poms
Pencil
Scissors
Trimmer (Swingline)
Stylus
Tweezers
Clear Drying Liquid Glue

For this collaboration, I chose to work with the stunning Forever & Always Paper Pack. The beautiful florals and soft palette drew me in an.

I started by cutting down my burlap patterned paper to create a 5"X 7" card front. Then trimmed the floral paper to 4 3/4"x 6 3/4" to layer on top.

I die cut the remnants of the burlap paper with Eileen Hull's Embroidery Hoop die and also cut another out of chipboard.

I used the inner chipboard ring as a stencil and traced a circle around this sentiment I found on another sheet from the Forever & Always pack. Then cut out the circle with a scissor.

Then I ran the cut-outs through the Creative Station Lite. I positioned my sentiment in the center to minimalize waste. Then layered the burlap die cuts over the chipboard and adhered them together.

After I used a Xyron Mega Runner to adhere my card front layer together, I attached my embroidery hoop to the card front and framed my sentiment.

I used Eileen Hull's Leaves, Spring & Card- Flowers & Leaves dies to cut leaves in multiple shades of green cardstock.

 I also die cut lots of small flowers from this pretty gray and white flower paper (also included in the Forever & Always Paper Pack). Then inked all the centers with Clearsnap's ColorBox Premium Dye Ink in Coral.

When the ink was completely dried, I spritz the flowers with water and used a stylus and foam mat to shape the flowers. I repeated the process with the leaves.
Then I layered the flowers together, attaching them with clear-drying liquid glue. I topped off each flower with a mini pom-pom ball for a center. 

I built a floral arch onto the top of the embroidery hoop by first layering the dark leaves and working my way lighter as I stacked them. Then adhered the flowers in the center of the arch.

And finally attached this stunning piece to a 5"x7" card base.

Look at all the wonder texture and layers!


The pom-pom centers are subtle yet gorgeous!

And here is an up-close look at the finished card...

I hope the card brought a little cheer to your holiday gloom like it did mine! And I hope that this inspires you to create your own cheer too!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!
~Mitsyana

DISCLAIMERS
**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.


***This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run the Up On Tippy Toes blog at no additional cost to you..***

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

DIY Christmas Canvas Art


Hey, Crafty Friends!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house. I'll be honest... I'm a bit slow at getting my Halloween stuff down and put away. In fact, there may or may not be grapevine pumpkins still sitting on my front porch. But I did manage to clear all the skulls and tombstones off my fireplace mantle and drape garland and put up and decorate the tree. So, that has to count for something right?!

I'm not the type to scale my house and hang lights and neither is my husband. So I think I'll stick to simply decorating indoors. Sometimes finding decor to fit you can be hard to do. I wanted something that was festive yet motivational... aaaand... I LOVE PUNS!!! And I knew I wanted to use Santa's SLEIGH in place of the word SLAY... as is KILLIN' IT, OWN IT, SEIZE THE DAY... SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS!! So I created this totally "punny" Christmas canvas using some Derwent art supplies and my Xyron Creative StationLite. 


Keep reading to see how I created this Christmas Canvas that absolutely slays... I mean, SLEIGHS!! 

Supplies Used
Derwent Academy Acrylic Paints, 24 pk  
Derwent Academy Stretched Canvas, 8"x10" 
Derwent Academy Artist Brush Set, 8 pk 
Derwent Academy Paint Palette, 10 Wells
Sizzix Big Shot
Acetate Film (Grafix)
Blue Painters Tape
Gold Paint Pen
Feather Boa
Clear Liquid Glue


I knew I wanted to paint my canvas and not just glue paper to it. But if you don't have an artistic bone in your body, fret not. You can still use your die cuts without adding bulk. You can use them for stencils and masks. Let me show you how...

For my masks and stencils, I like to use thin sheets of acetate (the same stuff you use to make shaker card windows from). They are nice and thin and easy to die cut. I cut my sheets in half ( I kept the protective tissue paper on the back so you could see the sheet. Otherwise, it's very difficult to see by itself).

 I like running my sheets through my Xyron Creative Station or Creative Station Lite using a REPOSITIONABLE refill cartridge before die-cutting. That way the masks are good to go once the shapes are cut out and by using the repositionable adhesive you can use it over and over. Just save the backer once you're done and store it for future use.

 I love this sleigh die I have by Brenda Walton. It's actually part of a 3D box die but the side panels are also gorgeous on its own. And it was my inspiration for my canvas. I die cut it glossy/ shiny acrylic side down.

Before applying it to my canvas, I taped off a border using blue painter's tape. Then used a t-ruler to help with placement so my sleigh laid straight and not crooked like it was either gonna take off into the sky or descend for a landing. 

Then I removed the film backer and added the sleigh to my canvas.

I also die cut alphabets using Tim Holts' Letterboard die to spell the word EVERYDAY. Again I used the t-ruler (it was such a lifesaver) and made letter placement so much easier. 

 Then, I squeezed globs of Scarlet and Crimson Red onto my paint palette. starting with the lighter of the two reds, I painted over my masks. Then added the darker red to the outer edges and blended inward.

You'll notice a white gap where I didn't paint. that was my masked area so it wasn't going to be painted so I didn't need to cover the center completely. I did, however, go back and add more Scarlet red to blend out the harsh dark border. 

Once, I was satisfied I began to remove the masks (while the paint was still wet). I used my piercing tool to help get the pieces off easier.

Next, I removed the painter's tape. Then sped up the drying time of the paint with my heat gun.

 I decided I wanted a border of gold around the red center but didn't trust myself to make an evenly thick line and straight border. So I taped off one with more painters tape. First I edge up the red center, then I eyeballed it and gave about a 1/4" gap. I pressed the tape down firmly then colored in the gap with a gold metallic paint marker.

 After removing the tape, I outlined my masked areas with a black permanent ink pen. Then I filled in the word "EVERYDAY" with black acrylic paint. It definitely made a hige impact!

 Then, I added a black feather boa all along the sides of the canvas using a clear liquid glue. I love all the frou-frou!

And finally, I a satin polka dot ribbon to coordinate. 

I love the thin golden border. It gives definition and makes it oh so fancy!

This really looks like something you buy in a boutique... LOVE it!!

This piece would look great on a wall, on a mantle, or even in a tree like shown here...


I hope you enjoyed today's project and it inspires you to go out there and SLEIGH your winter crafts!

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


DISCLAIMERS
**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.


***This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run the Up On Tippy Toes blog at no additional cost to you..***

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Creating Two Seasons with One Stamp Set

Hey, Friends!! I'm back again with Team Xyron today!!
And brrrrr... It's cold outside!! It's not even Thanksgiving and temperatures have begun to dip. I'm hoping that Mother Nature makes up her mind. I mean, it is still technically fall, right?!  Supposedly we still have 37 more days of fall to go... say what?!! Yup, that's right, winter doesn't officially begin until December 21!!  I don't know about your neck of the woods, but in my area, the frigid air here screams WINTER!!

So what is one to do... Craft for Fall or craft for Winter??

Well, if you're ever stuck in that sort of dilemma, let me give you a tip, buy products that are dual or multi-purpose! Like this set from Waffle Flower called Hello Pumpkin.


This set can be used throughout your year-end holiday seasons. It's filled with jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, and sweater wearing mice!! And did I mention the cute latte and coffee/ cocoa accessories? 

You can literally use this set to craft from Halloween to Christmas just with this one set!

But since Halloween has already passed, I'll show you how I created these winter and fall cards below. 



Supplies Used
Hello Pumpkin (Waffle Flower)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Procolour Pencils -24 Count(Derwent)
Stitched Circle Dies (Pink and Main)
Paper Trimmer (Swingline)
Watercolor Paper (Strathmore)
Misti Stamping Tool (My Sweet Petunia)
Twine- Natural Hemp, Black
Button
Mixed Media Glue

I started by using my Misti Stamping Tool to stamp my images from Waffle Flower's Hello Pumpkin onto a piece of watercolor cardstock with ColorBox Wicked Black Dye Ink. I colored all the stamped images in using Derwent's Procolour Pencils. The watercolor paper is quite textured and it has a nice tooth for the pigments in the pencils to grab onto. 

The trick with these pencils is to have a light hand. Apply gentle pressure and work in layers. If you apply too much pressure you burnish the color down and rid the paper of its tooth so the paper can no longer grip anymore color. 

Here's a trick to change seasons... switch out your color palette! Yes, it's that simple. With the exception of stamps that are obviously specific to a certain holiday or event, simply changing the color palette can result in a different feel and theme.

For example, I colored some images in oranges, greens, and browns (fall colors), while others were blues and purple (cool winter tones) or greens and reds (traditional Christmas colors).

Once I was done coloring I cut my little munchkins out by hand. The matching set of dies is available for this set but I find hand cutting images relaxing so I don't mind the fussy cutting.

 Coloring images can help set the mood and determine theme but so can paper!! Paper is, in my opinion, the biggest & easiest way to change the feel of your project. 

Again, I opted for more neutral tones... greens, oranges, browns, and yellows...
These shades make up the palette of my Fall card. And all my patterned paper came from one paper stack... DCWV's Fall Basics Stack.

I cut the card base to 9 1/4"x 8" and folded it in half (9 1/4"x 4" -folded).
The yellow striped mat measures 9 1/4"x 3 1/4".
And the plaid paper measures at 9 1/4" x 3".

I used my Mega Runner to adhere the first mat to the base. Adhering the piece straight down the center of the card.

I used my Big Shot with the magnetic platform and a circle die to cut 3 windows down the center of the mat. Then again, used my Mega Runner to adhere to the yellow striped paper.


I attached the leaves at the top center of my card. Then attached a small twine bow over top.
Then, I topped off the bow with an acorn center.

I added foam adhesive to the back of my critters to give them a little dimension and placed them each into a window.

Then to finish this card, I simply stamped the sentiment "Hello Pumpkin" in black ink.

Look how adorable it is! So simpl and oh so cute!!


For my Winter card... 

Even more quick and easy... Remember, I had already colored some of my images in winter and Christmas colors...

Then, I created this easy A2 (4 1/4"x 5 1/2") sized card base matted it twice giving each mat a difference of 1/4"

Mat #1- 4" x 5 1/4"
Mat #2- 3 3/4" x 5"

Layered and attached them with my Mega Runner.
Stamped the "You & me" sentiment towards the center of the card. Then added my "dimensional" mice (one on each side of the sentiment).

I almost forgot to give them their little beverages... I love how this set comes with the little latte and cup of hot cocoa (it can also double as coffee for all you coffee lovers)!!

Then, finally added my bow and stamped the words "perfect blend" underneath the little mice.


And...

TAH-DUH!!



EEEEKKK!! Yup, I'm squealing like a little mouse! These are just too flipping cute! I'll be definitely getting tons of use from this set for sure!

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's double feature!

Remember if you can't choose, always go for BOTH!! LOL

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

DISCLAIMERS
**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.


***This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run the Up On Tippy Toes blog at no additional cost to you..***

Friday, November 9, 2018

Love My Tribe card with Jillibean & Xyron

Hi, Friends!
I'm back with Team Xyron and this week we are partnering up with Jillibean Soup to bring you all the pretty things!


 And I want to show you how I created this homage to those pretty sweet people that are near and dear to my heart; my clan, my adoptive family... MY TRIBE.


Supplies Used
Creative Station Lite (Xyron)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Black Cardstock
Hemp Twine 
Red Button
Foam Tape
Clear Sparkle Pen (Spectrum Noir)
Paper Trimmer

For this card, I used Jillibean Soups Bohemian Brew Collection Pack. It's filled with polka dots, tropical florals, and retro minibusses! This is such a fun and cheerful collection!!

I decided to make my card 5"x 7" (folded) and cut the base out of black cardstock. 

I trimmed the papers to the following sizes:
Content (red polka dot) paper - 4 3/4" x 6 3/4".
Black cardstock #1 - 4"x 6"
Happiness (light teal flower) paper- 3 3/4"x 5 3/4"
Black cardstock #2 - 3 1/4"x 4 1/4"

Then I trimmed out the most perfect sentiment from the Bite Size Bits sheet (printed cards) that reads, "Love My Tribe". 


I ran each piece of cardstock and patterned paper through my Xyron Creative Station Lite machine, gave them a good burnishing then layered them.

Before adhering my sentiment, I punched out a few berry twigs and flowers. I used my Xyron Mega Runner to quickly attach them to the card front. Then, layered the sentiment onto the card. 

I added foam adhesive to the back of the flower punch out to give it a little dimension. Then attached it in between the berry stems.


Then, I added a bow made from hemp twine and topped it with a red button.

Then, Finally, I highlighted areas with my clear sparkle pen over the flowers and berries for some shine... because, let's face it, I need some sparkle!


And her is my finished card...


Just a subtle shine...


I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial!!

If you love Jillibean Soup, make sure to swing by their blog and check out the oodles of inspiration they have in spades!

And don't forget to swing by both the Xyron & Jillibean on Facebook!! They are BOTH having awesome GIVEAWAYS!! Head on over to see how you can win some amazing crafty swag!!




Until next time...
HAP-HAP-HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

DISCLAIMERS
**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.


***This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run the Up On Tippy Toes blog at no additional cost to you..***

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Shabby Chic Pop-up Gift Card Holder with Graphic 45 & Xyron



Hey Crafty Friends!!
Happy Wednesday!! I'm so excited to bring you another project for Team Xyron today! Because all week long we will be featuring projects made with Gorgeous Graphic 45 papers!

And if you head on over to Xyron's Facebook Page, not only will you see all these inspirational projects but you could enter to win some fabulous prizes! Xyron is giving away 2 (yes, I said TWO) bundle packages!! Each package contains a Xyron Mega Runner & a Graphic 45 Paper pack!! How flipping awesome is that?!! And just in time for the holiday season to get started on that beautiful Christmas cardmaking and gift giving!! 

And speaking of beautiful, today, not only are my projects beautiful to look at but fun and interactive too!! Keep reading to see I make gift cards not just fun to spend but fun to open too, with these Pop-up Gift Card Holders! Check out this stunning trio! 


Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Lynda Kanase's Bigz L Die- Card, Slider (Sizzix)
Paper Flowers (I Am Roses)
Mixed Media Glue
Crinkle Ribbon
Craft Foam 

I started with one 6" x12" piece of black chipboard. Then cut it down to 3" x 8.5" for my base. The black chipboard is really striking but needs to be "prettified"... And these luscious papers from Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe Collection are absolutely PERFECT!! And what's even more fantastic is that these papers are double sided!! **SQUEAL**


I trim my Floral Shoppe patterned paper down to 3" x 8.5" strips. You'll need 2 strips to cover each chipboard base. And because these papers are double sided you can use the same sheet of paper to get different looks on each side.

I ran the strip through my Creative Station Lite machine. But since my strips were only 3" wide I opted to save on adhesive and switched out my usual 5" cartridge with a smaller 3" one. Perfect!! No waste! I love that the Creative Stations are versatile and I can pick and choose the best size cartridge to fit my project size.


Once my strips were run through the Creative Station, I applied them directly onto the black chipboard. One pattern on each side. Then I made a tough decision... which side was to be my cover... I love pink but this time those flowers won my heart!

Using Lynda Kanase's Card Slider Die, I faced the paper pattern side down. You'll see on the die it has two sections... one with one crease and the other with three. I positioned my material faced down against the cutting blade onto the side of the die with just one crease blade. 

I ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot machine.

Oh my... It's beautiful already!! And that was just covering it with paper!

Then, I took a nail file and sanded down the edges.

For the pop-up function, you'll need another  (Yes, a third) 3" x 8.5" strip of coordinating paper. This time place it faced down against the side of the die with 3 crease blades. You'll be able to see and count the raised areas on the die. Remember, there are blades under that foam so please handle with extreme caution!


Once the strip is die-cut with crease marks, fold along the crease lines to form a "W".

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach each folded end to each card flap. You do not add adhesive across the whole die-cut just the two ends up to the crease lines. Then attach them by matching up the ends. 

It should form a square when opened up to a 90-degree angle.
It's almost ready!!

The front covers need just a little love...

These Tags & Pockets and Chipboard pieces are absolutely amazing! 

I took this tag and layered it onto a piece of leftover scraps and hand cut a border around it. Then punched a hole at the top and tied crinkle ribbon onto the tag.

Then added some "homemade" foam adhesive to the back for a little dimension.

And, by the way, foam adhesive is so easy to make! Just take pieces of craft foam sheets and insert it into your Xyron. Run through. Trim. Flip over and run through again! Easy Peasy!! Never run out of foam adhesive again!!



Lastly, I added premade paper flowers with clear drying glue.

And presto...


I kind of went nuts with these... 




They were too gorgeous to just stop at making one!! And with how easy they all came together, I'd be crazy not to make more!

They are a great addition to my gift giving arsenal. I'm gonna make sure I have lots of these on hand. Especially with Christmas around the corner!! This definitely took my gift card game to the next level!!

Just open it up and slide your gift card into the slit. When the recipient open it, it will automatically raise the card out!! How cool is that??!!

Watch it in action here...

https://youtu.be/_SQrSGJ8kQQ


I hope you enjoyed today's project and are inspired to give it a try!!

And don't forget about the giveaway!! Head on over to the Xyron Facebook page now!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

DISCLAIMERS
**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.

***This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run the Up On Tippy Toes blog at no additional cost to you..***