Little Artist Traveler's Journal

Hello, Friends!! I am so happy to be doing my first official post for little Birdie Crafts today!!
They have such gorgeous handmade flowers, papercraft embellishments, and so much more!

For my project today I chose to make a special gift for my oldest daughter. She is her mother's daughter and aspires to be an artist. She loves to create whenever possible so I decided to make her this personalized traveler's journal.

To see full tutorial and supply list, please check out the post on their blog here at...

Little Birdie Crafts !!

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XOXO

Hi again, Crafty Friends!!

I think it's pretty clear that February is the month of Love. And I'm back again with Fleurette Bloom Stamps... whom has just asked me to be a part of their Design Team!!! Eeeeeek!! How cool is that??!!

I don't know about you but hearing great news like that always make me feel loved! And I've been in a very lovey-dovey type of mood lately... lots of warm fuzzies!

And what says love better than red roses...I think roses are very romantic, by the way!

 So, I made this simple, elegant, and "tres romantique" card using...

Roses in Bloom

Other Supplies Used

Clean Color Real Brush 60ct (Kuretake/ Zig)

Momento Tuxedo Black Ink (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

 Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Hello Darlin Stack (DCWV Inc.)

Chalk Cardstock (DCWV Inc.)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Stitched Circle Dies (Pink and Main)

Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies (Pink and Main)

Whimsy Embossing Folders (We R Memory Keepers)

Moxie Font Dies (Quickutz/ Lifestyle Crafts)

Fishtail Flag STAX (My Favorite Things)

White Gel Pen (Sakura)

Fabric Tac

Heart Cabochon 

I started by stamping my image with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, a total of three times. 

Next, I colored them using Kuretake's Clean Color Real Brush Pens and I added highlights using a white gel pen.

I cut out two of the images by hand, and the third I die cut using a stitched circle die. Then embossed the die cut with an embossing folder.

I added foam adhesive to the back of the flowers and layered them onto each other for more dimension and removed one of the flowers for the very top layer.

I used this light green paper from the Hello Darlin Stack by DCWV and created a A7 (5"x 7" folded) sized card base.

Then die cut printed text paper from the same stack using a stitched rectangle die. You can hardly see it but the print has lots of inspirational sayings and phrases.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my rectangle to the front of my card base.

I used the same circle die from earlier and traced around the outside diameter of the die as a template. Then hand cut out the traced shape and layered it under my paper pieced roses.

I added foam tape under the circle for more dimension then adhered it to my card front.

I die cut a pennant and the letters XOXO and adhered the little flag to the card, slightly tucking it behind the circle.

Lastly, I added a heart shaped cabochon using a clear quick dry adhesive.

You can really see all the added dimension with all the different layers (above picture).

Finished Card

I really hope you enjoyed my project for today and that it filled you with 

a bit of love, a little romance, or even some heartfelt inspiration.

XOXO,

Mitsy

Butterfly Ornament

Hello, Crafty Friends!! It the holiday season and it's time to get those crafty gifts going. Today I have a beautiful butterfly ornament to share. It doesn't only serve as tree decor but as a gorgeous keepsake too.

Supplies Used

Cut'.n'boss (Craftwell)

Teresa Collins Pocket Dies- Today, Thankful (Craftwell)

eBrush (Craftwell)

Xyron 3" Sticker Maker 

Sharpie Markers- Green & Lime Greem

Spectrum Noir Markers- CG3, GB1, GB2, TN3

Acrylic Ornament

Hemp Twine

Cardstock- White & Green

PITT Artist Pen B (Faber-Castell)

Gesso (Liquitex)

3D Lacquer 

Iridescent Shreds (Optional)

I started off by using my stem and small leaf die from the Teresa Collins Thankful Pocket Die set to cut out white and green cardstock. I usually try to cut out more die cuts than I need... just in case I have an accident or two (or three). LOL

To cut wafer dies I used the following sandwich combination in my Cut'n'boss machine:

From Bottom to Top

D PLATE

A PLATE

B PLATE

DIE

PAPER

A PLATE

Then I added some shading with the help of my ebrush machine and markers. With tiny pieces like these shading and coloring can be difficult. sponging and inking can run the risk of damaging your die cuts. With the ebrush the color sprays on and virtually eliminates the need for vigorous rubbing.

I ebrushed my green leaves with a lime green and regular green sharpie. And my stems in a lime green sharpie then Spectrum Noir markers in CG3 and TN3.

Then I ran my leaves and stem through my 3" Xyron Sticker Maker... turning my pieces into stickers.

Then arranged them onto my ornament... concentrating on the bottom and top of the ornament. I used 6 leaves for the entire top and 8 leaves for the entire bottom. And used 4 stems on the top and 4 stems on the bottom.

I cut out two butterflies for the Teresa Collins Today Pocket Dies set. ebrushed them in Spectrum Noir GB1 and GB2 and hand drew the details with a PITT Artist Pen (B) and used gesso and a toothpick to add the small white dots.

After they were done drying, I ran them through my 3" Xyron Sticker Maker and applied the onto each other. These butterflies are symmetrical and if flipped mirror itself perfectly. Now my butterfly is double-sided. 

I gently curl my butterfly's wing in and pass it through the hole of the ornament. Once the butterfly is inside you can open/ widen the wings by gently pushing on them with a chopstick or paintbrush. Add shreds if desired.

I wrapped twine around neck of the ornament and glued on a bow I made with even more hemp twine.

And here is my finished ornament...

I hope you enjoyed today's project.

And Happy Holiday Crafting!!

~Mitsy

For more inspirational projects please visit my personal blog at:

www.upontippytoes.com

More Sock Creations - Sock Bunnies

Hello again my friends,
I have another treat for you today!!

I took a slight detour away from my paper and played with dolls! LOL

Ok, I had to make them first, but making them was the best part!! And because of it I'm able to share with you another tutorial!! Yay!!

This is a revamp on an older tutorial I did a couple years ago around Christmas. Remember that one Christmas that every crafty mommy(and their grandmother) went on this Sock Snowman making frenzy? Yup, I was one of them.But I did my sock snowmen with a twist!

Let me explain... You see, after I made my first snowman (which came out great) I felt the need to be different... It's just in my nature! I mean, it was cute... but only as cute as the  next one.. or the next one... or even the next one after that. Everyone (and their grandmother) was making the same darn thing. So that is when I decided to make different animals and not just a snowman... You can read more about it HERE.

Anyhoo, where was I go with this?! Oh yeah... revamped sock snowmen... If you did read the original post about them, you would know that I added a sock penguin, bear, and mouse... and then I promised to make more sock animals soon... yeah, it didn't happen and life got in the way and I got side-tracked! But I am happy to say that I am finally adding to my SOCK FAMILY!!

And here it is, the SOCK BUNNY!!

Aren't they cute! They make great teachers gifts!! But not these, these are going to my children!! I'm making each one of them a bunny to put in their Easter baskets. 

****JUST A BIT OF WARNING****

 If you plan on giving your small ones one of these as a gift just be advised... there are small pieces and that playing with them should always be under close adult supervision! Don't not let your little ones chew on the the small pieces they could detach and become a choking hazard! As with all small toys... please play with caution! 

OK, NOW ON TO THE TUTORIAL!!

You Will Need:
3 cups of rice, preferable in a tall glass (you'll see why)
Adult sized fuzzy sock
Children's sized hair tie/elastic( in coordinating color to sock)
 a sheet of felt
Hot glue gun and sticks
Household kitchen shears or Fabric shears
Buttons or flat-back pearls (for the eyes and nose)
pom-poms (should be at least the size of  half a cotton ball, can be bigger if you wish)
Ribbon (for bows)
Bunny body parts template
And a pair of tiny helping hands (totally optional)

Pour rice int tall glass or cup.

Slide sock over cup.

Flip cup over and empty rice into sock. This would be a good time to get your tiny helping hands involved... again, it's totally optional. But this is a great way to have your children involved in arts and crafts! They can be your little "helpers" , it make them feel special having an important job.

Gather the sock where the rice ends and secure with hair tie.

With your kitchen shears cut down the center of the remaining sock fabric, going towards the hair tie. Stop just before the tie. Do not cut the elastic.. it is what is holding all that rice in!!

Also, round off the two (now cut "ears"). This makes them to look like floppy bunny ears. It should look like two big, slightly connected ovals. 

You have now just made the base of your  bunny!! Yay!

Now that this is complete cut out your bunny parts from felt using the "Body Part Template" I created.

You can download it for FREE here .

Take your bunny base, felt bunny parts, pom-pom, buttons, and ribbon. And Start gluing them down.

The smallest oval is for the muzzle/ snout and the biggest is for the belly. 

The two long and narrow oval are for the ears. Glue one oval to the center of each ear. Then place a pea-sized dot of glue on the end of the ear closest to the end and pinch close creating a crease. This will help stiffen the ear and help stand them up.

Don't forget to turn him over and glue down the pom-pom tail!!

Then add eyes, nose, and ribbon/bow. You can also accessorize with a child sized  bead bracelet as a little necklace.

I finished her off by adding some pink chalk to her cheeks with a cotton swab and drawing few black dots giving her a more complete face.

And there she is! isn't she adorable!

You can easily turn your girl bunny into a boy by placing the bow under the muzzle to make a

 bow-tie!!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!! 

Happy Crafting!!

~ Mitsy

eBrushed Burlap Pin

Hello Again Crafty Friends!! If you've read my last post about the Super Cute Hair Ties I made you know that I've used this fabulous tool to get that super cool airbrush effect on my flowers. I find it adds sooooo much dimension and depth to my projects.

This little wonder is called the eBrush and is made by Craftwell. It's a personal airbrush machine you can use with markers... yes, MARKERS!! The eBrush comes with 6 different adapter heads. And, my favorite at the moment is the Sharpie adapter. Yes, you heard that right again!! Sharpies!!

Here is another project I made using my eBrush & Sharpies... on, of all things... BURLAP!!

Have you ever tried coloring burlap?? Let me tell you, it's not pretty! But this tool makes it effortless. 

I used the same techniques to build the hair ties to make this rustic pin. You can visit the tutorial HERE.

But instead of adding my flower to a headband I added a pin backing to it.

I even colored my flat back pearl with the eBrush!

This tool is so awesome! I'm literally running around my house looking for different things I can airbrush... I'm having waaaay too much fun!

So, stay tuned for more eBrushed projects coming soon!

And, the word through the grapevine is eBrush is starting a Design Team...Eeeeeek!!! I think I'm gonna give it a shot... WISH ME LUCK!!

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Super Cute Flower Hair Ties

               

SUPPLIES YOU'LL NEED:

Sizzix Big Shot or Personal Die Cutting Machine

Sizzix Tattered Flowers by Tim Holtz

2 Sheets Pink Felt

2 Pink Buttons

2 Ouch-less Hair Elastics

Hot Glue Gun & Glue sticks

OPTIONAL

eBrush airbrushing system

Pink Sharpies

I used Sizzzix's Tim Holtz's Tatter Flowers die and cut out 8 of the large 6 pt flowers and 4 of the small. Using my eBrush machine I airbrushed the 8 large flowers to give them more depth. These will be your "petals". I left the 4 small ones plain... 2 will be flower "bases" and 2 will be "covers".

Up close view of  ebrushed flower. This part is optional. 

Have your hot glue gun ready.

With a dab of hot glue in the center of flower fold flower in half. press and wait for glue to set.

Add another dab of hot glue and again fold flower in half like so. Again, press and wait for glue to set.

This will make your flowers "petals". Repeat with the remaining 7 flowers. You should have a total of 8 petals.

You will need 2 of your small plain flowers next. These will be your flower "bases". With 1 of the flower bases add a peas sized dab of glue from the center to close edge of the flower petal.

Add your petal to flower base.

Repeat 3 more times... laying them in a circle pattern and completely covering the flower base.

Hot glue button to center of flower. 

Repeat previous steps onto second flower base.

Once glue has set and cooled, flip flower over. Hot glue hair elastic in place. Top with cover flower and hot glue in place.

Repeat with to make second flower

There you have it... a super cute set of hair ties!!

And I have one of the most cutest munchkins in the world modeling for me...

She just loves to show off all Mommy's hard work.

Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy tutorial!

Happy Crafting!!