So Many Favorites - So Little Time... Designer Crafts Connection celebrates National Craft Month

Hello Friends! Its been a while since I've done some arting -- and since it's National Craft Month I'm joining the Designer Craft Connection to bring you some inspiration using our favorites. It's been a whirlwind since attending Creativation in January and when I have time to play I like to get back to something that got me started in papercrafting... making ATCs {artist trading cards}. 

ATC's are small little masterpieces. One of my favorite ways to squeeze in some arting, try out some new products and using up scraps of this and that. Today I'm sharing this quick little project I made just for myself... an upcycled mini book that is a little bit steampunk and a little bit purple!

I love to create with recycled items and reinvent them by using up items items on my craft table. This project can be made in any colors or theme and is great for the kiddos, too!

This project began with this piece of distressed aluminum tape covered cardstock on my table. This tape is already self adhesive and is wonderful to use in creating steampunk projects and altering items with metal. I use it to make large sheets of distressed cardstock for use on all sorts of altered projects... and ATCs!

It's pretty easy to make a sheet of metal paper. You take a sheet of cardstock or recycled chipboard, then cut strips of the aluminum tape; adhering pieces in an overlapped fashion to cover the sheet. You can be as creative as you want doing this. Use a bone folder to burnish down and press out any air bubbles. Sand and distress surface as desired. Then you are ready to paint, emboss and stamp for a multitude of uses.

My sheet above has a pink smudgy coloring because my roll of aluminum tape happened to have red words printed on it and I removed by rubbing with nail polish remover. I liked the look of it with some red, so I didn't rub it all completely clean.

I have loads of recycled toilet paper tubes set aside for projects. The brand I get is now glue-less to the roll – which makes it that much easier to prep for crafty goodness.

I press the tubes flat and make a nice folded edge with my bone folder.

Using some Ranger Distress Paints, I quickly add some distressing and color to the edges. I just love the dauber tops on the bottles -- they make painting quick and easy. This can be done with chalk inks or regular ink pads also.

I went around the edges of seven (7) flattened tubes with Seedless Preserves and Tarnished Brass Ranger Distress Paints. A touch of color adds a little "POP" of color to the kraft color of the recycled tubes that will be the structure of my ATC holder.

I stack all of the tubes together and one by one added a line of tacky glue down the center and press another on top. You can create these type of pockets in a variety of shapes/sizes with envelopes or paper bags also. These tubes are the perfect size and shape to hold artist trading cards {ATCs}.

I align the tubes and clamp the stack together with some binder clips to dry. When dry this will be a sturdy pocket honeycomb booklet.

I use one of my favorite embossing folders in my Cuttlebug machine and dab with a variety of reds and purple Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks to add color and depth to my distressed aluminum cardstock.

I cut the sheet to size making a front and back covers for my mini honeycomb ATC cardholder. I had a thin strip leftover of the metal paper, so I cut into thirds and used it to add some detail to the spine area {nothing goes to waste}.

I add some embellishments -- a swatch of plum lace which looks lovely layered on top of the metal embossed cover, then some scraps of ribbons, fibers, lace, buttons, bling, found objects and goodies from my favorite stash of metal hardware. I inked some pale pink ribbon trim to match the color palette and altered a strand of pearls with alcohol inks to match too! Voila!

"STEAMPUNK" ATC Traveller

I hope this fun upcycled project inspires you to create. How you create your own? For more inspiration CLICK HERE to jump over to the beginning of the National Craft Month Foil Bloghop with the Designer Crafts Connection!

Thanks so much for visiting! Sb :)

#Cre8time Cryptkeeper Pendant for 31 Days of Halloween #DominoArtChallenge

Hello boys and Ghouls! Welcome to a very special project that is part of the 31 Days of Halloween Challenge at Domino Art... devoted to altering dominos, puzzle pieces, and game pieces - all those little things we love to save for the most special projects. Today is my project and you want to jump over to the Domino Art Blog to see all the other spooktacular altered creations!

My project today is an altered puzzle piece turned into jewelry from the crypt! Creating for Halloween comes a close second only to creating for Christmas and I go ALL OUT. I invite you to read along as I share details on how this came to life...

Supplies: Puzzle piece; recycled chess piece; detail scissors; scraps of pre-painted distress marbled papers; copper wire; Crop-A-Dile; copper eyelet; copper wire; wooden bead; "hello sweetie"; "barb wire background" and "skeleton rising" stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps!, Ranger Distress Paints; Versafine Black Ink; waterbrush; Maroon pigment ink; VLVS! ultra fine clear embossing powder; Diamond Glaze; assorted markers; Ranger Old Paper and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink; Ranger Embossing Antiquities in Rust; dark amber sticky-back gems; and double-sided adhesive tape. 

Starting with a leftover scrap of Distress Ink marbelized cardstock, I traced my selected puzzle piece {this being a generic blank craft version} and cut out with detail scissors. I adhered to puzzle piece with a generous slathering of glue stick.

The backside was blank as well, so I wanted to give this side a grungy rusted finish. I used Ranger Distress Paints to create a marbled, drippy background... I just love this effect!!!

While my paint was still wet and drippy, I dragged the color around to the front and made some creepy, bloody drippings from the top and also painted the edges.

While my paint is drying, I stamped the skeleton rising onto white cardstock with black Versafine ink and set with VLVS! ultra fine clear embossing powder. I added a little color with a waterbrush and an assortment of markers. By the time I was done fussy cutting this character, my puzzle piece is ready to stamp.

I used my heat gun to finish drying and set paint on the puzzle piece. I inked up a barb wire background stamp with maroon pigment ink and pressed the rusty colored side of the puzzle piece into the stamp. I could have used clear or black ink, the ink gets lost when this opaque embossing powder is applied.

Now the magic... turning this barbed wire into fabulous faux rusty wire. I applied Ranger Antiquities Rust embossing powder - a lovely distressed rust mixture, and tapped off excess. When heat set, the rust comes alive!

I finished off with a rubbing of distress inks to and a grey marker to bring out depth and create shadows. The back is it's own gorgeous rusty mess!

I brought a little rust around to the front by adhering "hello sweetie" sentiment to a piece of double sided adhesive tape, leaving edges exposed to create a matted edge, then applying the same rusty goodness in a bottle. A zap with the heat gun followed by a gentle rubbing with some Distress Inks, and a rusty sign is ready. I added a kiss of Diamond Glaze for a little dimensional shine.

A adhered the skeleton to the puzzle piece and trimmed to match edges. With black and grey markers I smudged out some shadowing. This cryptkeeper comes to life with some dark amber sticky back gems. I punched a hole in the top and set a copper colored eyelet with my Crop-A-Dile tool for a reinforced hole to accept some wire-wrapping and beaded detail.

With matching copper wire, I wire wrapped a wooden bead to the top and formed a loop for stringing onto a necklace. I also wire wrapped a random chess piece I happened upon during the process... it's a charm now! I added a dark amber sticky back gem to the bottom for a little added bling. I braided black and sparkly orange fun fibers with a natural raffia to use as a chain to complete the look. I can't wait to wear this with my dancing skeleton earrings!

"Hello Sweetie"...

a Puzzling Proposition

Thanks for dropping by! What are you creating for Halloween? Leave a comment and your link I would love to see. Please visit the Domino Art Blog art to see all the other spooktacular creations!  Sb :)

#Cre8time gets a Vintage Makeover... Dollar Tree Frame REDUX

Welcome to my stop on the Viva Las VegaStamps! and WOW! Embossing Powder week of inspiration... two product lines that are a match made in creative heaven. I'm so excited to WOW and AMAZE you with my project today - using two stamps and two embossing powders, and a few staples from my crafty stash.

So you don't miss anything,

please be sure you check out these links:

For WOW! Embossing Powder : 

Shop • Blog • Facebook

For Viva Las VegaStamps! :
Shop • Blog • Facebook

Today I'm sharing a dollar store REDUX project... a $1 framed mirror RE-Imagined into a vintage boudoir tray! I was excited to find a 5x7 beaded trim frame with a glass mirror at the Dollar Tree - the perfect item to alter with stamps and some embossed goodness.

The frame was a black matte finish with a dotted gold beading on the inner edge... but not for long! 

I mount my Celtic Cross stamp to an acrylic block that is very close in size and inked up with black Versafine pigment ink. I stamped once at a diagonal and continued stamping to create a pattern - reinking the stamp after each impression.

This took a bit of time and patience... and a few wipe offs with alcohol and starting again. The resulting decorative pattern using just one stamp is stunning and worth the time invested!

Once the Celtic Cross pattern was completely stamped, I completely covered with WOW! Verdigris WL05 embossing powder and tapped away excess.

There was a lot of powder clinging to non-inked areas due to static cling so I blew away as much as possible using a thin straw. Then I gently heat set - careful not to overheat, as I was concerned that the glass might break.

Ooh-la-la!!! This looks so amazing! The embossed mirror now has this gorgeous pattern with a distressed patina. The brand new mirror looks like it's been around for years.

Now this frame needs some attention too. Working on one side of frame at a time, I inked the Charred Wood Background stamp with black Versafine pigment ink and pressed onto the frame - bending the stamp around edge to give imprint on front and side; overlapping and continuing stamping down entire side. This is a large stamp so I could add texture to the entire side with just one inking by moving stamp and impressing a different area until entire surface is covered to my liking.

The WOW! Embossing Powder comes in cute little tiny containers that make precise application easy. I cover the stamped area with WOW! Clear Semi Dull WA03, tap off excess and heat set. Then pour back into container and move on to repeating process on next side of frame.

Now this plain jane frame has some wood grain texture!

I finish off the frame with a daubing of Ranger Distress Paints in a few coordinating colors, then rubbed into the faux woodgrain texture to bring out the detail and give some color.

I give my metal brads and recycled hardware a matching kiss of the same coloring, then pounce the metal recycled hardware into the ink, then the WOW! Verdigris WL05 embossing powder.

When heat set, the hardware now has the same gorgeous distressed patina as the mirror. I mount them with some E6000® adhesive and mount some recycled glass floral beads for feet on the bottom. This transformation is complete!

Now this frame is ready for the dressing table... the perfect touch of girlie vintage grunge! I can't believe I stamped this!!!

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SUPPLIES: From Viva Las VegaStamps: Charred Wood Background #16387 and Celtic Cross #7958 stamps. From WOW! Embossing Powder: Verdigris WL05 and Clear Semi Dull WA03. Other Supplies: Mirrored Frame from Dollar Tree; black Versafine pigment ink; heat gun; thin drinking straw; recycled metal hardware; brads; E6000® adhesive; recycled glass floral beads; paper towel and Ranger Distress Paints.

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Thanks so much for dropping by! Don't forget to check out the other works during this week of inspiration from the VLVS! and WOW! Embossing Powder teams... if you visit each blog stop each day and leave a comment, there is blog candy to be won.

I'm going to link up and enter this in the Craft Stamper Magazine "Take It Make It" July Challenge and also to the current Anything But a Card Challenges "Vintage + Recycling" Mini Challenge. Happy Stamping!  :) Sb

Five Sundays in August... brings an Extra Day of #Cre8time!!!

Good Morning Everyone! It's the last weekend in August... and also Labor Day Weekend... the last weekend of summer as kids are heading back-to-school. Today brings an extra special challenge over at Anything But a Card Challenges!

The moon and stars have aligned to give us an EXTRA Sunday this month which messes up our 3 +1 system of challenges. Today is another FIFTH SUNDAY! This is an oddity in the calendar that is happening several times in 2014... SO we have added this fun MINI-Challenge today here at Anything But a Card Challenges!!! Are you ready to play and have some fun??!

ALSO we are adding to our team here at Anything But a Card Challenges... CLICK HERE to view our DT call which closes Sept. 13th. We encourage you to apply! ABAC has no sponsors + no expectations + no having to use particular stuff! No Rules and a variety of themes and possible makes = doing projects you REALLY want to do! We are all about CREATING and SHARING... ABAC is all inclusive – and all levels of expertise are welcome too. If you love to create everything under the sun that is NOT CARDS... throw your hat in and apply!

The Fifth Sunday Challenge... "USE FIVE"!! Use the number 5 or five items, five colors, five words... what ever FIVE represents to you. For those who want to go a little more literal - here's the definition, too! Loads of inspiration could be had over at Wikipedia's page for 5 (number).

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five (faɪv)

n.

1. a cardinal number, four plus one.

2. a symbol for this number, as 5 or V.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. a five-dollar bill.

adj.

5. amounting to five in number.

[before 1000; Middle English; Old English fīf; c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon fīf, Old High German fimf, finf, Old Norse fimm, Gothic fimf, Latin quīnque, Greek pénte, Skt pancha]

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Please share any current project you have created and JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. Please mention and LINK BACK to the Anything But a Card Challenges Fifth Sunday Challenge. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. :)

Now to my project. From time to time, I join swaps with different groups I am in. The "FIVE" challenge helps reign things in when you have a broad theme to go with. So here are my five things that I used to create my ATCs:

1. a theme "down the rabbit hole"

2. a leftover sheet of marbelized painted paper {I made a bunch of these one day}

3. some fun rubber stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps!

4. a new fun harlequin washi tape I got at the Dollar Tree

5. ink pads for stamping images and distressing

My painted paper happens to also use five colors of Ranger Distress Paint... imagine that! One day a while back, I painted a bunch of sheets in different colors using this technique - once you get going... it's pretty easy and fun to do a bunch as you wait for paper to dry a bit between adding more layers of color.

This is loosely based on T!m Holtz' marbeling technique where you apply multiple colors of distress paint to your craft sheet, mist with water and drag the paper though the paint. I added all the colors in a splotchy fashion, and sprayed a lot of water which gives a more watercolor effect when paper is dragged.

I drag once, then respray more water to the craft sheet to pick up another layer of color. I repeat this until I've mopped up all the paint from my craft sheet. The colors are more muted, but there is a lot more pattern and texture from the paint floating in beads of water.

With a nice sheet to work with, I cut it down to make my ATC card blanks and set to work on the stamping and layering of elements. One special stamping trick I did was to layer two stamps on top of each other, the girl and a keyhole - placing the keyhole over one of her eyes; then I trimmed each keyhole out. This gives the perfect eye peering though the keyhole for this Alice in Wonderland themed ATC. The sentiment I've had for ages from VLVS! and I thought it went perfectly for the quirky white rabbit whose always proclaiming, "I'm Late!" These came together really quickly and they were fun to make.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you will play along in the FIVE challenge at ABAC and consider applying for the DT call and join our team of designers. Happy Sunday! :) Sb