Sea Mist Charm Bracelet

Sorry I've been MIA for so long.  I've been working on different projects that I'm looking forward to sharing with you.  I made this bracelet a few days ago using a Sea Mist Charm bracelet kit from a store in Los Angeles called French General.

Back in November 2012 I had the pleasure of attending a Spellbound Event, in Pasadena, CA, hosted by Debbie Murray and Shea Fragoso.  For more info on them and this fabulous creative event, click HERE.

While attending this event, I was able to take a variety of classes and learn how to make jewelry using Ice Resin, soldering, and more.  One of my favorite classes was taught by Kristen Robinson.  She taught us how to work with Ice Resin, how to make jump rings, and how to attach beads with wire.  I finally have had some time to experiment with bracelets and necklaces, and this bracelet is my very first attempt.  I had a super fun time making it and look forward to making more, and maybe inspire ya'll to try it too.

Happy Creating!!

Pom-pom Flower tutorial

 

Hello my crafty friends!  Sadly, today is my last guest blogging post for Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I have had so much fun working with their fantastic ribbons, laces and trims, and have been so inspired by their varieties!  Today I made a flower much like the last ones I shared, except the center is quite different.  I just took their Mini pom-poms, and rolled them up and woila!  

I love how they look in the center of a flower!!

The sentiment and frame are from the newly released Waltzingmouse Stamps set My Kind of Guy.  All the sentiments are individual making it easy to stamp with different colors and arrange how you want them!

 

For the gathered flower, I used White Netting and Wired Faux Burlap White.

I also added some Ric Rac Trim, and a wee bit of Claudia White Crochet Lace, that's mostly covered by the image panel, to the background.

 

 Here's how I made the flower center.

The Pom-Poms have a perfect edge for gluing, and depending on how you roll it, it can be flat, or have a lot of depth.

Here I added some Diamond Stickles to give it a bit of sparkle.  I think it even stands alone quite well.

Here's a card I made with the Pom-Pom Flower as the focus, using a quote from Our Daily Bread Designs' Stamp set Quote Collection three.  I also wrapped the card with some True Black Hemp from the Earthy Collection. The background is just a collage of Washi Tape.

That's it for me today, and this month.  

I'd like to thank Bonnie for inviting me to Guest Design for RRR this month.  Bonnie's a gem to work with and this has truly been a pleasure.    I felt very welcome over there!!  

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings for some more fabulous ribbon inspiration!!

Happy Crafting ya'll!!

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So Very Kind

Stamps:  My Kind of Guy (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:   Cool Summer (Carta Bella), White (PTI)

Ink:  Sea Breeze, Persimmon and Tea Leaves (VersaMagic), Onyx Black and Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories:  Mini White pom-poms, White Netting, Wired Faux Burlap White,  Ric Rac Trim,
Claudia White Crochet Lace, (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Paper Border Punch (EK Success)

Faith

Stamps:  Quote Collection 3 (Our Daily Bread Designs)

Paper:  White (PTI)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Mini Pom Poms White, Hemp (RRR), Washi Tape, Button (PTI), Velvet Leaves (Prima), Diamond Stickles

Grosgrain Fringe Tutorial

I'm excited to share my Grosgrain Fringe Tutorial with you today.  I guest Blogging over at the  Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings Blog.  And I have card to share with you over there to.  So if you haven't been there yet, be sure to check it out.

Now for the Fringe Tutorial.   All you need is 2' of Grosgrain ribbon any width.  I used 5/8" White and Black Grosgrain, but you could use any color or width, depending on how long you want your fringe.  Even if you use the 1 1/2", you could always cut the fringe to the length you want.  And if you only have white, you could color it with Distress Inks or any Mister.  Grosgrain ribbon takes color really well.  You could even color it with Copics.

 

 Grosgrain ribbon is sealed on both edges.  So to start, you have to trim off one of the edges.  It doesn't have to be perfect because you won't even notice the varying lengths of the fringe once you finish it.  Just try to stay as uniform as you can.

Then, while holding the ribbon taut between two fingers (very important otherwise the ribbon will gather making it harder to remove the strands.), using your fingernail, try to separate 6-8 strands from the bottom of the ribbon and pull out and up.  It's important to pull away from the strip as you pull up to make it come apart easier.  I do this until there's about 1/8" left of the weaved part of the ribbon.  It's up to you how much of a base you want to work with.

Here's what the fringe looks like.  I wanted you to see that you don't notice a difference in lengths of fringe, even though my cuts weren't perfect.

Then I just use a heat gun and roll it up on itself.

Now, to make a flower using this fringe, you'll need 2' of 1 1/2 " wired ribbon and a 1 3/4" felt Circle.

For the flower base (this is Wired Faux Burlap Antique Gold...I used Natural Burlap with Wired Edge Silver/White for my actual flower), I pulled the two edge wires out from one side of the ribbon and tied them together.  I then pulled the two wires from the other side and gathered the ribbon, tying those ends off too when I had the gathers where I wanted them.

I then glued the two wired edges together every inch or two and hot glued them to the 1 3/4" felt circle.

Then just add some hot glue to the center and place your fringed piece in the center smooshing it down really good.  Don't worry about being gentle.  You want it to move out a bit, so scrunch it good.

 

You can spread out the fringe a bit and add an embellishment to the center, or leave it as is.  It's up to you which you prefer.  For this flower I used the fabulously fun 1 1/2" Black Houndstooth Ribbon.

That's it for my tutorial.  Now head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings Blog to see the card I made using this fringe.  This stuff is way too fun, and oh so easy!!

 Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Creating!!

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Waltzingmouse Stamps April Release

The day has finally arrived!! It's April release day over at Waltzingmouse stamps, and these new sets are now available for your purchase: My Kind of Guy, Nordic Baby and Man of the Hour 

A random commenter will be picked April 21st to win a stamp set of their choice, so be sure to stop by each blog and leave a comment if you want to be entered to win.

If you've arrived here from Teresa's Blog, you are right on track.  If not,  you can go to the Waltzingmouse Blog for a complete list of the hop order.

I'm totally addicted to the My Kind of Guy set.  I wanted to show today that it doesn't just have to be used for masculine projects.  It can be dressed up and made all "pretty like" too.  

  

I started by stamping the circle frame with Smokey Shadow (Versafine) ink, added some Glass Effect Crystal Clear Gel (Viva Decor) to the dots around the border, and sprinkled them with glitter while still wet.

I stamped the border image (it looked a bit like lace to me, although it is designed after the pattern on men's "brogue shoes"), onto Vellum using Versamark, and embossed it with white embossing powder.  It even looks gorgeous from the back.  I tell ya, I can't tell you how many times I flipped that vellum-stamped trim over trying to decide if I liked the front or the back better.  It's beautiful both ways.  I finally decided to adhere it front-side-up, but it could have just as effectively have the back side showing. 

I stamped the word "kind" onto a diecut Tattered Banner (Tim Holtz) and distressed it, along with the Primitive Heart (Sizzix) and circle, with Gesso.

The flower was handmade using Rose Creations (Spellbinders), and Diamond Stickles.

I added the dotted scalloped border to the top using Versamark and White Embossing Powder (Judikins), and a sweet little circle of rhinestones.

That's it for today.  I hope you've had fun seeing all the samples these last few days and have been inspired.  I know Claire inspires me with each new release and her creativity in all she does.

Now, head on over to Becca's beautiful Blog for some truly phenomenal inspiration!!

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps:  My Kind of Guy (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Lyric (Prima), White (PTI)

Ink:  Smokey Gray (Versafine), Versamark

Accessories:  Circle and Rose Creations dies (Spellbinders), Tattered Banner die (Tim Holtz), Primitive Hearts die (Sizzix), White Glitz Ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Pearl flourish (Zva Creative, White Embossing Powder (Judikins), Rhinestone (Pizzazz Aplenty), Heart Quick Picks (Webster's Pages), Gesso, Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Wrinkled Ribbon (PrairieBirdBoutique) 

Waltzingmouse April Release Previews ~ Day 3

Wow!!  It's already Day 3 of this month's Waltzingmouse Stamps Previews!!  And, once again Claire has outdone herself.  Today we're featuring a set called Man of the Hour, and it's full of fabulously fonted sentiments and phrases for that special father!!  Seriously, I feel it's one of THE BEST SETS out there!!! 

Before I explain my project though, in case you haven't read it yet, today's the day for April's Blog Party, and it's all about Spring Flowers!! We'd love to have you join us.  I still have to work on my Spring card yet, but I'll have one to share soon.  Also

April 19th is a special day over on the Waltzingmouse Blog.    One you won't want to miss.  Not only will there be oodles of inspiration by some fabulously talented guests, but you will have an opportunity to win 5 WMS stamp sets.  To find out more, be sure to visit Waltzingmouse Makes Blog on April 19.

Okay, now for my first project.   I wanted to make some fun background panels to showcase this fabulous sentiment!!  So I cut 4 different pieces of Tim Holtz Kraft-Core by Core'dinations, lined them up in the Postal Folder by Sizzix and embossed them.  I then sanded the raised area and distressed them with Vintage Photo and Black Soot Distress Inks.  Lastly I gave each a good coating of Versamark, and embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder.  I then reassembled them and added the Black embossed sentiment that I framed using the Labels 18 die (Spellbinders).  I also scored the the back panel using my Scor-Pal, and added some ribbon and brads to finish it off.

For my second project, I went a bit grungy.  I combined Engraver dp (Prima) with Tim Holtz's Crowded Attic paper and this fabulous Man of the Hour set.  I tore the top layer to expose the sentiment underneath, and added a birthday sentiment along the top.  I also added the "so glad you're my dad" sentiment along the ruler paper, embossed in white, along with a few stars and burlap string.

That's it for me today.

Here's the hop list.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow.  I'll have one more preview, and you'll finally be able to purchase these gems!!

Anya Schrier 

Becca Feeken  

Belinda Chang Langner 

Clare Buswell  

Edna Morrisedie  

Iwona Palamountain 

Jean Martin 

Jeanne Jachna  

Jen Cuthbertson 

Jennifer Holmes 

Julia Aston  

Karin Åkesdotter 

Kelly Schirmer 

Kim Duran 

Laurie Schmidlin 

Lynn Mercurio 

Renee Lynch 

Sandie Dunne 

Sarah Martina Parker 

Teresa Kline  

                       Tosha Leyendekker  ---you are here

Claire Brennan

Happy Stamping!! 

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The Greatest Gift

Stamps:  Man of the Hour (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Kraft and Smokey Shadow (PTI), Tim Holtz Kraft-Core (Core'dinations), Etcetera (Fancy Pants)

Ink:  Versamark, Vintage Photo and Black Soot (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Labels 18 (Spellbinders), Postal Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Black Embossing Powder (Judikins), Jute Ribbon, Brads, Scor-Pal

Best Dad Ever

Stamps:   Man of the Hour (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Engraver (Prima), White (PTI)

Ink:  Midnight Black (VersaMagic), Vintage Photo and Black Soot (Ranger)

Accessories:  Star die (Spellbinders), Brad, Vintage Button, Burlap String, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter), Sewing Machine 

Waltzingmouse April Release Previews ~ Day 2

 

Welcome to Day 2 of the WMS Release previews!  Today we're showcasing a sweet little set called Nordic Baby.  It includes a pair of darling little booties, a beautiful medallion and some "sweet" sentiments.

I used the medallion as a scalloped border on this first card, and added some glitter to the booties and baby sentiment.

 

 Here's a close up of the sparkly booties. I also added a pearl to each little strap.

I'm a huge fan of white on kraft, and I just got some new border diecuts.  Of course I had to combine the two using the Nordic Baby medallion and darling sentiments!
Once again, that's it for me.  Here's the hop list in case you've missed some stops along the way.

Anya Schrier 

Becca Feeken  

Belinda Chang Langner 

Clare Buswell  

Edna Morrisedie  

Iwona Palamountain 

Jean Martin 

Jeanne Jachna  

Jen Cuthbertson 

Jennifer Holmes 

Julia Aston  

Karin Åkesdotter 

Kelly Schirmer 

Kim Duran 

Laurie Schmidlin 

Lynn Mercurio 

Renee Lynch 

Sandie Dunne 

Sarah Martina Parker 

Teresa Kline  

                       Tosha Leyendekker  ---you are here

Claire Brennan

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Sweet Baby Booties

Stamps:  Nordic Baby (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  New Beginnings (Webster's Pages), White (PTI)

Ink:  Spring Pansy (VersaMagic), Versamark, Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories:  Tea Time Doily die (Cottage Cutz), Circle Die (Spellbinders), Copics, Sculpture Flowers (Prima), Wrinkled Ribbon (PrairieBirdBoutique), Button (PTI), Pearl, White Embossing Powder, Quickie Glue Pen, Glitter (Judikins)

Sweet Baby Medallion

Stamps: Nordic Baby (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Kraft and White (PTI)

Ink:  Cloud White (VersaMagic), Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories:  A2Bracket Borders One and Framed Tags One dies (Spellbinders), Copics, Quickie Glue Pen, Glitter, Wrinkled Ribbon (PrairieBirdBoutique), Trixie White Flower (Prima), Rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty)

 

Waltzingmouse April Release Previews ~ Day One

 

It's time for another Waltzingmouse Stamps release, and once again Claire has outdone herself.  The set we're featuring today is called My Kind of Guy, and it just oozes charm.  Perfect for the special guy in your life.  I recently purchased some wood pieces from Prima that came in a 9 paneled tray.  I thought it would be a fabulous piece to display some "manly" embellishments with these charming sentiments.

 

I made this for my husband for Father's Day, and since he's a little bit up there in age (52...but shhhhhh), I thought the "I say Old Bean" sentiment was perfect to start the panels off!

I filled the monocle with some Glossy Accents and added some metal embellishments here and there to fit my theme.  I love how Claire designed some "banner" sentiments along with some beautifully fonted words and phrases like Kind, Handsome, Gentleman, and more.

Here's a close up of one of the banner sentiments and the word Kind.  I LOVE the variety in this set.  Did I mention that before?  (grin)

As I mentioned earlier, I LOVE the fun sentiments in this set.  They're super fun to put together.  And this dotted frame is perfect for framing a sentiment telling your guy how great he is.  I also used the dotted border for the background. 

For my last card I went CAS (Clean And Simple) again.   I used the My Kind of Guy image and added some Glossy Accents to the monocle, and also a little feather in his hat.  The background images are from another WMS set called Heirloom Patterns.  I liked the idea of houndstooth with this jolly chap.
That's it for me today.  Here's the hop list in case you've missed a stop along the way.

Anya Schrier 

Becca Feeken  

Belinda Chang Langner 

Clare Buswell  

Edna Morrisedie  

Iwona Palamountain 

Jean Martin 

Jeanne Jachna  

Jen Cuthbertson 

Jennifer Holmes 

Julia Aston  

Karin Åkesdotter 

Kelly Schirmer 

Kim Duran 

Laurie Schmidlin 

Lynn Mercurio 

Renee Lynch 

Sandie Dunne 

Sarah Martina Parker 

Teresa Kline  

                       Tosha Leyendekker  ---you are here

Claire Brennan

Happy Stamping!

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I Say Tray

Stamps:  My Kind of Guy (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Mama-Razzi Collection (Bo Bunny)

Ink:  Midnight Black (VersaMagic), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Mini-Gears, Mini Paper Clips, Game Spinners, Muse Tokens,  (Tim Holtz idea-ology),  Small Typo Bulbs (Prima), Mini-Library Clips (SU!), Kraft Clocks-White (Maya Road), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Black Satin Ribbon (PTI), Tray (Prima) 

My Kind of Gentleman

Stamps:  My Kind of Guy (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  White (PTI)

Ink:  Midnight Black, Turquoise Gem, Sierra Vista, Red Brick (VersaMagic), Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories:  Corner Rounder punch

Jolly Well Done

Stamps:  My Kind of Guy and Heirloom Patterns (Waltzingmouse Stamps)  

Paper:  White and Smokey Shadow (PTI), Charcoal Weave (AC)

Ink:  Smokey Gray and Onyx Black (Versafine), Turquoise Gem (VersaMagic)

Accessories:  Glossy Accents (Ranger), Feather

RRR April Blog Hop

Hello my crafty friends!  Welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop.  If you've come from Bonnie, you're on the right track.  If not, you'll want to start at the beginning:  RRR Ramblings

If you're a regular follower of my blog, what you're about to see is nothing like I've ever made before.   I truly fell in love with this month's Ribbon Club kit.  I adore turquoise, and lime green...yum!  You put the two together and you get fabulous fun!  So, I immediately thought I had to make a project incorporating a collection of ribbon from this kit and decided to try Mixed-Media.  YIKES!!  WAY out of my comfort zone.  I've never tried it before, and to start with bright colors?  Am I crazy!?!?!?  I'm usually more comfortable with a neutral color palette.

Well, I did it, and I have to say.  I'm pretty happy with it.  I think it's super fun and the sentiments and colors are uplifting. 

I started out with a Burlap 4" x 6" panel by Tim Holtz and put a layer of Gesso over it.  I then began playing with my new Tim Holtz Distress Paints by Ranger.  Now these are super fun!!  I first used the paints with some stencils by The Crafter's Workshop:  Mini-Ledger (Black Soot), Mini-Art (Black Soot), Mini-Chevron (Mustard Seed), Mini-Fence Frame (Spiced Marmalade),  and Mini-Splats (Fired Brick).

When I had my background completed, I added the strips of ribbon, from RRR's Monthly Ribbon Club Kit for April, to the bottom with some Scor-Tape.  I also added a flower I had made awhile back.  RRR's White Sheer Box Pleats would work beautifully for the flower also.

I then took Broken China, Mustard Seed and Mowed Lawn Distress paints, splotched them onto my craft mat, and ran white cardstock through them to get the background for the butterfly (Wonderful Wings - Spellbinders) I wanted to diecut.  I think this color combination goes beautifully with the ribbons.  I then diecut the front of the butterfly from vellum and used Broken China (Ranger Distress Paint) to color it and adhere it to the back piece.  I used my Quickie Glue Pen and some glitter to add sparkle to the butterfly too.

Lastly I stamped the two fun and charming sentiments using the Waltzingmouse set Playful Pinwheels, tore them up and added some more Distress Paint.

The rhinestones are from Zva Creative and Pizzazz Aplenty.

That's it for today's project.  I hope I've inspired you to step out of your boxes and get "mixed up".  Mixing mediums can be super fun!!

Now, you'll want to continue on the hop.  Cheryl is next.

Happy Creating!

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Stamps:  Playful Pinwheels (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  White (PTI), Vellum

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories:  Ribbon and Lace (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Wonderful Wings die (Spellbinders), Gesso, Distress Paints (Ranger), Rhinestones (Zva Creative and Pizzazz Aplenty), Burlap Panel (Tim Holtz), Stencils (The Crafter's Workshop), Scor-Tape