How To Make Texture The Center Of Attention

Here's a sweet layout showing how I make texture the center of attention. Texture is the quirky denizen in a crafter's bag of tricks. Embossing, paste, fabric, paper layers, sequins, even foam tape adds texture. For a stunning overall effect add texture in layers, using lots of different methods.

~ Mayday Moments ~

This layout is staged on two embossed papers, the first with dry embossing the second with glitter embossing. The grey paper is from a DCWV stack, Sophisticated Neutrals. That exotic pink with yellow paisleys is from the Storyteller collection by Linda Wood.

 A hexagon embossing folder shapes a strip of wood veneer. I've been having a lovely run through my stash and realized I hadn't yet used this veneer from an old MME set, Necessities. It makes a great photo mat for this layout. 

 Helmar adhesive was my bestie throughout this process. From holding down a sheet of veneer to pinpointing sequins, all I needed was in that yellow bottle. The sequins shown here are from Spiegel Mom Scraps. They come in nifty baggies and I sort them into acrylic organizers.

 The title alpha is an old Thicker set from American Crafts. Those things never did stick well. Here I solve the problem with a bit of gold braid stitched in a triangle. To continue the theme I stapled the tiny type down.

 Here's a shot of all that lumpy, bumpy goodness thanks to foam tape. The burlap hexagons are cut with the same dies I used on the paper. I gave each fabric shape a "glint" with a couple stitches of gold braid.

 Finally, here's a shot that shows off the glitter yellow embossing on the paper. I just LOVE this collection from Linda Wood!

My scrappy sister, Sharon Fritchman posted
  Challenge YOUrself #64
and I decided to join in. You can find the details for this challenge at the highlighted link above. This month's theme is My Favorite Holiday. I love coaxing flowers out of my tiny, urban flower beds so of course I had to choose Mayday.

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~

Dreamy Fantasy Collection By Calambour

Calambour's new Fantasy Collection scrapbook papers are simply dreamy! This castle galaxy pattern seems made for these photos of my girls. But no surprise there, the photos were taken at Conegliano castle in Italy. 

~ Lovely ~

 To add to the charm of the layout I fussy cut floral sprays from Calambour's Nomad collection. Prima chipboard, Pink Paislee rub-ons, and Studio Calico wood shapes embellish the photos.

Underneath it all a layer of Calambour Plaster Effect Mortar adds texture. The grainy look echos the castle walls. For this application I used an Aladdin's Screen stencil by Kite.

One last close up of the page highlights the scattering of sequins. It also shows the bright pops of striped yellow Hot Air Balloons. I just love all the uses I have found for my Pink and Main dies. 

Craft On

~charity hotrum~

Embossed Card With A Dahlia And Sequins

A foiled paper dahlia and a scattering of sequins decorate this embossed card. Never one to shy away from too much shine, I let the layers add up. Strips of lace and a quote from Canvas Corp Brands paper are complimented by a whimsical, doodled border.

~ I'd Rather Wear Flowers ~

Most of my crafty time falls on the weekend. When the end of the month falls on the weekend I have to struggle to find challenges that are current. This time my search was rewarded with a sketch and a supply challenge. 

Tic, Tac, Toe Challenge #41 

I participated with the center, horizontal row.

The sketch is by Julee Tilman of Viva la Verve Sketches.

My first step was to dry emboss a 4x6 of Gold Glossy Foiled Paper from Rinea with a leaf embossing folder. 

 The flower layers were next. I used a die from Amazon as well as Blush and Jade Starstruck Foiled Paper from Rinea.

  A hand doodled border in periwinkle ink added a touch of whimsy.

 Strips of lace give the assembled dahlia and quote card a place to line up.

 The sequins are a mix of green, white and grey.

This card is also my entry for Cute Card Thursday's Challenge #523 Add A Quote!

The Paper Girls Challenge is asking crafters to use dry or heat embossing on their projects and to link up for Challenge # 148.

Supplies:

Cardstock:Craftsmith
Foiled Paper:Rinea
Flower Dies:Amazon

Quote:Canvas Corp Brands

Ink:Close To My Heart
Embossing Folder:Crafter's Companion
Ink Pen:Bic Marking
Sequins:Spiegel Mom Scraps

Lace:Stash

Scrap On

~charity~

How To Make a Surprisingly Easy Shaker Bookmark

Here's a quick and easy tutorial for a shaker bookmark. Shaker Cards and Planner Inserts are all the rage. Why not expand that to bookmarks and planner bands? After letting the idea play around in my mind for awhile this is what I came up with.

~ Shaker Bookmark ~

 This particular idea requires a Photo Sleeve Fuse Tool. This is only my second project with the Fuse so the learning curve is minimal. You will also need a page protector, a head band, assorted sequins,  Rinea Foiled Paper and Rinea Ghost Ink. The stamp I used is from In God's Time a clear stamp set by Joy Clair.

 Step 1: Stamp image onto foiled paper, let set, and remove ink with wipe as outlined in the instructions accompanying Ghost Ink.

Step 2: Trim image from foiled paper leaving a 1/4" shaped edge.

Step 3: Place shaped paper into page protector, flush with bottom seal.

 Step 4: Use Fuse tool to seal page protector around the edges of the shaped paper, leaving a narrow gap between the paper and the seal. Leave the top open. Trim the sealed shape from the page protector.

 Step 5: Place elastic head band on back of sealed image. Seal strips of page protector over the band to hold it in place.

 Step 6: Add Sequins, seal top of shape. Trim excess.

 An elastic headband will fit most books and is wide enough not to damage the pages. Purchase an assortment and make yourself a bookmark in every color. Then start over, making bookmarks for friends!

Supplies:

Ghost Ink, Foiled Paper:Rinea

Stamps:Joy Clair

Sequins:Spiegel Mom Scraps
Glitter:Martha Stewart
Page Protector:Keep Filing
Fuse Tool:We R Memory Keepers

Headband:Greenbriar Int.

Scrap On!

~charity~

How to Make an Unusual and Stunning Shaker Card

Here's how to make an unusual and stunning shaker card. The stamps and sequins give it an adorable vibe but the secret ingredient that sets it apart is craft foam!
~ You Octopi My Heart ~

 Sequins provide movement when strung but tend to get stuck between the layers of the cardstock. I used a double layer of craft foam to give the sequins the room they needed to shimmy. I need this card to shimmy because it is my entry for Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #2: Interactive Cards.

  The card base is a 5x5 piece of Kreaxions Rainbow Paper. I pierced a line of holes at either end. They are 1/2" apart and 1/4 inch from the top or bottom edge. I applied tiny spots of the Best Glue Ever over the holes and added a narrow strip of 1/16 craft foam. Craft foam may be difficult to adhere, but ScraPerfect Products get the job done with ease.

 For the top piece I traced and cut a heart window. I used Lawn Fawn's Octopi My Heart for stamps and dies. I stamped the sentiment under the heart. I used corresponding dies to cut hearts and bubbles. I stamped bubbles and hearts on to Kreaxions Sparkle Paper then glued them behind the cuts.

 When the glue had dried I added the octopus I had cut then stamped onto Kreaxions Sparkle Paper. I pierced the marked holes through the craft foam.

 Using silver thread and sequins from SpiegleMom Scraps I strung "bubbles" through the holes. I used an alternating pink and green pattern of  Mint Chip Sequins. I taped my thread on the back of the card to be sure it did not slide around.

 I glued a second layer of craft foam onto the threaded holes. I also glued a double layer of craft foam strips to the sides of the card base. I added glue to the top of the foam frame and placed the heart window. Craft foam is tricky to work with because it takes longer to dry, but the result is just delightful and the Best Glue Ever makes it fool proof.

Supplies:

Paper:Kreaxions

Stamps & Dies:Lawn Fawn

Ink:Close To My Heart

Sequins:SpiegelMom Scraps

Thread:Kreinik

Glue:ScraPerfect

Scrap On!

~charity~

Believe

Today I have this card up on the Just Imagine blog. 

Stop by for product links and tips.

~ Believe ~

The idea for this card began with the pearl cross pendant. I made it with products from Robins Nest and needed a way to present it with style. My first goal was for a gender neutral card so I chose the green ombre from Kreaxions One Tone Rainbow paper. To keep with the neutral theme I added a tricycle and vintage bicycle. Yellow embossed flourishes and sequins add to the vintage flavor of the card.

Supplies:

Paper:Kreaxions, Darice
Ink, Mist:Color Box

Embossing Powder:Stampendous

Stamps: Hero Arts, Inkadinkado

Sequins:SpiegelmomScraps

Twine:The Twinery

Pendant:Epiphany Crafts

Pearls:Robins Nest

Dimensional Medium:Ranger Ink

Scrap On!

~charity~

Friend

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Today is the

Kreaxions DT Reveal. This month our theme is Flowers.
Follow the link ^^^ to see what the other ladies have created!

~ Friend ~

I have been so inspired by all the mixed media tags popping up on Facebook and Instagram. The designers create such gorgeous pieces. I tried my hand at it and put together this mash-up of glitter, flowers, and paper.
SO MUCH FUN!

For more mixed media delight try out one of these pages on Facebook:
Finnabair and Friends - Open Studio
Art Anthology Adventures In Art
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge

Supplies:

Paper:Craftsmith

Ink:Colorbox, CTMH
Mist:Colorbox
Embossing Powder:WOW

Flowers:Prima

Flourish Dies:Echo Park

Sequins:Spiegel Mom Scraps

Stamps:CTMH, Kaiser Craft

Glitter Paste:Bo Bunny

Trim:Stash

Punch:Kreaxions #302

Scrap On!

~charity~

Life Is a Gift

I'm thankful every morning for running water. 

I'm thankful for indoor plumbing.

I'm thankful for a sturdy house and reliable vehicle.

I'm thankful for all my friends, crafty and otherwise!!!
Sometimes it's necessary to slow down and remember:

~ Life is a Gift ~

Crafting with Kreaxions punches is the quickest way to custom make paper doilies. A plethora of designs and sizes are just a circle cutter and punch away. Keeping a few paper doilies on hand allows for quick card making. I keep a sweet little bin with paper accessories ready on my crafting desk. Try it out, see if you can squeeze just a few more minutes to craft out of your day!

Supplies:

Paper:My Minds Eye, Craftsmith

Sequins:Lawn Fawn

Brads and Enamel Dots:Echo Park

Ink:CTMH

Punch:Kreaxions #910

Scrap On!

~charity~

BE radient

Great outdoor photos rely on good lighting and subjects that contrast with the background. we had bright sun for the photo shoot so many of the photos were taken in the shade. With a little editing magic they appear bright and clear.
~ BE radient ~

 This page is meant to be a companion page to the single photo layout from Monday. I had only scraps of the original paper. I combined those with similar colors from another collection and used complimenting embellishments.

Sketch:
Melodee Cloud

Supplies:

Paper:Craftsmith, Authentique, Bazill
Washi Tape:Love My Tapes

Flowers, Diecuts, Leaves:Prima

Chipboard:American Crafts
Ink, Mist:Ranger
Embossing Folder:Darice

Sequins:Studio Calico
Rub-Ons:Pink Paislee
Stamps:Mason Row

Scrap On!

~charity~

You Make My Heart Sing

The pink of this Crate Paper collection blends nicely with the assorted butterflies and birds. The result is a layout with a light hearted feel. The pre-printed title block lends to the musical theme.

~ You Make My Heart Sing ~

When I doodle on a layout I try to make allowances for mistakes. Sometimes the pen just doesn't cooperate or I forget my pattern. To plan for these problems I doodle first, then layer. That gives me the option of covering a portion of my design.

Sketch:Melodee Cloud

Supplies:

Paper:Authentique, Crate Paper

Stickers:Heidi Swapp, Momenta

Washi Tape:Love My Tapes
Mist & Ink:Ranger

Sequins:Studio Calico

Scrap On!

~charity~