I am fascinated by little things. When I saw the paper Mache 3" mailbox, I knew that it would be the perfect holder for a miniature album. I created the background paper for the mailbox and the outside covers of the mini album with Paula Best's Wings Goddess Collage Cube. The tags and words for the accordion fold pages are also Paula Best stamps: Word Tags, Tag Collage, Essential Words, and Word Collage Cube. Color provided by Ranger® Adirondack® Dye Ink pads.
For project details, see page 55 of the April 2012 issue of Crafts 'n things.
Christmas is a season when thoughts often turn nostalgic. Even if vintage Christmas images are not part of your memories, this classic box will provide a unique way to display ATC treasures. Grab your Tim Holtz™ Distress Inks, and in no time at all this sophisticated project will add to your Christmas decorations.
You'll find directions for this project and the ATC below on page 104 of the December 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things. Stamp sets are by Oxford Impressions (Sleigh Bells, Winter Snow, Season of Giving, and St. Nicholas.) Ranger® products also include Archival™ Ink, as well as Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Alcohol Inks and Mixatives.
Much of the time, I begin a project with an eye toward the end result. I may have a plan in mind, but materials sometimes create a detour. Such was the case with this recipe album. As usual, my dollar store had several styles of photo albums to choose from, but I particularly liked this one, a ring binder with a linen-like cover. I decided to embrace the imperfections and see where they would lead. The result may not be what I first intended, but I love the effect. Another case in which experimentation was half the fun.
After completing the recipe album, I decided that a mini clipboard would be a perfect match. You'll find directions for both of these projects on pages 88-89 of the December 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things. You'll need Ranger® Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink and the following Claudine Hellmuth products: Studio Creative Layers clear stamps; Studio Gesso; Studio Paints.
Travel mugs for personalization are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. While I was fortunate to find a bargain at the local dollar store, similar mugs are readily available in craft stores as well as specialty shops. This is a project that is easily adaptable to any occasion or skill level with guaranteed satisfaction by the recipient.
You'll find directions for this bonus online project (December 2011 Crafts 'n things) here. For best results, you'll need Ranger® Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper, Archival™ Ink, and Adirondack® Dye Ink. The Season of Giving and St. Nicholas stamp sets are by Oxford Impressions.
I felt like I'd found buried treasure when I discovered this faux leather backgammon set at the thrift store for only $1.00. I knew that I wanted to use steampunk images to decorate the exterior, but the brown surface had to go. Thus began my experiment with materials that generally are not compatible with a synthetic surface, but perseverance and a light hand created the results I was seeking. I love finding inspiration at a bargain price. Here are the results.
I love the Oxford Impressions stamps: The Deep, Steampunk Works, and Steampunk Elements. This was a simple transformation with Claudine Hellmuth Studio products, Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Color Wash, and Archival™ ink. You'll find the details on pages 96 - 97 of the August 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things.
The absurdity of steampunk is one of the things that makes use of the images fascinating. Only the imagination can limit the possibilities. Where else could you find a mechanical bird wearing a top hat?
You'll find the details on this project from page 97 of the August 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things here. The Steampunk Works stamp set is by Oxford Impressions. All other products are from Ranger ® including the oversized manila tag.
Have you seen the silhouette image of three children marching in what looks like an improvised parade? If so, you may understand why a red plastic tambourine reminds me of a July 4th celebration. I've seen the image on July 4th T-shirts, and it's always reminded me of childhood days when I marched in the kindergarten "rhythm band." In an era of electronic gadgetry, it may be difficult to imagine the pleasure that children derived in playing simple instruments such as a triangle or wooden blocks and the coveted noisemaker that led our "parades," the tambourine.
The tambourine will always signify celebration in my mind, a perfect backdrop for this ATC featured on pages 82 - 83 in the August 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things. It celebrates the "Strength of America" that is found "in the hearts and souls of its people." (Strength of America stamp from Art Impressions; flag stamp from Rubber Monger)
This artist trading card provides further reminder of the roots of our nation. It brought a little smile to my face to use the Top Hat image from the English PaperArtsy™ company to represent our forefathers.
Ink up to create a red, white, and blue party to honor the birth of a nation! You'll find all the color you need with Ranger® Adirondack® pigment and dye inks.
Subtle is not a word that I would normally use to describe my stamping style, but the subtlety of this watercolor technique is truly inspiring. No one need know that all that is required is the ability to ink your stamp and mist with water.
You'll find the directions for this project from the August 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things, page 78, here. The Inspire Butterfly Collage stamp is from Memory Box. The inks are from Jenni Bowlin's palette. Try this and your friends will believe you’re a fine artist.
I didn’t notice when I purchased the trim that one set of beads in the middle of the section was not firmly attached. When I took the beads out of the plastic bag, the droplet fell apart. Sometimes the unexpected enables the imagination to take a giant step, and the broken beads provided that inspiration. Until then, I hadn’t realized that one of the small turquoise beads was actually a heart. The largest bead, why that could be a lantern for a little boy in search of fairies. One bead left, and I knew I would find the perfect spot for it atop a vintage ornament featuring stamps from the Oxford Impressions Fairy Sweets plate.
The ornament box and the ATC below feature Archival™ Ink, Adirondack® Dye and Pigment inks, and lots of Tim Holtz™ products: Distress Ink Pads, Alcohol Inks, Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixatives, and Alcohol Blending Solution. The instructions may be found on pages 84 and 85 of the April 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things®.
There are times when I really wish that my photography skills were stronger, and this is one of them. The original butterfly photo was spectacular if I do say so myself, but my pictures of the butterfly card and the bird necklace don't begin to do the projects justice. Thank goodness the photographer at Crafts 'n things® doesn't share my limitations. You'll have to check out his much better pictures on pages 86 and 87 in the April 2011. First the butterfly card.
The whimsical bird necklace uses the same technique, but what a different effect. Both projects use Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints and Gloss Multi Medium. While the butterfly was transferred to cardstock, the necklace is made with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Natural Sticky-Back Canvas. I rarely wear jewelry, but this will be an exception!
When I look at this tag, I feel like belting out a line from a Julie Andrus number in The Sound of Music: "These are a few of my favorite things." What could make it any better for a stamper than Tim Holtz™ Distress Inks and a great collage image? Only sparkle, and there's lots of it in this tag published on page 73 in the April 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things®. Black Sparkle embossing powder, Sparkle Sunflower Perfect Pearls™, Suze Weinberg's Beadazzles™, lots of Tim Holtz™ Distress™ inks, Stickles™ Glitter Glue, and of course Inkssentials™ Glossy Accents™.
As always, the instructions for 30 Minute projects are online. You can find the details here.
Recycling has a much nicer sound than dumpster diving. At least that’s what I claimed when I rescued this heart shaped box on the way to the landfill for the project on page 48 of the February 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things®. What better reuse than turning a box that once held chocolates into a repository for these non-traditional Valentine ATCs.
The box and the ATC below were designed with Ranger® products: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso; Archival™ Ink; Adirondack® Dye Ink Pads; Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Alcohol Inks; Inkssentials™ Glossy Accents™; Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers.
If you are unfamiliar with the genre, steampunk provides a perfect opportunity to exercise your creativity. When I created this project, Suzanne Melvin of Oxford Impressions had one steampunk plate, Steampunk Elements. (Other plates used in these projects were The Dressmaker, Bonbon, My Story, and Fairy Sweets.) Now, Suzanne has two more exciting steampunk plates, Steampunk Works and The Deep. Two times the ways to create non-traditional Valentines!
If you’ve ever scorched your paper or burnt your fingers when using an iron to create wax paper resist, you’ll love this technique. No heat involved to transfer a lace impression or the die cut image of your choice in these cards found on page 57 of the February 2011 issue of Crafts 'n things®.
With Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper and the addition of Tim Holtz™ Distress Ink, no one will guess how you produced these fabulous results. Use your "resist" as is or add a stamped message from Hero Arts® as I did. The possibilities are limitless, and there's no safety hazard involved.
Do you remember the first time that you saw heat embossing? It’s still a moment of wonder for me. I had a similar experience years ago when I first watched a demonstration of packing tape transfers. Now, when I share this technique, the reaction is always the same. People can’t believe that the process is so simple. I have to agree.
These projects are the first in a series of three articles on image transfers for Crafts 'n things®. First, a card featuring a stamp by Impression Obsession, Inc. , Hopes & Dreams. Perfect Pearls™ always provide an elegant touch.
Below, you'll find a necklace featuring patterned paper by DCWV and stamps by Hero Arts®, Manuscript Background and a simple heart. (The Hearts Ink and Stamp Set. is no longer listed, but a similar stamp is available in the From the Heart set.) I'm not a jewelry maker by any means, but this is a project that anyone could complete.
Want to know more? Pull out your "inky" supplies: Inkssentials™ Gloss Paper; Archival™ Ink; Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers; Adirondack® Dye Ink Pads; Adirondack® Pigment Inks. You'll find the details on page 50 of the February 2011 issue.
