Vintage Mini Album or Signature Book

Today's post is a long one! Its full of photos, details, instructions, and 3 videos!! My grandmother turned 85 yesterday. We had a huge "reception" party for her. Very fancy. I offered to make a book for guests to sign. Well, let's just say that the vintage style of my book was a complete contrast to the decor to put it mildly! However, my grandmother LOVED it!

This book was a signature book, but could just as easily become a mini album with other decorated pages instead of the lined papers I used.

Front cover is below.

Inside Front Cover is below. Each ad was significant to my grandmother!

 

Back Cover is below.

Front Cover Detail is below. I LOVE these metal frames. 

 

Prima Say It With Pearls – cut off and use just the portion you want! See photo below.

Technique for the embellishment on the Front Cover: Emboss Resist

The technique I used for the cover is called Emboss Resist. Here are the instructions for what I did:

1. Ink and distress the background cardstock or designer patterned  paper that you will want to show through. I inked (to age) and stamped an image that I wanted to show through. Using patterned paper will work great too! Just remember that what is on the base below the embossing powder will show through in the end. Make it something dramatic!
2. Before you do the next step, rub an Embossing Buddy (corn starch puff) over your cardstock/paper. I ALWAYS forget to do this and end up with a paint brush trying to remove the excess embossing powder. Ugh! I used a stencil (the cheap kind of paper stencils from the hardware store) for the numbers on the background paper. You could use a stamp instead! I laid the stencil down and inked the area with VersaMark ink. If you use a stamp, just ink the stamp with VersaMark! I then removed the stencil.
3. Cover area with CLEAR embossing powder and heat emboss.
4. Rub a darker color ink (any color) all over the paper and the embossed area. You can do this in a distressed fashion or more solidly. Wipe the excess ink off the clear embossed area. You will now have a "peek thru" to the base paper! Super simple!

Here's a Hot Tip for those of you who are new to distressing and inking edges. Using more than one color creates great depth! Use a lighter color to rub in a bit around the border, maybe 1/2 or 1" deep. The second color should be darker and you only apply it to the edges, barely allowing it to come onto the top surface of the paper. You could use 2 shade of red or two shades of green. Match it to whatever you are doing!

Here is the quote from the Tim Holtz Visual Artistry stamps that I used.

Here is the pdf version of the lined paper I used for the signature book. This is loaded on scribd, but you can also email me for a direct copy at creativepzazz at gmail dot com.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Leslie

DIY Charms

There are two posts today! There is a card posted after this series of videos! Enjoy!

Today's project is to show you how to make your own charms to go on your tags or scrapbook pages, or to hang on mini albums.  I made these charms for a charm swap that I entered on the Beach. See my link on the right panel or go to Life on the Scrap Beach and join for FREE. I think there are a couple of spots left for this charm swap, if you are interested in joining!

Basically, I was supposed to make 8 charms, they needed to have a bead or button, and they had to have a pin or something to attach it with. I used the pins I made in yesterday's post as the attachment because I didn't want any beads on these particular charms. To meet the requirements, I added some spacer beads and seed beads on some safety pins (that I did not alter like yesterday's pins), and I will send those for each participant as well.

For full instructions watch the video. Sorry there are two parts, but I wanted to share all the tips I learned by doing this process!

Supplies used:

• Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) in platinum
• Versamark Ink Pad
• Heat Gun
• Needle tool or Tweezers

To make the Heat Proof Tile:

• 12" ceramic tile (don't go to any expense here, the cheaper the better, in case it breaks)
• Flat backed marbles (from Michael's)
• E6000 glue (or other industrial strength glue, such as Gorilla Glue, Goop, etc.)

So after I prepared these charms, I found out that the rest of the ladies in the swap were making charms that were more like Bling than vintage, so I am making different ones! Here is the video about those.

Here is a video showing all the charms, both styles, completed! Plus two things I was working on Sunday afternoon.

Please leave me a comment here or on my YT! Look for a video about more flowers maybe next weekend. Thanks for stopping by today!

Leslie

DIY Tim Holtz Embellishment Pins

Today's project is to show you how to make my own home made version of the Tim Holtz embellishment pins. While I would love to buy EVERY Tim product there is, the reality is that I have to pick and choose. I had been wanting some pins like these, but just couldn't let myself get them. Well, now I can make my own, and so can you!

Supplies used:

• Safety pins (any size—the cheaper the better, check the dollar store or your sewing kit)
• Alcohol ink ( I used black)
• Zipper style bag (learn from me and check to see if it has leaks before you start!)

Leave me a comment here or on YT! Thanks for stopping by today!

Leslie

Designer Series Patterned Paper: Before & After Part 3

Today is Part 3 of the series Before & After. Be sure to check out the rest of the posts in this series. You do NOT want to miss the last post for this series on the last day! You will yell EEK! with excitement! Ooh! That was a hint!

Today's project is turning some patterned paper (Stampin' Up! calls it Designer Series Paper) into something totally new! I was inspired to try this with Stampin' Up! Sending Love Designer Series Paper, because I have seen many other demonstrators do the same thing using the Bride and Bridesmaid Specialty Paper.

How To:

It is simple. Start with embossed, foiled, or glittered designer series paper. Brayer or sponge on the color your heart desires. I know, easy, right? You may want to lightly rub a paper towel over the paper after you have inked it to remove the ink from the top of the embossing, etc.

The effect is very stunning with the foiled Bridal Specialty paper shown below.

The next photo shows the dramatic Before & After of what happens if you sponge or brayer ink onto one of the pieces of the Sending Love paper. Yes, those are the same papers!

This next photo shows the sparkle of the papers. Well, this is as good as I could get it to show.

This final photo shows the card completed.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Products used in today's project:

• Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153
• Scallop Trim Punch #118402
• Pretty in Pink Cardstock #100459
• Basic Black cardstock #102851
• Whisper White Organza Ribbon #114319
• Small Oval punch #107304
• Pretty in Pink Classic ink #101301
• Real Red Classic ink #103133
• Basic Black Classic ink #101179
• Rhinestone Brad (small) #113144
• Stampin' Sponges #101610
• Brayer and Rubber Attachment #102395
• Other: paper towel

Ribbon: Before & After Part 2

Today's Before & After stars Whisper White Organza ribbon, but you could use any white ribbon, flower, or Fleurette.

The Before is on the Right. The After is on the Left.

How To:

• To achieve ribbon in any color that you desire, take a small lid or paper plate.
• Add 6-8 drops of any dye-based reinker.
• Drag the ribbon (or flower, etc.) through the reinker.
• Lay over the rim of a glass to dry.
• Note: I used a heat gun to speed up the process, but you MUST keep the heat pretty far from the ribbon, because if it gets too hot, it will melt.

There was going to be a portion of this post devoted to the embossing on ribbon and flowers. There are 2 reasons you won't find that information here: (1)I tried one technique I found during research; it failed. (2)The planet Saturn was in my orbit causing all creativity to cease.

No, I am not "out there"! My youngest daughter has a planet project due tomorrow (that is actually today when you read this), which she failed to tell me about over the weekend. So, I spent all afternoon and evening scrounging a volleyball and making rings for her planet!

All is not lost though. It will just add another day to my Before & After series! I will prevail and learn how to emboss ribbon and flowers!

Until then…

I Love You

Well, at least I really like you a lot because you visit my blog!! This card is a basic simple card, but sometimes simple is sweet! The card almost didn't happen. I chose the size of my Pixie Pink cardstock square for the center based on the size of the heart in the center. I really wanted to use the scallop trim punch, but I don't have the scallop trim corner punch. I punched it the scallop trim border punch anyway, feeling that I was just playing while I was regrouping my thoughts. Then a funny thing happened… I liked what came out in the end! It sort of reminds me of arrows, which are very appropriate for the card subject!

The card base is Whisper White and is cut at 4 1/4 x 11". I scored it at 5 1/2". I then cut 1/2" off the front panel. I took a 1" piece of Pixie Pink cardstock and punched the scallop border. I glued it onto the front panel leaving a small bit of the back showing too. The focal element was a piece of Pixie Pink cardstock cut at 2.5 x 2.5" I then centered the piece on the scallop trim border punch and punched it. I repeated this for all 4 sides of the cardstock. Finally, I stamped the scallop heart from the Framed with Love stamp set using Pixie Pink ink. I then used the masking technique to stamp the sentiment. The sentiment was created with the I (heart) stamps from Tote-ally Tess stamp set and the You! from the stamp set Things I love. So today's Hot Tip is for you to look at your stamps in a whole new way! Look at your stamps to see if you can use them in different ways or if you can use parts of stamps together to create something new!

Masking Technique (using tape):

• Take a piece of scotch tape and cover the portion of the stamp that you do not want to be inked.
• Ink stamp like normal.
• Remove the tape prior to stamping the image.

I hope you like the card. Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies used in today's project:

Page	Number	Item	Price
186	112091	Scallop Edge Punch	$15.95
9 (SAB)	118402	Scallop Trim Border Punch	FREE w/ $50 order
119	114389	Framed with Love stamp set	$27.95
54 IBC 11 (SAB)	115229 120208	Things I love stamp set	$15.95 or FREE w/ $50 order!!
41	118595	Tote-ally Tess stamp set	$16.95
156	105121	Pixie Pink Cardstock 8.5 x 11"	$5.50
155	100734	Whisper White Cardstock 8.5 x 11"	$7.50

Caring for your Acrylic Blocks

Stampin' Up! has new unmounted stamps that you use with an acrylic block! This saves space, but also lets you see where you are stamping! With this new series of stamps, many people are choosing to un-mount their other SU! stamp sets. I will share some HOT TIPS with you for how to do this, plus how to care for the acrylic blocks you use for stamping.

To un-mount a wood stamp:
Peel the stamp (including the foam all as one piece) off the block. If it will not peel off, put the block in the microwave for 10 second intervals until you are able to remove it. If you have heated it for 40-50 seconds total, and it will will not come off, it is not going to. Another tip is to use a spatula to get under the foam to pull it off. Ideally you want the foam undamaged when it is removed, so you will have better stamping results in the end.
If the foam is damaged, or won't come off the block, remove the rubber from the foam. You can purchase replacement cling foam (such as EZ Mount) from craft stores and online retailers to repair the stamp.
If it comes off cleanly, you will need to place a piece of cling vinyl, which is available at the same retailer as the EZ mount.

Note: Store your unmounted stamps in CD cases or DVD cases labeled with the name of the stamp set. It is recommended that you do NOT store your unmounted stamps on acetate sheets, since the acetate and the cling vinyl will react together and bond permanently!

Caring for your Acrylic Blocks:

• Wash the acrylic block with warm soapy water using a soft rag. Do NOT use any abrasive cleaner or scratchy cleaning products.
  
• Use Stampin' Mist stamp cleaner to remove stubborn stains
• Do NOT use alcohol or ammonia! This will cause the acrylic blocks to craze and crack over time.
• To prevent scratching and ink damage, place a piece of cling vinyl onto the acrylic block on both sides. Once the cling vinyl gets damaged, replace it. It costs much less than replacing the entire block! Clean the cling vinyl as you would the block.

Follow these tips, and you will have acrylic blocks that last a long time and still look great!! Thanks for stopping by today.

Business Card Holder

Problem: I needed somewhere for my business cards, but I also needed a sample of my work to show to potential customers. Solution: This card holder will hold around 35 cards, and is a beautiful way to show what Stampin' Up! has to offer! For specific dimensions and a full-size template, just send me an email! I will try my best to get a template made for you all.
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: For All You Do
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink:Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Accessories: 1/2" Polka Dot Soft Suede Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch


TECHNIQUE: KISSING STAMPS No silly, you don't pucker up! You let one stamp kiss the next. No, you don't need your stamps to "get a room" either. Here's what you do. Click on the photo for a closer view of the butterfly. To create this texure, I inked the Polka dot Background from For All you Do in Soft suede, then I inked the butterfly from For All You Do stamp set in Certainly Celery. Before stamping the butterfly on the whisper white cardstock, I KISSED the butterfly to the polka dot stamp. Basically I stamped the butterfly onto the polka-dot stamp before I stamped it onto my cardstock. This allows for a transfer of ink. Then all I had to do was stamp the butterfly on the Whisper White cardstock, and I have a 2 tone butterfly.

Want to know more techniques or to see this technique in action? Contact me to book a workshop. We can make this 3D project or cards of your choice. Remember: if you host a workshop before November 30, you will receive 2 FREE handmade Christmas cards!

Thanks for stopping by today. Contact me to place an order or to book a workshop.

Card: Hummingbird Thank You

This card is from a set of six that I made for a customer. The stamp sets used are Spring Song and Teeny Tiny Wishes, and I used the Watercolor Pencils and the Blender Pens to color the hummingbird and flower image. I used Apricot Appeal for the card base with Rich Razzleberry and Blush Blossom. Accessories used were the Curly Label Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, and the Corner Rounder Punch. The image and Thank You sentiment are attached using the Dimensionals, which give them a 3D effect.

To watercolor a stamped image, you need to ink your stamp with Black Staz-On ink. Staz-On is a solvent based ink, so water will not make it bleed. Using Watercolor Paper is best, but for blender pens you can get away with using Whisper White Cardstock. Then all you have to do is use the Watercolor Pencils to provide color to the image. You don't actually color it in completely like you would in a coloring book. You just add a light scribble over a portion of area for a light shading or a dark outline for more intense color. Then you use the blender pens like markers to spread and blend the colors.

Blender pens have the look and feel of a marker. They are filled with a clear substance that works great for all watercolor applications. You use the blender pen on one color and blend that color into the next. If you want to change colors, you just wipe the blender pen on a scrap of paper until it flows clean again. I would clean my blender pen between the floers and the leaves, but for most of the bird, I just kept blending.

I am not an artist. I have no talent for art whatsoever! All I did was get a photograph of a hummingbird from the internet and add similar colors to my paper! So simple! Thanks for stopping by today. .

Technique: Faux Stitching

Today's technique comes from craftcritique.com. She has organizing tips along with paper crafting and other ideas. Check her out!

Faux stitching:
Take a paper piercer or large needle and a straight edge, then pierce holes along the edge of the item you want to have faux stitching.

What a great look without the trouble of sewing!