Graphic45 Altered Frame

Graphic45 does not often give us assigned projects. Normally, the Design Team is free to create whatever we feel moved to create. But, now and again, Charee gives us a task and for June she asked us to use the Graphic45 Metal Door Plate Staples for one of our projects. I made an altered page layout to be used as a wall hanging, but it was picked up for publication {yay!}, which meant I had to make something else to show on the blog! I decided to alter a wooden frame.

I purchased a cheap wooden frame at the craft store and painted the edges with Ranger Distress Stains, then covered it with Grahic45 Le Cirque paper.

Once the frame was ready, I attached the door plate and knob (which I also altered, see tutorial below) and tons of flowers.

I typed the scripture on the computer and printed it out on cream cardstock. It's the perfect scripture to use with a door knob!

I altered Graphic45 Metal Flower and Button Staples and tucked them in with the flowers.

I also cut apart a branch that had butterflies on it. I used the branches down the left side of the frame and tucked butterflies here and there on the project.

Tutorial

To alter the metal embellishments, collect the following supplies:

• Metal embellishments, such as Graphic45 Metal Flowers, Metal Buttons, Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob
• Making Memories Acrylic Paint - Shopping Bag
• Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigments - Dark Bronze
• Aqua-net hairspray (used as a fixative)
• Foam brush
• Soft paint brush
• Pliers (to shape the flowers) 

I wanted to alter the metal to have an bronze finish.

You alter all of the metal the same way, but here I'll show you how to do the flowers.

1. If you are altering the Graphic45 Metal Flowers, you may first shape the flowers using pliers to bend the metal. Do this before altering.

 

2. Paint a thin layer of acrylic paint over the metal. Work quickly as you do not want the paint to dry. You may want to allow some of the original metal to show through.

3. While the paint is still wet, dust mica powder over the paint. The powder will stick to the paint, giving a metal shimmer.

4. Once the paint is dry, set the mica powder with a fixative. I use Aqua-net hairspray. It's cheap and works great!

Here is an altered flower next to one that is not altered. You can see the difference that bending the petals and adding the mica powder makes! You are limited to only the colors of paint and powder you use!

Here is a close-up view of some of the flowers and a meal button, all altered with paint and mica powder. To alter the mulberry paper flowers, mist with water, then dust on Pearlescent Mica Powder.

I hope you get a chance to play with some of the Graphic45 Metal Staples!
 

Supply List:

Frame: Michael's Craft Store

Designer paper: Graphic45 Le Cirque Magnifique
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla
Flowers: Kaisercraft, Wild Orchid Crafts
Leaves: Wild Orchid Crafts
Branch: Recollections Mulberry Paper Butterfly Vine
Paint: Making Memories Acrylic Paint (Shopping Bag), Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Drawing Ink (Rich Gold), Ranger Distress Stain (Vintage Photo)
Mica powder: Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent Mica Pigments (Pearlescent, Dark Bronze)
Metal embellishments: Graphic45 Metal Flowers, Metal Buttons, Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob
Adhesive: Liquid glue. Glue Dots, tape runner
Brads: unknown

Tools: Brayer, pliers

Graphic45 Fashionista Paper Cone and Card

This is my second post for today, so scroll down to see the CPC Sketch Tuesday.

I've been admiring all of the paper cones and "tussie mussie" projects I've been seeing around Internet land. I figured it was high time I made one for my own self! At the same time I was trying to think of something for my Graphic45 assignment...something different since the NEW 2011 Design Team is kicking my backside with their creativity! Here is what I ended up with! A paper cone filled with flowers from my front yard!

I do not have a tutorial for you, but if you do a web search on "paper cones" I am sure you will find a tutorial to fit your needs. I think I found this one at the Scor-Pal site. I folded the cone from one sheet of 12x12 paper, then decorated it.

I used some trim that was hiding out in my stash to decorate the triangle part of the cone. I used some Scor-tape to attach the trim to the underside of the triangle. Finally, a use for that dangly trim stuff! The things I have in my stash...it's unreal!

To create the flower embellishment, I cut/embossed flowers with the Spellbinders Paper Arts™ S5-050 Rose Creations die template and stacked them together with a Graphic45 Metal Button.

Here is a photo of the empty cone. Very cool, right?!

I also made a matching card...because...I can! I love this paper and am always happy to cut into it!

It's so rich and pretty! Especially when you use it with pins and the fabbie Spellbinders S4-235 Fancy Tags die template.

Supply List:
Graphic45 paper: Fashionista (Potpourri, Bon Marche, Perfumeries, Tags)
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin’ Up!
Stamps: StampingScrapping
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Dark Moss, Memento Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders die templates: S5-050 Rose Creations, S4-235 Fancy Tags
Glitter glue: Ranger Stickles (Diamond)
Embellishments: Graphic45 Metal Buttons Staples, Trim (craft store), Pins (Maya Road), Ribbon (May Arts)
Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG and foam tape, Glue Dots, Tombow Mono Metal Liquid Glue, Scor- tape
Tracing Templates: Kiwi Lane Designs

CPC Sketch Tuesday #115

It's the last Tuesday in June! And finally we've had a few days above 70 degrees. Who knew I'd complain about the weather in San Diego?! Ok, some of you knew I'd fuss at some point...  Honestly, we did not have any summer weather last year and I was beginning to worry that we would not have any this year either! We were stuck in a loop of 60 degree days!

ETA: I typed this yesterday...and today is an icky, cool, marine layer morning. Blah.

At any rate, here is Christian Paper Crafts Sketch Tuesday #115.

I hope that you will visit the CPC Blog and link up your project if you play along with the sketch. Also, please visit the CPC Community and see how you can be part of this amazing group of women.

Here is my sample. I went with "cute" this week!



I found those buttons in my stash and built the whole card around them. You know how you can get those packs of buttons and things at the craft store? I used to buy TONS of them, and I still have a bunch in my stash...and figured it's time they saw some love!

I colored the image with Copics, and I also played with Stickles...and made the lollipop sparkly. Everyone wants to eat a sparkly lollipop, right? The inside says: Sweet Birthday Wishes.

Supply List:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up!
Designer paper: My Mind's Eye Fly a Kite
Stamps: My Favorite Things, Close to My Heart
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa, Copic Markers, Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Lime Pastel and Chestnut Roan
Embellishments: Ranger Stickles Star Dust, Pearls from Want2Scrap, buttons and ribbon from craft store

Gift Card Holder/Mini Book Project and Tutorial

One of my "signature" projects is mini albums which are really cards and gift card holders. I love to give gift cards - because they are easy! However, I also think gift cards are boring and tacky. You can see my problem! As a way to "jazz" up gift cards, and to make it more fun to give gift cards, I started to make fancy holders for them. A few months ago I showed you a romantic version of one of these little books, created with the Graphic45 Curtain Call papers.

I made this one as part of my Graphic45 2011 Design Team entry. Tons of people wanted to know how to make it or how to buy a kit for it. {Such flattery did not go unnoticed!}

Since I am lazy at heart, I created another album - just like the Curtain Call one - using the Graphic45 On the Boardwalk papers. Plus, I wrote a little tutorial on how to create the basic mini! Since it's summer time for most of the USA (not here, where we can't seem to get above 70 degrees!) I wanted to the Boardwalk paper.

To create the basic album:
1. Cut three pieces of heavy chipboard; cut two to 4 x 6 inches and one piece to ½ x 6 inches.

2. Cut a sheet of printed paper to 8 ¾ x 6 inches and place it face down on your work surface. Using strong adhesive, attach the chipboard pieces to the printed paper, as shown, with a 1/8 inch gap between the chipboard pieces.

3. Attach a second sheet of printed paper, 8 ¾ x 6, to the other side of the chipboard. Fold the mini book, creasing in the gaps between the chipboard pieces. This will make a spine and two covers for your mini book.

I used coordinating pieces of paper for my inside and outside of the cover.

4. Using mini file folders (Pine Cone Press), trace and cut two folders from printed paper.

5. Adhere the two folders together to make pages for your mini book. Attach one folder to the back cover of your mini book.

6. Decorate your mini book as desired, and add a gift card to one of the file folder flaps, as shown.

The On the Boardwalk collection has a ton of amazing images to use in any decorating project!

I was able to make this whole project with very little outside product. Just a few odds and ends were added to the items that came with a 12x12 pad of Graphic45 paper.

Another of my "signature" techniques it make an embellishment with a bottle cap. {I see another tutorial in my future!} In the photo above, I glued an image from the G45 paper into a bottle cap. Then a used a craft hammer to smash the bottle cap - always therapeutic! I glued the cap to a G45 flower staple, and made my own custom embellishment!

I used a mini clip to attach a gift card to one of the file folder pages. Since I have a teen daughter, I have tons of dead itunes gift cards to use in my projects. The only issue is, most of them are hot pink! My sons seem to throw their used gift cads away, so I never have any boy-themed or neutral cards to use in my photo shoots!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Below is a supply list if you have any questions about the products I used. If you have any other questions, just email me or leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer. To those of you who are looking for a kit...I do have plans to start selling kits again, but it may be as late as January 2012 before I can get to them...sad to say.

Supply List:
Chipboard: Grafix
Cardstock: Bazzill Raven, Stampin’ Up! Whisper White, Best Creations Black Glitter
Graphic45 paper: On the Boardwalk (On the Boardwalk, She Sells Seashells, Summer Crush, High Style Holiday, Bathing Beauties, Tags, Borders)
Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Hero Arts, Gina K Designs
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk (Creamy Brown, Chestnut Roan, Prussian Blue), Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Spellbinders dies: S5-006 Curved Rectangles, S4-161 Labels One, S4-308 Labels One Small, S5-043 Fleur de Lis Motifs
Embellishments: Doily and string from Michael’s Crafts. Bingo cards and stickers from Jenni Bowlin, Clips from Idea-ology and Oriental Trading Company, Flower from Graphic45, Bingo number from Maya Road, Mini files from Pine Cone Press, Ribbon from open stock
Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG and foam tape, Glue Dots

CPC Sketch Tuesday #114

I have the Christian Paper Crafts Sketch Tuesday for you today.

I used Kiwilane Designs tracing templates to make my curved shapes, which you can't see very well. They looked better in my mind's eye - and before I loaded the card with other stuff! The templates are plastic shapes that you trace and then cut the paper with scissors. Very old school! But fun!

The paper is Basic Grey Capella - so soft and pretty.

The sewing machine stamp has been in my stash for a few months, and I finally put some ink on it! This is also the first time I used the Spellbinders S4-322 Grommet Tags die templates. Very pretty!

Note: For those of you who have been offering prayers on behalf of my father-in-law, I just want to thank you. Dad passed on to Glory on Saturday morning, June 18th. He was at home with his loved ones and now rests in the arms of Jesus.

Supply List:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up!, Neenah
Designer paper: Basic Grey Capella
Stamps: Crafty Secrets Material Girl, Waltzing Mouse Fancy Phrases
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Old Paper
Embellishments: Lace from the craft store, flower from Kaisercraft, Pearls from Want2Scrap
Tools: Die templates from Spellbinders Paper Arts (S4-322 Grommet Tags, S4-328 Foliage), tracing templates from Kiwilane Designs

CropStop's Celebrate Summer Blog Hop

Welcome, everyone, to CropStop's, Celebrate Summer Blog Hop! We are happy that you could join us.

As you hop from blog to blog, you will find that each of our Creative Team members has posted a challenge for you. You will also need to collect a letter from each of the blogs that will help complete the "Magic Word" and an extra chance to win a prize!

The hop begins today, June 19th and ends at midnight, Eastern time on June 30th. You have 12 days to complete and link your challenge projects.

You will receive a prize ticket for each challenge completed. Prizes will be chosen by random draw. The more you complete, the better your chance to win! The Magic Word prize will be awarded by random draw also. There are four chances to win!

1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
Magic Word Prize

Here is what you need to do....

1. Visit each of the Creative Team Member blogs listed below and complete the challenge.

2. Link your completed projects using the inlinkz tool found at the bottom of the blog post in each blog. Your projects must be linked from your blog or site in separate posts. They cannot all be in one blog post.

3. Collect all 9 letters and punctuation mark and send the completed word to cropstopblog@yahoo.com.

DEADLINE FOR LINKS AND E-MAILS IS JUNE 30TH AT MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME!

For my challenge: make a project using the Colors of Summer. Use Orange/yellow, tan/brown, blue, green, white. Try to use only these colors.

Here is my project to give you some inspiration!

Visit our Creative Team Member Blogs in the order listed to get your letters and challenges!

Vicki's Blog - http://validationofvicki.blogspot.com
Kaori's Blog - http://scrapgarden-kao.blogspot.com
Rosemary's Blog - http://rosemaryscreations.blogspot.com
Heidi's Blog - http://www.heidishappystamping.blogspot.com
Gloria's Blog - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com  YOU ARE HERE
Michelle's Blog - http://www.inspirationblooms.blogspot.com
Agnes' Blog - http://www.radosnyczas.blogspot.com
Katie's Blog - http://scissorsspatulasandsneakers.blogspot.com
Veronica's Blog - http://artbyveronica.blogspot.com
Dalis' Blog - http://www.stampergirl.com

My "magic word" letter......B

Don't forget to grab the letters from our blogs as you hop along!

Send the completed word to cropstopblog@yahoo.com for an opportunity to win the "Magic Word" prize!

Use the linky tool below to add your challenge project: The Colors of Summer. Have fun, get to hoppin', and create some fun summer-time projects!

Graphic45 Orphans

It's a gloomy, 64-degree day here on the Southern California coast. June is NOT our best month. We have heavy marine layer and cool temperatures. You cannot tell that it's mid-June! I found these "orphan" projects that I wanted to share with you - to give you a bit of spring and summer. I don't think they have been shown here on the blog. If they have...pretend you never saw them!

This first project is a card I made for the Graphic45 booth at Winter CHA, using the Once Upon a Springtime paper line.

I combined the blue with dark brown to make that blue paper pop! I love this shade of blue. I used my trusty Spellbinders Nestabilities die templates (Lacey Circles, Standard Circles Large and Small, Classic Scalloped Circles Small).

A few butterfly punches finish the whole thing! Up next is another Once Upon a Springtime project. This time it's a 12x12 scrapbook page.

This is my daughter. My husband took this photo when we were on vacation to Hawaii in May 2009, when Laura was 13. She adores the ocean...and we adore her! The chipboard title is from Imaginarium Designs, owned by my teamie, Jane Tregenza! I painted the chipboard with acrylic paint and Stickles. Oh la la.

Two of my favorite scrappy products are flowers and mini bingo cards! Well, besides Graphic45 paper! {grin}

This last project is one I made a long time ago. I don't think I even submitted it to Graphic45 as I was totally NOT in love with it. I am sure I made this back when we did a blog hop or something with Unity stamps, because the banner is made from stamped images that I hand cut. Whew!

At any rate, I made a banner spelling out my name. It is hanging in my studio, so...I must like it a little bit, right? The letters are from the Graphic45 Domestic Goddess line.

I stamped each banner with the Unity Unforgettable Moments set, then cut each banner out with scissors. I decorated each banner with some bits of this and that.

I used buttons and pins, plus images cut from Graphic45 paper. Then I attached each banner to some ruler twill. Not very exciting, but a fun little project.

I hope you enjoyed my "orphan" projects. Have a nice weekend!

CPC Sketch Tuesday #113

I hope you enjoyed my sneak peek of the CPC Design Team Delights yesterday! Since it's Tuesday, it's time for Sketch Tuesday!

I hope you give this sketch a try. This is a pretty easy one again this week. I'm trying to take it easy on you! Here is my card...all ready for the Fourth of July!

Since the Webster's Pages paper is so amazing all on it's own, this card came together super fast! (My dh did not care for this card AT ALL. He thinks every card must be a multi-layer masterpiece! Humph!)

I hope my "not a masterpiece" card inspires you, if only a little!

Supply List:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up!
Designer paper: Webster's Pages
Stamps: StampingScrapping
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Star punches by Carl, Dies by Spellbinders (S4-112 Classic Ovals Small, S4-110 Classic Ovals Large)