Graphic 45 Bohemian Bazaar!

Graphic 45 introduced two new collections in the spring: Bohemian Bazaar and Steampunk Spells. I have been hard at work creating projects for Graphic 45 to teach at CHA and their summer events - using these new collections. I have also been working on a few tutorials for the Graphic 45 Newsletter. Here is the first of those Newsletter projects! 

I created a bright and fun birthday card with Bohemian Bazaar! Click HERE to download this FREE project sheet!

Bohemian Bazaar is a mini-collection which includes 16 prints (8 double-sided sheets, 3 sheets of each per paper pad), Cardstock Tags and Pockets, Cardstock Stickers, and Chipboard Elements. The paper comes in both 12x12 and 8x8 sizes.

Couture Creations and Core'dinations Blog Hop

Welcome to Day 3 of the Couture Creations and Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Blog Hop! Each day this week Couture Creations will feature two of the Design Team showcasing their projects created using Couture Creations and Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock products.

Plus, Couture Creations will be giving away a fabulous Couture Creations prize package at the end of the week, so be sure to play along and check back on Monday 1st July 2013 to see if you’re the lucky winner!

Here are the different ways you can play along with us –

1. Like Couture Creations on Facebook
2. Share this blog post on your Facebook wall and tell us you did on our Facebook
3. Follow our Couture Creations Blog
4. Comment on the CC Blog or on Facebook
5. Follow Couture Creations on Pinterest

Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock is also posting projects and giving away prizes, so be sure to check out their Blog and Facebook page, too!

Now, here is my fun project for the Blog Hop! I love gift bags. They are so much easier and faster than gift wrap, however they are expensive and often not very attractive. I purchase several different sizes of plain gift bags in bulk quantities and simply decorate my own to match the occasion.

The 4th of July is a big deal in America. We have celebrations, picnics, parades, fireworks, and all manner of fun! I have created a "Fourth of July" gift bag suitable for holding a small hostess gift, a bottle of wine, or some fun goodies for the kids to enjoy during an Independence Day BBQ.

My bag is a plain, kraft bag with handles and measures 8 1/2 inches tall by 5 1/4 inches wide.

1. To create the rolled flowers on the bag use Nested Circle Dies to cut four large and 4 small circles; cut two from decorative paper and two from Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Shattered paper.

2. With a pencil, draw a spiral shape on the back of each circle. This does not have to be neat or uniform. The more "wonky" the spiral, the more interesting the flower!

3. Use the Piercing Tool to roll the circle into a flower shape. Roll the printed side (or the "good" side) inward. Glue the tail of the flower to the base and shape with your fingers. 

4. Repeat for each circle.

5. Trim printed paper to slightly smaller than the bag front and adhere to the bag. Create a collage of flowers in the lower right corner of the bag as shown.

6. Using the Nesting Picture Frame die, cut one frame from Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Nostalgic paper. Sand the raised areas.

7. Trim the frame apart. Discard the sides, and glue the frame "top" to the bottom edge of the bag and the frame "bottom" to the top edge of the bag, as shown.

8. Remove the grommets from two Core'dinations Tags Darks (a medium red and a small blue). Emboss both tags with the Nuevo Embossing Folder (Fresh and Fun Collection). Sand the tags to reveal the pale core. 

Please note: if you do not remove the grommet from your tags, you will damage your embossing folder!

9. Attach the tags to the handle of the bag with ribbon.

10. Stamp sentiment onto tan Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Shattered paper with black dye ink and cut with a Circle Nesting Die. Attach the sentiment to the tags with foam mounting tape.

Thanks for joining me today! 

Hop over to the Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock Blog and see what their Design Team has created using their ColorCore Cardstock and our Couture Creations products! They also have giveaways, so what are you waiting for – hop over! oh and don't forget to follow the Couture Creations Design Team Blogs.

ETS: Remember, if you "need" to purchase any of the lovely Couture Creations products, please check at CropStop and use my coupon code! Enter this code (SKGS-01) for 10% off your total order. No minimum order. Good on ANYTHING in the store, including pre-orders and sale items!

Couture Creations Supplies Used:
Circle Nesting Dies
Picture Frame Nesting Dies
Nuevo Embossing Folder

Couture Creations Tools Used:

Craft Scissors
Handheld Essentials Piercing tool, Embossing tool
Sanding Block
Double-sided Tape

Foam Mounting Tape
Craft Mat

Core'dinations Paper:
Tim Holtz Kraft Core Shattered
Tim Holtz Kraft Core Nostalgic
Core Tags Darks

Other Supplies:
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny Anthem
Rubber stamps: StampingScrapping Design Label Accents
Stamping ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon (May Arts)
Gift bag: Michael's Crafts

Graphic 45 June Place in Time Project Sheets

It is time to share the Graphic 45 June Place in Time Project Sheets! These project sheets go out to retail stores about 6 weeks before the start of each month. (For example, the August sheets were available to stores on June 20th). At the end of each month, consumers get a chance to see the projects in the Newsletter and  I get to share them on my blog. And, as time permits, Graphic 45 shares them on their blog and Facebook page.

Here are the three June project sheets. (Keep in mind, your local store may not participate in this promotion. Also, stores may modify the directions to fit their needs, resulting in differing monthly examples.) 

For June I created three gift card holders. I figured since June is the month of weddings and graduations, that I would create designs to fit these celebrations, which sometimes require giving a gift card.

Congratulations Project Sheet

When you untie the bow...

...you have a space to put a gift card. You can use an adhesive dot or some double-stick tape to attach your gift card, and there is space to write a message. The inside of the main card is available for writing more greetings.

June Love Project Sheet

I have made this type of gate fold card before (in fact seeing one of my earlier projects was what prompted Graphic 45 to ask me to make one for the Place in Time program).  This is a great card for a wedding or anniversary gift.

The band slides off the card. You can see I used the Cupid chipboard from the Place in Time chipboard set. The tag is really supposed to "go with" the February papers, but it works great with the June paper as well.

Inside, there is a pocket where you can place a gift card for the happy couple.

Pocket Card Project Sheet

This last card has a large pocket on the front. I have tucked some tags into the pocket.

The larger tag  is perfect for attaching a gift card. You can stamp or write a sentiment onto the chipboard tag as well. I wanted to keep this card plain so that you could modify it for any occasion, including a June birthday.

Make sure to check the Project Sheets tab at the top of the blog for all the Graphic 45 project sheets that I create. This card series will continue through December. (Come back on Thursday to see a project sheet featuring the NEW Bohemian Bazaar collection!)

I am currently creating more project sheets using the new collections, Bohemian Bazaar and Steampunk Spells! If you are attending Summer CHA in Las Vegas in July, or Scrapfest in Minnesota in September, you will have a chance to make some of the projects that I'm creating! If you are not attending one of those events, I am sure the projects will be available for you at some point as a printable project sheets! 

I have also had a sneaky peek at the other summer release collections....and I know you will flip for them. I will be designing a set of....something...for the Summer CHA booth....can you guess... {wink}

Kraft and Mixed Media

I have a WorldWin Papers project to share today. I wanted to try a few mixed media techniques so got my craft on and did it. None of these techniques are new, nor are they new to me. I just don't play around with mixed media very often. I confess, I love the look, but hate the mess! 

I also love kraft cardstock. I use a lot of it and think it perfect for mixed media techniques. WorldWin sent me several packs of kraft cardstock, so I have plenty to play with. {wink}

My daughter graduated high school this month and she had a few of her wallet-sized photos on the desk. I snagged one and made this mixed media layout for her. I used WorldWin Kraft cardstock as the background. I also used Treasures Pitch Black, and Heritage Black.

I started out by placing a 3 3/4 x 2 3/4 inch rectangle down on the paper where I wanted the photo to go. I did this so that I would have a point of reference for all the mixed media mess I planned to create. 

I sprayed the paper with some mists, stamped with paint and ink. I just had a party with my "grunge" stamps.

I confess that it is really hard for me to create something without using a lot of printed papers. However, the mixed media techniques give such dimension and depth, that I only used a few pieces of printed paper on the project.

I did add a bit of paper from a few older Graphic 45 collections. My daughter loves old movies, music, and grungy stuff. So I tried to pull some papers that would reflect what she likes. I sprayed some of the paper, inked some, and even painted on some of it. The Graphic 45 paper is so heavy that it took the "abuse" very nicely. 

I also used some modeling paste! The paper held up to all the "wet" very well. I was impressed! I had some bits of mesh (it has a name but I forget, mesh with circles punched out of it...I think it is how they make sequins), anyway...I placed the mesh down on the cardstock and spread modeling paste over it with a putty knife. I used a thin layer of paste and then dried it with a heat tool. 

Once the paste was dry, I rubbed it with mica powder and dabbed it with paint. The cool thing that happened...under the paste was spray mist and ink...well, as I dried the paste, the ink sort of rose to the top! Amazing!

Thanks for looking!

I hope you have a chance to check out all that WorldWin Papers has to offer!

WorldWin Cardstock: Kraft, Treasures Pitch Black, ColorMates Heritage Black

Designer paper: Graphic 45 Curtain Call, Reflections, Le Cirque, Olde Curiosity Shoppe
Stamps: Hampton Art (Art Warehouse); Close to My Heart Express Postage; Kaisercraft Graffiti; My Favorite Things Distressed Background Blocks; Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Mixed Media

Ink: Clearsnap Top Boss Twinkle Watermark Star Dust; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Maroon; Stampin Up Whisper White; Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Sprays: Tattered Angels Beetle Black; Ranger Color Wash Cranberry
Mica powder: Pearl Ex Copper
Modeling paste: Liquitex
Paint: Ranger Distress Antiqued Bronze, Tarnished Brass

Paper flowers: Kaisercraft; The Paper Studio
Chipboard: Imaginarium Designs

Die cutting templates: My Favorite Things Fishtail Flag Stax, Layers, Jumbo Banner

Adhesive: tape runner, white glue, foam tape, adhesive dots

Inspired by Stamping - Two Challenges!

One of my Inspired by Stamping design team duties is to play in two challenges per month. I get to pick the challenges and the stamps that I want to use. 

Since this is my last month with Inspired by Stamping, and it's near the end of the month, I am playing in two challenges in one day! I am sad to say good-bye to the Inspired by Stamping team. The stamps are amazing and the team is super creative! However, my 6 months are up, and I find myself so busy, that I have had to step down. I wish Joanna and the gang all the best!

The first challenge is Mojo Monday. This is my favorite sketch challenge.

I don't often load my cards to the challenge, but I use the sketches a fair amount. I should say, I print the sketches and start out with them, but most of the time my card ends up looking very little like the sketch!



I used some of my new Bo Bunny paper stash. I had intended to try out for the Bo Bunny design team, however, some things happened lately that made it impossible for me to even think about trying out for another team, so now I have a stash of pretty papers to use up. {grin} These are from the Weekend Market collection.

I stamped the clock from the Inspired by Stamping Paris set onto the printed paper with watermark ink, then heat embossed it with a copper embossing powder. I stamped a sentiment onto one of the ticket cut-outs from the paper using black ink and the Big Wishes II set. I also stamped one of the postage images from the Summer Post Cards Add On set onto kraft paper. I used deco scissors to trim out the postage image.

Love the dimension, and the lace, and of course my favorite diamond satin ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

My second challenge is for Simon Says Stamp and Show. Their current challenge is to make something with kraft. Well, that was a pretty easy thing to do. I just pulled out some kraft paper and made a card. {snap}

I used my "old favorite" Graphic 45 paper, Curtain Call. I stamped a frame, called Single Fancy Frame, onto kraft paper and trimmed it out. (There is a matching die cut, but I don't happen to have it.) I stamped a sentiment from the Spring Blossoms set onto the frame.

For more inspiration:

IBS Blog (Joanna's Blog)

IBS Website (for shopping!)

IBS Facebook Page

Stamps: Inspired by Stamping Big Wishes II, Summer Postcard Add Ons, Paris, Single Fancy Frame, Spring Blossoms
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Kraft
Designer paper: Bo Bunny Weekend Market, Graphic 45 Curtain Call
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black; Clearsnap Top Boss Watermark; Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Creamy Brown
Embossing powder: Hampton Art
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon
Seam binding: unknown
Spray mist: Tattered Angels
Button: craft store
Staples: Tim Holtz
Deco scissors: Provo Craft
Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG tape runner; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares; Glue Dots adhesive dots

Joy Notepad - Couture Creations

Hello everyone! It is my turn on the Couture Creations Blog today. I have created a sweet little notepad cover for you. I love notepads. They come in all sizes and shapes and one can never have too many! Creating custom covers for them is fun and easy, and they make wonderful quickie gifts!

You can decorate your notepad cover as much or as little as you wish.

My notepad measures 8 x 2 1/2 inches. If you cannot find notepads this size, you can purchase standard 8 x 5 inch pads and cut them in half. My office supply store will cut a whole stack of pads for me for a few dollars. If the "right" clerk is on duty, he will cut them for free!

1. Cut tan cardstock to 8 1/8 x 5 1/4 inches. Score at 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 inches on the short side. This makes your basic notepad cover to fit a 8 x 2 1/2 inch notepad.

2. Trim printed paper to 3 x 2 1/2 inches. Score the long side at 1 and 1 1/4 inches. This will create a little "topper" to hide the ugly binding on  your notepad.

3. Cover the notepad binding and then attach the notepad to the right side of the notepad cover.

3. Emboss green cardstock with the Endless embossing folder from the All Occasions Collection. I used Core'dinations Cardstock and sanded it to revel the pale core of the paper.

4. Trim black cardstock to 8 x 2 3/8 inches and attach to the front of the notepad cover. Trim embossed cardsctock to 2 1/4 inches wide. Trim two pieces, joined where the embossing matches, to create a 7 7/8 inch long strip. Attach the embossed strip to the black cardstock with the seam near the top of the notepad cover.

6. Using the large Ivy Doily Die (Fantasia Collection), cut and emboss a doily from printed paper. You may need to use the Piercing Tool to remove some of the tiny bits from the die cut shape. Attach to the top of the notepad cover with foam mounting tape, making sure to overlap the seam.

7. Stamp sentiment onto tan cardstock with black dye ink and cut with a Circle Nesting Die.

8. Attach the sentiment to the center of the doily die cut shape.

9. Add self-adhesive pearls to the four corners of the notepad cover, and attach a postage stamp image sticker to the bottom center.

10. Using the Scallop Rectangle Nesting Dies, cut a scalloped rectangle from black cardstock.

11. Line the Rectangle Nesting Die template over the a section of embossed leaves cardstock and tape down. Cut the embossed paper and adhere the rectangle to the scalloped rectangle mat.

12. Trim black cardstock to 8 x 2 3/8 inches and attach to the inside left of the cover. Trim printed paper to 7 7/8 x 2 1/4 inches and attach to the black cardstock.

13. Attach the leaf image to the center of the panel at an angle. Add a a postage stamp image sticker to the bottom right edge of the panel.

Thanks for joining me today! 

Couture Creations Supplies Used:
Circle Nesting Dies
Rectangle Nesting Dies
Scallop Rectangle Nesting Dies
Ivy Doily Die
Endless Embossing Folder
Self-adhesive Pearls

Couture Creations Tools Used:

Craft Scissors
Handheld Essentials Piercing tool, Embossing tool
Sanding Block
Double-sided Tape

Foam Mounting Tape
Craft Mat

Other Supplies:
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Treasures Pitch Black, Colormates Medium Coffee Brown; Core'dinations Signature Graphic 45 Antique Moss
Patterned paper: Graphic 45 French Country Rendezvous
Stickers: Graphic 45 French Country
Rubber stamps: My Favorite Things Cheerful Blessings
Stamping ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Notepad: Staples Office Supply

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #74

It is time again for a Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge! The NEW Challenge is called "seeing dots" and your job is to make a project that contains DOTS, plus ribbon!

 Polka dots are sooo easy! No excuses this time! I decided to do my version of "clean and simple." And play with some new stamps. {grin}

I used the Salmon Faux Canvas Ribbon for my bow. This is one of the new ribbons I have been playing with from RRR. I have it in several colors. It's so awesome!

Here is a peek at my "fake" bow. I made a loop out of the ribbon and used glue dots and some string to turn it into a bow. Easy peasy. {Grin}

Thanks for looking! Visit the RRR Blog to see the other entries...and to enter your own project!

Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Deep Creamy Cocoa; Stampin' Up Whisper White
Designer paper: Simple Stories Vintage Bliss
Stamps: My Favorite Things
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa
Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon salmon faux canvas
Button: Buttons Galore and More
Floss: DMC
Adhesive: Score-tape; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares

Couture Creations - Joyeaux Anniversaire

Hello everyone! It is my turn on the Couture Creations blog today. I have created a French country anniversary card with a few fun stamping techniques to share.

1. Create a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch top-fold card from black cardstock.

2. Emboss kraft cardstock with the Large Hepburn embossing folder from the Elegance Collection.

3. Ink a script stamp with black dye ink and stamp onto the embossed paper. Press very lightly to ensure that you are only stamping on the raise part of the paper. 

4. Continue stamping with the script stamp until you have covered all embossed areas .Trim the  embossed cardstock to 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches and attach to the front of the card.

5. Trim black cardstock to 2 x 4 1/4 inches. Trim printed paper to 1 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches and attach to the black cardstock strip. (I have used Graphic 45 French Country papers.) Wrap brown twin around the center of the panel and attach the panel to the card front with foam mounting tape, approximately 1 1/4 inches from the top of the card.

6. Using the small Ivy Doily Die (Fantasia Collection), cut and emboss two doilies from printed paper. You may need to use the Piercing Tool to remove some of the tiny bits from the die cut shape. Trim the doilies in half and tuck the three partial doilies under the panel from step 5. 

7. Using the Key to My Heart die from the Endless Dreams Collection, cut two keys from cream cardstock. Rub one key with Burnt Copper pigment ink and the other with Verdigris. Allow to dry.

8. Using a script stamp and black dye ink, stamp both keys with the script image. Tie the keys to the right side of the card with twine.

9. Using the Scallop Rectangle Nesting Dies, cut a scalloped rectangle from black cardstock.

10. Line the Rectangle Nesting Die template over the printed sunflower image and tape down. Cut and adhere the image to the scalloped rectangle mat.

11. Using Foam Mounting Tape, attach the image to the left edge of the card, overlapping the twine.

12. Decorate the inside of the card with a strip of printed paper and a postage image stamp (Hampton Art/Graphic 45 French Country). Stamp an French anniversary greeting in the center of the panel with black dye ink.

Remember, if you "need" to purchase any of the lovely Couture Creations products, please check at CropStop and use my coupon code! Enter this code (SKGS-01) for 10% off your total order. No minimum order. Good on ANYTHING in the store, including pre-orders and sale items!

Couture Creations Supplies Used:
Rectangle Nesting Dies
Scallop Rectangle Nesting Dies
Ivy Doily Die
Key to My Heart Die
Large Hepburn Embossing Folder

Couture Creations Tools Used:

Craft Scissors
Handheld Essentials Piercing tool, Embossing tool
Double-sided Tape

Foam Mounting Tape
Craft Mat

Other Supplies:
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Treasures Pitch Black, Colormates Light Totally Tan; Bazzill Basics Kraft
Patterned paper: Graphic 45 French Country
Rubber stamps: Hampton Art/Graphic 45 French Country; Inspired by Stamping Background Basics III, Big Notes in French II
Stamping ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black; Clearsnap Colorbox Pigment Burnt Copper, Verdigris
Twine: unknown