Decoupage Hydrangea Cards

Again, these cards began with Ranger Pearl Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper.  Although the Yupo paper makes it easy to blend the alcohol inks, they have the drawback of being easily warped by heat so I couldn't use heat embossing or gold foiling machines. Therefore, I chose again to stamp the flower designs on tissue paper (you can even recycle tissue from gift wrapping).  I stamped using various Archival ink colors and then tore the tissue paper before adhering them with decoupage solution.  Once totally dry, I stamped the words with black Archival ink. I forgot to photograph the extra leaf stamp I also used. 

I really love the way the pearlized inks and metallic ink sprays form a unique, shimmering background. The use of tissue paper and decoupage solution allows for a variety of floral arrangements.  On the second card I smudged the words so I had to cover them up with gold vellum that had the words stamped on it. I think it was a pretty good save...right?  

 Both the hydrangea stamps were from Inkadinkado ( a company that no longer exists, I think). The word stamps are a Hero Arts product.  Ranger makes the Archival Ink mini pads.

Degas Ballerina in Paris Card

This is another card made with Ranger alcohol pearl inks on Yupo paper background.  I thought the colors were evocative of old world Europe so I pulled out some of my appropriate stamps.  Because a previous card made me realize that it is difficult to get a good stamped image on Yupo paper (it is not porous).  To solve this problem I decided to invent a new technique. I stamped the images (in Archival Inks) I wanted to incorporate onto plain white tissue paper. Next I tore the paper around the stamped images and adhered them to the card with small amount of decoupage medium (watered down white glue would probably work, too).  The Hero Arts words were stamped on last and left to dry.  To add a pop of dimension, I added a bit of sparkly netting (purchased in a roll rom HM Ben Franklin Crafts) to create the illusion of a tutu. I am extremely happy with the outcome of this card because it is very close to what I imagined in my mind's eye.  Isn't it nice when that happens?

P.S. The ballerina stamp is an old Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper stamp.
 

Alcohol Ink Shaker Thank You Card

I've been having fun experimenting with Ranger Alcohol Pearl inks. These inks need to be used on a non-porous surface such as Yupo paper (available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts). They dry quickly so you need to drop the colors and then swish them around quickly.  The technique I like to use is to fold a sheet of paper, drop lots of ink on one side and then smash the paper closed.  When the paper is opened the colors form an ink blot-like design.  For a final touch, I lightly spray Ranger metallic distress inks to add more glimmer.  Because the folded paper forms mirror images, I ended up with two pretty cards to embellish.  I used the Die-Namics circular thank you die to cut the words from DCWV shimmer card stock.  My 2" hole puncher could not reach to the interior of the design so I traced the circle and hand cut out the opening.  I glued a piece of acetate to the back of the opening and attached foam tapes near the edges of the inked paper. ( Don't place the foam tape too close to the edge of the inked paper because then it will show from the side.)

I peeled the backing of three of the foam tape strips and filled the pocket with confetti glitter before removing the backing on the last strip of foam tape. I am pleased with this shaker card because it was made from an experimental ink design.  In future posts I will make other card designs using the alcohol pearl inks.  Please visit this site again to see what I create. 

 

Dad's Day Coffee Cup Card

I wanted to make a one-of-a-kind card for my husband because he is a very special father to my sons, grandsons, and ME!  I had a hard time getting a decent photo of this card because of the shimmering pearl alcohol inks I used. (See next post for the details about how the background was created.)  I wanted to keep this card subdued because DAD is a low-key sort of guy.  I used Ranger Archival permanent inks to stamp the Ranger and Sizzix images.  Because the card base is Yupo paper, the non-porous surface did not absorb the Archival inks.  By waiting and lightly blotting, the images were able to remain visible.  The dad letters were die cut from black paper and glued onto the card.  The 'thinking of you' words were stamped on kraft colored paper and then die cut before gluing down.  I wish the subtle parts of this card were visible in my photo but you'll just have to take my word for it that this card has sparkle, shine and uniqueness truly befitting the recipient. Happy Father's Day!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday Card

My grandson has certainly grown up quickly!  I can't believe I had to make a birthday card for a 3 year old this year. He loves vehicles and toys with wheels so I thought the Art Impressions stamp set with the bus filled with party going animals would be perfect for his card. Not only was this stamp set on sale, but it had the dies included....what a deal! I tried coloring the images with Copic pens but smaller hard tipped marker pens would be a better choice since the animals are so tiny. For the background, I found a confetti print 12x12 card stock in my stash. Also from my odds 'n ends paper stack there was a sheet that had birthday words printed on it so I just cut out the rectangles of glitter enhanced words.  Some of the words were also used inside the card. The balloons and critter inside the card were stickers from a birthday sheet of cute images. The bus and balloons were adhered with foam adhesives to give the card front more dimension. 

Except for coloring the teeny tiny images, this card was a snap to make and should really please my grandson.  I think he'll really love opening and closing the bus doors.  P.S. The small wooden stamp by Dandelion Designs was used on the back of the card so if this card gets saved perhaps someone will appreciate that it was handcrafted locally.  It's always is a nice touch to let recipients know they mattered enough to receive a handmade card. Hugs! Keep Crafting!  

 

Easy Floral Candy Lei

I needed leis for my twin grandsons who are graduating from pre-school. Because they are five, I knew that they would prefer a candy lei over a floral one. However, candy leis tend to be very heavy (too heavy to be comfortable for a young graduate).  Also candy leis never really look festive like floral leis do. My compromise was to combine an artificial floral lei with poly tubing containing edible treats.  The green and blue fake floral leis (other colors available) were purchased from Ben Franklin Crafts as were the curling ribbon and poly tubing.  I filled the poly tubing with small treats (tiny cat chocolates, mini puff rice candy, small chestnut manju, and tiny gummy candy). These were Asian sweets individually wrapped, so the leis were lightweight and sanitary.  Instead of a fluffy bow, I tied on a Pokemon character so that there will be a graduation gift which will remain after the goodies are consumed.   I really like these lei creations because they perfectly suit the recipients and were easy to make. Congrats Graduates! 

 

Crystal Pendant Jewelry

Years ago I was lucky enough to score a garland of single point clear quartz crystals. These drilled single quartz crystals stayed in a box for quite awhile as I pondered what to do with them.  I was inspired by what I saw on an online ad and thought, "I can make that!"  It was easy peasy to insert a sterling or gold-filled wire (choose the largest diameter of round wire that will fit) into the drilled hole of the crystal. With a needle nose plier make a small loop on either side of the crystal. With a jewelry shear cut the chain (with a clasp on the back) through the center front. Hook the looped wire through the cut ends of the chain and wire wrap to secure.  Cut off the wire ends with a jewelry snipper. Amazingly, that's all there is to making this elegant crystal pendant!              

                                    
This amethyst pendant necklace was made the same way as the clear quartz one except a gold-filled sterling silver chain was used.  Finding drilled small amethyst crystal points is not easy so when you do....snap them up!

Here are two more crystal pendants on sterling silver chains.  It is important that you buy chains that have links large enough to accommodate the wire you pass through the crystal.  I really like these finished pieces of jewelry and plan to make more in the future. In my hoarded stash of drilled stones, 

I have a few pieces that I am looking forward to fashioning into one of a kind designer pieces. Keep visiting this blog to see what I create in the future. Thank you for being interested in my crafty endeavors!

Chocolate Box with Cactus Design Repurposed Into a Jewelry Holder

After savoring the luscious Ethel M chocolates in this fancy cactus box, I couldn't resist saving the box for repurposing.  The box stayed on a shelf for months before I decided it would make the perfect gift box/jewelry holder for a sweet person who is fond of cactus designs.  The box had metallic outlined cactus images and a satin ribbon (with a small gold medal) that was not removable.  Also the box had a printed Ethel M label and a few stickers when removed took off some of the box covering.  All of this limited my design possibilities but made me search my printed card stock and rubber stamp stashes to find cactus themed items.  

I happily discovered some Doodlebug Design paper and Whimsy rubber stamp and die sets.  The Whimsey cactus designs were stamped, heat embossed with copper embossing powder and colored in with Copic pens before fussy cutting.  I think the alcohol in the Copic pens may have taken off some of the foil-like shine of the images when I colored them in. I really wanted to match the foil lined images already on the box. Oh well, maybe next time I'll use my Misti stamp aligner, stamp the cacti, color them in, restamp them and heat emboss with copper powder.

The bottom of the box also had some unremovable stickers so I covered it with more printed card stock (the reverse of the colorful cacti images).

Here is the inside of the box. I washed the plastic liner so it could be used for holding jewelry.  I plan on giving a few pieces of specially chosen jewelry and using cactus print washi tape to hold them in place until the birthday girl opens the box. The 'Happy Birthday To You' tag was purchased in bulk for a discount price and seemed perfect for this gift box. I tied it on with a thin piece of Heiko woven ribbon.  I think this decorated box should please the cactus lover recipient and I'm glad that I bought the candy, (ate it) and repurposed the pretty box. Recycling makes me feel so much better than filling trash bins. Please recycle when you can!  Thank you.