6/26/16

Summer Days Canvas with Leisure Arts

Hi everyone, now that summer is here, it's time to get your summer crafting on.

Have you tried your hands at the coloring book craze yet?  Leisure Arts creates some amazing adult coloring books and I was pleased to receive the Art of Coloring Coastal.  This 24 page coloring book has pages consisting of everything ocean-related;  think water, boats, fish, and more.

 
Just because this is a coloring book doesn't mean you  need to leave the pages in place as we did as children.  The pages are perforated so they come out easily.  I chose to use one of the pages to create a summer days canvas, coloring the images with Copic Markers.  But you could also use colored pencils, crayons, inks, chalks and more.   

 
To ensure I had a nice smooth effect, I used 3-in-1 beacon Adhesives.  This adhesive does not wrinkle your papers.   Using Spellbinders dies, I die cut "summer days", adding the letters to a tag which I adhered to the canvas.

 
In keeping with the summer theme, I added some gauze along the left edge and added assorted die cut summer elements from Spellbinders.  For dimension, I used foam adhesives from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.


Why not try your hands at adult coloring books.  You can see the wide variety of coloring books available here at Leisure Arts.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

6/25/16

Beautiful Bows with the Bowdabra Design Team

 
Hi everyone.  I've been holding onto a secret I can finally reveal!
 
Check out the new Bowdabra design team.  I am so thrilled to be designing with these wonderful designers and we can't wait to show you how amazing the Bowdabra is! 


 
I am definitely bow-challenged so the moment I received my Bowdara, I had to play.  Here are a few samples of what I created with the Mini Bowdabra - 3 different bows created quickly and easily with the Bowdabra.  Aren't they amazing!
 
 

Please stop by the Bowdabra blog often and see how easy it is to make amazing bows of all sizes.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

6/23/16

Time for Mermaid Fun

Hi everyone, check out the newest cards I've created for JoyClair.   Check out this fun new stamp set called Seas the Day.  It's perfect for summer creating. 



 
You can tear papers to create waves, or create bubbles with the included stamp as the base for your mermaid. 
 

 
 
Stop by the JoyClair blog for details and lots of fun projects.
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/22/16

Enjoy Life clipboard

Hi everyone, just wanted to show you a fun way to alter and decorate a canvas covered clipboard.

 
 
This canvas covered clipboard was begging to be altered - it was just so plain.  So I added color with Faber Castell Gelatos, randomly blending the colors into the canvas with a baby wipe.
 
I spritzed Pink Poodle and Red Chillies Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists on watercolor paper.  Once dry, I stamped a sentiment from IndigoBlue's Enjoy Life stamp set.  It's an oversized sentiment and was perfect for the center of the clipboard.  I die cut the sentiment and 2 cardstock layers using Spellbinders ovals. 
 
 
I stamped a Prima doll, colored and fussy cut her then adhered her to the oval.  I surrounded the sentiment and the edges of the clipboard with Spellbinders floral dies in 2 shades of green, then added flowers in 2 shades of pink.  A few pearls were added to the flowers.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 
Steph
 

6/21/16

Celebrate the trip

Hi everyone.    It's time for a new challenge at  The Ink Spot.  This week's theme is travel.


 
 
I stamped the Netting Backgrounder on cardstock and used that for the base of the card.  On top I added an assortment of elements that provide a travel feel.  And since I am heading for a cruise shortly, these elements were appropriate.
 

Celebrate is from the Birthday Greeting stamp set.  And who wouldn't celebrate as they head towards a trip?

Please visit the Ink Spot Design Team's cards on their blogs: 


 
Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph
 



6/18/16

Paint Storage Container with Testors Paints

Hi everyone, I wanted to share a project I recently  created  for Scrap n' Art Magazine using products from Testors.

Testors has made paints for hobbies since 1929.  I can remember using these little pots of paints with my brothers when working on their models.  I was, therefore, thrilled to see the variety of products now available to the crafting world.


I had a paper mache box and knew it would be perfect to hold my Testors supplies.  Using Metallic Silver acrylic paint, I painted the box.  Once dry, I placed a stencil on top and painted Plum acrylic paint through the stencil.  The paint is quick to dry so I had relatively little down time.  Another layer of Plum acrylic paint was painted along the top edges.

 
I also painted some lace with the same Plum acrylic paint then used Fabri-Tac from Beacon Adhesives to adhere the lace around the top edge.
 
 
My Testor's paints are now all together in one location and available for use any time I need them.
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/16/16

Little Basket of Cards

Hi everyone, I wanted to share this little basket of cards I created  for Scrap n' Art Magazine using some amazing stamps and dies from the Debi Adams Quite Contrary collection at Spellbinders.


Using assorted dies, I created a basket that was the perfect size for 3" square cards.  The front of the basket was decorated with Debi Adams stamps and dies.


The cards were created with the same papers and decorated with assorted elements.  The cards were then embellished with the same stamps and dies.  They were the perfect elements for this smaller sized card.


Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph

6/14/16

Happy BIrthday Mom

I have this amazing Spellbinders die I wanted to use so I created a birthday card for Mom.  I know she would have loved it - it's her colors and her style!
   

The Spellbinders die cuts and scores the cardstock so you simply fold it into shape.  It comes with all the coordinating dies to add panels and borders so no card ever looks the same.


Using red and white  clays from Makin's Clay®, I mixed them to get the pink color I wanted, then mixed green and black clays to get a darker green for my flower stems.   I used a Wilton mold to create the flowers and a Mod Podge mold to create the letters. 

 
 
 
 
I stamped and die cut assorted sentiments from The Stamps of Life to fit the steps. 

 
The flowers and stems were added to the front of the card and Mom was added to the back.   A few gems were added to the flowers.  When the card is folded you see all the clay elements.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/12/16

Stained Glass Bookmarks

Hi everyone, check out the newest cards I've created for JoyClair.  The full tutorial is on the JoyClair blog.

I used the Stained Glass Prayer stamps and colored the stained glass elements with Copics to create a stained glass effect.


Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/7/16

Celebrate Grad

Hi everyone.    It's time for a new challenge at  The Ink Spot.  This week's theme is congratulations so I've created a graduation card.

 
I've used Graduation Riley and paired it with a stamp from the Birthday Greetings stamp set from Cornish Heritage Farms. 

 
Please visit the Ink Spot Design Team's cards on their blogs: 


 


Thanks for stopping by today

Steph

6/2/16

June Blog Hop





It's new release day at Joy Clair and I'm working with one of the new stamp sets Seas the Day.

 
Isn't she just the cutest?

 

Be sure to visit each of the designers on this blog hop!

 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
Steph
 

6/1/16

Exploding Wedding Card and Envelope

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with an Exploding Wedding Card and coordinating  Envelope, perfect for giving to a special bride and groom.


 
 

 
Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill
Pattern paper:  K&Company, Momenta
Scoring Tool:  Scor-Pal
Adhesive:  Scor-Tape
Ribbon:  May Arts

Step 1 -
Cut cardstock as follows:
2 pieces - 6" x 12" (for tri shutters)
2 pieces - 6" x 6" (for front flaps)
1 piece - 6" x 8" (for base)

Step 2 - tri shutters
Make 2 tri shutters with the 6" x 12" cardstock
Align the longer side with the top edge of the Scor-Pal
Score each piece at 2", 4", 8", 10"



Step 3 -
Using a trimmer, cut both tri shutter pieces as follows:
Starting 1 3/4" from each side, cut down from the first scored line (2") to the last scored line (10")

 
Step 4 -
Create mountain and valley folds on each tri shutter
 


Step 5 - Base
Using the 6" x 8" cardstock, place shorter side at the top edge
Lightly score at 3"
Rotate cardstock and lightly score at 4"



Step 6 -
Following the scored lines, place Scor-Tape along the 3" mark
Center ribbon on the Scor-Tape


Step 7 -
Place Scor-Tape on the tri shutter panels that will be adhered to the base
Align both tri shutters to the 4" scored line on the base
They meet in the center and help hold the ribbon in place

 
Step 8 - Front Panels
Score the 2  6" x 6" panels at 2"
Place Scor-Tape on the 2" flap and adhere to the front panels to form 1 unit
 
 
This is the assembled card.
 

Now it's time to decorate
Cut papers to fit each flap of the card
Embellish as desired

 
A fussy cut flower added some depth to the front of the card
Use the ribbon to tie the card closed

 
To create the envelope, use double sided pattern paper
Plus the Scor-Envi on the Scor-Pal
Place the paper on the diagonal and score at 3" and 9"
Rotate the panel and score at 1 1/2" and 10 1/2"
  
 
Cut in to create triangles where the score marks overlap
This will make it easier to fold the envelope

 
Place score tape along the edges of two flaps and fold the bottom panel up to create the envelope

 
Place the card inside
Perfect fit every time!



Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph