Graphic 45 "The Night Before Christmas" Cards

These four elegant cards were made with the new Christmas paper line from Graphic 45, "The Night Before Christmas". I love holly, and this line has two styles of holly paper that are beautiful. The first card I designed I used an embossing folder  onto ivory cardstock to emboss a design onto the left side only. I then cut with a craft knife, vertical slits at points slightly larger than than a thin rectangular die I was going to use to cut the frame. Cut a long slit connecting the two smaller slits, slide in the thin rectangular die face down, making sure the die was under the design, but on top of the paper to the right of the design. Then ran it thru my vagabond. I then trimmed out around my design, and adhered a gold frame under the window I created. Attach some chipboard scraps or foam squares under frame window, and attach to the cut out "merry & bright".  Wrap some ribbon around it and make a  bow, then I attached it all to the card.

Add a little lace, holly & pearls! You can add stickles to the flakes of snow in the image to make it sparkle.

I used the coordinating stamp set #1 for the greeting on this card. I stamped the greeting and embossed it in green embossing powder. I added the season's from another stamp set I owned. A button glue dotted on top of some ribbon pull it all together.

This card uses some paper that came from a vintage music book page, a doily from my Cheery Lynn Designs die, and a pine sprig from a Tim Holtz strip die.

More pine sprigs were used in this card along with the vintage Santa image from the above mentioned stamp set. I added a greeting from an older Hero Arts stamp set. I added a double bow and a Prima flower to finish it off.

Catch this class at a Chicagoland store this December!

Christmas tags will be showcased in my next few post! I have techniques to share.

Kim

2014 Fall Tags

Of all the years I've created and taught tags, I had not created a Fall tag I truly loved....until now!
These tags have three distinct and different techniques. The first is using Golden Light Molding paste, and acrylic paint to create a tree bark feel. Using the wood stencil from Tim Holtz over an inked tag (pumice stone, gathered twigs) I then spread the paste over the stencil, thickly. When I peeled up the tag I was pleased with the results.

I then created a corn stalk from natural raffia, tied it together, and glue dotted it to the tag. The quote is from Graphic 45 November paper. The leaves are made of green cardstock and stained vellum cut out on the Fall gatherings strip die from Tim Holtz. At the bottom of the tag, tucked under the pumpkins you'll find parts of an apple bag from the grocery store. I cut the bag into strips. Then I stretched it and frayed it. It really added some texture and color.

The next tag is very colorful. The photo doesn't do it justice. I used a set of leaves stamps from Tim Holtz and several different Distress Ink colors. I started by inking the tag with brushed sage, with a blending tool. Then ink the stamp with the lightest color ink, then added other colors of ink by using the corner of the inkpad in a brushing motion onto the stamp. Since distress inks stay wetter longer there is no need to huff onto the stamp before applying it to the tag. Use a heat gun to thoroughly dry the tag. Then we inked the edges of the tag with Vintage Photo and applied clear embossing powder to the edges and heated it till it melted clear. Add a burlap rectangle, ribbon, and a card from the Seasonal paper pad of Tim Holtz edged in a leafing marker.

The third tag has a little wow factor! My husband watched me do the background, and his comment was "Cool"! The technique is straight out of Tim's "Composium of Curiosities III". Even the colors are the same. You need to try this technique! Paint a tag any color, then dry it with a heat gun. Use a Distress Paint in the metallic colors, and cover the tag with it. Mist with water lightly, then partially dry the tag with your heat gun. You can add more water to help delay areas from drying too fast. Before the tag is dry apply a paper towel to the top of tag and rub your hands over it. Remove paper towel. Mist with water to remove any paper towel pattern. At this point you can rub more of the metallic paint off if needed. Dry completely with heat gun. The effect is unique. I can't wait to try this in a different color.

All my students really liked the effects of this technique. I added an embossed leaf from Tim's new die/embossing folder set in chipboard covered in bookprint. I inked the leaf with walnut stain along the edges, then inked the top with a "Brilliance" Copper inkpad. The larger charm is actually a postage stamp from one of the graphic 45 papers I adhered to chipboard then crackle painted.

This is my favorite set of Fall Tags I've ever made. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Kim

Halloween Tags

I had so much fun teaching these tags!
We used a few new things that I was so glad my students just loved. I cut the bricks out of scraps from a Tim Holtz strip die, to use as a stencil. Then we used Golden Light Molding Paste mixed with some acrylic paint the color of bricks. The spread it over the stencil, thickly. The results were just what I was looking for to give this tag dome dimension. A faux brick wall was the perfect background for the new Lantern die-cut. On the Raven tag I used chunky glitter, which gave the bird an interesting reflective quality. Every year for Halloween I try to do a tag in tribute to Mr. Poe.
On the third tag, We used a Layered stencil of Tim's (Shattered), and Viva Decor Mother of Pearl paint. I love the shimmer this line of paints gives off. I mixed the mother of pearl with some distress paint (picket fence) on a craft sheet, and used the stencil as a stamp by rubbing the stencil into the paint and then placing it onto the tag. I needed to rub over the stencil with a finger to make sure the stencil laid down flat to apply the image.
Overall I loved the way these tags turned out. I think the students loved the brick wall best. This class was taught exclusively to my Woodstock students.

Fall tags are next!
Till then
Kim

Feeling Eerie?

I wanted to share a NEW project I am so tickled about! It really turned out to be so cool. I couldn't envision what it would be when I finished, which is unusual for me. When I create it's from my mind , and I can see in my head what I want it to be. This was a walk through an unfamiliar house for me. I used Graphic 45 "An Eerie Tale" papers, and some imagination to piece this together. The book inside is an accordion fold but I attached it to the box cover and box bottom. This makes the pages pop up slightly for flipping through. The only thing I couldn't fix was it tilts forward when you open the cover while it's standing. But "you can't have everything" I tell myself.

There are some pockets on some pages, punched borders, and of course die cuts! I used some glass pebbles on some of the graphics in the papers to use as embellishments. They turned out great.
Check out my calendar to see where you can take this class. You can view the calendar if you print it out. This class will take place in late September and in October. Email me to sign up at the Woodstock location, otherwise contact the stores listed to arrange a seat .

Hope to see you!
Kim

Family Time

Sorry to have been gone so long! I have been spending time with the family before school is back in session, and the Summer comes to a close. An appropriate project to show you is an envelope book I made a few years ago, using Webster Pages papers. I added a little Prima and some trims to complete the booklet.

I attached purple envelopes by adhering the flaps of the envelopes to the inside of another. There are so many configurations you could come up with when you use envelopes. This is what draws me to using them. From a zig-zag to a booklet. Make it whatever you want it to be!

I love that there is always room for more inside the envelopes.

Little touches of glitter paper and bling adds a little sparkle.

The center of the booklet with  some special trims, give it an elegant look.

I used half an acrylic overlay at the top of the left page, and the other half onto the page in the center.

A simple project, that turned out beautiful! I love the colors in these papers, and the graphics. 

I hope this will inspire you to think twice when next you get a card and rip open the envelope. Open it carefully and save those envelopes to cover with beautiful papers. Make it into something special!

My focus is now shifting to the Fall season. That means it is Christmas Tag Time. Stay tuned in for the upcoming sneek peaks of my 12 Tags of Christmas Classes that start in September! Also I am  working on NEW Graphic 45 classes. 

Till next time

Kim

By the Sea Mini Album

As I enter the lazy days of summer, I think of blue skies, and sunshine. Hoping I can imprint it all in my brain so I can feel it in January when I am numb from the cold. I am enjoying the green I see everywhere. It's what I miss most in the winter.

Here is the second class I am teaching from the Graphic 45 "By the Sea" collection. Hope this gives you inspiration!

Celebrate 4th of July

Enjoy these tags I taught in Woodstock Il the other day. I tried to capture that patriotic feeling with Tim Holts inks, paints, stencils, glitter, stamps, and die cuts. I also added some die cuts from Chery Lane and Sizzix. Everyone of my students enjoyed everything except the tedious painted stars. The "lady liberty" tag background is done in distress paints on a non-stick craft mat, with water added. I'm not sure I quite captured the copper elements in this photo, but they are really cool. The USA tag has a star stenciled background and features glittered stars on top of layers of a doily and cardstock. "Old Glory" was a little complicated as we painted an embossed piece of plastic, which we layered over a tag that we inked and perfect pearled. I just love when my fingers get inky!

Kits, kits, and more kits! I have been kitting up projects for upcoming classes these past two weeks. Using Graphic 45 "By the Sea" papers, I created two classes for you! Above is the card class, featuring these four cards in which we layer paper and add some special embellishments, and some techniques to make them special! Check out my calendar for where you can catch this class. I'll be at Stamp, Scrap n' More in Mundelein IL on June 28th, and Memories and Beyond on July 8th. Check these stores out in person, on the web, or on Facebook. I can't tell enough how important it is to support these small businesses. They are disappearing on us and if we don't there will be no where to learn, touch or feel, other than your computer. There is nothing like touching and feeling when it comes to crafting supplies. Quality is hard to see on a computer, and if you are like most of my students, it is easier to learn when someone shows you how!

www.stampscrapnmore.com

www.memoriesandbeyond.com

Next time I'll show you the Mini Album I created using these lovely papers from Graphic 45! 

Get Inspired!

Kim

Inspiration for Tags

These creations are always a process to make. But once in a while I find some inspiration in ordinary everyday things. I was shopping in a store and saw a display that I just loved. I thought I could reproduce it in my studio!

I loved the industrial look that had elegant touches to it. The lightbulbs were so unusual in their shape and size. Awesome display!

This was the inspiration for this tag! The background is Distress Stain Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge. Once dried a piece of Tim Holtz Tissue wrap was adhered with glue stick, then scrunched up while wet. Let the tissue dry with all those lovely wrinkles. Edge the tag with vintage photo distress ink on a blending tool. Then I stamped a verse from one of Tim's stamp sets. Using the window die from Tim's Alterations line, I cut a piece of Grungeboard to fit just the inside of the window, then trimmed out the center. This makes a great frame. I cut grungeboard gears from Tim's Gadget Gears Alterations die and painted all the pieces with distress paints. At a big box craft store I found these amazing charms that are lightbulbs. I attached some jewelry making string to the charms and hung them behind the frame. Very industrial looking!

 This tag was made using Tim's stamp set, and Alterations dies. The background uses distress ink, feathered peacock and pine needles applied with the blending tool. I stamped the background design in Wendy Vecchi's Archival ink "Tree Branch". The color is impressive. It's a light brown but is crisp and bold enough to show a nice image. A strip of acetate was alcohol inked and attached to the back of the filmstrip die cut. The tag turned out so well, it surprised me, as I had the stamp set for a few years but hadn't used it, not seeing exactly how I would use it. Sometimes you just have to sit down and play with a product or stamp to see what exactly you can do with it!

This third tag is a combination of former tag techniques all in one tag. It looks very simple but there is a lot that went into making it! Each grungeboard rectangle has a different inking technique used on it. Upper left is an embossing resist over evergreen bough distress paint. Upper right is stamped and then inked with vintage photo and the blending tool. Lower left is the Rusted Enamel technique that I just love. Wanting to keep the same color scheme, I had to pre-stain the grungeboard with picket fence distress stain to achieve the light blue/green color of the evergreen bough distress ink. Onto the pre-stained grungeboard rectangle apply evergreen bough distress ink with the blending tool. Pour Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel over the rectangle, and tap off excess. You do not want full coverage as you normally would. There should be specks of no powder. Heat to melt the powder, and let cool. Then apply distress ink Vintage photo to the rectangle over the enamel and into all the non-enameled spaces. Wipe enamel with a wipe and you then have the "Rusted Enamel Technique". The last square is embossed in an embossing folder, painted black, then once dry sanded to reveal the grey grunge in the raised spots. I then inked the rectangle with evergreen distress ink with the blending tool. At the bottom of the tag is an embossed piece of metal I painted black. Once dry I then used Evergreeen Bough distress paint over the black, then wiped off some of the paint to give that patina look! I topped off the tag by adding some metals to embellish it.

 I hoped you enjoyed these creations. This class runs through mid June. E-mail me for details on attendance to one of these classes, or check out my calender to the right on this page.

Next time I'll share another book I just treasure.

Till then

Kim

"Botanical Tea" Cards

 These beautiful cards are elegant and simple to make. Layers and border punches on metallic cardstock really make these cards stand out! Graphic 45 papers are so easy to work with, unless you are hesitant to cut into them. Sometimes the paper is so pretty it's hard to cut into. Just go for it. The creation that comes out of it is worth it and often very rewarding.

 The shape of the "Hello" card is one of my favorites. It is size 3 1/2 x 12 scored at 6". It fits the common check envelopes you can buy in 100's at the dollar store. It also uses a scrap piece from one of the other cards.

  I used scraps of chipboard behind the stamps to raise them. I find this sturdier than foam dots, and cheaper. Elegant ribbons are something I am hunting for all the time. They can really set the project right! On the "Celebration" card, I used a Tim Holtz Alteration die, #658570 Cameo Frame, to make the shape the green dot paper is in. It wasn't a long enough shape so I added an alternate color to the bottom, and it really worked out nice.

 In the "Thinking of You" card again I used a Tim Holtz Alteration die, #658557 Pediments, this time in white chipboard. I then sprayed the chipboard with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Tattered Leather". It sits boldly at the top of the card.

I love the shape of the "Hello Friend " card! it is 8 1/4 x 7 1/2, and scored at 3 3/4. This will fit a normal business size envelope. It stands out tall among the group of cards. Finding envelopes for this card is fairly easy!

This class is running through the first week in June. Kits are available. E-mail me for more information.
Until next time!
Kim

Old with New

Playing with distress paints and the new Frameworks dies from Tim Holtz, I created this Spring Tag!

The background has pumice stone and antique ivory paints streaked and then sprayed with water. Dry paint then cover tag with frayed burlap ink via the blending tool and foam. This creates a faux wood background. I painted the frameworks piece in evergreen bough, then sanded and inked in vintage photo. Wipe to remove the ink from paint and dry. cut into pieces then adhere to tag. I punched circles out of clear plastic packaging, then embossed it in the clockworks TFEF. I alcohol inked the clockface, then pressed it into a staz-on inkpad to catch the raised edges. The flower is from the new XL Bigz die, the center is the center of the wreath with a plastic bling piece, and brad. I fininshed off the tag with ribbon dyed with tattered rose stain, and a butterfly cut out of Tim's mirror with one of his mover shaper dies.

My last Spring Tag uses one of Tim's new stencils and his new Marker sprayer. The tag's background is Broken china ink with the blending tool and foam, then I used the lattice stencil and sprayed with evergreen bough marker in the sprayer over the stencil. I stamped an image at the bottom of the tag. Then I tore a piece of patterned paper inked the edges and adhered it to the tag, added the die cut lace at the bottom. I die cut the leaf from Tim's spring green die in grungepaper, colored it in peeled paint stain, then when dried I coated it in glossy accents. Adhere the leaf to tag then wrap string around tag and attach a tag and charm. I used a Wendy Vecchi quote stamp onto the upper right of tag. This tag is a combination of old and new. New dies, stencils, and tools like the marker sprayer. Old in dies, inks, stains, and stamps. Just like Spring, everything can be new again!

Spring Tag #1

I find Spring to be so full of inspiration! My Spring Tag class is always some of the easiest for me to make. I am itching for the warmer weather and flowers, (GREEN!) and leaves. Here is one of this years tags that was in my mind for several months. I was just waiting for Spring!

Spring in Paris

The background of this tag was inspired by a technique I saw Wendy Vecchi demonstrate at CHA.If you don't know of her, check out her blog "Studio 490" with blogger. I used distress ink re-inkers and a bottle of household alcohol. I put one drop of each ink in a row onto a non-stick craft mat, and dribbled alcohol over them. I gently mixed each drop with alcohol with a small popsicle stick, then laid the tag onto the inks and swished it around. The trick is to make sure you have mixed only slightly, and have enough but not too much alcohol. The alcohol makes the colors pop and the mixture you make on the craft mat is frozen onto the tag. Dry with your heat gun then I inked the edges with Black Soot distress ink and the blending tool. Before the next step you must completely dry the tag. 

I inked a background stamp with VersaMark ink and stamped over the entire tag. After putting the cover back onto my inkpad, I opened my Perfect Pearl Powder (Pewter) and with a short soft rounded brush used just a little powder in a circular motion over stamped image. The versamark with hold the powder and create a shimmery image.

The tag is decorated with a Grungeboard Eiffle Tower that has been embossed with an embossing folder, then Crackle Painted in Black Soot. I Also embossed the Fleur de Lis with the same embossing folder, and added pearls and a feather. I hand beaded the beads at the bottom onto the lace for the perfect finishing touch!

Enjoy the much needed sunshine this spring. I'll post the other tags from this class in the next few days.

I am picking up more places that I will be teaching at. Be sure to check out the schedule on the right.

Enjoy

Kim

Inspiration

Sometimes a paper line can just start the wheels going. Thats how it was with me and Prima's "Printery". I saw this line at CHA and instantly I knew what I wanted to do with it. This book remains one of my favorite, and the lucky students who got to make it treasure it as I do. The album is filled with pockets and flip outs.

I misted the black chipboard cover with "Atlantic" glimmer mist, then added the layers. The large green piece is a Tattered Angels Chip piece misted in "Driftwood" and "Atlantic". I cut a square out of the top half and hung the Prima charm birdcage in the square. I mounted the chip onto the cover using scraps of chipboard to raise it so the birdcage would swing. Then I added the ruffle, flower, crystal stem, and bow.

As lovely as the cover turned out, the inside is packed with pockets and flips, decorated with flocked rub-ons, resins, doilys, lace, tissue flowers, and material flowers. Everything inked of course!

 I added an open scalloped border punch to most of the pages, adding elegance and making the paper go farther. It also adds a contrast of color to the book.

 The page on the left was a black and white paper. I misted it with the same color mists used on the cover, let dry and ironed to make flat. I do love my glimmer mist!

 Some of the flip outs have unique closures. I used an antique shell button, two long fastners, and an elastic loops. The elastic loops go thru holes in the binding and are tied behind the page.

Even the back of the book is decorative!
I'm so glad to share this album. I'd love to hear what you think about it. I"ll have news soon of upcoming classes, and where they will be.
Kim