Doily Transformation

 

 

 

  

Did you know you can color doilies with Alcohol Inks?

 

 Simply place doily in a plastic bag with a zipper top- add a few drops of the Alcohol ink color of choice, close zipper and then 'smoosh' and knead the doily inside the bag until fully coated. Dries instantly.

 This same process can be used to color sand or glitter!

 

 

 

 

Glowing Rose Die Cut Card

Glowing Rose card by Jeanean Brown

Supplies: 

• white card stock cut to 4" x 5 1/4"
• cardstock for card (choose your color!) cut to 4 1/4" x 11" and fold in half 
• creating a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card
• black glossy card stock (for die cutting)
• Little B nested labels die cuts
• Little B sentiments die cuts
• Little B blossoms die cuts
• Die cut machine- like Big Shot or Evolution Advanced.
• Distress Ink pad in choice of color (this will be the 'glow' of your flower) 
• foam blending pod (or make-up sponge)
• xyron sticker maker (or liquid glue with fine tip applicator)
• dimensional foam tape or pop dots

Directions:   

1. Die cut the piercing only label die cut from the Little B die cut nested set of labels- set on white card stock where you want (tip- use washi tape or painters tape to secure in place while you die cut) This will make the pierced frame in your white card stock.  Set aside.   (All Little B dies are sold with a magnetic organizer! You can see exactly what you have, it's labeled on the spine so you can store them on a shelf like a book! Everything stays in place until you need it. 

 2. Die cut the Hello sentiment from the Little B die cut sentiments set- black glossy card stock . Set aside. Look at the other fun options in this die cut set...

3. Die cut the leaf, and the nested rose from the Little B die cut set. (note- you will need both the inside of the rose die and the outside of the rose die- place them on your mat so the inside is nested inside the outside die before cutting black glossy card stock.) On the inside of each Little B die cut package is a line drawing of each die cut- and each of these is labeled with it's measurement! So handy!






















4.) Now use foam blending pod and distress ink pad of your choice. Pick up color with foam and apply in circular motion onto white card stock that you've previously die cut the pieced label frame to. Apply to center area of pierced frame- slightly larger area then the black rose die cut.
The Darice foam ink pods come in a clear case- you get 24pc. You can use both sides- essentially use each side for each color of ink- thats 48 colors! WOW. These are really dense foam pods so they are easy to control and last a long time.

5.) After you have colored your 'glow' spot run your black glossy card stock die cuts through the sticker maker by Xyron. (You can use a fine tip liquid glue if you don't have a sticker maker)

Then apply the die cuts to your card. 

Finally add dimensional foam squares to back of white panel and attach to your folded card. 

A Beach in a Box by Guest Designer Heather Valadez

I had never heard of 'brain vacations' until a professor of mine included them in his power point class lecture. Some days it'd be the Grand Canyon, other days a tropical location- and they always followed with personal stories or facts about the location.

This easy to make "Beach in a Box" would look great on a work desk or in a home office- anywhere you might need a visual brain vacation!


Supplies used:

KAISERCRAFT makes these cute shadow boxes that are the perfect size to house a small collection or a few special trinkets. They also have a fabulous selection of paper, die cut shapes, and pretty much any other scrapbooking material you can think of. The paper pad I used was the "Salty Kisses" collection, along with the "Sandy Toes" pack of die cut shapes. Putting together the shadow box was like a mini puzzle, but I powered through (and there’s a photo to help you out!)

Keeping the box pieces in order is key in this project - mostly because the gluestick I used works really well - it would be very hard to peel off paper that was put somewhere you weren’t intending it to be. It was my first time using the PIONEER Embellishment Glue Stick and it did not disappoint! You can find it for under $3 at Craft Warehouse (www.craftwarehouse.com/). I didn’t have any peeling or bubbling problems at all. It’s a must have in your craft box for sure.

After figuring out what paper I wanted where, the next part to do was the bottom of the box - or in the case - the ‘sand’. I could have used paper or paint, but I thought I’d try for a textured effect. I did start with paper though, a wavy sand print. I used Golden Gel Meduim Molding Paste to add some texture. I just painted it on, following the sand lines on the paper, and used some toothpicks to swirl it around and a tissue to blot here and there.

Since I didn’t want the ‘sand’ to be white, I used Distress Ink by Tim Holtz (www.timholtz.com). The Vintage Photo ink, when watered down, makes a good sand color. By patting the inkpad with a tissue then spritzing with water, you can dab some color on the textured area and be in control of how much color you are putting on.

After paper is glued on and the sand base is completed, then comes the real fun part! I chose a few shell die cuts and quotes for the sand and sides but the real focal points was a beach chair and little red pail. Darice has a line of minis that are so cute and are perfect for projects like this. The little pail comes from their Timeless Minis collection. I filled it with some of the molding paste to add some realism - there are no clean, empty pails at the ocean! If I was the kind of person who saves sand, I would have sprinkled some on at this point - maybe just a reason to go to the coast!

For the edges I used more of the Distress Ink but in a different color - Evergreen Bough. I just ‘stamped’ it on the edges and then with a wet paintbrush dispersed the color to places that were hard to reach with the ink pad. After assembling the rest of the box (I just used the Golden Molding Paste as a binding agent but you could easily use hot glue too), all that was left was the cardboard drawer for the bottom.

The planks were on the same paper as my background ocean so I was able to utilize the whole sheet. I taped a little piece of paper to the inside that hangs out a little to serve as a handle until I can find a little shell to use as one. (Another reason to go to the coast!)

The KAISERCRAFT paper pad was full of so many gorgeous beachy designs it was hard to not go overboard on the outside of the shadow box. I did the sides with one sheet and the back with one that reminded me of a sunset. Add a couple more of the die cuts and voilà! The brain vacation shadow box is complete!

I didn’t seal the top on just yet, I’m determined to bring some sand from the coast to add to this later. I love the quote on the top - fits just perfectly for this project. Hopefully you are inspired to create your own mini brain vacation! Here’s to daydreaming of sand, the sea, the breeze in your hair…ahh, summer.

- Heather Valadez

Lawn Fawn Snow Day Holiday Cards

Hi Crafters! Amber here and I'm so excited to be designing for Craft Warehouse! I have three very different Christmas cards to share with you today. I got to play with items from Lawn Fawn's Snow Day collection. This line is just way too cute! First up is this layered patterned paper card.

  

I love layering patterns like this and working with paper kits makes it easy because I know all the papers coordinate. I grabbed three different papers and cut some panels to layer on my card base. My card is a standard A2 (4.25"x5.5") so I cut the panels at 3.75"x5", 3.5"x4.75", and 3.25"x4.5". Now if you have some perfectionist tendencies then by all means line these up and make them completely concentric and perfectly centered! I, on the other hand, like them a little wonky and askew. For the sentiment I cut down one of the tags from this sheet and inked the edges with Distress Ink in Pine Needles (it matches that dark green paper perfectly!) I thought it needed another punch of color so I stuck in that red and white paper strip along the edge. Then just finished it off with a piece of flair from the same kit.

My next card is a little more classic.

I loved this Merry and Bright image from this sheet so I made it the star of the card. I centered it on a white panel, tied a bow around it using this fun Snowflake ribbon from Darice and adhered it to a black card base so it would all pop. To finish it off I added this row of gems from Triveni Craft. These things are so easy to use. They already have adhesive and they are in rows (already lined up!) so I just needed to cut the length I needed and stick it down.

And my last card might just be my favorite. I plan to mass produce a few to mail out. These are perfect for mailing since they are so flat (no flair or bows to hike up the postage!)

I used a panel of watercolor paper cut down to 5.25"x4". Using the Snow Day stamps from Lawn Fawn and clear Versamark ink I stamped the sentiment and both snowflakes on the panel. Then I heat-embossed it using Zing Clear embossing powder. I hope you can see it in this photo. 

 

Next I made my faux watercolor palette. I used Tim Holtz® Distress Ink in Peeled Paint and Pine Needles. You will need either a craft mat or an acrylic stamp block (just something smooth) to smear some ink on. I placed white cardstock under my acrylic block just so you could see it better.

Then using a Niji waterbrush (these things are great by the way, get one immediately! The water is IN the brush. You don't need a cup. A cup that will inevitably be spilled all over your craft table and ruin something. You'll thank me! They are also great for traveling or art journaling on the go.) pick up some of the ink and begin brushing the lighter color on the top half of the panel. Then brush the darker color on the bottom. Overlap the two colors in the middle to blend. If your inner perfectionist is screaming for straight lines then feel free to mask off a rectangle with some washi tape before you paint to make her happy.

Now you have this wonderful watercolor resist. Your friends and family will be so impressed and won't know how easy it was to do!

I decided to attach this with foam tape to a black card base for some contrast. It would also look great on a coordinating green card as well.

If you still haven't seen enough of this Snow Day collection, stop by my blog for even more card ideas from this kit. Thank you to Craft Warehouse for having me!

Wicked Sign

When I saw this project by Becca Glos, Meridian Craft Warehouse Employee Design Team Contest Winner, I was so impressed that she didn't use any patterned paper in this entire project! She just has a good time creating an awesome distressed look that I asked her to share with us today!

Supplies:

6   NST-190 plaques
Delta Acrylic Paint:  Charcoal, Rain Grey, Black, White and Gecko
Delta Crackle Medium
½” Flat Brush for Acrylic
Paper Accents Block Style lowercase chipboard letters
Paper Accents black chipboard shapes:  Witches Hat and Bat
Bazzill Purple 12x12 Cardstock – 1 sheet
Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frames 3 die set
Darice Damask Embossing Folder
Doodlebug Sequins:  Limeade and Lilac
Skinny Stripes Shoe Laces (black and white) or other  ¼” Ribbon
Tim Holtz Ideaology hinges, 2 packages
E6000 black glue
Mod Podge Matte finish
Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad  Black Soot and foam applicator tool
Tombow Hook and Loop fasteners
SCH-247  3” unfinished wood block



Directions:

1.    Paint plaques with Charcoal paint, let dry. Then apply a coat of crackle medium. When the crackle medium is tacky apply Rain Grey paint. It will start to crackle as it starts to dry.  Lastly, paint the edges of the plaques with Black paint using little paint on the brush and applying quickly and kinda messy.  Place plaques on their sides so holes are facing each other (1/2, 3/4, 5/5)

2.    Using 4” frame die from the Nesting Frames set, cut 6 pieces from purple card stock. Emboss them with damask embossing folder.  Distress the edges with foam applicator tool and Black Soot distress ink pad.  Center them on plaques and adhere with Mod Podge.

3.    Paint chipboard letters with a coat of white paint before applying the 2 coats of Gecko green.  This will make the gecko green brighter.

4.    Use Glossy Accents to adhere limeade sequins to letters, adding more at the bottom and less as you work your way up. Apply lilac sequins to the black hat and two each for both bats for eyes.

5.    Glue letters and chipboard shapes to plaques with E6000.

6.    Lace shoe strings/ribbon through the holes of plaques 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and glue to the back with E6000.  Glue hinges to the front of plaques 2/3 and 4/5 using the black E6000, leaving about ¼” space in between plaques.  Let dry thoroughly.

7.    Paint blocks black and add Tombow hook/ loop fasteners to help keep plaques standing up.

Tim Holtz Map Frame

Today we are featuring another project from a member of our Vancouver store Employee Design Team! This project is stunning! It is amazing how easy you can use a plain unfinished wooden craft frame and transform it into a distressed piece of art! Once you are finished painting, you can add Tim Holtz pieces to add that Old World charm!

(Project by Dianne from our Vancouver Store)

Supplies:

Reminisce 12x12 World Map
Sierra Pacific 12x12 craft frame
3 1” foam brushes
Americana Acrylic paint-Mocha, Burnt Umber, Avocado
American Crafts Elements pearl brads
E-6000
SPC Hook
Making Memories sanding block
Tim Holtz - Time Pieces, Compass Coins, Corners, Remnant Rubs-Words
Creative Co-op keys

Directions:

1. Use a dry brush and long strokes to paint the frame alternating between Mocha and Avocado. Let it dry.  (It should look a little bit like camo.)

2. Paint over the Mocha and Avocado coat with Burnt Umber.

 
3. Use the sanding block to distress the paint so some of the Mocha and Avocado show.

4. Put 1 of the brads through each of the 4 holes in the hook.  Glue the hook to the bottom edge of the frame using E-6000.

5. Glue the corners in place.

6. Place a cluster of timepieces on one corner and a cluster of compasses on the opposite corner and glue in place.

7. Put the map in the frame.

8. Chose a section of the rub-on words and place in the middle of the glass on the outside.

Lawn Fawn Critters in the Forest Card

I found out while I was making these cards that paper piecing and coloring can be very relaxing. I used Lawn Fawn stamps on watercolor paper so that my coloring would be easier. Tim Holtz Distress Markers worked perfectly to color images once, then for shading I colored the area again with the same marker.

Tip: Use an Archival Ink to prevent bleeding when coloring your image.



Supplies:

Paper by Doodle Bug Design and Bo Bunny Press

Stamps -  Lawn Fawn Critters in the Forest (animals and forest scene), Sophie's Sentiments (Let's Celebrate), and Bannerific (banner and birds)

Pop Up Adhesive

Quickie Glue Pen

Ranger's Archival Ink in Black

Directions:

See how I pieced the card together right here!


Would you like to design for Craft Warehouse? Who we are looking for: Artists (including scrapbooking, pocket page scrapbooking, card making, stamping, jewelry making, paper crafts, quilting, fiber artists, fine artist, painter, or DIY crafter) within the contiguous United States. Click here to find out how to apply!

Lawn Fawn S'more Party Favors

Get in the mood for summer S'mores with this darling new set of stamps by Lawn Fawn! When I saw this set, I freaked out. Really. I think it is my favorite set of all time. It has the cutest sentiments that can be mixed around for a variety of cards and tags. I created S'more favors (really, aren't they cute?) using Tim Holtz Distress Markers to color the stamps in!

Supplies:

Lawn Fawn Love You S'more Stamp Set
Kraft Tags with Twine
Archival Black Ink by Ranger
Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz Distress Markers - Rusty Hindge (gram cracker) and Vintage Photo (chocolate)
Foam Popup Dots
Treat Bags
Gram Crackers
Chocolate
Marshmallows 

Directions:

1. Stamp s'more image and smile on to watercolor paper. Color in with Distress Markers. Cut out.

2. Stamp sentiment on to Kraft Tag. Place s'more on the tag using a pop up dot. Place string on the finished tag.

3. Fill treat bag with two gram crackers, a square of chocolate, and a marshmallow. Tie the bag closed with the string.

4. Try to give them away before they are consumed.