Saturday, September 29, 2012

Advent Frame



 Supplies

16x20" frame any color or style
Red Acrylic paint
Foam Paint Brush
Twine
Advent Numbered Clothes Pins (or make your own with wood shapes glued on clothes pins)
Manila Tags
Patterned Paper
Ribbon, Rosettes, etc Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue Sticks Reg. Glue Stick


Directions
Paint the frame and let dry. Cut three strands of twine to go across your frame. Glue the ends of the twine onto the backside of the frame with the hot glue gun. Also glue twine on the top corners of the frame to hang the frame. Decorate the frame with ribbon, rosettes, etc. Decorate your manila tags with the patterned paper. Decorate your clothespins. Clip the tags onto the twine string.

Tip– On the backside of your manila tags write a message to your kids or a treat they get for that day as you countdown to Christmas!

Friday, September 28, 2012

American Crafts Pumpkin Patch Giveaway



This giveaway is now closed. Our winner picked via Random.org is:

That collection looks wonderful!! Thanks for the chance to win!

Tracy

It's time to celebrate Fall! This Weekend Giveaway, we have American Crafts' Pumpkin Patch collection to give to one lucky winner! This prize pack includes 12 double sided paper and 3 packages of Journal Thickers 4 packages (in orange, black and white glitter foam alphas).

To enter to win, you can...

1. Comment here with your email address in the comment so I can get in touch with you. Or if it is in your blogger profile, that is ok. Make sure to type it email(at)address(dot)com. Thank you.

2. Share our giveaway via Facebook by clicking "share" on our Facebook post, then come back here and tell us that you did.

3. Share our giveaway via Twitter, then come back here and tell us that you did.

4. Pin our giveaway via Pinterest, then come back and tell us that you did.

The winner will be picked via Random.org on October 1st!

*We ship in the US only thank you.

Fall Serenade Mini Album by Guest Designer Amanda Sherman



Hi, my name is Amanda.  I’m so honored to be a guest designer for Craft Warehouse today. 
When I woke up this morning, there was a wonderful crispness in the air.  The delightful crispness that come only in the Fall.  I’m always delighted when Summer gives way to Fall.  I’m pretty sure that I’m allergic to Summer, so the cool temperatures of Fall are thrilling to me and make me so happy each and every year.  I celebrate because it means I survived another summer!  It’s always been in the back of my mind to do a mini-album of the reasons I’m so thankful for the arrival of Fall.  Fall (besides marking the end of Summer) is my favorite season.  And why not document that, right?

A few weeks ago, I received a package of Bo Bunny’s new Fall line, Serenade.  The colors are deliciously Fall, just like all the things I’m thankful for.  I decided that now would be the perfect time to make this album that I’ve had kicking around in my head.  I set to work snapping some photos with my iPhone and used Instagram to apply filters to them all so they would be consistent.  I love the contrast of the ratios of a square on a rectangular page.  This was a perfect fit for the project.







In creating this album, I not only wanted to create a beautiful project, but I want to take the opportunity to share a few techniques that make these beautiful goodies more usable.

As I began on this project, the crocheted trim (by American Crafts) was white.  The color was too harsh for the very neutral toned palette.  To make it more cohesive, I used a technique I’ve grown to love.  I’m still a little shocked that I’d been scrapbooking for 7 years before I tried using Tim Holtz inks and an applicator to ink the edges.  I was always afraid because it would be too time consuming, but it’s not. 



The white is too sharp a contrast against the neutral colors.



Use Tim Holtz Ink (or other ink) and foam applicator.



Blot applicator onto pad several times.



Gently rub onto trim.



As you can see from the before (top) and after (bottom) the inked trim is much more cohesive in tone with the paper.  It creates an appealing look rather than a distracting look caused by a too harsh color combination.

In this album I used a lot of brads.  Really, how could you not?  These Bo Bunny brads are pretty darn pretty!



However, in the application of a mini-album, it’s not very practical to use a brad.  But with the use of a side cutting wire trimmer (available in the jewelry dept if you don’t already have a pair), they can be used as a flat embellishment.  I’ve been using this technique a lot lately as I have a large brad stash but I’m never a big fan of poking holes in my papers for brads, so this approach is the perfect solution!!




Open prongs of brad.



Using wire trimmers, clip prong flush with back of brad.



Apply two glue dots (or a 3-D glue dot or foam square) to provide enough adhesive height to adhere to project.

Apply to project!

With this technique, brads can be so much more versatile and can be used in places where you can’t always put a hole to use a brad the traditional way.

In this album, I did a lot of journaling.  However, I journaled on the same blocks that I put the titles on.  It felt amiss to just write above the title even though that was the purpose.  By using a ruler to simply draw a few lines with a lighter pen (when I replace my tired pens, I keep one around still to use for when I want faint lines drawn).  Then I journaled on those lines.  The lines anchored the journaling and made it all feel cohesive.




Just as the anchor of a ship keeps the ship in place and gives it security at sea, anchoring your journaling gives it a defined place and makes it feel like it belongs securely on your page.

Also notice on the page that I used the larger letters for the key words of the title, and then the smaller ledger style letters for the supporting words.  The two work together to say clearly what is the most important part of the title.  Not only does it create strength, it creates interest in the complimentary combination.  This simple technique adds a beautiful and communicative touch.

So, I challenge you to use these elements and create your own mini album documenting what you are thankful for!

Supplies:  Bo Bunny Serenade (paper, noteworthy Collection, stickers, alpha, mini album, brads), Cosmo Cricket letters, Simple Stories Take a Hike alphabet stickers, American Crafts ribbon, Tim Holtz ink

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Guest Designer Amanda Sherman


Welcome Guest Designer and Craft Warehouse Scrapbook Design Team Alumni, Amanda Sherman! Amanda has always had a knack of explaining her crafting process well, that we have had her share her tutorials on our blog often! We are thankful to have her as this week's Spotlight!


How long have you been crafting?

As long as I can remember, I have always tinkered in some craft or another.  I dreamed of the day I could start scrapbooking, but I was never willing to make the investment in tools because I didn’t know if it would stick, just as none of the other hobbies had.  Well, after my son was born, I decided it was time to make the plunge.  I had to do something with all the photos I had been taking, and since I’d wanted to scrapbook for a long time I did it.  Finally, one March, when I had a 5 month old baby, and had finished preparing our taxes for the year, I treated myself.  No one knew just how much scrapbooking would “stick”, but I had finally found a craft that I was good at, that challenged me in a fulfilling way, and best yet, allowed me to combine my hobby of photography with pretty elements and memory keeping.  It’s the best hobby ever!



What inspires you to be creative?

My biggest inspiration comes from my family.  I often use scrapbooking as a way to communicate with words how much I love my family.  So usually, a good story to tell is the most inspiring thing for me.  And a pretty close second is new goodies!  Nothing beats playing with a bag of new eye candy.



What Craft Warehouse products do you love to use?

Oh, Craft Warehouse is my favorite store ever.  If I could set up a cot and just sleep in the paper aisle, I’d be pretty content to go to sleep smelling all the good papers!  It seems the go to products I always use from Craft Warehouse are the tiny type letters from Cosmo Cricket.  With all the inspiring products being released continually, rarely do I buy repeat items.  However, those letters, I have bought at least three packs of each color.  I love them!!  American Crafts Thickers are another none of my favorite items, as well as my newest love, Tim Holtz ink.



How can you encourage others reading this column?

When I was a kid I always wanted to be a teacher.  I started down that path in college (before I dropped out), but I now play teacher every day as we homeschool our kids.  The teacher part of me has never left.  I like to include information about how and why things work besides just showing pretty pictures.  I also try to be either funny or tell a good story.  Sometimes I hit it out of the park.  Sometimes I fall on my face.  But you’ll have to read to figure out which one I will do today!

Make sure to visit our blog tomorrow with Amanda's outstanding fall mini book that you will not want to miss!


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Trick or Treat Halloween Pails


From home decor to gift baskets, clear pails are versatile and customizable! It's just as much fun to decorate as it is to fill it up! Why not use it as this year's trick or treat bucket? Decorate it and then let the kids fill it up as they go door to door!
                                               
                                        Designed and Created by Sarah Owens for Craft Warehouse
 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Paper Mache Candy Corn Tree


                     
                                             Designed and Created by Sarah Owens for Craft Warehouse

Candy Corn Tree


Shopping List
· Paper Mache large and medium cones
· White & black Acrylic paint
· Black Chalk paint
· 12x12 orange & yellow scrapbooking paper
· 2 yards of ribbon of your choice
· 2 small clay pots
· 2 dowel wood rods
· Styrofoam balls 2 - 4” round & 1– 3” round
· Beacon Hold the foam glue & glue gun
 
Instructions:
 
1. Start by painting the clay pots with black chalk paint.
2. Then paint the wood dowels black
3. Paint the tip of each cone with white acrylic paint. Paint 2 to 3 coats allowing it to dry between painting.
4. Create a pattern for each cone by opening up the cones and trace the cone shapes on to paper. Once you have a outline re-tape the cones or glue the cones back to their original form.
5. Cut out your paper to fit the cone by using the template you just created.
6. Glue your paper to the cone using a glue gun.
7. Wrap ribbon around the cone to hide any seams.
8. Cut one of the 4” Styrofoam balls in half. Place ball into clay pot with the flat side facing up. This will create a flat surface for your candy corn to cover the top.
9. Stick the dowel into each of the foam balls and glue using “Hold the foam”
10. Then place the dowel into each clay pot through the foam and glue.
11. Once dry at your cones to the top and glue cones down using “Hold the foam”
12. Finish by sprinkling candy corn on the top of the clay pots.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Heidi Swapp's Vintage Chic



 
Vintage Chic by Heidi Swapp
 
1. Vintage Chic 12x12 Paper Collection Pack
2. Vintage Chic Notes (Journaling Cards)
3. Definition Stickers 4. Vintage Instaframes
5. File Tab Label Stickers
 
 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Tell Your Story Mini Album


I am loving these little mini chipboard albums from Craft Warehouse and they are only $1.99!
I created this one using Teresa Collins Designs' Tell Your Story Collection, which is perfect for any occasion!

Take a look at how easy it is to layer with these embellishments! All you have to do is glue them down!


I really wanted to layer the Tell Your Story paper flowers on the front of this mini book. I had a blast just adding little papers and borders from the collection. I couldn't stop! ;)


I kept the inside pretty flat. But, who says flat has to be boring?


I created this album using a senior photo shoot, but it is perfect for any occasion! I love that this line is perfect to share your story, no matter what it is!


I just punched a hole in this mini flash card to make it into a tag. I am totally going to do this again! I love having the card hanging off the metal ring with just white embroidery floss.


The collection comes with a border strip of these tickets. I had to pull them apart. They are so small and darling!


So true, right?!


There are plenty of journaling cards to record your moments!


These stickers are perfect! I just used pop up dots to help add dimension to a couple of them.


I cut one of the double sided journaling cards from the 12x12 paper and punched holes to make an extra page! Super easy and looks great!


The chipboard stickers are lovely! I made sure to add them to the back cover so that it could handle the weight.

I love this album! I will be proud to have it on display in the new Gresham Craft Warehouse store!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Halloween Dress Form Decor

 


Supplies
 
Dress Form
Black Spray Paint
Patterned Paper for Bodice
Sheet Metal & Tin Snips
Purple Glitter Glue Orange Tulle Roll
Black Tulle Roll
Orange and black fabric
Black & Orange Ribbon
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Stick
Glüber Glue Dots

Directions

Paint your dress form. Let dry. Cut your bodice to fit around your dress form. Glue your bodice onto the dress form, if necessary crease your bodice to get a good fit on the dress form. Cut strips of fabric and tulle to fit around the dress form when gathered. Glue the layers on starting with the bottom layer and working your way up using the hot glue gun. Glue ribbon around the waist to cover the edge of the tulle. Cut a bat shape out of metal, paint black, and let dry. Decorate the bat with glitter glue and glue onto the waist. Follow the directions on the Glüber package to make the flower. Glue on the flower. Add a necklace and you’re done! Enjoy!

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