Girl Power Canvas

I wanted to make a canvas that says, "girls can do anything".  I started with a 12x12 canvas.  I covered the entire canvas with pages from one of my favorite books "Song of the Siren" by Philippa Carr.  This copy was printed in the '70s and there were some nice texture and aging going on. I did not have to do anything to age this before mod podging onto the canvas.  The next step was to add a bit of color. I used a remnant of a sheet of Graphic 45 paper.  It was in the Steampunk collection, but I forgot the name of this sheet.  I do believe it is out of print.  I did an overall coverage of mod podge to seal all this together.

While this was drying I began sketching the girl I would use.  Here is both the beginning sketch and the final product.  I cut her apart to use as a pattern.

I next swiped on some color. I used some of the colors from the Graphic 45 paper, a blue, brown, gold, and pink.  I swiped on a bit of the color with a brush or my fingers and dabbed it off with a paper towel.  I added some stamps, an Eiffel tower, houndstooth, swirling dots, and a stopwatch.   Some I embossed and some are just straight Staz on inks.  I just kind of had fun. No rhyme or reason, just fun.

Using my new branch die from Tim Holtz, I added a branch.  I cut this from grunge paper and embossing it with Vintage Photo embossing powder.  I found some red tulle that I tied to the branch.  Oh, and the die had a bird on it too, I cut him off and use an owl stamp to add an owl element.

The girl was mod podged directly onto the canvas.  She was in many pieces and I just pieced her together right there, covering her all over with mod podge.  Her shoes are painted on and not paper.  When she was dry I added the black lines and hair.

The bottom is finished out with some pom pom ribbon and a crocheted flower my mother-in-law made about 20 years ago.

The quote is wonderful!  Believe in your dreams and live them!!!

Homemade anti static bag

I have wanted an anti-static bag for quite some time.  They are not that expensive, but I still hate to spend that money on something that I think I can make myself.

Today I have made three bags in an effort to see which formula would work best.  The formulas I tried were simple: baby powder, baby powder, and cornstarch and corn starch.

The bags were also very simple to produce. I took a jewelry polishing cloth and cut out three rectangles of fabric. I did not measure, but I would say that the rectangle was 2x5.  I stitched up the sides. I wanted to make sure they were secure so I used a row of straight stitching and then a zig-zag stitch.

I then labeled the top of the bags with a C (cornstarch), CB (corn starch/baby powder) and a B (baby powder).  I then filled the bags.  I used the same ratio for the mixed bag, 2 t of each.  The other bags, I did not measure.

Once the bags were filled, I closed the top of the bags using a row of straight stitches followed by the zig-zag stitch.

Had I been making the bags for "looks" I would have been more careful with my stitching and the overall look, but since this is just an experiment functionality was my only goal.  :)

I plan on using them each for a while and seeing which one I like best.  Have you ever tried any of these techniques?  I would be interested to see what works for you. 

Some bugs hanging out among the roses

On this fine day I was trying to decide what to do with the remnants of a K&Co pad that I have had for quite some time.  The pages that were left didn't thrill me so I had done nothing with them.  I decided today would be the day to change that.

I took the pages and cut out petal shapes from each page. Then I inked the back of each petal and misted each one.  While wet I wadded each petal as if each one was a piece of trash.  Then I straightened each one out.  Not perfectly! I left some of the wrinkles.

The next step was sort of messy so I did not take photos of that.  I rolled one petal up to look like the center of a rose then glued other petal around this one. You put the petals on one at a time and spin the flower around.  This looks more like a natural rose.  I would also fold over the top portion of each petal to add dimension.

The next step was to build a base for my decoration. I took an otterbox box and covered it in green paper.  Then I inked the box.  I glued a piece of Styrofoam to the middle of the box.  Then I started gluing the flowers unto the Styrofoam and box.  Once I got all the flowers where I wanted them I misted the box with Michelle's Musings Sterling Silver misting spray for a tad of sparkle.  I then to strips of tulle and folded in half.  Where the half mark was I tied a knot. I pushed a straight pin into the knot making a "tulle pick".  I then took these picks and inserted them in random spots around the flowers.

On my craft sheet I wet paper. I molded the paper into shapes that looked like bees and a butterfly body.  I molded the head and bodies of the bugs separate, this photo was taken after I had hot glued the head unto the bodies.  The next step was to attach some way to attach the bugs to the flower mound. I had some wire and decided to twist one end around a toothpick and inserted it into the foam between the flowers. I curled the wire to look a bit like a flying trail.

Once the bodies were all ready I painted them black.  After the black dried I used gesso to paint white stripes onto the bees.  Once this dried I would paint yellow over the white.

The butterfly body was made with the clear part of packaging.  I cut two just alike. On one side of the packaging I painted a design.  Once it was dried I glued the two butterfly wings together.

It took a long time for the bodies to dry. Once they did I glued the butterfly body to the wings. I wrapped a bit of wire around the bees necks and hot glued.  The butterfly body is sort of woven unto the wire and hot glued.

I used a vintage blue ribbon around the sides of the box and it's done.  Pretty cute table decoration.

Baby measurement album

This is a mini album I made for a friend.  It is a way to document growth stats each month of the first year of the baby's life.

I bought the paper at Archiver's.  The album came from Michael's.  Hope they like it. 

Bookmarks all around

For anyone that knows me, you know I love books.  I collect them, I read them, and keep them in alphabetical order on my shelves. 
Today I wanted to share some bookmarks with a fellow book lover.  This person responded to a facebook post that I made in January.  It simply said that the first sic people that responded would get a handmade gift from me at some point during the year.  This was a very cool challenge as I tried to make the gifts reflect the recipients tastes.  Hence the bookarks for this person.

A Little Fruity, by Technique Tuesday

In 2005, I was introduced to a little company that would change the way I thought of stamps.  I met the Technique Tuesday girls at a CKC convention.  I attended their class because I had never heard of them and so glad that I did.  Since then, I have bought as many stamps as I could and attended every class that has been offered at CKC.

A Little Fruity is one of my favorite sets.  It features very detailed fruits along with the cutest sayings.  You can use this set for so many different things.

Today I used it to make a Turn that frown upside Blessings Box.  This is a two sided box.  On one side is the "when life gives you lemons" saying.  On the other "so berry sweet of you".

I hope if you like these boxes and live near Paducah, Kentucky that you will go to http://www.ephemerapaducah.com/ and sign up for my June 6 class.  There are also many other great happening things at Ephemera Paducah.  Please check it out and tell Kristin I sent you :)

Enjoy this weeks blessings:

I also had enough paper left to make some greeting cards.  I think they are rather fun.

Scoring Board Flowers

I got a scoring board a couple of years ago at a CKC convention.  At first, my primary use of the board was to make envelopes for my cards.  With the passing of time, and my desire to do more things with it, I have learned to make rosettes and accordion fan flowers.  Last week I shared the Mother's Day flowers that I made for my mom.  These flowers were made with the scoring board.  They are super simple and today I am going to share how I make the potted flowers.

I feel it's better to use patterned paper and not cardstock, but not the thin patterned paper.  I used quality paper. I feel it made the flowers a bit prettier.  Cardstock would probably work, I just wanted a bit more flexibility in the flowers.

First of all I must say, I did NOT measure the width of the paper that I cut.  I imagine just eyeballing that I took a 12x12 sheet of paper and cut it around 4 inches x 12 inches.  Then cut another 3 or 4 x 12-inch strip.  I am guessing here.

For the next step, I did measure.  I put a strip of the cut paper onto the scoring board.  Then I scored, using the bone folder,  the paper at every 1/2 inch across the strip.  Once you have completed that fold the paper into an accordion shape (alter the folds, mountain, and valley).  At this point, you can ink the edges or cut a 45-degree angle at the end of each side.  This put a little dimension in your flower. I like to ink some...cut some... and even scallop some.  It makes each flower unique.


The next step may work for you, but not for me.  You should staple the middle of the accordion.  I could not get my stapler to hold the paper so I tied a ribbon around the middle.  Then you can either take hot glue or Aleene's Tacky Glue.  (I prefer Aleene's) You meet the ends together to form a circle flower shape and glue. I attach a binder clip until the glue dries.

Once the glue is dried you can attach at skewer to the back.  I run the skewer down through one of the accordion folds and hot glue into place.


You now decorate the middle.  I like to attach a rosette or some bling.











To make a rosette:

Cut another strip of paper.  If you want to ink or stamp the paper this is the time.  Given the number of score lines, it is difficult after you score.  This rosette if very pretty with a small stamp stamped all over the strip.

 This time you will score every 1/4 inch all the way across the paper.  Alter the folds just as you did above.  This time you will connect the strip end to end.  I like Aleene's glue here just to keep the bulk down.  Warm up the glue gun, you will need it next.

This part is a tad tricky, but with practice, you will get faster at it and be able to have no issues.  I practice first.  Take the rosette that looks like this:

If it does you are ready.

I take a dab of hot glue and put on a piece of scrap paper.  Quickly push your rosette into the glue.   Hold until it sets up.   Bam! you did it!  Decorate as you desire.

The Whitman Sampler makeover

Since I was a very small child, I have ADORED Whitman's Samplers. It has only been in recent years that I have felt I am worthy of the $10 per box price tag.  I have been saving all the boxes because they are such high quality boxes. With the encouragement and idea of a friend of mine, I have been making them as Blessing Boxes.  The recipient would put blessings, prayer requests, or general thoughts into the box.  At the end of the year the box is opened and you read through all of your papers.  Were your prayers answered?  Did you remember how blessed you were?  Are you grateful for what God has given you?

You could also share the box with a friend and you two read through each others....which is what my friend and I plan on doing. 

This Mother's Day weekend, I decided I would decorate 4 of them.   This also prepares me for a class that I plan on teaching at one of our local places (I plan on doing a blog entry about this awesome place soon, I just need some photos), Ephemera Paducah (don't you just LOVE that name?)

Oh I get sidetracked so easily, these boxes are done in 4 different styles. I tried to be as far apart as I could be in the themes of each box.

Box #1-Down Memory Lane. Like McCall's or Buttericks.  Boy does this theme take me back to my childhood.  My mom would let us look at the pattern books at Hancock's.  She would let us pick out the fabric and buttons and she would whip us up with a new dress!  This box takes me right back to those days.  I have used some vintage items from my Mom-in-law's sewing basket.  A pink zipper, lace, buttons, a tape measure, a needle and thread, pins, and snaps on the original card. The paper used is Lucille by Basic Grey (the calico reminds me of the fabric mom would have used to make dresses for me-actually this paper looks very much like the fabric of the dress I am wearing in my first grade picture) and Bountiful by Creative Memories. 

Box #2-Owl watch over you.  This one is a paper piecing and took HOURS!  I did not draw out patterns for the owl, tree, or moon. I just cut.  The paper is Que Sera Ra by K&Co.  This box has almost a flat appearance, but if you look closely at the box you can see all the layers of paper. Flowers by Prima.  Black pen by Sharpie.




















Box #3-Be creative.  I painted this girl onto paper and didn't know what to do with her.  I got this great stamp from Tim Holtz that featured angel type wings.  It was perfect for the girl.  This box features stamps by Hampton Arts, Tim Holtz, and Technique Tuesday.  Die cuts from K&Co, flowers by Prima.  Embossing Powder by Stampendous.  This girl makes me happy because she is feel to do what she wants in her artwork...yeah she's me.  Patterned paper is Wild Raspberry by K&Co.
















Box #4-God's Blessings.  Butterflies and birds fly all over the beautiful summer flowers.  What an amazing gift God has given us.  We should take time to reflect on the beauty in this world and not the negative.  Doily a found object.  Bird and table chipboard by Pink Paislee.  Flowers by Prima.  Card was given to me by my friend.


The greatest thing about altering something is you don't have to do it like anyone else's. You can use your creative nature to creative whatever.  Maybe you box will not be a Blessings box.  Maybe yours will hold love letters....maybe jewelry....maybe greeting cards.   Maybe you will take off the lid and use the box to display items you collect.  Maybe you want to keep some of the integrity of the original box.  Think outside the box.  Don't let anyone limit what YOU like.

If you decide altering a box is for you and live in Paducah, you can come to my workshop on June 6.  I will show you how and hopefully how to free your spirit.