Capsule Crafting - March Edition

My craft room is a disaster. If there's one thing that will happen from being stuck at home for weeks on end... it's going through and getting rid of all of the things that are just not being used. However, there's a TON of stuff that I actually DO want to use. More. A few weeks back, Kristina Werner was posting about her "Capsule Papercrafting List" and actually using more, with less. Ingenious.

Here is my Capsule Papercrafting Supplies for March. I plan on making at least 10 cards, or some other projects with these. Maybe more! Who knows. ALL materials (except the Authentique Bundle - as I design for them) have been purchased exclusively by me, and are only used for my personal projects.

THE STAMPS:

I wanted to include a few various companies and ideas. Or things that I've had for awhile and really haven't used much, if at all. Concord & 9th: Feathered Bundle, Here's the Scoop Bundle, Wonderful Florals, The Stamp Market: Friendly Bunch Stamp Set, Neat & Tangled: Dazzling Stamp & Die, Stampin' Up (this is a retired dots stamp from forever ago...)

THE DIES & TOOLS

Some of the tools I will use. These are specific things. Dies - stencils - floss
Waffle Flower: A2 Layer Dies, Lawn Fawn: Flippin' Awesome Dies & Lawn Trimmings, random die from Amazon (gift), DMC Floss: 604, 165, 964, 702, 3812, 962, 3712, 352, Neat & Tangled: Dimensional Triangles Stencil, heart stencil - (I forget what brand)

THE ODDS AND ENDS:

These are a bit of everything... Authentique Paper: Refreshed 6x6" Bundle, Pink Paislee: Moonstruck cork stickers, Felicity Jane: Essentials Puffy Alphabet, Shimelle: Enamel Dots, Clique Kits: bits of a past kit, Gelly Roll: wide white pen, Chameleon: black pen

THE PAPER & TOOLS:

These are my colors. Stamp Market Color Crush paper - just leftovers from past projects, Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers, Wonder Forest Paintbrushes, waterbrush, some already colored images from Jessa Feig (she is AMAZING!!)

INKS, INKS, & MORE INKS:

I purchased the entire Color Crush set a few weeks back. The lovely people at Stamp Market even fixed an error quickly. I love them! I also snagged the newer Black, Navy and No-Line inks!

THE BASICS:

Lastly, it's the basics. VersaMark Ink, VersaFine Ink, Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Ranger Multi Medium Matte, and an acrylic block.

Alright... Here goes! Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG #184: Anything Goes! & a Taylored Expressions Blender Brush Review

The Paper Girls Challenge Blog is having one of the best challenges ever. Anything Goes! Yup! That means, make anything you want, and share with us. It's a total free-for-all, and I love that, because I was able to have a bit of fun testing out my new Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and a great new stencil from Neat & Tangled. I also got to finally sit and play with my new Stampin' Up Inks

For the PGCB Challenge #184, I started with the Neat & Tangled Dimensional Triangles Stencil. I then took my Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and my Stampin' Up Inks in the Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment In Color 2018-2020 and Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad.

From red - violet, I blended each color with the correct brush. To make the stencil stick more, I used a bit of spray adhesive to stick the stencil to the paper. I just used what I had, and it was a little TOO sticky... I've heard about the Pixie Spray, and I may try that later on instead.

Make sure to create something for the Paper Girls Challenge Blog! This challenge is Anything Goes, so ANY project that you are working on counts!!

Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes First Review

I got these fabulous brushes from a suggestion from a close friend. I had always loved ink blending, but hated the streaking I got from the foam blenders (from dye inks). I'm a bit of a crazy inker, so anything that would make my ideas actually happen the way I imagine is always welcome.

I pre-ordered the Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes last week when they released. Part of the offer was this little silicone scrubber. I haven't used it yet, BUT look how fabulously it fits in the center!! This was a genius bit of design. I love when tools and their extra pieces fit together seamlessly. This means I won't lose it. 

I loved how each color handle of the Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes will work with that color family. I know that the brush looks a little splotchy, but man did they work smoothly. The handles are flexible, which means that you can vary your pressure without worry that one part will be splotchy on your project. The blending was smooth no matter where I worked. And they were SO SOFT! I'm very happy with my purchase, and cannot wait to use them more and more.




Supplies Used:
Stampin' Up Inks: Blueberry Bushel, Pineapple Punch, Grapefruit Grove, Call Me Clover, Lovely Lipstick, Gorgeous Grape
Neat & Tangled Stencil: Dimensional Triangles
Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes
Taylored Expressions Die: Thanks Die Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Merry Christmas from All of Us at Authentique!

We just took Christmas photos with Santa, and I couldn't resist creating a layout to document the fun occasion. I started with papers from the Jingle Collection, added a few Silhouette Design Store cuts (#281468, #282335) with my Silhouette, and a little bit of ink and dimensional adhesive.

 The dimension created with the foldover cut file makes this really interesting. A little Spectrum Series paper behind the trees, and there are some great shadowing effects. The Santa stamp is from Diamond Press, and is colored with markers.

For my second project, I created a birthday card using both Jingle and the Spectrum Series for my lovely neighbor who has a Christmas birthday! The Dala horse for me always celebrates Christmas, as my family would put out our Dala horses around Christmastime. This uses a steel die (Neat & Tangled) and a small stamp (Lawn Fawn).

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DIAMOND PRESS: Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies

Hello! It's almost Christmas. Okay, it's 15 weeks until Christmas, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't start working on Christmas cards, right?!?! Today I'm sharing with you the wonderful Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies. I loved these. I tried to make each of my examples really different to showcase all of the ways that you could easily incorporate the Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies into your stash. There are SO many options. The greatest part... you can also mix and match these Tag Dies with the other sets that Diamond Press has previously released! This ability stretches your die collection even further.

Fa La La La La La (Llama)

 Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Alpine Collection (Authentique), Fa La Llama (Neat & Tangled), Starry Night sequins (Neat & Tangled), ink, twine, cardstock, watercolors (Peerless)

Just For You!

  Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Tidings Collection (Authentique), cardstock, ribbon, ink

 Snow What Fun

 Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Solitude Collection (Authentique), doily (Doodlebug), ink

 Noel

 Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Solitude Collection (Authentique), cardstock, ribbon, star picks (Petaloo)

 Happy Holly Days

  Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Tidings Collection (Authentique), cardstock, ribbon, ink, holly and berries (Petaloo)

Merry Christmas

Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Tidings Collection (Authentique), cardstock, ribbon, ink, wooden tree (ImageineCrafts)

With Love <3 b="">

Diamond Press Mix and Match Nestable Holiday Tag Dies, Vintage Christmas (Authentique), cardstock, ribbon, ink, holly & berries (Petaloo), star picks (Petaloo)

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PGCB: Challenge #153 - Woodland Creatures

I started by using my Distress Inks and a pair of Neat and Tangled stencils. I then added a cute set of woodland creatures from the Into the Woods Lawn Fawn stamps, colored with Dual Brush Pens by Tombow. The sentiments were from the set, and were perfect for a hello card.

Supplies Used: Duo Trees Stencils (Neat & Tangled), Into the Woods stamps and dies (Lawn Fawn), Dual Brush Pens (Tombow), inks (Distress Inks), patterned paper (Authentique), kraft paper (Neenah Mohawk), Silhouette Cameo, grass Silhouette cut, Versafine ink

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#NBCT Bound (AND I PASSED!!)

I've had this layout completed for the longest time. And just like the National Board for Teaching process, it sat. Waiting to be scored. Ready to be complete. Seriously, the endless hours, the countless moments poring over the same video, are all worth it once you see the words "Congratulations! You are a National Board Certified Teacher!"

I'm still reeling on this one.

Products: American Crafts (paper & alpha), Sassafras Lass (papers, flowers, alphas), Neat & Tangled (sequins), Tim Holtz Distress paint, ink Pin It

25 Cards from One Collection

In my day job, I teach art. I also am one half of a kick-ass (yes, we are THAT good!) team that takes care of our staff in times of celebration and condolence. After the many years that I have helped with this, I have realized that if I plan ahead and get some of the many cards that will be used throughout the year completed during the summer, I'm a much happier person. Ultimately, I will spend about the same amount of time no matter what, I can just spend it more wisely using similar sketches or designs and make multiples at once. All of these cards use American Crafts: Garden Café collection. Stamps are from: A-Muse, Lawn Fawn and Neat & Tangled.

Sometimes the cards are almost exactly the same, just flip the papers over and switch the embellishments a little.

Use different ribbons to make different looks...

Similarity here: those tags I can never figure out what to do with. 

When you get down to the small pieces, it always helps to make "scrap" cards. Just take all of the little scrap pieces and glue away!

Or make three of a kind. This one was inspired by this card: CARD by Chari Moss. She's amazing!

In some cases... Just using those great embellishments brings amazing results. 

Or border punches and flags!

A couple more combo scrap/embellishment cards.

And a simple, but effective version... Colorblocking!

All in all, 25 cards using a line of materials that I wasn't scrapping with anymore. One more bag of stuff in my stash down! Pin It

Happy Birthday from Authentique and Avery Elle!

Good afternoon! I just wanted to share with you a sweet birthday card that was up on the Authentique Blog last week. I didn't share it on the day it went live, so I'm sharing today!! I used the Avery Elle Cupcakes set and Authentique's Radiant Collection.
I'm especially proud of the fussy cutting! I'm not a huge fan of it, but I'm getting there... I just loved the Avery Elle Cupcakes set, as I am able to create SOOOO many combos for cupcakes! EEK! The sequins are a mix of random ones I have in my stash: Teresa Collins, Neat and Tangled, and some that are sewing sequins.

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Xyron Makes Ombre Glitter Techniques Easy

When thinking on how to show off some fun techniques with Xyron products, I remembered that I had some fun neon glitter just waiting to be use. I had gotten a sweet deal on the set and it was dying to be used soon.

 Gather your supplies.

I started with a card base for an A2 card. I cut a piece of cardstock to go on top of the card base to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" so that it would stand out just a little bit from the base itself. I then ran that through my Xyron 9" Creative Station. It is important to smoothly turn the handle, so that the adhesive doesn't have any gaps.

Trim the edges of the adhesive backing (don't unwrap yet though!!) with a kraft knife. Leave just a little bit on each side so that you can hold on.
If you want a true Ombre effect, you will need to mix your glitter, if you are okay with a more striped version, you can follow the next steps. Use a permanent marker to mark off where the glitter should probably stop and start. This doesn't have to be perfect, and most likely will not be.

Unwrap your cardstock to the first mark and sprinkle your glitter onto the newly exposed adhesive. Shake off. If you want a crisp edge, fold the backing down and use a bone folder to make it straight. If you want it more organic and freeform, don't fold it.

Repeat as many times as you want.

When you are finished with each layer, you can push the glitter into the adhesive to get it to stick more.

I suggest "setting" the glitter with some spray glitter. It won't detract from the existing glitter, and will make it so your project won't leave glitter everywhere it touches.

While this is drying, stamp your sentiment. "Fussy cut" if you want, or use a die cut piece of paper.

When this has dried, add your stamped sentiment and/or embellishments using Xyron's 3/16 inch Dots and Xyron's 3/8 inch Dots. The small cloud pieces were too small to use the entire dot, so I cut them in half.

Once the decorative part of your card is complete, place it on the card base. I suggest using your Xyron Mega Runner (.5" x 100') on the card base itself, rather than on the back of your decorative glitter paper. This way, the glitter won't rub off.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing another way that you can use glitter using your Xyron 9" Creative Station Machine!

Supply List: Xyron 9" Creative Station Machine (w/ 25' Adhesive Cartridge), Xyron Mega Runner (.5" x 100'), Xyron 3/16 inch Dots, Xyron 3/8 inch Dots, Neenah Solar White Cover, ImagineCrafts Memento Ink in London Fog and Love Letter, American Crafts Neon Extra Fine Glitter, Neat and Tangled Stamp  Pin It