AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Happy Valentine's Day from the Design Team!

I turned a Target Dollar Spot ornament and pieces from the Romance Collection into a fabulous Valentine's wall hanging. You could easily use this as a larger ornament or home decor item. The twine is also detachable, so if you wanted a small stand, that would also work. 

The heart is hand cut from a piece of Romance Three. Before it was inked with Distress Oxide inks, I also used a Lawn Fawn Reverse Stitched Scallop Circle Window die in the place where the heart's "heart" would be. This was where I added the interest to this piece.

I layered die cuts from the Elements die cut sheet, as well as various flowers and Pretty Pink Posh Water Droplets. The last detail was to glue a piece of 3/8" Mini Pom Pom Ribbon in White by May Arts. 

 Supplies: Authentique Romance Collection and Die Cuts, Target Dollar Spot ornament, Dimensional Adhesive, ribbon (May Arts), water droplets (Pretty Pink Posh), flowers (Petaloo - retired), Oxide Ink (Distress - Ranger), dies (Lawn Fawn)

 

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: It's Back to School Time!

It's almost the start of the school for me and my kiddos this year. One thing that I am accustomed to do is take the First Day of School Pictures of my children, but really wanted something for my students at school to also use. This, and a great Tuesday Morning find of a customizable clipboard gave me the idea of creating something decorative for my classroom, that could double as a sign for my kiddos to take their own First Day of School Pictures.

The papers and stickers are all from the Accolade Collection. I really wanted to focus on graduation, so used the mortarboard side of Accolade Four and the graduation phrases side of Accolade Five.

 Each of the papers was carefully trimmed, then inked to look aged.

Since my school colors are black and gold, I used a simple satin ribbon with a button from my stash to finish this project. The best thing about the Accolade Collection is that it is neutral enough to go with any school colors. I could easily swap out the ribbon and button for any other color combination.

The printable is a free printable that I found online. I really liked the chalkboard effect and how it complemented the Accolade Collection.

Supplies Used:
Authentique Paper: Accolade Collection (Four, Five, Ten, Eleven, Details Stickers)
Other Supplies: DIY Clipboard, ribbon, Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap), button, Multi Media Matte (Ranger), printable (Designs by Nicolina) Pin It

DIY treat bags using Harvest

Fall is here! Crisp leaves, warm and cozy afternoons, and squirrels gathering for Winter. I thought that I would create two cozy little bags using our Harvest Collection to tuck a few treats in for later this month.

I started with the lovely plaid patterns in the Harvest Collection (Harvest Four, Harvest Five). There is something about plaid that just screams Fall to me. I used my Silhouette to die cut each bag (Design ID #100592), making sure to enlarge each to get the most of my 12x12 paper.

Each of the two bags has a combination of various die cuts and Details cardstock stickers. I used things that reminded me of Fall, leaves (oak, standard), acorns and feathers.

The edges of all of the die cuts and the bags are all inked to show definition between the layered paper. Not only are the die cuts layered and inked, they are popped up with some dimensional tape to help add some interest.

Some of the larger stickers were a bit too big for this small of a project, so I used my embossing powder tool to make them "unsticky." Now each of the stickers is a die cut!

 Filled with some matching candies, they would make a perfect little hostess gift. 

The best part of this paper is the lovely weight and texture. I know that these little bags will hold a ton of fun goodies. The gorgeous insides are also a fun bonus!

Supplies Used:

Authentique Harvest Collection: Harvest Two, Harvest Three, Harvest Four, Harvest Five, Details 12x12 Adhesive Cardstock

Other Supplies: Silhouette, Silhouette Online Store, dimensional adhesive, ink (Distress Ink), embossing powder tool

I hope that you are enjoying the Fall weather and Harvest Collection! Thank you for stopping by!

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It's a Fabulous Start to the School Year!

As a teacher, I love a nice desk set just like anyone else. Over summer, I decided to pull this cute little set together using the Fabulous Collection.

I started with a Moleskine book. My favorites are the graph paper Cahier Journals. They make just the perfect, small notebook that I can use for meeting notes. They are also really easy to decorate. In this case, I used my Xyron Creative Station to add adhesive to the Fabulous Six 12x12 paper, then used a craft knife to cut around the cover. Liquid glue would also work well.

I added some interest with some die cut pieces from the 12x12 papers, an Authentic Life Card and some of the stickers from the collection. Each of the edges were inked with Distress Ink to create some interest. To keep the journal closed, I added a cute binder clip.

I couldn't resist adding a few pencils into the mix and created this sweet little pencil holder. I just folded the Fabulous Five paper so that the back was slightly longer than the pencils, leaving the front slightly wider than the back. Then I folded over the flaps and glued them in the back.

To finish off the pencil holder, I added a sweet polka dot heart and a matching polka dot bow.

The last little piece to the set is a bright, buttoned tag. I couldn't resist layering the Details cardstock stickers to a punched tag. Then added the ribbon, and sewed on the button to keep it in place.

I hope that this inspires you to break out your collections for more than just cards and layouts.

Supplies Used:

Authentique Fabulous Collection: Two, Five, Six, Eight, Twelve, Authentic Life Cards, Details stickers, alpha stickers (older collection)

Other Supplies: Moleskine Cahier, ribbons (May Arts), button, kraft paper, binder clip & pencils (Target), Distress Ink (Antique Linen)

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BOO! from Xyron, Core'dinations and Petaloo

The Xyron Design Team is working alongside of our friends at Core'dinations Cardstock and Petaloo to create some amazing projects for you this week. 

Make sure that you check out all of their Facebook pages, as well as the designers' blogs. There are a ton of prizes to be had each day!

Today, I am showcasing a fun Halloween banner that I created for my front door. I love the distressed look that the Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Core'dinations cardstock gives to this project. To create this, I cut out each section using the Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts Stitched Party Banner in both banner sizes, as well as the circle.

I then ran those sections through various embossing folders, then sanded them with the Core'dinations Sand-It Set. This way, the great kraft shows through in various sections. Flowered sections are layered with Authentique Paper (Conjure, Components die cuts), and Petaloo flowers (Embossed Mulberry Flowers -Daisies/Chartreuse, Forget me Nots-Soft Lavender). They are attached using Xyron's Double-Sided High Tack 1/2" Tape.

 

The letter shapes are created in a similar fashion. I started with the banners, layering them with dimensional adhesive that I made using my Xyron 3" Sticker Maker and some craft foam. Then, I ran the Petaloo Crochet Fancy Trim (purples).  through my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker and attached it to the smaller banner. Added the embossed circle and a DIY Thicker made orange with Neon WOW! Glitter. You could create this same effect by running the front of your alphas through any of your Xyron products and adding glitter. 

Lastly, I strung each of the banners onto some twine in my stash. One trick, if you have a banner like this, you can always tape the back of the string/twine/ribbon in place. No one will see it, and your banner pieces won't shift around.

This was a super fun project to make!! Hope you enjoyed this and all of the other projects this week. Joy over at Joy's Life and Marcia Dehn-Nix have both created some amazing items!

Supplies Used:

Xyron: 3" Sticker Maker, Double-Sided High Tack 1/2" Tape, 1.5" Sticker Maker

Petaloo: (Embossed Mulberry Flowers - Daisies/Chartreuse, Forget me Nots-Soft Lavender, Crochet Lace Fancy Trim-Purples)

Core'dinations: Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection paper pad

Additional Supplies: Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts Stitched Party Banners, Authentique Paper (Conjure, Circles and Scallops die cuts), American Crafts (DIY Thickers, Wow! Extra Fine Glitter-Neon), craft foam, twine, Darice Embossing Folders (Wood Grain, Interlocking Circles), Cricut Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Love Triangles, Swiss Dots)

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Stay "Anchored" with Authentique Paper & Petaloo!

If you didn't get a chance to see yesterday's post showcasing one my fun new projects using both Petaloo products and Authentique's fun new line: Anchored... Make sure you stop on by. Both companies are having giveaways ALL week!!

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AUTHENTIQUE: Leaky Shed Chipboard!!

Hello! Today's post over at Authentique Paper uses some amazing chipboard by Leaky Shed Studios! This is a cute mini book that I created using Leaky Shed's Camera Scrapbook Album. The great part of this mini, is that all of the sections are separate, so that it is really easy to cover with various papers and then glue down to create some amazing dimension.

For the cover of this mini, I started with Expedition, then covered the middle sections with Touring. Lastly, I used the amazingly inky black paper from the back of the Voyage. I love how black that paper is. The large sticker is from the Details sheet and Elements stickers for the letters. I just love that this mini reminds me of the boat pictures inside by using the May Arts Cord to make it look like a life ring. 

My second project is a sweet Valentine heart decor. I found a paper heart, painted it with acrylic paints, then added pieces from the Smitten Collection (Promise and Components papers) along with Leaky Shed's fantastic Watch Parts.

I really liked how the gears look like they are making the heart run.

Supplies Used:

Authentique Paper: Abroad Collection: Expedition, Touring, Voyage, Details, Elements; Smitten Collection: Promise, Components

Leaky Shed Studio: Camera Scrapbook Album, Watch Parts

Other Supplies: paper heart, acrylic paint, Xyron High Tack Adhesive Dots, Xyron Maya Road Trinket Pins, May Arts Ribbons and Cording Pin It

Family Vinyl Decor

I'm headed out later this evening to a birthday party for one of my lovely friends. Rather than going and finding a present that I didn't know if she would like, I decided to make her this piece of decor for her living room.

I started with a trip to my favorite, local craft store, Artco. I saw this gorgeous hanging frame and knew what I was going to do. A cut file from my Silhouette using black vinyl (okay, so what if this is really Round 2... The first one was wonky). And bam! Amazing present. I did ask what color she would have liked for the background, but she's still undecided on her future colors. So clear it is!

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: A Hoppy Easter Ornament

Today I am featured on the Authentique Paper blog with an adorable bunny ornament. Check it out this morning! There are a ton of cute pics and details.

Products Used-

Authentique Paper- Hope Collection: Custom, Faith, Lavish, Adorn

Other-May Arts Ribbon, Colorbox Chestnut Roan ink, Globecraft Memories Little Fancy Oval frame, Imaginecrafts, Basic Grey brad

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Beautiful Decor with Renew

Check out my fantastic decor item using the Renew Collection. There are even a few tips and tricks for creating fantastic decor items.

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Holiday Decorations

In the past week I think I've totalled about 20 hours of sleep. Yep. That's it. So, in my tired stupor I forgot to post this. I think I need Christmas break to come soon. Very soon!!

Check out today's Authentique Blog post with Helmar. I pretty much loved the product. It's super easy to use. Now, if it just came in ATG sized rolls I would be set! (I use quite a bit of adhesive)...

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AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Fall Decor and 3L Adhesives

Here's a little sneak peek for you to go visit the Authentique blog today. I create a fun Fall "Pinspired" decor item using both Authentique Paper and 3L Adhesives.

I LOVE the new Thankful Collection! It's just the prettiest thing ever. And that gorgeous little crocheted flower from my lovely friend Cathryn... Swoon!! Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER: Calavera Skull

Just a little snippet of the neat-o calavera that I made for one of my co-workers. Come check it out on the Authentique Paper blog here:

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AUTHENIQUE PAPER: Putting a Bird on Free Bird

From the Authentique Blog:

 *****

Hello folks!! Heather here. I hope that all of your Thanksgiving feasts were wonderful, and that you were able to spend time with loved ones. Today for you, I have a nifty piece of decor that you too could whip up before the holidays! 

Samantha showed me a fantastic pin over at Pinterest, and I was inspired to use the Free Bird Series to craft something similar. I even drew a lovely little chickadee to place on it! 

I chose to use Warmth for the wreath, as I felt that it reminded me of all of winter. It does have some lovely colors and patterns.

I didn't have a little chickadee, so I actually drew one up using my scrapbooking pens and a little bit of chalk ink. Yup... the yellow is chalk ink!

The wreath itself is simply concentric circles of cones of paper. I just cut the Free Bird pages in half using decorative scissors, then trimmed off one of the 3" sides with decorative scissors as well. Roll the paper into cones, then attach the trimmed edge to the cone with a glue dot.

To attach the cones to the wreath, each cone is pinned in place, then hot glued. I haven't quite made up my mind whether or not I want to replace the drawing with a little faux bird or not yet. At the moment, I rather like him.

I hope that you enjoyed my take on a fun decor project. Just another way to use those fantastic Free Bird papers!! Have a great start to the holiday season!!

Supplies Used: 

Authentique Free Bird Series: Warmth FBS 129, 130, 131 & 132

Additional Supplies: wreath form, American Crafts Memory Markers in Charcoal and Black, AC ribbon, AC white cardstock, Colorbox Chalk ink in Yellow Cadmium, stick

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AUTHENTIQUE BLOG: Wooden Christmas Ornaments with Free Bird!

From the AUTHENTIQUE PAPER BLOG:

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Hello Authentique fans, it's Heather! I have a really inexpensive idea for either a small decor item, or possibly a beautiful, and toddler-proof Christmas ornament. My little girl found this on an end-cap of one of the large chain craft stores. At first, she grabbed the more expensive birdhouse, but I was able to trade her for this smaller (and only $1!) one instead. She was happy throughout the rest of the shopping trip, and I wasn't out a lot of money.

While this step is completely optional, painting the pine birdhouse can tie all of the colors together. I chose black, and painted the inside as well. Since it was pine, the paint dries very quickly.

 

This is seriously the hardest step... Take a piece of copy paper, to figure out where the posts are. In this case, I was able to use an office hole puncher in order to slide the paper over the roosts. If you are using a larger birdhouse, you may want to cut the holes out with fine-point scissors.

I then grabbed my first piece of Free Bird ("Delight" FBS 111). Rather than measuring and cutting out, I was able to fit most of the pieces in without spending too much time measuring. In this case, the eave of the roof was 90 degrees, and I was able to use the corner of the paper as my angle. I then just creased the edges and cut them off so that the piece fit properly.

I had to use an X-Acto knife to slice the very bottom from the paper. Then, I felt for the holes in the birdhouse, and used the back of my X-Acto knife to slightly push in the edges of the entrances.

 

To cut the holes, I used a rotary nail file to "sand" them off. You could also use a wood file or even a thin nail file.

Mod-Podge the wood base, then the paper to make it all stick! I found out that the more Mod-Podge you use, the better it all sticks! Plus, it dries clear... So even if it looks like it's all weird... Wait a few hours. 

Repeat the same steps on the other sides of the birdhouse. I ended up using just one sheet of Free Bird for all of the sides! I then added a thin strip of a different paper ("Delight" FBS 112) for the bottom edge of the birdhouse. Rather than piece the paper, I diagonally cut a strip from corner to corner. I punched only part of a hole in the top, so that the roost would fit around the edge. Then, Mod-Podge'd it all down.

For the roof, I used half of a piece of "Delight" FBS 109. One side of the roof was simple, and just needed an edge punch to add some extra dimension to the roof. The other side needed to have some of the roof notched in with a hole punch so that it fit the rope. I just played with the amount I cut out until it fit right.

For the last detail, I added small strips of the same paper (FBS 109) to the front and back of the roof eaves.

When you have finished with your decoration, Mod-Podge the entire thing once more. Let it dry completely for a few hours.

I haven't shown this to my little toddler yet, but I know that she is going to love it. Best part, the total bill on this project (if you already have Mod-Podge and paint) is under $3!! Even if it doesn't last toddler hands... I can make another one for just a few dollars! Pin It