Loves Tea & Paper

TSF DT Reveal: Authentique Grateful

I am back with more "Grateful" projects to share. I really enjoy working with Authentique products because the paper is heavy, making it solid for fold etc. and it is textured, and you know how I love texture! 

For this project, I downloaded this sweet shadow box from the Silhouette store (3 D trees wall art) and then cut out the background and middle pieces using the "Pioneer" and "Harvest" papers from the Grateful collection. The outside frame was misted in several colours. I doodled a little flutter trail that one of the leaves might have taken as it falls to the base of the tree. Isn't that raking leaves sticker from the "Details" sheet perfect for this project? 

Here is another project I made with this collection:

My husband came home from work with some tea samples, but the packaging was kind of ho-hum, so I created this. Isn't it a much nicer looking little hostess gift? Tracing the packet he brought, I used the "Giving" sheet as the base for this tea wallet. Then I layered on "Harvest" paper and lots of stickers including sticker strips and even the tiny pieces between the sticker border strips. The wooden button is ornamental, but just under it, under the flap, is a velcro circle that when you open you see this:

See how perfect the "Giving" paper looks on this! Two sided tape was my best friend while creating this little gift. 

 

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!

This year I was inspired to make as well as purchase a gift for my dear husband. His list of wants is small and his family is his blessing - at least he makes us feel that way. So to commemorate his love for us, I thought I would make him a gift with a photo of Sarah and me in it. Photo time usually becomes silly time - Brian almost always pulls a funny face or sticks out his tongue when I turn the camera in his direction, and Sarah, being a chip off the ol' block, has taken to doing the same. When I wanted to snap a few photos at the restaurant where we were celebrating Sarah's birthday, out came the bunny ears behind people's heads, the silly faces and overall goofiness. Even when Sarah moved to my side of the table for Brian to get a few photos of us, the temptation to be silly lingered. So this is the best photo I have. I changed it to black and white to make make the rest of my design selections less limited by the colours we were wearing and the colours in the background less distracting. When I was exploring a lss that I literally had not been in for years, I saw this fabulous shadow frame by Pink Paislee and knew immediately that I had my gift idea.

Can you see all the colours in the frame? It started out as plain wood, ready for paint, mists or inks. I have played with the colour on this so much, that there are probably at least 6 spray mists on there, as well as 2 or 3 ink colours, and some Glimmer Glam, which for those of you unfamiliar with that product, is a liquid pearl paint from the folks at Tattered Angels.

I selected the patterned papers, also by Pink Paislee, because I really liked the paper with the words from the Soiree paper. I didn't use as much of it as I thought I would, but I think it's use is effective:

I cut the banner by hand from the patterned paper and inked the edges. Because I knew that this needs to be robust, since it's not going to be protected in a page protector like my regular layouts, I decided to mount the banner on some canvas. This added a great deal of sturdiness as well as visual texture. Those pearls add a lovely touch of femininity without making the project too girly, don't you think?

 

 

Another mixed font and colour title - I think it is one of my signature things. I couldn't do a multi-word title without mixing things up. I used white foam letters and inked them yellow for the word 'my'. The coral coloured letters match one of the patterned papers I used in the vertical strips perfectly, and since they are smaller, I used them for my longest word, 'beautiful'. The word 'girlz' is misspelled, I know, but I was out of s's, so I went with the 'z' for fun. I love those puffy letters and since I'm getting low, I'll have to get more ordered.

 

These muslin flowers are ready for ink and mist and are part of the Pink Paislee mist-ables collection. I didn't realize when I purchased them that they are actually hair accessories, but you can't really see the pin, so I'm using them here. I misted them with 3 different spray inks, including one called Dazzling Diamonds that adds a subtle glimmer. Do you see the tiny pearls I used as bullet points on the journal card? I also used the sewing machine again - I really like the zigzag stitch - another signature, maybe?? I also used some twine on this. The frame came with internal measurements, and although I cut my papers around those measurements, the piece didn't quite fit, and once trimmed down, there was a slight gap. The twine functionally fills that small space and adds tactile and visual texture.

I hope he likes it - I was really trying to make it not too girly, despite the subject matter, since it is for a man and will likely hang in his home office work space.

What do you think of my off the page art? I have another scrappy gift to show you, but I have to wait about a week before I can. Are you curious? I will  tell you that creating both these pieces this month has taught me: 

• I don't mind getting a little messy with my artwork afterall, in fact, I really like it - it makes me happy!
• Even the dry time does not bother me as much as I thought earlier in the year. I can usually work on another part of the project while I wait for things to dry.
• I don't like the clean up after messy projects. Now maybe I'm just saying that because my scrap space is a disaster right now. I've been on a bit of a creative frenzy between gifts and cards and my last few projects have been created on the floor because I cannot see the table. I know that during the break between Christmas and New Years I will do a HUGE clean up in here again. And then, I will get back to cleaning up after every project, because starting out in a tidy space makes me happy.

Have you been creating gifts to give for Christmas? I'd love to see them!

Thank you for visiting me today! Blessings,

Ann 

 

Ever Have This Problem?

You decide to give a gift card as a gift (that happens a lot this time of year) and you get to the store and they don't issue gift cards, they issue gift certificates? Not all establishments use plastic, especially small, independently owned businesses (Let's hear it for the local, independently-owned businesses!!!) So you get home with your gift certificate and think... Now What? How can I pretty this up with my crafty stash? Well, you can decorate the envelope with stamps or stickers... or you can cut some cardstock or patterned paper a little longer and little bit more than twice as wide and fold it in half (i.e. you are making a cardbase into which you can insert your gift certificate, perhaps using a slot punch to get it to stay.) Or... you can spend an hour on google finding no creative ways to deal with the gift certificate like I did earlier this week! Finally, I tweaked to the idea that a gift certificate is like money, sort of, and started searching for creative ways to give money. I ended up on the Hero Arts blog where Jennifer McGuire showed a way to fold a $20 bill into a scarf for a snowman, and into a Christmas tree. I had my aha moment:

Following the instructions in the tutorial by Jennifer here, I made my tree. I tied a beautiful glitter ribbon around the middle of the tree to help keep it closed, and to the top of the tree, I attached a gorgeous blingy chipboard snowflake that works as a star for me. The gift certificate paper is much thicker than the paper money is printed on, so this really sticks out, but I am very happy with it anyway. You'll probably notice how both of her cards inspired this one.

I love clear cards and seeing Jennifer's reminded me that I haven't made one in awhile, so I started out with a transparency sheet (Stampin' Up! used to sell Window sheets, and this may be one of those - very similar). I cut it to 11 x 5.5" and then folded it half, creating a 5.5 x 5.5 square. I used white opaque StazOn ink to stamp the snowflakes. StazOn is perfect for these kinds of surfaces that are non-porous, because it will dry. I stamped the tree using silver ink, then sprinkled on the silver embossing powder and put it under the heat tool to melt the powder. Then I cut the 4 trees out. The papers are from a winter/Christmas collection from last year by BoBunny - gotta love using up that stash!

I trimmed 2 pieces of light blue cardstock using the wavy blade on my trimmer. The more narrow strip is adhered on the back of the front page, and the slightly wider one is adhered on the front of the back page, creating a layered landscape. After attaching my certificate tree to the cardfront, I added on to finish the landscape. Two of the embossed trees are adhered with clear drying adhesive (Beacon's 3 in 1 to the rescue again!) to the front of the card, and 2 are adhered to the back of the front page. This is the fun part about working with a clear card: all the dimension you can create by working with all sides!

I used a bit of border sticker along the folded left  edge for more colour and to finish the card added some lovely silver cord. The sentiment is a rubon that I applied to the front of the card. It took a little longer than usual to apply, but it did go. The greeting and signatures for the card will all go on the blue strips so they are not seen through the card.

I considered stamping or inking the certificate tree, but decided I like the simplicity of the white and it works with the white snowflakes. Hopefully, it will also be obvious that this tree is "different" and that the recipient needs to do something with it.

Thank you, as always, for popping by my blog. I love sharing my ideas with you and I hope you are inspired by what you see. Blessings,

Ann

 

Origami Gift Card Wallet Tutorial

I'm back with the tutorial I promised for making these folded gift card holders.

I've got lots of photos to try to help explain the scoring and folding, which I hope you find helpful. Here we go!

I am using a piece of cardstock for the purposes of this tutorial, so that you can see the measure/score lines. When you make this,  do not draw in the lines - these are here for the tutorial only, so you can see where to score.

Choose a patterned paper, preferably double-sided and let's get started!

(You can experiment with single sided papers and perhaps stamping on the plain side, or choose a neutral cardstock and stamp on it.)

To begin, cut your paper to 8" x 8".

Using a scoring tool (i.e. Scor-Pal or other), or your scoring blade in your trimmer, or a ruler and bone folder, score on one side at 1 1/2", 4", and 6 1/2".

Then turn your cardstock 90 degrees and score at 5" and 1 1/2". IF you are working with a patterned paper that has a pattern that only works in one direction, i.e. hanging ornaments or something, be sure that your 1 1/2" score is at the top of the paper and the 5" score is at the bottom.

You will also need to score across the corners from the 1 1/2" mark on one side to the 1 1/2 " mark on the other side (see dotted lines in the photo above.)

 

Using your trimmer, or scissors if you rock at cutting a straight line (so not me!), trim out the rectangle between the 1 1/2" score lines at the top. See in the photo how I've gone in and trimmed away - I placed the scored lines on the cutting line of the trimmer and set the blade in at 6 1/2" and then brought the blade toward me, stopping at 1 1/2". Then I used scissors to trim up 1 1/2", removing the rectangle from the top edge.

 

I find it easier to punch a hole or slot for my ribbon now, before the wallet is folded.

To do that, use a round or slot punch and punch a ribbon slot - this will be on right hand middle panel, somewhat close to the edge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flip the (almost) square over and fold in each of the 4 corners on the score lines, so that each corner is now a triangle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flip the paper back over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now fold each vertical side under.

Hang in there, we're almost done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fold the bottom edge up toward the top, along the horizontal scored line.

 

 

 

Press hard on your folds.

 

 

 

Tuck one point down under the folded flap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fold the other point down and tuck under the flap.

Now you can see how I had one side in which to insert the gift card, and on the other side, I had a spot to insert a tag with a sentiment.

 

 

 

 

Your last fold is to fold the wallet in half vertically. This is the front before you decorate it. On the sample I showed you last time, I made a separate front and adhered it with foam adhesive which allowed me to run ribbon under the front around the back and through that slot.  Depending on your pattern, you may not want or need to do much with the front. Unless you like getting fancy (it is a gift after all), and this is a great opportunity to use up scraps!  

The inside tag and front  piece both measure 3 1/4" x 2 1/4".

 

 

Well, that's it! You don't have to wait until Christmas to make these, and I'd love to see yours, so leave me a comment with a link if you give it a go!

Thanks for popping by and blessings,

Ann

 

 

 

 

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

LOL!

It's July 25th. The Christmas in July day. Shops offer sales, etc.  Can you believe just 5 months from now, it's Christmas time? Forget swimming pools and humidex readings, we'll be talking snow and wind chill!

So, in honour of Christmas in July,  here's a little Christmassy item for you to check out:

Papercrafters are always looking for ways to pretty up a gift card, and I learned this gift card technique a few years ago.

It's a cute little wallet - style gift card holder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what it looks like when the ribbon is unfolded and it is opened.

I couldn't find a gift card, new or used, so I put a copy card in the slot just to show you the wallet.

In the right pocket, I put a tag.

 

 

Here's a close up of this simple tag.

The patterned papers are a Christmas line from Best Creation - love the glittery ornaments!

This wallet style gift-card holder is created through origami. Yes, just simple folds and 1 cut to make it. I am working on a tutorial for it, and will post it later this week.

 

 

Meantime, if you are living somewhere where the heat is sweltering, like almost everywhere in North America right now, maybe thinking about Christmas can help you cool down!

 

 

 Thanks for dropping by!

Blessings,

Ann

supplies: patterned paper - Best Creation; cardstock, stickers, punches, stamp and ink - Stampin' Up!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Gift Card Holder

DD decided on a gift card for her home room teacher's gift. I woke up one morning last week and knew I wanted to put it in a holder to pretty it up a little. I had an idea of how to make it, because I've seen them before online, but just went at it without a template. Here's what I came up with.

 

This is the inside.

I took a strip of 12 x 12 and started accordian folding it, keeping the dimensions of the card in mind. I glued the mountain fold together on the top, bottom, and outside edges, with 2 sided tape. For the inside edge, I used a circle punch to create the inverse tab, and then used scissors to cut a slot along that folded edge, just wide enough for the card.

 

I layered some papers to create a space for her to write a note to the teacher on the back flap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the front. We stamped the ornament and Sarah coloured it in with markers to match the paper colours. We added some stickles for some sparkle.

I created a belly band to keep the holder closed and adhered the stamped image to it.

All papers are old Stampin' Up scraps, and the stamp is unknown - I got it in a swap.

 

Quick and easy - got to like that this time of year!

What is your quick and easy project this year?

Stripey Pink & Green

There are about a half dozen card challenges and half dozen layout challenges on at My Sketch World with more going up this weekend - we turned National Scrapbook Day into a month long celebration. One of the card challenges was to show some stripes in your card.

Each week, one of the dt members at Little Red Wagon issues a challenge and sometimes I have time to play along -this week was one of them! I combined the stripe challenge with the challenge proposed by Roseanne from Little Red Wagon to use pink & green on your card. Here's what I came up:

It's a bit different from my usual style, less stampy, I guess! But I think my mom will like it - It will be a Mother's Day card.

I started out by making the organdy ribbon flower. See the needle? I just ran the needle using a basting stitch and then gathered the ribbon into a flower.

See the papers underneath? I hadn't altogether decided which striped pp to use yet - I was deciding between 3, but went with the black & white Doodlebug paper.

Once the flower was done, I thought it needed to be pink, so I poured a few drops of SU's Pretty in Pink reinker into a little glass, added a drop of water and swished the flower around in it and then let it dry - it didn't take long. You don't want to hit this with the heat tool, or it will melt.

I used the brayer and Pretty in Pink inkpad to tint that stripey paper and tone down the white. I loved the black and white when I started, but found it stark as I rolled along.

At first, I had run the Pretty in Pink cardstock through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder and then stamped 1 flourish image (Baroque Motifs - SU), but it was smudged and I wasn't liking it, so I stamped 2x on a cardfront and left off with the dry embossing.

Here's a close up of it now that it has all come together.

I ran the narrow organdy ribbon through a Certainly Celery inkpad to tint it green, and used a Copic marker to tint the pearl for the flower center. The glittery flowers have been kicking around for a while waiting to be used. I cut a green flower apart to use it as leaves.

I thought it would be fun to share the process of how a card comes together. Some come together easily - you can envision it and go, and some there is a process. Same holds true for layouts. How about you? Do your projects come together easily or is it a bit of a journey to get to the final product?

I have one more thing to show you - remember I mentioned that dh had taken a call that informed me that I had won a prize at Scrapfest? It arrived late last week. I was surprised and thrilled at the generosity. Here is what I won:

Starting at 12:00, you see an advertising postcard for the sponsor/booth that hosted this draw. It's a store in Campbellford ON called The Frog's Whiskers. Going clockwise, there is an accordion folder for stickers, watercolour markers, 2 bottles of Silk, a Top Boss mini pad (which is great because my VersaMark pads are disgusting), some white ep, and a blue inkpad in a shade I don't have, an Aqua Painter, teapot stamp, alpha stickers, a duck stamp that is NOT a morning person, a stamp that says Good morning, some stickers, ribbon, fancy edge scissors, and their stamp catalogue.

Can you believe all this goodness - I was really surprised when the box arrived. Thank you Frog's Whiskers!

   

These are those little bottles. The product is called Silk, and its a glimmery ink in a bottle that gets painted on like nail polish would. So the control is different than with products like Glimmer Mist, where things are sprayed and spattered.

I believe the Stampa Rosa company that produced them is now out of business, but there are new products that are similar, like Smooch. I'm going to enjoy playing with these, I think. And then I'll wish they weren't out of business - lol!

Gift for the Teacher

Oh so frustrating - I had this post done and went to save it and it disappeared, so here we go again!

Last minute Annie here spent the evening making this stationary ensemble as a thank you gift for Sarah's teacher.

This is a box with a pull-out folio, and the genius behind the design is Andrea Walford. She's brilliant when it comes to boxes and packages!

Without a template, I thought I'd give it a go.

I started with Elegant Eggplant cardstock, because Sarah said Miss Jackson loves purple. Do you realize we don't have any designer paper with purple in it? Well, we have one, but I don't own it. Not even in my stash of retired paper. So I went with the paper from Crew Cut Girls because it has a bit of gray in it that I thought would work with the Eggplant, and then the pinks and greens would brighten it up.

The set used is new - like out of the yet to be released new catalogue - new! It's called Fresh Cuts. All colouring was done with a blender pen and the Elegant Eggplant, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Wild Wasabi inks.

When you tug on the ribbon handle at the right, this slides out of the box...

... well it's this when you flip it open once.

I thought the greeting was appropriate for a teacher:

May happiness touch your life today as you have so often touched the lives of others.

That sentiment comes from a set in the Occasions mini called For Father. See, it's not just for fathers. :-)

When you flip these pieces out, you get...

... this.

Each pocket holds 2 thank you cards and envelopes.

Unfortunately I don't have photos of the cards - they got lost in uploading. The joys of technology - it's only as good as the operator!

In addition to this boxed set, Sarah made a cardstock basket onto which she wrote all kinds of sentiments and memories of grade 3. She used some eggplant grosgrain to tie in a bag of Steeped Cherry Rose Sencha. We also added some Geronimo Stilton and Magic Treehouse books. I added my Tart & Tangy card using the chalkboard technique - you can see it here. So she's receiving something for herself and something for her classroom - I hope she likes it!