H2H Wedding Challenge

Did ya miss me?
Sorry for being MIA, I had a little boiling water accident and kind of melted my right hand, so was unable to do much of anything last week (except whine and swear, I'll admit it. Burns really hurt! especially on the soft parts between your fingers.)  That's what happens when you try to do 14 things at once, life has a way of forcing you to slow down sometimes.  For the record, I'm not a big fan of the 'Pasta Express', one big burnt thumbs down.  I'm all good now, just a little peeling but no more pain and shouldn't be any major scars.  I apologize for not leaving comments on everyone's blogs, but I suck at typing as it is, let alone doing it with just my left hand.  I'll try to get around to everyone's blogs this week to catch up.

H2H has a new challenge up today...and the theme is WEDDINGS!  I loved this challenge :)

I went all out with the bling, but kept my color scheme very muted. I think the end result is very elegant, which is the look I was going for:

(You can click the pics to see them in more detail.  I highly reommend it for this card because I had a tough time photographing all the shiny/sparkly details.)

This is the folded card, it fits in a standard A2 card envelope. Why yes, that is embossing on the envelope, thanks for noticing!  It just seems to make it more formal somehow.

And here it is open:

Just google tri-shutter card fold and you'll find several templates/tutorials to make one.  It looks difficult, but is really very simple to make.

Here are some close-ups of each section:

Don't you just love the bling on the ring?

I left the top edge of this white panel open to create a little pocket for a gift card or cash, I should have taken a better picture of this but I think you can visualize it:)  I purposely left this area blank so there is a spot to write on.

All the stamped sentiments and images are heat embossed with silver, and I used rhinestone and silver accents. I love the way this turned out! The pattern paper is from the CTMH Bliss Level 2 paper pack, one of my faves from the CTMH Spring/Summer Idea Book.  If you don't recognize it, it's because I used the reverse side of the colored pattern to showcase the coordinating gray pattern.  For a complete list of the supplies I used, a recipe is at the bottom of this post. 

You should check out what the rest of the DT has made for this challenge, awesome stuff!  And, we have a new Guest Designer joining us this month, Jena from Live, Love, Laugh, Scrapbook...welcome to the DT Jena!  (Jena was our Top Chick for April.  Want to get a guest spot on the DT?  You just have to play along!  If your entry makes it to the top of our Top 10 you are in!)

Now it's your turn to play along.  Create something for a wedding, and link it up at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog so we can all see! 

We have new sponsors for June: Michelle Owen of Cutezie Creations and Romaine Rancier of Bumbles n Bees who have generously donated some fabulous prizes!  Head over to their blogs and leave them some love.  You have until the end of June to play along with all the challenges this month! The more you play, the more chances you have to be a random prize winner or a future guest designer Top Chick!  Remember, Heart to Heart is a CloseToMyHeart challenge blog, to be eligible for any prizes your project must include CTMH products.

Thanks for visiting my blog,

Lorrinda

Supplies all CTMH unless noted:

Paper: X7132B Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack

Stamps: D1337 Love Always, C1227 Our Wedding Day (retired, used the sentiment for the envelope)

Z669 Silver Embossing Powder

Z1104 Clear Sparkles

Z1263 Bitty Sparkles

Z1366 Metal Brad Assortment

White flowers by Petaloo

White satin edge with silver organdy ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon

What's YOUR Favorite Technique?

It's Monday again!  Is it just me or does time move faster as you get older?  I was so busy last week, spring cleaning and getting the yard ready for summer and cleaning out the camper...whew!  The weather has been warm but very windy, so I was glad to retreat into my craft room to create my project for this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge....which is show us your favorite technique!

I love to use fun and interesting techniques on my paper crafts, there are so many it was tough to choose just one, but if I have to pick I'd say embossing!  I love dry embossing to give a raised texture, and I love to watch embossing powder melt with a heat gun.

Here's my card featuring these 2 embossing techniques:

I had planned to do a tutorial for you, but the week just got away from me!  So I'll tell you what I did:

The background layer is embossed using my Cuttlebug and Oval (from Heritage Set) embossing folder.  I then sanded the raised image to reveal the white core of the CTMH cardstock.  I cut out another oval to fit so the center panel could be popped up.  I then stamped the image from CTMH D1455 Blessed stamp set using Versamark ink, used white embossing powder, and heat set it.  The sentiment from D1476 Card Chatter-Sympathy set was done the same way.  I thought it need a little wash of color, so I colored the bird and flowers using CTMH markers. Added white grosgrain ribbon and some half pearls to dress it up a bit.  So, this card is only 2 layers, but the embossing adds so much texture and dimension!

This week, we want to know what YOUR favorite techniques are!  Need some ideas?  Check out what the talented gals on the DT have to share with you.  They are always full of great ideas! 

Don't forget you must use some CTMH product on your creation. Link up your project to H2H for a chance at some great prizes from our generous sposors, Angel and Sharon at the end of the month, or possibly a spot on our Top 10, where you may get chosen to join us as a future Guest Designer!

Thanks for popping by today!

Lorrinda

Recipe:

All product CTMH

stamps: D1455 Blessed and D1476 Card Chatter-Sympathy

cardstock in White Daisy and Garden Green
Z1294 Sanding kit
Z673 White Daisy embossing powder
Z555 Craft heater
Z270 White Daisy Grosgrain ribbon
markers in Baby Pink, White Daisy and Desert Sand

Other product:
Provocraft Cuttlebug and embossing folder (Heritage Set-Oval)

Dreaming of a White Christmas...

I made this card for my parents, had to make it big (5x7") to include kid's school portraits. I don't know why I don't make big cards more often, they just seem more festive somehow...
 

I was feeling the white....

Cut the snowflakes on my Cricut using Home Accents cartridge. Dabbed them with liquid glue and covered them with glitter. Arranged the snowflakes in a wreath circle, added adhesive pearls and ribbon. The sentiment is embossed in a silver pearl color (tough to photograph the sheen, but it's real purty IRL), and I used a pearl paint brushed on the edges for some extra shine. 

I like how this turned out, I wanted something simple and elegant and I think this works.

And, it was easy to make :)

Merry Christmas!

Lorrinda

Recipe:

All CTMH Products

Cardstock: White Daisy

Stamps: C1281 Card Commentary and C1379 Holiday Commentary

Z678 Silver Pearl Embossing Powder

Z1039 Pearl Paint

Z1336 Pearl Opaques 1/2 pearls

Z134 Prisma Glitter

Craft Heater

paint brush

White ribbon from my stash



Get Organized! P3 challenge 12-1-10

It's a crazy time of year for most of us. I don't know about you, but I am drowning in lists. To do lists, grocery lists, shopping lists, wish lists from the kids, gift idea lists (and I always seem to forget someone), scribbles of menus being planned etc, etc...

The challenge at Paper Cubed this month is to make something to help us say organized this holiday season, some kind of to do list or organizer. What perfect timing! I made this Holiday Planner for the challenge, and it took all my will power NOT to start writing in it before I got photos to share. Trust me, it's covered in my scribbles now, and how handy to have all my lists in one place!

Here is my pretty Holiday Planner before I started filling it with my notes and lists:

Closed it is the size of a wallet to easily fit in my ginormous purse.

When I open the flap, I find my handy calendar and a pen.

And inside are all my lists, with handy pockets for stamps and receipts.

You can click the pic for a closer look...

How's that for organized? Pop over to the Paper Cubed Challenge Blog to see what the fabulously organized DT has come up with to inspire you.  You have the entire month to create a planner, list, calendar or something else that will help to keep you organized (I suggest you start now, only 24 more days until Christmas!), play along with us and link it up to the December challenge. You could win a prize!

I have seen these file folder organizers before, but I didn't have a file folder so I made one with what I had in my stash. Because it's almost Christmas, and because I love my followers, I made up a tutorial for you!  Actually there are 3 tutorials included, instructions to make the planner folder, a link to a cricut tutorial, and a faux leather tutorial.  This is going to be the longest post in history, so if you don't want to view the tutorials you can just scroll to the bottom to leave a comment :) 

For those who want to see how this was made, read on...

HOLIDAY PLANNER TUTORIAL



You will need 2-12"x12" solid cardstock for base, 2 or 3 coordinating patterned pages for embellishing, neutral 81/2x11"cardstock for labels, plus a coordinating color of cardstock for matting, a paper trimmer, score board or bone folder for scoring, plus strong adhesive (I used 1/8" and 1/4" scor-tape) and 2 brads plus a fancy brad or button for front. I also used Versamark clear ink, clear embossing powder and a small ball stylus to make the faux alligator front flap.

Take 1st piece of cardstock base, trim off 1.5" from one side.

OK, I am Canadian and do know the metric system,

but for this tutorial I am going to use inches because it's just easier.

Now score along the shorter side at 3.5" and 7"

Rotate the page and score at 8.5"

Fold bottom flap up and press well along score line.

Then fold along vertical score lines as shown.

Now take 2nd piece of cardstock and score it at 3.5" and 8"

Now rotate it at score at 8.5" too.

Now you need to trim out the bottom pieces as shown, the bottom flap is trimmed below the 8.5" score line at 3.5 inches and 7" (that is 1" in from the vertical 8" score line) Hope I didn't lose you there.

Now fold along the score lines as shown.

Measure in 2" from the right flap, make a pencil mark,

do this along the bottom edge too.

Use a round object, line up those marks and trace the curved outline.

Cut out along curved edge to make the wallet flap.

I used 2 brads on the back for my closure, but since I have completed this project I have thought of several other ways I could have done it. Isn't that always how it happens? Well, they are in my pics so I thought I should explain why. I put the brads in at this point so I can hide the prongs on the other side as I am decorating it. You could make a belly band or a strap/buckle type thing to hold this wallet closed as well, if you prefer that, then skip the brads.

Time to adhere the 2 pieces of cardstock to create the folder. Use a strong adhesive so it doesn't fall apart.  I like Scor-tape, but the red line tape would work well too.  Apply the tape to the left flap as shown.

 Place the 1st piece over top of the taped flap, make sure the edges are straight.

Press it down good and tight.

My favorite part is embellishing with the pattern papers. Here, I used 4 pieces cut at 3.25" x 6", don't worry about them being short, the bottom flap/pockets will cover it.

You need a fine strip of glue for the flap/pockets. 

 I used 1/8" scor-tape, but a fine bead of strong glue would work too.

Fold the flaps over and press down. Embellish as desired. I used 3.25" square pieces of coordinating paper, the middle 2 are actually little envelopes to hold small things like stamps and gift cards or receipts.

For the labels, I printed them with my computer, spaced out on the cardstock. I then used the center point function on my cricut to cut them out. If you've never used this function on your cricut, I highly recommend you check out THIS VIDEO on YouTube and learn how to do it. It's fast and way easier than storing a bunch of punches or die cuts. You could use a punch or die cut system, but I spent alot of $ on my cricut and it does all these things for me, once I figured out how to use it.

I matted the labels on a contrasting color of cardstock, also cut (a bit bigger) with my cricut.

I used foam dots to mount them so the paper/list inserts would easily slip under them.

The page inserts are free printables I found at http://www.organizedchristmas.com/

FAUX LEATHER FINISH

If using this finish on your Holiday Planner, it may be easier to do before you embellish the inside.

For the faux leather finish on the flap of my wallet, I first masked off the part I wanted to do.

Apply versamark clear ink generously over entire surface.

Cover well with clear embossing powder.

Use a ball stylus or other dull small edge (a dried up ball point pen would work) to drag fine lines through the embossing powder. No need to be straight, irregular lines look better anyway when done.

Gently tap off the big crumbs of embossing powder left over from the dragging. (Don't put these stray bits back into your embossing powder jar unless you want lumpy hard chunks in it)

Now melt it with your heat gun!

I just love heat embossing, the image appears right before your eyes like magic.

I then popped a pretty brad on the flap, and for the closure...I wrapped a piece of stretchy silver cord around the brads on the back so I can do this:

...and wrap it around the front like this:

As I said before, I now have thought of a better way to do this. I don't like belly bands because I always wreck them, but I think a strip of faux leather embossed cardstock to fold over from back to front, with a velcro tab to hold it under the fancy button would work great. I'll try that next time. Maybe you can think of a better way to hold this closed. This stretchy cord works great though, and expands if the contents get bulky (and they will).

Try one for yourself, or make something totally unique to get yourself organized,

and link it up to the Paper Cubed Challenge Blog for our December challenge.

I wish you all an organized and stress free Christmas!

Lorrinda

Recipe:

CTMH Products available on my website:

#G1014 Mistletoe Worksop on the Go Kit , contains the cardstock, pattern papers, stamp set and beautiful brad embellishments.

CTMH inks in #Z2114 Cocoa and #Z2120 Garden Green for distressing edges and #Z2116 Cranberry for the ornaments.

#Z1088 Chocolate Waxy Flax on ornaments

#Z671 Clear embossing powder

#Z891 Versamark clear ink

#Z338 Fiskars Paper Trimmer

#Z1204 Bone Folder

#Z555 Craft Heater

Other products used:

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

Scor-Tape in 1/8" and 1/4"

Scissors

Stretchy silver cord from SU

Cricut Expression and Storybook Cartridge

Printables from www.OrganizedChristmas.com

Red Stickles on the labels

Post it notes

Ruled paper

Red pen

Techniques:

masking

Faux leather heat embossing



P3 Challenge 11-1-10 Wineglass Candle Lampshade

Where has this year gone? I can't believe it's November 1 already!
Time for a new challenge at Paper Cubed!
The challenge this month is to create a candle/votive holder, luminary, wrap or decoration of some kind. It can be any theme.
So, whip out your candles and your craft supplies and create a 3D project that shines!
Head on over to Paper Cubed to get all inspired by the rest of the fabulous design team, then upload your project so we can all "ooh and ahh" over it!

Here's my contribution this month, I went with a fall/leaf theme for my friends south of the border who celebrate Thanksgiving this month:

I made a wineglass candle lampshade

It starts with a mismatched wine glass that's just collecting dust.

(You know, the one way in the back of the cabinet that used to be

part of a matching set until you moved and broke a couple?)

Just plop a real votive or battery operated candle inside:

(If using real candles, please don't leave unattended!)

Here's a pic of it lit up, it looks really pretty with the light glowing through the leaves, but it's difficult to capture with a photograph:

The shade is made out of vellum cardstock, which is heavier than vellum paper.

(You could also use cardstock and punch a design out of it to let the light through.)

I dug out my ancient Fiskars border scissors for the top scallops, and sponged it with Sorbet ink. Then I stamped it in Sorbet, Autumn Terracotta, honey and Barn Red with scrolls and leaves from CTMH stamp set B1355 Timeless (available only with the Olivia Workshop on the Go Kit), which were then embossed with clear detail powder because the ink seemed to be taking forever to dry. I added a hand-gathered 1" paper ruffle (pattern paper from CTMH Felicity promo kit) to the inside of the bottom edge, and hid the glue which showed through the vellum with a strip of stitched honey color ribbon. Then I attached the edges of the shade together, overlapping them by about 1/4". I used 1/8" scor tape for the whole project so it won't fall apart. Then I used the same ribbon to accent the stem of the glass, with some curly vines made by wrapping some chocolate waxy flax around a cocktail stick to curl it. Added some fabric leaves from my junk drawer under the glass for an extra pop of color.

These would be really pretty (and cheap) to make for a wedding or any party table.

Here is a template I came up with for this lampshade. I printed it as big as I could get it on an 81/2 x 11" page. You may need to resize it to fit your wineglass.

Join us at Paper Cubed this month for an illuminating challenge! ;)

You could score a $15 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink!

There are also a couple of openings on the Design Team...see P3 blog for details.

Thank you for visiting my blog,

Lorrinda
**********************************************************
EDIT:
I have had many emails requesting help with the ruffle edge:
.
For the box pleat ruffle, I used 3 strips of pattern paper cut at 1"x12", (there will be a bit of scrap ruffle left over from this)  To fold the ruffle, it's basically a valley fold, mountian fold, mountain fold, valley fold (with the valley folds touching under the pleat) for each box pleat. I found a video by the master Tresa Black that shows it for those who need a visual HERE.

To attach it, I ran a strip of 1/8" scor-tape (any strong double-sided tape will work, I just like scor-tape best for curved lines) along the INSIDE bottom edge of the decorated vellum shade, and attached the ruffle box-pleat side down, overlapping the edges of the 3 strips of ruffle to look like one continuous strip (trim off any excess, I had about 3" ruffle strip left over). Then flip it over, run another strip of scor-tape along the OUTSIDE bottom edge for the ribbon to hide the adhesive and uneven edge of ruffle that show through the vellum.  Then, when the shade is fully decorated, run another strip of scor-tape along one of the straight edges, curl the shade, overlap the straight edges by 1/4 inch and stick together. Ta-da! Pretty vellum shade! It is much easier to decorate the shade while flat, then curl it together last.

I hope this helps those who are having difficulty with the ruffle edge! 
Thanks for your comments!

Under the Northern Lights

This week's challenge at H2H is to add dry or heat embossing to a project. I went a little crazy with the embossing, (I love embossing!) I used 4 different embossing techniques:

1. Cuttlebug embossing using divine swirls folder on vellum:

Tip: Vellum tends to crack when embossing like this, I found misting it with water first really helped.



2. Dry embossing by scoring a border with a stylus, then sanding the raised edge to reveal the white core of CTMH cardstock:

3. Heat embossed text, using clear detail embossing powder on sentiment while ink is still wet, then melting it with a heat gun. The effect is subtle and hard to photograph, but IRL you can see the shine and feel the raised edge of the font:

4. Heat embossing the main image with white embossing powder, which was then cut out and popped up on 3D squares to give it some dimension:

                                     

And, I put them all together to make this scene: (you can click on the pic for a larger view)

                            

 I made several attempts on scrap paper to get the northern lights effect that I was looking for. If you've ever seen them from Northern Alberta, you know that it is a beautiful sight. I have seen them dance and change colors from pinks to greens, and the ethereal glow they cast on the landscape below is just amazing. However, it is difficult to photograph, much less draw. I used white daisy pigment ink and dabbed it on in a random "dancing" pattern, then while the ink was still wet, I dragged a dry paintbrush through it. Next I used a dry brush to "paint" the colors on with teal and purple chalks. The white pigment ink caught some of the colors of the chalks. The overall effect wasn't exactly what I was going for, but this is as close as I could get to the "image" in my mind!

I then added a Christmas star, embossed it with white daisy embossing powder, then filled it in with some stardust glitter gel, which I also used as glistening snow.  I finished it off with some tiny stars (Northern Lights can only be seen on a clear night) using  a CTMH White Daisy marker. I just love the sentiment, it couldn't be more true!

Isn't embossing fun?! Now, pop on over to H2H for some more fabulous embossing inspiration from the uber-talented design team, then play along and create something using an embossing technique. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Thanks for visiting my blog!
Lorrinda

Recipe:
CTMH products:
Stamp Sets: C1424 Nature's Gift (bear and sentiment)
                  D1305 Gloria (star)
Papers: Cardstock in White daisy(snow and card base), 
                             Twilight(bear),
                              and Outdoor Denim(sky)
            Vellum paper
Embossing powders: White Daisy and Clear Detail
White daisy pigment ink pad
White daisy marker
Versamark ink pad
Summer Soft Chalks
Glitz Glitter gel in Stardust
Tools:  Dry embossing/scoring stylus
           Sanding kit
                Craft heater
           Paper trimmer

Other products:
Cuttlebug and Divine Swirls embossing folder
Paintbrush