Sheena A Little Bit Festive - Arriving Soon!

Can't get enough Christmas? Crafter's Companion is releasing the Sheena A Little Bit Festive Collection this Friday, and it's another must have Christmas Collection. I love the patchwork look of this Joy set!

Supplies

Sheena A Little Bit Festive Joy Stamp Set
Vintage Holly Embossing Folder
Spectrum Noir Markers: DR1, DR3, CR8, CR11, JG1, JG5, CT1, LG2, GB3, CT3, LG5

May Arts Ribbon

Core'dinations Cardstock

Crafter's Companion - Prestige Word Dies Sneak Peek

If you are looking for sentiments that make a statement, then you are going to flip for the new Die'sire Prestige Words that are being released later this month! Not only are the sentiments fun and inspiring, but they are so elegant, they become the focal point for the card.

Crafter's Companion Supplies

Die'Sires Prestige Words - Follow Your Dreams

Kimono Embossing Folder - Oriental Screen

May Arts Ribbon - HA-5-96

Core'dinations Cardstock

Father's Day Gift Bag

Here's a cute way to give Dad his treats this Father's Day. This shirt gift bag is quick and easy enough to get the kiddos in on the action as well. Think what fun it would be to have an ugly tie contest (and Dad wouldn't be stuck wearing it!)

Father's Day Gift Bag Supplies:

• Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection
• Kraft with Black Polka Dot Pops
• Sand-it Gadget
• Scor-pal
• Scor-tape

Step 1. Cut paper 10" x 11 1/2"
 Step 2. With the kraft side facing up, the the short edge lined up across the top fence, score at 2".
Step 3. Turn the paper a quarter turn, counter-clockwise and score at 1/2", 2 1/2", 6", and 8". Go to the first large block (between 2 1/2" and 6"), score every 1/4" - just down to the horizontal score, to create the pinstripes for the front of the shirt.
 Step 4. Turn the paper over, so that the color is facing upwards. Score at 4 1/2" and 10"  

Step 5. Clip the tabs at the bottom.
 Step 6. Sand the pin-stripes.

Step 7. Fold along the scores to assemble the bag.

Step 8. Pinch the top of the bag together, and cut an inch in on each side.

Step 9. Fold the tabs in to form the collar.

 
Step 10. Hand cut a tie. Adhere to the bag. Secure the collar using double sided tape.

Now the fun will just be thinking what goodies to put in your bag!

Metallic Bee Canvas

I love the metallic trend! and it's even better, when you can distress the finish. The new Tim Holtz Kraft Core Metallic Collection is amazing. I've created a trendy bee canvas to show you just how much fun you can have creating with this new paper.


 Metallic Bee Canvas Supplies:

• Kraft- Core Metallic Collection
• Core Essentials Neutrals
• Sand-It Gadget
• Darice Embossing Folders Bee Theme
• Sizzix Layered Bee Bigz Die
• VersaMagic Ink
• Scor-Tape
• Gold Canvas

 

Step 1. Cut strips of the copper paper 7 3/4" x 1 1/2" long. Emboss the paper. Since the paper is longer than the embossing folder, place the folder on the un-embossed end of the paper, line the design up and run through the machine again to emboss the full strip. 

 Step 2. Distress the raised areas with the Sand-it Gadget. This will reveal the kraft core.

 
Step 3. Add a layer of black slightly wider to the back of the embossed strip. Distress the edges with a tool or scissors.

 Step 4. With strong double sided tape, attach to the canvas.

 
Step 5. Die cut and emboss the bee using the gold paper. Distress the raised areas with the Sand-it
Gadget.

 
Step 6. Ink over the sanded areas with black ink.

 
Step 7. Use foam adhesives to mount the bee on the canvas.

This was a quick and stylish project to make. Wouldn't you Bee Happy to give it a try? ~ Gini

Altered Clipboard Teacher Present

The school year is winding down, and I don't know who is more excited, the kids or the teachers? That also means that it's time for end of the year goodies for those teachers, and this altered clipboard is perfect to help them make it to the final days! The chalkboard label provides the perfect place to start the countdown for summer.

 
Supplies for Altered Clipboard Teacher Gift

• Kraft with Black Polka Dot Pops
• Tim Holtz Kraft Core Seasonal Impressions
• Sand-It Gadget
• Stickerz
• Chalkboard Labels
• May Arts Ribbon 385-58-14
• Wooden Clipboard
• Xyron Adhesive

 

Step 1. Remove the hardware from the clipboard.
 Step 2. Cut paper to fit the board and adhere. Ink the edges. Replace the hardware.

Step 3. Cut the word "Freedom" from the Seasonal Impressions. Sand the raised area with the Sand-it Gadget.  
Step 4. Decorate the clipboard with the sanded cardstock, stickers and ribbons.

 These are easy to make and any teacher would appreciate it. Have you started your countdown for summer? ~Gini

Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop for April

Welcome, to the April Edition of the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog hop! The hop runs now through Friday night - at midnight.  And one lucky commenter, chosen from one of the stops on the blog hop, will win a $25 gift certificate to HC.  How great is that?  You get to hop around and see some wonderful projects, plus have the chance to win some goodies of your own!  The winner will be announced on Saturday, May 2nd, and will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

I loved the Peacock Paisley Collection  from the moment that I saw it.  My great-grandparents always had peacocks at their house, so this brings back so many wonderful memories.  I embossed a peacock with Core'dinations cardstock and sanded the image.  The peacock on the fence was fussy cut from the paper collection.  I added some fussy cut white daisies and then stamped and cut the Delightful Daisies to create the flower cluster.

 Supplies

Peacock Paisley Paper Collection 

Delightful Daisies PreCut Set HCPC 3656

May Arts Silk Ribbon Sk-125-04

Darice Embossing Folder

Spectrum Noir Markers: BT1, BT7, BT4

Blog Hop Order

Vicki Dutcher

Emilia van den Heuvel

Gini Williams Cagle

Ujjwal Gupta

Glenda Brooks

Sarah Miller

Amarilys Doria

Kerry Urbatch

Mary Faus

Caroline Duncan

Lisa Allen

Masculine Thank You Card

 

I'm back to share a rustic thank-you card featuring Technique Junkies stamps.  I know this is a bit autumnal, but I had been working on  a magazine submission, and messed up on the deadline~ but, I thought it turned out really cool, so I wanted to go ahead  and post it.

The Lovely Leaves background stamp was colored with Spectrum Aqua markers, and then I used a Jillibean Soup frame around it.  The sentiment is from Simple Sentiments 2a  which is a fabulous set with so many useful phrases.  The card was embossed using Core'dinations cardstock and the Parquet embossing folder from Crafter's Companion.

Challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday - CAS

Oh So Shabby Mother's Day Card

Are you intimidated by Shabby Chic styles? No need to fear, they are really pretty easy and very fun. I'm going to show you in a few steps how to add some easy techniques to achieve this trendy look.
 So Shabby Mother's Day Card Supplies:

• Core Essentials Pastels
• Sand It Gadget
• Darice Embossing Folder Large Petal Background
• Verve Stamp Sets:
• Petaloo Flowers
• Cheesecloth
• Want2Scrap Pearls
• Memento Luxe Ink - Angel Pink

 Step 1. Begin with a 4 x 6" card base.
 Step 2. Cut a slightly smaller panel and emboss. Sand the raised design.  
Step 3. Cut remaining mats as shown for card. Use a distressing tool to roughen the edges.  
Step 4. Have you ever wished that you could match embellishments to a patterned paper, and you just didn't have the right colors? It is so easy to create your own designer papers using Core'dinations and a simple background stamping. That way, you can create whatever you imagine. Randomly stamp a small image using an opaque ink.  
Step 5. Machine stitch the stamped panel and the backing panel together.  
Step 6. Add flower clusters, cheesecloth and sentiment as shown.
See, it's really easy to put together your own shabby chic card. Here are the key ideas to incorporate to get this look -

• Soft, muted colors
• Distressed edges
• Stitching
• Sanded embossed designs - especially florals
• Lots of layers with textures

Sneak Peek for Sheena's Laguna Release for Crafter's Companion

Crafter's Companion will be releasing a new line of stamps on April 14th - but I thought that you would enjoy a little preview now.  This is part of the Sheena Laguna Collection - and it's going to make you want to pack your bags and head out for vacation! Be sure to check back on Tuesday, when the stamps will be up on the Crafter's Companion Website.

Crafter's Companion - Sheena's Laguna Release

Stamp Set: The Beach
Spectrum Noir Markers: LG1,LG2, LG4, BT1,BT4, BG2, GG1,GG3, EB2,EB3, DG1, DG3, DG4, CG4, GB1, GB10, GB11, CR6, CR7, FL3, IB3, TB1
Spectum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock

May Arts Ribbon

April Showers Bring May Flowers

 

 It's wonderful to have a long holiday weekend, and I am enjoying the pretty spring weather.  I have a card to share with you today, again, using the Spectrum Aqua makers.  I created the background first with a wash of the markers, and sprinkled coarse salt on it while wet. I then stamped the wildflowers using the Wedding Dress Memento Luxe Ink, then drew on the stamp with my Aqua Markers, offset it from the original image and stamped again.  It created a lovely and subtle shadow for the flowers.

Crafter's Companion:

Sheena A Little Bit Sketchy: Silhouette Wildflowers

Vintage Floral: Floral Sentiments

Spectrum Aqua Markers: Moss, Bud Green, Sea Green, Aquamarine, Teal, Kingfisher, Begonia, Blossom

 Sheena A Taste of India 5 x 7 Indian Boquet Embossing  Folder; 

Imagine Crafts: Versafine Ink: Onxy Black;  Memento Luxe Ink: Wedding Dress

May Arts Ribbon AKB 66

 Want2Scrap Pearls

Core'dinations Cardstock: Pastels

Watercolor Paper

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday: Pastels

Spring Basket

Spring is in the air! And of course, that means baskets filled with treats! I began working on this project, and really didn't mean to make an Easter Basket, but since it's that time of year, that's exactly how mine turned out. But this simple creation could be used for any occasion, depending on your color scheme and decorations. Have you ever noticed that Core'dinations paper pads are grouped into colors that work great together? I used the Pastel Collection - which is perfect for Spring, but there are also the Brights, Darks and Neutral collections. I love having the papers that I need at my fingertips.

• 

  Spring Basket Supplies:

• Core Essentials Pastels
• Sand It Gadget
• Darice Embossing Folder - Paisley Background
• Crafter's Companion Sweet Treats Embossing Board - Sweet Things
• May Arts Ribbon
• Scor-tape
• CTMH Scalloped Punch

 Step 1. Using the embossing board template, score the container design twice.

  Step 2. Cut out the design with scissors.

 
Step 3. Score and fold.

 Step 4. Assemble with double-sided tape.
 Step 5. Cut four smaller panels to decorate the basket.
 Step 6. Emboss using the folder.
 Step 7. Sand the design to reveal the color core.

 Step 8. Add a strip of paper for the handle. Decorate the basket as shown.

 Hope your spring is filled with sweet memories! ~Gini

Bee Well Soon

Texture and mixed media are the "buzz" words now, and Core'dinations papers are the perfect paper for this trend. Not only is the paper great for tearing, embossing, and distressing to add texture, but many of the papers have an aged look already, like the Tim Holtz Shattered Collection that I used to create this Bee Well Soon Card.  
Bee Well Soon Supplies:

• Gemstones
• Kraft-core Shattered
• Kraft-core Nostalgic
• Stampendous: Queen Bee, Timeless Tags Stamps
• Penny Black: Sweet As Honey (sentiment) stamp
• Sizzix: Book Cover #1 Embossing Folder
• Spellbinders: Classic Ovals Small, Pierced Ovals Die Sets, Grand Calibur Machine
• Close To My Heart Heat Tool
• May Arts Ribbons: 445-15-32; SM-27
• Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Delicata Golden Glitz; Versafine Onyx Black; Memnto Luxe Elderberry ink pads; and Shimmer Spritz Sparkle; Radiant Neon Amplify – Black, Electric Yellow; Clear Embossing Powder
• Madeira: Gold Thread
• Xyron Adhesives
• Tapestry Needle

Step 1. Emboss a panel of Shattered with an embossing folder.  
Step 2. Rub gold ink over the raised areas and sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat set. Step 3. Stamp the bee and die cut.
 Step 4. Add hand stitching around the oval panel.
Step 5. Paint the bee with Amplify! and heat set to create dimension.
 Step 6. Layer the card as shown with mats, sentiment and ribbons.

 There are so many techniques to try using Core'dinations! Just jump in and give it a go. ~Gini

Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2015

Welcome to my Graphic 45 Design Team Audition for 2015!  As you know, I love all things vintage, so of course, Graphic 45's line always delights and inspires me.  I've made many G45 projects through the years, but am just going to share a few with you today to highlight my style.

1.  Steampunk Mermaid Assemblage Doll using papers from Steampunk Spells, Tropical Travelogue, and By the Sea Collections.  I love how the paper lines can be mixed from different collections, using the G45 signature colors for consistency.

And this mermaid has a secret....in her caged skirt, there are six hidden mini-albums.

 

2.  Magical Layout featuring an Eerie Tale Collection - It's fabulous that holiday collections can be used for non-seasonal projects as well an their intended theme.

 3.  Gold Ol' Sport 6 x 6" Card featuring the Good Ol' Sport Collection.  Graphic 45 is a dream for anyone who loves fussy cutting like I do....it's so much fun to add dimension to projects by layering the images.

 

( Interior of the card)

 

4.  Dream Card- 4" x 6" featuring the Artisan Style Collection.  Since I'm a native of Asheville, NC - this collection is one of my favorites.  It really echoes so much of the architecture and imagery that my home town is know for.  The matching stamp collections are wonderful additions to the line.

 

5.  Thinking of You 6" x 6" Card featuring the Botanical Tea Collection.  G45 has a line of matching card stock from Core'dinations that is just right for creating hand made flowers to add to projects.

 (Interior of Card)

6.  Saving for a Rainy Day Bank featuring the Raining  Cats and Dogs Collection.  I constructed this bank using Graphic 45's ATC box as the base for my dog house.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and allowing me to share my love for Graphic 45 with you!  Wish me luck!