Category: Techniques

Create a Iridescent Birthday Card using StyletechCraft Opal Vinyl

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Create a Quick and Easy Iridescent Birthday Card with StyleTechCraft Opal Vinyl.

When making a card using StyleTechCrafts Opal Vinyl, a regular picture just won’t do.

You need to see the shimmery iridescent fun.

StyleTechCraft’s Opal Vinyl is one of the coolest vinyl they have.

The colors shift dramatically based on light and their surroundings and adds a little

razzle dazzle to this simple birthday card.

To make the Birthday Card I used…                                        (*amazon affiliate links)

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Directions:                                

  • Cut several 3/4″ strips of Opal Vinyl and stick it onto a 4 1/2″ X 6″ piece of black cardstock.  For my card I used Pink, Blue and Green Opal Vinyl.
  • Trim the excess vinyl strips from the sides of the cardstock.
  • Cut the cardstock 4″ x 5 1/4″.

  • The embossing folder creates a wonderful raised background.

  • Using a weeding tool carefully remove the negative spaces in and around the letters.
  • Place a piece of Vinyl Transfer Tape* over the letters.  Rub over the letters using a vinyl scraper tool to help the vinyl cling
  • Apply words onto a piece of 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″ white cardstock.
  • Remove transfer tape.

  • To give the card additional dimension…I added a piece of thin foam onto the back of the white cardstock.

  • Adhere the layers onto a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ white card.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

You can now find the full line of StyletechCraft online at ATSM.

Diamond Art…a new trend in crafting

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Diamond Art by Leisure Arts 

This past week-end was a stormy, nasty, stay indoors kind of week-end.

The perfect time for crafting and learning/trying something different.

I’d been wanting to start the new Rose Diamond Art kit that I received from Leisure Arts.

I knew the kit was going to take a little time and I was just waiting for the perfect opportunity

to give it my full attention.

What is Diamond Arts?

It is a new trend in crafting.

It’s similar to cross stitching and paint by numbers.

“A little bit tedious, curiously addicting and extremely satisfying.”

It was so addicting that I didn’t want to stop…

I had to bring it down onto the kitchen counter so I could work on the it while cooking dinner.

Leisure Arts makes kits for beginners, intermediate and advanced.

They have a great selection of Diamond Arts Kits for both kids and adults.

The Rose Diamond Art kit includes:

  • One High Quality Printed Fabric
  • Gems Pre-sorted by Color
  • Stylus
  • Craft Tray
  • Wax Piece
  • Comfort Grip
  • Instructions

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

The rose design is pre-printed on the fabric with the symbols for the Diamond Art gems and

is coated with a special adhesive.  You pick the gem up using the stylus and place the gem

onto the corresponding symbol on the printed fabric.

It really is that easy.  Great for kids age 8 and up.

The kits comes with photos and great instructions.

If you’re a visual learner like me, check out the video below.

LeisureArts.com has a great selection of Diamond Arts kits that you can purchase online.

If you sign up for email updates you can get 15% off your first order.

THANK YOU Leisure Arts for providing this awesome Rose Diamond Art kit.

Creating a Mini Album with Xyron

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Creating a Mini Album using the Xyron Creative Station…

This week the Xyron Design Team was asked to post about our favorite Xyron Product.

With so many wonderful Xyron items to choose from it was a hard decision.  

 When it comes to making Mini Albums, Tags and Altered Home Décor pieces,

the Xyron Creative Station* is hands down my favorite product to use.

When I go to the effort to create, I don’t want my projects falling apart.

With the Xyron Creative Station* you get complete coverage, no gluing, no wrinkling,

no bubbles!  There are so many refill cartridge options available in both the 9″ and 5″ sizes.

*Disclosure:  This blog post uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

To make my Mini Albums…

  • I use chipboard or mat board for the base of my Mini Album and cut it to my preferred size.
  • I cut decorative scrapbook paper to fit onto the base.
  • Put the paper design side up on the  *Xyron Creative Station, 9″ crank the handle to run the paper through the machine.  As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper.  Easy to use and it doesn’t need any electricity.
  • Line up the paper onto the chipboard.

  • Create extra pages for the inside of the Mini Album using cardstock or coordinating scrapbook paper.
  • Bind the album together using a Book Binding Machine*.
  • Embellish the front of the album with frames, flowers, charms, stickers and ribbon.

  • I created a frame for the cover using chipboard and scrapbook paper and cutting it out using a steel rule die.
  • You can run the frame through the Xyron Creative Station* also.
  • The Creative Station makes quick work of putting my Mini Album together.

The paper used on my Mini Album was from Simple Stories Merry & Bright Collection*

 “This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Xyron Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

Let it Snow Painted Canvas

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A Simple DIY Holiday Canvas

Christmas came early for the Xyron Design Team  and I love a good present.

We all received a wonderful box of paints and supplies from Derwent Academy.

It’s been a while since I’ve painted with acrylics on canvas so I decided to keep it

simple and festive.

I painted my canvas with a mixture of Cerulean Blue, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue

and Titanium White.  I was going for a “snowy sky”.

I added a few stenciled snowflakes on the corners and then splattered the canvas with

titanium white paint using an old toothbrush.   (I kept it really simple)

I used random chipboard letters and painted them with a mixture of Cobalt Blue and

Purple Violet to make them all match.

After the letters had dried, I stamped them with silver ink.

I used my Xyron 9″Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of the chipboard letters

before adhering them to my canvas.  I even used it on the large white wood snowflake.

I added the canvas to an antiqued silver frame for a cute Holiday Decoration.

Here’s the Derwent links to the products I used:

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Xyron Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Happy Holidays Chalkboard Sign

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How to Create a Happy Holidays Chalkboard Sign with a Simple Button Bow.

I really enjoy working with vinyl and love coming up with simple Holiday DIY projects.

The Happy Holidays Sign was one of the projects we created in last month’s Holiday Workshop.

For my sign, I used Styletech Craft’s Ultra Metallic Glitter Adhesive Vinyl in red, green and

white.  The Ultra Metallic Glitter Vinyl has a white backing which ensures the colors stay bright

and true no matter what surface you apply it too.

To start my project…                                                                                 (*amazon affiliate links)

  • I used a piece of Wood Hardboard*.  (it’s like a hole-less peg board) I cut mine 5 1/2 x 7 1/2″.
  • Drill two small 3/8″ holes in the top of the board to use for hanging the sign.
  • Paint the board using DecoArt Black Chalkboard Paint*.
  • Lightly sand the board using 3M Sandpaper, 220-Grit*.  This smooths the board and allows a little bit of the brown board to show through for a vintage look.
  • Wipe the board with a clean soft cloth.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

  • I applied the words on the chalkboard using Styletech Clear Vinyl Transfer Tape*.
  • I applied the word “Holidays” first and lined the word “Happy” over top.
  • Cut a small white snowflake using white ultra metallic vinyl and add onto the sign above the word happy.
  • Create a “Button Bow”  for the top of your “Happy Holidays Chalkboard Sign”.
  • Directions for “button bow” below.
  • Add twine to the two top holes for hanging.
  • Glue Button Bow onto the top of the “Happy Holidays Chalkboard Sign” using craft glue*.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

How to Make a Holiday Button Bow…

  • Fold ribbon in thirds.  (like your getting ready to tie a tie.)
  • Gather and wrap twine around the center of the ribbon a couple of times and tie tightly.
  • Add a jump ring to the jingle bell and add onto one end of the twine and tie.
  • Add button to both ends of the twine and tie to the center of the bow.
  • Trim the ends of the ribbon and twine.

Ask for Styletech Craft vinyl at your local craft store

or online at ATSMCRAFT and limited availability on Amazon.

StyleTechCraft Christmas Colors Bundle on Amazon*

 

Shop Amazon Scrapbooking Supplies*

Sew Simple Fall Welcome Banner

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Sew Simple Fall Welcome Banner…

Welcome your guests all season long with this easy to make Fall Welcome Banner.

To make the Fall Welcome Banner you’ll need:

  • Two pieces of 8″ x 12″ plaid flannel
  • JoyⓇ Gold Iron-on Embroidered Letters
  • Felt:  Cream, Green and Tan
  • Beacon Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive*
  • Various Trims and Buttons
  • Sewing Machine
  • Iron
  • Bamboo Skewer

Directions:

  • Cut simple pumpkin shape out of cream felt.  You can find several simple pumpkin images online that you can trace onto the felt.
  • Cut a pumpkin stem from tan felt and leaves from green felt.
  • Glue shapes and trim onto flannel with fabric glue*.

    • Top stitch around pumpkin and trims on flannel using the sewing machine.

    •  Place second piece of flannel over the decorated piece and sew together leaving space for turning the right side out.  Sew banner closed.
    • Set iron to cotton setting, approx. 350°.
    • Iron banner to flatten.
    • Position letters with shiny side down onto flannel.
    • Cover letters with a clean soft cloths, with a firm pressure iron cloth over letters for 25 seconds.
    • Turn flannel over and iron the back of the letters for 25 seconds.
    • Create a small pocket by folding and sewing down top of banner.
    • Insert a bamboo skewer or small wood dowel on top of banner for hanging.

Joy® iron-on, embroidered letters and number sheets are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and fonts at your local craft stores.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Joy® Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

DIY Christmas Blocks from Wood Scraps

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Quick and Easy Christmas Decorations using Wood Scraps, Vinyl and Stencils.

Got any old wood scraps lying around?

My Dad used to keep a box of old wood scraps for the kids to build and play with.

I grabbed a few of the worn out blocks for my holiday projects.

To make the Holiday Blocks…

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

  • Use Vinyl Transfer Tape* to pick up and apply the word directly onto the block of wood.
  • Rub over the letters using a vinyl scraper tool to remove bubbles and help the vinyl cling to the wood surface better.
  • Remove transfer tape.

  • Tie a simple ribbon around holiday berries and glue it to the top of the painted wood block using a quick dry glue*.
  • I placed the block onto an old vintage metal base scrounged and saved from my Dad’s garage.  (I love reusing cool old vintage junk.)
  • The Stag and Merry Christmas images were also created using my Silhouette Cameo and applied the same way as the Believe block.)

really simple Holiday Décor.

StyleTechCraft Christmas Colors Bundle on Amazon*

If you don’t have access to an electronic die cutter you might want to try a little DIY stenciling.

  • The “Believe” wood block was painted with red acrylic paint and stenciled using the Believe stencil from DecoArts and a stencil brush*  

Another quick and easy Holiday DIY.

Need Stencils?  I have several DecoArts Stencils in my Etsy Shop.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

      

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Creating A Miniature “Christmas Magic” Room with Graphic 45 and Xyron

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How to Create A Miniature Christmas Room…

Graphic 45 Christmas Magic…Decorating the tree.

I knew as soon as I started working with Xyron that one day I would make a miniature room.

When I got the opportunity to work with Graphic 45’s “Christmas Magic” Collection,

I knew the time had come.  (Graphic 45 and Xyron are the perfect combination.)

Here’s What I used to make my Miniature Christmas Magic Room:            (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

How to make a miniature Christmas Magic Room…

  • My Christmas Room is 7 1/2″ wide, 7 1/2″ tall and 5 1/2″ deep.  I used 5 3/4″ x 7 1/2″ chipboard pieces.  (that’s what I had on hand)  You could use a 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ piece of chipboard for the back wall instead of piecing it together like I did.

  • I cut paper for my walls into 3 3/4″ strips.
  • I cut a small strip of paper for my decorative border.
  • I ran each of my strips through the Xyron Creative Station*.
  • Adhere paper to the chipboard.

The Creative Station is perfect for projects like this.  I wanted complete adhesive coverage on every corner and edge of the paper.  (No wrinkles, no bubbles, easy to use.)

  • I cut my paper slightly wider than I need so I can trim the edges with a craft knife.
  • Gently sand edges with a extra fine sanding block for the perfect edge.

  • Glue the walls together using a good craft glue.  I used wood boxes to hold my wall up while the glue dried.  (If you have a better idea I’d love to hear it.)

  • I covered the back of my room with coordinating paper and added small strips of paper on the back corners for added support.

  • I made a small fireplace out of chipboard.  (I needed a place to hang my stocking)
  • Paint the fireplace with white paint.  Give it a vintage feel by rubbing a little ink on the edges.

  • I purchased inexpensive unfinished doll furniture at the Dollar Tree* and painted it red.
  • For a vintage look add ink to the edges of the furniture.

  • I used stickers from the collection kit to make little framed art.

  • I made a small little crate to hold my “ornaments” out of chipboard and painted it brown.  I added a small “tis the season” sticker on the front.

  • I created a small picture using a sticker and chipboard and a small felt stocking to add to the mantel.

I have spent way to much time rearranging the furniture and playing with it.

It was a real labor of love.  (and I loved every minute of it)

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Xyron Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Fall Quilt Card…stenciling with ink

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Fall Quilt Card…stenciling with ink

a quick and easy fall card.

This week the Xyron® Design Team partnered up with Clearsnap® the maker of Colorbox® inkpads and more for some fun projects.

Here’s what I used:                  (*affiliate link)

Directions:

Place the stencil onto yellow cardstock and secured it with removable painters tape.

Ink the cardstock using the blending tool and Amber, Turtle and Cranberry Colorbox Inks.

The Art Screen stencil cleans up easily with water.

Cut the stenciled cardstock into small squares.    (Mine were slightly smaller than 1 inch.)

Place the squares through the Xyron 3″ Sticker Maker* for the perfect little sticker.

Adhere all the card layers using the Xyron Mega Runner*.

For added detail…draw in small stitch lines using a fine point marker and glue teeny tiny buttons into the center of each square..

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Xyron Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Dollar Store Pumpkin Makeover

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I love the look of heirloom pumpkins and those cute little white pumpkins called “baby boo”.

But…I always have a hard time finding them.

This year, I decided to make my own.

I found these cute little 4″ metallic pumpkins* at my local Dollar Tree*.

At $1.00 each, I couldn’t pass them up.

I painted the pumpkins with Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint in White Birch*.

It took 4-5 coats.  In hindsight, I wish I would have left a little green showing through.

I used Americana Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics Paint in Coffee Bean* to paint the stem and

accent the grooves of the pumpkin.  To make it look more realistic, I used a baby wipe to

strategically wipe off some of the extra brown paint.

I really please with the way they turned out.

Best part is… they won’t spoil and I can reuse them year after year.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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