Life's A Beach

I'm still on a big seaside kick...gotta use up that Tim Coffey paper and die cuts!  However this project has some personal elements thrown in as well...shells and sea glass from last year's cruise, driftwood I collected from Lake Superior and wooden beads from an old straw beach hat.  

  The base is an Altoids tin top that I covered completely with the designer paper.  I used Glossy Accents to hold the paper on all sides of the tin and to hold the jute on the edge.  The vintage image was sized and printed on cardstock.  The vial was filled with sugar (only because I was too lazy to head down to the beach for actual sand).  All the elements were attached with GA.  To easily add holes in the metal for the hanging portions, I used the Vintaj Hole Punch Pliers (I love this tool and use it for so many things).  Wire was used as the top handle and fish line was used for the dangle.   I used a black Sharpie and white gel pen to add the sentiment.   

Some of my Grand Turk treasures were a coral and shell piece, sea glass pieces and a little shell.  A round shell with a hole in it made the perfect end of my dangle.  The pearl came out of my bead box!
Entered into the following Challenges:
CRAFT YOUR PASSION--#173 3D
SPARKLE N SPRINKLE--ANYTHING BUT A CARD
OPUS GLUEI--DON'T BE SUCH A BEACH
SUGAR CREEK HOLLOW--WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
SIMON SAYS STAMP/MONDAY--ODE TO SUNSHINE

Vacation Card

Ahhh....Vacation!  Who doesn't love to go on vacation?  And making a vacation card is almost as good as going on vacation....ALMOST!  lol  

As today's designer over at CARD A DAY BLOG I'm featuring this yellow, black and white card made with "On the Boardwalk" paper from Graphic 45, Fiskars "Vacation" stamp and Dymo labels.  The sentiment was stamped on yellow paper and matted with black cardstock.  I used the Picket Fence Distress Marker to add white to the "Vacation" portion of the stamp, then went over it with a black Sharpie.  

Put together your own Travel card and enter it over at Card A Day Blog's Challenge!

Entered into the following Challenges:
CUTE CARD THURSDAY--BY THE SEASIDE
RHEDD AND ROSIES--ANYTHING GOES
SCRAP-CREATIONS--VACATION
TUESDAY THROWDOWN--TOES IN THE SAND

Christmas in July SVG Sale & A Freebie!

It's been a while since I offered a SVG sale and as I was "spotlighted" in the recent CUT AND CREATE newsletter, I figured now was the time!  So this weekend, you will save 50% off all Christmas, Hanukkah and winter files...20 to choose from.  Just click on the Cut and Create link above to go to the store.

Here's a look at my newest SVG files:

The versatile "Travel Set" can be found HERE.  

I think that these are great for scrapbooking but would also make awesome elements for tags, journal pages and multi-media projects.  Stencils are super hot right now.  Cut them from acetate and make your own!

Same with the "Summer Picnic" set.  The food diecuts would be perfect on a party invitation, used for placecards  or even turned into fun party decorations.  You can find it HERE.

Finally, here is a FREEBIE that would be fun to make in all flavors! Get it HERE.

Get "Whale" Soon Card

Still using up my little stack of K  & Company Tim Coffey Travel paper and embellishments.  Thought this would be a great "manly" card--not too mushy with a little bit of humor thrown in.

I used burlap ribbon and a punched (Martha Stewart) border which I distressed with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink.  Same DI swiped all along the edges.  I also shaded under the elements with a Faded Jeans Distress Marker and a water pen.  Letters from October Afternoon.  Added dimension to the star and the whale's eye with Glossy Accents.

Quick & Easy Pendant Project

Here's a fun project that takes just little time...(I can hear you groaning at the bad pun!)

I recently picked up a bottle of Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka for $3.99 at a local close out store and wanted to try it out.  So I dug out a square pendant bezel from Hobby Lobby and some watch parts and made this pendant slide.  I love the finish of the Magic-Glos!  It dried (outside) crystal clear in just minutes.  Plus bubbles were easily taken care of by waving a butane lighter over the surface.   I'm sure I'll be using this product a lot more in the future!  The wheels are already turning....

Note:

Watch parts can be found at 25% Off MSRP at Lone Wolf Designs, LLC.  All you have to do is join the LWD Discount Retail Sales Facebook group.  If you haven't joined us yet, you're paying too much for your craft supplies!  Tell Kristine I sent you!

Stanislaus - WATCH INNARDS-90 PIECES  SN07250 

Stanislaus - WATCH FACES-3 ASSORTED  SN07193

A similar bezel pendant from LWD:
Vintaj - Bezels - Classic Square Bezel  VJP0002R

LWD Design Team Showcase: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Vintage Cabinet Dies

Today I'm showcasing my first project for the Lone Wolf Designs DT.  I've posted other step-by-step projects before but with this one, I'll give you the products and SKUs I've used.  This will make it easy for you to find them if you are a member of the LWD Discount Retail Sales group.  (and if you're not, you're paying too much for your craft supplies!)

While I use my SCAL/electronic cutter on just about all my projects, sometimes there is no other way to do something but to use my Big Shot.  This is always the case when using Grungeboard,  the Cricut just cannot cut it.  And since I wanted a piece that could stand, I wanted Grungeboard.  This piece also used up scrap paper from a cruise scrapbook...nothing goes to waste in my studio!

PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  First cut the middle pieces out of Grungeboard.  I used two Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Movers and Shapers dies--the mini and  the vintage cabinet card.  First I cut one whole large cabinet card.  Then I placed the mini cabinet card inside of it to get the frame.  

Dies apart and together

Next I cut the designer paper the same way and glued it to the front of the frame with Glossy Accents.  Next, I cut and attached the photo to the back of the frame.  I could have cut the photo using the die, but since I wanted to adhere it to the back of the frame, I hand cut it smaller.  Then I attached the frame/photo to the larger cabinet card with GA and let dry.  I used bulldog clips all around the frame to make sure it attached securely.  If you wanted to skip this step, you could eliminate the frame and just cut the photo using the mini cabinet card.  I liked the dimension having the Grungeboard frame gave the piece. 

2.  Cut two large whole cabinet cards from Grungeboard and coordinating designer paper.  Again attach with Glossy accents and let dry.

 

3.  Choose three colors of Distress Inks to coordinate with your paper.  I used Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge and Spiced Marmalade.  With an ink blending tool,  I laid them on the craft mat and distressed around all the edges.  Make sure to pull all three colors into each piece of the triptych.  Then I used Walnut Stain Distress Stain to color the edges and the backs.  Let thoroughly dry.

 

4.  Choose and add your embellishments with Glossy Accents.  I used nautical premade die cuts left over from my scrapbooking project.  I also die cut two Spellbinder ribbon banners which I distressed with DI and added rub on letters to.  Finally, punch holes in the inside edges (I used a Cinch) and tie twine to hold the pieces together.

I hoped you enjoyed this little project!  You can find the products I used below plus many more for your crafting projects at 25% Off MSRP at Lone Wolf Designs, LLC.  All you have to do is join the LWD Discount Retail Sales Facebook group.  If you haven't joined us yet, you're paying too much for your craft supplies!

Supply List 

(LWD Product Performers SKUs in red):

• Paper & Premade Diecuts:  K & Company Tim Coffey Travel
• Rub On Letters:  Fancy Pants
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations - Movers and Shapers Magnetic Die - Mini Cabinet Card--SXTH657206
• Sizzix - Tim Holtz Alterations - Movers and Shapers Magnetic Die - Vintage Cabinet Card--SXTH657217
• Advantus - Tim Holtz - Ideaology - Grungeboard - Basics Plain--VTH92715
• Spellbinders - Shapeabilities Ribbon Banners--SRS4324
• Ranger - Glossy Accents Ranger - Glossy Accents--DPGAC17042
• Ranger - Distress Pads by Tim Holtz Rusty Hinge--THTIM27157
• Ranger - Distress Pads by Tim Holtz Ranger - Distress Ink - Walnut Stain--THTIM19534
• Ranger - Distress Pads by Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade--THTIM21506
• Ranger- Distress Stains-Walnut Stain--THTDW29908
• Sizzix - Big Shot Machine--SX657900
• Ranger - Non-stick Craft Sheet LARGE Ranger - Craft Sheet--RINSC20677
• Ranger - InkBlending Tool Handle and Replacement Foam Ranger - Ink Blending Tool-RIIBT23616

Entered into these challenges:
RHEDD & ROSIE---HERE COMES SUMMER
4 CRAFTY CHICKS--3D PROJECT

Painted Battenburg Lace Hanger

Finding a few other things I need to share.  This is the final painted item that I made for a bridal shower prize.  It was hand painted it on a wooden hanger using Johanne Marcotte's design (found in The Decorative Painter Issue No. 1 2007).  Special thanks to Cindi Estes for sending me the paint color I needed to create it!  Just goes to show you that artists/crafters truly are the best and most generous of people! 

I actually painted two hangers at the same time.  The second one was donated to the Relay For Life auction earlier in June.  I like to paint duplicate items since I have to wait for the paint to dry in one step before I can move on to the next.  This way I'm not just sitting there doing nothing!

Design Team Announcement

I have recently been named as one of four new Design Team members for Lone Wolf Designs.  This site offers craft supplies at 25% off  MSRP.  All you have to do is join the LoneWolf Designs Discount Retail Sales Facebook group. "If you haven’t joined us yet, you’re paying too much for your craft supplies!”  Each Friday a member of the DT will be showcasing various projects made with products available through LWD.  

Today, click over to Stephen's Blog to see his project.

My first showcase will be July 12th...so stay tuned!

Photo Props SVG and a Wedding Recap!

As I've been mentioning, I did a lot of crafting for my sister's big day.  The wedding was this past weekend and these are the props I made for her to use with the photo booth that they had at the reception.  They were a huge hit and we've had many laughs looking at all of the silly pictures of the guests.  You could use these fun props for any photo event.  

Because they were so popular, I'm put them into a SVG set.  Each prop is perfectly sized for photos (but can be resized to use for scrapbook layouts, etc.).  These are so simple to make if you have an electronic cutter that uses SVG files.  I even give instructions on how to make them so that they are very sturdy.  Mine got handled constantly yet they lasted through the entire reception and still look like new.   

You can purchase the set HERE

And now, here's a picture of the bride and me just before the ceremony.

It was a fabulous day and I feel so honored to have shared it with her!

Entered into the following Challenge:

SIMON SAYS STAMP--ANYTHING GOES