"KITCHEN CONVERSIONS" CHALKBOARD GIFT

Remember around Mother's Day when I wrote that my sister had a wonderful new kitchen?  

Well . . . after seeing it and surveying what size and kind of gift I could make, this is what I came up with:

A real chalkboard with helpful and handy measurement conversions!  I really, really liked this project and was quite proud of it.  While I was working on it, I wasn't quite sure how to put the "Kitchen Measurement Conversions" text because it was just a bit wider than the available space.  I tried turning the text and really didn't care for that and, fortunately, it was easy to just wash off.  After a few minutes of deep thought, it occurred to me that I could just leave off the fancy loop on the "M" (Measurement), and everything would work out perfectly.  That, of course, left some great space above and below, which I filled with a red rooster and knife/fork/spoon.

"Kitchen Conversions" Chalk Transfer

The rooster is from the retired "Farm House" Chalk Transfer, and the knife, fork, and spoon are from the "Bon Appetit" Chalk Transfer.  My Chalkology Paste colors are Candy Apple Red and Bright White.  I also used Shimmer Silver Chalkology Ink to transfer the knife, fork, and spoon images.  It added a beautiful shimmer that the camera just didn't pick up, and it was the perfect choice for the silverware.

Bon Appetit Chalk Transfer

When all was said and done, I used my Big Bite Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole at the top left and right of the chalkboard, which enabled me to attach the Burlap Ribbon handle.

To learn more about Chalk Couture and see more projects, visit my Facebook Page!

"W" FOLD OR FLOATING POP-UP . . . INSTRUCTIONS

A quick post today to share one of my June class projects.  I've been calling it a Floating Pop-Up card, but I've also seen it referred to as a "W" fold.  Call it whatever you'd like, but make one--or several.  It's quite fun and easy to make, and I can imagine that it would be fun to receive as well.

My pop-up strip is 1" x 8-1/2" and scored at 2-1/8", 4-1/4", and 6-3/8".  The first and last scored sections get adhered to the inside of the card, leaving the center sections free.  I used layered squares to decorate the four scored sections, but there must be a lot of other options from which to choose!  Three of my 1-1/4" designer paper squares have a 1-1/2" square mat.  The fourth layered (sentiment) squares are 1-1/2" with a 1-3/4" mat.

The following Stampin' Up! products were used to create my card:

Stamp Set:  Sailing Home

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue

DSP/Specialty:  Come Sail Away

Ink:  Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Early Espresso

Dies:  Smooth Sailing

Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sail Away Trinkets, Night of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker's Twine

If you are interested in purchasing any of the products featured in this post, click HERE.

"MOSAIC MOOD" WIPER CARD

Who remembers making wiper cards years ago?  I know I made one or two, but that may have been before I started my blog.  My sweet friend, Laura, sent me a fantastic patriotic "wiper" card this week (and instructions), so I had to try the modern way to make them. 

The card folds flat for mailing:

For my card, I chose Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous Mosaic Mood designer paper.  The paper is so pretty that my card really didn't need very much decorating.

To open the card, just pull the scored panel at the right edge and this happens:

Did you notice that the hummingbird popped into view?  How cool is that?!?!

I realize the designer paper is really busy, so here's a view of the card from the bottom:

Thank you, Laura, for telling me how to make this fun card!  I look forward to making another one before too long.

IT'S A DAD-SHED!!!

In my last blog post, I mentioned that I would soon reveal the Father's Day card that I made for my husband.  This card was 100% inspired by one that I saw on Pinterest created by Mags Woodcock.

Remember when I said that the card probably took a combined 9 hours to make?  Well . . . right from the start, there were no instructions for imperial measurements, so I would have to guess on sizes and see what happened--basically, I was going to actually build a shed.  My plan was to make a 6x6 card but . . . because I'm such a genius and because it was around 3 a.m. when I started this project . . . I messed up on the third cut, which shouldn't have been a cut at all and completely cut the doors off of the dad-shed.  Not to be easily defeated, my card would require hinges that actually worked to hold the doors onto the card.  Creating the A-frame roofline was another challenge.  I can never figure out how to figure out how to get that right.  Yes, I know that's a crazy sentence, and I mean every redundant word of it.  In the beginning of this project, I was only working on the front of the shed--I had no idea where the inside of the card would come from or how it would be attached, and it's just as well that I didn't know those things because the card quickly grew larger than I expected.

The other thing that took time was deciding on the embellishments and details.  Ms. Woodcock had the rusty barrel of wood and firewood stack on her card, and I absolutely loved those details and knew that my card would include the same.  To create the barrel, I used Brushed Silver cardstock that I embossed with the Corrugated embossing folder and then distressed with Black, Cajun Craze, and Soft Suede ink.  The same process was used on the corrugated star to resemble rusted metal.  The letter brads were some that I had in my stash, and I do not know from where they came.  

There had to be a squirrel inside the shed because we've had too many issues with them creating their own access into our storage building.  Ugh!!!  Some people think they're cute little animals--and maybe they are cute--but they are such pests!  

Regarding the size of this card . . . it's approximately 8" x 9".  That's crazy, isn't it?!?!  For a couple of days, I would work on the card, walk away, and come back again to work on it a little more.  My husband loved it, but I'm not sure what he will do with it.  If it comes back to me, I'll happily display it in my stamp room.

"NAILED IT" . . . CARD + ENVELOPE

Does it seem to you like this month is flying by?  This whole year seems to be flying by . . . well . . . the first half of the year anyway.  I can't identify a single thing that has been standing in my way but, for some reason, I feel like I haven't had ample time to really get creative with my stamps in quite some time.  Actually, maybe I'm a liar.  I do seem to recall that our family has had several reasons to celebrate since last month, and that means using my brain to buy gifts, make things, etc.  In May, we had my nephew's birthday, great-nephew's birthday, Mother's Day, and some graduations.  This month, we have Father's Day, my mother's birthday, and my son's birthday.  My brain and my bank account are running on fumes.  If even that much.

But . . . kicking off Father's Day, I wanted to share the card and envelope that I made for my daddy.  It features Stampin' Up!'s retired Nailed It stamp set and dies.  When I decided to use that set, I was suddenly afraid that I had sold the bundle (I sometimes get a wild hair that makes me think almost everything needs to go) but was pleasantly surprised to find it resting in a drawer.  Whew!  

I should have trusted myself to have the good sense to keep such an awesome masculine product bundle!  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on my card include the Pinewood Plank embossing folder, Wild about Flowers stamp set (retired and definitely a keeper!!!), Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Real Red, and (retired) Brushed Silver cardstock, and some brads (also retired).  I really didn't intend to decorate the envelope but, in the end, I think it turned out so cute.

My next blog post will reveal the over-the-top Father's Day card that I made for my husband.  I think I probably spent a total of 9 hours on it, and it was one of those projects that grew and grew.  Mistakes happened, details got added, and it ended up too big for an envelope--also too big for any envelope that I could possibly make--unless I used a newspaper.  LOL  Check back in a day or two to see it.

THANK YOU . . . ON A CORK TAG

Cardstock is a wonderful thing for card-making, but do you know what's fun?  Making a sentiment tag using cork!  

Ever since I added cork sentiments to my Mother's Day gift tags (see this blog post), I have never put the sheet of cork back where I found it.  I can't remember what I was looking for when I initially discovered (or re-discovered) that I owned a small supply of cork sheets, but using it on my projects just gives an unexpected tactile surprise.  And it's easy-peasy-dreamy to stamp on!  I even tried to die-cut it with a thin die, and it cut beautifully.

I was a little late getting the Just Because hostess stamp set in Stampin' Up!'s recently retired Occasions catalog, so I was anxious to put it to use as soon as it arrived.  I love that the three images in the set have a simple design and are quick and easy to color.   

And so . . . there you have it . . . my relatively simple card with a fun cork tag!

"SAILING HOME" THANK YOU CARD

One of my favorite products in Stampin' Up!'s new catalog is the Sailing Home stamp set (and coordinating products).  It is so fun to work with, and I love how easy it is to layer the images!  Today I'm sharing a thank you card that I recently made.  This card features the newly-retired Seaside embossing folder, and my cardstock colors are Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, and Early Espresso.  Also featured on this card are Rhinestone Jewels and Night of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker's Twine.

I believe this bundle of products will get plenty of use!

Are you ready to shop from the new catalog?  Tomorrow (June 4th) is the big day!!!

FREEHAND WATERCOLORED FLOWERS & TIPS ON WHAT TO USE IN THE BEGINNING

For quite some time, I've had a real interest in watercoloring.  Not just using my ink pads, water, and an Aqua Painter to color stamped images--which is a very relaxing and satisfying thing to do--but rather using art brushes and paint to create images.  The only drawback (ha! an artsy pun there) is that I have never had the kind of vision that a real artist needs in order to put to paper what is created in the mind.  Really and truly . . . I can barely draw a stick person and even if it looks decent, I can assure you that the orientation or perspective will be totally off.  I'm not exaggerating.  BUT . . . I started watching Let's Make Art's tutorials.  While I haven't re-created any of their projects, I have been practicing with flowers and leaves.  A few times, I've been pleased.  Many times, I've filled a trash can with rejects.  Every time, though, I have learned something new and helpful, and I call that progress.  Last week, I created what I considered to be an actual piece of watercolor art, and I don't mind admitting that I was proud of it.  If you haven't already looked at the photos, take a look:

Not bad, huh?  Oh, we could critique it all day long, but let's not do that.  Let's just celebrate that a little piece of watercolor paper got turned into a card.  After I finished the flowers, I knew the background needed something, but I was a bit worried about my ability to give it a color wash.  Instead, I chose to just load a brush with water and paint, and flicked some speckles of color.  That added a lot, actually, and then the sequins were a perfect finishing touch.

There are so many paints, brushes, and watercolor paper from which to choose, and you could always purchase a kit from Let's Make Art instead of investing in a lot of products that you're not sure you will enjoy (or need).  I will tell you this, though . . . if you order one of their kits, definitely order extra watercolor paper because you WILL need it!  It's my understanding that the kits don't include very much.  

Although I was tempted to order a lot of new product to start practicing watercolor art, I talked myself down and started pulling products that I already owned.  While I still want to try Dr. Ph. Martin paint, I have been extremely pleased so far with the Koi set that I had on hand.  Following is more info on what I've been using in case you're wondering:

Koi Water Colors (can be purchased HERE) - Just a few swipes of a wet brush is all it takes to pick up the creamy, dreamy colors in this set!  Its small size is easy to store or take on the go, a water brush is included, although I haven't used mine, there are slim sponges on the side for dabbing your brush, and . . . my very favorite thing about this set . . . it includes a palette!!!  NOTE:  One thing that I have learned is that, if you have to choose, it's good to have a set with bright and/or dark colors because you can always lighten them.

Canson 11x15 Cold Press 140 lb. Watercolor Paper (can be purchased HERE) - I have been using this paper for years, and it never disappoints.  It can withstand a generous amount of water, and what I really like to do is cut a few sheets into smaller (think card-size) pieces to work with.

Brushes - I'm afraid I'm unable to give any details about the brushes that I've been using because they have no distinguishing marks.  One of them--the smallest one--is an old one from Stampin' Up! and I believe it is a #2 or very close to it.  Let's Make Art recommends a #2 and #6 for a lot of their kits, and I'm 99% sure that one of my larger brushes is a #6.

So far, these few products are all that I have needed for my watercolor practice.  Oh . . . and a cup of water.