Thursday, December 28, 2017

OMBRE TECHNIQUE WITH CHALK PASTE + VIDEO!!!

If you visit my blog often, then I know that you have an interest in stamps, ink, and paper crafts.  You may also enjoy creating handmade gifts, and I want to share something that I made this week that (IMHO) would qualify as a great gift--or a nice addition to your home decor.  While the surface for my project is an awesome framed chalkboard, the products that I used for my project could be applied to a variety of surfaces.  You can see a video of the process to make this project HERE.  Please be sure to Like, Follow, and Share my Facebook Page!


I used Mint chalk paste for the cake stand, and it looks so vintage!  The colors that I used for the ombre effect on the cake are Orchid and Lilac.  


The products used to create this project can be found by clicking the following links:



Tuesday, December 26, 2017

MASON JAR GIFT CARD HOLDERS

One of my favorite crafts this holiday season was creating a few mason jar gift card holders because they were so easy!  One of the most fun things about this project is that any size jar works (as long as it's tall enough to hold the gift card), and the jar can be right-side-up or upside-down. This one was the quickest:


A binder clip was clipped to one end of the gift card, and then I used hot glue to adhere the base of the clip to the lid.  Glitter tape was placed around the lid, but washi tape or ribbon would work beautifully, too.  I'm drawing a blank at the moment, but the stuffing (whatever it is called) was placed inside the pint-size jar, followed by the lid and ring.  On top of the jar, I adhered one of Stampin' Up!'s tree-shaped Stitched Felt Embellishments to a designer paper circle and then used hot glue to adhere one half of a ball ornament.  I wasn't sure how this was going to work but, after I was finished, I realized that I could have added so much more (such as shaker elements) inside the dome.  Hindsight is pretty sharp, you know?


I decided to get a little fancy with the next jar, which was quart-size, and began by adhering a sparkly tree-shaped ornament (complete with glimmer and gems) close to the edge of the lid.  A binder clip was adhered with hot glue beside the ornament, and then the gift card was placed in the clip.  I carefully placed stuffing to cover the lid, and then closed the jar onto the lid and ring.  A jute twine bow was tied around the jar (just above the lid).  A strip of burlap trim was adhered to the jar and embellished with the holly and berries Stitched Felt Embellishments.  The "top" was decorated with a gold foil doily and a star-shaped Stitched Felt Embellishment.


All of my mason jar gift card holders were placed inside a buffalo plaid gift bag that I decorated with Chalk Couture products (read all about them HERE).



Sunday, December 17, 2017

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING

I've shared a little about my Chalk Couture business on this blog, and today I have a project video that shows a really quick framed chalkboard that I made for the mountain house.  The project features the following products:




If you have any questions about Chalk Couture products, email me or leave a comment.  As well, if you would like for me to share chalk/chalkboard projects more often and/or give more details about the product line on this blog, let me know.  :-)  I have started a blog that is dedicated to Chalk Couture products and projects . . . Decor Creations with Regina.  Visit me there--subscribe to that blog if you'd like!

Friday, December 8, 2017

"TUSCAN VINEYARD" THANK YOU CARDS

I recently needed a few thank you cards, and I couldn't resist using the new-to-me stamp set, Tuscan Vineyard.  I love that the images in this set look like they were taken directly from the sketchbook of an artist.


For my cards, I kept the design really simple and just gave the front a few sharp cuts--nothing planned--just snip, snip.  After completing the first card and realizing that it wouldn't stand on its own, I placed the circle-punched focal point for the next two cards flush with the bottom.  The ribbon added the perfect finishing touch, and I'm sure that I will borrow this simple design again!  

Shop with me!

Click to purchase:  TUSCAN VINEYARD

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

NOVEMBER CLASS SWAPS + WINNER OF THE FREE CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL SUBSCRIPTION

The swap theme for my November class was a Christmas card, and I'm so happy to share these awesome creations!







Can you believe that Tracy hand cut the fun shape for the cocoa holder?  And look at that adorable mini bow.  Tracy even gave us a pretty coaster in this cute pocket!

And this is the card that I created for the swap:

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the white tree was die-cut from glimmer paper.  The trees that were die-cut from the designer paper were turned over (to the black and white side) and adhered to the inside of the card.

Last, but not least . . . the winner of the November tutorials at Craft Project Central is . . . DEBRA LAIL.  Just email me at randari at Hotmail dot com, and we'll get your November subscription started!  


Tuesday, November 28, 2017

CHRISTMAS QUILT ENSEMBLE - BONUS PROJECT AT CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL

Today I'm excited to share the project that I designed for Craft Project Central this month!  One thing that I like about this ensemble is that you AND the children can enjoy working on each of the projects--there's something for all skill levels.  Following is the introduction that I wrote for my project:

Whether you need a festive and simple Christmas card or gift packaging and ornaments, you’ll enjoy the projects in this tutorial!  Learn to make two boxes—one for a small gift and one to be hung on the tree, a quilty greeting card, and a tree-shaped ornament made from paper.  The gift box (and the ornament, too) are the perfect size for a gift card or cash!  The embellishments on these projects are pleasing and add just the right amount of texture.  Invite a few friends over, and create these projects together!


Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to the 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription packages that include the month for the Bonus projects for which you'd like the tutorial.  

As usual, I will be giving a FREE subscription to the November Craft Project Central tutorials.  To be entered in the drawing, just click THIS LINK and leave a comment.  The winning name will be drawn and announced right here on my blog on Tuesday, December 5th.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

CREATING PRETTY CARDS - SKETCH CHALLENGE #77


Now that the fun Thanksgiving celebration is behind me and I've done a little online shopping, I realized that it was past time for me to create a card for Craft Project Central's Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #77.  The sketch challenge is something I normally jump right on, but time just got away from me.  This month's sketch is quite different, unique, and fun!  It was designed by Buffy, and you can access the FREE tutorial for the sketch HERE.  This is what the sketch looks like:


And this is the card that I made for the challenge:


Did you know that for every 10 cards that are submitted for the sketch challenge, each participant will get their name in a drawing for a FREE one-month subscription to the awesome project tutorials at Craft Project Central?  I hope you will participant in the challenge!  Just create a card following the sketch, and upload it HERE.

Stampin' Up! products featured on my card:

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive
Designer Paper:  Merry Music, Merry Little Christmas, Foil Frenzy
Stamp Set:  Merry Café
Sizzix:  Many Mittens Framelits
Accessories:  Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thursday, November 23, 2017

BIRTHDAY PARTY IN A BOX

Give a friend everything they need for a cute mini birthday party! Cookie mix, party hats and a banner for decorating! Include a gift card for an even bigger gift.


The tutorial for this party in a box, which was designed by Stephanie, can be found at Craft Project Central.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING ENSEMBLE

Christmas is just around the corner and soon you will be thinking about packaging and about how you can add a nice touch to your gifts... well, here are some ideas to dress up your gift giving! You can pick from a small gift bag, a gift card envelope, or some fancy holiday tags! How about making all of the above along with a greeting card, and a cute box for those sweet tags?  This gift set is the perfect holiday present!


The tutorial for this festive ensemble, which was designed by Monika Davis, can be found at Craft Project Central.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

POCKETFUL OF FUN

These pocket creations can be made all winter long. Fill the snowman with chocolate for Christmas and Hanukkah or add a gift card and a pair of sunglasses for some spring break fun. Hang the angel on your country Christmas tree or add a heart and a sentiment to turn it into a Cupid gift tag for Valentine’s Day. Add a gift card or cash to the pocket inside the card for Christmas or any winter birthday. Showing the multiple ways this bundle can be used makes it a great product-based class, as well learning a new technique.


The tutorial for these adorable creations, which were designed by Ginger Rabesa, can be found at Craft Project Central.