Belle Papier {pretty paper}

How often do you try stamping on something other than paper? Now and then I like to break out of the mold and try something different. A while ago I was throwing out a pair of my son’s jeans and had a bit of inspiration. With very little sewing the wide-legged jean leg would make a super easy pillow cover for the holidays. Because of the prefinished sides and bottoms…I only had to sew ONE seam! I know it’s a far cry from the days when I did heirloom sewing but…life is busier now!!!

Thanks so much for all your well wishes regarding my surgery. It went well and yesterday I started feeling more like myself. I imagine it will take a couple weeks for the inside swelling to go down and see how successful it was at minimizing my sinus headaches.

To create this stamped holiday throw pillow, I inked up my snowflakes from the Joyeux Noel stamp set with White Colorbox Pigment ink from Clearsnap. The Joyeux Noel set is the Cornish Heritage Farms product spotlight for the next two weeks. That means a SALE! Actually this is one of my favorite sets for this season. The sentiments are gorgeous and thesnowflakes are perfect for all winter season long.

Quick Tip: Pigment or craft inks are the best inks for stamping on fabric. Heat set with an iron to ensure longevity.

Hope your Saturday is simply wonderful!

Supply List:

Stamps: Joyeux Noel (Classic Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink: White Colorbox Pigment  ink by Clearsnap

Other: old jeans, buttons by Autumn Leaves, thread, sewing machine

Here’s a design I’m really excited about and it’s so simple to do. As you know…I’ve been having fun with my airbrush tool lately and this is one project that shows you a neat idea for masking. Masking is one of those essential techniques when doing most airbrushing and you can use a mask you’ve created yourself, mask using a stencil or purchased mask or just use something you already have on hand by laying it on top of your project. I love KI Memories die cut papers and had a scrap leftover just large enough to use on the front panel of my design. As you can see…I didn’t actually keep the lace paper on my project but used it as a mask.

 Sweet Sixteenth

Quick Tip: This is one great way to get lots of mileage (and a new look) from those expensive diecut papers. You can use the paper as a mask over and over OR simply use it as a mask once and then reuse the airbrushed mask in another project.

How to….Julia’s Airbrush Die-cut Paper Masking Technique

1. Stamp  paper with Backgrounder Stamp.
2. Lay piece of Lace die-cut paper over top to mask surface.
3. Airbrush parts of the design using one color.
4. Repeat airbrushing with two more colors till completely covered.
5. Removed Lace paper mask.
6. Cut panel to size and use on project.

This project is part of a Craft Critique review on the Copic Airbrush System.

Have fun with this technique!

Stamps:
-Invitation Essentials (MLM Line) By Cornish Heritage Farms
-Spanish Script Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-black Memento ink by Tsukineko
-Pink Adirondack ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Simply Smooth White by Prism
-KI Memories lace paper (removed after spraying)

Other:
-flower and tape by Prima
-sewing machine
-Copic markers and airbrush system

Really. It’s not that hard. It’s actually pretty simple. Just start with a simple project such as a photo and get soldering! I created this quick pendant with a photo of two of my boys on it. You’ve probably seen the photo before as I’ve used it on a couple layouts. If you’ve always wanted to try soldering…why not now? There’s time to put together a few fun projects for Christmas gifts!

Soldered Photo Charm

Here’s how to go about it!

Soldering your project is really quite easy to do and just takes a little practice. Create your art the size of the glass slides you intend to use and then sandwich it between the two pieces. As you can see both sides of the design, don’t forget to add art to both front and back. Carefully wrap the edges with your copper foil tape and fold side edges over the glass on both the front and back sides. Fold corners neatly and burnish the foil to the glass to remove wrinkles and produce a secure frame. Hold your project with clamps provided as it will be too hot for your fingers. You will also need a heat-proof work surface. You can purchase a heat mat, use a large tile or as I do, use a glass cutting board. You don’t want small bits of molten solder ruining a beautiful counter or desktop. Plug in your soldering iron and heat well. Before adding solder, paint the copper foil tape edges with flux to help the solder spread evenly across your surface. Hold the solder to the top of your soldering iron to melt solder and then touch top of iron to copper surface. This will allow the solder to flow onto your copper. Lift the soldering iron up a little and move soldering iron along to allow solder to flow down onto the surface. It is best to apply small amounts of solder at a time. You can always go back and add more coats for a smooth beautiful finish.

Sorry I don’t have a photo of the actual soldering but that would require more hands than I have!

Want more soldering ideas? Simply type solder in my search feature. Part of today’s entry was part of a Craft Critique review here.

Have a simply wonderful Saturday!

Today I’m shaking it up a little with a fun holiday shaker card! If you’ve never made a shaker card, they are fun and easy. Yes…they do take a little more time than some designs but they are so worth it. For this design, I filled my shaker with a fun new product from Art Institute…Faux Snow. These soft iridescent flakes have so many uses and are the product spotlight at Cornish Heritage Farms this week. Now I don’t know about the weather were you live, but the snow flakes are pretty much ready to start flying here in Ontario. The weather has definitely taken a turn for the colder. I thought it would make a fun challenge for this week’s Challenge Chicks Challenge to use faux snow on the designs. Whether you use Faux Snow from Art Institute, create some snow with Liquid Applique, glitter, etc., let those flurries fly and show us how you like to create snow in your designs. Check out the challenge here!

As always…some of the other designers have played along with this challenge. Check out their super-cool designs too…. Kristine, Michele, Dawn, Julie, Jennifer & Lesley

Holiday Shaker Card

To create a shaker card, you’ll need a clear transparency for the window. I love using the Clear Card Sheets as they are so thick, crisp and professional.To create my window, I ran two Nestability dies through my die cut machine together with my white cardstock. They are so thin and the straight smaller square will nest perfectly in the larger scalloped square. To add my embossing, I simply removed the smaller square and then ran the scalloped die with my die cut cardstock through the machine with my embossing mat. To get enough dimension to the product so that my flakes with shake ;), I used foam adhesive strips between the layers.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week!

Supply List:

Stamps:
-Heart Warmers (Kim Hughes line) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Black Stazon by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Spring Willow Light, Simply Smooth White by Prism
-Making Memories patterned paper

Other:
-Clear Card Sheet by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders
-buttons by Autumn Leaves
-sewing machine
-Faux Snow by Art Institute
-ribbon by Creative Impressions

I just love the look of this new Fine Lines Backgrounder stamped on Kraft cardstock. Does it not look like faux cardboard? I decided to try a quick masking technique to make a fun faux torn cardboard edge on my layer. By simply tearing a piece of scrap cardstock and then using it to mask the top area while I stamped the backgrounder and then sponged to create a shadow, I gave this card a bit more dimension without adding another layer.

I’ve also been having fun making my own custom embellishments using this darling butterfly stamp from one of Kim Hughes’ new releases. Simply stamp onto a Clear Card Sheet using Black Stazon (one of those must-have inks IMHO) and you can make all the custom butterflies you wish!

Girly

Quick Tip: When using clear embellishments…layer them over other items such as flowers, ribbon etc. to highlight their clear properties.

Wishing you a fabulous day!

Supply List:

Stamps:
-Little Gal (Kim Hughes line) by Cornish Heritage Farms
-Fine Lines Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Burnt Umber and Black Palette ink by Stewart Superior
-Walnut Stain Distress ink by Ranger
=Black Stazon by Tsukineko

Paper:
-Simply Smooth White cardstock by Prism
-Kraft Cardstock by Prism

Other:
-Clear Card Sheet by Cornish Heritage Farms
-stapler
-ribbon and flower by Prima Marketing
-rhinestones by MAMBI
-tape by Prima