Valentine's Decor: The Year Round Tree

 

Last year, I told Mr. Chocolate I'd ordered a "Halloween Tree" which prompted a sideways look. He figured I'd ordered a black Christmas tree (which I debated and still love for a Halloween tree) but some part of me must have known the future because I decided to go with a lighted cherry tree. At the time, it was intended to just be a Halloween tree and then once I had it up and decorated, guess who didn't want it to come down when Halloween was over? So it then became a Fall tree I decorated with layered paper leaves and silk Fall flowers. It went away for Christmas when the Christmas tree came out and when we were taking it down, guess who asked if the tree he'd given me a look about was coming back? I debated about doing generic Winter but then I knew I was going to want to do something for Valentine's day so I skipped ahead and made layered heart ornaments and decorated some clear acrylic ornaments for it. 

Supplies: 

• Cardstock
• Foam Tape and Foam Dots
• SVG file
• Digital Cutting Machine
• Acrylic Ornaments
• Adhesive Foil

The image I used was from Creative Fabrica (3d-layered-heart-21). 

I wanted to go with a non-traditional color palette and I decided on black white and gold so I grabbed those papers out of my stash. 

I imported the file into my Cricut Design Space software, sized and then cut each layer, repeating the color pattern: black white gold

You can see that each layer becomes more delicate bottom to top. I used foam tape on the less detailed layers, then switched to foam dots as they became more detailed. 

Black base layer then white layer.

Then gold layer and repeat with the remaining three layers. 

I'm so entranced by these layered cut files! I love how you can peek through them and the depth they create! Once I assembled all of the hearts ( I did 8 ) I added coordinating black and white ribbon with hot glue so I could hang them on my tree. 

I love the lights against the layers, especially at night. I also had some clear acrylic ornaments left over from Christmas projects and decided they'd be perfect with this version "the tree". 

I had some bright silver adhesive foil in my stash and used an image from Cricut Design Space for these. 

I did 9 of these and the foil is so easy to work with I didn't even bother with transfer tape and just removed the hearts from the carrier backing and placed on the ornaments. 

I saved the parts left behind because look at the cool pattern you can still play with! To finish these, I added some black and white twine. 

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Christmas Decor: Layered Christmas Stocking

 

"It's the most wonderful of the year" also the busiest but definitely fun! As a Maker, it's definitely my favorite. And another favorite this making season continues to be layered cut files that so many Makers keep coming up with and sharing, I can hardly keep up! For this project I used one from a collection of Layered Ornaments from one of my favorite creators, Kimberly from Sweet Red Poppy. Whether you sew, do papercrafts or just love pretty things, you really need to check out her blog! 

NOTE: This project assumes familiarity with how to use your machine's software. 

Supplies: 

• Layered SVG Files (I used the stocking from this collection by Sweet Red Poppy)
• Cutting Machine (I used my Cricut Explore 2. These also work for Silhouette)
• Gold Foil, Cream, Silver Glitter cardstock (All, Recollections from Michaels)
• Background Paper ( I used sheets from the White Christmas stack, Michaels)
• Display Case Frames (Michaels)
• Foam Dots
• Embellishments (I used Wood Stars from Dollar Tree)

For the smaller stocking, I used a silver display case frame from my stash. I pick these up whenever they're a buy one get one at Michaels. The 8x8 frames come 3 to a package and the 12x12 come two to a package so when they're a BOGO it's a great deal! For the 12x12, I thought I had silver but alas, no so to the craft paints! Here's where what some might call a craft fail, I prefer to call a happy accident! I took the frame apart since I was going to paint it. Set the glass and insert aside. 

You might think I used a crackle medium. Nope! I took out some silver chalk paint and apparently it's a wee bit old and had separated. Oops. I stirred and shook it but when I applied it it crackled itself! While I thought I was going to go with a solid silver finish, as I watched this happen I was actually quite happy. Ergo, happy accident! 

The next step was to prepare my layers. The stocking comes in five layers but I wanted it simpler so I hid two of the layers and used the ones shown sized to 6 inches tall for the smaller stocking and 10 inches for the larger. 

Once you've sized your layers, cut them on your machine. Here are my completed and cut layers. 

Once you have all of your layers assemble using foam dots/squares/tape. For the top layer I cut the squares in half to fit the more narrow border. 

Working from the back of your layers, place the foam squares around the cutout, then flip and attach to your base layer. Repeat with the top layer. 

The reason I only did three of the layers is because I'd chosen a star background paper and was excited to use these wood stars I found at the Dollar Tree ( once again..."why didn't I buy more of these?!") because I went back and gone, baby, gone. I put small drops of glue (Ranger, Glossy Accents) on the back and applied to the stockings as shown. 

Squeal! I instantly fell in love with this White Christmas Hot Buy stack at Michaels. This week (11/21-11/27) they're my favorite...buy one get two free so get thee to a Michaels if you are looking for some pretty holiday scrapbook paper. I chose the paper I wanted for my background and cut one sheet to fit the 8x8 and trimmed the other to fit the 12x12 and then adhered to the inside of the frame back using double sided tape. Then I adhered the stocking using more double sided tape and assembled the frames. 

I am so happy with how they turned out! The color combinations are endless. I am so addicted to these beautiful and intricate layered files. 

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Hanukkah: Modern and Bright Layered Dreidels

 

Hanukkah starts early this year, beginning at sundown on November 28th, the Sunday following Thanksgiving. So I needed to get some gifts done earlier this year! I'd picked up some deep box frames on one of my Michaels trips and decided they'd be perfect for what I wanted to do! 

Supplies: 

• Deep Box Frames 
• Handmade Paper (JoAnn)
• Foil Cardstock (Michaels)
• Chalk Paint (Folk Art, Michaels)
• Mod Podge Matte
• Digital Cutting Files 
• Digital Cutting Machine
• Coordinating Sequins and Rhinestones

I had this gorgeous handmade paper in my stash from a prior JoAnn's trip that I'd been holding on to for the right inspiration and this was it! 

The picture doesn't do it justice. I knew it would make the perfect background for my project. I pulled out coordinating foil cardstock from my stash (Recollections, from Michaels in bright gold, turquoise, and royal blue) and got to work. 

The first step was to prep the frames. I chose this Home Decor Chalk Paint by Folk Art which goes on smoothly with great coverage and only needed one coat. 

After the paint was dry, I sealed it with a coat of Mod Podge Matte. Then it was time to get to work on the interior. 

I'd downloaded a beautiful Hanukkah set of layered files from Special Heart Studio. You will just need to sign up with your email to get access to a wonderful set of files that Gjoa graciously provides for FREE! It comes with a Menorah and a Dreidel and I used the Dreidel. I downloaded and imported into Cricut Design Space, sized to fit the frames and cut on my Explore Air 2. 

I assembled the different layers of the dreidel using foam squares. 

I used gold for the bottom of each then switched up the turquoise and royal layers for each dreidel. Then using the backing insert from the frames, I Mod Podged the handmade  paper that I'd cut to size. 

After that was good and dry, I mounted the dreidels using Aileene's Turbo Tacky Glue, let that set, then put them in the frames. 

Of course I had to make cards to go with! For these I used a file I had downloaded in Silhouette Studio and then brought into my Cricut Design Space software which is easily done if you make sure you check the SVG box when purchasing your Silhouette image. 

As you can see, I went with the Chevron pattern and in Design Space used the "offset" function to create the layer behind the Chevron. Then I cut those from the foil cardstock as shown, used a spray adhesive to attach the gold top layers, and embellished with coordinating sequins and self adhesive rhinestones. I cut white cardstock 10x7 to make 5x7 cards, then a gold panel 4.75x6.75 to which I added strips of the handmade paper and then mounted the dreidels using foam squares. 

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Fall Crafts: Layered Leaf Cards (Intermediate to Advanced Skill Level)

 

My first love was and remains card making. And the more I play with my Cricut Explore Air 2 and layered SVG files, the more I stay in love with card making. SVGs are Scalable Vector Graphics which means they can be re-sized easily in things like Design Space. 

Supplies: 

• Layered Leaf Images (I used a bundle from Creative Fabrica)
• Cutting machine (I used my Cricut Explore Air 2)
• Scrapbook Paper (I used CraftSmart "Dark Elegance" which I bought last year at Michaels and is no longer available but you can use comparable dark papers)
• Recollections Gold and  Copper Foil cardstock (Michaels)
• Coordinating Plum Cardstock (Stash)
• Cream Recollections 110lb Cardstock (Michaels)
• Copper Foil
• Fall Themed Embellishments ( I used K&Co border stickers from my stash)
• Coordinating Sequins (Michaels
• Foam Squares
• Dimensional and Double Sided Adhesive
• Paper Trimmer and Scoring tool

The first step was to decide on the focal image for my cards. I knew I wanted a leaf theme, especially since living in the desert, I miss the changing leaves of my former Pacific Northwest home. I found this set of layered leaves at Creative Fabrica.  If you do choose to purchase, full disclosure...I get a small benefit if you go through my affiliate link. 

Download, extract, and import chosen design into your machine's software, in my case Cricut Design Space. If you don't have a cutting machine you can print out the PNG images and hand cut using scissors and an X-Acto knife. 

I selected the leaf from the bottom row, leftmost image. 

I deleted two of the 5 layers in my Design Space Software because I liked how just three layers looked. Then I cut each layer from the colors I chose ( plum, foil gold and copper). 

To assemble, attach the middle layer ( gold ) to the base ( plum ) using foam squares. Since the top layer is more delicate, I used a spray mount. 

Here's the middle layer mounted to the base. Since you need to work fast with the spray adhesive, I didn't take pics of the top layer but you get the idea...spray the back, lay atop the middle layer and done. 

Once I had my leaves assembled, I made my cards by cutting the cream cardstock to make 5x7 cards, cut panels of the copper foil cardstock to 4.75x6.75 then selected papers from the Dark Elegance Stack and cut to 4.5x6.5. I added the Fall themed border stickers and then mounted the leaves to the cards. 

To finish, I grabbed some coordinating sequins from my stash and added them along the stem of the leaf using Glossy Accents dimensional glue. 

But of course I wasn't done! Copper is such a fall color to me that I wanted a touch more so I'd picked up some copper foil on a trip to Michaels and thought I'd do the interior sentiment using the foil tool that works with my Cricut. 

For this step, you need to make sure you get the foil as taught as possible atop the paper you want to foil so I used painter's blue tape to tack it down. The Cricut foils also come with tape strips to do this. 

It still needs a little give so don't worry if it's not absolutely flat. Then select a font or image for whatever you want to foil, follow the instructions for the tool / in Design Space and send to your Cricut. 

I chose the word "Fallsgiving" since this time of year for me is about celebrating the gifts of Fall. It was also a great way to use up the copper, and plum scraps from this project which I used to mat the sentiment! I adhered these to the inside of my cards using my tape gun. 

My way of giving a little bit of Fall to friends and family! And the pictures don't do the metallic goodness of the colors justice so if you are seeing this on here first and know you're getting one, just wait!