Sad Card, Happy Card

To everything there is a season and that includes the need to make sympathy cards. Sadly, I’ve had to make several lately, including this one for a colleague whose mom just passed away.

Gathered up my materials:

which included cream cardstock for the card, DCWV flocked damask paper, antique gold cardstock scrap and Recollections Elegance paper scrap. I was going to use my one and only “Sympathy” stamp but then saw this gladioli image at The Graphics Fairy so printed that out along with a sentiment.

Added some cream organza ribbon and plain HW store twine and dotted the centers of the main blooms with an iridescent Stickles.
On a happier note, my BFF’s baby started High School yesterday! We both have college freshmen this year so she’s got a double whammy of “My babies are growing up”. Made the new HS student a more mature but still fun card to commemorate this milestone:

I picked the blue paper up at Michaels ( 4 for $1 this week!) and then got home and realized that without even trying  it’s who else…KandCo! (Addison Blue Garden Swirls) Natch, I had to use KandCo scrapbook borders ( Abrianna) and a dimensonal sticker for the center from KandCo (Cottage Garden Pink). Ran a scrap through the Cuttlebug and finished with a clear sentiment sticker mounted to a scrap.

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Graphics Fairy Mantel

I’ve mentioned before that I have a four slot frame that I keep on my mantel and change out seasonally. After Fourth of July, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do since I didn’t have this up last Summer. Where better to turn for inspiration than The Graphics Fairy?!

I chose a lock, a text printed fleur de lis, a key and alphabet exemplar and then printed two of the images on textured cardstock ( Core’dinations) and two on a complimentary scrapbook paper (Paper Adventures Beachy Shadow Wash) . Framed and DONE!

 

Thank you Graphics Fairy!! I’ve seen similar prints in stores for a fortune and this was an easy and very inexpensive way to change up décor.

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Framed Christmas Art:

 

I didn't take a lot of pictures of this while I was making it because it was one of those things that just kinda happened. So I'll describe what I did below:

You need:

• Frame w/ four space mat. Mine is an 8x10  w/ openings 2.5 by 3.5...mine was $2 on clearance
• Acrylic Paint and white glue
• Graphics program
• Clipart ( I used sheet music from The Graphics Fairy and then options w/ in my graphics progam)

For frame:
Paint frame w/ color of choice. Mine was Delta's "Salem Green". Don't worry about it being perfect because we're going for aged here. When first color is dry, cover with white glue. Plain white glue....mine was from Staples back to school sale...cheap stuff. When glue is almost dry cover with a different color paint. I used ivory. I'm impatient so I used my blow dryer. The one I keep in my craft room. Not the one I use to dry my hair. Although, it's been known to happen. Crackle crackle will ensue.  I went over this with another green mixed w/ glazing medium.

For "NOEL" letters:
Download sheet music from The Graphics Fairy
Import into graphics program; size as needed; copy for however many letters you need
Choose font and layer letters on top of graphic
Add clipart ( mine is from my graphics program) layer

I printed mine on lightweight cardstock , cut out each letter collage, and framed.

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Vintage-y Christmas Ornaments

So I was in Pottery Barn and they have all of their Christmas decorations up. I'm seeing lots of stuff with music themes and paper and I decided to be good and play with what I already had which includes a bunch of post-season bargain paper mache ornaments. You know, these:

 

I covered with some sheet music from a book I picked up. It's not Christmas music, but if someone's going to take the time to read the ornament they've got way too much time on their hands. 

Mod Podged the sheet music on, filed around the edges with an emery board, downloaded this great Santa from The Graphics Fairy, converted him to black and white, MP'd him on and trimmed it with adhesive rhinestones.

This is Father Christmas in his original form. I just went around the image with glitter glue. And what's Christmas without a star?

Now if you want to see a GREAT Pottery Barn knockoff? Go see what Vicki at Rusty Rooster Vintage did!

Copycat Pottery Barn Ornaments

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Lumiere

The first storm of the season blew in this weekend and we got prepared for the time of year when the power goes out. We're well equipped w/ flashlights, but playing 6 degrees of crafting separation with me ( where you can relate anything back to something within about 6 steps) storm===>lights out===>candles===>craft idea! See, only 4 degrees of separation between a storm and a craft.

I see these all the time at the grocery store:

Being raised Catholic, I know these as Novena candles but you often see them with images on the glass. Not being willing to let any surface go un-embellished though, I slapped on some Mod Podge, covered with scrapbook paper, downloaded a graphic from The Graphics Fairy, added some text, beaded some thread, added a ribbon and buttons and :

I knew I'd picked up a package of "Paris" themed charms on clearance at Michaels for a reason! Look what was included:

Houston, we may have a problem. I made another one tonight: 

This is a cluster of star shaped rhinestones that comes in a strip

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My Inner Circle Wanted Christmas

Oh you thought I was talking about confidantes or something? No. I'm talking about the inner circle of matboard left over from the book and bottle cap wreath I made! Which, I didn't take a picture of, but it's a circle. Of matboard. You get it.

Since coffee filters come in the bajillion pack, I had some of those left over. So I took a bunch out, crumpled them up ( this is a scientific process...I'm sure there's a physics theory that explains how crumpling increases body and volume because it does) and them folded in half, then in half again, then in half again. Staple to secure each one. If I was a mathematician instead of a physicist ( ha ha ha ha... so not either of those) then I'd know the fraction that comes out to.

Hot glued those around the circle of matboard and then tore a circle of scrap paper to  cover up my staples and then remembered I'd downloaded a cool Santa image from The Graphics Fairy, printed that out cut in a circle and glued to the middle of my whatever this is  I put a ribbon hanger on the back so it's an ornamenty thingy.  Framed it in buttons and added some clear rhinestones which don't glisten the same way in a picture so you'll have to just take my word on it. So what did I end up with?

So now you know what I did with my inner circle. Because I know that was keeping you up nights.

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Easiest Card Ever...Thank You Graphics Fairy

Seriously, it took me longer to write this post than to make the card. Also seriously, with resources like The Graphics Fairy, my stamps are feeling seriously neglected. Seriously! I'm still having fun w/ my bag o diecuts but I printed this out earlier to maximize the use of my Avery clear label paper ( when I print stuff, I try to fill up as much space as possible). 

Print image from The Graphics Fairy here. I printed mine on clear label paper and adhered to a cream cardstock scrap or you could print directly on paper. Mounted on black and cream scrap, another cream scrap, and Halloween paper scrap. Adhere to card w/ coordinating Halloween paper panel. I usually cut my own cards (5x7) so always have the ends left over. Cut one to fit the width of the patterned paper, tore the edges..it's what I do...added a black border sticker. Done.

Thank you Karen, The Amazing Graphics Fairy!

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Stashbusting September Project #9: Nevermore and MORE!

After a day that started off rather stressful at work and seemed headed for worse, I am excited to head towards the end of the day on much brighter notes. First, I'm happy with the way something I made tonight turned out ( arent we all our own harshest critics?) and second, I got a note from Michelle at Someday Crafts that she was featuring my "Witchy Boots", and third and very exciting....I reached 300 Followers today!!!! Woo-hoo!!! Thank you all you wonderful chocoholics out there who have decided to follow my chocolate fueled ramblings. I will announce a fun giveaway tomorrow, and don't forget to link up to my Open House on Friday!!!

Since I was in an unpleasant mood when I started this project, I didn't take pix along the way. The steps are the same as the Owl project from last night. I love Edgar Allen Poe and wanted to do something for Halloween based on "The Raven". Of course The Graphics Fairy didn't disappoint but I also found some cool skulls at The Vintage Moth. So here 'tis. 

"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore"

Materials:

• Canvas Art Board
• Burlap design scrapbook paper
• Scrapbook paper scrap
• Black stamping ink
• Cream acrylic paint
• Avery clear label paper
• K&Co adhesive borders
• Mod Podge

I mounted the skulls on some scrap cardstock, trimmed, and adhered with foam dots for more dimension:

And I just wouldn't be me w/out some bling. Shouldn't skully eyes glisten?!

The birdcage is also from The Graphics Fairy. Off to find some chocolate!

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