Creative Paper Concepts

Welcome to the very first Creative Paper Concepts. Every Wednesday, I'll post some creation that has to do with paper. Which means that as long as it has paper anywhere on it, it's fair game for a Wednesday post.

Today's project is a very easy to make wall hanging. Somewhere I bought something that had these cute hangers on them and I took them off. I couldn't bear to part with them, so they've been taking up space for many years. Just like fine wine, they are now of ready for consumption after their little aging process.

Supplies:
2 coordinating designer papers
Brown cardstock
Small black tassel
8" 1/2" ribbon
5 1/2" 2" sheer ribbon
1 large flower
1 medium flower
6 small flowers
6" tiny gold open cording
Flourish stamp
Frayed Burlap Distress Ink
Creamy Brown Color Box Chalk Ink
Gold glitter
Glitter glue
Wire hanger
Corner punch
Various adhesives
QuicKutz Magnolia font

Outside dimensions are 6" square, the inside designer paper is 5 3/4" square. Check out the photo for a closeup shot of the corner punch used. It creates an opening into which you can slip the inner designer paper. Also the shear ribbon that is on the lower portion of the piece. I also layered the medium flower under a small flower for this embellishment. In the closeup, you'll notice that I sparingly applied glitter glue to the edges of some of the petals of the small flowers. Adhere your flowers with glue dots - nothing could be easier.














This flower came just the way it is. Isn't it scrumptious. I've been dying to use it and finally the opportunity presented itself. Stick a few smaller flowers around the large one and you have a great piece for a corner.











I punched two holes into the paper background so that when I ran a ribbon through it would hold the hanger in place on the backside. Make sure your holes are far enough into the paper so that the end pieces don't show on the front.










This tassel had lost it's hanger which made it perfect for a glue dot.



















Attach your die cut letters and enjoy. Be Creative! To celebrate the new Creative Paper Concepts, I've got blog candy to give away. I have another hanger! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by next Wednesday and by random drawing, someone will receive the hanger in the mail! Just tell what you'd do with the hanger.

exciting news...

No pictures today :(... Instead I have decided to share with you how I plan to give this blog a bit more direction.
Although it's been fun so far, I find that the lack of direction irritates me. And yes, at least this blog is all about me. So....

Mondays you can expect a post labeled: Creative Second Time Around. I'll be sharing some re-purposed items with you.

Wednesdays will bring you Creative Paper Concepts. Anything paper goes with this label!

Fridays you'll see Creative Fiber Fabrications. This post could bring you some simple sewing, embroidery, hand work, home dec items, clothing, wall art, who knows.

So stay tuned and Be Creative!

QuicKutz Club project and supply list

Here's our fun project for this Saturday June 20, 2009. We start at 10am..

Doesn't this look like fun? I'll have a template for you to trace for the shape. You'll need to cut it out yourself. We'll be playing with some Core-dinations paper! Now this is sooooo cool. When you sand it, the core color is revealed.


Here's what you will need to bring:
4 pieces of designer paper
1/2 yd coordinating ribbon



3" punch (if you have one)
Ink for edging
Scissors
Journaling Pen
Cheetah adhesive runner
Adhesive of choice
Tiny glue dots
QuicKutz:
2" embossing die of choice
String Bean font

Optional: Stickles in a coordinating color to your paper.

See you there!



Be Creative!

sorry sorry, it's been busy around here

So here is why I haven't had one moment of time to create! We had some of my husband's classmates over for tapas. So I decorated the patio and then I undecorated the patio and then I decorated the patio and then the guests arrived and then we undecorated the patio.

It was as if they let the Keystone Cops loose. Most of you aren't old enough to remember black and white TV let alone the Keystone Cops. Leave a comment if you remember and prove me wrong!

We did have a great time. Each person brought tapas to share. We had so much food. But did I take pictures of the food? No I can say that thought never even crossed my mind. But we had tamales, jalapeno poppers with shrimp, dessert pinwheels, deviled eggs topped with pico de gallo, crostini with mushroom toppers, sangria that was out of this world, I made some mozzarella balls/basil/tomato bites and there was so much more I can't even begin to list them all.





Both of the tables were full and the potting bench repurposed to a bar was filled with drink concotions to wet anyone's whistle.

When the wind started to pick up a bit I made the quickest tablecloth weights you can ever imagine. Nothing like washers attached to the tablecloths with safety pins. Put a 2-5 on each safety pin. Depends on size of your safety pins and the size of your washers. Instant problem solver. Of course I have some very cute ones...but haven't seen those since we moved last July. :(





The blue bench is another quick repurposed item! Thank you son for leaving me to take care of your skate box. If you have kids or grandchildren who've taken up skateboarding, then you might be familiar with this item. Last week, the box took on new life. I unscrewed the sides, sanded the top and painted the entire thing blue... instant extra seating. Children beware, if you leave things at Mom's, they are liable to not be in the same state as when you left them! Also painted an antique coffee table yellow for our grandchildren a while ago. They can pull up their chairs and eat in peace. Listening to them while they eat on their own is an absolute delight.





And here some are outside while the outside was still decorated......













And here some are inside after we undecorated the patio...

So now to the reason for all the "decorating". It's spring. I live in West Texas. Weather is subject to change. Although I was fortunate enough to miss the afternoon storm, we did get one in the evening. Water, hail, wind, lightning. The works!

It's not summer yet, so spring still has a right to roar every once in a while.





Be Creative!

QuicKutz Club sneak peak

I used 4 pieces of Penny Lane paper....
1/2 yd ribbon to coordinate...

Remember Club is Saturday June 20th, at 10 am!

See you there.

a little bit of this and that

Welcome, when we look in the window what there is there to see?


I was going to hang this on the back fence today, but never made it that far. :(

I love old windows, there is just so much you can do with them. I've got one that is being used as a picture frame. I used clear contact paper to adhere copies of pictures to the back of the glass so that they show through on the "front side". Is there really a wrong side to a window? I used to have one that filled a dead corner in our old house. It's a large blue window and I just haven't found a spot in this house for it. But fear not, it's safely put up in the "black hole" - so dubbed by husband because it seems that everything is in there. Garage to you and me.

And I cleaned today. Never got to digging in the still packed fabric in the garage. :(




Somewhere along the way today, I was mesmerized by the daylilies. They are blooming everywhere. It's sure a shame they only bloom for a day.

I created some art today. After which I had to clean the my room again! But it was worth it.
Finished up the June QuicKutz club. Stay tuned for a sneak peak on Tuesday. You'll want to go get some paper at DML for sure!

I started another little project. Pictures when it's done! This one is already very special to me. A gift from a friend. :)




So here are the ingredients for the project, started and finished in the wee hours of the morning. I hate not sleeping well anymore! But oh well, I have learned to enjoy the time. It's cool. It's quiet. And it's all mine!

Purchased a craft cross at the big box craft store. Painted it a neutral color, I think driftwood. I don't really worry because it will be covered up anyway. Once dry, dab dots of all the colors of the alcohol inks onto an alcohol ink applicator. All Ranger, all Tim Holtz. I used 4 layers of "dabbing". Between each layer, make sure you let the previous layer dry completely (30 secs?) before you add the next. This way you build layers of color and not a beautiful brown mud. Use the copper metallic sparingly as it will overtake the rest of the colors. A little dab will do ya.



Man, was it ever hard to take a picture of this! Sorry. If i put it under lights, it came out very orangy which it's not. Oh and if you enlarge, you will notice there are dabs of silver. That was a chance happening. The felt pad had a bit of silver on one end and with my last layer, I added the blue and green to the end that had the silver...

I am thinking that I might want to solder the edges of the piece to give it a more finished appearance. Just not today.

Once the inks were dry, I chose a stamp and black Stazon ink and stamped the cross very randomly.


Come back Tuesday for a sneak peak of the June QuicKutz club project... It's simply undescribeable!

Be Creative!

where I wish I was right now...

Santa Fe. New Mexico. I wish.

This is one of my most favorite pictures taken in Santa Fe. I just loved the old cart, the flowers, a glimpse of the blue window, and the dappled light just throws it into near perfection! I knew I wanted to see this on the wall, but not just framed.












Supplies:
1 artist canvas
Brick craft paint
Stiff paint brush
Black Metal from Ten Seconds Studio
QuicKutz Flirt and Stardust font dies
Embossing folder of your choice
Sanding brick
Gibberish lettering rub-on in black
Craft cross
Avocado craft paint
Distress Alcohol Inks: Silver, Butterscotch, Terra Cotta, Lettuce, Stonewashed
Alcohol ink applicator
Distress Walnut Stain Crackle paint
Black Basic Grey flourish rubon
Twine
Handmade white paper for the background
Black cardstock
"Journey" metal embellishment and 2 black brads

Using a stiff brush, paint the artist canvas without priming the piece. Watch your brush direction because this method will leave the painted areas with a striated affect. Always brush towards the edges, mitering the corners if you can. There is no need to paint the center of the canvas. Let dry.

Dampen the hand made paper with a small paint brush in the desired size to fit on the canvas. Tear the paper on the wet lines. This will leave your edges very rough and stringy looking. Adhere to the canvas with either glue dots or orange sticky tape.

Back your 5x7 photo with a piece of black cardstock cut 1/4" larger in width and length. Your photo will be framed with a 1/8" frame of black.

Paint your cross avocado green. Let dry. Layer several coatings of alcohol ink over the avocado green cross. Check out this link for a tutorial. Apply the flourish rub on when the inks are dry. Paint selected areas of the cross with the Distress Crackle Paint. The thicker you put it on the deeper the cracks will be.

Place all items on the white hand made paper as shown or as desired. Apply the gibberish rub on and then adhere the pieces. Adhere the individual pieces with glue dots. Wrap the bottom of the piece with the twine and tie the knot on the front of the piece.

Adhere the metallic embellishment were desired with orange adhesive tape. Poke a hole through the openings and push the brads through.

The lettering is super easy! Die cut the S and the F (or letters of your choice) using Stardust font and the black metal. Place the letters inside an embossing folder and emboss. Sand the raised edges of the letters. The lower case lettering is cut from Flirt font out of the black metal. Adhere with orange sticky tape.

Hang with pride and enjoy!

Be Creative!