Spring Has Sprung!!

Have I mentioned lately that I am a BIG fan of Karen Burniston? (Queen of Pop Up Dies) Well, she doesn't know it but she has solved a problem for me with her latest post.  She is showing how to increase the size of the Accordion Album.  I have a brand new set of Tim Holtz Stamps that had yet to meet ink and wanted to use them with the Accordion Album.  The stamps were just a little too big but after seeing Karen's project --  PROBLEM SOLVED --

This is also a good one to enter in the Simon Says Challenge this week.  The stamp you love...(but don't use)  I have to admit the only reason I haven't used these stamps is the fact that they are new.

         Here's how I did it!

I needed the inside frame to be 4 1/4" high - so following Karen's directions I marked my die at 2 1/8" and placed the fold of the cardstock on the taped line. I cut the Accordion Die Frame from Stampin Up, Perfect Plum. I wanted 4 sections so of course cut it 4 times.

I then decided that the best color for the center panels was manila so I used some Smead File Folders.  I cut one panel from scrap paper and then scanned it and cut it out with my Wishblade Electronic Die Cutter.  You could also cut them using the die but I was trying to avoid the center fold.  You could also cut them by hand by tracing and cutting.

For the next step I stamped my images with black Versa Fine Ink and then used clear embossing powder and then heat set.  I colored selected sections of each stamp with Prismacolor Pencils and inked the edges of each panel with Perfect Plum ink.

In order to hide the fold line in the outer frame I decided to emboss the center sections.
I had an old AccuCut Pad that I cut with the Tim Holtz Scissors and placed it on top of the folder.  I taped the pad down to the folder so it wouldn't move when going through the machine. After it is run through the machine it is embossed only where the pad was placed.
 

After joining all the sections and adding the stamped images it's time to join the panels with the tabs and embellish, my favorite part.



A few flowers from the Tattered Flower Garland Die, edged with Perfect Plum, and a couple things from my stash - it's good to go.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG - ENJOY !!

Challenge: Metal-ology

Since it is one of my missions this year to take part in some challenges, I am playing along with Simon Says Stamp and Show this week.  The Challenge is Metal-ology and here are my pieces.

This was lots of fun and this time I remembered to take pictures along the way.

When I was at CHA last month I saw some awesome new Media Mixage items from Spellbinders and Susan Lenart Kazmer. I got some the other day while I was out shopping with Susie.  The die cut paper fits perfectly in the metal piece....So nice.

When I got home I started digging around in my stash and found some great stuff.
 Lots of Tim Holtz goodies along with some great old clock parts.

I used some "gear" paper from Graphic 45, Steampunk Debutante Line.  When it was glued inside I started putting the layers on. 

Once I had it all arranged I added the crown and then filled the bezel with Ice Resin.  This is a great product and easy to use.  When it is completely cured it is very clear and durable.  The hardest part is not touching it for 24 hours.  I always have trouble waiting for glue to dry so this is a real test of my patients.

Last came the finishing touches, the wings.  More time spent waiting for glue to dry. For the final step I will  add a jump ring and chain to wear it as a necklace.  I had so much fun, I made two more smaller ones to give as gifts.

Chunky February Tim Tag

I have made it one of my goals this year to play along with the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013.  This month I got a little crazy and made a Chunky Tag.  I love to make Pop N Cut cards and wanted to combine the two - here is what I ended up with.  It seems this is a good piece to enter in the Inspiration Emporium Challange this month, it's all about
L.O.V.E.

For the front I stamped the Tim Holtz "Queen of Hearts" Stamp 3 times.  Once on Craft and twice on watercolor paper.  I cut out each stamped image and layered it as Tim did on his tag. For the background I ran red Core'dinations paper through the Valentine embossing folder and then sanded it.  I stamped and cut out the "Pointy Finger" and added it with pop ups.  I tore the bottom section and embossed it with hearts.  I then added the black and white twine and then the plastic letters were added "u rule".  The finishing touches were the crown and a pin with a heart.

I used two sections of a Configuration Printers Tray that was left from another project.  I added some Tissue Tape around the outside edges and then connected them with some Graphic 45 Hinges.  Now it opens like a book.  I put Tissue Tape on the inside edges as well and then stained with some Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

Front

Back

For the inside I had some great paper from Lost & Found.  I cut the PoP N' Cuts Insert with the Flying Heart using my Base Tray because I wanted the insert to be 5.25" high.  You can see how to do this by watching Karen Burniston's video.    I had to alter the insert piece to accommodate the width of the box.  The altering took some trial and error but finally got the results I was looking for. I reinforced the back of the heart with some cardboard from a cereal box. 
In order for the heart to pop up to the desired height I had to add some chipboard to the bottom of the right side. 

After a little decorating I was pretty happy.  Hope you enjoy it.

Love Is In The Air

It is a rare day when I find nothing on my calendar so here I am in my studio wearing sweat pants and nothing done with my hair.  Hope no one comes to the door.

With Valentine's Day just a few days away I decided to make something festive.

I used Stampin' Up paper, Cherry Cobbler and Pretty In Pink, then added some white.

I was happy with the front and will display it somewhere in the house.  I'm in a silly mood today so had some fun with the back. 

As you all know I am a big Karen Burniston fan and own many of her great Pop Up Dies.  This one is lots of fun - I used a corner rounder on the inside panels to give it a different look.

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Products Used:

Cuckoo for Steampunk

Since my return from CHA I have been thinking about the burlap panels that Tim Holtz introduced in his new line.  I had some burlap on my last project and now I am using it again.  I had to make my own so I will be glad to find them on the market soon.

This week the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge is to make something you are known for and everyone of my crafty friends knows how much I love Tim Holtz and then Steampunk.

Here is my entry - CUCKOO FOR STEAMPUNK

This project was so much fun because I just started to dig around in my stash and found great stuff to use.  I have a real cuckoo clock in my house so I used it to guide me.  Hope you have fun looking at it.

January "Tim" Tag

I try not to make New Years Resolutions but I did "sorta" promise myself that I would play along each month with the Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013.  Here it is the 26th of January and I have finally finished my tag.  You can see the inspiration tag by going to Tim's blog. 

I have some sort of strange fascination with all clock related things so this month was right up my alley.  I opened my stash of clock things and got to work.  After seeing Tim's new Burlap Panels at CHA I got the fever and used burlap on my tag.  I cut the tag from chipboard and glued the burlap on it and then used some of Ranger's Glue N Seal around the edges to keep it from fraying.  This was a fun tag and I am so happy to have completed it.  Now I'm off to post it on Tim's blog

So Much Fun!

I am so tickled that I got to go to CHA.  It was such a blast getting to see all the new stuff before it's on the market.  Here are a few photos from my adventure, thanks Susie
for sending the pics.

Here I am with Tim Holtz.  He is so gracious and nice to everyone.  I really enjoyed his demo of the new Distress Paints.  They are wonderful and I will be planning a class at Craftfusion using them.

Here is a tag that Tim made during his demo and at the end I had only two questions for him.  May I please have this tag?  Will you sign it?  Both answers were YES!!

Here I am with Wendy Vecchi - she was showing her new "Arts Parts" which are phenomenal.  So much fun and such creative ideas.

OMG!!  Sizzix has really out done themselves with their new dies,  I love all of the new Alterations (that goes without saying).  The new dies with matching embossing folders are so adorable.  I especially like the Gum Ball Machine and the Vintage Scale.  The new POP N CUTS line designed by Karen Burniston called "Journey" is fabulous.

                         Here's Karen in action while I look over her shoulder.

                       Here we are doing a Make and Take at the Sizzix Booth.

I told you this one was cute!

Here's the whole gang with Mark Montano at the E6000 Booth

Susie, Mark, Cheri, Me, & Connie

That's it for now.  Have a couple things to share later in the week.