Lucky Me!! -- March Tag

Hi All - Happy Easter,

Boy! do I feel like a big dork- I was on Tim's blog last night checking out the March Tag (because I have to make and post mine today) and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that I had won a prize for my Chunky February Tag.  Just a little slow on the draw.  Within minutes of my message to Mario, he responded with my prize.  You will be happy to know that I wasted no time using my gift certificate from Inspiration Emporium.

I've had a great month - earlier this month I got honorable mention both on Tim's Blog and on the Sizzix Blog. Tim put me in his "Blogworthy Springtime Links" post for my "Spring Has Sprung Accordion Album".   To add to all the excitement
Karen Burniston tagged the same project and posted it on the Sizzix blog.  I am feeling good right now.

Tim did a great tag with his Bunny Die but since I am so late with my post (as usual) I decided to give a nod to April.  Hopefully this will inspire me to post my April tag much sooner. Keep your fingers crossed.  Here is my tag - ENJOY

Tattered Floral - Vellum

Hi Folks

Well this is my last post for the week but just had to get in on the Tattered Florals Challenge going on over at the Tim Holtz blog.  I took a look at the other entries and decided to go my own way (I know - what a shock!) using vellum to make my flowers.

It is a rather messy process but I like the results - if you do not like inky fingers, this is not for you. I used the Tattered Florals Die of course and the Movers and Shapers Tattered Florals cutting my flowers from white vellum.  I then sprayed them with Distress Re Inker and water using the Ranger Mini Mister.  I used Squeezed Lemonade, Shaded Lilac and Spun Sugar.  You need to get each piece really wet and covered with ink.  While wet I added the brads and then dried them with the heat gun.  For the large flowers I used 3 large flowers and 3 medium. For the smaller ones I usually use about 5 layers. As they dry you will see them start to curl up, you can shape them some but really don't have to.

For the basket I used a round container that I had in my stash and covered it with a basket weave paper from one of Tim's paper collections.  I made a false bottom on the basket so I didn't have to fill it up.  The handle is simply a strip of paper attached to the basket with a brad.  The Chocolate Bunny is the Easter Elements Die and the Butterfly is a Movers & Shapers from Tim.

I have been crafting and blogging non stop for the last 4 days so guess I better go find the Swiffter and the vacuum cleaner - the house needs some work!

Graphic 45 Design Team 2013 Audition

               

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.