Decorated Tin Container

Tim Holtz is one of our most favorite paper craft rock stars.  Brandy and I were even were able to meet him in person a little over a year ago.  It is no wonder then that we have used many of his techniques featuring the work here on our tiny little blog.  Specifically to this post, we've both made many of his paper roses.  You can find a good YouTube video demonstration of the technique here.  The technique can be a little tricky at first, but the final result is stunning.  Much like riding a bike, once you've figured it out you'll never forget.  I've used a flower made from double sided patterned paper to accent this small tin gift box.  The tag was cut from Cricut's Accent Essentials cart and stamped with a CTMH stamp set.  This cute little tin was used to gift a small amount of fudge to a friend.  I had premade the flower, so it was a couple minutes to cut out, stamp and ink the tag, find the finished flower and swirl embellishment from previous crafting excursions, a little glue and we've got a quick gift of fudge.

Thanks so much for looking.

Andie 

Embellish It- Crate Paper Random Collection Mini-album

Brandy is a wise and thoughtful shopper.  She has such a great eye for the best of paper crafts in general and the best in mini-album design specifically.  When we attended last year's Play All Day event in Mesa, AZ hosted by Embellish It, she wisely picked up this mini-book kit.  Yes, being a *more than* full time working woman, it does take a little while to get around to making the album.  Since she completed this album a few of weeks ago, I snagged these pictures of the album to share her stunning work with all of you.

This Happy Times kit is no longer available through Embellish It.  However, the design can sure be used for skillful inspiration.

Rosettes- Totally trendy!

Buttons- An oldy, but a goody!

How about some fabric roses?

Butterflies are one of Brandy's favorites!

A couple of the pages were beginning to be completed as I photographed this work of art.

The back page was simply a denim (actual fabric denium) covered chipboard.  Don't you find this lovely?  If you've never checked out the stuff over at Embellish It!, I recommend you skip on over and see what they've currently inventoried. 


They usually have a lot of the trendy, smart looking product out in the market place.  Brandy and I will be attending one of their Play All Day events here in Mesa shortly.  They usually sell out for these events, so sign up early.  Shelby always has a lot of fun product to sell and great make-n-takes during the crop time.  I know we are both looking forward to it!

Andie (for Brandy)

Monochromatic Card Set

I picked up a new stamp a while ago.  This  sentiment was just so pretty I knew I had to create some cards with in.  I picked some monochromatic cream and white patterned paper out of the stash to see what I could create.  The result is a set of four cards (half of which are pictured here).  I was able to find four matching pieces- two from each pattern.

The pictures do not actually do the cards justice imho.  I've highlighted some of the shading in the card with a glitter pen.  The edges glisten in person.  The sentiment is stamped in coffee Archival Ink.  I used water to create the crinkle effect in the vintage seam binding finally tying a bow and adhering with a glue dot.  The stick pins were just hanging around the house, so I thought originally that they might look like the stamen of the flowers.  Not sure that worked like I expected, but I'm pleased with the result.

Not bad and I can say I actually used my new stamp and some of the paper stash.  Yeah me!

Andie

Butterfly Kisses Card

Sorry for the over exposed image.  Occasionally, the only pictures I can grab from Brandy's wonderful work are cell phone images text to me late at night when the lighting isn't the greatest.  I am sure the email went something like this. . . What do you think?  Well, I think Brandy's work is always fabulous.  Maybe she should seek a truly independent opinion.  Or, more likely, I am right. 

Here is a beautiful butterfly kisses card created earlier this year.  I found the image in my phone and felt I should post it.  Brandy used the tri-fold card design and all of her butterfly and dragonfly accessories.  The color scheme is lost in the poor image, but was beautiful in person. 

Thanks for looking.

Andie (for Brandy)

Christmas Gift Ideas

Just a quick post.  Not a great picture, but I ran across this picture of the gift I made for my co-workers last year.  It is not a fancy gift, but a good example of blending my frugal (cheap?) craftiness.  My daughter, Katie, is a Girl Scout and sells fall products to support troop activities.  Last year they sold some yummy butter toffee peanuts.  I purchased 12 containers and altered the look to celebrate Christmas.  The original container is colored by the Girl Scouts, lots of primary colors with green and yellow being predominant.  The lid was actually a bright yellow.  This proved my biggest challenge as paper didn't want to wrap around the lid and look nice.  Tissue tape to my rescue.  I tore pieces of tissue tape and adhered it randomly to the outer rim.  Since the yellow still came through the slightly transparent tissue tape and the tape takes ink well, I used a chalk ink to alter the tape and cover the lid color completely.  The tape wanted to separate from the lid (the flexibility of the plastic lid was not friendly).  Easy enough, I cut the circle with my Cricut and the snowflakes using Cricut's Winter Lace cart.  These pieces were glued in place with a hot glue gun (do you see the spot of glue on the leading edge of the snowflake right in the middle?).  Finally, the "button" front was made by edging a rectangular piece of red cardstock with a snowflake edge punch.  The brads were placed and a piece of crochet thread laced up the buttons.  All that and a large sale for the Girl Scouts (Katie was top seller for her troop).  Christmas is approaching, so give it a try.

Andie