Spellbinders Series: Stenciling

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping in today, for my fourth post in my Spellbinders series. If you missed the others, you can find them here, here and here. So...on the packaging on Spellbinders dies it reads "Cut, Emboss, Stencil." Today I am trying my hand at stenciling (and of course I did add some elements that were cut too). I have a very limited amount of dies, so I apologize that all my projects are using the same dies. My layout today uses the Wonderful Wings dies and the Grand Labels One dies.

But first let's start with the technique.

For my background, I decided to use my butterflies and some ink to create my own fun background. I simply laid the butterfly die on my paper and sponged ink around it, like so:

And repeated this several times with different colors, to create this:

Next I softened it a little by spraying my paper with water. It's kinda hard to see it in my pictures, but it did blend it better and give it more of a watercolor look.

Another thing I love to do with stencils is to use them for my stitching (have you noticed that I like to stitch?) So I first cut using my large label, and then I used the next size down as a stencil. I simply took a pencil and drew around the inside of the die.

I left it like that until I completed my layout, then my final touch was to go back and add stitching to where the pencil lines were visible. This way I didn't take time to stitch where it was going to be covered up.

So you want to see my completed layout using both of these techniques?

Here it is:

I thought it would be cool to add my journaling on the butterflies. :) The products I used are a mix, so I will add my supplies at the bottom of the post. One thing I did want to mention was that I was out of y's for my title, so I used upside down h's instead. You probably wouldn't have even known if I hadn't mentioned it. :)

Here are some close up's of my layout:

So it looks like I may be having surgery on my knee. :( I see my doctor again today and meet with a surgeon next to discuss it all, but my doctor recommends the surgery for my case (he says he doesn't for all). Any thoughts? A few of you have already commented on facebook...just wondering if anyone has any strong opinions on knee surgery?

And since you all know I am a reality tv show junkie...I just want to say that this has been a very disappointing week in "reality" world (and you know I've been laying on the couch a lot due to my knee so I've seen a lot of tv). I was very disappointed with America's Next Top Model and with X Factor. Anybody else agree?

Again, thanks for stopping in! Have a FANTASTIC day! :)

Supplies for "My Oh My" layout:

Papers--Pink Paislee, My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper. Dies and Die Cutting Machine--Spellbinders. Cardstock--American Crafts. Ink--Stampin' Up!. Butterfly Brads: Creative Charms, Chipboard Letters--My Little Shoebox, Lace--Hobby Lobby Stores, Floss--DMC, Pen--Sharpie.

Random Thought Thursday (and a layout)

Are you liking the random thoughts and things about myself that I am sharing on Thursdays? Or do you think it's silly and skip over it?

Today I thought I would share another passion of mine with you...ok, not really a passion, but something I love! Games. I LOVE playing games. We play a lot of card games, but I also love playing board games. But most of the ones I like, nobody ever wants to play because they take too long. :(

Am I the only one who loves games? Are they just not "hip"? And do you have any suggestions for new games I should ask for for Christmas...a really good one? What's your favorite game?

Ok...moving on...

I also wanted to share a layout with you today...it's been in my "to be posted" pile. :)

I used the fun Baby Mine collection from Fancy Pants. I layered the panels in back by popping some out at different heights. I think it creates a fun background. :)

Here are the close up's:

Thanks for stopping in today!!!

Have a wonderful day! :)

Brrr...

Man...yesterday was a COLD day for us here. And all weekend it snowed. Today is supposed to be a bit warmer...but still below freezing. At least it's feeling like Christmas outside. And I went to the post office yesterday and there was already a long line out the door...so it is definitely feeling like Christmas. I have some more Christmas decorations to share with you today, a bit of home decor for the season.

The wooden snowflakes come from Say It With Letters. The larger one is 12" and the smaller is 8". I added paper and paint, and a little embellishing and got this:

The papers I used come from the FABULOUS Cozy Xmas collection from The ScrapCake. I seriously LOVE this collection. :) And I am really happy with the way these snowflakes turned out too.

Thanks for stopping in!

A Christmas PAPER Table Runner

Last week I had a post on the Fancy Pants blog and I have just been dying to share it with you here too! :) By the way...I have been LOVIN' all the projects on their blog lately, you should definitely stop in for some inspiration!

So...for my project, here is what I did:

1. I cut a bunch of 2x2 squares from some of my favorite pieces of paper from the fabulous Saint Nick collection.

2. I then laid them out in a design on top of a piece of canvas fabric. (For my end points, I just cut my squares in half, making triangles, to use on the edges)

3. I cut the canvas around my design, leaving a small canvas border.

4. I then ran my piece through my sewing machine, to make sure all the pieces stayed down and to give it more of a quilted look.

5. Then I covered it with a sealer.

And this is what I got:

And because of the sealer, I am able to wipe it off if need be. And if I need to iron it, I just flip it over and iron on the back (you may want to use a lower setting on your iron...I didn't, but better to be safe than sorry).

I really am so happy with the way this turned out! This was such a fun, easy project! Maybe I will try curtains next! :)

Thanks for stopping in!!

Spellbinders Series: Embossing

Hello!! Welcome to my third post in my Spellbinders series. If you missed the other two, you can find them here and here. Today's post is all about embossing with the Grand Calibur.

Keep in mind that I am just learning this machine and in the beginning "playing" stage. I have no training with the machine and definitely don't know all the tips for doing things right...I am just a crafter with a new machine and I am sharing with you what I am learning along the way.

So I knew I wanted to make this post about embossing. It's very easy to cut and then emboss a shape with the Grand Calibur, but what I was wanting to do was ONLY emboss. I learned that was not as easy as I expected. I wanted to stick a piece of paper through and emboss three butterflies, at one time. I tried once, and it actually did cut my butterflies out. I tried a second time and for some reason my paper got all warped in spots. So I ran my embossing pad and plates through the machine with no paper or dies in it, to straighten out my pad. Then I tried a third time and got something I was ok with.

Here's the layout I made with the paper I embossed the butterflies on:

See that pink piece of paper? That is what I was talking about. I also cut out some more butterflies (these are cut and embossed) to add to my butterfly design. On this layout I used the Wonderful Wings dies and the Creative Book Pages dies (the postage stamp piece behind my photos over the banner strips).

The gorgeous papers are all from Pink Paislee, from their Butterfly Garden collection (I thought that was very appropriate for this layout!). I also used their rub-ons, charm and letters.

Here are some close up's of my layout:

And then, using the same supplies, I also made a card:

This time I added a bit of chalk on top of my embossed butterfly.

I'm gonna have to play a bit more with embossing with the Grand Calibur. :)

Thanks for stopping in today!!! Hope you have enjoyed my post.

Have a WONDERFUL day!

Random Thought Thursday (and a wreath!)

So, can you believe it is December? And how many people do you think are saying that today? :)

So...my random thought for today is this...

I SUCK AT CRUTCHES! :(

Which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, because I am CLUMSY with a capital C! I can trip over nothing. I am just lacking in this department. Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to not be such a klutz. I will never be called graceful. But I am ok with that. Really it's a shock that this is the first time I have ever needed crutches!

Anyways...moving on...

I know many people wait to decorate til it is actually December. So if that is you...perhaps I can inspire you to make your own decorations. Those are always the best.

Today I am sharing a wreath I made:

All the papers and embellishments are from Fancy Pants Designs...they are from their fabulous Saint Nick collection. :) The wooden wreath comes from Say It With Letters.

I just punched a bunch of circles, crumpled them up and glued to my wreath. :) Then added a few embellishments on top.

Here are some close up's:

I will be sharing lots more Christmas stuff soon. Thanks for stopping in today!

Have a happy first day of December (it's my brother's birthday today!)

Challenges

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping in today! So I have some challenges to share with you. The first is not scrap related, but life related. It is the reason I haven't been on the computer as much and why I didn't have a post up yesterday. I hurt my leg. :( Well...my knee specifically. I tore my Meniscus. So I have spent the past several days on the couch with my leg propped up and if I must admit....a little doped up. I have crutches...and I hate them. Can't really figure them out well. My computer and my scrapbook room are both downstairs...so it makes it difficult. I still have assignments to do this week though, so I'll have to figure out a good way to do this.

Anyways...

The new challenge is up over at Once Upon A Sketch! I do hope you play along with us! :)

The challenge:

Journaling Criteria: Write at least 2 sentences on what you look forward to in the next month. December is a festive month so your journalling could be about the Christmas season, the holidays, the presents or if you do not celebrate Christmas what does December bring for you that you look most forward to? Note:You layout DOES NOT have to be about Christmas! It can be about anything December brings.


You MUST combine our journaling criteria with this sketch:

My Layout:

I changed it up a bit and incorporated a lot more pictures on my layout. :)

I used BasicGrey's Nordic Holiday collection. I used a 6x6 pad of paper, and then some fun chipboard.

Here are close up's of my layout:

The prizes:

You won't want to miss the prizes you can win...lots of good stuff!

1. The winner of this challenge, as chosen by the Design Team, will win a spot on our Design Team for the month of January. As well as that, the winner will also receive a AUD$20.00 voucher (plus FREE shipping) to spend in the store at Handmade By Suzanne!

2. One RANDOM lucky person will receive this prize from Handmade By Suzanne:

Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder Set (Collage)

3. And one lucky person will win this..

A set of My Mind's Eye 6 x 6 paper pads in 4 different collections.

See!!! Lots to win! :)

I really hope you play along with us this!!!! You have until Dec. 14th to upload your entry here. Can't wait to see what YOU do! :)

Have a FANTASTIC day!!!!