Pretty Pink Birthday Card

Hello and good morning! It's Gloria with you today. I made a pretty, pink birthday card to share. I don't get to use much "little girl" pink, since my children are young adults and none of them like pink! I let out my inner grandmother today and made a sweet pink card!

This card is a whopping 8" x 6"! I wanted something substantial, and perfect for adding a gift card to the inside. There is just something extra special about an over-sized card!

To create this card, start out by inking the birthday sentiment from the Birthday Shape Set with cupid pigment ink. Cover the inked chipboard with bubble gum scented embossing powder and heat set. (Yes, I said bubble gum scented embossing powder! And it really does smell like bubble gum, even after it's heated and cooled!)

Ink one of the shapes from the Little Dancers set with pepper pigment ink. Allow the ink to dry.

Create the card base by cutting one piece of black cardstock to 8" x 6". Cut a second piece of black cardstock to 8 1/2" x 6". Score at 1/2" from the top edge. Fold and burnish on the score line. Attach strong, double-sided tape to the 1/2" tab. Attach the two pieces of cardstock together to create a top-fold card, 8" tall and 6" wide.

Cut dark pink cardstock to 7 7/8" x 5 7/8" and attach the panel to the card front. Cut pink dotted paper to 7 3/4" x 5 3/4" and attach the panel to the card front. Glue the birthday chipboard sentiment to the top of the card, approximately 1/2" from the top edge.

Use a stitched die cut template to cut textured white cardstock to approximately 5 1/4" x 4" and attach the panel to the left side of the card. Use a stitched die cut template to cut dark pink cardstock to 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" and attach the panel to the white cardstock. Use a stitched scallop die cut template to cut printed cardstock to approximately 4 1/2" x 3 1/4". Attach the printed panel to the dark pink cardstock.

Attach the large doily (Intricate Cardstock Doily Set) to the card front as shown. Glue the little dancer shape to the left side of the card.

Glue a selection of flowers to the card, overlapping the doily as shown. Place two decorative pins into the top right section of flowers. Place pink and black sequins onto the card as desired.

Cut two pieces of dark pink cardstock to 7 7/8" x 5 7/8" and attach them to the inside panels of the card. Cut two pieces of white cardstock to 7 3/4" x 5 3/4" and attach them to the dark pink panels. Stamp a sentiment onto the white panel on the inside of the card with black ink. Cut strips of pink dot paper and attach them to the top and bottom panels.

Thanks for looking!

~ Gloria Stengel: Scraps of Life Blog

Supplies Used:
Gyspy Soul Laser Cuts:
Birthday Shape Set
Little Dancers Set
Intricate Cardstock Doily Set (contact Store to special order)

Other:
Flowers, scented pink embossing powder, pink and black pigment ink, black dye ink, sequins, decorative pins, cardstock (black, white, dark pink), decorative paper, rectangle die templates (with stitching), birthday stamps, adhesives

"Juliet" Steamer Trunk by Lynne

hi there crafty friends! I've been wanting to tackle this awesome steamer trunk project for ages and finally got brave! I chose the "Juliet" paper collection by Bo Bunny to finish my trunk.

The first thing I always do with 3D projects is put them together to make sure I know where everything goes and how it all fits. (It's important to note that if you are going to use the drop shelf that you attach it in the holes provided before you glue the sides together) I then take it all apart and paper or paint each piece.

After covering the panels I used this paper to cut strips for the edging.I ran the strips through the Cuttlebug in an embossing folder to add some texture, then lightly inked them.

For the "metal" corners I used a 1" punch  on metallic gold cardstock, then removed a quarter of each one to make a little "Pacman" (yes I AM that old!! LOL) Thanks to Gloria for that idea, which she used on her own beautiful steamer trunk, which you can find HERE.

This is what the embossed strips look like with the corners added:

When I saw this paper with the small panels of different prints I knew it would be perfect for the                                                                         drawer fronts!

Then I added some fussy cut images to the large panels at the back of the trunk.

I added some cutouts and stickers to the fronts of the drawers  as well.The hinges and latch came from a little wooden box from Dollarama that my friend gave me after I couldn't find matching metal hinges and latches that were small enough. These were perfect!

I glued chains to the drop shelf to keep it level and add interest, and inserted a brad halfway through (sliced into the chipboard with an exacto knife) to serve as a handle.

I had several little bottles of seed beads and microbeads, and this is perfect storage for them; in the drawers I put little jars of paint that were so small they kept getting lost in larger storage spaces....we all know a crafter can never have too much storage! Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a creative and happy week!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED

8" Steamer Trunk

OTHER ITEMS USED

Bo Bunny Juliet paper collection

gold metallic cardstock

white glue

Darice embossing folder

pale blue and brown inks

hinges and latch from Dollarama wooden box

Victorian Frame and Easel Set...

Hey everyone it's been an amazing month on the blog with all the gorgeous things everyone has shared with all of you... I really love all the products that GSLC has in the store so I can't wait to share my new frame that I made up this week.

Today's project is made with the "Victorian Frame and Easel" set.  It's a beautiful set with lots of gorgeous details in it and would be great to give or make for yourself to put in that special picture or quote from your favorite stamp.  I made mine to put in my crafty room so I did it in a pretty pink.

Below i have a simple tutorial to make this beautiful frame.

To start you will need to glue all the easel pieces together so that you can paint it. Let them dry.

Paint 1 to 2 coats on both the fronts and backs of all the pieces that you see above you.  Let them dry.

( I didn't end up using the smaller bits but it's better to paint it all at once just in case)

To add some texture on the front of my easel I picked a pretty stencil and some gesso and added the design to it.  I let that dry and then washed over the front with pink paint.  I also chalked around the edges with a darker pink chalk ink to give it a bit of shading so it wasn't so flat looking.  Then I glued the frames together and let them dry.  You can always add the photo inside later.

Then when all of the paint was dry I added pretty clusters of flowers to both sides of the frame and a few pearls to the sides to make it really lovely.  It's like a rose garden for inside your house.

Thanks so much for stopping by today to see what is new and be sure and leave a comment to let me know what you think or if you have a question about anything.  

Supply List:

Victorian Frame and Easel Set

Pink Chalk paint

Flowers/ Pearls

stencil/gesso

chalk ink in a darker pink

Beacon 3 in 1 adhesive

white jute

Have fun and enjoy your crafty weekend!!

Teresa

Fun & funky mixed media flying heart by Betsy Skagen

 

Many years ago--before her orange jumpsuit days--I was somewhat of a Martha Stewart wannabe.

Here's one example: I spent days sculpting an elaborate firetruck cake and building a firetruck prop for my son's birthday. Not only was the fire truck big enough to hold six children, it was complete with flashing red lights and horn.

The kid was three.

I could have given him a cardboard box and he would have been happy. Some (like the entire Western Hemisphere) might say perfection was my middle name.

Despite my best intentions some of that perfection still resides in my crafting. I am meticulous in creating the ideal scene. Many projects, like my Valentine Station, involve excruciating details and endless hours of work.

Once in awhile, I remind myself to let loose and shake things up a bit--to let go of perfection and just create for the sheer joy of it. This project was all about having fun and combing different materials into one funky piece.

I love how the different layers, textures and materials all came together.

However, I discovered when writing the tutorial that I might have let loose a little too much....I made this piece shortly before I had some surgery and I made the mistake of not writing the steps down since I was certain I would remember everything. Surgery, prescription narcotics and several weeks rest have lead to a different conclusion. If I miss a small step or two, you will know why.

Begin by covering the non-word pieces of the Flying Heart Wall Hanging with a coat of gesso.

Then cover the heart with red acrylic paint. Don't be afraid to add texture and varying degrees of red.

Give the wings and crown a base coat in colors of your choice. While I like the initial color of these wings, I later changed it to have more contrast with the heart.

After the pieces dry, apply embossing ink and a thick clear embossing powder. Use a heat gun to melt the powder. Repeat this process several times to add depth and dimension.

While the embossing powder is still warm, stamp the heart with a clean decorative rubber stamp. Use different materials, such as a liquid paint pen and micro beads to fill in the stamped areas.

Apply another layer of embossing ink/embossing powder and again heat, being careful not to blow away any glitter or beads.

Next, while the embossing powder is slightly warm, rub gold gilding flakes onto the surface and reheat.

Repeat the embossing steps for the crown and wings. For the wings you can add layers of color with each embossing application. Complete the wings by adding gold embossing powder to the edges.

Wrap colorful wire around a pencil to create two long coils. Attach a button to the end of one of the coils.
Glue the crown on top of the heart and the heart on top of the wings with a strong adhesive. Adhere the button coil to the back. Make a loop with the second coil and also attach it to the back and your Fun & Funky Heart is complete.

Thank you for stopping by the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Blog. I hope you have a fun & funky week! - Betsy

Great Stuff

Flying Heart Wall Hanging
Heart
Clear embossing powder
Gold embossing powder
Radiant Gold Gilding Flakes
Micro beads
White paint pen
Acrylic paint assorted colors
Gesso
Colored wire
Gold button
Beacon Fabri-Tac

The Library of Mister Bartholomew Pendragon

Goodmorrow crafters, Jess here for the final installment of my miniature piece this month! If you'll recall, earlier this months post, I thought it would turn out to be a set, but I loved how it was turning out so much, I just had to glue the bits and bobs into place. It has become "The Library of Mister Bartholomew Pendragon". Let me give you the walk through:

The full Deep Open Front Box, containing the miniature scene.

Stacks of research Mister Bartholomew Pendragon has accumulated on various fantasy creatures.

Specifically, the "Pixie" stack of papers.

Mister Bartholomew Pendragon himself, framed atop his chair.

Scrolls hidden amongst the books.

The stairs leading up to the aging door. He's out exploring and finding new species of creatures he just can't be bothered to repaint the door.

His collection of exotic bats in shadow boxes.

He hopes to one day have a large stack of research on Dragons, as well. For now, this is all he's accumulated.

He's got a special interest in Nymphs. Some say, his wife was once a Nymph in the forests of Hanover, but this is just whispers amongst other explorers.

Ancient scrolls on learning to speak with various faerie species.

The pride of his collection will always be his books.

A closer view of the door.

Candles lead the way of the stairs. Worries of fire hazards tend to not bother him.

Thanks for joining me for this months miniature making - check back next month for more miniatures!

GSLC Materials

Open Front Room Box

4 Panel Door 1:12

Victorian Corners 2

2 Step Stairs

Alpha Stamps Materials

Chesterfield Chair

Cabinet Cards: Men Collage Sheet

Shadow Box Bugs & Bats Collage Sheet

Mythological Dictionary Pages Collage Sheet

Mon Amour Memory Tray

Hello everyone!  February is the month of Mon Amour, and I guess I am still in "Love" mode, so I want to share my GSL Memory Tray Shadowbox using Graphic 45's Mon Amour paper collection.

I always do a dry fit of my chipboard, just to make sure I know how the pieces will fit together. This also helps if you a gluing directional printed papers to the pieces.

NOTE:  This shadowbox uses dovetail joints to join the pieces together for strength.  A dovetail joint is a series of pins cut to extend from the end of one board that interlock with a series of tails, or slots, cut into the end of another board.

First, cut five  2-1/8" wide strips from one sheet of 12x12 paper.  To cover the sides and shelf strips, first cover the side that will need to have the tails, or slots, recut into them.  Never cover the pins or they will not fit into the slots.

Right side that needs the slots cut out

Wrong side that has the slots cut out

Wrap and glue remaining paper over to the opposite side.  Do not recut the slots on this side.  The paper will cover the areas where the pins are inserted into the slots for a clean finish.

This side will be on the outside of the box, so do not cut the slots out.

I fussy cut images from the paper collection and decided where I wanted to place them.  Then I cut background pieces that would complement the images.  Rather than give you minute measurements, I always find it easiest to measure the pieces by laying the paper down and measuring against the chipboard itself.  Mark the spot with a pencil and take the paper to your paper trimmer for best results.

Cover the back of the shadowbox completely, including the pins.  This will cover the "works" when the shelves and sides are glued.  Trim away excess paper.

Glue the shelves and sides together, fitting each piece as you go.

Cut the Hearts Background apart, making the edges uneven, and paint the two pieces with red paint.

Cut and glue small pieces of the print papers to fit behind the open hearts, then glue the Hearts Background sections to the back of the shadowbox, as shown,  I also stamped the solid hearts with a crackle stamp and black archival ink.

Color the Love Heart chipboard with the red paint, then dab gold ink over the piece, concentrating on the word Love. I also treated Kiss Me the same and glued to the front, as shown in the photos.

Glue the Love Heart to the back and add diamond swirls gems to the back, as shown.

Adhere the fussy cut embellishments from the paper collection, using two layers of pop dots to lift the images in each shadowbox section.  I used flowers, charms, jewelry pieces, and anything I could think of that looked good.

I fussy cut the large image of the pretty lady and adhered her to the left side of the shadowbox.  I also painted two wooden barrel shaped pieces with the red paint and a layer of interference gold paint.  Enamel dots were added to the front and back of the barrel pieces.

Here are closeup photos of each section of the shadowbox.

Supplies Used:

GSL Memory Tray Shadowbox
GSL Word Art Romance
GSL Hearts Background
Graphic 45 Mon Amour paper collection
Black card stock
Embellishments:  flowers, leaves, jewelry pieces, charms, fussy cut images, gem swirls
Foam dots

I hope you enjoyed my project today and that you are inspired a bit to make one of these fun and easy shadowboxes from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts for yourself.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Barbara