How To Mix Your Own Colors of Texture Paste

Today's layout is a zany mix of texture paste, matching colors of glimmer mist, and lime green flowers. I took the colors directly from this photo of AJ next to an alien themed ride at the fair. The title reminds her she is half human, half cosmos, and all stardust!

~ Half Cosmos ~

 This layout started as a White with 1 entry. I used Versafine ink and Wow embossing powder to create rows of  circles for the base of my design. The circle stamps are from Little Yellow Bicycle.

 The photo doesn't do the color scheme credit. In reality the mist and paste match shade for shade. I used Calambour 3-D Glossy gel in Light Blue and Green Gold. I ended up with so much paste by the time I had the color right that I saved it in a spare jar.

 I applied the paste through a Memory Box star stencil. After It had cured I added more circles with Liquitex modeling paste and TCW stencils. A spritz of Tattered Angels Chalkboard, Seven Seas and a the background was finished. 

 I chose lime green and lavender for contrasting colors. A Martha Stewart "Punch All Over The Page" in a caning pattern pops in lime green against the purple cardstock. The background was too textured for adhering the photo mat down so I used tiny brads.

 Strips of Webster's Pages trim echo the colors and the circle theme. I added black brads and punched gears from the purple cardstock.

 A spray of lime green and black flowers cover the unsightly parts of the photo. Of course I didn't have the right flowers to start with. I spritzed a few Prima news print flowers with Tattered Angels Chalkboard, Inchworm. The final touch of Prima crystal flourishes meld perfectly with the stamped circles.

Although I lost the White with 1 entry along the way I am thrilled with the result. I guess that means I will just have to spend MORE time crafting. 

Oh the agony!!!

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~

No Fuss Coffee Cup Wrap

 This no fuss, no worry coffee cup wrap was posted last year on the Canvas Corp Blog. It makes such an easy Father's Day gift that I'm re-posting for this year. The navy cord is embroidered with a couching stitch, instructions are included.

Directions:Step 1: Wrap Canvas Garland around cup with a 1″ overlap and cut.Step 2: Turn one end under 1/2" use straight pins to secure.
Step 3:Attach small button to the center end with one stitch.

 Step 4: Stack medium button on top and stitch both buttons to the end, together.  As you stitch the buttons to the garland end you will also be tacking the turned-under-end down.

 Step 5:Tie a knot in the cord end with an inch of tail.

 Step 6:Wrap cord end around end of garland with knot to the inside of the buttons.
Step 7:Stitch cord to garland so that the first few stitches secure the tail on the top and the bottom of the garland.

Couching Stitch 

The couching stitch is essentially a straight stitch sewn over a cord. The seamstress must be very careful to stitch close to the sides of the cord with out sewing under the cord. After the straight couching stitch is mastered adding a zig-zag or herringbone pattern is easy. The key is small, even stitches. Sloppy stitches simply will not do.

 Step 8: After the tail is secured arrange the cord in loose coils along the canvas garland. Use straight pins to secure the loops.

 Step 9:At the points where the cord overlaps stitch an X to hold both widths of cord to the garland.

 Step 10:To finish the garland position a knot 1/2" from the end of the garland with a 1" tail. Fold the tail under and secure it with stitches that tack under and over at the same time.

The double stacked buttons on either end of the cozy make it adjustable. They leave a notch for an elastic hair tie to be wrapped around once or twice. Elastic hair ties are easy to come by and the notch holds them in place.

A coffee cup wrap personalizes Dad's favorite cup without messy pens, paints, or other inks. It slips off for easy cleaning and looks classy!

Supplies:
Canvas Garland 2" width
Dark Blue Hemp Rope
Embroidery Thread
2 Medium Buttons
2 Small Buttons
Hair Elastic

Craft On!

~charity~

How To Make a Mixed Media Banner for Mom

Today's blog post is a Mixed Media Banner for Mom. Three 4x6 alphabet cards are attached to a garland of white roses, a yard long. I plan to slip the middle letter through the handle of a gift bag and let the M's drape down. 

~ MOM ~

This banner will be my entry for the April 15th Bleeding Arts Challenge: Add Stenciling. I used three different stencils, one for each alphabet card. For the Alladin Screen from Kite I used a lavender Embellishment Mousse from Tonic Studios. Liquitex Modeling Paste and a square frames stencil make the background for the O.

The second M uses a TCW reel stencil with ink and glimmer mist. The coloring was too subtle so I added dragonflies with a TCW stencil and blue Embellishment Mousse from Tonic Studios.

After allowing the media to cure I added fussy cut elements and diecuts to the first M. I attached the rose garland with tiny white brads as well as a large gem and pearl brad.

The O turned out very steampunk. The keys, chain and lock plate are all from my stash. The gears are 7gypsies. The bicycle diecut is Peachy Cheap, the Wings are Spellbinders, and the Zephyr is Amazon.

The second M has fussy cut rabbits, tiny Prima flowers, and a spray of Prima gems. The blue butterfly is a Prima flower with a petal removed, pinched in the middle, and a trio of gems added. Another gem and pearl combo of brads attach this card to the garland.

The fabulous Letters are punched from copper Rinea Foiled Paper. I used a WeRMrk Alphabet Punchboard to form the letters.

It can be tricky to capture the shine of Rinea Foiled Paper on camera. In person the glow is luxury at its finest! It meshes perfectly with the assortment of Blue Fern Studios papers I used for these cards.

Hope you found a way to spoil your Mom this weekend.

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~

How To Make A Stitched Heart Layout

Today's tutorial is a simple 1-2-3 for adding a stitched heart to a layout. Scrapbook pages look delightfully shabby chic with hand sewn details. If you aren't familiar with stitching or if you'd like a new stitch to add to your repertoire this post is especially for you.

~ Fancy Feline ~

 Step 1: Cut a heart from scrap paper, trace directly onto cardstock or patterned paper.

Step 2: Stitch the heart outline with a running stitch. Tie loose ends together at the back.
Step 3: Run a second thread along the edges of the heart, weaving it between each stitch. Tie loose ends in a bow at the front.

This layout gets most of its drama from using color wheel opposites. The papers are in blues while the photo, alpha, and sequins are in yellows. The backlit fall foliage certainly plays along with this theme.

 This sequin mix is Sunflower Flight from Spiegelmom Scraps. You can find it at the link below, while it is still in stock!!!

Sunflower Flight

Life has been too crazy the last couple years to participate with my favorite challenge blogs. I have missed Rochelle Spears sketches SO much. Today's layout is made possible by this luxe sketch from Rochelle for her May Challenge. 

To participate with Stacey's Photo Inspiration Challenge I stitched the hearts on my layout.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper:Blue Fern Studios
Punches:Martha Stewart & Kreaxions
Stencil:The Crafter's Workshop
Feather Dies:X-Cut
Stickers:Studio Calico
Alpha:Basic Grey
Sequin Mix:Spiegelmom Scraps

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~

How To Make a Stamped Card With Multiple Layers

This stamped card with multiple layers samples all of my favorite things. Foiled paper, sequins, seashells, tiny flowers, netting, and hand painted details enhance this shabby chic creation. The visual depth gives it an extra touch of luxury.

~ wishing you a BEAUTIFUL day ~

 I had specific plans for it until I realized I had given a card with this image just last year!!! Clearly a favorite stamp of mine.

To get the layers of this sweet girls dress I stamped the image on two different colors of cardstock. Then I cut it out, trimming it shorter each time. 

The bottom layer is white for the petticoat with painted hands, legs, and shoes. I assembled the images with thin layers of Helmar adhesive between. 

I stacked the parasol and little boy separate from the dress. I did cut a few images wrong but had plenty of cardstock to stamp and emboss for the next try. I stamped the final image on a 4x6 piece of white cardstock, then I cut out the ocean for my shaker window.

I used watercolors to add the beach and the ocean. The shaker cavity is filled with Spiegel Mom Scraps sequins. I used two different mixes to get the look I wanted. I used more Helmar Adhesive to attach the sea shells.

The shaker looked too plain on the blue card. I added a large rectangle of pink netting and tied the corners with gold braid. I added 4 copper flourishes to the card front as well as blue, velvet flowers.

I placed tiny shells and flowers around the sides of the card. The final touch was a sentiment, matted in more of the Copper Foiled Paper from Rinea.

This card is my entry for @NomadicSoulDiaries April Challenge on Instagram.
1:Create a card, any size/shape
2:Make it interactive
3:Use Sequins

Scrap On!

~charity hotrum~