How To Make an Epic Rose Suspended in a Bell Jar

If you want to know how to make an epic rose suspended in a bell jar read on! Projects that WOW are where it's at. A simple candle hurricane? A scrap of red paper? A squeeze of glitter glue? No! This is no ordinary rose, this is an enchanted rose...made by YOU!

The idea for this bit of fantasy was sparked by seeing a hurricane glass, face down, on a dusty thrift store shelf. Suddenly I could see the characters from that well known animation...and a rose, glittering and wilting as the time past. Of course it came home with me! 

The rose is a multi step process and frankly there are hundreds of rose tutorials on line. If you can stand reading another one, I can stand writing it. This project was made using ScraPerfect products. Substituting with a different adhesive would change the outcome.
Step 1: Cut/Punch 3 scalloped circles, pierce the center. Mine are 2.5" in diameter.
Step 2: Cut each circle into 6 even sections, leaving a 1/2 inch center. Roll the petals around a pencil or other cylindrical tool. Place a mini brad through the center to hold all three circles/layers together.

Step 3: ( Top Layer) Add a dot of glue to the right, underside of one petal. Fold that petal towards the center and overlap the sides to form the center of the rose. 

Step 4: Fold the remaining 5 petals towards the rose center, adhering each one around the center with dots of glue on the petal edges. For a more symmetrical rose, choose the petal opposite for each fold.
Step 5:(Middle Layer) Add a dot of glue to the right, top edge of every other petal. Fold and adhere those petals toward the center. The rose will resemble a blender blade.
Step 6: Add a dot of glue to the left, top edge of the remaining petals. Fold and adhere those petals toward the center.

Step 7: Wrap a hair band around the center of the rose until the glue had had time to cure. I left mine till the next day.
Fold the lower layer of petals towards the center, then roll the rim to the underside. This layer of petals should also be worked every other one, 3 at a time.
Step 8: Cut a strip of paper 1/4" wide and 12" long. Wrap it around a pencil to create a spiral.

Step 9: Pierce the end of the spiral stem, attach it to the bottom of the rose with the brad that holds the rose layers together.

Now that the paper rose has properly bloomed, the time has come to suspend it in the glass. Really though, this is the easiest part of the project. A line of glue on the back of each spiral is all it takes. Use a pencil to press the stem to the glass. The spiral stem creates an optical illusion that convinces the mind the rose is hanging in mid air.

The magic is all in the glue. The Best Glue Ever by ScraPerfect to be exact. Because BGE is flexible yet SUPER strong it holds the stem to the glass without hardening and releasing. Leave the rose to cure over night, lay the hurricane on its side and place a heavy cylindrical object (mine was a drill bit) in the spiral to hold it in place.

Hurricane Decoration 

Step 1:Stamp a flourish design on thin paper.
Step 2: Roll balls of Embellie Gellie. Flatten them on the inside of the hurricane, overlapping the stamped paper. The Embellie Gellie will act like tape without leaving residue on the glass.

Step 3: Trace the lines of the flourish with glitter glue.
Step 4: Use BGE to place Dew Drops along the flourish. Leave each portion of the design to cure for an hour or 2 before moving on.
The Perfect Cleaning Cloth is a life saver for glass projects. With a bit of a rub it removes finger prints, dust, and residue. I used my PCC several times during this project.

The primary colors and simple design enhance the beauty of this project. Wow factor is through the roof and you have your own enchanted rose to give or to keep. Lucky for you, this one won't wilt!

Supplies:
Paper, Dew Drops:Robin's Nest
Glue, Paper Tack, Cleaner:ScraPerfect
Hurricane Glass:Thrift Store
Glitter Glue:Home Made
Punch:Punch Bunch
Die:Echo Park

Scrap On!
~charity~

How to Make a Unique and Convenient Display for Dies

Charity here with a tutorial on how to make a unique and convenient display for dies. I like to display my craft supplies so I remember to use them. Dies are such thin bits of metal that it is easy to damage or lose them if they aren't stored securely. That means I tend to forget about the variety I own. I came up with this handy holder to help me out.

~ Magnetic Die Display ~

At Christmas my wonderful cousin gifted me this gallery frame for 4x6 photos. It arrived the same day I received new X-Cut feather dies from Amazon. It didn't take long for me to decide to combine the two. 

My first step was to remove the paper blanks and trace the inner edge of the frames onto the card board backing. I cut adhesive backed magnetic strips to fit these outlines. Finally I cut a thin, patterned paper from The Robin's Nest, to cover the magnets. Just a thin line of ScraPerfect's Best Glue Ever was enough to hold the paper firmly to the magnets without ripples.

I used Cathedral Specialty Paper because I love the pattern and bits of gold dust. It reminds me of fancy Italian writing paper. I only had enough paper for 5 of the frames so I added gold washi tape to the last one.

 The thick, black frames needed sprucing up so I pulled out my scraps of Robin's Nest paper and assortment of Dew Drops. The large butterflies and crown are punched from Glitter Chipboard and the castle is cut from Silver Castles Glitter Cardstock.

 The shaped punches are all Kreaxions, which can be purchased from Just Imagine Crafts.

To add details to my tiny bits of cardstock I used Embellie Gellie. It ensures I place things exactly where I want them.

 I used Boy rub-ons for the center design on the last frame.

Using the Best Glue Ever I stacked Glitter Chipboard shapes and centered dew drops on the butterflies. I also added Butterflies Dew Drops to the frame.

 I mopped up the little bits of glue smears with the Best Cleaner Ever. A dab on a Q-tip and a swirl of my fingers was all I needed.

Now I can display my dies with ease. I also have a secure place to put them if I need to set them aside for using again on the same project.  

Supplies:
Gallery Frame:Wayfair

Magnet:Tree House Studio
Paper, Dew Drops, Rub-ons:The Robin's Nest

Glue, Embellie Gellie, Cleaner:ScraPerfect
Shaped Punches:Kreaxions 601, 604, 606, 611, 612, 901, 909, 913

Scrap On!

~charity~

How To Make a Terrific Card Using Gears for a New Look

Today I have instructions on how to make a terrific card using gears for a new look. My favorite card sketches offer placement for flowers. To use such a sketch for a masculine card apply gears or stars as your go to shape.
~ Today, Be You ~

When using a gear the shape can be punched into the base of the card. Back it with a contrasting color and the card design begins to take shape immediately. Here the 4.5x6.5" top layer is cut from Blue Robin Glitter cardstock. The 5x7" contrasting under layer is the reverse of Witch Accessories Glitter cardstock.

These gears are punched with Kreaxions Punch #902 which can be purchased from Just Imagine Crafts. They work for a steampunk style as well. To add to this theme fussy cut a trellis or other wrought iron shape. If the design is overly involved cut portions with a craft knife and leave the rest.

For this card I used a Horse tag from the Cowboy Sticker sheet. I also punched stars, circles, and gears from the Witch Accessories Glitter cardstock and the Getaway Stripe cardstock.

As a final touch I added Amber Dew Drops to the centers of the gears.

ScraPerfect has adhesive and tools that are very effective with these type of embellishments. The Dew Drops adhere easily with the Best Glue Ever. It's a breeze to add drops of glue to the thin portions of the gears by attaching a No Clog Writing Cap to the glue.

Supplies:
Paper, Dew Drops, Tag:Robin's Nest
Adhesive:ScraPerfect
Sentiment:Bella Blvd
Gear Punch:Stampin' Up
Star Punch:The Paper Studio
Border and Corner Punch:Kreaxions #902

Scrap On!

~charity~

How To Make Your Cardstock Letters Absolutely Perfect

While playing around with my crafting tools I came up with this way to make your cardstock letters absolutely perfect. I cut the letters from Kreaxions Glitter Paper using the Mini-Alphabet Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers. I used Kreaxions Punch #303 for the letter tips and corners. It took a few tries to perfect my process, but the results are stunning!
~ SPRING~

I also used Punch #303 on opposing corners of my
yellow Kreaxions Duo Paper

Kreaxions Star and B Stencils helped mark out the places to punch then trimmed the excess paper back so the points stood out.

The Robin's Nest supplied the final touches for this card, the Pink Dew Drops and the Green Diamond Drops as well as those Purple Butterfly Drops.
And to hold those shiny bits of bling on I count on ScraPerfect and there resin adhesive, the Best Glue Ever. Just a drop is enough to keep them attached.

March 1st is team reveal day for
  Just Imagine Crafts.
Stop by the blog to see what our designers have created and which punches are on sale for the next two weeks!!!

Scrap On!

~charity~

Make a Wonderful Wreath that Dazzles and Delights

With Valentine's Day only a month away, there is just enough
time to make a wonderful wreath that dazzles and delights.
I can't start soon enough on my heart day cards and decor!!!
~ Valentines Wreath ~

 For the base of this wreath I used a 4" embroidery hoop and cones made of drafter's vellum.

The cones were constructed from 2.5"x2" rectangles of paper, cut out with pinking sheers.

Because of it's sheer nature, vellum is notoriously difficult to adhere
without leaving oily smears and unsightly globs of glue.
I was thrilled to discover that Scraperfect's Best Glue Ever turned my
rectangles of drafter's vellum into perfect cones with no fuss or mess.

 To arrange the cones evenly I began by placing one at each of the clock stations.
I then filled in the remaining spaces, lining up the narrow tips around a 2" circle.

I added a ring of hot glue on the inside of the hoop for an additional layer of security.

To set the Love Day tone I prepped layers of valentine themed accessories for the wreath.

I glued Green Tear Drops and Neon Pink Dew Drops to a wood heart shape to mimic roses.
I also cut a rose from the Silver Roses Glitter Cardstock.

I wound Silver Straw trim around scraps of Wedding Cut Outs Cardstock and Rosy Cards.
 I added a wood heart frame to the corner with a heart and crown
 punched from more Robin's Nest Paper scraps.

The red medallion is a 12"x2" strip of Red Glitter Paisley cardstock,
scored and folded every 1/2" and formed into a rosette.

I glued the silver rose onto the medallion, just west of center then added
 the be-dewed heart so the edge was flush with the medallion.

 
I slipped the edge of the layered papers under the leaves on the wood heart
 and adhered them securely to the rose and the medallion.

I slipped the Gold Chipboard Bike under the Silver Straw
and a laser cut "LOVE" behind the silver rose.
Finally the medallion was ready to adhere to the wreath.

This mini wreath is only 8" in diameter, but it is a power house of
roses, hearts, and glitter, layered over vellum cones.
What's not to love! 

 Supplies:
Wood Embroidery Hoop:Darice
Drafter's Vellum:
Love Chipboard:Gina's Designs
Wood Heart Frames:Stash
Heart Punch:EK Success
Crown Punch:Kreaxions
Adhesive for Vellum Cones:Sraperfect Best Glue Ever

All Other Supplies:The Robin's Nest

Scrap On!

~charity~

Sparkles on Things and Fairy Wings

Today's project is a Fairy Wing Dispenser.
One of the best things about paper crafting is the ways we find to illustrate our memories. My kids and I have a weakness for vending machines that spit out the latest collectibles in toys and trinkets. We have quite a stash from our visits and keep a quarter jar on hand. This vending machine commemorates those fun times and is for all the little fairies who visit my house.
Free wings for all!

~ Fairy Wings ~

This project evolved slowly. I began with scraps and watched my idea change repeatedly. The wings were my first creation. I used bits from Rosy Diamond Cardstock,  Girl Swirl Glitter Cardstock, Robins Egg Glitter Cardstock, and Moss Green Glitter Cardstock. I stamped and heat embossed the wing onto the cardstock then cut out the shape.

I strung a needle with thin fishing line and used it to tie a loop through a circle of foam adhesive. I stacked a pair of wings with the foam dot between so they could be hung in the dispenser.

I painted the inside of the glass globe white and sprinkled it with green glitter. The outside of the globe I painted with a clear adhesive and sprinkled heavily with blue glitter.

I added trim to the base of the globe and Metallic Gold Dew Drops to the dispenser and to the trim. Because of the varied materials and a need for a very strong bond I used E6000. It takes time to dry but holds well.

I used a tracing book to copy and cut two fairy shapes for the sides of the spout. I traced the shapes onto the Robins Egg Glitter Cardstock, cut them out, then dry embossed the edges with gold. I also stamped and embossed a pattern onto the back of the fairies.

I stamped and embossed a set of wings for each fairy and spread gold sparkle paste on the back of the wings. I attached the fairies to the dispenser with the E6000 adhesive.

The flower clusters on the sides of the dispenser were made from flower punches and Celebration Swirl Glittered Cardstock, Girl Crown Glittered Cardstock, Princess Cardstock, Rosy Diamond Cardstock. I glued Flame Dew Drops to the centers of the flowers.

The swirls were cut with a die from Robin's Egg Glitter Cardstock. I adhered the flowers and swirls to the globe with hot glue.

From the back of the dispenser the gold wings and body patterns of the fairies peek out.

As a final touch I placed a spare set of wings in the spout of the dispenser, as if a fairy child had just used her hard earned coins to win a magical pair of wings!

This sweet little Fairy Wing Dispenser was in great demand from my children. My oldest daughter won the prize. Her little pink Christmas tree looks adorable next to it!

Supplies:

Paper, Dew Drops:Robins Nest
Stamp:Hot Off The Press
Ink:Clear snap
Embossing Powder:Wow Embossing Powder
Trim:Webster's Pages
Glitter:Martha Stewart
Paint:Delta Creative
Adhesive:E6000
Punches:Martha Stewart, EK Success, McGill
Flourish Die:Poppy's Stamps

Scrap On!

~charity~