Embossed and Die Cut Valentine Card

An embossed and die cut Valentine Card in classic colors is sure to be a hit. It can be tricky to work with foiled paper and not leave dents or other marks. Check out the tips below if you have struggles.

~ love you ~

The best card starts with a nicely layered base of interesting papers. Here I chose a pearlescent patterned cardstock, star embossed foiled paper, and black card stock. The embossed piece is rather intricate and it took some time to remove all the bits.

 The wings are die-cut from gold foiled paper and embossed with the feather design. placing the wings directly on the cared would have caused them to lose shape. I also cut and embossed additional wings from cardstock to give the foiled paper a cushion. I ran Tape Runner directly on the cardstock then added the foiled paper. This preserved the embossed design.

The heart is popped up off the card front. I added strips of foam and again applied the adhesive to the foam rather than the foiled paper.

 This is my first project for the Tape Runner Design Team and I am really liking the product. Purchase Tape Runner with Amazon Prime or on Etsy.

Supplies:
Cardstock:Recollections
Patterned Paper:Colorbok
Foiled Paper:Rinea
Cutting Dies:Crafter's Companion, Peachy Cheap, Darice
Adhesive:Tape Runner

Scrap On!

~charity~

How To Make Butterfly Trails with Sequins

The butterflies on this printed paper just scream to be given trails with sequins. I've used ink pen, stitching, gems, and enamel dots; but this is a first with sequins. I had to start by outlining the butterflies as they merge into the pattern.

~ Hello Sunshine ~

I drew the trail with Helmar glue then shook the sequins over it. I dusted off the extra sequins and repositioned the remaining ones into the right shape. It's a process that I will have to refine, but the result is lovely.

Here they are reflecting the light. The shine is phenomenal!

Rows of punched butterflies and a glittered burlap shape continue the theme. This is a companion page to last weeks post Prickle Pig. I used the same lavender, spotted tape with a different stitching technique. 

I stacked and stitched the pink and yellow butterfly sequins from Spiegel Mom Scraps sequin mixes. I bent the wings up and left the gold braid long for antenna.

Supplies:

Cardstock:Craftsmith

Burlap Butterflies, Paper:Bo Bunny

Veneer:Peachy Cheap

Adhesive:Helmar

Tickets and Flowers:Prima

Sequins, Cork:Spiegel Mom Scraps

Circle Cutter and Butterfly Punch:Kreaxions

Scrap On!

~charity~

Quick and Easy Stitched Sequin Layout

This porcupine layout features wood grain paper and a row of stitched sequin hearts. This sweet little lady had quite a thing for carrots. She was thrilled to waddle up to Si and eat out of his hand, then search for more.

~ Prickle Pig ~

I echoed the heart shape in veneer, felt, cork, and cut outs along the photo edges. The bird is a feature of the patterned paper. I added gems to the branch and butterflies. Prima flowers with the 5th petal trimmed into antenna made delicate butterfly embellishments.

I added a strip of lavender washi tape to the lower edge of the photo mat. I used the dots on the tape as a guide for stitching sequin hearts to the page. I included a spray of sequins that runs from the lower left corner to the upper right. 

This is my entry for the January Scrappy Friends Challenge. 

Here is the sketch from Rochelle Spears.

This challenge is combined with Stacy's Tic Tac Toe Challenge.

I used the far left vertical row.

Supplies:

Cardstock:Craftsmith

Paper:Bo Bunny

Alpha:Momenta

Veneer and Die:Peachy Cheap

Flowers:Recollections and Prima

Tickets and Gems:Prima

Sequins, Felt, Cork:Spiegel Mom Scraps

Circle Cutter and Heart Punch:Kreaxions

Scrap On!

~charity~

Die-cut Flourishes and Sequins Layout

This layout of Pepe the parrot features die-cut flourishes and plenty of sequins. This pretty parrot caught our eye during a trip to the fair. he kept asking for potato chips and we got to feed him. I guess when one reaches the age of 70 chips are back on the menu!

~ Pepe ~

This is my take on this months Scraplift Challenge for Spiegel Mom Scraps sequins. I flipped the arrangement and used flourishes in place of the feathers. I embellished the flourishes with sequins from several different mixes.

The photos didn't do Pepe justice! There was so much going on in the background he hardly stood out. I fussy cut Pepe from one of the photos, gave him a curly cue perch, and framed him in white. Pepe is a blue and gold macaw but he looks orange in this lighting.

I doodled a frame and date/place stamp with Jelly Roll white ink. Tiny type and fabric letter bullet points give the pertinent details. Paprika by Photoplay was the perfect compliment to Pepe's personality and his love of BBQ Chips.

Supplies:

Paper:Photoplay

Cardstock:Crafter's Companion

Dies:Crafter's Companion and Echo Park

Tiny Type:Studio Calico

Alpha:Momenta

White Ink Pen:Jelly Roll

Sequins:Spiegel Mom Scraps

Scrap On

~charity~

How To Make a Prom Photo Into Home Decor

Today's project is a prom photo, embellished and framed for home decor. Tulle and silk brocade are joined by silver sequins, flashy trim, and music themed paper. Foiled paper flowers and medallions and even more glam to this hand painted frame.

~ Love Song ~

 The background is music themed cardstock with a navy tulle overlay. I used tiny metal brads for a tufted look. Here is how I accomplished that.
1) Pierce holes in paper at regular intervals with offset rows.

2) Lay large piece of tulle over paper so that it extends beyond each side by a few inches.
3) Beginning at center of paper insert brad through tulle and paper, twist to right one full turn then secure.
4) Work out from center brad placing and twisting brads. Each horizontal row of brads is twisted the opposite way.

 I hot glued rhinestone trim to the bottom edge of the tulle. When it cooled I added half a portion of Royal Highness SMS Sequins. An identical rhinestone band of trim was hot glued to the top. The sides of the tulle were folded to the back of the cardstock and hot glued there. When everything was sealed and cooled I shook the sequins around until they filled the tulle pocket. 

 The flowers on this photo are made of Rinea Foiled Paper. I used both Sapphire and Silver Starstruck Foiled Paper with Sizzix Dies. The first three flowers have petals curled up. The second three have petals curled down. 

 Chipboard leaf flourishes are painted with metallic Tiffany blue and scattered with the foiled paper flowers. A strip of silk brocade from the dress is wrapped into a rose and crowns the arrangement.

Glossy silver and turquoise foiled paper is layered under the photo. I used a Spellbinders die to cut the pieces for the mosaic medallion. Stickers, gemstones, and a chipboard alpha complete the layout.

 The rainbow flash of these amazing sequins is so hard to get with a camera. Here's a little corner of what it looks like in person. Glamour and class are the order of the day.

The wood frame is an 11x14" thriftstore find. I sanded the finished wood then painted it grey. When that dried I dry brushed silver over the top. After several layers and a few mistakes it looks just right! This Home Decor project is my entry for the August challenge at Nomadic Soul Diaries. Find them on Instagram and view the stunning inspiration!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Echo Park Melody Of Life, Craftsmith

Foiled Paper:Rinea
Trim:Webster's Pages
Sequins: Spiegel Mom Scraps
Chipboard Flourish:Gypsy Soul Lasercuts

Dies:Sizzix, Spellbinders, Crafter's Companion

Alpha:My Mind's Eye
Crystal Gemstones:Michael's

Stickers, Journaling Cards:Echo Park Melody of Life

Paint:Plaid, Calambour

Craft On

~charity hotrum~

Blush and White Monochromatic Scrapbook Page

This blush and white, monochromatic page celebrates my daughters first Art Show at school. She was 7, into bright colors, and excited about her work. The photo has so many colors I needed to use a muted palette to let it shine. The blush, white, and pops of grey put my girl and her painting front and center!

~Art Show ~

For the background I used repeating, off set half circles of punched paper. I also stamped eyes with stylized lashes in peach tone ink. The stamp is from Pink Ink Designs Thalia set.

I added a bit of sparkle with the Rose Glory sequin mix by Spiegel Mom Scraps. Just little bits of glimmer here and there. The keys, the banner, and the hot air balloon each have a different type of sequin.

A cluster of Prima flowers enhance the lower right corner. I didnt' have leaves in the color scheme so I cut up a velvet flower. Creative Embellishment's laser cut gears peak out from behind the flowers, the banner, and either corner of the photo.

I didn't choose a particular theme for the diecuts. I was looking for a filigree style to mesh with the eye stamp. The wood shapes pop the photo up off the page for depth.

Stop by my Instagram for more crafty inspiration.

Craft On!

~charity hotrum~

Mermaid Birthday Cards With Watercolor Details

This pair of mermaid themed birthday cards has lovely watercolor details and a fun sentiment. Pink Ink Designs Stamps have intricate designs, heavy on the flourish and smooth on the charm. They have become my new guilty pleasure. 

~ I SEA It's Your Birthday ~

The jewel tone card is layered with Glossy Violet/Gold Foiled Paper by Rinea. The mermaid and sentiment are from the Sea Nymph stamp set. The shell and seahorse are from the Shell Nymph stamp set. I fussy cut her two little friends and used foam tape to pop them up.

The pastel card is layered with Starstruck Jade Foiled Paper by Rinea. The fancy fish is from the Mermaid stamp set. Both card blanks are cut and folded from Craftsmith paper.

If you get an opportunity to sea Pink Ink Designs stamps in person you will be delighted. The detail and quality is stunning. Here's a link to the UK shop: Pink Ink Designs UK.

The watercolors I used are from Close To My Heart.

Stop by my Instagram for more crafty inspiration.

Craft On!

~charity hotrum~

How To Update a Metal Sign With Foiled Paper

I used Rinea foiled paper and Prima Flowers to update this metal sign for my craft room. I found it one day while out thrifting. I have always planned to give it some pizzazz and alter the message a bit. Having just updated my crafting space I knew it was finally time to get to this project.

I absolutely love the pale green color of this sign. The pressed metal has a great embossed design and the whole thing centers nicely on my crafting desk. The title doesn't quite fit though.

I used the Mini-WeRMrk Alphabet Punch board to make new letters. The embossed Starstruck Jade Foiled Paper from Rinea is the exact color of the sign. It cut and punched beautifully.

I sanded the sign and adhered Glossy Copper/Gold Foiled Paper from Rinea to the center. I then added the letters. Helmar adhesive is a fantastic all-purpose adhesive that doesn't leave wrinkles and worked great with the metal and glossy surfaces. 

I like bling so I ran a strip of copper and green washi tape around the border of the Glossy Copper/Gold Foiled Paper . 

It was looking a little bare so I added paper flowers and leaves. I was still on the green kick so I found some green and gold marbled flowers and set them off with white flowers and tawny leaves.

Here is the finished sign in all its foiled paper glory!

Stop by my Instagram for more crafty inspiration.

Craft On
~charity hotrum~

How To Make a Mermaid Valentine Card With Stencils

Little did I know that when I posted this Mermaid Valentine card using Funfare Stencils that the technique I used to make the ocean and waves would interest so many people! This project was posted 4 years ago. I loved the process and am thrilled to share it for you again. It was a long and artsy process so settle in for a LIST of photos. 

~ Oceans of Love ~

Paper Supplies in Inches:

Heavy cardstock for card, 4x6

Medium to heavy weight cardstock for image base, 3.5 x 5.5

Scraps of paper for tearing. 7x3

Tear your paper scrap in half. Tear slowly and with lots of "dips".

Don't feel silly practicing this!

The torn paper is the key to the wave look.

Coloring Products:

 White embossing powder (Zing), white pigment ink (Clearsnap), and three colors of mist.

I used a mint green (Heidi Swapp), a teal (Tattered Angels)

and London Blue (Dylusions).

For tools you will need sponges or cotton rounds and a pointed stick (mine is for applying rubons).

Adhere the torn paper strip with the strait edge 1/4 of the way from the top. Apply the adhesive just to the ends so that no debris remains on the image base.

Mist the sponge with the lightest color and spread it on the base in a circular motion. The color should cover all the paper beneath the torn strip.

Repeat the process with the medium color but do not cover the entire paper.

Sprinkle the darkest color onto the base by removing the spritzer and tapping the tube. Be sure to cover the top of the base with a scrap paper to catch oops drips. Leave the drops on the paper about 10 seconds before spreading them in a circular motion.



 The base needs to be completely dry before begin this next step.

Using the pigment ink daub the base right at the edge of the torn paper. The width of the ink strip will be the width of the white caps on the waves.



Dust the ink with embossing powder. Tap off the extra and use a paintbrush to remove any unwanted portions. Use the stick to scrape circular lines in the powder. Heat to set. 

Place the mermaid stencil over the ocean and apply ink.

Dust with embossing powder, heat to set.



To complete my mermaid I used Clearsnap ink and WOW embossing powder. The Sentiment is MME and the sticker is Heidi Swapp. All papers used are Craft Smith.

I can't wait to see this technique showing up on projects!

Be sure to share.

Scrap On!

~charity~