Crafty Secrets Thanksgiving Layout

Good Morning.  Here is a Thanksgiving Layout using the same Crafty Secrets Stamp set I showed you on Saturday.  I love fall and Thanksgiving, so this one was a lot of fun to create.  Hope you like it.  See details below as well as a link to where you can get this stamp set!  Thanks soooo much for taking the time to check out my projects.  Have a great week!

Frame Tutorial

This frame is easy, but requires alot of detailed cutting.  But I think it was worth it.  I use cuticle scissors when doing detailed cutting like this along the curvy area's.  The curve of the cuticle scissors just makes it easy to get around, especially in small spaces.  I simple stamped the image from this set (see photo below) on cardstock, colored and trimmed.  I layered the felt flourish trim around the photo first, then layered my stamped images over that using pop dots.  Stretch those creative muscles and think about how you can combine images from a set to create a frame.  I think you will like the results!

Stamp Set : Crafty Secrets Thanksgiving Clear Art Stamp Set

Paper : Crafty Secrets DP (beige), Daisy D DP (green), beige and dark brown cardstock

Ink : VersaFine with Clear Embossing Powder for all images, Palette Burnt Umber to distress edges of DP using eyeshadow applicator.

Other : Velvet Class A' Peel Stickers by Stampendous, Ribbon - unknown.  Corrugated cardboard painted dark brown using acrylic paint.  Cuticle scissors used to cut around images and pop dots to pop up some of the frame.  Deckled scissors by Fiskar.

Colorization : Prismacolor Pencils and OMS with Shimmerz.

Artist Trading Card / Thanksgiving

Artist Trading Card 2.5" x 3/5"

This Thanksgiving Stamp set from Crafty Secrets had the cutest image and sentiment.  It made a cute little ATC, but could easily have been a card!  I created it for one of the Crafty Secrets Challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers.  

Stamp Set : Thanksgiving Clear Art Stamps - Crafty Secrets

Other : Ranger Crackle Paint

Ink : Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate (swirlies in the corners)

Palette Burnt Umber (turkey, leaves and sentiment)

Colorization : Prismacolor Pencils and OMS, Shimmerz

You can view all of my ATC's HERE

Crafty Secrets Announcement !

I'm soooo excited to share with you that Sandy at Crafty Secrets has selected me to be their Guest DT Member this month!  How cool is that.  I love their Vintage look.  I'm been using their products for a couple of months now and started playing along with the Crafty Secrets Challenges over at SCS and PCP.  Great group of gals running the challenges.  We would love to have you join us !!

Their products are different from a lot of the other stamp companies.  In case you are not familiar with their products let me share a little about them.  They sell not only Clear Stamps, but also Pattern Paper Pads, and other vintage images via their Heartwarming Vintage Collection.  These range from cardstock weight printed images - Paper Scraps, Cotton Scraps, Sticker Scraps.  You have to see them so see how adorable they are.  Some of the Sheets of multiple images are only $1.75.  Excellent prices.  Ships fast as well.  Hurry and get yours ordered so  you can hop over to Splitcoast and play along with their weekly challenges.

You can order online.  Check out their HOME PAGE HERE.

Check out their BLOG HERE.

Check out other projects I have created using their products HERE !

Sandy said she needed someone to demo use of her products on layouts.  So I will be sharing more layouts with you this month!  Don't get stuck thinking that stamps a just for cards.  These little guys are so cute and I had a ball creating this layout using them.  They would be equally adorable on a birthday card or invitation.  How about a mini birthday album??  Too cute!

Supplies:

Stamps Crafty Secrets : Birthday Kids Clear Art Stamps

Paper : Carolee's Creations (polka dots), My Minds' Eye (yellow), Red Cardstock

Ink : Palette

Colorization : Prismacolor with OMS and my new favorite - Shimmerz

Tools : Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

Ribbon : unknown

Chipboard : Technique Tuesday (stars), Prima ("Boy"), and Thickers ("birthday")

Altered Acrylic Photo Frame

Good Morning and welcome to FireCracker Designs by Pamela's Monthly Blog Hop!

This months theme is "Greetings and Salutations".  All 9 of us will be sharing projects created with this theme in mind. And the best part for you is Pamela will be giving away some awesome blog candy.  But to qualify for the drawing you have to post comments.  She will randomly pick one of our blogs and then randomly pick from all the comments posted on that blog.   So you will want to read ALL the blog hop details below and leave comments on each of the blogs to qualify for the drawing.  Make sure you leave your email address in your comment!

Altered Acrylic Frame

I found this old photo of my Great Grandmother and could not resist creating this altered frame using this set. I couldn't think of a better way for her to "greet me" than by displaying her photo for our family to see.

I really love altering acrylic frames.

#1 - They are inexpensive.  I got this one at Walmart for $1.  So you can spend your $$$ on the perfect embellishements (I highly recommend rubber stamps, hehe).

#2 - I get to decide where and how big the photo window, opening will be.  I like having all the design control!

#3 - They make great gifts because you can add all the goodies/decor to the outside of the frame and the recipient can add the photo easily later by sliding the photo in the back as shown above.

Have I convinced you to create one yet??  Are you seeing a great, unique idea for gift giving this year??

Blog Hop Details ...

The official start time of the FCD Blog Hop is Friday at 8:00am (EST). If you have arrived early, please be patient, as all the links may not be live until 8:00am (EST).

This is a "circular blog hop" where the only beginning is wherever you start. You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you have arrived back on the blog you started with. (There are only 9 of us, so you should be able to remember where you started)

THE WINNER ... will be chosen by our mystery blog hostess. Who is she ? We want know until after the blog hop. So make sure you leave a comment (with your emial address included in that comment) on EVERY blog to qualify!!

Pamela will contact the winner via email (don't forget to leave your email address with your comment) and post the winner on her blog on Monday 8pm(EST).

You can read on below for more of my project details OR continue on to the next blog !

Next Blogger to check out is Michelle !

Michelle will give you the next link to keep you going round in the circle til you get back to the beginning. Hope your not dizzy, hehe.

Project Details ...

Cool Beans Gift Card Holder

Ok ... so I'm loving this gift card holder. 

Guess how many people I know who love getting Starbucks gift cards??  Bunches!!  Ok, so I know some of you out there don't like to give gift cards.  You think it's not very "thoughtful" or personal.  I beg to differ!!   I would rather receive a gift card anyday, to my favorite store, where I can pick out the perfect item, that I really want, instead of receiving something that will end up in the next garage sale.  And if I'm going to spend money on a gift I want the same to be true for my recipient.  Besides it's thoughtful to find out where they like to shop!!   You could actually create a few of the actual holders and have them on standby.  Then you could add stamped images, ribbon later when ever an occasion arises.  You know...  for that last minute ... oh crap I forgot ... moment ! 

Never happens to me, hehe!!

Project Details ...

Stamp set : Escape the Daily Grind - FCD
Ink : Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate
Kraft cardstock
Patterned Paper : Basic Grey
Ribbon : American Craft
Tools : Corner rounder, Scorpal, metal ruler, exacto knife

Cut Kraft cardstock 4" x 8.5".  Score using Scorepal at 2 3/4", 4 1/4", and 5 3/4 from one side.

Fold along score lines as shown below.  Cut opening as shown slightly smaller than 3 1/2" x 1/4" as shown below.  I used a metal ruler and exacto knife to do this.

Use a tape runner or red line double stick tape to secure as shown below.

Gift card will be held securely inside the slot you have created.

Stamp or hand write a message on the inside.

Stamp the outside and add ribbon!

You can view all of my Fun Fold Cards HERE

Prismacolor Pencil Tutorial / Artist Trading Cards

I recieved my order from FireCracker Designs saturday and was in rubber heaven!! I couldn't wait to cut up some of my sets and get started. So to get me warmed up with one of this months new realeases, I decided to start with an ATC card. But this could easily be a card as well. Adapt it to whatever works for you. Did you know that Pamela does ATC trades?? How much fun would it be to make one like this and swap with her !!!

You can view more of my Artist Trading Cards HERE.
You can view more Prismacolor Pencil Tutorials HERE.

Project Supplies :

Leading Lady Stamp Set, Decorative element is from German Script Background

Palette Noir Ink

Prismacolor Pencils : Light Peach#927, Peach #937, Crimson Red #924, Tuscan Red #937,

Black #935, Cool Grey 10% #1059
blending stumps, white eraser, OMS (oderless mineral spirits)

Black Micron Pen

Black Cardstock

Deckled Scissors

sticker jewels

Project Instructions :

This is an easy ATC because there is NO cutting involved. Stamp your images directly to paper using an ink that will not bleed when using OMS. This ink is water proof as well so I use it with watercolors as well. I use Palette Noir and Burnt Umber when working with OMS. I use them soooo much that I have refills form my pads as well. If you don't know where to get these locally, then be aware you can get them from a TAC Demonstrator. Please contact me if you have more questions.

Below I took some photo's trying to show you how I color with the pencils, in case you have never worked with them before. I always start with the lightest area's, which would be the gloves and skin on this image. I started by using Cool Grey 10% around some of the edges of the gloves to provide some shadowing for the white gloves. Working in small area's can be tricky and I definitely didn't want to smear any of the black from the purse onto the gloves when I went to do that, so I coated the gloves with Shimmerz. For skin I start out by lightly coloring all the skin area's with light peach. I then add a peach around the edges to create shadowing. Blended with OMS and later added just a bit of pink rose to her cheeks.

Always keep a white eraser close by when working with PC and OMS. I prefer the Pentel Click Eraser. You can get it in the school supplies area. You can use it to erase when you accidently color outside the line, or after you have added OMS to lighten an area.

Next I colored the dress and hat with the Crimson Red and then added some shading with it as well as shown below. I then added some Tuscan Red shading. Blended with OMS. I wanted the red a little darker, so I added more and blended again. You can aways add more shading where needed as well.

To finish up I colored the purse and hair with a black pencil. I colored the buttons, collar and top of had with a black micron pen. I think the buttons would have been cute with black liquid pearls, but I didn't have any. As you can see above. I felt like it needed another element on the right. So I added the decorative doodle from the German Script Set. But you could add some other type embellishment. I had some little sticker jewels that worked perfect. I hope you like it!

Crafty Secrets - Bird Notes Layout

I have gone shabby chic crazy!! I love it! I've always wanted to try it and I love it! Last week I even hit local used book stores and vintage stores for emphemera (I really hate this word btw. How the heck to you say it? I need to do a word search.). I hit the jack pot and can't wait to go hunting again!! For today's post I'm sharing an 8x8 layout using my "Bird Notes" Crafty Secrets stamp set. The patterned paper is from Heartwarming Vintage - Classic Paper Pad. I created a card with this set last week. If you missed it, just scroll down a few post. See the details below of the stamped images I used!

So more about the layout. First off this is my little guy, you used to make my heart sing when he was the little cutie in this photo. But time flies, and then the grow up, now he's 21 and he makes my head want to explode!! Yes he still lives at home, rarely cleans his room and lets his laundry pile up. His room smells like stinky socks, yuck. I prefer to remember him as above, hehe!!

I gotta tell you about some of the stuff on this layout. On my shabby chic treasure hunt I came across this old music paper from 1920!!!!! Score! and the books cost $1 each! I also came across a huge bag of buttons for $12. Now that may sound like alot, but have you priced dressy buttons lately? This was definitely a deal. I don't know how old they are, but the button card said they were made by "Exquisit" and the original price was .29cents. I'm saving the button card to use on another project.

Other supplies : Sizzix Embossing Folders - came as a 3set. I couldn't find it online. I got mine at a local craft store. Stick pins - Prima. Blue Ribbon - Creative Imaginations. Beige Ribbon - notions department at Joanns Craft Store. Ink - Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate. I LOVE this ink pad!

Techniques : I brushed Tattered Angels Creme de Chocolate over watercolor paper. I love that shimmery look and it worked perfect with the embossing folders. I sanded a little and walla!

My daughter plays violin so I have a few musical embellishments stored away. I used a wooded music note to trace the treble clef pattern on the back of my Hearwarming Vintage paper and cut it out. I inked the edges of almost everything with brown ink.

You can get Heartwarming Vintage Collection and Crafty Secrets Vintage stamps HERE.

Check out there blog HERE.