Tuesday, June 18, 2013

SMOOTHFOAM Cupcake Shaped Gift Box

I have a project that has been featured over on the SMOOTHFOAM Blog!

Check out my Cupcake Shaped Gift Box and get the complete instructions!


Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

Saturday, June 15, 2013

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - ETCHALL BLOG HOP!

I was so excited when Barbee, the "Etchall Lady" sent some of the Designer Crafts Connection members etching creme, masking film, a craft knife and full instructions. I am always interested to try out products that are new to me and see what I can create with them. 
 
I have not etched anything since I was in grade school (in the 70's) and etched a monogram on to a glass plate for my 5th grade teacher. My Grandmother helped me (as she did with many crafting projects) and I can remember how we had to wear gloves, be very careful and the smell was not great.  
 
Now, Etchall Creme has no smell, is mild and works in 15 minutes. I was so excited to try this out! I purchased a few different glass items and was all set to etch, but while researching, I came across a cool technique which is a combination of etching and embossed stamping. I decided to try this technique on a glass pebble pendant - so many possibilities!
 
Now on to my project!
 
Hero Arts Kaleidoscope Flowers wooden block stamp set.
Ranger Ink Archival black ink pad.
Ranger Ink Heat It tool.
Clear embossing powder.
Black Lacing or Ribbon.

Basic Supplies:
Soft cloth and rubbing alcohol, scissors, ruler.

Instructions:
1.)  Clean the surfaces to be etched with soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. 

2.)  Die cut the smallest butterfly from the masking film. Peel the backing paper and apply the negative outline of the butterfly to the back of one of the glass pendants, smooth with squeegee.  Using the squeegee, apply a generous, but even amount of Etchall Etching Creme to the back of both pendants. Let sit for 15 minutes. Remove as much creme as possible with the squeegee and return to the container. Rinse pendants under cool running water and dry completely with soft cloth. 
 
3.)  Ink butterfly, place stamp ink side up on work surface and stamp by pressing glass pendant on to the stamp. this will allow for precise placement of your image. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder, set aside. Repeat with flower stamp.
 
4.)  Using Heat It tool, emboss both images. This will set the ink on the back of the pendants.
 
4.)  Allow glass pendants to cool. 
 
 
5.)  Color in images with Marvy Brush Markers and set ink with Heat It tool. Measure and cut black lacing or ribbon to desired length, thread through shank and secure end with a knot. 
 
Wear and enjoy!
 
A great craft to make with your kids, etching with Etschall Creme is quick, easy and not messy at all. The kids will be wowed by the etching process and results! 

Now it's time to Hop around to the other DCC designers to see the wonderful projects they have created using Etchall Etching Creme. Use the DCC button on the right side bar and click the back and forward.

I am excited to create more projects using Etchall Creme - I think mirrors are next!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

Monday, June 10, 2013

KOOL TAK Father's Day Treat Jar!

I have a project being featured over on the KOOL TAK Blog! 

Check out my Father's Day Treat Jar and get the complete instructions!

 
 
Thanks for stopping by! - Beth

Monday, June 3, 2013

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN JUNE

June is here, the kids are done with school and Summer is just around the corner! 
 
It is the first Monday of the month once again and the Designer Crafts Connection is back with a creative blog hop loaded with tons of inspiration because our theme is HAPPINESS IS...
 
This theme swings open the doors of creativity and allows each Designer to showcase a craft or project that makes us HAPPY!
 
Now on to my project:
 
My happiest crafting projects are those that I can just create - they are not for a particular design team or magazine submission - they are just pure, wild and free!
 
I live in sunny Southwest Florida and some weekends are spent at the beach.  On a trip last year to Upper Captiva Island (which you can only get to by boat) we walked on the beach and collected shells.  I have collected shells from all over and they live in a dish on my coffee table.  I decided to feature several whole gems that I have found and decided to create a canvas shadow box to showcase them.
 
 
Materials and Supplies:

Pencil, ruler, decorative edge punches, craft knife, three small shells, three small starfish, self adhesive rhinestones and pearls, gorilla tape.
 
Instructions:
1.  Measure 6" in from the left edge and draw a line down the center of the canvas.  Measure in 4 1/2" from left edge, draw a line down the length.  Measure in another 3" and draw a line down the length.  Measure down 4" from the top edge and draw a line across the canvas.  Measure and draw lines across at 3", 3,5", 3", 3.5", 3" and 4".  Draw an X through each of the three 3" by 3" squares.  Carefully cut each X with a craft knife and secure the backside of the triangles to the inside of the jewelry box with Tacky Glue.  Secure on the backside of the canvas with gorilla tape.
2.  Measure and cut three squares that are 5" by 5" from scrapbook paper.  Cut a 2" long diagonal slit at each corner, fold and insert in to each box to dry fit.  Attach with Premium Extreme to secure.  Spray mist four lengths of crepe paper streamer in each of the four colors, let dry.
3.  Measure 16 to 18 different scrapbook papers between 3" and 4" wide.  Cut, tear and punch in random patterns.  Distress papers and edges with Tea Dye Ink.  Layer and dry fit the papers until pleased with the configuration.  Starting at the bottom, secure each layer of paper and crepe paper with Premium Extreme.
4.  Embellish the canvas with lace, chipboard shapes, seashells, starfish, rhinestones and pearls.  Attach the conch shell, starfish and sand dollar with Foam Adhesive Pads.  Trim edge of canvas with ribbon attached with Premium Extreme.
 
Hang and enjoy your beachy memories!
 
I hope that you have enjoyed my post for today! Now you can HOP around to all of the DCC Designers to see the HAPPINESS IS... themed projects they have created! Just use the navigation box on the right hand side of my blog to hop forward or hop back!
 
Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

Monday, May 6, 2013

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN MAY!

May's DCC theme is WISH! 

Wishes always remind me of Birthdays - "blow out your candles and make a wish!" - so I have created a mixed media BDAY HANGER that I would like to share today. 


MATERIALS & SUPPLIES:
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.)  Lightly sand the wooden part of the hanger.  Dilute Pistachio Mint paint by half with water and paint on hanger to achieve a stained effect, let dry.  Once dry distress with Tea Dye ink.  Paint chipboard bday letters Petal Pink.  This may take several coats, let dry.  Paint Tacky Glue on letters, sprinkle with clear glitter and set aside to dry.
 
2.)  Attach striped paper to shipping tags with Premium Extreme double sided adhesive tape, then trim 1/2" from either edge of tag.  Punch five 1" circles from orange glitter paper and cut out five "flames" from yellow glitter paper.  Layer together with Premium Extreme.  Attach flames to candle with 2" sections of chenille stem and Tacky Glue, let dry.  Attach bday and flower to front of candles with Tacky Glue, let dry.  Lay candles out upside down and attach yellow satin ribbon with Tacky Glue, let dry.
 
3.)  Attach polka dot paper to chipboard letters HAPPY with Premium Extreme, distress edges with Tea Dye.  Attach randomly to left side of hanger with Foam Adhesive Pads. 
 
4.)  Cut two strips from pastel striped paper 4" by 12" and attach with Premium Extreme to create one 24" length.  Fan fold entire length, creasing with bone folder, and attach ends with Premium Extreme to create a tube.  Cover 3" chipboard circle with Premium Extreme, gather and push down on tube to form a rosette.  Layer an orange gltter paper 3" circle, then a yellow glitter paper 2 1/2" scalloped circle, then cupcake embellishment.  Attach to right side of hanger with Foam Adhesive Pads.
 
5.)  Attach yellow satin ribbon with candles to each end of hanger with thumb tacks, cover tacks with buttons or other embellishments.  Tie pink gingham ribbon in bow around hanger hook, trim ends.  Attach embellishments, sequins and rhinestones to hanger as a finishing touch. 
 
Personalize your HAPPY BDAY hanger with specific colors and/or themes to match a Birthday party OR add the Birthday boy or girl's name! 
 
I hope that you have enjoyed my post for today! Now you can HOP around to all of the DCC Designers to see the WISH themed projects they have created! Just use the navaigation box on the right hand side of my blog to hop forward or hop back!
 
Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Ann Butler Designs Unity Stamp Company Blog Hop

My designer friend, Ann Butler, has created her very own line of rubber stamps with Unity Stamp Company!  I am so very excited to be a part of the hop!


If you would like to order some of these high quality unmounted rubber stamps there is a 50% off coupon deal offered by Unity for anyone ordering Ann's stamps between Thursday May 2 - Monday May 6 at midnight CST. Make sure to give the coupon code- Unity5.  Use this link to view the entire line of Ann Butler Designs Stamps!

In order to celebrate Ann's stamp release, she is hosting a blog hop, so hop around to see all of the uniquely inspiring projects created with these fun stamps.



These stamps are fun and easy to work with because everything is sized in 1" squares, 2" squares and triangles, so everything coordinates and fits together perfectly.  I definitely love quilting, but do not have the patience or skill to actually make one, but with these stamp sets you can create a "quilt" on any project you can imagine!

Now, on to my project!  

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.)  Stamp a variety of the patterns on coordinating card stock colors and cut out with scissors.  Dry fit on lid of cigar box until you are happy with the pattern and color arrangement.  Attach to box lid and box sides with Multi-Medium Matte, let dry.
2.) Paint wheels in Chocolate Brown, let dry.  Paint a distressed top coat with Light Foliage, let dry.  Adhere two wheels together then attach with Tacky Glue to bottom of cigar box.
3.)  Distress Word Tag with Sea Glass Green, attach to Key Hole using Toggle Clasp.  Distress Key Hole with Uniform Blue and attach to front of cigar box with Tacky Glue.  Distress Word Key with Yellow Ochre, tie on seam binding ribbon in a bow and attach to top inside edge with tacky glue.

I hope that you have enjoyed my project today, please hop around to see what all fo the other designers have created!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth


Friday, April 12, 2013

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - COUSIN SLIDE BRACELETS!

One of most exciting facets of being a creative designer is when companies send you complimentary products to create with!  The Cousin Corporation (which is just up I-75 from me in Largo, Florida) is a family owned jewerly crafting and bead company that started out in 1970.  Truly a success story.
 
Cousin has a new Slide Bracelet line that is available at Joann's.  They are quick and easy to create and come in a variety of fashionable colors and themes.  Check out the video and pick up some components today!
 
 
I received a blue and a red leather bracelet with burnished gold clasps and slides along with a cute owl and heart accent slides. 
 

For the first slide bracelet, I "painted" the blue leather with Ranger Perfect Pearls, then embellished the owl slide with Turquoise Stickles by Ranger and more Perfect Pearls.  Measure your wrist and cut the leather down to size with wire cutters.  Use just a small dab of E6000 glue to secure your owl and accent slides in position, then secure the clasps.  I also added square turquoise rhinestones that I had in my stash.

For the second slide bracelet, I stamped on the red bracelet with a script handwriting stamp, to look like love letters with Ranger Archival Ink.  Then I inked in the center of the leather with the black ink to set off the heart slide.  Measure your wrist and cut the leather down to size with wire cutters. Use just a small dab of E6000 glue to secure the heart and accent slides in position, then secure the clasps. I also added small black half pearls that I had in my stash.
 
 
I hope you have enjoyed my Cousin Slide Bracelet projects today.  As a part of the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop, please use the navigation box on my right sidebar and hop back or hop forward to see all of the gorgeous and creative ways that the rest of the designers have featured their Cousin Slide Bracelets.
 
Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth