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:

• Vintage Wooden Hanger
• Americiana Paints by DecoArt in Petal Pink and Pistachio Mint
• Tim Holtz® Distress Ink Pads by Ranger - Tea Dye
• Scrapbook Papers and Embellishments
• Glitter Paper - Yellow and Orange
• Chipboard letters - HAPPY (upper case) and bday (lower case)
• Shipping Tags - 5
• Paper Punches - 3" Circle; 2 1/2" Scalloped Circle and 1" Circle
• Paper Trimmer
• KOOL TAK™Premium Extreme - 1/2" width
• KOOL TAK™Foam Adhesive Pads - 1/2" by 1/2" by 1/4"
• Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue™ by I Love To Create
• Ribbon - Pink Gingham - 8" and Yellow Satin - 20"
• Chenille Stem White - one (cut in five 2" lengths)
• Assorted Rinestones, Sequins and Buttons
• Scissors, Pencil, Ruler, 1" Flat Brush, Water Basin, Palette, Bone Folder, Clear Glitter, Sand Paper, 3" Chipboard Circle, Flat Thumb Tacks (2).

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

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.

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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:

• Ann Butler Designs {Faux Quliting} Stamp sets - Diamonds & Plaids, Doily Picnic and Leaves All Over.
• Clearsnap Fluild Chalk Ink - variety of colors.
• Tim Holtz Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection by Core'dinations 
• Wooden Cigar Box, labels removed
• http://timholtz.com/idea-ology-products/ - Key Hole, Word Key, Word Tag and Toggle Clasp.
• Americana Paints by DecoArt in Chocolate Brown, Uniform Blue, Sea Glass Green, Yellow Ochre and Light Foliage.
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium Matte
• Paint brushes, Scissors, Clear Acrylic Stamping Blocks, Wooden Wheels (8), Aleene's Tacky Glue and Seam Binding Crinkle Ribbon - golden yellow.

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

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

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN APRIL!



Welcome to the DCC Blog Hop for April!  Our theme this month is one that I live by - RECYCLE - not only in my everday life, but also in my craft life.  I love saving containers, cast-offs and unusual materials then turning them in to something completely unexpected!

That is just what I did this month with my FAUX DENIM WREATH with BUTTON FLOWERS, so let's get on to the project!

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES:

• Smoothfoam 12" diam x 1" Disc.
• 20 - 30 used dryer sheets.
• Spray Mist in Cornflower (Chalkboard), Blue Smoke (Perfect Pearls), Turquoise (Perfect Pearls) and Forever Blue (Perfect Pearls).
• Americana Paint by DecoArt in Baby Blue.
• Assorted Buttons Galore and More buttons (approx. 30 - 40).
• 20 Gauge Silver Wire in 6" lengths (approx. 15 - 20).
• Paint Brush, Serrated Knife, Water Basin, Palette, Wire Cutters, Plastic Storage Bag, Ruler, Pencil, Scissors, Sand Paper.

1.)  Lay out half of the dryer sheets on an old towel and randomly spray with Cornflower and Blue Smoke spray mists.  Place the plastic storage bag on your hand and randomly "scrunch" the dryer sheets to distribute the spray mist evenly.  Repeat with second half of dryer sheets using the Turquoise and Forever Blue spray mists.  Place in dryer with towel for 5 minutes to dry.

 

2.)  Measure in 1 1/2" from edge of Smoothfoam Disc in one inch intervals around the disc and connect the measured marks to create a circle.  Cut the center from the Smoothfoam Disc to create a wreath shape and sand lightly.  Paint the front and sides of the Smoothfoam with Americana Paint in Baby Blue, let dry.

3.)  Cut each dryer sheet in smaller pieces by folding and cutting in half three times to create rectangles approximately 2" by 1".  Place one piece of dryer sheet on the Smoothfoam at 12 o'clock, then poke and twist into the foam with the tip of a sharpened pencil.  This will create a "tuft" of fabric AND secure the fabric in the foam.  Continue to poke and twist all of the pieces of dryer sheets randomly in to the top and sides of the Smoothfoam until all of the foam is covered.

4.)  Double stack colorful buttons then "thread" wire through the button holes and twist to secure.  Randomly place all button "flowers" on wreath by poking wires in to the Smoothfoam.

Hang up your wreath and ENJOY!

RECYCLING TIPS:
Tip #1 - Reuse mail order catalogs as paint palettes, simply open to the centerfold, use then rip off and discard in the receyle bin!
Tip #2 - Reuse plastic bags instead of expensive latex gloves when painting, misting, etc.  It saves your hands from getting stained!
Tip #3 - Reuse cereal and other food boxes when you need chipboard shapes and or letters.  Either trace and cut the shapes you want or Die Cut.  Cover the printed side with paper or paint!
Tip #4 - Reuse soup and other food cans a water basins to wash out your paint brushes - OR - cover these cans with paper or fabric to hold your paint brushes in your studio!
Tip #5 - Reuse the plastic containers that Crystal Light drink mix is packaged in.  They are great to store small items like flowers, brads, beads, etc. OR fill them with goodies.  I make Sweet and Spicy Nuts for my family and friends at Christmas time and these containers are the perfect size!

Well, I hope that you have enjoyed my post for today!  Now you can HOP around to all of the DCC Designers to see the FLOWER themed projects they have created with items that they have RECYCLED from around the house!  Just use the navaigation box on the right hand side of my blog to hop forward or hop back!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - BUTTONS GALORE & MORE BLOG HOP

Today a group of Designers from the Designer Crafts Connection are hosting a Blog Hop with Buttons Galore & More!  BGM has generously donated buttons for us to create with. 

 

The give away from Buttons Galore & More and Viewtanier starts today and ends on March 17th. Leave a comment to enter. There will be a prize for one participating Designer and one Reader who comments. Drawings are random, so leave comments on all the blogs for more chances to win!

 

We were given a theme of Wedding, so I decided to make a keepsake tin.

Start out with a new or recycled tin in any shape or size, mine was round.  It was already silver, so I decided to put a more modern twist on the gold buttons I received.

Begin by cutting the shank from the back of your buttons with wire cutters.  Then dry fit the buttons on the top of your tin until you are pleased with the composition.  I always take a picture on my cell phone when I have items that are dry fit, so that if I bump or shift the piece I always know what my original design looked like.  Glue each button into place with Aleene's Original Tacky Glue from I Love To Create, then let dry.  This is my go to glue for my craft projects.

 

The next step is to lightly spray paint your button embellished lid with Krylon's Indoor/Outdoor Primer in White this blocks the base color of your project and primes it to take other types of paints and finishes.  It works on metal, glass, wood, plastic and alot of other surfaces.  I use this primer all of the time. 

Next paint your lid and base to match the color scheme of your Wedding.  I chose to keep it modern and country chic by using Design Master Super Silver to color my container. 

Add two lengths of crocheted lace trim, one around the edge of the lid and another around the bottom edge of the tin.  Secure lace with Tacky Glue, let dry.

 

Make a tin for each Bridesmaid in your Wedding party and fill with a lovely pearl necklace or earring set that you would like them to wear on the day of your Wedding.  Make a tin for yourself and keep memories of your Wedding Day inside.  I think it would be nice to inscribe the bottom of the tin with the Bride & Groom's names along with the date to truly create a keepsake.

 





Use the DCC hop button on my right side bar to see hop around many more fabulous button projects!

If you have the time, stop by and see the Buttons Galore & More NEW RELEASES visit the BG&M Blog at and follow them on FaceBook for projects and give aways!

Viewtainer has donated the containers for the contest winners, VIEWTAINER containers have clear walls, come in fun bright colors with an easy dispensing cap and NO spilling! Proudly made in the USA!  To see the complete line of Viewtainer products visit their website at www.viewtainer.com blog http://viewtainer.typepad.com/blog/ and like them on FB at www.facebook.com/Viewtainer!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN MARCH

THE DCC THEME FOR MARCH IS - FAVORITE TECHNIQUES!

I pondered over this post for a while, because I have discovered and been taught so many wonderful techniques over the years, but I kept coming back to my favorite technique of all time - CRACKLE!  Crackle is so very versatile, textural and just down right amazing that I had to share it with you today!

 

 

I have been layering and crackling paint on various surfaces since I first started crafting as a child.  Back then my tools and supplies were limited and the first time I achieved the crackled paint effect it was purely an accident, but I have been in love with the effect ever since! 

 

When I was 9 or 10 I received a hand-me-down kitchen table and chair set from a family friend for my dollhouse that was already painted red.  Some of the pieces were loose, so I glued those first and wasn't very neat with my technique, so a smeared the extra glue over the surface of the chair seat to dry because I knew I was going to repaint them.  When I painted the blue over the areas that had the dried glue this wonderful feathery crackle finished appeared and I was hooked! 

 

Using traditional white glue (like Elmer's) is less expensive than using a medium, but you have a very small window of opportunity with the White glue and the result is not as consistent.

 

Over the years I have tried many products for crackling, but I keep coming back to one for it's ease of use - Americana Paints Weathered Wood Medium by DecoArt.  This particular medium stays workable for quite a long time - I have event left it overnight, then applied a top coat in the morning and the crackle effect was wonderful.

OK, enough talking, let me show you the wonderful examples of this technique.

Above is a simple piece of white foam board that I painted with Americana Paints Burnt Umber.  I let the base coat dry completely then applied the Weathered Wood Medium in a thin coat (top - this will give you smaller cracks) and a very heavy coat (bottom - this will give you larger cracks). 

 

Let the medium set up for at least 30 minutes, but like I said earlier, I have let it sit overnight before.  The crackle effects works the best when you apply a contrasting top coat and I like the dark base coat with a light top coat effect the best for a Shabby Chic finish.  To apply the top coat you must move quickly and only paint over the surface once - do not go back over your paint strokes or the crackle will not appear. 

 

 

In this first example (above) I have painted a thin top coat of Americana Buttermilk over my thin Weathered Wood coat with my strokes all going in the same direction to reveal fine, thin almost feathery cracks.

In the second example (above) I have painted the Americana Buttermilk in very thick and random strokes over the thick Weathered Wood coat to reveal thicker and chunkier cracks.

 

I played around with some colors and application thicknesses of the paints and Weathered Wood medium, just to give you an idea of how versatile this technique truly is. 

 

 

Lighter base coats with darker top coats.

 

 

Different color combinations and thicknesses of the Weathered Wood medium.

 

Then I tried some metallics, which I had not worked with the crackle.  The sample to the left is Dazzing Metallics Glorious Gold base coat and Burnt Umber top coat, which looks very nice, especially up close.  The sample to the right is Burnt Umber base coat with Patio Paint Pot O' Gold top coat.  Not sure what the Patio Paint has added to it for durability in exterior applications, but it did not crackle well at all.

 

The surfaces that you can apply a crackle technique to are endless.  In my sample projects above I have crackled on Smoothfoam Balls, a Canvas, Wooden Candlesticks and scrapbook Paper, but the applications are endless.  Try crackle on air dry clay, paper mache, plaster, scrapbook paper, cardboard and even ceramic bisque!

 

I hope you have enjoyed my favorite technique today.  Please use the Designer Crafts Connection icon on my right hand task bar to hop around to all of the other DCC Crafters to see what their favorite techniques are!  I can't wait to check them all out!

We also have a contest for March from FABSCRAPS!  Don't forget to "like" their FB page

To enter to win, hop through the blogs and then leave a comment on whichever blogs have the technique you think will be your new favorite (pick me, pick me!) and then visit Julie McGuffee's Life in the Craft Lane blog to leave a comment there saying which technique(s) you liked...you have so many chances to win! Julie will pick a winner from all the comments in the hop at the end of March. Good luck!

 

Thanks for stopping by! - Beth
 



DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN FEBRUARY

Our theme for February is - of course - Handmade with Love!

Today I want to share a 3D mixed media heart that I made to hang on my front door instead of a traditional wreath.

I started out with a paper mâché heart form purchased at Michael's. Then covered randomly with crumpled patterned scrapbook paper and vintage music sheet pieces. Dry brush with coordinating Americana Paints from DecoArt - I used Petal Pink, Country Red and Barn Red. Create texture by dipping a cardboard tube, end of paint brush and bubble wrap in various paints and layer over the papers.

Die cut flowers from colored tissue paper and vintage book pages using the Big Shot from Sizzix. Layer flowers on a brad, crumple and distress with Coffee Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. Attach three flowers to top of heart. Cut two leaves from green patterned scrapbook and attach to either side.

Embellish with rhinestones, pearls and metal charms. Attach patterned and satin ribbons for a hanger. Finish with a bow. Hang and enjoy!

Hop around and take a look at all of the projects that my fellow Designers have created for Valentine's Day by using the DCC navigation on the right hand toolbar.

Thanks for stopping by - Beth