FABER CASTELL GELATOS

FAUX LEATHER MASKING TAPE JOURNALS

I worked with these Gelatos from the Faber Castell Design*Memory*Craft line at the CHA Summer Show and then I picked some up in several different color families at Michael's to play with them.  I was looking around my studio for a surface and saw four rolls of masking tape that I had on hand from another project and thought that the tape would make a versatile surface.  I also had some small blank books on hand, so decided to create some colorful journals.

Here's how I made it:

• Lay out several lengths of masking tape on a workable surface.  I used my Inksentials Craft Sheet from Ranger.

• Next, just start scribbling - what fun!  I mixed and matched colors, then misted the maksing tape with water and blended with the paint brush included in the Gelatos Mix & Match set.

• Keep layering and blending until you get the effect you are looking for. This was actually extremely fun and relaxing! Crafting as therapy - LOVE IT!  I blotted some strips with a paper towel and others with my paint brush, but I think that they all look like faux leather!

• Once all of the masking tape strips are colored and dry, measure your book cover (or surface of your choice) and cut to length.

• I used the widest strip of masking tape on the spine of the book, so I had enough to wrap around the front and back covers.  Cut a small "V" at the folds of the book and wrap the edges of the masking tape in on inside of the front and back covers.

• Lay out different colors and widths of the colored masking tape until the front and back covers are completely covered.  Make the final piece of masking tape wide enough to wrap around the inside edge of the book.  Cut the tape at an angle, so the finished edge is as neat as possible.  Then burnish all surfaces with a bone folder (or old credit card) to smooth out and bubbles and create a good adhesion to the surface of the book. 

• Using the Stamper's Big Brush Pen in Black I inked the clear stamps that came with the Gelatos Mix & Match set and stamped the Damask and Flower pattern on the front cover of my journal books.  I found that the stamping worked better on the masking tape if I lightly misted the stamp after I inked it with the Big Brush Pen.
• The last step is to measure, cut and adhere a coordinating paper to the inside front and back covers to hide all of the tape edges and finish the Journal.

I am going to be giving out these mini Journals as stocking stuffer Christmas presents.  They are the perfect size to carry in your purse for important notes and ideas!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

WINTER HOLIDAY HOP

Today, I am joining a group of talented Designers in the Winter Holiday Hop, organized by Jen Goode, who is hosting the linky party on her blog.  So, happy to have been invited to share my Holiday Inspiration with everyone today!  Click on the WINTER HOLIDAY HOP button in my right hand sidebar to hop around!

 

I LOVE SNOWMEN, there I have said it!  Isn't admitting you have a problem the first step to recovery?  Well, truth be told, I don't want to recover from my Snowman addiction, but I do want to share with everyone today, some of my most favorite Snowman projects!

 

This Snowman is made from a simple foam ball and painted craft foam pieces.

 

Glass Hurricane Snowman with painted features, a felt hat and plaid scarf.



 

Altered Altoids Tin painted to look like a Snowman on TV with wire and beaded antennae.

 

This cute little Snowman is painted on a hinge from the hardware store!

 

A $1 section basket from Michael's painted with a Snowman face, ear muffs made from the

basket handle and faux fur.

 

Snowmen (and women) treat cups made from peate pots, fabric scrap "carrot" noses and button eyes!

 



Don't forget to click through and see what all of the Designers have made and be inspired to start creating for the Holidays!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

 

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION SMOOTHFOAM 2 X 4 SNOW FAMILY

Welcome to the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop with Smoothfoam!

Many of us have seen Smoothfoam display in our local Michael's stores, but beyond the normal projects with foam shapes, the Designer Crafts Connection was challenged with creating something "outside the box!"  I was thrilled to receive a few different shapes, but was drawn to the 2" by 4" foam rectangles. I have seen alot of 2" by 4" wooden crafting for the holidays, but I don't have access to power tools, so when I saw these rectangles, I knew I wanted to use the Smoothfoam 2 by 4's in the 8" and 12" sizes. Smoothfoam is a great base for a multitude of projects because it can be easily shaped, sanded, painted and decorated to create three dimensional projects without the weight of other materials, like wood.

 

Here's How I Made It:

• With a serrated kitchen knife, cut the 8" rectangle in two pieces - one 3" and one 5" for the Snow Baby.  Cut the first 12" rectangle in three pieces - one 3", one 4" and one 5" for the Snow Momma.  Cut the second 12" rectangle in two pieces - one 7" and one 5" for the Snow Daddy. 

• Then carve all of the edges off of each piece of foam to create a rustic look.  The Smoothfoam bits will get everywhere, so I did this outside over a trash can.

• Now the Smoothfoam won't be so smooth after this step, but the amazing part about this foam is that when rubbed together is sands itself!  Using one piece of Smoothfoam as a sanding block, rub your pieces together to smooth out all of the surfaces - amazing!
• Paint all of the pieces with Raw Umber Americana acrylic paint from DecoArt and let dry.

• Paint all of the pieces with Weathered Wood medium from DecoArt and let set for at least one hour.
• Paint all of the pieces with a combination of half Light Buttermilk and half Bleached Sand Americana acrylic paint from DecoArt and let dry to create a crackled finish.

• Decorate your Snow Family with button eyes, scrap paper carrot noses and black seed bead mouths.  Snow Baby received decorative buttons and ear muffs made from pom poms and a chenille stem.  Snow Momma received a Lamp Black painted hat with ribbon and holly trim, a scalloped paper collar and green buttons.  Snow Daddy received a Lamp Black painted top hat with craft foam brim, ribbon and snowflake trim, a paper bow tie and red buttons.
• Use simple toothpicks to attached the Smoothfoam blocks together for a finished display! 

Now make sure to click on the DCC link in my right sidebar to hop through and see the other DCC designers projects using Smoothfoam, as well as, a chance to enter to win a prize package from Smoothfoam consisting of the snowman kit below and more!

To enter to win, leave a comment about their favorite projects on the designer’s blog and say what you would make with Smoothfoam. The more often you comment the more chances you have to win. All the projects will be posted on Pinterest, so readers can comment there too. The winner will be announced on our Facebook Page at  http://www.facebook.com/DesignerCraftsConnection on November 19th.

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth

DESIGNER CRAFT CONNECTION - FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER

This month's theme is THANKFULNESS!

 

I cannot believe that another year has almost come and gone!  I have alot to be thankful for this year - I am heathly and surrounded by a loving family and wonderful friends, so I considermyself lucky as well!

 

Since both sides of my family get together for a big meal every Thanksgiving, I always like to make some kind of interactive project - a centerpiece or a banner - that brings everyone together and gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what we are all thankful for.

 

This year I have created a THANKFUL BANNER and each family member can write on a leaf what they are thankful for!

 

 

Here's How I Made It:

• Gather a variety of Autumn themed patterned papers and embellishments.  All of the supplies that I used were items that I already had on hand!  Most were from a Making Memories kit that I purchased at Michael's several years ago.
• Sketch out 4 or 5 different leaves on to cardboard, then traced them on the patterned papers and cut out with scissors.  You can also use a die and a die cutting machine if you have one.
• I crumpled all of my leafs, then flattened them back out and inked them with Tea Dye Distress Ink by Ranger.
• Cut a section of ribbon the same length as the banner you want to make, then sew the leaves on to the ribbon with a sewing machine.
• Spell out the word THANKFUL in chipboard letters - mine had a brown velvet finish and I added colored, self adhesive pearls to make them stand out.
• Decorate the rest of your banner with the variety of embellishments you have gathered - I used glittered swirls, fabric covered brads, felt pumpkins and acorns, along with colored pearls and rhinestones.  Some of my embellishments were self adhesive, but for the others I used Aleene's Tacky Glue from iLoveToCreate - I just LOVE that glue!

I will hang mine on the mantle on Thanksgiving Day and each family member can write their Thankful Message on a different leaf with their name and the date.  This will become a Family Keepsake that I am sure will adorn my mantle for many years to come!

I hope you enjoyed my project today!

 

 

To view all of the other projects from the rest of the Designer Craft Connection group please use the HOP FORWARD and HOP BACK navigation in the DCC Icon in my right hand tool bar and ENJOY!
Thanks for stopping by! - Beth

 



THANK YOU!

I would like to THANK everyone that voted for my Faux Metal Pumpkin in Plaid's 3rd Annual Trick your Pumpkin Contest - I came in Third Place!

Thanks for stopping by!  -Beth