Mixed Media Blog Hop featuring three of my favorite Designers!

How to make a Mod Christmas Wreath

Happy Friday Y'all!  I am beyond excited to share my Mod Christmas Wreath - and you won't believe what it is made from!

A PLASTIC SILVER TRAY!

This month the design teams of three of my favorite designers have been sharing our unique projects in a fun collaboration of color and pattern.  Colorique by Lisa Jimenez,  ArtFoamies Stamps by Rita Barakat plus Crafter's Ink and Background Basics Stamps by Ann Butler Designs  Now, as y'all know I am very familiar with Ann Butler Designs and faux quilting, but I was excited to work with new products from two fellow designers who I really admire.

I purchased several plastic silver trays for a party, but never used them, so they have been sitting in my "to be upcycled" craft stash (which seems to grow organically LOL!).  Thinking that the round one would make a perfect wreath for the holidays, I grabbed them and got to work...

Place a quarter size puddle of Colorique Verdigris and Turquoise Mountain on a paper plate.  Pounce Verdigris onto the edges of the tray with an old paintbrush.  Wipe off some of the ink with a baby wipe, so the silver shows through.  Repeat with Turquoise Mountain.  Colorique is an opaque liquid ink that dries quickly and can be applied to most hard-to-color surfaces like plastic, glass and metal.

Once dry, cut a line across the inside of the tray with a craft knife on a self healing mat.  Take your time as this will take several passes with a sharp craft knife.  Then using sharp, pointed scissors, carefully cut the middle away from the tray.

I loved the swirly pattern in the Zen Doodle Cloud ArtFoamies Stamp, so I used it with Crafter's Ink in Berry to create an all over pattern on pink card stock.  The image from this foam stamp is crisp and clean, oh and did I mention I love the swirls!  

Once the ink is dry, trace one 2", 3" and 4" circle, then cut out with scissors.  These will be the holly berries!

Using the Background Basics stamps and Crafter's Ink in Evergreen, create a Faux Quilted background on bright green and olive card stock.  

Draw two holly leaves on plain white paper, one 5"long and one 7" long, cut out with scissors.  Trace both leaves onto both colors of card stock and cut out with scissors.  Fold each leaf in half length-wise.

Attach the holly berries and holly leaves to the wreath in varying layers with Foam Tape from Tombow.

Here is a close up of the patterns and layers:

I hope that you have enjoyed my Mod Christmas Wreath and the next time you get crafty that you will use traditional materials in unconventional ways!

Ann Butler has posted a ROUND-UP of all of the wonderful projects, so hop over and take a look, there is a lot of inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creatively, Beth

Upcycled Gingerbread House Gift Bag

Make this Upcycled Gingerbread House Gift Bag in just 15 minutes!

This week I am participating in Craft Lightning where a group of blogger friends are rounding up Christmas crafts you can make in 15 minutes or less.  Hosted by Angie at the Country Chic Cottage, Carolina at 30 Minute Crafts and Jessica at Mad in Crafts, we will be sharing new projects everyday this week, so check back and click through!  

If you are like me, I always have a ton of Kraft paper shopping bags collecting on a shelf in my laundry room, because I just cannot throw them away!  At Christmastime I like to upcycle those bags to use for presents, it’s good for the planet (and my wallet!)

Now, I have had this idea floating around in my head for quite a while – a Gingerbread House Gift Bag – but it turned out much cuter than I even imagined!

Here’s how I made it:

I grabbed a medium size bag (8″ by 10″) and a sheet of 8 1/2″ by 11″ kraft cardstock.  Fold the cardstock in half at the 5 1/2″ mark and crease.  Measure in 1/4″ on each side of the fold.  Draw a diagonal line from each mark on fold to each bottom corner.  Trim with scissors.  Measure to center of fold line and make a mark.  Measure gift bag handles and using craft knife, cut out a rectangle 1/4″ deep by handle width (mine was 3″).

Scallop bottom edge of kraft cardstock with scissors.  Draw diamond pattern on to roof with white dimensional fabric paint, set aside to dry.

Punch squares and rectangles from white cardstock and dry fit onto front of bag for windows, doors, etc.  Color with Tombow Dual Brush Pens 847 Crimson, 451 Sky Blue, 245 Sap Green and 025 Light Orange.  The shapes still looked flat to me, so I got out my Tombow MONOTWIN Permanent Marker and created depth with doodles and outlines.  That small detail made ALL the difference – I love the creative process!

Layer shapes with Tombow Foam Tape to create dimension.

Punch circles from white cardstock.  Color with Tombow Dual Brush Pens 847 Crimson, 245 SapGreen, 025 Light Orange, 173 Willow Green, 730 Pink Rose, 373 Sea Blue, 925 Scarlet, 636 Imperial Purple and 476 Cyan.  Attach to roof with Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive. 

Punch two small flowers and a heart to decorate the front door.  Punch hearts and starburst to decorate between windows.  Punch scalloped ovals, cut in half for gumdrop border.  Punch circles and cut out rectangles for lollipop trees.  Tie bakers twine bows around lollipops.  Attach accents to bag with Tombow Foam Tape and Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive.

Accent all of the candy embellishments with Tombow MONO Glue Pen and ColorBox Glitter by Clearsnap, set aside to dry.  The Glue Pen is excellent for detailed accents because the pen tip gives you complete accuracy.

The final ICING on the Gingerbread House is icing accents created with white dimensional fabric paint!  Set aside to dry.

Slide roof on over handles of bag and gift to your favorite person this holiday season!

These bags are quick and easy to put together in an afternoon and can be adjusted to any size shopping bag you might have on hand.  Craft up an entire neighborhood of Gingerbread House Gift Bags with your kids to give to their favorite teacher, babysitter or friend!

Click the link below and check in each day this week to be inspired by the rest of the fabulous bloggers that are sharing their 15 minute Christmas Crafts!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Creatively, Beth

Dollar Store Flip Flop Welcome Sign

Happy Sunday!

Create this quick and easy flip flop welcome sign in under 30 minutes with supplies from the dollar store! 

I purchased 4 pairs of colorful flip flops, one bunch of daises and 2 butterflies for just $6.00 - SCORE! The letters, ribbon and glue were from my craft stash.

Here's how I made it:

1. Arrange seven flip flops on your work surface, with the largest in the center to the smallest on the end, in an arch.

2. Using Tombow MONO Multi XL Liquid Glue, attach flip flops together, side by side as shown, at the top and bottom. Secure together in the back with strips of heavy cardboard or wood, glued in place.

3. Snip daisy heads from the bunch and attach one each thong and a butterfly to the last flip flop, using Tombow MONO Multi XL Liquid Glue.

4. Spell out the word WELCOME with Joy embroidered letters. Peel off the backing and apply the letters to bottoms of the flip flops.  NOTE: the are self adhesive, so the application is quick and easy!

5. Turn over the sign and tie a ribbon hanger to the second and sixth flop flop (tied to the thong button). Tie a bow.

Hang your sign and enjoy it all summer long! And if you're like me and live in Florida, you can leave it up year round!  

This is also a great project to make as a hostess gift for all of those backyard barbecues you will be invited to!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creatively, Beth

I have been compensated by the companies linked in this post, but all of the ideas and opinions are my own.

DIY Ruler Sign Welcome Back to School

Happy Wednesday!  Today I am participating in a craft challenge called Craft Lightning, where all of the projects have to be created within a 15 minute time frame and this month's theme is Back to School.  I love being challenged to be creative within specific parameters.  It ups the inspiration quotient and sets my mind to brainstorming the possibilities!  Our hosts for the Back to School Craft Lightning are Angie from Country Chic Cottage, Carolina from 30 Minute Crafts and Kara from Happy Go Lucky Blog  and great group of designers are sharing new projects each day this week!

Here's how I made my fun and colorful DIY Ruler Sign:

STEP ONE:

Gather nine wooden rulers and your favorite rainbow colored Tombow Dual Brush Pens.

STEP TWO:
Color each wooden ruler a different color.  This is quick and easy with the Tombow Dual Brush Pens AND there is NO drying time.  Perfect for the impatient crafter, like me!  I really love the transparent stained effect that these pens give the unfinished wood.

STEP THREE:
Attach the rulers to a Kunin^® Classicfelt™ 9” x 12” Craft Cut in Sandstone with Tombow MONO Multi XL Liquid Glue.  The MONO Multi has a quick set up time and works on a variety of surfaces.

STEP FOUR:
Spell out your greeting using JOY self adhesive embroidered letters.  I selected WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL using the 3" Varsity Block and the 1 1/2" Cooper Style letters.  Then just peel off the backing paper and attach!  

STEP FIVE:
Attach white ball fringe to the bottom edge of the sign and a black ribbon hanger to the top with Tombow MONO Multi XL Liquid Glue. Embellish with bows.

STEP SIX:
Cut pencils and attach to right and left side of sign to finish.  

Personalize your DIY Ruler Sign with your school's colors or your teacher's name to create a unique gift for Back to School.

Now it's time to click on the link below and check out all of the creative and inspirational projects that this group of fabulous designers has created for the Craft Lightning Back to School challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creatively, Beth

I have been compensated by the companies linked in this post, but all of the ideas and opinions are my own.

Treasure Map How to with Lawn Fawn Stamps

Good Friday Morning! The Tombow USA Design Team is hosting a blog hop today with Lawn Fawn Stamps!  We were recently given the opportunity to select product from the Lawn Fawn website and I picked the AHOY, MATEY! Clear Stamp set and the companion Lawn Cuts - super cute!  I used these sets and my favorite Tombow Pens and Adhesives to create the Treasure Map and coordinating party projects outlined below.

The Lawn Fawn stamps are high quality photo-polymer and provide a clear, crisp image the first impression out of the package and the die cuts are 100% steel to create clean cut shapes!

Now, on to my project!

STEP ONE:  Create Distressed Map Paper

Start with a sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" ivory cardstock.  Scribble Tombow Dual Brush Pen #977 on the Tombow Blending Palette, mist with water, then flip over and smear across surface of paper.  Let dry and repeat until you get the desired look.  Trim 1" section from distressed paper, set aside.  NOTE: Start out by adding more water for a lighter overall color, then less and less water to create darker tones in random areas.

While the paper is still wet, crumple and tear it randomly.  Highlight the tears and edges with the Dual Brush Pen, then mist with more water from the Tombow Spray Mister to blend.  Set aside to dry.  I love the different colors that only one Dual Brush Pen created, it's kind of magical!

STEP TWO:  Stamped Images

Attach clear stamps from Lawn Fawn AHOY MATEY! set to a block, load with black archival ink (waterproof) and stamp several times on white cardstock.

Some of my images did not stamp completely because I did not apply even pressure.  My trick is that I filled in the low areas with the NEW MONO Drawing Pens, which are waterproof.

STEP THREE:  Coloring Stamped Images

I selected a color palette and started the most fun part - COLORING!  A great time to relax and experiment!  I love my Tombow Dual Brush Pens for coloring because each pen has a brush tip for larger areas and a bullet tip for details - check out the stripes on the pirate's shirt and the cross hatching on the palm trees.

I always start out my projects with a color palette, here are the Dual Brush Pens I selected:

STEP FOUR:  Cutting Stamped Images

The great thing about most of the Lawn Fawn Clear Stamp sets is that they come with companion AHOY MATEY! Lawn Cuts dies!  Lay out your images on the magnetic surface of your cutting machine, attached the dies and run through.  VIOLA!  Perfectly cut out images without any of the fuss!

I wanted just a bit more detail, so I cut out the inside of the palm trees and ship with a sharp craft knife.

STEP FIVE:  Embellish the Treasure Map

Place your images on the map until you are pleased with the composition.  Attach with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive, roll to apply then swipe tip to the side for a clean application.  Add the wave, compass and X marks the spot stamps with archival ink directly on the map.  Sketch in the dotted lines, then fill in with Dual Brush Pen # N15.  Add a red outline around the X marks the spot and stamped message across the bottom: "You're a Treasure, Thanks for showing me the way, Matey!"

STEP SIX:  Creating Treat Bags

Stamp "You're a Treasure!" on the white section of striped cardstock then fishtail then end with scissors.  Punch scallop circle from red cardstock and smaller black circle in black cardstock and attach with Xrteme Adhesive.  Adhere treasure chest, coins and gems to medallion with Tombow Foam Tape, just cut to fit!  Attach medallion to striped cardstock, fill brown paper lunch sack with PIRATE BOOTY, fold cardstock over top of sack and secure with staples.

STEP SEVEN:  Creating Straw Messages

Cut black cardstock 3/4" by 6".  Cut white cardstock 1/2" by 6" and attach with Xtreme Adhesive. Stamp messages from the Lawn Fawn AHOY, MATEY! stamp set.  Fold in half and attach to straw with Xtreme Adhesive, then fishtail end with scissors.

STEP EIGHT:  Create Message in a Bottle Favors

Stamp messages and images on the 1" strip of distressed paper that was trimmed in Step One.  Color images with Dual Brush Pens.  Trim to fit bottle, then fishtail ends with scissors.  Place in bottle, add cork then wrap with bakers twine tied in a knot.  NOTE: Have the Birthday Boy or Girl write a personal message to each guest on the back before placing in the bottle.

STEP NINE:  Create a Cupcake Medallion

Cut a rectangle of striped cardstock large enough to wrap around the base of your cupcake and secure with Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive.  Punch two scallop circles from black cardstock and a smaller circle from red cardstock.  Attach the red circle to the first black scallop.  Flip medallion over, run a line of adhesive down the center, place skewer on adhesive, then attach second black scallop over top of skewer, securing with Xtreme Adhesive.  Stamp the word AHOY! at the top of the medallion.  Adhere boy and girl pirates and parrot to medallion with Tombow Foam Tape.

Click on the photos below to see all the details!

 
I hope that you have enjoyed my projects and that you will use them as a jumping off point to showcase YOUR creativity using Lawn Fawn and Tombow!

If you landed here by chance today, THANKS!  But please go back to the Lawn Fawn blog at the beginning of the hop to experience all of the inspiration!

Here is the complete list for the hop:

Lawn Fawn

Elise

Jennie

Elena

Beth - YOU ARE HERE!

Audrey - HOP HERE NEXT!

Smitha

Melissa M

Lauren

Lynnette

Katie

Lizzy

Dani

Nichol

Chari

Tombow Blog

Now on to the really FUN STUFF - PRIZES!
Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win the fabulous $40 package of products from TOMBOW and a $40 gift certificate from LAWN FAWN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more inspiration check out Tombow on INSTAGRAM and Lawn Fawn on FACEBOOK!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Creatively, Beth

How To Upcycle Mother's Day Gift Wrapping

Happy Sunday everyone!  Excited to be here today to share how to upcycle Mother's Day gift wrapping for the Craft Lightning Mother's Day Blog Hop!

I recently received and was blown away by the detail in the Beautiful Day stamp set from Altenew and just knew I wanted to do a Tombow Dual Brush Pen watercolor technique.  This post is sponsored, but all of the opinions are mine. 

On to my project!

I am always looking for inspiring ways to wrap a gift as I think the packaging should be as special as the gift inside.  I have several "Moms" in my life - my Mom, my Sister-in-Laws and a few close Mom friends and thought that these sewn book page "pillows" would be the perfect way to wrap a special gift card for Mother's Day!

Altenew features high quality photopolymer stamps that produce a crisp and clean image, even on the thinnest of detailed lines within the image.  I started out by stamping each image four times on smooth white card stock with black archival ink.

I always start my coloring projects with a color chart.  This way I can make sure that I like all of my color combinations before I start coloring my images.  I have included my color chart in the photo above.  Then I begin coloring with the lightest colors first.  Tombow Dual Brush Pens # 761 and 993.

Next I accented with Tombow Dual Brush Pen # 703.

I finished the main Peony flower with the darkest pink Tombow Dual Brush Pen # 815. 



The leaves and greenery were colored with Tombow Dual Brush Pens # 192 and 312.

And the berries with Tombow Dual Brush Pens # 553 and 533.

The next step is creating the watercolor effect, which is super easy since Tombow Dual Brush Pens are water based markers - you just add WATER!  Check out my Instagram video HERE to see the water color process!

Select your book pages.  Mine are vintage, so they are a bit heavier and approximately 8" by 10".  I gave the edges a fancy touch with my scallop pinking shears.  Place two book pages together and sew three edges.  Gently open and fill your "pillow" with your gift of choice.  I have included a gift card, some tissue paper and confetti.  Then sew the fourth side, closing the pillow.

Fussy cut your stamped and colored images, then arrange them on the top of the pillow with a lovely Altenew Antique Trim frame.  Attach with Tombow Xtreme Adhesive.  Wrap with stain ribbon and finish by tying on a tag created with one of the sentiments from the Beautiful Day stamp set - "Wish You the Most Beautiful Day".

I think that this makes such an elegant presentation for a simple item like a gift card.  This packing would be perfect for a Graduation present, Bridal Shower or even a Wedding Gift.  

I LOVE that the possibilities are endless!

Now, it's time to HOP around to the other designers that have contributed to the Craft Lightning Mother's Day Blog Hop!  Just click the link below - I can't wait to see what everyone has created!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth