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

Quilt Block Inspired Home Sweet Home Decor

Happy Friday!  Today I am sharing with you a trio of quilt block inspired Home Sweet Home, houses!  A great addition to your home decor, plus they are quick and easy to make in just an evening or afternoon!

Here is what you will need:

•  Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap – Aquamarine, Sunshine, Lilac, Limelight, Tangelo and Berry
• Ann Butler Designs Colorbox® Background Basics Stamps  – Checks, Diamond, Basket and Picnic
• Tombow Xtreme Permanent Adhesive
• Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue
• Wooden Houses (unfinished, set of three) found at Michael's; Pastel Cardstock in Lavender, Pink, Yellow, Peach, Light Green and Blue; Ruler; Pencil; Ribbon; Scissors; Baby Wipes; White Letter Stickers, White Enamel Dots; Three Varieties of Lace.

Here is how I made it!

Step One: 
Stamp each of the six Colorbox® Background Basics Stamps by Ann Butler Designs – Checks, Diamond, Basket and Picnic both the square stamps and the triangular stamps with the Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap – Aquamarine, Sunshine, Lilac, Limelight, Tangelo and Berry once on the coordinating cardstock.  I love how Ann’s brightly colored inks pop off the pastel cardstock colors!

Step Two:
Cut out all square and triangular stamped images with scissors.  Dry fit colors and patterns on each wooden house shape.  There are six sides to each house and six different colors of stamped images, so you can mix and match!  Apply stamped images to houses with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue with the broad tip.  Then use the base of the glue bottle to smooth out the paper and obtain a good bond.

Step Three:
Apply lace trim to each house with Tombow Xtreme Adhesive Runner.  The Xtreme is 5 times stronger than traditional adhesives, so it works well on bulky embellishments like lace. 

Step Four:
Cut out doors and windows from stamped images and apply to houses with Xtreme adhesive runner.

Step Five:
Apply white enamel dot "door knobs" to each door.  Apply letter stickers to each house to spell "HOME SWEET HOME".  

Display on a shelf or coffee table to brighten your Home Sweet Home!

Make a set to give as a gift to congratulate a friend on their new home!

More creativity and inspiration can be found on my Instagram HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!  
Creatively, Beth