Hard Liquor and a Hammer Oughta Fix That!

Hard Liquor and a Hammer oughta fix that!  Every girl should have her own tool box..... for so many reasons lol!   Created this card with another fun Jimbo Lojik™ verse and Makin's Clay®!  

Materials: 

KellyCraft™ - Jimbo Lojik™ Set E

            - Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square

                    - Multi-Mat™

Makin’s Clay® - White, Tools Push Mold 

DecoArt® - Dazzling Metallics™ Shimmering Silver, Crafter’s Acrylic™ - Raw Umber 

Tool patterned paper, white crackled paint patterned paper

Gray card stock

Beacon Adhesives® Tacky Glue 

Clearsnap® ColorBox® Crafter’s Ink - Night 

Foam tape 

Westcott® Titanium Bonded Non-Stick Scissors, Trim-air Trimmer 

Instructions:

Open package of white Makin’s Clay®.   Press clay into tools push mold, remove and let dry.  Store unused clay in zip lock bag with damp paper towel or bay wipe.  When I am push molding pieces, I always make extra with remaining clay so I have a stash to go to for future projects…..

Paint hammer with Dazzling Metallics™ Shimmering Silver and Crafter’s Acrylic Raw Umber.  Let dry. 

Cut gray card stock to desired size and fold in half to form card. 

Cut piece of tool patterned paper and use Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square to align and mount to center of card front.

Ink Hard Liquor and a Hammer verse with black ink and use Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square to align and stamp onto white crackled paint patterned paper.  Trim around verse. 

Ink edges of verse with black ink. 

Cut grey card stock mat about 1/8” larger on all sides than verse.  Use Laser Square to mount to bottom front of card about 1/4” from bottom edge. 

Use Laser Square to align and mount verse centered onto mat.

Cut mat for clay hammer and mount hammer with Tacky Glue.  Use Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square to align and mount on top right front of card as shown.  

ADORNit® Blog Hop - Illuminated Spring Flower Blossoms

I'm excited to be a part of the ADORNit® Blog Hop!  I received an amazing box of product from AdornIt and the hardest part was to first decide WHAT I wanted to work with.  I decided for this first project I would focus on the Blender Basics paper pack.  But, I've also been working on several other projects with some of the fabric and other papers they sent - so stay tuned!

These Illuminated Spring Blossoms are a pretty way to usher in warmer spring days.  Display them near a sunny window for a little springtime cheer, and when the sun goes down and the day starts to darken - turn on the lights in the centers and watch the warm sunny glow illuminated from within the flowers themselves!

Be sure to follow through and see what the other participating designers are sharing.   The next person's blog to visit on your journey is Jennifer Priest.  ADORNit® is also offering a great prize package to a lucky winner who visits all the projects on this hop!  Your Give-Away Clue for this post is: "Y".

Materials:

ADORNit® Blender Basics Paper Pack
FloraCraft® Design It:® SimpleStyle® LED Lighted Branch
Sizzix® Big Shot™, Eileen Hull Bigz™ Flower 3-D Wrapped, Flourish & Leaf
Makin's Clay® - 120g White, Floral Push Mold
DecoArt® Americana® Decor™ Chalky Finish Paint - New Life
Clearsnap® ColorBox® Crafter's Ink Pad - Sweet Pea, Jungle
Earth Safe Finishes™ Ann Butler Designs™ Iridescents - Sunshine
Offray® Ribbon - 7/8" Glitter Pink
Westcott® Titanium-Bonded Non-Stick Scissors
Beacon® Tacky Glue
Vintage Blue Mason Jar
Paintbrush, craft sponge

Instructions:

Paint LED lighted branch with green Chalky Finish paint.  Let dry.

Use Big Shot™ Machine and Flower 3-D Wrapped die to cut multiple From pink patterned papers in ADORNit® Blender Basics pack.  Number of flowers cut will depend on number of finished flowers. For the 7 flowers I made, I cut 10 large size, and 11 small.

Use Big Shot™ Machine and Flourish & Leaf die to cut multiple leaves from assorted green patterned papers in ADORNit® Blender Basics pack.

Sponge edges of pink flowers with Sweet Pea ink, edges of leaves with Jungle ink.

Assemble flowers per instructions on die - for five I used 2 large flowers and one small for the centers; for two of the flowers I layered 3 of the small.

Mount flowers, using Tacky Glue, to the end of each branch with the light in the center of the flower.

Mount leaves randomly to each branch and to the stem.

Open 120g white Makin's Clay® and cut about 1/4" of package.  Place remaining clay in zip lock bag with damp paper towel for later use.  Use floral push mold to create 7 flowers for centers of paper flowers.  Carefully push end of paint brush through the center of each clay flower while wet to create hole for the light.

Paint flowers with Sunshine Iridescents paint.  Let dry.

Carefully insert each clay flower over the light, use Tacky Glue to hold in center of flowers.

Add batteries per instructions and insert floral branch into blue mason jar, add white tissue paper to cover the wire and battery pack.

Tie glitter pink ribbon around rim of jar and tie bow.

Love This! Valentine Heart Clay Earrings

This week the Designer Craft Connection's blog hop theme is "Love This!"  We were asked to share projects featuring something we love - a product, tool, technique, etc.   I'm sharing a project featuring several products I love, and a few techniques too!

Be sure to follow the Designer Craft Connection link in the column on the right to see what other creative projects the designers are sharing!









Materials (A few that I LOVE!):

Makin's Clay® - White & Red
                         - Clay roller, Heart Cutter Set
Connie Crystals - red and clear
Beacon® Adhesives 527
JudiKins French Script rubber stamp
Clearsnap® Ann Butler's Crafter's® Ink -
Silver French earring wires, silver flat head pins
Jewelry pliers

Instructions:

Mix small amount of white and red clay to swirl and create shades of pink.  Roll thin (approximately 1/8" thick.  I love blending clay and leaving it slightly swirled - I think the effect is so pretty and each piece is totally unique. 

Ink script stamp with red ink and stamp into rolled clay.   Use medium heart cutter to cut 4 hearts.  Let dry (should only take an hour or so since clay is rolled so thin).  I love to rubber stamp Makin's Clay® - you can stamp it when it's wet or dry - use the stamp to make impressions in wet clay, etc.  Endless creative options!   And this JudiKins French Script stamp is truly one of my must have stamps - I've used it on so many projects I've lost count! 

Cover back of 2 hearts with Beacon 527.  Place flat head pin with head at base of back of heart.  Place second heart on top to seal pin within.  Let dry.  Beacon's 527 is one of my "go-to" adhesives - it works on virtually anything, is super strong, and dries clear! 

Add clear crystal bead and then red crystal bead.  Create loop at top of pin.  Add to earring wires.  Connie Crystals are a great embellishment for many projects - I love having them in my creative stash to go to for not just jewelry, but paper crafts, mixed-media and more! 

Say THANKS to a Friend with a Laugh

This month's Designer Craft Connection blog hop theme is Thank You cards & Gifts.   This card, created with Graphic 45 papers, The Buckle Boutique bling, and a humorous saying stamp from KellyCraft's® Jimbo Lojik™ stamp line is a fun way to say thanks to a friend for having your back during tough times!

Be sure to click on the the Designer Craft Connection icon in the column on the right to see what other creative ways the Designers have found to say THANKS!



Materials: 

KellyCraft™ Innovations Jimbo Lojik Stamps - Set A
KellyCraft™ Innovations Get-it-Straight™ Laser Square & Multi-Mat™
Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess collection
Clearsnap® Crafter's Ink - Stone
The Buckle Boutique Gold Rectangle Dazzling Diamond self-adhesive rhinestone sheet
Westcott® Titanium Bonded Scissors & Self-Healing Mat
AdTech dot runner
Black, rust card stock
Gold photo corners

Instructions: 

1. Cut black yardstick to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" and fold in half to form card.

2. Cut piece of rust patterned paper approximately 4 x 5 1/4".   Use Get-it-Straight™ laser square to mount centered on front of card.

3. Cut woman dressing image from paper, ink edges with Stone ink pad.  Add gold photo corners.

4. Cut mat from rust card stock slightly larger than image. Use Get-it-Straight™ laser square to mount image centered on mat.

5. Cut strip of Dazzling Diamonds about 1 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Use  Get-it-Straight™ laser square to align and then mount onto front of card.

6. Use Get-it-Straight™ laser square to align and mount woman image on left front of card as shown.

7. Ink "Put your BIG Girl Panties on and DEAL with it!" stamp with Stone ink.  Stamp onto tan parchment card stock.  Trim around verse.  Ink edges of verse.   

. 

8.  Cut mat for verse from rust card stock.  Mont verse to mat, use  Get-it-Straight™ laser square to mount verse  onto center of card slightly overlapping woman image.  

Graveyard Cupcake Stand

Create a ghoulish display for your Halloween cupcakes with this Graveyard Cupcake Stand!   Rowlux Illusion Film is the perfect "pool of blood" to highlight your baked goodies.  This faux stone stand can also be customized easily for any occasion by changing the ribbon around the top.  

Materials: 

Smoothfoam™ - 10” Disc, 6” disc, 3” cube 

AdTech™ hot glue gun & glue sticks for foam 

Spellbinders® Artisan X-plorer™ Machine & Graveyard Scenes and Shapes www.spellbinderspaperarts.com 

Rowlux® Illusion Film - Red Serpentine
PlastiKote Fleckstone Spray Paint - Manhatten Mist  

1” black ribbon 

Dark grey card stock

Clearsnap® Colorbox Crafter’s® Ink - Night 

Westcott® TrimAir Premium Titanium Paper Trimmer,  Titanium Non-Stick Scissors 

2 straight pins, pencil 

Instructions: 

Step 1:  Paint Smoothfoam™ discs and cube with texture spray paint.  Let dry. 

Step 2:  Follow manufacturer instructions to use Spellbinders® Artisan Explorer and Graveyard die set to cut 6 of the graveyard strips and desired number of headstones and skull and crossbones from dark grey card stock. 

Step 3:  Lightly ink die cut pieces with black ink to shade embossed areas. 

Step 4:  Use hot glue to mount cube to 6” disc base and 10” disc top.  Add ribbon around outer edge using straight pins at each end  so ribbon is removable.  This allows for versatility with your faux stone cake stand - change the ribbon and change the theme easily. 

Step 5:  Hot glue graveyard strips onto ribbon around rim of top of stand. 

Step 6:  Trace 8” circle onto red Rowlux® Illusion Film and cut out. 

Step 7:  Hot glue toothpicks to back of each gravestone and skull and crossbones.   Insert into the tops of frosted cupcakes. 

Step 8:  Place Rowlux® circle onto top of stand - do not glue in place - this way it can be removed for washing or changing for other occasions.   Add your cupcakes to your stand.  

Makin's Clay® Groovy Flowers Earrings

Find the how-to instructions to create your own pair of Groovy Flower Earrings on the Makin's Clay® blog - http://makinsclayblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/makins-clay-groovy-flower-earrings.html

Ann Butler Designs Blog Hop - Spring Bloom Topiary

I am excited to be a part of the Ann Butler Designs blog hop!  In the midst of all this snow and ice in North Carolina, I felt like I needed a little touch of spring so I designed this cheerful flower topiary!  Be sure to check out the other participating designers to see what they've created too!

Ann Butler http://www.creativitystirsthesoul.com/2014/01/ann-butler-designs-january-blog-hop.html

Amy Bowerman http://wp.me/p1xj8L-1ub

Candice Windham http://candicewindhamdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-do-i-love-thee.html

Cheryl Boglioli http://wp.me/p2zUiu-1cE

Eileen Hull http://www.eileenhull.com/2014/01/ann-butler-blog-hop.html

Jen Goode http://www.100directions.com/pretty-as-a-peacock-ink-colors-from-clearsnap-and-ann-butler/

Madeline Arendt  http://madelinesthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/01/ann-butlers-stamps-blog-hop.html
Sharon Rienhart http://smrdesigns.blogspot.ca/2014/01/delicate-valentine.html

Materials: 

Ann Butler Faux Quilting Stamps by Unity Stamp Company - 1” Leaves All Over
Clearsnap® ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler - Lilac
White cotton fabric 
Lavender embroidery floss, needle 
1 1/4” Smoothfoam ball 
Yellow Blumenthal Lansing button 
Wooden skewer 
Darice tin watering can 
May Arts ribbon - yellow print, green print 
Beacon Adhesives Tacky Glue 
Iron 

Instructions: 

Ink 1” leaves stamp with Lilac ink, stamp 8 times on white cotton fabric.  Ink stripe stamp with Lilac ink, stamp 8 times on white cotton fabric.  Heat set with iron. 

Cut out each stamped square, leaving approximately 1/8” on all sides. 

Place 2 leave images back to back, straight stitch embroider around image.  Repeat with remaining stamped leave images and striped images. 

Use fingers to gently remove threads around stitching to create frayed edge. 

Thread each square, through one corner, onto needle, overlapping.   Fan out to create flower. 

Place small amount of tacky glue on yellow button.  Place in center of flower.   Embroider through flower ot hold in place. 

Place Smoothfoam ball into bottom of watering can with hole facing upward. 

Place small dab of glue on top of skewer, wrap with green ribbon.   Place strip of ribbon around stem, tie, then tie ends in knot to create leaf.  Repeat on other side. 

Insert skewer into ball. 

Glue flower to top of skewer.  

Tie strip of yellow ribbon around watering can ending with a bow. 

Add Spanish moss to top of watering can opening to cover ball. 

Lost in the Moment Valentine Spinner Card

You can find instructions on how to create this Valentine spinner card in this week's Cindi's Simple Solutions at When Creativity Knocks.   Featuring TaDa Creative Studios papers, Blumenthal Lansing buttons, Clearsnap inks, and KellyCraft Jimbo Lojik stamps.

Trim the Tree with WCK's All-Star Designers' Holiday Series

Another episode of the WCK All-Star Designers' Holiday Series is now live and you'll discover 5 fun ways to add a hand-made touch to your holiday tree!  We start with Jonathan Fong and a clever garland, then Mark Montano shares his "armored" holiday ball, Judi Watanabe brings us a beautiful golden ornament, Ana Araujo makes a fun snow globe, and I create a stuffed cardinal ornament.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIdLiCy2R0s&feature=c4-overview&list=UU43BR4nhkkM43cM73d_X19w

Holiday Tablescape Ideas

The WCK All-Stars' Designer Holiday series continues with an episode full of ideas for using a wide variety of products to create a great holiday tables cape.  We've got a fun centerpiece created by Jonathan Fong, fabulous etched glassware by Mark Montano, beautiful place designed by Judi Watanabe, a tablecloth and matching napkins designed by Ana Araujo, and whimsical star party favor boxes I created for the table.   Products from our sponsors - Spellbinders, Rit Dye, Blumenthal Lansing, Etchall, Makin's Clay, Beacon Adhesives, JudiKins, Smoothfoam and Clearsnap are featured in this video and you are sure to find an idea to inspire you!

Feeling Frosty Winter Home Decor

The When Creativity Knocks All-Stars' Designer Holiday series is rolling along and in this episode I show you how to combine Etchall, Rit Dye, Spellbinders, Makin's Clay, Beacon Adhesives, JudiKins Roxs, and Smoothfoam, Clearsnap Smooch Glitz and more create two home decor pieces for the holidays, and all winter long.   Here's the YouTube link, or follow the direct link to view the episode on WCK's site below.

http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/videos/view/All-Star-Designers-Holiday-Series-Winter-Decor

Gobble, Gobble with Smoothfoam, Rit & Blumenthal Lansing

The second episode in the WCK All-Star Designers' Holiday Season is now live on the WCK site - Ana Araujo shares her cute idea for a Turkey treat holder  made with Smoothfoam™,  Rit Dye® and Blumenthal Lansing buttons!

http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/videos/view/Mason-Jar-Turkey-Centerpiece

WCK's All-Star Designers' Holiday Series has Begun!

http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/videos/view/Glow-In-The-Dark-Ghost-Card

When Creativity Knocks is excited to share the first episode in the All-Star Designers' Holiday Series - This week Judi Watanabe of JudiKins shares here adorable Halloween card featuring a glow-in-the-dark Makin's Clay® accent.   In the coming weeks Judi, Jonathan Fong, Mark Montano, Ana Araujo and I will be sharing many more creative holiday projects.

Special thanks to the great sponsors of this event Rit®, Blumenthal Lansing®, Smoothfoam™, Beacon Adhesives®, Makin's Clay®, Spellbinders®, Etchall®, Clearsnap® and JudiKins®.  If you sign up to receive the Creative Journal Newsletter on the WCK site you are entered to win one of 8 prize packages full of products from our sponsors!

Extruded, Coiled Beads Video - Creatively Crafty with Cindi Bisson

My latest episode of Creatively Crafty with Cindi Bisson is now live.  I'm sharing how to create extruded, coiled clay beads using the Makin's Brand® Ultimate Clay Exruder, Makin's Clay®, Connie Crystal and ClearSnap Designer Foil. 

Designing with Smoothfoam™

I am excited to be able to continue as part of the Smoothfoam™ Creativity Team for the next term!   This group shares some really fun and crafty ideas on the Smoothfoam™ blog monthly.   In April, I designed two projects which you can find complete instructions for on their blog by following the links.  Experiment with crafting with Smoothfoam™ - it can be found in your local craft & hobby store in a variety of shapes - Cindi







http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/stenciled-birdhouse/

 http://www.smoothfoam.com/blog/billy-button-bouquet/

Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop - Wishes

Although there are endless ways to think about wishes - birthday wishes, good luck wishes, wedding wishes, bon voyage wishes, baby shower wishes, get well wishes, wishes that your children will have happy & healthy futures, when I thought about creating a post for today's blog hop following our "Wishes" theme was Jeannie.  Yes - Barbara Eden from the I Dream of Jeannie show many years ago.  It originally aired before my time, but I enjoyed the re-runs about a zillion times (and still do when I can find them on TV!)   I loved it so much that one Halloween many (many, many) years ago I even made a Jeannie halloween costume, complete with a jeweled bottle, and dressed my husband as Major Nelson for a party we were attending.   (What's one of MY wishes today?  That I could still fit into that costume lol!)     

I went to what seems to be a never-ending source of inspiration these days - PINTEREST - and searched "Genie" - the results were plentiful - and very interesting.   It seems "genies" inspire creativity of all kinds - photographs, costumes, paintings, cartoons, bottles, lamps, jewelry, and some of my favorites which I thought were completely amazing - this awesome, colorful cake, this enormous sand sculpture, and yes, there was even a genie costume for a dog!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/design_cakes/6763619611/in/photostream

http://pinterest.com/pin/205336064230926374/

pinterest.com/pin/205336064230926374/

I also found this quote, which I liked so much I decided to use for a mixed-media bracelet project.  I kept the basic bracelet very simple, as I plan to wear this regularly and wanted it to coordinate with many outfits. 

                “The absolutely awesome incredible power of belief is the genie in your life.”
                                                             ― Eldon Taylor

Materials:

DIY Bangle - 1/2"
EarthSafe Finishes Shimmer Opaque - Black Pearl, black acrylic paint, paintbrush
Silver foil tape
ImpressArt® Metal Stamps - Newsprint and Lower Case, steel stamping block, brass stamping hammer
E6000® Adhesive
Hampton Art collage rubber stamp
Clearsnap® ColorBox® Crafter's Ink - Night
JudiKins Diamond Glaze™ 




Instructions:

Paint bangle, inside and outside, with 2 coats of Black Pearl Shimmer Opaque.  Let dry.










Following manufacturer instructions, use ImpressArt® stamps and tools to stamp quote/verse onto silver foil tape.

Apply coat of black acrylic paint over stamped quote, gently remove paint from non-stamped surface with a soft cloth.

Use E6000® Adhesive to mount stamped silver foil tape onto center of bangle.







 

Ink rubber stamp with ColorBox® Crafter's Ink, stamp onto both outside edges of bracelet.  Let dry.

Coat entire bracelet with two coats of JudiKins Diamond Glaze™.   Let dry.








Don't forget to follow the Designer Craft Connection link in the right column to see what other creative projects the designers are sharing with the "wishes" theme - Cindi

Holiday Shopping List - The Stylish Way

The countdown to the holidays is on - and for many people the real mad rush of shopping kicks in this week as we approach the infamous "Black Friday" day after Thanksgiving.    This year, I decided that instead of bringing a piece of notebook paper with my holiday shopping list - I'd create a small, purse sized notebook that I could keep my list in, tuck receipts or coupons into, etc.  I can even use it from one year to the next until it's filled.   When I whip out this list, I'm hoping this festive little book will make me stop and reflect on the true joy of giving - or at least remind me that soon enough I'll be back in my studio busily creating, which is much less stressful than shopping to me personally, when the holidays are over!  


Materials:

Darice 3" x 4" notebook 
Theresa Collins Noel Collection patterned papers and chipboard embellishments 
Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur® & Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities® Poinsettia set
Red cardstock
JudiKins Diamond Glaze
Clearsnap ColorBox Archival Dye Cat's Eye inkpad - Red Devil
The Robin's Nest "Champagne" Dew Drops embellishments
ScraPerfect The Best Glue Ever
1/2" Gold Organza ribbon
Westcott Craft Titanium Bonded Non-Stick Scissors

Instructions: 

Following manufacturer instructions, cut and emboss poinsettia using Grand Calibur® & Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities® Poinsettia set.   Apply thin coat of JudiKins Diamond Glaze to each layer of petals before assembling flower. 

Determine how you'd like to layer the papers for cover and back of book.  The assortment of designs in the Theresa Collins Noel Collection all coordinate well so the hardest part is deciding which ones you want to use from the great assortment... Ink edges of all pieces with Clearsnap Red Devil inkpad.   Mount with Best Glue Ever.  Let dry.

Dovetail cut one end of gold organza ribbon, mount to bottom front of book, approximatley 1/2" from bottom edge, with dovetail extending slightly off edge.  Wrap around to back of book and mount.  

Mount chipboard "GIFTS" embellishment over gold ribbon.






Arrange poinsettia in bottom left front corner of book.  Mount, extending off book, and remove outer petals. 

Use JudiKins Diamond Glaze to mount gold Dew Drops embellishments as center of poinsettia, and layer over "GIFTS" chipboard embellishment.  Let dry.

Happy shopping and may you all take a moment to reflect on the joy of giving this season! - Cindi

Some New Bling with Makin's Clay

I thought I'd share a pendant and earring set I made to wear at ARTOLOGY this past weekend in New Jersey.   A variety of different beads, all made with black Makin's Clay® , were used along with a few green glass beads for accents.   The dragonfly pendant was created with Makin's Clay® in a fabulous Paula Radke dragonfly mold from Art Clay World.   The wings of the dragonfly, and some of the black clay beads, were given a little sparkle with Clearsnap's Smooch GLITZ™.    The diversity of options when designing with Makin's Clay® is one of the reasons it's one of my favorite mediums.    

Consider find a little time to create a new jewelry piece to wear with your fall fashions using your favorite crafting mediums - Cindi