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! 

Floral Impressions Pendant and Earrings

I'm excited to be a part of the ETI® and Ann Butler Designs™ blog hop today!   I created this "Floral Impressions" pendant and earring set with a variety of ETI products, and the impressionistic flowers were "painted" with Ann Butler's Iridiescents from Earth Safe Finishes.

Please visit each blog and leave a comment to be entered for the blog candy prize (US Residents only due to the liquids included in the prize package.) YES, a comment on EACH blog gets you an entry for the prize package shown below!  Share the fun with your friends!  We will pick a winner on Saturday the 20th and announced on the Ann Butler and ETI blogs.  Again, be sure to visit all the sites and leave a comment.  The prize package includes EasyCast, Jewelry Resin, Mold, Resin Spray, 2 Colors, and all 4 1" Faux Quilting Stamp Sets! 

Ann Butler

Beth Watson

Carmen Flores Tanis

Cindi Bisson

Dana Kersey Joy

Graciela Chavez De Mejia

Irit Shalom

Kristi Parker Van Doren 

Larissa Collins Pittman

Lisa Rojas

Paula Weddle DeReamer

Roberta Birnbaum

Steph Ackerman

Vishu Reberholt

Materials:

EnviroTex® - Jewelry Resin

                   - Jewelry Clay®

                   - Castin Craft Mold Release Conditioner

                   - EasyCast Resin Jewelry Mold                 

Ann Butler Designs™ Earth Safe Finishes Iridescents - Skylar, Limelight, Lipgloss

DecoArt® Glass Paint Markers™ - Fuchsia, Citron 

JudiKins™ Floral Fabric Patterns Cube 

Silver jewelry findings 

Pink dyed silk ribbon 

Jewelry pliers, wax paper

Instructions:

1. Following manufacturer instructions, mix EnviroTex® Jewelry Clay®.  

2. Spray mold with release conditioner, place jewelry clay in large oval and 2 small ovals.  Press silver ring into top of each oval, with top extending over oval to act as hanging loop - clay will adhere and hold in place.  

3.  Before clay sets and hardens, carefully remove ovals from mold.  Paint with one coat of Skylar Iridescents.  

4. Apply Lipgloss and Limelight Iridescents directly to floral image on stamp.   Stamp into each oval, pressing lightly to transfer image and leave an impression of the image in the clay.  Let clay dry and cure. 

5. Use markers to add highlights to the stamped flowers and leaves.    

6. Mix approximately 5cc EnviroTex® jewelry resin according to manufacturer instructions.  Place pieces on wax paper, and coat with thin layer of resin.  Let dry. 

7. Add silk ribbon to pendant, and add jewelry closures.  Add jump rings and french wires to earrings.  

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

A Favorite Technique - Floating Chalk Backgrounds

March is National Craft Month!!!  The Designer Craft Connection blog group  is celebrating by bringing you some of our favorite techniques this month.   I'm sharing what certainly isn't a new technique to many stampers, but it's one of my favorites and one I fall back to time and time again when I want pretty and unique background papers for my paper crafting projects.  Be sure to follow the DCC link in the column on the right to see what the other participating designers have shared this month!   

I think all colors are beautiful – my preferences change as often as my moods these days.  Sometimes I crave cobalt blue, rich browns and deep mossy greens.  Sometimes vibrant red, black & white.  This time of year as spring approaches I find myself reaching for sunshine yellow tones.  Every so often, pastels call out to me.  However; whether it’s my toenail polish, or my artwork, I always seem to gravitate back to shades of blue-greens:  teal, aquamarine, turquoise, sea glass blues & greens.  The colors of the Caribbean sea always brighten my day.  

Colorful floating chalk backgrounds are very easy to create!  While you may start with the same colors, no two pieces of this unique paper will ever be identical.  The way the colors blend and swirl is just beautiful.

Materials:

Decorator chalks
Craft blade
Shallow baking dish
Water
White cardstock cut to fit in baking dish

Instructions:

Place approximately ½” of water into the baking dish.  Set aside.

 
Choose 2-3 shades of complementary colored chalks.  Use craft knife blade to gently scrape first color of chalk onto the top of the water.  Be careful not to “chunk” it – as the larger pieces will simply sink.  You want a fine powder of chalk floating on the surface of the water.

Repeat with 2nd and 3rd colors.

Place cardstock face down onto water and press gently.  Do not push onto the bottom of the baking dish.  Just let the cardstock float on the surface.  Wait about 5 seconds - it will begin to curl back from the water.  Gently lift out of the water and set aside to dry.  

To speed up drying time, use a heat tool.  If cardstock is curled, iron on low setting to flatten.
No fixative is needed.

Repeat steps 2-3 to create additional pieces of background paper.

Add a bit of Pearl-Ex powders or use shimmering chalks for a sparkling effect.  Try interference shades of Pearl-Ex powders on dark cardstock for a “galaxy” background.  Layer with coordinating cardstocks, stamp directly over the background, let your creative muse guide you!

Creating with Crafty KT - “Autumn” Card

The theme for the Designer Craft Connection Crafty KT Blog Hop is Fabulous Fall.   I easily created this autumn cad with lots of dimension and depth, using the Layer Perfect, foil sheets, and adhesives from Kool Tak™.  Be sure to see what the other participating designers have shared by following the Designer Craft Connection link in the column on the right, and visit the Crafty KT website and sign up for their newsletter to be eligible to win their great giveaway prize (details here). 

Materials: 

Kool Tak™Layer Perfect
Kool Tak™Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets (Earth Tones)
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape ¼ x ¼ x 1/32” thick
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards
Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME 2 ½ x 27 yards

Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tools Round 14 and Round 25
Epiphany Crafts Bubble Caps Round 14 an Round 25
Westcott Premium TrimAir Titanium Paper Trimmer
Westcott Craft Titanium Bonded Non-Stick Scissors
Patterned paper from Pebbles, Inc.
Red twill tape
Small copper brads
Green, light blue and brown cardstock
Brown inkpad
"autumn" stamp from The Stamping Studio

Instructions:

Cut green cardstock 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”.

Use Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect to find center of card.  Cut strip of Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 5” and use Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect to align and mount to center of green cardstock.

Cut two additional pieces of Clear Foam tape 2” and 1 1/2”.  Mount as shown to form tree branches.

Remove top protective strip from foam tape and apply sheet dark brown Kool Tak™Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets (Earth Tones) directly to tape. 

Ink edges of green cardstock with brown ink.

Following manufacturer instructions, use Epiphany Crafts punches to create multiple epoxy topped patterned paper spots, create a random number of small and at least 3 large.

Arrange large and small epoxy punched spots as tree leaves, mount using Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 1/4” x 1/4” squares to add depth.  Add small copper brads as accents.

Measure and cut 11 3/4” x 6 1/4” piece of patterned paper and fold in half to form card. 

Measure and cut 4 1/2” x 6” piece of brown cardstock.  Ink edges with brown inkpad. 

Use Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect to align brown cardstock on card front, 1 1/4” from folded edge, as shown.  Mount using Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 1/4” x 1/4” squares.

Use Kool Tak™ Layer Perfect to align green cardstock on card front over brown cardstock as shown.  Mount using foam squares. 

Ink “autumn” stamp with brown ink, stamp on to scrap of coordinating blue cardstock.  Trim.  Ink edges with brown inkpad. 

Cut 6” strip of red twill tape.  Use Kool Tak™ Premium tape      to mount to bottom of card, overlapping tree image, as shown.  Use Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 1/4” x 1/4” squares to mount “autumn” over twill tape on right edge.

Finish inside of card as desired.


Remember to visit the Crafty KT site to be eligible for their prize giveaway and check out the creations from the other participating designers - Cindi

"Vintage Crafting" with Designer Craft Blog Connection

It's time for the September Designer Craft Blog Connection hop and this month our theme is "Vintage Crafting."   I seem to almost endlessly be crafting via repurposing - but just how old does a an item need to be before it's considered vintage?  Do the old clothes I've been crafting with that once belonged to my grandmother count as vintage (like in my first episode of Behind These Eyes with Cindi Bisson)?  When it comes to the many vintage furniture pieces and home decor accents I have in my home, I prefer them with their aged appearance and am hesitant to consider altering them.  My studio supplies are even stored in a wide variety of "vintage" containers - ranging from old steamer trunks and suitcases, to old shipping crates. I've created many scrapbook layouts with a vintage feel, using vintage photos and vintage themed papers and embellishments.   The one that stands out in my mind as actually having vintage memorabilia actually included, and was made with "old" scrapbooking products I've had in my stash for many years, is this collage style layout of my grandfather and his brothers in their WWII uniforms.

 

Creating a memorial collage is a great way to remember loved ones who have served in the military – past or present!  An official definition of “collage” is:  a technique of composing a work of art by pasting on a single surface various materials not normally associated with one another, as newspaper clippings, parts of photographs, theater tickets, and fragments of an envelope. 

However, I believe a true definition of the art of collage is “anything goes!”  Dare to use elements you might otherwise never consider – whether you use the actual ephemera or scans/photographs of the pieces – the sky is the limit.  Being a texture junkie, I love the dimension and depth that actual elements add rather than photos. 

Whether you choose to create your collage for a family scrapbook, create a framed piece or canvas art, set your creative muse free!  One technique I often incorporate into my collage work is dimensional embellishments & ephemera – in this case I used actual buttons, pins and patches from my grandfather’s WWII uniform.  I scanned the vintage photos of he and his three brothers who also served, both front and back to capture the handwritten names and dates on each, and the actual military documents we have saved throughout the years.  This text was then used to label some of the photos and as an element of the collage.    I wanted all of the elements of this project to have a vintage feel, so even the “new” materials used were aged using walnut ink – the Jolee’s Boutique microbeaded flag and the flag printed vellum were both given a healthy application of spray walnut ink and allowed to set for approximately 1 minute before they were gently rinsed and allowed to dry.  Some papers were torn & rumpled before application on the background, metal tags were stamped with names using black Staz-On ink and small alphabet stamps, and metallic eyelets were added as accents to the tags.  All the assorted elements were then arranged and mounted as shown using Elmer’s Craft Bond Adhesive. Collage is most often about applying multiple materials in a random fashion rather than a linear format – but as I said – anything goes – if you want your “collage” to be composed of multiple images lined up neat and clean – it is not wrong as long as you are happy with the finished project!

Follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link on the right to view the other creativity projects being shared as part of this hop.

I hope this month's hop inspires you to pull out some of your "old supplies", perhaps repurpose an "old" decorative item, or even use new supplies to create something unique with a vintage feel.  And always remember, it's okay to "Dare to be Different!" - Cindi Bisson

But wait, there's MORE!  

The Prize!

 
Crafty KT is sponsoring The KOOL TAK™ Manufacturer Challenge: Fabulously-Fall Blog Hop.

September 8th to September 18th

Join us and visit the blogs of 12 professional and creative craft designers (I'm participating!) as they show you how to create some great fall projects with Kool Tak™ products. 

Make sure to enter the The Kool Tak™ giveaway, which is valued at about $70.00

Kool Tak™ 1 Layer Perfect (Use it for centering, piercing, and edge stitching) Tool
Kool Tak™ 1 Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets (Earth Tones)
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape ¼ x ¼ x 1/32” thick
Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards
Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME 2 ½ x 27 yards

We will choose one lucky giveaway winner from those who sign up for our newsletter.  You only need to enter once.

Only those with a mainland USA shipping address are eligible to win the giveaway.

Link: http://craftykt.com/suscribe-to-newsletter

Crafty KT - It's a Giveaway!

From September 8th - 18th, Crafty KT is sponsoring the KOOL TAK Manufacturer Challenge: Fabulously-Fall Blog Hop with  the Designer Craft Blog Connection.

Part of the hop is a great opportunity for YOU to win a great giveaway package of their products (I have to say that the clear foam is honestly one of the most awesome products I've seen in a long time!).  To be eligible, visit  http://craftykt.com/suscribe-to-newsletter and subscribe to their newsletter.

Included in the prize package* is:

Kool Tak™ 1 Layer Perfect (Use it for centering, piercing, and edge stitching) Tool

Kool Tak™ 1 Shiny Transfer Foil Sheets (Earth Tones)

Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape ¼ x ¼ x 1/32” thick

Kool Tak™ Clear Foam tape 3/16 x 1/16 thick by 1.6 yards

Kool Tak™ Premium EXTREME 2 ½ x 27 yards

*Only those with a mainland USA shipping address are eligible to win the giveaway.

Be sure to check out the creative projects the hop participants will begin sharing on September 8th! 

- Be sure to spend some time getting crafty this weekend! - Cindi Bisson

Designer Craft Blog Connection July Hop - Vacation Crafting!

Welcome to the July Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop!  This month’s theme is Vacation Crafting.   While many of us may use vacations as a time to sit back, relax, and actually not craft, for many of us it’s a time to spend MORE of our time crafting.   Whether you are on a trip to the mountains, a lake, the beach, a theme park, or are exploring a new state or country, if you look closely I promise you will begin to notice creative inspiration everywhere.  It’s in the color palettes of the scenic views, the textures and unique architecture of the buildings and clothing of the people around you, the wonderful tiny found elements to incorporate into your projects.   If you are enjoying a vacation in your own home and yard - take the time to notice all the details that make it special to you too, capture them and let them inspire your creativity!

Beach vacations tend to be popular - and who hasn’t come home with a bit of beach sand, and a few (hundred) seashells to help remember the good times along with fun photographs?     These Beach Memory bottles were a project I shared on an early episode of When Creativity Knocks - You can view the full episode here.    I repurposed shampoo bottles from hotel rooms, along with beach sand, tiny shells, assorted embellishments, and a tiny memory message in a bottle to create these pretty little reminders of fun beach vacations.   It’s a craft you can start working on while you are enjoying your vacation and helps you remember the good times in a unique way.   And, they look so pretty on my studio windowsill with the sunlight shining off of them and through the colored bottles.

Be sure to click through the Designer Craft Blog Connection link on the right to see the other creative vacation crafts being shared by this amazing group of talented designers.  There is always, literally, something for almost everyone in these hops and one of the best parts is seeing everyone’s interpretation of the monthly theme.