Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Shaker Bells and my Gorgeous Roses Canvas



Welcome to another post!

Thank you so much for visiting. If you have an Instagram account, please make sure you are following my account @patchworkfox for pictures of my work in progress and sneak peaks of what I will be posting!

This canvas, on the bottom left, was so hard to mail! I had become really attached to the canvas emotionally, but I'm sure that happens to most as I worked very hard on it. Does that happen with you? If you would like to see the tutorials for these two, leave a comment below!

I saw this quote earlier, shared by a dear friend and I wanted to share it with you, as it has been a quote that has been resonating with me recently :

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.


Thursday, May 24, 2018

Lemoncraft Vintage Inspired Shaker Roses for Cherish the Memory

My 6x6 May Shaker Card for Cherish the Memory DT





 "Be you, bravely"

Thanks for visiting my blog! I just love the chat stickers from Tim Holtz, there is a perfect selection of quotes and inspirational messages that can be guaranteed to express whatever your heart desires on cards for that perfect sentiment. I think it suits this card perfectly, as butterflies are as they are, free and bravely themselves with no restraint, as they fly free! That's what makes them so beautiful.

These vintage inspired papers from Lemoncraft are just gorgeous to work with, I have created cards with these papers several times now and just do not tire of working with them! Links below to purchase, with the last link to a great listing for a deluxe kit!




A close up of the sentiment, I felt that it went perfectly with the framing of the shaker window frame, as a plaque to the centered image.



I used as assortment of matching sequins in pink and green along with iridescent translucent sequins. Tip: Add seed beads to your shaker cards so make sure there is plenty of movement and an extra noise effect.


To tie the elements of the shaker card and the butterflies, I used clear drying adhesive to attach clear seed beads to the centers of the butterflies. Butterflies look like they are fluttering on the card when you fold the middle! 

I hope you have enjoyed my post! 

Make sure to check out the lovely Lemoncraft collection available at Cherish the Memory below!






Wednesday, May 16, 2018

A Butterfly in Coneflowers with Heartfelt Creations Backyard Blossoms

A Heartfelt Creations Fold out Card with Coneflowers and a Butterfly! 


Thank you for visiting my blog! It's Inspiration Wednesday for Heartfelt Creations and I am sharing with you my Foldout Card using the gorgeous Backyard Blossoms coneflowers, featuring a butterfly from the Butterfly Kisses Collection! This card contains all the beautiful papers from the Backyard Blossoms Paper collection that has the most perfect colors for Spring and Summer!

Product links and the full tutorial below!



Other Products Used:

Yellow Satin Ribbon, Faber-Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel, Double Sided Adhesive Tape, Paper Trimmer, Scissors, Bone Folder, 3D Mounting Foam Tape, Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils: Purple Violet 136, Manganese Violet 160, Violet 138, Light Magenta 119, Fuchsia 123, Terracotta 186, Orange Glaze 113, Cadmium Orange 111, Dark Chrome Yellow 109, Cadmium Yellow 105, May Green 170, Earth Green Yellowish 168, Permanent Green Olive 167





Instructions:
Card Base Preparation
Fold the flaps on the  17”x 5.5” card base from the White Foldout Card packet. For help on folding the card, watch the video tutorial on foldout cards here : https://youtu.be/wxX94X84kUo. Use the yellow patterned background paper from the Backyard Blossoms Paper Collection pad to cut out the following: One 3 3/4” x 4 1/4” rectangle for the front of the front flap, One 4 1/2” x 4 1/4” rectangle for the front of the middle flap, One 4 1/4” x 5 1/4” for the back of the third flap, One 4 1/2” x 5 1/2” for the front of the back of the card base. 
Use the purple coneflower bouquet patterned background paper from the Backyard Blossom Paper Collection pad to cut out the following: One 3 3/4” x 4 1/4” rectangle for the back of the front flap, One  4 1/2” x 4 1/4” rectangle for the back of the middle flap, One 3 1/2” x 4 1/4” for the back pocket, and One 4 1/2” x 5 1/2” for the back of the card. 

Embellishment Cutting
Using the simple curved dies from the Fleur Border Basics Craft Dies set, die cut the tops of each cut rectangle from both patterned papers to line up and match their assigned flaps and sides all except for the back card base rectangles. Use the video on Foldout Cards to learn how to use and line up the Fleur Border Basics Craft Dies set here: https://youtu.be/wxX94X84kUo. 
Using both sets of the smaller decorative dies from the Fleur Border Basics Craft Dies set, die cut one of each for three sets of decorative borders using the purple patterned background paper (non floral) from the Backyard Blossoms Paper Collection (One set for each of the three flaps). From the same paper, use the circular doily die from the Butterfly Kisses Decorative Die set to die cut two doilies. Cut these in half and set aside. 

Stamping
From the Butterfly Kisses Cling Stamp set, stamp one butterfly and die cut with the coordinating Butterfly Kisses Decorative Craft Die. From the Backyard Blossoms Cling Stamp set, stamp and die cut the following with their coordinating dies from the Backyard Blossoms Craft Die set: Two coneflowers, Two small coneflower fields, Two sprays and One wheat field. Color the die cut stamped images with the Faber-Castell pencils in the colors listed above as suggested. Take both coneflowers and use the Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit to shape the petals. Using Designer Dries clear, adhere Go Man Go Prills to the centers of the two coneflower centers and allow to dry.

Sentiments and Strips
From the Backyard Blossoms Collection paper pad, cut out the following: One “Always and Forever” strip, One “Cherished Days” strip, One purple fleur border strip, One orange fleur border strip, One orange coneflower strip and One “A gift from the Heart” sentiment. Using the Luggage and Tags Die set, die cut a yellow tag with pink and yellow coneflowers and use scissors to thread the yellow satin ribbon through the hole and tie by looping through. 

Assembling
Take the three decorative Fleur Border Basics die cut sets that were cut out from the purple background pattern paper and use the Designer Dries Clear adhesive or double sided adhesive tape to adhere each set to the tops of each of the three folds. One set per fold, making sure that the patterned side is facing outward and not towards each other. Take the die cut yellow patterned background paper and adhere to their designated flaps: One for the front flap, One for the front of the middle flap, One for the back of the third flap and one rectangle piece for the front of the card base and adhere, overlapping the top purple borders. Repeat the same process for the remaining sides using the die cut purple coneflower bouquet patterned background paper from the Backyard Blossom Paper Collection pad. This includes the very back of the card.

Take half of a Butterfly Kisses Decorative Die doily and adhere to the top of the back of the card with the yellow patterned paper with the lace portion centered and sticking above the card. With a paper trimmer, cut out a 5” x 4” ephemera piece with a purple floral bouquet border and orange and yellow coneflowers in an oval with a yellow background and adhere to the front side of the back of the card base, overlapping the bottom portion of the doily. For the purple coneflower bouquet patterned background paper pocket piece, use adhesive on the left, bottom and right edges only to create a fold pocket and adhere to the yellow patterned side of the front of the back of the card, aligning the edges to the card edges. Allow to dry. This pocket is for the tag.

Take the purple fleur border strip and adhere up 1/4” from the bottom edge of the card and across the front flap. Repeat this step for the back of the second flap and back of the third flap (the yellow side) so it appears continuous. Take the “Cherished Days” strip and adhere in the same fashion to the back of the front flap and the front of the second flap. Take the orange fleur strip and adhere to the front of the third flap (the purple bouquet side) and on top of the purple bouquet pocket. 

Take one of the small finished Backyard Blossoms coneflower fields and adhere to the front flap, towards the right edge of the card, leaving about 1/4”. Cut the literal “Always and Forever” sentiment from the strip and adhere it over top of the bottom stems of the coneflower field using 3D foam mounting tape. The sentiment should measure about three inches and positioned towards the right edge as well, with the edge almost touching the right edge of the card flap. Take half of a Butterfly Kisses die cut doily and use 3D foam mounting tape to adhere it to the left edge of the front flap, aligning the straight cut side along the left edge of the card. The doily will overlap the last couple of coneflowers. Then, take a Backyard Blossoms spray and adhere it on top of the doily using 3D foam tape at the bottom stems. Take yellow satin ribbon and make a small bow to adhere to the bottom stems in alignment with the center edge of the “Always and Forever” sentiment strip using a permanent adhesive such as Designer Dries Clear.  

For the front of the second flap, take half of a Butterfly doily and adhere the flat side to the right edge and adhere with 3D foam mounting tape. On top of the doily, take a Butterfly and adhere the right side of the wing using to the doily and the left side of the wing using 3D foam mounting tape to the yellow patterned paper. For the back of the third flap (yellow side) adhere a wheat field die cut towards the top left corner about 2.5” up from the bottom so that the wheat buds show when the card is closed. Take the orange coneflower strip and adhere it across from left to right over the bottom of the wheat stems. Take one of the coneflowers and adhere the bottom stem in alignment with the purple fleur strip with Designer Dries clear and adhere the coneflower head with 3D foam mounting tape over the wheat field die cut. For the front of the third flap (purple coneflower bouquet side) adhere both the coneflower field die cut and the coneflower die cut in alignment to the orange strip with the stems. Use 3D foam mounting tape for the head of the coneflower. Next, take a spray and adhere it to the front of the pocket flap using the same alignment. Then, Take the “A gift from the Heart” sentiment and adhere it towards the right edge of the card base on top of the pocket using 3D foam mounting tape about 1/2” from the right edge of the card. 

Embellishment
Use Faber-Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel or glitter of your choice and use it on all the stamped images for a shiny effect, concentrating on flower heads. 



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Backyard Blossoms "Thinking of you" Card for Heartfelt Creations


One of the joys in my life is watching my planted flowers, and wildflowers bloom around this time of year! Having the chance to work with the new Backyard Blossoms collection from Heartfelt Creations  was a fun way for me to share this joy with you through my card.  Make this card with the instructions below!




About the Backyard Blossoms Collection

Summer brings with it the excitement of a new gardening season, lounging in the open expanse of the backyard and enjoying the beauty of favorite perennial blossoms dancing gently in the warm summer breeze! Among those returning favorites are the attractive, butterfly loving coneflower! Bright and colorful, these pretty flowers come dressed in a wide variety of hues and quietly display their domed centers and soft delicate petals against the backdrops of ornamental grasses and other decorative backyard plantings! Come along with us as we welcome back the summer season with a walk through the Backyard Blossoms Collection by Heartfelt Creations! Brilliantly hued, and filled with a good dose of summer sunshine, the fabulous paper collection showcases happy shades of bright yellows, pretty pinks, luscious lavenders and glorious greens and showcases lovely lace like patterns, elegant swirls and bountiful coneflower blossoms! Included in this jubilant and cheerful assembling are three exquisitely illustrated cling stamps sets with coordinating dies ideal for all of your summer themed paper craft creations! From large coneflower images, ornamental grasses, to smaller backyard blossom accents, these dynamic illustrations are ideal for creating your very own dimensional flower gardens as focal points on card fronts or as accents on scrapbook layouts! So grab your lounge chair, slather on the sunscreen and join us as we kick back and relax in the backyard enjoying our favorite backyard blossoms!



Materials and Supplies Used:

Black Archival Ink,Black Cardstock, White Cardstock, Black Satin Ribbon, Natural Excelsior, Glitter, Dimensional Foam Tape, Clear Adhesive, Double Sided Tape, Score Board, Paper Trimmer, Scissors. Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers : No.043 Olive Green, No.041 Light Green, No.025 Pink, No.202 Peach Pink, No.061 Light Brown, No.052 Bright Yellow, No.050 Yellow, Wink of Stella Clear, Distress Tool.

Video Tutorial!

For more tips on creating with the Backyard Blossoms collection, watch the tutorial at https://youtu.be/swO34-n1HNc.



Instructions:

Cut and score a 6x6 card and a 6x6 card base out of black cardstock. Take the 6x6 background from the Backyard Blossoms Paper pad and trim the background down to a 5 ⅞ X 5 ⅞  inch square. Lightly distress the edges with scissors, or a distress tool. Use the concave die from the Decorative Medallion set and die cut the left side of the background paper. Using the same die, die cut from a separate piece of black cardstock and set aside to be later adhered.

Using the tag die from the Luggage and Tags Die set, die cut the matching background tag found in the Backyard Blossoms Paper Pad. Fold a strand of ribbon in half and loop through the hole in the tag and pull through. Cut off any excess ribbon leaving about 2 inches and set aside. Using the ticket die, die cut the yellow “Thinking of you” sentiment ticket from the Backyard Blossoms Paper Pad and set aside.

Using black Archival Ink, stamp and die cut two single coneflowers from the Garden’s Edge Coneflower set (1.75”x 2.5”) and two leafy accents (2.25” x 3”) from the same set. Stamp and die cut the smaller coneflower from the Blossoming Coneflower Set. Color as desired or use the above suggested Zig colors.

Take the 5 ⅞ x 5 ⅞ background paper from the paper pad and adhere it to the 6x6 black cardstock base without adhering the inner die cut details. Take the black cardstock Decorative Medallion die cut and adhere along the right side of the card (mirrored against the left side) without adhering the intricate details by only gluing the side. Take one of the leafy accents and tuck the bottom stems in between the background paper and the black cardstock base on the left side behind the die cut details to make it appear as if the plant is growing from the background through to the front of the paper to the left of the middle and adhere. Repeat the same step with the  other leafy accent on the right side of the middle of the card, about an inch away from the right edge of the card tucked behind the black cardstock Decorative Medallion die cut.

Take the matching background tag and adhere dimensional foam mounting tape to the back. Take one of the Garden’s edge coneflower and position it on the middle left side of the card and adhere before adhering the tag on top of it so that it looks like it is growing from behind the tag. Add the tag. Add foam mounting tape to the head of the flower to prop it up against the die cut background. Take the flower from the Blossoming Coneflower set and place foam mounting tape to all three flower heads and adhere it on the top of the tag across the center leaving the bottom stem behind the tag. Then, take the last Garden’s edge coneflower, apply foam tape to the back of the flower head and adhere the head to the bottom right corner of the tag. Tuck the stem of the last Garden’s edge coneflower so that it looks like it is growing from behind the black cardstock Decorative Medallion die cut. Take the “Thinking of you” sentiment and place it by  the middle right side of the card on top of the Decorative Medallion die cut and take a leafy accent stem and overlap it before adhering it down for a 3D effect.

It is safe now to glue down any intricate details from the Decorative Medallion die cuts that may be sticking up. Take a few strands of excelsior, fold in half and twist the bottom to form a tiny bushel and add glue to the ends. Do this twice, for each side of the tag and tuck using a chopstick or other tool behind the flower heads, stems, or wherever desired. Add glitter to the flower petals or wherever you want shine. Lastly, place four dots of Ebony black Nuvo Crystal Drops to each corner of the card and allow to dry for at least 12 hours. Enjoy!




Thank you so much for visiting! Please come back for more tutorials!

Friday, May 4, 2018

"Collect Beautiful" Moments Beginner's Card Tutorial for Cherish the Memory

Simple and Easy Card using LemonCraft Papers
available at Cherish the Memory 


Hello! Welcome to my blog! Today I am sharing with you how to make this pretty, yet fast card I made with these romantic vintage papers by LemonCraft. You can make this card in less than 20 minutes. (Links to Cherish the Memory listing to purchase)

Materials:

White Cardstock
Scoreboard
Paper Trimmer
2 Paper Doilies
Scissors
Nuvo Crystal Drop Bubblegum Blush (suggested)
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Stickers 
LemonCraft Gossamuer Blue Pad
Mini Tag + Twine 
Foam Tape
Double Sided Adhesive
Optional : small oval craft dies (I used SpellBinders)



Instructions 

  1. Take white cardstock, trim and fold to make a 5x7 card base.
  2. Take the blue white lace floral paper from the Gossamer Blue Pad and trim to 4.5 x 4 3/4 inches.
  3. Take a tan, blue floral scroll paper from the Gossamer Blue Pad and trim to 1.5 x 4 3/4 inches.
  4. Adhere the blue white lace floral paper to the card base.
  5. Take 1 of the paper doilies (an intricate round die cut from white cardstock can be substituted) and adhere to the bottom of blue background paper with only three quarters on the blue paper and the rest can be trimmed off or left (will be hidden).
  6. Have fun choosing the ephemera from the fussy cut pages, such as the floral boquets and choose 3 tickets total for the layering. Once fussy cut images are cut or die cut and tickets add foam tape to the back and layer. 
  7. Layer in a fan style, so that the tickets and ephemera line up along the bottom edge of the blue background paper, but position the bottom pieces a bit lower so that they look like they are coming out of a pocket. Have fun positioning the floral pieces according to your tastes and adhere half of a second doily on top once finished as shown in the picture.
  8. Take the tan floral scroll paper strip, apply mounting tape to the back of it and adhere to the bottom of the card. Apply your chosen sentiment and decorate your card with enamel drops of your choosing. 
  9. Enjoy! 

Make sure to shop the LemonCraft collection at Cherish the Memory! 
Specific links are linked in the materials list.








Wednesday, May 2, 2018

My First Heartfelt Creations Sweet Peony Collection Project for May


Mixed Media "You are my Everything" Peony Canvas

Welcome to my blog!

Thank you for joining me in my first Heartfelt Creations project post for Inspiration Wednesday. I am sharing the details below with you on how I made this flower bordered canvas.



Heartfelt Creations Products Used:

HCDPI-288 Sweet Peony Paper Collection
HCPC-3819 Small Sweet Peony Cling Stamp Set
HCPC-3820 Large Sweet Peony Cling Stamp Set
HCPC-3821 Peony Blossom Stamp
HCD1- Small Sweet Peony Craft Die
HCD1- Large Sweet Peony Craft Die
HCD1- Peony Blossom Die
HCST1-401- Deluxe Flower Shaping Tool Kit


OTHER PRODUCTS
An 8x8 Canvas, White Heavy Gesso, Daubers, ZIG Wink of Stella Glitter Light Green Marker, ZIG Wink of Stella Glitter Green Marker, TCW Bricks Stencil, Memento Inks in colors; Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Rose Bud, Lilac Posies, Angel Pink, Rhubarb Stalk; Finnabair Stone Effect Paste in Pumice, Faber-Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel, Stamp Platform or Acrylic Stamp block, Yellow Seed Beads, Green Floral Wire, Hot Glue Gun or strong adhesive, Mounting Foam Tape, decorative white picket fence, Creative Embellishments decorative border chipboard, Two decorative small twig nests, Four flat backed rhinestone embellishments, Finnabair Acrylic Paint in Metallique Vintage Rose, Brushes for paint and gesso, Palette Knife for Stone effect Texture Paste, wire cutter, Heat tool (Optional)




Instructions:

Preparing the canvas - Prime the reverse side  of the canvas with two coats of White Heavy Gesso, making sure to also prime the inner sides of the wood frame. Once dry, apply Stone Effect Paste or Texture paste of your choice using the Bricks Stencil with a palette knife to create a wall effect. Allow to dry.

Place the 6x6 Heartfelt Creations Paper collection bird and fence scene centered into the canvas and glue into place. I recommend only tucking in one side and positioning before gluing down. Set Aside. Prime the chipboard frame with gesso and paint with Finnabair Acrylic Paint in Metallique Vintage Rose. Adhere the border chipboard to the frame to create a trellis look with strong adhesive or a glue gun and line the decorative white picket fence below it. When lining the decorative fence, place it beneath the fence in the image, so as to not block it and create the look of a second, much closer fence to create depth.

To make the leaves, stamp the leaves from both the Large and Small Sweet Peony die sets in Memento Cottage Ivy and color with Memento Bamboo Leaves with a dauber.. Make a total of 23 leaves, an assortment of both sizes for three large peony flowers and ten small peony flowers. For the small peony flowers, stamp and color green flowers to act as the green stem for each. Once finished, use a dauber to edge the leaves with Memento Cottage Ivy to create contrast. Use both Zig Wink of Stella Glitter markers to accent the veins in each leaf. Set aside.

Using the Deluxe Flower Shaping tool kit, stamp and die cut two Large Sweet Peony flowers from the Large Sweet Peony Cling Stamp Set by stamping them with Memento Rhubarb Stalk. With the dauber, color the flowers with Memento Lilac Posies and color the edges with Memento Rhubarb Stalk. Then, stamp and die cut one Large Sweet Peony using Memento Rose Bud Ink for the stamp and Memento Angel Pink for the dauber to color and edge the flower. Make sure to remember to color the backs of the flowers. Stamp and die cut ten Small Peony flowers in an assortment using the same ink color combinations as the large Peony flowers. Once you have the small Peony flowers assembled and shaped, use the piercing tool to slip the green wire through the centers of the flowers and hot glue, snipping whatever is leftover inside the bud with wire cutters. Make sure to leave a tail of about 5 inches, so that they may be curled later during arrangement. Once all flowers have been assembled, drop a dime sized portion of hot glue into the center of each of the flower buds and quickly sprinkle with yellow seed beads to create the pollen.

Arrange and affix the flowers around the left side of the canvas, aligning them with them along the chipboard frame to create the illusion of the flowers growing up along a trellis. Adhere the leaves to buds and tuck them in and around flowers to create the foliage. To create the curled sprigs, take the bottom of a brush and wrap the tails of wire around the handle and curl as desired and snip with wire cutter. With a brush, add dashes of Faber Castell Glitter Bead Gel to the edges of flower petals and leaves. Add any rhinestone embellishments and twig nests in empty spaces to add detail. Adhere some small Peonys behind the decorative fence along the bottom of the wooden frame to create a connection between the background and the front of the canvas frame. You can have leaves and wire sprigs poking through the fence to add to the dimension.

Stamp and die cut the blossom in the Peony Bud and Blossom stamp set. Use Rhubarb Stalk for the stamp color with Memento Lilac Posies with a dauber and affix to the empty sky space with mounting foam tape. Cut out background graphic and sentiment from the Sweet Peony Paper Collection and do the same to create layers with foam tape. Add any extra leaves or sprigs to your taste. Enjoy!


VIDEO LINKS
For more tips on creating with the Sweet Peony collection, watch the tutorial at https://youtu.be/L9_MLkvpGPQ



"Wrapped in Adventure" Layered Card for Cherish the Memory

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