Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Ornament Gift Box

 I always laugh when I hear the term "Summer Vacation" because Summer is anything, but a vacation for me. Between traveling, teaching at a summer program for Gifted Kids and CHA, Summer is my busiest season. You may notice fewer posts on the blog, but I'll try to make up for it with really good projects :)

This little Christmas treat box was super easy to make, and I think it came out so cute. A small ornament would fit inside, a gift card or even a cookie or two. I like to make Christmas cards and gifts all year long so the holidays are not so overwhelming.

Recipe:
Cricut Cartidge: Christmas Noel
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey, Graphic45
Cardstock: Gold, Cream

Pearls: Recollections
Glitter: JoAnns
Punch: Stampin' UP! (Small Scallop)
Paint: Apple Barrel (Cream)
Adhesive: Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry
Paper Mache Box: Michaels
Misc.: Ribbon, Vintage Button

Cuts:
Ornament 3 cut at 3 1/4 inches with the shift key and blackout function selected
(You will need to cut this twice - once from gold cardstock for the ball top and once from patterned paper)


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Life's a Circus Gift Box


Epiphany Crafts and Vintage Street Market teamed up in a fun product exchange. This Circus Tent gift box was my project showcasing VSM papers and the Epiphany Crafts tools. I recycled an oatmeal container for the base and made a removable lid with my Cricut.

Be sure to visit Epiphany Crafts on Facebook here to see the great projects produced by the other DT members and Vintage Street Market's blog for what their gals did with Epiphany Crafts tools.

Can't wait to get your hands on Epiphany Crafts tools and settings? Visit their website here to see the entire product line.

Recipe:

Epiphany Crafts: Shape Studio Round 14, Shape Studio Heart 25, Button Studio Tool Round, Bubble Caps Round 14, Bubble Caps Heart 25, Accessories Buttons Round 20, Frayed Flowers Clover, Vintage Settings Cabana, Vintage Settings Clubhouse

Paper & Tag: Vintage Street Market: Party Games Multi Texture Paper Kit
Cricut Cartridge: Mother's Day Bouquet
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug: Swiss Dots
Pearls: Reminisce
Beads: Flair Designs
Hat Pin: Stampin' UP!
Misc. White Tulle, Oatmeal Container
Punch: Small Scalop: Stampin' UP!
Ribbon: Maya Road

Cuts:

Mother's Day Bouquet: "Flower15" cut at 10 1/4 inches

Saturday, May 7, 2011

National Scrapbooking Day is Here!!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

For exciting challenges, prizes and a whole lotta fun all day long beginning at 10 am CST visit My Pink Stamper here or click on my NSD blinkie on the right.

Scrap with you Later!!

CarrieAnne

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Last Chance for a Miss Art's Wednesday Giveaway


First let's announce last Wednesday's free all access 1 month Extra Credit subscription  winner in the Miss Art's Papercrafting School Blog Celebration:

Maria - you are the winner. Be sure to email me at serendipitousscrapper@gmail.com with your contact data to claim your prize.


If you didn't win, don't fret you have a few more chances to win. Each business day (Monday-Friday) in the month of April we will be giving away one free monthly all access Extra Credit subscription to a lucky winner who leaves a comment on the staff member of the day’s post (so leave your comments here today!) and posts our count down blinkie in their sidebar!

You can get the countdown code HERE. It will appear at the very top of your screen. Copy the entire code, and paste it into the "Add HTML" section under "Design" in Blogger.




Onto my fourth and final projects I created using just one of the Miss Art's March kit: Madeline's Song. If you have followed along all month you know that I created a 3d teapot, shaped card, hair clip and a 12x12 layout - all with one kit. I have plenty of materials left over to work on a mini album to!

Though I love to play with paper and its seemingly endless possibilities, what really draws me to a  papercrafting product is its storytelling capacity. When I see a piece of paper which captures the joy of my son's first smile, a shade of glitter which will sparkle just as brightly as my daughter's eyes on her first roller coaster or a vintage trim which will frame a serene pause on my grandmother's porch eloquently, I fall in love.
Because in the minutes I spend in crafting a touchable memento of a fleeting memory, I am able to transcend time and live in the very best of what this life has to offer. Finding paper and embellishments which live up to such expectations is a challenge. I trust Miss Art's to craft kits that will awaken my inner muse while they delight my fingers. Read on to learn all about Madeline's Song, the Miss Art's kit for May.





In the 16th century there was a queen famed for her delicate beauty who defied the fears of a nation to pursue a marriage which would assuredly end in her death. This kit filled with 7 Prima papers from the collection bearing this heroine's name, is a mixture of elegant flourishes, sweet floral details and resolute patterns which will infuse any project with strength, beauty and a hint of the hope permeating young love. "Madeline's Song" is the very first of Miss Art's exclusive kits. Though it is loaded with a royal bounty including 17 flowers, over 50 embellishments and Miss Art's own vintage touches, it won't cost you your dowry.

** You can absolutely purchase this kit with no other obligation, but you would be remiss if you did not partake in the amazing class taught by CK Dream Team member Stacey Cohen. Her easy to follow technique focused instruction highlights the versatility and beauty of "Madeline's Song.”**




Read on for more exciting information on Miss Art's Paper Crafting School!

Have you ever wished there was a school which only taught your favorite classes, that had the best teachers and where tuition was so affordable it left you plenty to buy the most stylish school supplies? Miss Art's Papercrafting School is a virtual academy for every student who wants to learn the latest techniques from the paper crafting industry's leading experts and it is opening its doors for the first time in days.

Subscriptions to our monthly classes start at $5.00 and include live online chats and personal email responses from your favorite designers. Consisting of 2 - 12 videos with unlimited monthly access each class is the perfect blend of individualized crafting and supportive learning.


Miss Art’s Papercrafting School Blog Celebration Schedule
Thursday: Stacy Cohen
Friday: Alyssa McGrew

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with Miss Art’s as we count down to the best first day of school ever!


CarrieAnne


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Take a Break with Miss Art's Papercrafting School

First, let's announce last Wednesday's free all access 1 month Extra Credit subscription  winner in the Miss Art's Papercrafting School Blog Celebration:

sweetlilscrapper - you are the winner. Be sure to email me at serendipitousscrapper@gmail.com with your contact data to claim your prize.


If you didn't win, don't fret you have an opportunity to win again EVERY DAY in the month of April! 

Each business day (Monday-Friday) in the month of April we will be giving away one free monthly all access Extra Credit subscription to a lucky winner who leaves a comment on the staff member of the day’s post (so leave your comments here today!) and posts our count down blinkie in their sidebar!

You can get the countdown code HERE. It will appear at the very top of your screen. Copy the entire code, and paste it into the "Add HTML" section under "Design" in Blogger.




Onto the third of 4 projects I am creating using just one of the Miss Art's March kit: Madeline's Song.         



I have four great kids - sweet lovable, totally cute, but at ages 8,5,3, and 6 months I sometimes feel like the old woman in the shoe - who had so many children she didn't know what to do! I thought using the shoe from the nursery rhyme would be a fun shaped card for an A Girl's Night Out Invitation. The card is made entirely from my remaining Madeline's Song kit items, except for the pearls and a bit of brown cardstock. I used the Cricut, My Community cartridge for the shoe cut.


The neat thing about Miss Art's Papercrafting School is their unique focus on learning new techniques, but even if you aren't interested in taking a class their kits are a fantastic value for their diversity, quality of contents and abundant materials. 

Here is the down low on the March Kit: Madeline's Song:


In the 16th century there was a queen famed for her delicate beauty who defied the fears of a nation to pursue a marriage which would assuredly end in her death. This kit filled with 7 Prima papers from the collection bearing this heroine's name, is a mixture of elegant flourishes, sweet floral details and resolute patterns which will infuse any project with strength, beauty and a hint of the hope permeating young love. "Madeline's Song" is the very first of Miss Art's exclusive kits. Though it is loaded with a royal bounty including 17 flowers, over 50 embellishments and Miss Art's own vintage touches, it won't cost you your dowry. 


If you were to buy the contents of the kit separately the tab would come to $34.76. The Miss Art's price is: $28.50. 


You will also be getting a fantastic surprise bonus item provided by teacher, Stacy Cohen!


** You can absolutely purchase this kit with no other obligation, but you would be remiss if you did not partake in the amazing class taught by CK Dream Team member Stacey Cohen. Her easy to follow technique focused instruction highlights the versatility and beauty of "Madeline's Song.”**




Read on for more exciting information on Miss Art's Paper Crafting School!

Have you ever wished there was a school which only taught your favorite classes, that had the best teachers and where tuition was so affordable it left you plenty to buy the most stylish school supplies? Miss Art's Papercrafting School is a virtual academy for every student who wants to learn the latest techniques from the paper crafting industry's leading experts and it is opening its doors for the first time in days.

Subscriptions to our monthly classes start at $5.00 and include live online chats and personal email responses from your favorite designers. Consisting of 2 - 12 videos with unlimited monthly access each class is the perfect blend of individualized crafting and supportive learning.


Miss Art’s Papercrafting School Blog Celebration Schedule
Thursday: Stacy Cohen
Friday: Alyssa McGrew

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with Miss Art’s as we count down to the best first day of school ever!


CarrieAnne


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

April My Pink Stamper Design Team Post - Cowboy Birthday Favors


Welcome to April's My Pink Stamper Design Team post. If you haven't visited Robyn's My Pink Stamper website to see the entire team's artwork be sure to click on this link HERE to do so. Our challenge was to create a favor (any kind) using our Cricut and My Pink Stamper Stamps (of course!) If you are interested in purchasing any of My Pink Stamper's fabulous sets click HERE to find all of Robyn's products and retailers.

After 8 years and three daughter's worth of pretty princess parties and high teas I am beyond excited about my son's first birthday this summer. I was torn between a train, fireman or cowboy theme, but the picture of my son on the wanted poster in an old fashioned rocking chair cast the deciding vote in favor of a cowboy party.

I made four favors and the cuts for each are below as well as the whole recipe!

1. Wanted Sign 
 I plan on taking pictures of the party attendees in cowboy hats and bandanas and then attaching them to Wanted signs, and placing a magnet on the back so moms can put them on the fridge if they like. I used a variety of words from the Sweet Baby and Everyday Sentiments My Pink Stamper Sets to spell out the text.

Cuts: 
The Sign: Page 44 of the Old West cartridge. Select "q" and the "icon function". Cut at 9.5 inches from off-white cardstock.

"Wanted": Used individual letters from the Old West Cartridge cut at 1.5 inches from Cosmo Cricket Paper. I cut the letters twice and layered them so they would really stand out.

2. Hobby Horse Lollipop Treat

A dum dum lollipop is attached to the horse with glue dots. The "thank you" sentiment is from the My Pink Stamper Sweet Baby stamp set.


Cuts:
The "Horse" cut on page 59 of Create a Critter. I cut him from tan cardstock at 3 inches. I then cut him with the "Layer 1" function from white and brown cardstock. I used a paper punch on the brown layer  to create the circles around his eye and bandanna. I cut his mouth using the layer 2 function from brown cardstock and his bandanna from Cosmo Cricket paper with the Layer 3 function. His "bangs" are DMC floss bunched together in loops and held down by glue dots. His mane is a scrap of looped ribbon trim from my scrap bin. The original horse was full body so I cut the rest of him away with scissors so that the hobby horse stick would show.


3. Loot Bag
 Because I wanted this loot bag (which holds animal crackers and other small treats) to really look like rumpled fabric I sprayed the die cut with paper and then crumpled it up. I allowed it to dry from about 15 minutes and then carefully uncurled the cut bag. Be VERY careful as score lines will rip when wet if you aren't delicate.  After the paper completely dried  I cut off the handles to the bag and assembled it. Hemp was then used to close the top. I inked all the edges and added the dollar sign with dimensional adhesive.


The Bag: 
"Robot" cut on page 40 of Wrap it Up with the "Box" function selected. I cut the bag out at 9.5 inches from Cosmo Cricket paper.

The "$":
I cut the "$" from page 57 of the Old West cartridge, by selecting the "4" and the "shift" function. Because I wanted it to really pop off the bag and stand up to wear, I cut it 4 times at 1 3/4 inches and adhered them together.They were added to the bag with dimensional adhesive.



4. Birthday Boy Sherrif's Badge


The other little boy guests will have badges with their names handwritten on them, but Reid needed one with his birthday title on it! I used the "Sweet Baby" Stamp Set for the "Birthday Boy" sentiment. The paper is shimmery and 110 pounds so it looks very "official" (in the words' of my girls) and will stand up to little hands messing with it. I added a self adhesive pin back so it could be worn on a shirt. Be sure to use a Stazon ink so the glossy finish on the paper does not smear your stamped sentiment.


Badge Cuts:


The star badge was cut by selecting the "6" on page 59 of the Old West cartridge and using the "Icon" function. It was cut from shimmery silver cardstock at 3 inches. The inner star was cut using the same cut with the "shift" and "icon" functions keyed. I also used a sizzix folder to emboss the inner star and I added half pack silver pearls for fun.


Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Sweet Baby and Everyday Sentiments
Cricut Cartridges: Old West, Create a Critter, Wrap It UP
Embossing Folder: Sizzix
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Pearls: Reminisce
Ink: Tsukineko (blue, black and brown), Stazon (black)
Miscellaneous Ribbon
Lollipop (dum dum)

Thanks for looking,

CarrieAnne

Friday, April 15, 2011

Batty about You


If you have ever been a fan of Christmas in July, perhaps you will also like Halloween in April!  Recently a number of online Scrapbook stores have seriously reduced the prices on last year's Halloween lines.Because I acknoweldge I have a papercrafting addicition, I know I need to feed it as cheaply as possible. This means I rarely buy a line when it is newly released, but I do go a bit nutty when it is cleareanced out. I just received all sorts of awesome Halloween products and just couldn't resist sharing a few projects I made from them throughout the rest of the month.

This little bat is from the Hello Kitty Greetings Cartridge - isn't he just the cutest! I love that this cartridge includes a number of shaped cards on it and the bat itself opens while the rosette is the card base.

Recipe:

Cartridges: Provo Craft: Hello Kitty Greetings, George Basic Shapes
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug: Textile Texture
Dies: Spellbinders: Nesting Scallop Circles
Patterned Paper: Echo Park Paper Co.: Happy Halloween
Pearls: Want 2 Scrap (Black)
Ink: VersaMark
Paper Piercer
Embroidery Floss: DMC (Black)
Adhesive: Stampin' UP!: Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombow: MonoAdhesive, Beacon Adhesive's ZipDry


How To's


1. Use the "Bat" cut on page 72 of the Hello Kitty Greetings Cartridge with the "Card" Function selected to cut hinged bat card from black cardstock at 4 1/4 inches.

2. Select the "Clothes/Clothes" function and  the "Bat" cut and cut the black layer pieces out from black cardstock at 4 1/4 inches.

3. Use the Cuttlebug Textile Texture embossing folder to emboss all of the layer pieces cut in step 2.

4. Ink the edges of the wing and feet embossed pieces with VersaMark ink and adhere to bat card base.

5. Adhere a piece of patterned purple paper between the eye holes of the bat head.

6. Layer the bat's head over the belly layer piece and add interest by using dimensional adhesive.


5. Remove the remaining black card base border around the head with scissors as seen in pictures so that the head is the only portion of the bat without a solid black outline of cardstock around it.

6. Use a paper piercer to punch a border of holes around the wings and feet.

7. Embellish bat head with pearls so that the eyes have a small purple outline.

8. Use DMC floss to add thread to button and adhere button nose with glue dot.

9. Cut two scallop circles by using Spellbinders' largest scallop circle nesting die.

10. Score between every scallop.

11. Use scissors to cut from the end to the mid point of one score line. Repeat this for both scallop circles.

12. Accordian fold on the score lines to create two pleated half  circles.

13. Glue half circles together to create a full pleated circle by overlapping one scallop on each side and adhering with glue dots.

14. With orange cardstock cut at a 3 1/2 inch circle with the "circle" cut on page 108 of the George and Basic Shapes cartridge.

15. Adhere orange circle to back of rosette with Beacon Adhesive's Zip Dry for stability.

16. Adhere embellished black card to rosette with Beacon Adhesive's Zip Dry.