Haunted Mansion Printers Tray Class

    Last year, I made a really fun Halloween themed printer's tray using scraps of Halloween themed paper I had in my stash.  It turned out really cute so I hung it in my LSS, Ever After Scrapbooks.   Well, this printer's tray has been quite popular with the store's customers and I have been asked constantly if I will teach it as a class.  For those of you who have taught before, I'm sure you know that one of the challenges of teaching is being able to obtain the supplies needed for a class, right?   Since many of my projects are made in true frugal scrapping style, I often use whatever I have in my stash.  This normally includes scraps of paper covering several years and several manufacturers, lol.    Last Friday, my LSS owner, Camille, approached me with an OH SO CUTE Halloween paper line and asked if I could create a new printer's tray and teach it as a class.  Well, since I just LOVED the last printer's tray I made, and the paper line she gave me is just OH SO CUTE,  jumped at the chance.   Soooooo......using the Doodlebug paper line, "Halloween Parade", I made this NEW printer's tray and will be TEACHING this as a class!  Woohoo!!!!!  

  Now, there are definitely some similarities to my original 2012 printer's tray, but I used enough new techniques, that I think this class is really going to ROCK!    One of the main differences is the fact that I did not heat emboss anything!  I did use a few embossing folders, and did use one of my FAVORITE newer PRODUCTS...Viva Inka Gold!  I just LOVE this stuff and it is definitely one of my "must haves"!   Of course, I also incorporated quite a few Tim Holtz supplies and embellishments, including this stamp.  I just LOVE this quote!  Can't complete a project without my TH, right?   Isn't this open door really cool, too?  Can't wait to show you how I made it!!!!  

  Here are the DEETS on the upcoming class:   Date:  September 21, 2013   Time:  10 a.m. - 1 p.m.   Place:  Ever After Scrapbooks   Cost:  $45 (includes about $30 in product!)  

Supply List:

·         Paper Trimmer

·         Scissors (Tim Holtz Tonic scissors recommended)

·         Black Ink Pad (Ranger Archival Inkpad is recommended)

·         Viva Inka Gold in Orange, Violet, and Yellow-Green

·         Quick drying liquid glue (Beacon’s 3 in 1 is recommended)

·         Pop dot glue dots

·         Foam adhesive squares

·         Black Sharpie marker

·         Strong dry adhesive (tape runner or similar)

Hope to see you in class!

 

Faux Metal Embellishments

I was inspired by a post I saw over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog where there were links to tutorials on how to make faux metal embellishments.

Now, I know that my "take" on it doesn't "really" qualify as "faux metal", but it's DEFINITELY a frugal approach to the ready made metal embellishments we all know and love:)

You really need to visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog and try their techniques for accomplishing great faux metal results.

In addition, feel free to try my idea:)  For those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you may have seen me use this technique before.  On this post, I want to offer you another tutorial on how to make your own "faux" metal embellishments.

All you need to start with is a few basic items:

• A die cut (the shapes that are often metal work best)
• Chipboard
• Xyron create-a-sticker machine (size depends on the size of your diecut)
• Aluminum foil

For this demonstration, I'll use a few different methods that will give varying results.

For this first diecut, I made sure my piece of aluminum foil was no wider than the width of my xyron (in this case 1 1/2 inches)...remember for this to work properly, your diecut must be less than this width, too.



Once the aluminum foil is run through the xyron, gently pull it away from the waxy paper and apply it to a piece of chipboard that was cut just a bit bigger than the resulting die cut.

Next you just run it through your diecutting system and your done!  There are a few variations you can also use to get slightly different results. I've shown three different results below.



One was run through with a smooth finish on the foil.

One was run through the xyron using a piece of foil wider than the Xyron opening.  As the foil funneled in to the opening of the Xyron, it crinkled, thereby resulting in a crinkled diecut.  This is especially cool when working on Halloween projects.

The last one was run through smooth and then run though an embossing folder.

Bonus ideas:

• You can use the "insides" of the keyholes as photocorners.  Just pierce a hole in the round part and attach with a brad.

• You can use alcohol inks on your embellishments to change the color since aluminum foil is a non-porous surface.
• You can sand the tops (be gentle because the foil is thin) and then you can use distress inks on them to age them.
• You can add stickles, distress stickles, etc.

Enjoy:)

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog...February Kit Challenge!

I have to tell you all, this new blog, Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog is my NEW favorite blog right now...I love the way, they allow all of us "frugal crafters" to put kits together using some fabulous kit of the month inspiration...furthermore, though, I LOVE the way they also list MANY awesome kit club websites right on their blog...so whether you are inspired by the creative inspiration of the kits and create your own...or just want a place for a "one stop shop" to visit these awesome kit clubs directly, I think it's a win/win for all:)

In my TRUE frugal style, I have chosen to use the February kit of choice from http://www.scrapsofdarkness.com/, which I have to say, is an AWESOME kit.  Here is a pic of the kit:

I just LOVE that frame around their pic...gonna have to find me one of them, lol...

Now here is my "counterfeit" kit right out of my stash:

The first thing you may notice is that I don't have the beautiful large flowers in my counterfeit kit...but see the paper scalloped circles?...now ya know, they WILL become my version of those flowers, right?

Now to try and list my products:

• Basic Grey - Stella Ruby Line - Dining with the Daveys - ste - 725
• American Crafts (I think) - this was a paper packet (the red/black piece)
• Some scraps from Teresa Collins - Travel Line
• Pink Paislee - Bayberry Cottage - borderlines
• Quick Quotes - Rub-ons
• Hambly - Screen Print - All mixed up
• Prima - silver swirls & shapes (not sure of the proper name...don't have pkg anymore
• Sizzix - sizzlets die - Bird-Swallow
• Little roses from The Fabric Barn in Long Beach
• Random fibers and embellies from various crafting stores

I will also be using some of my favorite TH products to alter the paper, embellies, etc.

Now to get started on the challenges:)

Go over and visit Counterfeit Kits Challenge and play along:)



Frugal Scrappin' February Class:)

I'm so excited about February's Frugal Scrappin' Class!  (You'll need to scroll through my "gab" to get to the pics).

While I was at CHA, I saw a few AMAZINGLY familiar embellies...FLOWERS!...now these weren't just ordinary "perfectly shaped" flowers, you know...they were flowers that LOOKED like they were HOMEMADE...Whoo Hoo!

Now ya know I had to study them for a while to see HOW I could replicate them and make them into a FRUGAL project, and I've done just that:)

I then saw some tips 'n tricks using the Tim Holtz Alterations diecuts (you, too, may have seen some videos on the subject).  So we will be making our VERY own STAMPS!  Yes, out of fun foam AND "trash" (well acetate packaging).  Each Frugal Scrappin' attendee will go home with their very own STAMP!

Also, while at TNT in February, the make 'n take was doing something I've been thinkin' about for a while...making our own decorative PINS!  Thank you, Jacquie (our Fearless TNT Leader) for hostessing such a GREAT TNT meeting AND an AWESOME make 'n take!  I love it when I can take an idea I've just learned and share it with my Frugal Scrappin' class!

So let's summarize...you'll be learning THREE awesome techniques:

• We'll make homemade flowers TWO different ways
• We'll make our own homemade decorative pins
• We'll make our own STAMP

We will also use some of my FAVORITE products in class:

• Gold Paint Dabber
• Perfect Pearls
• Studio 490 stamps
• Paper from one of Tim's Paper Packs
• Distress inks

In addition, for a BONUS, I will show you how to use an ordinary brown paper lunch bag to make card envelopes and embellies.

Please join us for frugal scrappin' on:

Date:  February 24, 2011

Time:  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Place:  Ever After Scrapbooks

Cost:  JUST $15

Now for a sampling of the cards we will make along with the supply list:

Supply List:

• Gold Paint Dabber
• Liquid adhesive (that dries clear)
• Your favorite tape runner
• Adhesive Pop Dots
• Distress Inks in Fired Brick, Black Soot, and a cool brown like Brushed Corduroy or Frayed Burlap
• Mini mister
• Black pen or thin black marker
• Scissors
• Paper Trimmer
• Paper Distressor

Just chillin' and creatin' today:)

Well, although I had a WONDERFUL time this last week playing along with some AWESOME challenges, I decided that I needed a break today, lol...

I really LOVE the inspiration that challenge sites give me, but sometimes Ijust want to "set my creativity free" and create for the sake of creatin'.

I spoiled myself and bought a few NEW sheets of patterned paper yesterday (hey, don't tell anyone, ya here?)...as it turns out, when I looked at the details on the sheets of paper so I could give kudos to the paper companies, I found that a few of the sheets I bought aren't that new after all...BUT they are STILL new to me!

Still workin' on my vintag-y style, lol...I did buy some patterned paper that I thought felt vintag-Y to me...I thought maybe they would help bring out the "inner vintage" in me:)

Now, ya know I just LOVE a lucious piece of G45 paper...and the "Once Upon a Time" line is just to die for!!!!!...well not really, but in those "Once Upon a Time" stories, the PRINCESS always survives, right?

So then I added a piece from Foof-a-la (I have to be honest and say I've never heard of this paper, but since I do like the paper I bought, I'll have to look them up).

Then I added some things from my stash, like the gold pearls, a REALLY OLD sizzix diecut, and a scrap that quickly became a rolled flower (instructions that I found can be viewed here on Irene Tan's blog).

And what about this close-up of this Christmas tree?  This TOTALLY reminds me of the cut-out sugar cookies I used to make.  Since I glued the paper over corregated cardboard before diecutting the shape, I got some really good dimension on this tree.  Adding a bit of distress ink helped make it look even better.  When I added the finishing touch of the beading, it really reminded me of those little confection balls we used to add to our cookies...one of the things I remember most is that they always rolled all around and more ended up OFF of the cookies than stayed ON, lol.

enJOY:)

Lori M, FSE:)

The Grand Finale:)

I'm so excited to FINALLY share the GRAND FINALE with all of you!  My 12 "Tags" of Christmas canvas is finally FINISHED!  Can you give me a WHOO HOO!

I just LOVE this project.  It has given me such JOY to work on this project...and what an AWESOME way to get into the HOLIDAY SPIRIT so early in the SEASON!  I started working on this project WAY BACK in August!  WOW!!!!  This has been a LONG TIME coming!

Here it is~~~

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about how any of the mini projects were completed.

enJOY!

100% All Boy Grungeboard/Acrylic Mini Album

So I've finally done it....I've designed an entire album JUST FOR BOYS...whoo hoo!!!! Now I just have to add photos of those three awesome little boys...Dominic, Shane, and Alexander. These are 3 of my grandchildren and they are DEFINITELY all boy!!! (Have I told you that I LOVE having grandsons)?

Being a tomboy myself when I was younger, I just love watching the rough and tumble playtimes! I hope to take new pics of them this week and cannot wait to add them to this new mini album. In the mean time, I am happy to share this album with you all.

I started with a grungeboard 5 x 7 tabbed album (I used only half of it). I then added 5 x 7 acrylic covers and two additional 5 x 7 cardboard pages.

I added some awesome new My Mind's Eye pp, some matching cardstock, embellishments from my stash, a little ink and viola, an awesome mini album to share:)

I hope to teach this as a class at EA in October...and since I AM the Frugal Scrapper, I will add a little twist...I will supply the "naked" album, mod podge, ink pads, and lots of inspiration while the students get to choose their own paper, embellishments, ribbons, etc (from a detailed supply list, of course) so they can make this awesome album in any color scheme they want!

I will encourage them to consider paper and ribbon from EA so they can work with the newest supplies available, but will also encourage them to match them up with embellishments from their stash...how cool is that!!!!

Each book will have it's own personality AND the class will be reasonably prices since each student will bring their own supplies (except for the "naked" book, mod podge and inks that will be supplied).

For a peek at the rest of the album, visit here.

Enjoy:)

Just another creative day in Frugal Scrapper Land...as I whistle while I work, hee hee...

Thanks for stopping by:)

Lori McCausland
Frugal Scrapper Extraordinaire:)