Paprey Trey Ink MIM #24 Dry Brushing, new files, and CDT projects

Before the kids occupied my time I dabbled in decorative painting.  I packed up all my painting books but fortunately my paints and brushes are still easily accessible.   I had fun participating in Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday dry brushing technique.   I wanted a very soft look on my cards so I used a very soft brush designed for painting on glass.  I love the results!   The top one has off white paint the the bottom has yellow over chocolate brown cardstock.   I think it reminds me of a chalkboard covered in chalk.   Black with white paint would be perfect for school cards and layouts!  I copied the basics of the card from Lisa Johnson.  I loved the card she made here.   However, I did not have the rustic branches stamp so I improvised using the single line from Paper Tray for my stems and a single leaf from Turning a New Leaf  to mimic Lisa's focal image.  I used two different colors of rhinestones to mimic the berries.  I ran out of gems though so I used glitter glue for the second card.  See more details of the other PTI stamps I used in the supplies list.   I used the butterfly from my Buttons Galore file cut out of grungeboard and covered in crackle paint for an accent.  Below is a close up.  I really need to use my crackle paint more...such a great effect and soo easy!

The scallop came from my card base 1 file. Once again I used my own baker's twine to wrap the card.  I love this stuff!  I've gotta make more!    I also dusted off my sewing machine and zig zag stitched between the strips.  For me this takes some time because I'm a terrible sewer but I love the end result!  I  envy those of you who can sew! 

Supplies:
Papertrey ink Stamps:  Paper Tray (long single line and sentiment), Turning a New Leaf (single leaf),  Round an d Round Anniversary set (dotted background strip), Let Freedom Ring (firecracker swirl for blue strip background)
French Script Background 
Tim Holtz  Distress Crackle Paint (Mustard Seed) and Grungeboard
Swirl Glitter Glue
Folk Art Acrylic paint
Rhinestones
Shelly's Art:  Buttons Galore, Card Base 1 
Janome Sew Mini with heavy duty cream colored thread
Creative Memories Corner Rounder
Baker's Twine made by me (I only have one request for a tut on how to make this yourself so if you'd like to see it please let me know)

If you would like to purchase any of the files used in my card.  Please click on the photos to be taken directly to my store.

The newest member of my CDT has been soo busy using my files that I can't keep up with her!  So I must showcase two absolutely wonderful cards designed by her today!  She used my Card Base 3 file for both cards.  This file is a steal at 30% off through the end of this month.  It is great for not only feminine cards but also masculine, teens and toddlers alike! 

First up is an incredible card using paper embroidery.  I have always wanted to try this technique but have yet to sit down and do so.  It sure does look great and Johanne did an excellent job.  I'm adding this technique to my to do list!

Here is what Johanne had to say about her lovely card:

Cutting file:  Card Base 3 from Shelly's Art

Embroidery pattern from Basics of embroidery on paper  from Erica Fortgens

Paper: Classic K Designer Paper from K&Company

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in brushed corduroy

Next up a card with the exact same card base but a different focal point.  I find it is easy to make up two or more of these card bases then when you need a quick card all you do is add some stamping or a die cut and you've  got a card in minutes!  Also, instead of having scrap paper to store you have something you can use quickly when you need it.

 I just love the soft colors Johanne used!  It's wonderfully vintage looking.   I will have to try that flower tut she mentions too.  I bet you could use the flowers from my Playful Flower, Leaves and Branches files and Dawn's technique to make some beautifully unique flowers.  

 Cutting file:  Card Base 3 from Shelly's Art

Stamp:      Flower, leaves & Stem:  Automn Leaves from Mindy Terasawa

                Sentiment: Kensington Gardens from Cloud 9

Paper: Classic K Designer Paper from K&Company

Antique Gold embossing powder for the card and the flower

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in brushed corduroy

I made the flower  from this tutorial from Dawn Griffith:  http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2010/03/paper-flowers-video.html

If you would like to purchase the file that Johanne used in her elegant cards please click on the photo below.

I do have a few new files in my store.   Click on photos below to purchase them.

 Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you come back again!  Have a wonderful week!

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Technique Tuesdays: Making Colored Fluff and freebie

Hello everyone,
I'm starting a new series on my blog called Technique Tuesdays. I will show you how to do different techniques related to paper crafting on my blog every Tuesday. This Tuesday I am featuring how to make your own "Colored Fluff". It is similar to a product currently on the market called Flower Soft. I originally got the technique from a member of the Scal-hints yahoo group. She posted a video of this technique she found on You Tube but I don't believe I'm allowed to share the video so you'll just have to do a search if interested....or better yet keep reading and I'll show you how. My son helped me to make this stuff the first time...it's very easy and inexpensive to make!



I only had 3 colors of reinkers. I did have some distress ink pads and remembered they work well with water so I used them to color the "fluff" and will show you how below.



Now I will share with you the results of each coloring method so you can see how it works.



These are just some of the options for coloring that I have tried. You can experiment with non-distress reinkers or food coloring. The styrofoam balls are very inexpensive..they are available at many department stores. You can even add glitter to your fluff. I will tell you though I tried using my homemade glimmer mist (combining distress reinker, water and perfect pearl powder)....it didn't work very well and I had to spritz the fluff with many sprays to get any color at all..so I recommend not using your homemade glimmer mist. Oh and I got the storage containers I used at the Dollar Tree. I have also seen people use the clear acrylic containers with screw on lids that stack or come in a large acrylic box. I had good luck with rubbing the styrofoam balls against each other but some have used kitchen graters with good results too. You just need to use a dryer sheet or anti-static spray to control the static.

Now I know you're wondering what to do with all this "colored fluff" you have made. I will show you the example I made for this tut below. I have to tell you though this card looked much better in the mental image I pictured in my head then it did when I actually made it. But...it is an example of how to use the "colored fluff" so...here you go!



I mixed together, yellow, red, orange and brown colored fluff to add to my card. I used the bowl and leaves from my build a turkey file. The tag is from my tags galore file. Click below if you'd like to purchase either of these files. It's hard to tell in the photo but I also added Doodlebug flocking to the leaves. Note: Michelle the owner of Paperthreads has an amazing video on how to do flocking on her blog..here. The berries were done with dimension paint. I also added some dimensional adhesive squares. Penny Duncan has an amazing tut on how to make these "pop dots" on her blog...here.






I'd also like to share with you a card I did using the Flower Soft I purchased. This stuff is a great way to dress up a store bought card if you're in a hurry. I also added some glitter after I put on the flower soft while the glue was still wet.




My membership club has officially started. If you'd like to see a peak at the first file...an explosion box...scroll down to the previous post. If you'd like to purchase the membership click on the preview below.



Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me share this FUN technique with you. As a departing gift...I will give you a set of tags. I hope you'll stop back sometime soon. Hurry the freebie will expire approximately 24 hours! The zip file will include the AI, KNK, GSD, WPC and SVG formats. Even though this file is free I please ask that you don't share it. Send them here to download it themselves instead.



Link expired.

Have fun playing with styrofoam!
Shelly

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Butterflies, Motorcyles and flowers!

I know the 4th of July is over but I'm still celebrating! You should celebrate your freedom to craft by buying yourself a little treat. To help you out I have put my whole store on sale for 50% off. You'll find a variety of items there including digital cutter files in SVG, GSD, KNK, AI, and WPC format, digital scrapbooking kits, and digital commercial use templates.

I have a few more things to share my Creative Design Team whipped up. First up my 3-D butterflies sure are exploring the world. This one landed on a very artistic and creative card by CDT Laury Vaden. Her daughter is getting married so I'm creating a digital scrapbooking wedding kit for her so be on the lookout for it soon. I am going to offer customization to match the colors of your wedding.



Why not let my 3-D butterflies explore your house by clicking on the preview below to purchase for a grand price of $1.15 now through July 12, 2009 EST.




CDT member Kelly is a whiz at combining my files. Take a look at the card below to see what I mean. That border is actual from my 70's: beaded borders file and the flower is from my playful flowers, leaves and branches file. I never would have thought to combine these two files but they work great together. She also used my dotted fun sentiments file which matches the roundness of the flowers perfectly!



Click on the previews below to purchase the files Kelly used so you can make your own great card just like hers. Remember they are 50% off now through July 12, 2009 EST.







I always struggle with manly cards. So I really have to put my thinking cap on when I make one. I'm sharing this one with you in case you have the same problem. My BIL got this one and he is a big fan of motorcyles so I decided to go with Harley Davidson colors. I think it turned out pretty well. I used my all purpose sentiments file. I also cut grungeboard with my tags galore file. It cut with ease and was very easy to change the color simply by inking. (click here for a great deal on grungeboard) The twine and brads add to the masculine feel.



If like any of the files I used on my MANLY card...click on the previews below to purchase them at 50% off now through Juy 12, 2009 EST.





If you'd like to purchase both sentiments shown today at a grand price. I have 4 sentiment files packaged in a collection. It is a great deal at $3.15 now through July 12, 2009 EST.



I know I promised you a preview of a new file coming soon to my store but this post is long enough so that will have to wait for another day.

Thanks for looking, reading, and shopping! It makes me smile to know you like my files enough to purchase them!

Shelly

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Ribbon caddy, blog award and an adorable layout.

I know the 4th of July is over but I'm still celebrating! You should celebrate your freedom to craft by buying yourself a little treat. To help you out I have put my whole store on sale for 50% off. You'll find a variety of items there including digital cutter files in SVG, GSD, KNK, AI, and WPC format, digital scrapbooking kits, and digital commercial use templates.

I know many of us are struggling with finances lately. So I created a file collection that contains all the cutter files you use the most in scrapbooking and card making at a grand price. It is on sale today for 50% off the original money saving price. That's a steal..you get 8 files for about $1.60 a piece. Click on the picture below to check it out in my Paperthreads store. All of these files are available in GSD, KNK, AI, WPC, and SVG format.



I have some other new files in my store too...check them out in the previous posts.

Lisa Lindesmith has been on a roll lately. I'm so happy to have her on my CDT! She saw something completely different then tea and sugar storage when she looked at my tea caddy file. She saw decorative ribbon storage. I can just image a whole row of these sitting on a shelf matching the decor of the room looking so pretty!



If you would like to make your own ribbon caddy. Click on the preview below to purchase my tea caddy file for only $1.65 today through the 12 of July 2009 EST.




Take a look below at the layout fellow Paperthreads member Sue Shaff created. I think you'll agree it is adorable as is her grandson the star of the layout! Sue loves to scrap photos of her grandchildren. I never get tired of seeing them and I love that she uses my files to showcase them.




Sue used two of my files in this grand layout. The border file is from Beloved Keepsakes as part of her current quarterly membership.

Click on the preview below to purchase my bracket fun file for only $1.00 today through the 12th of July 2009 Est.


Click on the preview below to purchase my think Spring file for only $2.00 today through the 12th of July 2009 Est.





My good friend Christine gave me this awesome award! It truly made my day! Thanks Christine! There aren't any rules to pass it on. If you feel like passing it on just click on the photo to grab the link to the image.

It's time to make supper. I hope to back later on this week to give you a sneak peak at an upcoming file I think you're going to love.

Have a great evening or day depending on when you read this! LOL!
Shelly

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Celebrate your freedom to craft with 50% off my entire store

Happy 4th of July everyone! Why not celebrate your freedom to craft by buying yourself a little treat. To help you out I have put my whole store on sale for 50% off. You'll find a variety of items there including digital cutter files in SVG, GSD, KNK, AI, and WPC format, digital scrapbooking kits, and digital commercial use templates.

I know many of us are struggling with finances lately. So I created a file collection that contains all the cutter files you use the most in scrapbooking and card making at a grand price. It is on sale today for 50% off the original money saving price. That's a steal..you get 8 files for about $1.60 a piece. Click on the picture below to check it out in my Paperthreads store. All of these files are available in GSD, KNK, AI, WPC, and SVG format.



I have some other new files in my store too...check them out in the previous posts.

My birds have flocked all over cards in my card sketch challenge on PT. Here are a few examples from Paperthreads Forum members.



Don't you just love that little bow tie! Great job!



Check out what the bigger bird is saying to the little bird. I'll be copying this card one of these days. Awesome job!



What a colorful bird family. I love the sentiment! Very creative!

I'd love to see what you can create with my birds of a feather file. E-mail me your creations at shellysart@verizon.net. What! My little birdies haven't come to visit your house yet. Well then invite them over by purchasing them at 50% off today. Click on the preview below to purchase.




Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful 4th of July! Let freedom ring!
Shelly

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Just the Basics, vacations membership, and CDT creations.

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all enjoying your Summer. It is glorious not to have to tote everyone to school and not having to bundle them up for cold weather. I'm looking forward to a 4th July picnic. It gives me an excuse to be off my diet for a day! LOL! I love firework photos too so that is another bonus of this holiday. Let Freedom Ring!

I know many of us are struggling with finances lately. So I created a file collection that contains all the cutter files you use the most in scrapbooking and card making at a grand price. It will be on sale starting tomorrow for 50% off the original money saving price. That's a steal..you get 8 files for about $1.60 a piece. Click on the picture below to check it out in my Paperthreads store. All of these files are available in GSD, KNK, AI, WPC, and SVG format.



Of course I realize you may not want to buy the whole collection especially if you've bought any of the files separately in the past. So you can get them all individually in my Paperthreads store. I've posted the newest ones below you can find the rest in my store. Click on the preview to check out the details and/or purchase.







I've been busy creating more files that are only available through the vacations and getaway membership at Paperthreads. I'll give you sneak peak of them below. I have 3 more to do to fulfill my membership obligations so I'll post them here as I get them done.





Like what you see?! Good now go over and buy that membership. Click on the AD below to purchase. It's a great deal as you get 50 files for only $15.00. Also, it is for an even greater cause. A fellow PT designer's husband is battling cancer and is unable to provide for their family of 8 so every dime of this membership goes to her family.



I'd like to share with you a stunning layout fellow PT forum member Pat created using my number charms file. It's just so fabulous! I love the colors she used and the stitching! Thanks Pat for sharing your layout with me! Click on the photo to see the layout larger.



If you want to do a layout similar to Pat's then click on the preview below to purchase my number charms file. It's also great for adding dates to layouts or ages to cards.



My Creative Design Team has been busy being very creative lately and I'd like to share with you some of their wonderful projects.




Would you believe both ladies used my 3-D butterflies file to achieve two totally different but grand looking cards? Lisa actually cut out two butterflies one in cardstock and the other out of acetate then stamped it and added jewels to the body to achieve a very elegant look. Click on the preview below to purchase the butterflies. Elizabeth cut the butterfly out of yellow cardstock plus the included butterfly accent out of white. She then added doodles with a black pen. She used my bracket fun file also (scroll up to see the preview of that file). The embossed paper paired with the doodled butterfly and inked brackets gives her card a very whimsical fun look!



Gotta get back to file making. Talk to you again soon! Have a glorious day!

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