Spellbinders Storage Revisited

CTMH  My Acrylix Organizers With Spellbinders Dies

 I know that I've posted on this before with a video that I made showing how I store my Spellbinders dies.  Some people want to see the photos of storage systems instead of watching a video, so I'm posting a few pictures of what I use.  If you'd like to see the video, it is in this post from September 10, 2011.

CTMH Stamp Organizer Envelopes with Spellbinders Dies

The Brother Label Maker people should love me.  I label everything that I can!  Inside the plastic envelopes are the Spellbinders dies on a magnetic sheet that has been cut to 5" x 5".  The magnets that I use are magnetic vent covers from Home Depot. These envelopes are big enough to store the extra die cuts that I've made but haven't used yet.  Most of the time I cut a few sizes or colors at a time and want to save the extras for future projects.  It is nice to grab the envelope and find some shapes already cut.

Most of the envelopes also have the front Spellbinders package inside

The package includes information about the number of dies in the set and the item number.  I like to have this information so that I know I've put back the right number of dies in the envelope. And also it has helped me to not repurchase the same set when I've thought I didn't have a set that I already owned!  

A Spellbinders Book made with a Cinch and Chipboard

Originally, all the dies were stored in this book that I made a couple of years ago.  It works great for smaller dies, but the larger circular ones fall off the magnets.  Some dies are too long to fit into the CTMH envelopes.  So I use both systems.

I'd love to hear and see what storage system works best for you!  Please let me know.
Beverly

Frosted Designs Card Sketch Goes Digital!

Sentiment is from Squigglefly.com

The sketch challenge this week on Frosted Designs is sponsored by Squigglefly.com.  I wanted to use this sentiment from them so much that I had to make TWO cards!  Here is the sketch designed by Diana Gonzalez :

As you can see, I even included the butterfly on each!

On the first card I used a picture of Marie Antoinette and an image of  handwritten sheet music. These came from http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/.  I've never used her antique images before and read the terms on her blog, which states that in the U.S.A. the images are in the public domain. (Just in case anyone was concerned about copyright infringement.)

On both cards I printed out the sentiment and then cut them with Spellbinders dies.  The great thing about using digital images, is that they can be sized to whatever is needed for your project.  The ribbons on both cards were dyed seam binding using an ink pad.  Markers work just as well.  I made the hatpin by coloring the top and the butterfly with alcohol ink.

Parchment paper cut with Nestabilities Labels Eighteen

Now for a completely different card.  Same sketch, same sentiment, same die cut and even the same type of ribbon!  The sketch was flipped vertically.  This one was not stitched.  I wanted to leave it a little cleaner looking.

Stamped images are from CTMH's Piece of Cake set

The papers and inks used on this card are all from Close To My Heart:  Gypsy, Lagoon, Sky, White Daisy and Black. A retired CTMH color, Hydragea, was punched using a Martha Stewart Butterfly punch. It was then dry embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder.  I sanded the dots to expose the white core of the paper and then randomly colored a few of them with a marker. The cupcake is also a punch which I layered on Gypsy cardstock and freehand cut.  The images on the cupcake are from the CTMH Cupcake Sprinkles set.

Clear Sparkles were used on the layered frame

I can't wait to see the cards that the Frosted Designs followers create!

Thank you so much for visiting today! 

Monochromatic With Brown On a Clean And Simple Card Sketch

Sizzix Die Was Used To Cut Hearts

 Yesterday, I saw the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge for monochromatic cards which also is to include brown.  Then I saw the sketch below from Clean & Simple Stamping and knew that I wanted to use both ideas.

159 From Clean & Simple Stamping

 The base is textured CTMH retired Colonial White cardstock. It is almost a bamboo color. The inside of the card is a lighter color, which is perfect for stamping and writing a note. This is the same paper from which the smaller hearts are made. The larger Very Vanilla (SU!) hearts were embossed with the Kassie's Brocade Cuttlebug folder. The added texture looks very nice in person.

Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch with Brown Pearls

The butterfly was punched from white cardstock and then dyed with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and spritzed with a water/Pearl Create-a-Shade paint mixture.  

Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edge Punch Above Sentiment

The stamp set is retired from Close To My Heart. It fit this card so perfectly, don't you think?  I wanted to use the same embellishments on the inside, but still keep the card CAS. So, I used the same little self-adhesive pearls on the butterfly inside the card.

4" x 6" Card

This card is entered into the following challenges:

Clean & Simple Stamping 159 Sketch

CFC #21 Mostly Monochromatic 3+1 Challenge

Things Are Not Always Black and White

5" x 7" Black Cardstock Base

I've wanted to "do" collage for a few years but have never tried it until today.  This is my first timid foray into this art form... and it is a small attempt, I'll admit. The bottom rectangle was stamped with a small chevron stamp (several times to make a background.)  I stamped a few other images onto white tissue paper and then adhered them to the background.  Then I stamped the small bird and the flower on white cardstock and placed those on top of the other images.  I typed the words onto vellum and popped it with dimensional foam.

The rest of the card is my more traditional approach. :-)  Traditional stamping, embossing, die cuts, etc.

Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch used 5 Times and Glued Together to  Make It Really Thick

 The meaning behind the title is two fold:  My dd1 is facing a lot of big decisions in her final year at college.  Logically, all is easy - it is black and white.  However, when feelings are involved - It isn't always black and white.  Your heart colors your perception.

The second meaning is because of the SDC Challenge - Black and White and a Hint of Color!

All stamps are retired CTMH images

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I do appreciate your time and comments - Especially, since I'm learning something new and am a bit nervous about sharing my first attempt!

This card is entered into the following two challenges:

Stampotique Designers Challenge 38 

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 74 - Things With Wings

Welcoming Fall On Kraft Card Base

CTMH Mischief Paper, Barn Red and Black on Kraft 

 This Thanksgiving card is layered on a 5" x 7" kraft cardstock base.  The other papers come from CTMH's Mischief paper pack.  All the stamping was done with Versamark ink and embossed with white powder.

Stamps are from CTMH Say It In Style Stamp Set 

 The rayon seam binding ribbon was dyed using Barn Door re-inker mixed with Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint and water in a mini-mister.  After the ribbon dried, it was rolled into a rose and hot glued together.  A piece of the ribbon was laced through a decorative strip of the Mischief paper that had been punched with a Martha Stewart Ribbon Threader Edge Punch. This was layered with Barn Door and Black cardstock that was cut with Spellbinders Dies and a black gathered ribbon from Hobby Lobby. The sentiment was highlighted with black gemstones from Hobby Lobby.  The hatpin was made with pearls colored with alcohol inks and strung with a black/grey glass bead from Michaels.

Stamps are from CTMH Captured Moments Set

All of the black pearls on the card are from CTMH.  The edges of each layer were roughed up with an Edge Distresser.  This card was made for Challenge 37 - Welcome Fall at The Kraft Journal.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate that you stopped by.
Beverly

Color Corsage Pins to Make Customized Embellishments for Papercrafting

This video shows how I use Adirondack Alcohol Inks and Copic Markers to color beads and pins for unique hatpin embellishments.

I'd love to see your creations, too!  Please leave me a comment with a link to your photos showing your handmade embellishments.

Thanks so much for visiting!
Beverly

Embossed Clear Card .... Seeing Lots of Stars!

Clear Card Embossed with Stars Cuttlebug Folder

For this card I followed the Sweet Stop sketch #126 pictured below.  It had a spin to it: Starstruck. Awesome timing! I've been wanting to try to emboss some of the clear cards that I got from Close To My Heart and this presented the perfect opportunity!

It was difficult to photograph the neat effect of the embossed front.  The close up picture below shows it a little better.  Most of the paper layers were adhered to the inside back clear base.  The stamped "Shining Star" and "Wow" star images were adhered to the front. They were both stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with white powder.  The Pacifica blue award stamped image was adhered to the front inside clear base underneath the image on the front.

Images from the CTMH Blue Ribbon Stamp Set

Using a sketch makes the card come together quickly and effortlessly! The sketch is flipped, but the components are the same.  Using coordinating papers from CTMH's Dreamin' pack makes matching everything a breeze!

CTMH Dreamin' paper pack 

I wasn't going to post this picture for two reasons. I don't like the way the ribbon looks when the card is opened and the Bamboo paper looks yellow.  It isn't yellow.  However, in order for people to be able to see the layering of the clear card, it was necessary to share it.  I think it is ok to show that I have regrets about certain design choices or that my photos don't always look the way I want them to look.  Thankfully, both of these issues rarely occur. :-)

If you'd like to check out the challenge this week at The Sweet Stop, here is the site:

http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day!

4 x 4 Square Kraft Clean and Simple Card

Images from the CTMH Treasure Life stamp set embossed in white

I love the simple, sweet elegance of white on kraft paper.  This is one of my favorite stamp sets and I find that I use it a lot!  When I saw that CFC #20 was for a mini-card, I knew that I was going to make this card to enter the challenge.  

Rolled Flower using Martha Stewart Heart Chain Edge Punch

Rolled flowers are easy to make with edge punches.  One of the nice things about rolled flowers is that they can be made in a variety of sizes.  This is on the small-ish side, about 1 1/2" across.  The strip of paper was 12" long.

A simple white grosgrain ribbon and fork bow complete the card

This is also a one layer card,  in that there is no matting.  The images were stamped onto the card base.

Please visit the following sites to see the challenges for which I have entered this sweet little card.

CFC #20 - Mini Cards - http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge Week 73 - One layer card - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I appreciate you visiting my blog.
Beverly

Bling It On!

Ranger Foil Tape Sheet cut with Spellbinders and Sizzix dies in Vagabond

 This week I've been participating in an online class with Jennifer McGuire.  I've learned a few things, was reminded of tons of techniques that I rarely use and introduced to products that I didn't know I needed.  The foil tape by Ranger is one such product.  Man, I love this stuff!

CTMH Winter Joy Stamp Embossed in Silver

 I used two of the Nestabilities Labels Twenty dies, and a die from the Fleur de Lis Motifs and one from the Parisian Motifs.  Lots and lots of bling on this card with self-adhesive Sparkles from CTMH.  The edges of all papers were inked with Heavenly Blue. The papers are from CTMH's Wonderland pack.

This rosette was made using the Martha Stewart Snowflake Edger Punch

For more information about the rosette please visit this post from August 31, 2011.

This card is my entry to the DYSU #37 Silver Challenge.

Punches Challenge with Frosted Designs

Edited on 6/21/2012 - Reposted after having been removed for publication. 

Martha Stewart Monarch Butterfly Punch (used 51 Times)

This is my artwork for Frosted Designs' Fabulous Friday Challenge - Punches.  If you've visited my blog before, you know that I LOVE punches.  So I was very excited to participate today!  The picture above was taken from the side to try to reduce the glare on the photograph.

Hanging on the wall, framed in a 12 x 12 metal frame with the glass removed  in order to not smoosh the butterflies

 Each butterfly was punched from a different color of Close To My Heart cardstock. The butterflies were adhered to CTMH White Daisy cardstock that had been punched with a 1 1/4" circle punch and ink distressed with the corresponding ink color.

Three white butterflies were used to embellish the photograph

 The photo was mounted on White Daisy cardstock and popped up with foam tape.  The minimal journaling was added in Photoshop in the lower right-hand corner of the picture. "Springbreak Mexico 2008"  (I know, I know!  It's terrible that I'm not caught up with all the scrapbooking I have to do!)

Title font is Jellyka End_less Voyage. Free from dafont.com

This font fit the picture perfectly.  I printed it on transparency film and adhered it to the cardstock with Tombow Vellum Mono Adhesive.  Just a note about printing on transparencies:  I have found that the ink smudges if it is handled much.  Because of this, I only use them on interactive layouts if they are protected.

Thanks for visiting today!  Have a wonderful day.

EK Success Parisian Edger Punch used for Handmade Paper Rosette

CTMH Wonderland Paper used for both Rosettes

 The EK Success punches are easy to use.  I love how nicely the punched holes always line up with the guides and how cleanly it cuts.

Seam binding ribbon was misted with Perfect Pearls Forever Blue

 The embellishment in the center of the larger rosette is a retired ribbon slide from CTMH.  After running two pieces of ribbon through it, I covered the center with Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems (CTMH.)

CTMH Shimmer brad is the center embellishment

 These rosettes were made from 12 inch long strips.  The larger rosette is made from a 1 1/2" strip.  The smaller one is a 1 inch strip.

Rosettes can be used on any type of project

These aren't too bulky and would look beautiful on scrapbook pages or cards. I had planned on using the larger one on a specific card I was making, but ended up using a different rosette instead.

Lots of Texture with Canvas Resist and Edge Puncher Rosette

CTMH Backgrounds and Borders stamped onto Sticky Back Canvas

This card was inspired by The Sweet Stop Sketch 125.  I wanted to use a new (to me) technique that I just learned from an online class with Jennifer McGuire.  I've always loved using fabric in stamping and was very disappointed when Close To My Heart discontinued selling their twill and linen adhesive backed fabric.  The stuff I used on this card is Claudine Hellmuth's White Sticky Back Canvas (12" by 12".) It is available at many scrapbooking stores. This fun technique is easy to do and gives a beautiful, very textural  effect. 

Of course, I used an edger punch to make the rosette.  This is a new one that I haven't posted yet.

Fiskars Diamond Border Punch with Paper Rosette 

 This rosette was made with two 12 inch strips of CTMH Wonderland paper.  One was 1 inch wide, the other 1 1/2 inches wide.  After scoring and folding the paper strips, I adhered them as one flower. See the photo below.

Double layer paper rosette made into one flower

 The rosette was embellished with part of a fancy brad set from Hobby Lobby.  I took the brad out and covered over the hole with a CTMH Blue Sparkle instead.

Love that sparkle!

Close up view of the canvas, Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Accent border and rosette

 I used a few bits and pieces of some Spellbinder die cuts that I had left over from other projects.  These were embellished with CTMH Pearl Adhesive Gems.

The sentiment was stamped with Crystal Blue ink and  popped up with foam tape

The seam tape ribbon was colored with Breeze Recollections Chalk ink.  This is the same ink used on the canvas after embossing.  I painted it with Tattered Angels Glam paint.  Which removed almost all the color!  So when it was dry I re-inked the canvas.  A good learning process. :-)

This card is my entry for playing along with the following challenges:

SSS125 - http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Use a Punch - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
DYSU #36 Texture - http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting today!  Have a wonderful day.

Frosted Designs First Card Sketch!

5 x7 card machine stitched around the 1st layer

 I'm so excited to be part of Frosted Designs Tuesday Card sketch team! Thanks for stopping by to see the first card challenge for our team.  Welcome to my blog, if this is your first visit here. :-)

Dreamin' is the name of the paper pack that I used for this card. I love this paper!  It seems so Autumnal and it is cheerful at the same time.  Everything just fell into place as I was making the card.  Of course it helped that it started with Debbie Burns' easy to follow sketch!  Here is the sketch:

Frosted Designs Tuesday Card Sketch Challenge #1

Flower made with Morocco paper edger from EK Success

The paper rosette is adhered to the ribbon with a 3-d glue dot.

Hand made hat pin with beads, Adirondack ink and Copics

The corrugated cardboard butterfly is from House of 3/Pink Paislee. The flourish shapes and labels are all cut with Spellbinders dies. All other materials are CTMH.  The stamp and decorator papers are from their Dreamin' Workshop on the Go Kit.

Paper Piecing on Autumn Cards Take Two

Halloween Paper Pieced card using CTMH Spook Alley stamp set

My post yesterday was motivated by CFC 19 at CAS-ual Fridays.  However, I didn't submit that card because I didn't love it.  I'm not sure I Love this one, but I do like it a lot. It is more in keeping with my personality.  Especially, the goofy, google-ly eyes!

Paper pieced Frank with 5 different B & T papers

Clean and simple used to be my style in card making and scrapbooking.  I'm not sure if Tim Holtz is to blame thank, or what exactly happened... but I don't do much that is CAS any longer.  My "style" is more hybrid-eclectic now.
I love CAS, though. So this won't be the end of my checking out the CAS-ual Fridays challenges.

Asided from the eyeballs, everything else is CTMH

The bottom border stamp has 8 different colored papers used for piecing. Some were used more than once, i.e., the stars.  I used a Bonding Memories Glue Pen to adhere all those itsy bitsy pieces of paper.  This stamp set is retired and so are some of the papers.  The Mischief B & T is new this season.