ATC & Die Cut Swap - Due 2-22-12

The results of the poll shows that most people want to swap ATC's and Die-Cuts. 
I will be having a Postcard Swap later this Spring to satisfy the folks that voted for that.

You can join one or both swaps... If you are joining the Die-Cut swap you MUST tell me what die-cut you want to send.  I will be listing the die-cut with your name so we don't get dups.  So, please decide what you are going to be sending before you sign up.

Please post your e-mail addy so I can send you my mailing address.

Here goes....

ATC SWAP

DUE 2-22-12

Game Plan -
*Create up to 20* ATC's  (2.5x3.5") using any technique you would like (no more than 5 of the same design). We will be having 2 groups - General & Spring Holidays (Valentines Day, St. Pats, Spring, Easter (secular only please).

Please be sure to sign and date your ATC's and an e-mail addy is nice too :)

*NOTE: You don't have to make 20, you can make 1, 3, 10, or any number that inspires you. Also, you can create up to 20 for EACH group if you so desire. I do ask that you make no more than 5 of a single design. It makes it very difficult to swap out if I have too many of one design to swap.

*Send them to me by the due date and I'll swap them out and you'll get back 20 different ATC's.
NOTE: Be sure and make/keep an extra of your ATC's for yourself if you want one...you won't be getting your own back.

*Mailing - Send a self addressed envelope + $5.00 shipping (US) or 6.00 (International).  You can send cash or Pay Pal me the money if it is more convenient.  I will send your swap back to you as cheap as possible.  The postage rates are going up on Jan 22 so I'm not sure how much everything will cost at that time.  If your return items weigh quite a bit I will send it flat rate Priority mail which here in the states is going up to $5.15.  I will cover the additional cost and secure the mailing envie. 
Any unused postage will be returned.

The swap is due in my hands 2-22-12.  Please plan and mail accordingly.

General

1. Roni
2. Mom (Dixie)
3. Claudine
4. Jodi
5. Donna E.
6. Hollie
7. Kee
8. Paula
9. TXMess
10. Pam J
11. Patsy B
12. Theresa
13. Jean
14. Connie
15. KellyMD
16. Pam E.
17. Kay 

Spring Holidays
(Valentines, St. Pats, Spring, Secular Easter)

1. Roni
2. Mom
3. Claudine
4. Jodi
5. Donna E
6. Hollie
7. Kee
8. Paula
9. TXMess
10. Pam J
11. Pasty B.
12. Theresa
13. Kathleen
14. KellyMD
15. Pam E.

DIE CUT SWAP

Due 2-22-12

Several people showed interest in swapping die-cuts which is super cause we all know how expensive they are.  It's a great way to get some neat die cuts we might not already own. 

***Please keep in mind that you may get die-cuts back that you already own.  Short of having some sort of graph showing what you already own it's going to be impossible for me to know what you have and what you don't. *** 

If you are looking for something specific you can send one or two requests and I will try to accommodate you if possible otherwise it's going to be luck of the draw.

When you sign up, please tell me what die-cut you plan on sending.  I am going to be listing this with your name so we don't get dups.

REQUIREMENTS -

**All die-cuts should be cut from white cardstock.

**You can send up to 5 sets of the same die-cut following the chart below. (you can send less if you'd like) You can send up to 4 different die-cuts (4 groups of 5 sets each) but please be sure to tell me which dies you will be sending.

****DIE-CUT SIZE = ONE SET****

1-2"    =      10 per set

2.25" - 4.75"     =     5 per set

5" +     =     3 per set

Large Shape Sets     =     2 per set

(4+ die-cuts in the set)

Small Shape Sets    =     4 per set
(1-3 die-cuts in the set)

If you have questions about how many to send please ask.

**Mailing - If you are in the ATC swap you can send both swaps together.  Otherwise, please send $5.00 (US) or $6.00 (International) plus a self addressed envie. 

All die-cuts must be rec'd by 2-22-12 just like the ATC swap.

Die-Cut Swap

(please provide name, e-mail and die-cut you will be sending)

1. Roni - Spellbinder Gear Set
2. Roni - Shamrock (3 leaf)
3. Roni - Sizzix Angel Wings
4. Mom - Puzzle
5. Lori - Birdcage
6. Lori - Gear/Cog
7. Lori - Dressform/Spool
8. Shelly - Tattered Flowers
9. Shelly - Jalopy/Arrow Mini's
10. Ginny - Large Lace Border (Heartfelt Creations)
11. Ginny - Cheery Lynn Butterfly
12. Pam J - Assorted Keys
13. Suzanne - Heartfelt Creations Falling Leaves
14. Sandy - Tim Holtz Clock
15. Scrapin Kat - Mini Heart, Butterfly, Key & Lock
16. Debbie - Spellbinders Butterfly
17. Theresa - Nesting Eyelet Circles
18. Jean - Assorted Flourishm, Border, Frame, Flower, Tree
19. Caroline D - Memory Box Winterland Tree
20. Caroline D - TH Sizzix Hanging Sign
21. Caroline D - SB Snowflake Wonder Set
22. Caroline D - Cheery Lynn Spider Web
23. Majella - Butterflies
24. Lori - TH Heart Wings
25. Lori - Winter Wonder
26. Katy - Cuttlebug Heart

Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me!

Gauche Alchemy - January Guest Designer

Hey everyone!

I wanted to let you know that I am the guest designer for January over at Gauche Alchemy! 

Guache Alchemy is a super fun place that offers a monthly mixed media / collage kit as well as loads of other fun collage goodies including themed kits, color kits and more! 

I had the pleasure to play with the January Kit - Moshi Moshi.  Each Thursday they will be posting a different project I made using this kit on their blog.  Since I was lucky enough to get to play with this kit I thought it would be fun to share what I made with you!!  So each week I will post a snipit of my project along with a link to their blog...  All you have to do is go check out the complete project and come back and let me know what you think.  Your comment will be your chance to win that weeks project which I will give away the following Thursday!

I hope you all stay tuned and check out the fun projects I made using this awesome kit!!

2012 Technique Calendar - April - Reverse Grid Stamping

I wanted to give a new spin on Grid Stamping...basically a technique where you section off your paper into smaller sections and stamp in each piece of the grid individually.  Since I haven't played with embossing powders for this years calendar I thought it might be fun to toss some of that into the mix as well.  So here goes....

2012 Technique Calendar

April

Reverse Grid Stamping

Supplies:

Stamps
Inks
Cardstock
Masking Paper
Embossing Ink
Embossing Powder
Embellishments to finish off your Calendar

Instructions:

1.   Ink up your paper using your favorite technique.  Here I used my Distress Stain, smeared it on my craft mat and dipped the paper into each color (drying before the next color). Since it's for April I stuck with bright Spring-y colors.

2. Stamp up a storm!  You want the images to be really packed in there... 

3. You are now going to need to cut your masking paper into whatever shape you want...I am using circles and a paper punch but you could make squares, rectangles, ticket shapes, hearts, etc.  You'll need enough to cover the area of your calendar/project.  I drew an outline of my house template here so I knew where I needed place my dots.

4. Now you need to remove the backing piece from the masking paper and place it on your stamped paper in whatever pattern you would like. I'm working with a diagonal design but you could go straight lines, alternating checker board pattern, etc.

Keep going until it's completely covered....  In retrospect I wish I would have used one of my larger circle punches but  I didn't even think of it at the time.

5. Now ink the entire paper with embossing ink....

6. Sprinkle with desired color(s) of Embossing Powder. I'm using 4 different graduated colors of green.

7. Heat to melt the powders.

8. Peel off the masking papers to reveal your finished pattern.

9. And now you're ready to finish your calendar page....

And there you go!

I hope you're enjoying and giving some of these techniques a try.

Have a super weekend!!

2012 Technique Calendar Questions

I've been getting several questions about some of the techniques so I thought I'd share...

Feb  Technique - Floating Stars

Most people wanted to know if there was something else they could use besides re-inkers to color the Glossy Accents. 

Yes, I gave Alcohol Inks a try but you only need one or two drops.  The AI is very concentrated ~ a tiny bit goes a long way!  If by chance you add too much, while the mix is still wet you can go in and add more GA squirted here and there to thin the color out a bit.    I gave it a try and it worked very nice.

You could also try the paint used for the plastic stained glass window pieces.  That paint drys clear which is really what is most important for this technique.  I don't have any to try but I'm sure it will work.

March Technique - Wax Paper Die-Cut Resist

You don't have to use shamrocks as I did for the example.  You can use any shape you like but if you'd like to make something along the St. Patty's Day line you can place 3-4 hearts in a semi circle to form a Shamrock or 4-Leaf Clover.  You can also add an extra little sliver of wax paper for the stem.

Embellishments -

The black glossy trim I used on February's calendar page is a border sticker I bought from Crafty Secrets.  (This is also where I bought the gold leaf vine I'm using on April's page as well).

The gold trim on March's page is Dresden Trim.  It's traditionally a gold or silver foil which is embossed and has a detailed cut which was made in Dresden Germany - hence the name.  Some people also refer to it as German Scrap which is incorrect....  German Scrap is actually the colored embossed images which are die-cut.  I'm using a few bits of German Scrap on April's calendar page. 

Dresden Trim comes in loads of different designs ~ borders, medallions, wings, stars and shapes of all kinds.  Below I've listed a few places you can find Dresden trim.... there are all sorts of prices so you'll probably want to shop around if you're looking for a particular design.

Blumchen

Castle in the Air

Collage Stuff

Dresden Paper Crafts

Other

The spike-y thing I'm using to hold my pages is a vintage wire flower frog....it's a piece that people used to use to arrage flowers.  You put the frog in the bottom of your container and poke the flower stems into it.  The frog spikes would hold the flowers in place and keep the arrangement looking nice.


Hope this helps!!

2012 Technique Calendar - March - Wax Paper Die-Cut Resist Technique

Today's technique is a variation on one of my favorite techniques - Wax Paper Resist.  I thought it would be fun to kick it up a notch and try something new so here goes....

2012 Technique Calendar

March

Wax Paper Die-Cut Resist Technique

Supplies:

Wax Paper
Cardstock (regular or glossy)
Ink
Iron
Die-cutter & Die
Embellishments to finish off your calendar page

Instructions:

1. Fold a sheet of wax paper several times sized to fit your particular die-cut.  I'm using a smaller shamrock so I was able to fold my wax paper down to about a 2.5x2.5" square.

2. Die-cut and crumble the wax paper.

3. Open and smooth out your die-cuts. Arrange them on your cardstock* so they are fairly close together.

*Note - I am using plain cardstock for this particular example.  Plain cardstock yields a subtle resist while glossy cardstock will give you a much more defined resist pattern.

4. Cover with a second sheet of cardstock and iron. I ironed my waxed paper for about 30 - 45 seconds...

5. Lift the top sheet of cardstock off the pile and remove all of the wax paper die-cuts. Now you're ready to add ink!

6. Apply ink in desired fashion. I usually either apply Distress Ink with my Ink Blending Tool or in this case I applied Distress Stain over both sheets of cardstock.

here is how it looks wet....

and after it has dried....

Now the Wax Paper Die-Cut Resist paper is ready to be used...either for the calendar or whatever other project you have in mind.

And my finished March page....

I again left large portions of my calendar page open to show the cool background paper that I created using this technique.  I believe as with yesterday's technique sometimes less is far more.

Now it's your turn...

I hope you enjoy giving this one a try!

Have a super day friends!

2012 Technique Calendar - Feb - Floating Stars Technique

If you don't know by now I love glitter...glitter glue, glass glitter, micro glitter, mica glitter...it's all good.  Well today's technique pairs my love of glitter with a technique I've been wanting to simplify for a while now...Floor Wax Technique and is a play on my Faux Floor Wax Technique.  I call this technique "Floating Stars".

2012 Technique Calendar

February

Floating Stars Technique

Supplies:

Acetate (recycled packaging works great!)
Glitter (in one form or another)
Glossy Accents
Re-Inker (your choice of color/type)
Embellishments to finish off your page

Instructions:

1. Start off by squirting a generous portion of Glossy Accents onto your acetate.  I am using part of a package from a Spellbinders set of dies that has handy edges like a little tray so I don't have to worry about the GA running off the edges :)

2. Sprinkle on one or more colors of glitter.  This is going to be spread out over a large enough area to cover your calendar so don't be afraid to be generous.   I am using a cool large flake type glitter from MS.  You of course can use any type of glitter you have on hand.  When it comes to glitter...it's all good ;)

3. Now add a couple drops of re-inker to the GA and gently stir....  I'm using my favorite tool....my finger because I like to get messy but you can use a Popsicle stick, paint brush handle or anything else you might have on hand.

I did add a few swirls with my paper piercer ...

And here is what it looks like at this point....  This is where this technique deviates from the Floor Wax/Faux Floor Wax Techniques.  At this point we're done...no adding tissue paper, more GA/Floor Wax, no more inks... nothing.  You simply need to let the mix dry overnight. 

Fast forward to the next a.m.... It's time to finish off your calendar page as desired.  I glue my "Floating Stars" creation to my house GA side down so I have a nice even surface to work with. 

And here is how it turned out....

I left the majority of the "Floating Stars" unadorned because I think it really is the star of the page.  I didn't want to detract from it with lots of extra "stuff".    I'm sorry that you can't see how the glitter looks like it is floating beneath the acetate...it has such a dimensional look that you just can't capture with a photo.

And here are a few more views....

Since I layered this over some vintage sheet music I left the actual acetate plain but you could of course stamp on the acetate to add another dimension to your piece. 

This technique would be perfect for so many applications...think snow, fireworks, autumn leaves, etc.  I'm so excited about this technique, my mind is just spinning thinking of all the possibilities!

I hope it inspires you as well!

2012 Technique Calendar - Janurary - Blackened Pearl Tin

It's so good to be back on a regular schedule again...well almost regular.... We've had so much snow ds had a 2 hour delay this a.m.  With the regular schedule comes daily crafting!  I'm tellin' you ~ I about go crazy when I don't get a bit of alone time in my craft room.

2012 Technique Calendar

January

Blackened Pearl Tin

Supplies:

Tin Foil (or Adhesive backed Foil)
Black Gesso or Acrylic Paint
Perfect Pearl Mist, Glimmer Mist or similar
Sand Paper
Heat Tool (optional)
Embossing Folder or Dry Emboss Tools

Instructions:

1. Cut off a piece of tin foil large enough for your house.  Slightly rumple the foil...  you want a bit of texture but not too much.

2. Paint the entire piece of foil with black gesso or acrylic paint.  Let it dry completely ~ you can speed drying with your heat tool.

3. Place the foil in the embossing folder so the painted side is facing up.  You want the positive (raised areas) to be on the black side.  Run it through your machine as you normally would.

NOTE: If you don't have a die-cut machine you can dry emboss your foil using brass templates and embossing tool or just free hand it using a variety of tools such as a pen with the cap on, the end of a paint brush handle, etc.

4. Lightly sand the foil after it has been embossed. You are just looking to expose small areas to highlight the design.

NOTE:  You'll need to be careful because all foil is not made the same.  If you have a thinner variety it may tear easily after it has been embossed. 

5. Mist the embossed tin with the PP/Glimmer Mist or equivalent. 

If you are using more than one color of spray be sure to dry each layer so the colors don't become a muddled mess.

 I like to use my heat tool to speed up the drying process between colors.... 

and here is what mine looks like....  

Photos just do not do justice to this blackened tin... 

the shimmer and shine is simply amazing!

6. Now it's time to assemble your calendar page...  I'm not worrying about the tips of my roof, I've got a plan for that lager.

7. I used some of the un-blackened foil which I adhered to a piece of scrap cardstock, punched it with my "slime" border punch to make icicles!  This plus a few strips were glued to the edges, roof and chimney.

8. I  added one of my favorite embellishments to the icicles - Mica Flakes!  Mmmmmm gotta love the shimmer of that mica!

And here is how my Blackened Pearl Tin page turned out....

This angle helps bring out the shimmer of the Perfect Pearls....

And this angle shows the embossing....

Now you could change this up a bit and paint your foil white or any other color for that matter but the pigment powder/mist just won't shimmer like it does on the black field.

2012 Technique Calendar - Info & Patterns

Hey Everyone!!!

It's time to start our technique calendar for 2012!!

This will be the third year for making a calendar to last through out the year using a variety of techniques and products. 

This year's Template...

The first year we used CD's for the foundation....

last year I used a tag shape

and

this year I have decided to make my calendar shape using....

Houses!!

There is one house template (image)  here.... Gothic Arch Home Sweet Home. 

And I have created a couple new house templates (image or PDF) below....

Image... (right click & save)

or

here...  Gothic Arch House PDF Template #2 & #3

I think that should take you to the pdf file you can download....

or

Gothic Arch House 2 - 3

Or of course you can make and use your own house template.  As far as size, that's totally up to you.  I like to keep my calendars to approx. 4-6" tall but you can make them larger or smaller depending on your needs.  The above template was made to fit on a 5.5x8.5" piece of cardstock so you can get two per normal sized sheet of paper for a size reference.

** These bases can be pre-cut from cardstock, chipboard or recycled packaging ahead of time.   If we work with seperate cardstock for a particular technique it can be glued to the chipboard base when we're done with the technique.

Now let's talk about the actual calendar piece...

I usually use Cat's calendar template which you can find here - Cat's 2012 Mini Calendar.  It's very clear and easy to read at a distance.   This template prints 2 complete calendars on three pages - each month measures approx. 2" x 2.75".  You can of course adjust that a bit by reducing or enlarging it using your print program.

You can also find additional printable calendars here....

Calendar Lab

Free Printable Calendar

E Printable Calendar

Microsoft Calendars

HP Calendars

I'm sure there are tons more but that should get you started.

Techniques and supplies...

I am going to be trying to either use common products that you may already have in your stash or are readily available.  When I'm using something a bit more specific I'll try to give you links to places to purchase the products or alternatives to use in place of the medium/product in question.

I am going to be using a few vintage images here and there. 

Many are from my own collection but some can be found at places such as:

Free Pretty Things for You

Graphics Fairy

Vintage Feedsacks

Vintage Holiday Crafts

Vintage Image Craft

Vintage Moth

Binding the Calendar....

Since this is an unusual shape for a calendar I think I am going to be using a single book ring and eyelets to bind and hang my calendar. I am going to use 6 "houses" ~ 2 months per house (one on front, one on back). I will use one hole/eyelet in the roof top of each "house"  so only one month is vi sable at a time.  If you don't have book rings you could also use ribbons, fiber, etc.

If you'd rather have your calendar sit on a desk you could bind the houses along one side and have them open like a book so two months are visible at once.   If you decide to go this route you will need 7 pages leaving the front of page 1 as the front cover and the back of page 7 as the back cover just like a book.

I think that's it...

If you have any questions or if I've forgotten anything jlmk...I'm happy to help whenever I can!

We'll start off with our first month/technique tomorrow....

Hope to see you then!!

More on Swaps...

I've had several questions about swap talk so I thought I'd answer them here...

Q - What is the difference between a postcard and ATC swap besides the size?

A - Nothing as far as I can see.  You would make a certain number and receive the same back.  I've seen swaps that focus on a particular theme, technique or supply but you could do the same with ATC's so I think other than the larger size they are the same....  So if you like ATC's you'd probably enjoy swapping postcards!

Q - What size is a postcard?

A - This is the "official" size guidelines for postcards from the USPS...

Rectangular 

At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick 

No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick

Q - How would we swap die-cuts to make it fair?

A - Actually quite some time ago I hosted a die-cut swap and the number per person was determined by the size of your particular die-cut.  You'd have to measure your die-cut to determine how many of that particular die-cut you'd need to cut per person.  For example (these are just made up numbers) if you were sending in a 2" or smaller dc you'd cut 6 per person; 3"- 4" = 3 pp; 5"-6" - 2 pp.  

Q - Can you do 2 swaps at once to save postage?  I'd really like to have a die cut swap and either ATC or Postcard at the same time.

A - Yes, if there is enough interest in both I sure can. I'm all for saving $'s when and where I can.  I could leave it up to the participants if they'd like to join one or both...

Q - Can I make multiple charms if we have a charm swap?

A - Sure, you can make as few as one or several...it's up to you and the time/supplies you have on hand.

Q - Caroline had a good question...can the die-cuts be just white cardstock so they can be colored as needed?

A - Yes, I think that would be best so they can be colored to match your individual projects. 

I think that's most of the duplicated questions...

I e-mailed the answers to most other questions.

Hope this helps!

HAPPY 2012!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR....

(1909 style)

Here's to all the very best in the new year!!!!

Much Luck

Love

and

Health in 2012!