Thursday 30 November 2017

Deck the halls

I used the Deck the Halls stampset from Gerda Steiner for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday (star light, star bright)  and Wednesday Challenge (anything goes showcasing Tim Holtz products).

I stamped the Kitty and sentiment with Versafine onyx black ink and then immediately sprinkled on Papermania clear embossingpowder and heat set it.
I watercolored the image with Distress inks (mowed lawn, candied apple, mustard seed and mermaid lagoon and pumice stone and tea dye for the kitty) a typical Tim Holtz product and one of my favorites. I then added Nuvo shimmer pen on the lights and ornaments and added Glossy Accents on the ornaments for shine and dimension.


For my bright shiny star element I thought a matching washi tape that also has kinda foiled golden stars on it would be the perfect shine. So I added it to the bottom of the cardbase and mounted the watercolored panel with foamtape on top

For more information onthe Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.
For more information on the Simon Says StampWednesday Challenge, see this.

Oreo wrap treat wrap, with video

For these Oreo wraps you  need a piece of designer paper (thin paper, not cardstock) that measures 5"tall x 6" wide, it could be a little narrower, but if you're cutting up your designer pad you have the 6" anyway.
You'll also need some ribbon and washi tape or Scotch tape, I prefer decorative washi tape.

I  made two versions, one with the ribbon on the outside, that's like wrapping a present.
But I don't like it when you have all those scrunched up bits of wrapping paper and loads or Scotch tape to hold it in place.

I think you can use some sturdier wrapping paper as well, just try.

The other version has the ribbon on the inside and you can pull on the ribbon to reveal your treat. I think that's my favorite.

I attach the ribbon with a bit of taperunner to the Oreo package, just so it doesn't slide around while you work on it.
You can either tie a bow on the top, or as I did wrap some bakers twine to hold the wider ribbon tight.

Cut or tear a piece of washi long enough for the wrap and stick it to the table, then wrap the paper around the Oreo and tape it shut.

You can decorate your wraps with flowers, tags, foam shapes, enamel dots, anything you like.




Tuesday 28 November 2017

Diy ornaments, tree decoration or tags, with video

Today I'm showing you how to make these, fun little tree decorations, but they could also be tags, or gift decorations.

I used a selection of snowflake shaped dies and a deer.
The Spellbinder one I got second hand and I don't know the name, The Joy craft one is 6002/2053 and it's at least one year old, maybe more, might not be available anymore and the deer were from Yvonne creations (YCD10029) and it's  not about which item I used, It's about digging through your own stash and seeing what might work.
Best is to use very symmetric shapes, esp if you use stamps like the little Christmas tree in the video, but I'm sure you have similar items.
I used holographic card, I was tempted by the glitter paper, but it's too thin and wobbly and you'd  have to mount it to card first.
Crafter's companion has released a line of glitter cardstock, that is nice and sturdy, i only have their black and fuchsia, so not very Christmassy.

I diecut two of each shape , in different colors, but you could use the same on both sides, I thought it would be funny if they twist and turn on the tree and they change.
Also might be easier to use up scraps.

To hang them I added a bit of gold Lurex "wool" and glued it to the two sides first, then added dots of glue on one of the diecuts and stuck them together.

you can use ribbon or baker's twine, but if the ribbon is wider than the diecut, it looks weird to me and bakers twine might be too bulky, fishing line or nylon jewelry line could also be a possibility.

Sunday 26 November 2017

AAA Cards Challenge #104: Christmas, with video

Our theme this fortnight is: Christmas, and our sponsor is Uniko, you could win an in stock stamp set if you play along with us.

For my card I used an Uniko stampset, but it's no longer available in this guise, but the Santa appears on a background stamp as well and that's a new release.

I used the Crafter's Companion neenah paper and stamped the images with Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, then cut out the images using the Scan N Cut.

I colored the images with Spectrum Noir markers.

I thought the sentiments in the set were a bit small for my card, so I pulled out a Christmas Washi tape, and one with gold confetti.
So I also have a grounding spot for my colored images. It's like a hill or road if you prefer.

I adhered the tree with tape runner and I made the Santa wobble with a homemade wobbler spring.
then mounted him in front of the tree. I decorated the tree with some really small glittery blue enamel dots as if they were baubles/ornaments on the tree.

For more information and to play along with the AAA Cards Challenge, see this

I'm also entering it into the Less isMore Challenge Let it shine as I thought the glod laminated washi and glittery enamel dots would be on theme.

And the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge tear it up  As I tore the washi tape.






Sunday 19 November 2017

Mini candybar treatbox #4 and bonus treat bag, with video

For my last video on this mini series I made a box with a lid.

You'll need two pieces of paper measuring 6"x6".
you first score the bottom piece by placing the lid piece in the side of your scoring board as a shim. then score at 1 and 5 inches, turn and score again at 1"and 5".
Burnish and notch, then  put it together.
I used the other bit of paper as my shim, but a narrower piece would be easier, as long as the thickness of the card is the same.

For the lid you also score at 1"and 5"but without the shim.
I like to fold the lid around the base/bottom, but it should fit snugly no matter.


Saturday 18 November 2017

Feline festive

Today's card is for both the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: furry friends, showcasing Newton's Nook products.
And the Less is More challenge: CASE Susan.

Happy Birthday Susan first of all!.

For my card I chose to use Ornamental Newton from  Newton's Nook. I stamped him on Schut hotpressed and smooth watercolor paper (140lbs/300grams) with Simon Says Stamo Intense black ink and then colored him with Talens Ecoline, a fluid watercolor, SSS now carries. The gold is also ecoline, but a different recipe to the other transparent ones.

Of course I had to color the cat as one of my own, although mine have black noses as well, I thought the pink would give the image a bit more life. I mean look at Tjeerd "helping" me unpack this box of books...it's like I'm looking at Newton ;-)

As my panels of watercolor paper are always slightly narrow compared to the base I filled the gap with sold glitter washi tape and mounted the panel with foamtape before adhering it to the cardbase.

Fixative spray to protect the watercoloring.


Thursday 16 November 2017

mini candy car box #3: cigarette box style closure, with video

For box #3 I designed a box that is like a cigarette box closure.
this box's finished dimension are 3'x3.5"x,75".

Cut your paper to 81/4" x 5"
If you use a directional pattern, make sure the top is pointing left <<<
score on the long side at:
3", 3 3/4", 6 3/4"and 7 1/2"
Score on the short side at: 3/4"and 4 1/4"
cut and remove bits like in the drawing.
Glue the bottom first, make sure the front folds over the other flaps, so you get a smooth finish.
Then fold the lid over the box and glue it on the little tabs, you might need to shorten a little.



Tuesday 14 November 2017

Memory box Snowman heart collage

The Simon Says Stamp wednesday Challenge is: snowwhite.

For my entry I made a shakercard.
I used the Memory Box Snowman Collage die, and cut him out of a cardpanel. Also cut the additional bits from Crafter's Companion Neenah paper so I could color them with my markers. I left out the coal and eyes, too small for me ;-) I drew in the eyes with a fineliner.
Colored the additional bits with Spectrum Illustrator markers and stuck them on with liquid glue.

I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts (get merry) with SSS intense black ink.
Built up the shaker with a single layer of foamtape, mostly because I am using fine
white glitter and some Distress glitter (peacock feathers to give the snow texture).

Inkblended the background with Distress inks also ( Chipped sapphire, broken china and tumbled glass), spritzed it with water and them splattered on white Talens Ecoline for snow.

Adhered the shaker panel to the cardbase with red sticky tape.
Nuvo Shimmer pen (clear gloss) on the heart.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this 

2-4 treat boxes for mini candy bars, with video


Today I'm making a box that is glued shut, and measures 3x3x1 inches.
It's like a cereal box I'd say but smaller and it fits 4 mini candy bars: Smarties, Milky way, Bros and  Snickers.
I think these treats are quite mainstream, but might vary per country, so you can fit anything you like in this box, in the video I suggest soap or a homemade cookie (wrapped in wax paper), but  anything goes ;-).

For the box you'll need a piece of paper 8 1/2 x 5 inches. In our metric size my paper is 81/4 also works, but if you're going to cut up your 8,5"x11"paper keep it at 8,5"!
You can get 2 out of one full sheet.

On the long side score at: 1",4",5"and 8".
On the short side score at: 1"and 4"

See the pattern for which bits need to be cut off, burnish your scorelines.
I use a hot glue gun for put  my boxed together, bit of wiggle time, but glued shut in place in seconds, much easier than liquid glue or double sided tape.
But be careful I burn myself quite often, especially on those small tabs.



Monday 13 November 2017

It's a stitch up!

That's the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

For my entry I stitched up this Nordic gnome.
I started with a Styrofoam cone and glued some grey wool felt to it as if that's his coat.
Then I scrunched up pink felt into a nose.
I cut up some fake felt for this beard and hair and hot glued it to the cone.
I've hidden the seam of the grey felt under his beard.
For the hat I cut a long triangle and stitched it closed on one side. Then I  folded the base back to neaten up the edge and made a stitch line with red embroidery thread. To hold up the had I stuck a bit of metal wire into the cone (I rounded up the end, so it's not sharp anymore) then I used the same red thread to attach the jingle bell to the end. I wish I had a red one, but alas.
The hat has grey pinstriped, I thought that would coordinate nicely with his "coat".

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

thanks, you're an awesome friend

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: thanks/thanks giving.

For my card I used Gerda Steiner Designs stamps (moody unicorns  and cheerful hedgehugs) and the Memorybox die Grove collage.

I die cut the grove from sturdy 140lbs card stock and then traced the opening on the card base.

Applies a range of Distress inks (forest moss, peeled paint, crushed olive and bundled sage) with the mini ink blending tool, then spritzed the panel with a mix of bleach and water to get a dappled leaf effect, as if a forest canopy.

I stamped the unicorn, from the Moody unicorns set on Crafter's Companion Neenah paper  with the Simon Says Stamp intense black ink and then let the Scan n cut, cut it out. Colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers.

Stamped the sentiment from Cheerful Hedgehugs with Memento espresso truffle.
Mounted the window panel with foamtape and adhered it to the cardbase.
Diecut the pained thanks from Simon Says Stamp from kraft card and then inked the edges with Distress ink ground espresso, adhered it to the card with liquid glue.

I both mounted the thanks and stamped the sentiment on an angle, for a different, playful effect.
 tucked the unicorn behind the trees with liquid glue.

For more informatio on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Sunday 12 November 2017

AAA cards challenge #103: celebrate

The theme for this fortnight is : celebrate and our sponsor  is  Happy Little Stampers with a $20 gift certificate.


For my card I used blue glitter washi tape on a slant on  a cardpanel the same size as the card.

ON top I place the congratulations die from Simon Says Stamp. I've put Stick it on the back to make it into a sticker. Stacked 3 layers for a chipwood feel.

then I added a glitter blue enamel dot where the tittle (dot on the i).

I mounted the panel with foamtape, but taperunner would also work.

Simple and striking masculine card I thought, so simple I didn't video it ;-)

I hope you will join in the challenge, you can find more information here

Mini candy bar treat boxes 1-4: mini kit kat, with video

A while ago I wanted to make a treat box for a full size Lion candy bar, but I ate it before I did ;-) Hadn't had one in years and oh man it was so nice.
So now I bought two bags of mini treats with Lions,Rolo, Kit-kats, Snickers, Mars and such and I will be making 4 different boxes to fit those treats.

Today I'm starting with a simple small box for two Kit Kat mini treats.

For this box you'll need a  piece of card that is 5 1/2"x 51/2".
Make sure your pattern is upright on you scoring board.

the score at 1 5/8', 2 1/2", 4 1/8" and 5".
Turn the paper and score at:
7/8", 3 7/8",  and 4 3/4".

You'll have to cut away some bits,  see the pattern with the ///// to see which bits.
Burnish your scorelines then notch where indicated on the pattern and use glue or gluegun to put it together.

If you want you can put a thumb notch in the top with a hole punch.

The treat fit in there snuggly, you'll have to scrunch the end bits a little, but it will fit and this way you can get 4 out of one sheet of 12x12" paper :-D


Thursday 9 November 2017

fold flat pop up card box thing, with video and pattern


I'm not sure what they're called, I think pop up cards?
Anyway This one's inspired by the Lawn Fawn dies but made on the scoringboard.
I also made it to fit both the imperial and metric paper and envelopes and also so you only have one little strip of waste :-D.

You could make the box 4 inches high as that would also fit the envelopes, but at 3.5inches you can get 3 boxes out of one sheet, either metric or imperial.

Only difference is the little tab you use to glue the box shut, it's wider on the imperial version. You could cut your paper down to 8 1/4, but there's really no need  to and i think the wider take holds wider tape, so it might actually be stronger.

So for the card box thing you need one full sheet of 8 1/2" x11"or one A4 size sheet.

I used the metric in my video.
you cut the paper down to 31/2" strips, you'll get 3 out of the sheet bit a bit left over, in the metric that bit is big enough to make the little dividers/ tabs, but you can use scraps for that of course.

On the short side you score at 1 3/4"only
On the long side you score at: 2", 4",6" and 8".
Burnish all the scorelines and then cut one side along the vertical lines as shown in the pattern, these will make the fold away flaps.

Cut away the little tab on one side and then apply red sticky tape and fold the card shut.

To  make the tabs/dividers I cut the left over strips into 3"length and scored them at 1/2"and 2 1/" and put red tape on the little side flaps too.

I didn't decorate the box on the outside, but you can of course, each panel is 2"x1 3.4".

I use acetate  or packaging to mount my little images, so  the strips are invisible, particularly handy with planets, or birds and this  jumping narwhal, but cardstock will also work of course.


Tuesday 7 November 2017

Rainbow cats

The Less is more challenge this week is: fireworks. Use the colors of fireworks.
I don't have any fireworks stamps, so I opted for the colors.
As far as I know, fireworks are always really primary colors, so I chose kind of a rainbow set of cats.

The stamp is from Studio light (stampmb03) and I stamped it with My Favorite Things Hybrid black ink onto watercolor paper. The sentiment is from Art Impressions (catastrophy) and I stamped that with Versafine onyx black ink.

I colored my cats with Spectrum Noir Aquablend pencils.
Mounted the watercolorpanel onto a cardbase.

For more information on the Less is More Challenge, see this.

Everyday Christmas card series #24,shaker card, with video

For today's card I've pulled out these mini teeny itsy bitsy sequins. They're starshaped and meant for nail art, but you know me, I don't care about that ;-).
And I also thought the shaker card should be a star too, just because of the shape of the sequins.
So I pulled out my Nellie Snellen Multi frames (mfd050) It has cutting dies and piercing dies and I combined both for a frame with a dotted outside detail, so cute.
I then stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts (Get merry) in Versafine onyx black ink and set it aside to dry.

Stamped the snowman from Penny Black (merry Delight) with My Favorite Things Hybrid black licorice ink onto Schut hot pressed and smooth watercolor paper.

Colored the image with Spectrum Noir aquablend pencils and a brush.

Built up the shaker bit with foamtape. I only did one layer as the sequins are so small they have enough room to shake about.
Put the watercolored snowman on top to close the shaker and added a bit more red tape to adhere it to the cardbase.

I may or may not have overfilled the shaker window, I ike them full, but my snowman is drwoning a bit, I find it more fun when there's lots to shake about ;-)...

Sunday 5 November 2017

diy homemade shimmer paste, with video and three cards

Last year I made my own glitter paste, today I thought I'd try shimmer paste and it worked beautifully.

It's really easy to do as well and I;m sure you all have Perfect Pearls or other micas stashed somewhere. I used Ranger Perfect Pearls and Shine powder from Kippers Hobby, but any brand will do I'm sure.

I'm also using the Ranger texture paste transparent gloss and stencils.
Perfect Pearl always shows up better on black so Is tarted with black card, but I also made on on white and it's just as glorious as the black ones.
See the video to see how it catches the light once dry, it's hard to capture  on a photo.

All you do is put a little blob on a mixing surface ( I use an old bit of package) and then sprinkle on some powder. There is no exact recipe, I just went by eye, if I thought the paste was too dry I'd add more paste or more powder if I wanted more sheen, mix well and then apply through the stencil of your choice. Let dry, that's it!
I also heat embossed the sentiments with superfine silver from Papermania.

I hope you will give this a try and let me know how you found it.


Thursday 2 November 2017

Everyday Christmas card series #23, with video, 800th blogpost

This is my 800th blogpost!

For today's project I chose to make a tag, not a card.
Mainly because I felt the star pouch was a bit small on a whole cardfront and I could have used three or so, but I didn't like that. It's supposed to be the star of Bethlehem, you know the one the wise men followed? there was just one of those, right?

Nuvo Studios came out with these shaker pouches plus dies. I know of three of them, my store carries the stars, the heart and the balloons. I  liked the star the most. Once you have used your 5 pouches in this pack you can buy refills without the die. I think there's 10 pouches in the refills for the same price as this starter set.

To make the tag I cut a piece of cardbase
(300grams/140lbs Canon digital copier paper) to size, to fit the pouch.

I also used the Crafter's companion foil transfers and foil in mat silver.
I only had a narrow bit left of my 6x6 sheet and it's not quite wide enough for this tag but it had to do.

For the tag I inkblended Memento ink (Paris dusk, Danube blue and Summer sky).
I think my tag was still wet from the inkblending as not all the tag took the transfer dots.

The method is to peel off the backing sheet

from the transfers and rub it onto your project. this transfers a kind of glue to your card or tag and then you rub the foil onto it, using the backing sheet. It took everywhere, except where I inkblended a lot.

Still good...

I die cut the star with the Nuvo die and attached the star negative onto the second tag so it would be in the background.
filled the pouch it all sorts of glitter, micro beads, confetti and sequins.
it takes quite a lot to fill this pouch. And then peeled of the tape backing and tried to be smart and attach the back to the pouch, then flipping it and adding taperunner to the rest...you can see how that worked in the video ;-)...

I did contemplate a sentiment, but decided against it and I like the empty space above the stag I diecut from black card. The stag and trees are from Craftemotions (0173 and 0302)
I attached them with liquid glue also.

All in all I think it's still a nice tag.I might stick in on a card, so the recipient can have it as a card or use it as a tag themselves.

I am linking the tag up at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: all creatures great and small.
and the
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: a tag.

Wednesday 1 November 2017

1000th YouTube Subscribers giveaway! watch the video

Yay
I'm so glad to have reached this awesome milestone.
I know for some Youtubers that's peanuts, but I'm so happy with all of you.
So I'm sponsoring a giveway.
Meaning all prizes are paid by me and sent out by me.

EXCEPT the $15 certificate to the wonderful Gerda Steiner shop. You can buy digis or real stamps if you prefer, I would suggest digis as your giftcard will go further......

What you have to do to win is simple:
leave me a nice comment telling me which prize you'd like to win. You have to be a YT subbie.
If you comment also on all my other platforms (Instagram, Blog (you're here), Youtube, Facebook)
You will have 4 chance to win a prize. But please always ask for the same prize. Choose one and commit ;-).If you ask for different prizes I will have to disqualify you.

I will put as many  tickets in a bowl as I have entries and draw from the pile.
If I draw a name twice because you entered on more platforms you will still only win one prize, but you will have more chance to be drawn if that makes sense. I want to give everyone a chance to win, so one prize per person.  You can ofcourse choose your favorite, but maybe also see which prize isn;t as popular or has less request, that would improve your chances as well...:-D

So what can you win?
15 dollars US certificate to the Gerda Steiner Shop sponsored by Gerda Steiner
100sk for the Pernilla Nillson shop (digital stamps)
10 UK Pounds to Wee stamps shop (digital stamps)
10 of my handmade cards
6 sheets of my toner paper
1 Brush and stamps set
1 teflon cookie sheet or craftmat in my case. I got it last monday, and I had already filmed the video. It's the black sheet I use often. heat resistant and non stick.

I will leave the giveaway open until november 30th midnight (NL timezone), but the giveaway is open WORLDWIDE!

On December 1st I will draw the winners on screen.

Good luck everyone!
And thank you for being here
xxx
Maaike