SHOPPING OUR STASH - CHALLENGE #182- THRICE AS NICE

Good Morning, Crafty Peeples!

This week,  at Shopping Our Stash, the challenge is:  Use at least 3 Patterned Papers 

I chose to make this cute little Gift Card Holder.  

The holder is a basic rectangular box.  

You can leave out the gift card articulation and use it as a treat box.

PAPER #1 -Graphic 45 OLDE CURIOSITY SHOPPE

RIBBON: Really Reasonable Ribbon

 TAG: Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe

 PAPER #2 - Graphic 45 - TYPOGRAPHY 

Although the ribbon works well as a closer, I also used magnets.

PAPER #3 - Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe

 For more inspiration, visit my teammates!  They have some fabulous designs to share!

Leslie

Alica

Deeena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Challenges Entered:
Craft-Dee BowZ: ATG with Handmade Bow
Card Mania - ATG

OUTLAWZ GREETINGS CHALLENGE - HAPPY NEW YEAR! - USE SOMETHING NEW!

Hello, Crafty Peeples!
OUTLAWZ MONDAY GREETINGS CHALLENGE
THEME:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Outlawz is a NING site, so you will be required to join!  It is a fun group with 7 weekly challenges, plus a cool Progressive Challenge.   We would love to have you!
Since I do not celebrate New Year ( I celebrate Rosh HaShanah),  I decided to approach this challenge from the USE SOMETHING NEW point of view.

My current notebook is full, so my inspiration project is a new mixed media cover.   

Considering the amazing haul of supplies I received for my birthday back in November, added to

 "INDECENT" amount of money I "SAVED " by taking advantage of the "December Deals," this should have been an easy challenge. The sheer volume of items proved to be a bit overwhelming.
I settled on a new 6" x 9" Spiral Notebook.
Other new items include 3D paint (used on the rose die cut) new inks and sprays.

MIXED MEDIA NOTEBOOK COVER
THIS IS MORE "Chana's Creative Process" THAN A TUTORIAL
Click on Images to enlarge

 De-construct a Plain Notebook

Schematic Design

Not a patient crafter, when working with plastic covers, do not deconstruct, 
because you cannot use a heat tool and must wait for paints, etc., to air dry.
Instead,  cut a lightweight piece of chipboard to size.
 (do not include punched border in your measurements.)

Design Development

Final design rarely ends the way it starts.  These pictures keep me from straying too far 
from my initial Concept, in this case Chevrons, Birds, and Roses.

Initial Composition

APPLY GESSO/PAINT/TEXTURES/PAPERS
(I use a homemade texture paste.)  Recipe : This is a YouTube video by Luvleescrappin

This is just one layer of Gesso.  I applied three.  Black Gesso would have required fewer coats.

APPLY BASE COLORS/PAPERS
I used four cut out from Graphic 45's Botanical Tea Collection.  I wanted to decoupage the entire front, but I would have lost most of my textured cheverons.  
DD is the place to make these decisions.
Play around wtih your elements before you lay anything down permanently.

Don't worry about colors.  One fun part of Mixed Media is that you can paint over any and every thing with Gesso or Spray with inks and achieve some pretty fabulous results.

Construction/Composition
COMPOSITION
This is where I make all my final decisions.  I take time to try several configurations before finally placing and adhering my elements.   I also add color during this phase.  Follow your creative eye!

You can see how the composition has changed from Schematic Design.

CONSTRUCTION

The Final Frontier

(I'm a trekkie, what can I say!)

This is the best part for me.  It is when the design really begins to take form and that restless feeling tha comes over me, when the design is in my mind and not on paper, begins to abate.  I think this is when creativity is at its highest.  Just go with what you feel, I say!

The Final Placement

I became so involved in the project I forgot to take photos as elements were placed in their final postions.  I alway add a coat or two of Mod Podge to each layer of elements.

THE 3D ROSE

To make the rose, I used Cheery Lynn Designs "Lace Rose and Flourishes" die cut. I separated the rose from the flourishes ( I used the flourishes on the front edge of the cover,) decoupaged the rose with Mod Podge (2-3 coats) and then filled in the petals and leaves with Crystal Color Lacquer.  After the lacquer dries, apply 1-2 coats of Mod Podge.

 

The project needed to be darker, so I inked the edges with Vintage Photo and Black Soot DI. 

 I sprayed the cover with Dylusions Melted Chocolate and blotted immediately with soft cloth. 

(be careful when spraying an almost completed project.)

 Blue acrylic paint was mixed with a small portion of my homemade texture paste and smoothed over the Weathered Clock Die Cut.  Play with your colors.  Avoid allowing your colors to get muddy.

OFF TO PHOTOGRAHY

Always present the best possible image!
Simple adjustments to Contrast and Brightness can make a huge difference in the appearance of your project.  Never post "blurry" or "dark" pictures.  

It is not necessary to "Stage" your projects.  
When done properly, clear, sharp photo are just as impactful. 

No matter how much hard work you put into a project, it will be meaningless if you project is poorly photographed.  As a Design Team Member, I have seen so many "fabulous" projects that were so poorly photographed they could not be considered for prizes.

Hope this hasn't been too much of a picture overload!  Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Challenges Entered:

Amusing Challenge - ATG

Dragonfly Challenge - Vintage

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge - ATG

Robyn's Fetish Challenge - ATG

Order of the Opus Gluei Challenge - ATG

Scribble and Scrap Challenge - ATG

That Craft Place - ATG

The Corrosive Challenge - ATG

Imagination Crafts Challenge - ATG

Through The Craft Room Door - ATG

Card Mania - ATG

THE OUTLAWZ GREETINGS TEAM - NON TRADITIONAL X-MAS COLORS

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

The challenge at the Outlawz Greetings  this week is: Non-Traditional Christmas Colors! 

I am Jewish, so  I created a Chanukah Tag instead.

 Chanukah (which started at sundown on 12/16) 
will end at sundown on December 24th.  We have very few one day observances.

Over 2100 years ago, the Land of Israel was dominated by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) who sought to Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.

Hoping to light the Temple's menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, this one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

The Greeting on this tag is: Chag (Festival)  Sameach (Joyous) 

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled.

A special Chanukah prayer Al HaNissim offers praise and thanksgiving to G-d for "delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few... the wicked into the hands of the righteous." It is appropriate to strengthen the hand of the weak by being especially generous with Tzedakah (Charity) at this time.

Menorah lighting was instituted to announce to the entire world that G-d makes miracles for those who stand up for truth and justice. The Chanukah lights can either be candle flames or oil-fueled. The eight candles of the menorah must be arranged in a straight, even line. The candles should burn for at least 30 minutes on weeknights, and up to one-and-a-half hours on Friday (Shabbat) evening.

The shamash - the "attendant" candle that is used to kindle the other lights - 

sits a bit higher or lower than the other candles, on the ninth branch of the menorah. 

Men and women alike are obligated to participate in the menorah lighting

Since oil played a significant role in the Chanukah story, it is traditional to enjoy oily foods on this holiday. Among the most popular are potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (deep-fried doughnuts)  It is also customary to play Chanukah dreidel (spinning top) a throwback to the times when the Greek armies of King Antiochus banned the study of Torah. 

When the Syrian authorities were patrolling, 

Jewish children would hide their books and play with their tops to deceive the enemy.

Our Chanukah dreidel games are a salute to these Jewish heroes of yore. 

Drediel is often played with money or Chanukah Gelt. **

~~~~~~

I was so happy with the effect I achieved when I sprayed Perfect Pearls onto the tag. 

It produced that silver shine you see in the recesses of the flowers; 

 the silver may look white on some computers.

And, of course, I had to have Chanukah Gelt.  I made some of them purple-gold.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Yes, my name and Chanukah share the same Hebrew root. So it is pronounced HA NAH.  

Chana = Highly Favored of G-d 

Malkah = Queen

** Excerpted from Colel Chabad, Brooklyn, NY

CHALLENGES ENTERED:

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays - Anything But A Card

That Craft Place - Anything Goes

The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes

Digi Designs Challenge - Any Winter Holiday

Treasured Times Rubber Stamps - Anything Goes

613 AVENUE CREATE - CHALLENGE #103 - USE A SNOWFLAKE

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Today is the Winter Solstice.  The first day of winter and the shortest day of the year for those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere. This week,  at 613 Avenue Create, our Optional Twist to the Anything Goes Challenge is:  USE A SNOWFLAKE(S) in your design.

For this challenge, I decided to create a tag.  As hard as I tried to avoid the tag looking like a Christmas Gift Tag, my mind kept going in that direction.  Finally, I just conceded....

My diminutive snowflakes are somewhat hidden by my foliage.  

The white of the snowflakes was a little too harsh against the green background. 

I could have toned it down by using a dark distress ink around the edges of the flakes.

I did not, at the time, own a Poinsettia Die.  I have since purchased one, but the small Sizzix Tattered Floral Die works as well.  I used Liquid Pearls to form the stamens.

Challenges Entered:

Dies R Us Challenge - Anything Goes (Must Use Die Cuts)

Die Cut Divas - Snow and Christmas/Holidays (Must Use Die Cuts)

Emerald Faeries Challenge - Christmas Red and Green

One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes (no digis)

Shopping Our Stash - Red Alert - Add Something Red

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

This is a rather lengthy tutorial, so I will keep my narrative brief!  

Today's project was inspired by a tutorial from Tammy Tutterow. 

When I reviewed the supply list, I found I did not have most of the items listed, including the 4" x 6" burlap panel.   I decided to make my own using chipboard and corrugated cardboard.  Other substitutions were made to  the paints, stains and sprays. I encourage new crafters to use what is at hand. Doing so will stimulate your creativity and extend your crafting budget. 

I enjoy fabricating elements for my projects.  Using machines to cut patterns that are simply glued or stapled together, leaves me with the nagging feeling that I have not "created" anything.  This project gave me a fun, messy, inky time. It started as a wall hanging and morphed into an easel display.

Supply List

Surfaces:

• 5 (Four)   4"x 6" light or medium weight chipboard panels.  (If you have heavyweight chipboard, use 2 pieces.)

• 2  - 4" x 6" pieces of corrugated cardboard

• DCWV 6"x6" Burlap Paper Stack

Stencils, Stamps, Dies, Inks:

• Layering Stencil (I used the Chevron from Hiedi Swapp's Mini Stencils Pattern Set)

• Dies:  Lattice Frameworks, Mini Tattered Florals, Sizzix Mini Bird and Cage Set, Base Tray (Movers and Shakers) 

• Distress Ink: Vintage Photo, Broken China, Bundled Sage

• Stains: Dylusion (Cut Grass, Cherry Pie); Adirondack Butterscotch Color Wash

• Homemade Distress Stain Sprays: Picket Fence, Fired Brick, Bundled Sage, Vintage Photo

Mediums, Embellishments and Tools:

• Mediums: Gesso, Luminarte Twinking H2O, Mod Podge, Aleene's Matte Sealer

• Embellishments: Mini Cabinet Cards (I fabricated my own), Paper Clips, Crinkle Ribbon, Prima Flower Elements #11, Prima Wood Elements - Romance Novel,  K&Company Life Jou Metal Art Keys

• Tools:  Cradt Sheet, Heat Tool, Ink Blending Tool, Sanding Tool, Stapler or Tiny Attacher, Die Pick, Misters, Palette Knife or Paint Scraper,  Cut and dry foam (I used make-up wedges), Big Shot or other Die Cutting Machine.

• Misc:  Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, foam dots.

Fabricate Burlap Panel:

Glue 4 chipboard pieces together (1+1) to form the front and back of the sandwich.  Glue the two pieces of corrugated cardboard together to form the center of the sandwich.

Assemble the sandwich as shown above.  Your sandwich should measure approximately 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch wide.  Cut two chipboard strips to match the length and width of your sandwich.  These will be used as end pieces to cover the top and bottom.

 Remove one sheet of Burlap paper.  If you use burlap fabric instead of paper, cut your burlap so that it measures 6" x 8".

 Brush Mod Podge on the front of the panel and place in the center of the paper.  Apply even and steady pressure.  Turn over and smooth any wrinkles with a bone folder or ruler.

 Apply glue to the edges of the sandwich and use staples to secure the fabric.  I used a vice to hold in place until glue was dry.  It is not ncessary to do this.  I am just a little OCD.

Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the back of the panel and adhere the last 4"x6" piece of chipboard.

Cover the back panel with Gesso.  Allow to Dry.

 Use a palette knife or paint scraper to apply Gesso to the front of the panel. 

 Apply a final thin coat of Gesso to the front and sides of the panel.  Allow the panel to dry.

Create your desired background using inks, stains, sprays and stencils.  When satisfied, apply two coats of  Aleene's Matte Sealant.  Allow 15 minutes between coats.

LATTICE, FLOWERS, CABINET CARD

Cut a strip of manilla cardstock the width of the Framework Die and twice as long.   
Fold the strip in half and place the fold on the die just below the first cutting row.  This will give you and extended strip.

I did not have my fold down far enough and that caused the open design in the middle.  fortunately, it is covered up in this project.

Sponge Bundled Sage Distress ink over the Die Cut. While the distress ink was still moist, I used my finger to rub on LuminArte Sunflower for shimmer.  Dry with heat tool.  You can substitue TH Distress Glitter for the LuminArte.  My edges are not distressed, but if you want to distress yours, use your blending tool to apply TH Vintage Photos Ink to the edges of your lattice.

Die Cut Six Fabric Flowers.

Die Cut Six Fabric Flowers.  Or substitute paper flowers.  I die cut six red burlap flowers
 and used four Prima printed fabric flowers from my stash.

Straighten two small paper clips (or use TH Gem Clips).  Stack flowers as desired, insert end of clip through the fllower stack.  bend the end of the gem clip to form a loop making sure there is enough wire at the end of the loop to twist uderneath.  Place gem in the center of the flower.
Cover gem with Delmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.  Set aside and allow to dry.

CABINET CARD/FRAME

Determine the size for your cabine frame or use the small TH Cabinet Frame.

Paint and stamp as desired.

Assemble elements and do a mock up before adhering to Burlap panel.

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah

Challenges Entered:

Sentimental Sundays -  ATG

Scribble and Scrap - Always ATG
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes
The Ribbon Girl - Must Use Ribbon
Use Your Stuff - ATG
Through The Craft Room Door - ATG

THE OUTLAWZ GREETINGS CHALLENGE - IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

It has been a while since I posted a challenge for my team at The Outlawz!   

This week, the Monday Greetings Design Team challenges you to create a project using music as the central theme.   I chose to ues Our Daily Bread Designs' rubber stamp: "It Is Well With My Soul" 

Creating my own "burlap panels" is my newest crafting adventure and the pages of my little "crafty ideas" are full of design "hints".  This was quick and fun.  Hope you like it.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

For this collage, I covered a medium weight piece of chipboard with burlap paper.  I applied several coats of Gesso and then spritzed the dried surface with Dylusion Ink Spray and Andirondaks Alcohol Ink.  I stamped on the dried surface and then sprayed with Aleene's Matte Sealant. 
To get a good impression on the burlap panel, make sure your pad is well inked.

The Cabinet Frame was using corrugated cardboard.  The debossed area around the frame was colored with smooch and luminArte, Then mounted onto the burlap panel.

I fabricated a block using chipboard and corrugated cardboard.

I covered my block with a piece of Canvas Corp Brands Canvas and inked the edges with TH Vintage Photo Distress Inks.  I also used VP to ink the edges of my burlap panel.

I look forward to seeing your creation in the Outlawz Challenge.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah Harris

Challenges Entered:

Not Just Cards - ATG
Use Your Stuff - ATG