Shopping Our Stash - How Does Your Garden Grow?

 Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Welcome to another week of stash reducing fun!  

The Shopping Our Stash Team thought we would keep it easy this week and give you a broad theme: 

 Anything One Might Find In A Garden!

This has proven to be another good stash reducing challenge for me.  About three years ago I purchased a box of tags (1000 count) because I planned on making a bunch of tag minis!   Need I say it? There are still 975 tags in the box!  I was also able to use some embellishments from a card that I "deconstructed."

Stash Items: Manilla Tag - 3 years old

Paper Butterfly - 2 years old

Crinkled Ribbon - 4 years old

Brad - 4 years old

Tutorial - Creating A Leafy Background using ColorBox 

Supply List:

ColorBox® Chalk: Cat's Eye (Creamy Brown, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Citrus, Dark Brown)

ColorBox® Chalk: Queue "Misty Meadow"

ColorBox® Glue Gloss

ColorBox® Art Screen: "Botanical"

Standard Tag - Manilla

Die Cut Butterfly/flowers

Ribbon

Brad

Step Tutorial

I created a second tag using a fall palette.

~~~~~

Determine your color palette (I wanted the manilla to show through in my design.  You can color your tag or used a colored tag.)  I used the purples and greens from the Queue stack and Creamy Brown, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Citrus and Dark Brown Cat's Eye Pads.

Using your Cat's Eye Pad, stamp your leaf design onto the tag.  I started with my lightest color (Creamy Brown) and worked from light to dark (Dark Brown.) 

When you are satisfied with your "leafy" background, add your stencil design and ink with the purple pads.

Distress the edges of the tag using Burnt Sienna.  I used Smooch to color the hole reinforcement paper.  This is not necessary with a crafting or die cut tag.

Place your ribbon and  secure with a staple.  Add your sentiment.

I salvaged these flowers from an old project!

Layer your flowers on top of the stenciled image.

Add a brad and you are done!

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah!

SOS Challenge

Disclosure Statement

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009, FTC GUIDELINES REQUIRE BLOGGERS TO DISCLOSE ANY TIME THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR ENDORSING OR REVIEWING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

The Project that is demonstrated above contains components I received for free in return for my services and for posts on my blog. I affirm that I have not made, nor would I ever make or endorse, misleading statements regarding any product or service used in the operation of this blog.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE USED ON MY BLOG, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT CMALKAH@YAHOO.COM.

DIY Organic Serving Tray - A Natural Approach to Fun Summer Dining

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I can't believe I am already at the end of my first month as a Guest Blogger for ClearSnap®.   I am having a blast working with their amazing products and enjoying the opportunity to participate in cross promotions with great companies like CardMaker® Magazine and this week with Basswood®.   What a boost for my creative soul!

DIY Organic Serving Tray - Using Ink Like Paint

This is a delightful way to enjoy a snack in the backyard.  I have used my tray twice since it's completion.  There is a brocade-like design in the tray that plays well against the light.

It feels good to work with Pigment Inks again.   ClearSnap® has an array of fabulous in-house Pigment Ink Products as well as Teresa Collins and Ann Butler.

 Another "The Hubster" Story. 

When I received my products for the ClearSnap® and Basswood® Cross Promotion, The Hubster picked up my Basswood Country Round and asked: 

Hubster:  "What are you supposed to do with a big hunk of wood?

Me:          "It is not a hunk of wood, it is a tree slice and you know that."

Hubster:  "Yeah, well, maybe, but it isn't even big enough for your buddy, Tom, 
                  to use to make one his crazy tables."  

Me:          "Tom's tables are very pretty," I replied. " And I have to fabricate the
                  project on my own so Tom would be of no help! You know that, too."

Hubster:  "Well, I'll tell you what I don't know."

Me:           (with attitude)"What?"

Hubster:  "I don't know what the hell you are going to do with that big hunk of wood."

I wonder, sometimes, if  The Hubster understands the meaning of "Blunt Force Trauma!"

Find more details, pics, and a brief tutorial on the ClearSnap® Blog.   

While you are there, check out  Rose's fabulous "Welcome" plaque.  

HUGZ,

Disclosure Statement

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009, FTC GUIDELINES REQUIRE BLOGGERS TO DISCLOSE ANY TIME THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR ENDORSING OR REVIEWING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

The Project that is demonstrated below contains components I received for free from ClearSnap® in return for my services as a Guest Designer and for posts on my blog. I affirm that I have not made, nor would I ever make or endorse, misleading statements regarding any product or service used in the operation of this blog.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE USED ON MY BLOG, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT CMALKAH@YAHOO.COM.

Cardmaker® Magazine and ClearSnap® "All About Chalk" Blog Hop

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

It truly does not get any better than this! 

"All About Chalk" 

I knew my time as a Guest Blogger with ClearSnap® would be exciting but this is an excitement extra!   I love stationery, I love Chalk Inks, I love Africa and Kenya is one of my favorite countries! Just imagine my delight when I learned I would have the opportunity to combine these three passions in a design for this hop!  

KENYA
A CHALK INK TRIBAL STATIONERY SET

  Africa is rich in natural resources and beautiful, engaging people.  I drew inspiration from the rich colors used in tribal clothing, particularly among the Maasai, a pastoral tribe famous for their authentic culture.  They defied modern culture to retain their traditional way of life.

The vibrant colors of the ColorBox® Chalk Ink Pads made it easy to bring the essence of the Maasai Tribe and the country of Kenya to my stationery design. I wanted to create an organic project that would bring my three loves together in an elegant presentation.

Tutorial Supplies 

• ColorBox® Chalk Paintbox® - Mercantile
• ColorBox® Chalk-Full Size Pads:  Pumpkin Spice, Splash, Cheeky, Blackbird
• ColorBox® Art Daubers
• ColorBox® Stylus and Tips
• ColorBox® Color Blender
• ColorBox® Art Screen-Cobblestone
• Stencils: Stencil Girl "Tribal Men" and TCW Julie Belzer's "Mini Mod Checkerboard"
• BQLZR Vintage Desk Edge Box Corner  Protectors - Antique 
• Chipboard Letters
• Metallic Wax
• Aileen's Acrylic Spray Sealer

STEP TUTORIAL

• Start with an empty Stationery box (or create one.)   Link: DIY A2 BOX

• Cover the interior and exterior of the lid and tray with either white gesso or a white chalk paint. For my project, I used an off-white chalk paint.  You can make your own chalk paint. Link: DIY Chalk Paint 

Use a ColorBox® Stylus tool to apply the desired ink colors to the box top and tray.

• Use a ColorBox® Stylus tool to apply the desired ink colors  to the box top and tray.

• To achieve reddish-orange color so favored by the Maasai, use ColorBox® Chalk inks: Pumpkin Spice (full-size pad) and Candied Yam (PaintBox® -fourth color from the left.)Apply painters tape to the finished edges of the box top.
• Using the direct to surface method, apply ColorBox® Chalk paint (Blackbird.) Use the Stylus Tool to even out any streaks.  Since you will be stenciling over this area the underlying paint does not have to be perfect.

• Apply your stencil design.  For my "woven" design, I used ink colors: Alabaster, Red Barn, and Guacamole from the PaintBox® "Mercantile." The Alabaster ink is actually an off white, but when stenciled on the black background it looks almost silver.  This was an unintended consequence but I like it.   
• Depending on the intricacy of your stencils, you will need to use daubers, blenders, and the Stylus tool to apply your inks.

• Embellish your project as desired.  I cut my letters from heavy weight chipboard and applied a coat of gesso prior to applying my chalk ink.
• seal the box with two applications of an acrylic spray sealant.

• The box corner protectors add an elegant note to the design project.  Instead of the screws that came with the corner protectors, I used small black brads.  The  (green) chalk ink used for the box tray is Guacamole and is in the ColorBox® Paintbox® "Mercantile."

• Use your stencils to create the desired number of stationery sheets.  I created four of each (notecards, Full Sheets (6"x6"),  Short Sheets (4"x6") in each stencil design.  I used an Antique Laid Paper for the stationery.  The texture communicates the strength and resolve of the Maasai!  The Zebra design was created using the ColorBox® Art Screen - Cobblestone

ENJOY THE HOP!  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROJECT, CONTACT ME AT:

cmalkah@hotmail.com .

HUGZ!

Disclosure Statement

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009, FTC GUIDELINES REQUIRE BLOGGERS TO DISCLOSE ANY TIME THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR ENDORSING OR REVIEWING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

The Project that is demonstrated below contains components I received for free from ClearSnap® in return for my services as a Guest Designer and for posts on my blog. I affirm that I have not made, nor would I ever make or endorse, misleading statements regarding any product or service used in the operation of this blog.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE USED ON MY BLOG, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT CMALKAH@YAHOO.COM.

Shopping Our Stash #256 - Let Me Take A Selfie - Create A Polaroid Scene

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Well, we have a fun one for you this week at Shopping Our Stash!  The team is excited to see your polaroid scene creations using items from your stash!

I have embarked on a self-imposed challenge to go through all the cards that are in my studio.  I am either giving them away or removing salvageable elements and using them on current creations.  I salvaged this Robert Jackson Image from a project I created almost five years ago.   This image is a personal favorite and it was nice to be able to reuse it!

Stash Items Used:
Image  - 5 years old
Black Card Stock - 5 years old
White Card Stock - 6 years old
Designer Paper -   3 years old
Brad -   3 years old
Photo Corners - 4 years old

My teammates have created delightful designs that I am sure will inspire you as you create your very own polaroid scene!  I expect the creativity level will be sky high for this one!

Thanks for Stopping By!

HUGZ,

CHANA

ClearSnap - Coloring Adult Pages with Smooch® Accent Inks

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Today, my challenge to you is that you grab your favorite coloring book and use the wonderful colors in our ClearSnap® June Color Challenge to ink your page. 

The challenge is open until June 25th!

YOU Could win a prize pack with $50 of our wood mount stamps PLUS inks!

The Psychedelic 70's

My coloring page is from Zenspirations® Abstract & Geometric Designs!

You can see the pearlized finish of the Smooch® Gold Lame Ink in this shot!

The Smooch ® Accent Ink is a dynamic medium for coloring book pages.  You can find more photos and details on how this project was crafted at:

THE CLEARSNAP® BLOG

HUGZ!

June Color Challenge

Disclosure Statment:

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009, FTC GUIDELINES REQUIRE BLOGGERS TO DISCLOSE ANY TIME THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR ENDORSING OR REVIEWING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

The Project demonstrated above contains components I received for free in return for my services and for posts on my blog. I affirm that I have not made, nor would I ever make or endorse, misleading statements regarding any product or service used in the operation of this blog.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE USED ON MY BLOG, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT CMALKAH@YAHOO.COM.

Creative Challenges Entered:
Love To Create - Anything Creative - Mixed Media
SweetStamps - Anything Goes But A Card
More Mixed Media Challenge - Any Mixed Media Project
Creative Artiste Challenge - Anything Goes

Shopping Our Stash - Tea For Two - Use Coffee or Tea Theme

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Our Stash Reducing Challenge this week at Shopping Our Stash is:

TEA FOR TWO  

We want you to create a project using a coffee or tea theme.

I like to create my own vellum paper backgrounds and thought I would use this challenge to color up some of the vellum sheets that have lingered in my stash for a couple of years now.  

 I colored one side of the vellum with ColorBox®  Paintbox Chalk Ink Pad - Mercantile.

 The ClearSnap® Rollergraph is very handy tool for applying inked designs to large areas.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to see your designs in the challenge!

HUGZ!

Chana Malkah

ClearSnap June Color Challenge - Upcycled Beach House Tote

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

I am delighted to be a Guest Blogger for ClearSnap®.   

  

ClearSnap® June Color Challenge

How could you not design a fabulous Beach, Nautical, or Coastal project using these cool summer colors?  What I love most about this palette is that you can use all of these colors and still create a cohesive well-integrated design. 

COASTAL "BEACH COTTAGE"  TOTE
A friend good friend is moving to a Beach House on Tybee Island off the Savannah Coast.
This altered Walnut Hollow Rustic Tote (filled with cleaning supplies) is a fun  house warming gift! 

Beach House Front

Beach House Rear

 The floor of the Beach House should be as interesting as the facade!  I found the perfect ColorBox® Art Screen to complement this whimsical design.

THIS IS HOW IT WAS DONE

This wonderful Walnut Hollow Rustic Tote was one of the goodies in my ClearSnap® Guest Blogger haul!  

• The front and back panels have a rough finish but I resisted the urge to sand them smooth. You will see why later.    I started with a very thin coat of gesso and then used the Direct to Surface technique to apply my ink color: ColorBox ® Archival Dye Ink - Seattle Sky.  This ink dries rather quickly and I used my Color Blender® to blend missed areas and streaks. The process went much faster than expected.
• My next step was to cover the rest of the toolbox with a thicker coat of gesso.  Dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

• Using my ColorBox® Stylus Tool™, I stenciled the brick facade design onto the sides and the bottom half of the front and back panels using ColorBox® Archival Ink - Mist.  The underlying gesso layer adds texture to the brick and mortar. 
• I trimmed the edges with ColorBox® Pigment Ink -  Seaglass

• To stencil on the roof design I used ColorBox® Art Screen™ - Rooftop.  The Stylus tool is indispensable when working with stencils and masks.  The dual tip makes working with two colors a breeze.

• Cut a piece of heavyweight chipboard to the size of the toolbox bottom.
• Cover with gesso.
• Stencil Floor Design - ColorBox® Art Screen™. 
• Heat set and then seal using an acrylic sealant (Spray).
• Cover with clear shelf lining and adhere to toolbox bottom with a strong adhesive.

• I die cut large window frames and shutters and colored them with one of our new Ann Butler Crafter's ® Inks - Desert Sand.  I rubber stamped the screen door and colored to match.
• The window shade was created by coloring a piece of non-woven fabric, running it through the crimper and brushing the raised crimped areas with Desert Sand Ink.
• Seal the entire project with an acrylic sealant!

The texture of the gesso on the rough wood created a stucco-like effect that worked well in this design.  Bricking the entire tote would have made the design too heavy.  The same held true for the shutters.  They work beautifully on the sides, but would have been distracting on the front and back.  The oval address stickers and sentiment balance the design.

SUPPLY LISTING
ColorBox® Archival Dye - Mist
CoorBox® Archival Dye - Seattle Sky
ColorBox® Chalk - Cheeky
ColorBox® Chalk Ink - Serene
Ann Butler™ for ColorBox®, Crafter's™ - Desert Sand
ColorBox® Pigment Ink - Seaglass
ColorBox Art Screens - Starpoints and Rooftop
ColorBox® Stylus Handles and Tips
Walnut Hollow® Rustic Tote

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!   I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR ENTRIES IN THE 

CLEARSNAP® MONTHLY COLOR CHALLENGE

HUGZ,

CHANA

Disclosure Statment:

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2009, FTC GUIDELINES REQUIRE BLOGGERS TO DISCLOSE ANY TIME THEY ARE COMPENSATED FOR ENDORSING OR REVIEWING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

The Project demonstrated above contains components I received for free in return for my services and for posts on my blog. I affirm that I have not made, nor would I ever make or endorse, misleading statements regarding any product or service used in the operation of this blog.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE USED ON MY BLOG, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT CMALKAH@YAHOO.COM.

This project is being shared in the following Challenges:

Rhedd's Creative Spark - ATG Mixed Media and Altered Art Only