A PLACE TO START - RECYCLE - BROWN PAPER CARNATION

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

This is my second project for A Place to Start!  

I created a carnation using brown shipping paper! I have a ton of this stuff. It helps me craft, and it is helpful in our compost! Twelve years ago, I started making these little carnations when flower dies were not as ubiquitous. I still prefer them to die-cut flowers with white borders.

Now that I have decided to get back to the basics of card making, I am revisiting basic techniques that don't require purchasing anything.  Metal dies were already way too expensive for my taste, and with the tariffs on aluminum and other metals reinstated, I can only imagine.

BROWN PAPER CARNATION

My favorite part of creating the mixed-media background for these flowers is incorporating colors from the other design elements on the project. I also enjoy creating unexpected textures.

My Favorite skin care product is packaged in these cute containers.  I am repurposing this one to give my daughter a couple of small bottles of Essential Oils to use on her Wool Dryer Balls.

Brown Paper Flowers Tutorial

Thanks For Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

A PLACE TO START - JUNE 2025 - ANYTHING GOES w/Optional Twist: RECYCLE

 Hello, Crafty People!

It feels good to be back at my craft table! 

Welcome to another month of fun at 

A Place to Start!

In addition to your fabulous ATG projects this month, we would love to see projects that incorporate or feature UPCYCLED OR RECYCLED items. (For example: recycle embellishments that you pulled off a failed project.) Put your own spin on it and amaze us.  You always do!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - APTS JUNE 2025

ANYTHING GOES PROJECT

I recently realized that I spend too much time trying to create "unique" projects. I am returning to the basic cardmaking that has always brought me joy!

This simple, straightforward birthday card was created for my daughter.    She is a minimalist of the first water, so I am sure she will like it.

I created my focal point using a very simple floral die set. The sentiment is also from a very basic set. Both were promotional items from Amazon.  I have little faith in the tariff fiasco in D.C., so I am holding on to my pennies.  I do without if I can't find what I want in my Amazon box.  So far, I have been fortunate, and my crafting supply bins are well-stocked.  The Swiss Dot EF has been in my stash for years.  I decided to use the debossed side.  I liked the effect.

Small Flowers Cutting Dies_Economical

Distress Oxide Inks

Villainous Potion

                  

 

Lost Shadow

Hickory Smoke

Swiss Dot Embossing Folder

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz, 

Chana Malkah

i I LOVE THE BLACKOUT ART TECHNIQUE! - ENJOY THE MOMENT

BS"D

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I made another card using the "Blackout" technique. I am delighted with the result! Blackout art is a great way to reduce my stash of pattern paper. I have a vast collection of 6"x 6" paper pads, and I sorely want to use them rather than toss them.  

I am learning a new image format, which requires more photo editing than I usually do.

I tried adjusting the light to no avail.  In real life, the card has a strong visual appeal!

I kept the embellishments to a minimum.  I wanted the brightly colored crystals to mimic a lighted path in the garden.

I haven't used this punch in over fifteen years!  It works well here as my garden fence!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malka

WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY #823

 BS"D

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Welcome to this week's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday Blog Hop! Each week, we visit our sister WOYWWers and peek into their crafty spaces! Along the way, we learn new things and get to know each other better. It is a fun hop, and we would love you to join us. Click the link above to navigate to Sarah's Craft Shed!

I have had a week in two days, so this post is a video and a few pictures. I reviewed some cute summer sandals. I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear them!

The only thing better than a pair of pretty (and comfortable shoes) is a haul of crafting supplies!

Die Storage System, Moissanite Diamond Ring and Earrings, Opal Earrings, Adhesive Remover, Gouache Paint, and Stamps!  That pink ball is a mini vortex paint mixer!

Car Air Fresheners (behind the Gouache), Divided Vegetable Dish, and Marble Etch Remover.

Mixed-Media Stamps

Pearlescent and Index Card Stock

T-Shirts, Leggings, and A Blouse

Spray Bottles and Funnel

Cooling Blanket and Table Top Easel

Fabric Glue and Instant Glue

Thanks for stopping by!
Be Well,
Hugz,
Chana Malkah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - MIXED MEDIA CARD - NBUS

BS"D 

Hello, Crafty Mates!

NBUS: Image Stamp, Happy Birthday Die, Background Stamps.  

I am on another "No Buy" self-challenge, forcing me to use all the stuff in my stash that hasn't been touched since it was delivered to my mailbox! Of course, this isn't as dire as it sounds because I get five to ten promotional items a week, so it's not like I am suffering!😀 But I am saving money, and that is the real point. 

This card was created for a client who saw my mixed-media butterfly card on FB.

She asked if I could make a birthday card with a mixed-media background and the same color palette.

Follow Me On YouTube

Challenges Entered:

Never Been Used Schtuff

Links To Stuff I Used:

Prudiut Handmade Watercolor Paper

Happy Birthday Die

Distress Inks:

Broken China

Tumbled Glass

Salvaged Patina

Rusty Hinge

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY#822 - THE HUBSTER CAME THROUGH!

 BS"D

Hello, Crafty Mates!

It's time for another WOYWW blog hop!  If you want to join us and share your desk and crafty week, hop over to Sarah's Craft Shed.  We will all meet you there!

The Hubster is the absolute best! While reorganizing my studio, I mentioned that the new storage bins for my stamp and dies crowded my layout workstation. I said I considered ordering shelves but realized they would be difficult to reach. Sunday, he dismantled a desk in his workshop (we had planned to donate it) and used the wood to create this neat bookcase to hold my bins. I was so surprised when he entered my studio with my new Bin Holder! He also fixed my table. It is still slightly warped but nowhere near as much as before he bolted everything down.  

BEFORE

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BLACKOUT ART CONTINUED!

I continue playing with the Blackout Art Technique. I used one of my EF to emboss this floral paper in my "throw-away" bin. These are the elements (at the moment) that I plan to use in my project.

The colors here are off just a bit. The ribbon is sort of an olive-green
 that perfectly matches the green in the paper. I plan to finish this tomorrow, but I am working on our income taxes. I must hurry and file while the IRS and the country still exist.

This is the card I created using the blackout panel from last week!

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Also on my desk are three sets of pastel oil painting sticks.   Next to it is another mixed-media card that I completed tonight. 

I look forward to visiting all my WOYWWers!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

IT'S ALL PERSPECTIVE: MIXED MEDIA STENCILS AND STAMPING - NBUS

BD"D

Hello, Crafty Mates!

I had to review a set of mixed-media stencils.  I always like to create projects with the products I review, so I decided not to treat these stencils differently!  I had no plan. I pulled a bunch of stamps and inks and went to the races!

NBUS: I used so many products that I had never before used.  As a matter of fact, the only stamp on this card that I used in the past was the "eye" stamp.  The background stencils had never been used.  They were the subject of my product review.

More stamping than I usually do on the inside of my cards!  These stamps had not been used!  I have had them for years!

I added Glossy Accents to the eye!  Such a cool effect!

I love these stencils!  There are eighteen in the pack for under $15.00.   I also own a set of floral mixed-media stencils from this company.  The quality is good, and the variety of designs is fantastic!

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Thanks For Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Links to Stuff I Used:

Abstract MM Stencils

Challenges Entered:

Never Been Used Schtuff

A PLACE TO START MARCH CHALLENGE: OPTIONAL TWIST: FAIRY TALES

 BS"D

Hello, Crafty Makers!   

I love our March optional twist at A Place to Start!  That is the good news.  The bad news is that I couldn't develop a fairy tale card idea.  Not my thing.  I finally formulated an idea for a project, but I knew I would never get it done and ready to post by midnight.  I will post it to the challenge later in the week.  

Last week, I learned a new embossing technique called "Blackout" Art!

3D Embossing on Patterned Paper

I have tried many fun embossing techniques, and this "Blackout" technique is one of my favorites.  I chose a paper with a very subtle "Damask" background.  The method is super easy.  You deboss the pattern that you want to use in your design.  Then, you rub black ink (I used Memento Tuxedo Black) over your debossed image until you get the desired result. 

This is the panel after I added color to the center of the flowers and on a bit of the foliage.  I added another few coats of black to get  a more profound "blackout."  The damask design on the paper behaved like a resist, and the result was fantastic!

I used Glossy Accents to enhance the appearance of my Sunflowers! I planned to use a butterfly but wanted to at least make a "nod" to our optional twist theme, so I added this cute little fairy instead.

I'm happy! Please join us at A Place to Start for our March Challenge.  Anything Goes w/ Optional Twist: Fairy Tales!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

MIXED MEDIA BACKGROUND USING LEDGER PAPER

BS"D

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I created this card last week, Along with several other mixed-media projects!  I used some old ledger paper as the starting point for my background!  I was pleased with how this turned out!

I had large sections of paper left over to use on other projects!  I am toying with the idea of leaving the pages in the bound book and creating an art journal.  That might be super cool!  The sunburst page was made from a blank journal sheet.  I had a journal entry stamp in my stash so I used that.  The handwritten page is an old one from my business back in 1981!

This was the first card on which I used my waxed thread!  It is a nice way to add an organic element to my cards.  I have a lot of waxed thread, so...  My mushroom stamp is an NBUS item.  I may attempt to color it the next time I use it on a project!  This time, I added a few colored crystals.

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah