Jewelry Frame Home Decor Project

Just a quick drop in to show you a project I have been working on for Scrapjazz.  This project was made with the theme of French Inspiration.  When I saw the theme assignment, I instantly thought of the Boudoir craze and then to the jewelry Hanging frame I had been meaning to make for ages.  With that in mind, I set to work and came up with this:

I used a shadow frame that opens for this project and couldn't be happier.  Although I love all the beautiful jewelry frames out there, I couldn't get over the fact that I would have to get two frames in order to have one for my earrings and one for my necklaces, and I couldn't find a satisfiable solution to my earrings that are not dangely - you know the ones you need to have posts for.  With this, I can hang all my earrings and still easily access the ones with posts without a huge hassle, just opening the door!  I did some damage to the front of the frame while attempting to nail the mesh to the front...... After trial and error and much consultation with Google, I decided that my Staple Gun would be a better option.  But I was still left with a destroyed frame finish.  I easily covered that up with some beautiful trims in my stash, and then added the beautiful Couch and background Eiffel tower from the Summer in Paris Cricut Cartridge.  The flower is from Pink Paislee.  I seriously love this thing!  It's not on my wall yet as I will be moving at some point and don't want to add another hole only to immediately be covering it up.

My First Card Swap

I recently joined a Card swap over at Mini Album Scraps (MAS) .  It is my first card swap I've ever done, and I was a little apprehensive to give it a go, but figured, why not?  The theme of the swap is spring.  The additional requirements of the swap was for it to be a fancy fold card, include a butterfly on the card, and to make 3 of 2 different types.  I found my inspiration in this card over at Ellen Hutson:

This is the first set that I created (I'll be posting the second set soon).

For whatever reason, when I thought of spring, I thought Pinks, Yellows, Browns, and Teals. I am super happy with how the whole thing turned out, just delighted!

Supplies:  (Cardstock) Bazzill, Stampin' Up!; (Pattern Paper) DCWV, My Mind's Eye, Chatterbox, Inc; (Ink) Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Stampin' Up! Regal Rose; (Die cut) Spellbinders; (Stamps) Stampin' Up! Friends 24-7 Stamp Set 

A Mother's Day Envelope Mini Album

A few months ago, I created a mini album with my mother in mind as part of my Contributor duties at Scrapjazz.com.  I figured that I would also share with you here what I created - since not all of my lovely readers are members of Scrapjazz.com.  So, here is what I came up with:

 This is a quick and simple mini album that I made using some Junk Mail Envelopes - yep, I didn't have to purchase something special, I just turned something I generally find rather irritating and annoying into a delightful experience.  In all honesty, I like getting junk mail now because I know I will have an envelope in the mailer that I can repurpose to something I actually want in the mail!

 

I had the same page spread repeat through out the album, so the first page of the album is the front side of an envelop, when you flip the page, you are get the above, one envelope with the flap to create a large packet and a large flap and then the opposite page consists of two envelopes.  I folded an envelope at an uneven split, to create two pockets, which I then adhered to another envelope that I have sealed and then trimmer a sliver off one end to create a long large pocket.

 

 And this photo above is what the front side (side without the flap and pocket) of the envelopes look like.  I organized the mini so that I would have the fronts facing one another to give a more open space, just for variety.

For your added reading pleasure (if you have continued to read this far) pop on over to scrapjazz and check out my full article, which also shows you how to use the Bind-It-All.  Mother's Day Envelope Album with Bind It All

More Beautiful Card Inspiration

I have been on a mission to use up some of my scraps.  As that is the case, I have been making cards, and mini albums like crazy!  Today, I'm sharing another card with you that I made.  It was based off of this card:

Isn't it gorgeous.  My mouth dropped when I saw this purusing the internet.  It's so simple but just fabulous all the way around.  Again, another Card Positioning Systems find - that place is so awesome.  Wanting to replicate the simplistic beauty of this card, I came up with this:

I was really aiming to keep it very simple, for others to easily replicate.  Another awesome thing about this card (other than the inspiration), it was made from stash scraps.  I love it.  Beautiful and economical.

Supplies:  Very Vanilla Cardstock, Early Espresso Classic Ink, Apothecary Art Stamp Set (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock (Bazzill); Pattern Paper (My Minds Eye)

A Vintage Paper Bag Mini Album

A few months ago, I wrote an article over at Scrapjazz.com about travel themed mini albums.  As part of that article, I put together a fun little Mini Album fashioned after a vintage suitcase.  Here is what the cover looks like:

I wanted my cover to reflect those fun vintage style suitcases that are hardcased with the corners, the beautiful leather straps, and covered with stickers from the places the suitcase has traveled to.  I love those suitcases and always conjure up images of exotic international travel.  I made the buckles using a Stampin' Up! Decorative Label Punch.

Here are some photos of the inside (which I neglected to upload before I posted, sorry girls!):

And some close ups of the pockets, tags, and details:

Isn't this paper line just gorgeous?  It is the Simple Stories Destination paper line and when I saw it I just thought "OMG, I HAVE TO HAVE THAT!"  And it was perfect for this project.  One of the things that I did to give this standard paper bag album some more pizzazz, I used a border punch to create a beautiful border between the pockets, and I also used this awesome tutorial to create the folded flaps.

Saint Patrick's Day Home Decor Banner

I'm terrible of planning ahead.  If you are a follower of my blog, you will notice this terrible character flaw on occasion by the long lapses in postings......  In my efforts to be better at planning, I started planning my Saint Patrick's Day Banner long in advance.  I figured since I missed the boat on the Valentine's Day Banner, I could get an early start on the Saint Patty's Day one.  Even with that intention, I didn't finish this banner until late late last night.  Saint Patrick's Day is big in my house, my husband being a 1/4 Irish (and a very proud 1/4 I might add) insists on it's observance. Which means Corned Beef (which I loathe with a passion) at the least.  Last year, I made some place mats that we use for the month of March.  This year, I thought I would add to my decor by creating a fun little banner.  My original idea had the phrase " Get Lucky" which I immediately dismissed because of its so many varied meanings...... This was immediately replaced with "Got Lucky?" which was no better might I add......I finally decided on the phrase "Got Luck?"  It is more than the Lucky or Luck banners but not so suggestive as the others, or super long.......  It was just right.  And here is the finished product:

So because I am on a "No Buy" challenge I couldn't go and get patterned paper. This left me with a conundrum and a very happy solution. Although I could have justified my purchase. After all it is project specific and I don't own anything Saint Patrick's Day related...... Still I wanted to make do with what I have. So I made my own patterned paper.  No big deal. I used 6 pieces of 8.5x11 white cardstock that I stamped with various Saint Patrick Day Themed Stamps in various colors.  After I got done stamping them, I cut out one pennant shape using my Cricut and SCAL.  I then used this to cut out the rest of my banners.  To get the most out of my paper, each banner measures 5.5x8.5 so that I could get two for each piece of 8.5x11 piece of cardstock.  Additionally, because these are being used as a seasonal home decor, I wanted them large because they will span a wall.

 

I then trimmed my 8.5x11 Pieces of chipboard in half, and traced the pennants onto them.  I then returned to my trimmer and cut out the triangular piece at the bottom.

 

After I trimmed them, I lined all of the banners in some Shamrock wire trim - you know the stuff you wrap around things and then throw away afterwards.  I had to use my hot glue gun for that part in order for everything to stick down.  And then I cut everything from my cricut using the Paper Doll Dress Up Cartridge.  I backed the hats, and letters with chipboard.  The gold coins you see  in the pots I cut using a 1 inch circle punch on yellow glitter paper.  Seriously I LOVE how it turned out!  This is the finished product:

 And some close ups of the details:

 And a bit of a confession:
So while I was assembling the banner, I got stuck on what to do, hubby suggested that I put the pots of gold behind each letter - which at that time I thought was silly.  and I ultimately decided to use a Nesties Label shape for my backing - which looked AWFUL, just dreadful.  After gluing it all down, I then cut out the pots of gold...... and immediately decided that the letters would look better with pots of gold. Hubby was right.  Ensued was much lifting, and by lifting I mean ripping and tearing, of glued down letters and nesties labels........  So the point of my story is that even old pros like me make awful, dreadful, painful goofs while crafting.

Supplies:  Studio G Stamps; Provo Craft Paper Doll Dress Up Cardtridge; Stampin ' Up! Classic Inks; Bazzill Cardstock; DCWV Glitter Cardstock Stack; 

Internet Trolling, Pinterest, and a Card

 As some of you know, I have a new found addiction in Pinterest.  Love that thing, it has made it a life saver to organize my crafty inspiration.  What a great idea Pinterest is! With  that said, while trolling the internet, I came across this beautiful work of art:

This was created by Tami Mayberry.  Isn't it just wonderful.  There are many many ways that I could interpret this one.  And will probably be making several different renditions of it in the months to come.  But, today, while making samples, for an upcoming "class" that I will be teaching to some friends, this is what I came up with:

I made this for my own dear mother, for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday (she really likes Red).  It is hard to tell in the photo, but the side closest to the ribbon has been stamped in the same tone with a script stamp (French Foliage).  I then stamped the red flowers (Blessed Mother) over that and added ink spots.  Here is a close up, so that you can see the beautiful details:

I LOVED working on this card because I got to play with one of my new favorite and loved tools, the Spritzer Tool from Stampin' Up!, it is a hand operated ink sprayer. 

Yes you have to use your hand and not a can of air, but for 12.95 you can't beat it!  I love this thing, you can see it in action here.  It adds the perfect amount of ink spray and distress - finally an alternative to my paint brush and flinging acrylic paint (not that that doesn't have it's place). 

I hope that you enjoyed today's share and feel inspired.  If you do, please share the love for both myself and for Tami - who inspired me.

Happy Crafting!

Supplies: Spritzer Tool, Early Espresso Classic Ink, Crumb Cake Classic Ink, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Real Red Classic Ink, Early Espresso Marker, French Foliage Stamp Set, Blessed Mother Stamp Set (Stampin' Up!); Kraft Cardstock (Recollections); Pattern Paper (MAMBI)