Holiday Card Keeper - Part 1

Welcome Back! 

Today I'm starting a three part/day blog post.  I'm hosting a FREE blog presentation on how to make a Holiday Card Keeper.  You can view the Supply List for what you'll need the next three days here.

If you have any questions, post them as a comment and I'll answer them in another post for everyone to see.

Enjoy!

Supply List for today: **

• Box with lid – I’m using a cigar box, it measures 8 ¼ x 7 ¾ x 3, any paper Mache box will work too.
• Holiday papers
• Gel Medium, Mod Podge or other favorite wet adhesive
• Paints with Brushes, I’m using the new Claudine Paints by Ranger but any acrylic paints will do.
• Sand Paper and Sanding Block
• Aluminum Metal Foil – about 36-40 gauges will work well.

**See my tips in yesterday's post.

I’m working with a cigar box as my card keeper. Any paper mache box will do and use your imagination, you don’t have to make a card keeper either. A journal, a clock, a photo frame, almost anything can be covered in metal.

Today we are going to prep our Cigar box.  I used Gesso to cover the wood grain look on my box. If you are using a paper mache box, you may not need this step.

Once completely dry, I sanded off an area that was bumpy. You’ll want to make sure that the top part of your box, the area that’s going to have the metal embossing on it is as flat as you can get it. If you have bumps, it might show through on your metal when you lay it down.

Once the outside was dry, I painted the inside edges. I’m going to place Holiday paper in the top recess and the bottom recess but I need to paint the edges first. I painted the flat edge and the inside edge of the inside of the box. I used Ranger's Studio Paint in Sable Brown. It’s nice and creamy and thick. Any acrylic paint will do for this step. The key is to cover completely any areas you want covered. Some paints will take several coats. Before painting the bottom, I did remove some cedar planks that were fitted into the box. Your box may or may not have these. Removing them is your choice as well.

I painted the inside edge of the bottom with Ranger's Studio Paint in Modern Red. Once dry, I measured my inside edges and cut some Holiday paper to cover the top and bottom edges.

I used the Studio Multi-medium in Matte to ‘glue’ the paper to the top and the bottom and then I also used it as a glaze over the paper. I did have a few bubbles in my project but I’m happy to say, when they dried, they dried flat. The key is to add thin layers of multi medium.

*Not pictured, I painted the top lid of the box the same Modern red and I added Holiday papers to the bottom outside edge. I adhered the paper with the Multi Medium and I then added a thin layer of multi medium over the paper too.

I used one of the left over cedar planks to keep propped open. I left this to dry overnight.


Tomorrow, we’ll emboss our metal. I used a piece of aluminum metal that just fit the top of my cigar box…

While I used a piece of Copper colored Art Metal from 10 Seconds Studio as well as their tools, remember you can use a top to a large disposable aluminum party pan and some basic supplies you might have at home. Here’s a photo for reference…

That’s a cutting mat, a disposable aluminum pan cover, a mouse pad, several stylus’ and an empty ball point pen.

Holiday Card Keeper

I've been thinking... I've been a bad blogger lately. Other than not updating regularly, I also haven't done any projects or free tutorials lately.  Tsk.. tsk on me!

So, I was thinking. 

Last year I taught a Holiday Card Keeper class online to a Yahoo group that I belong to. Here it is:

And it occurred to me that I should post these directions here.  For you... out there in blogland. 

This class spanned 4 days online so I'm going to do the same here.  I'm going to post the supply list today and then set up the blog to post a new lesson at 8AM EST each day for the next 3 days.  If you have any questions along the way or at the end, post them here and I'll answer them here online too. 

If you decide to try this out, feel free to use whatever stamp set you have and like.  The women in the Yahoo Group that tried this all used different stamps and they each came out beautifully.  For these techniques, you won't be able to use word stamps, once embossed the words will be backwards.  Other than that... try it.  It's easy and fun!  AND! I tell you how to emboss using cheap materials that you may already have at home!

Here's the Supply List, come back tomorrow for the first set of directions:  Have Fun!

Supply List:


Box with lid – I’m using a cigar box, it measures 8 ¼ x 7 ¾ x 3, any Paper Mache box will work too.
Holiday papers
Gel Medium, Mod Podge or other favorite wet adhesive
Paints with Brushes, I’m using the Studio Paints by Ranger but any acrylic paints will do.
Sand Paper and Sanding Block
Aluminum Metal Foil – about 36-40 gauges will work well. **See below for a tip on this**
Stamps, any of your favorite images will work. Don’t use ones with words for your first design.
Staz On or Archival Ink, any color is fine although a dark color is best.
Tracing paper or words printed backwards.
Paper Stump - or popsicle stick
Refiner tool – or empty ball point pen
Ball and Cup tool – or medium sized stylus
Thin Mat - or mouse pad
Acrylic Mat - or glass cutting mat
Small Wheel Tool – I use the ones by Ten Seconds Studio but Merc Art makes some and there are even some that quilters use. This past Halloween we bought a pumpkin carving set and it had a wheel tool in it that will work too!
Brass Brush - you can purchase one of these in your local hardware store.  The hardware store one is bigger but will still work in a pinch.
Lightweight Spackle
Humungo - or Red Line Tape. You can also substitute strong glue. I’ve used The Ultimate with great results. 

**The metal I used is a 40 gauge aluminum sold by Ten Seconds Studio. They make several different color coated metals.
If you don’t own metals by Ten Seconds Studio, you can use the metal foils made by Amaco or Merc Art as well.
OR - If you can’t get your hands on any of this metal foil, an alternative to this would be the top to an aluminum party plan. These can be found in your local super market, Wal-Mart or any party planning stores. I’ve bought mine for as little as 49 cents! If you choose the bottoms, you will find that they have too many creases and that many are stamped with a logo. This molding and stamping are hard to get out – and could be impossible so I’d just stick with the tops. Many times you can buy the tops seperately.

Check back tomorrow morning for the first part of the directions for this Holiday Card Keeper box.

Another one stop shopping event!

Looking for another Holiday one stop shopping event?  You can find one at the Studio 23 in Abington,MA.  The address is Studio 23, 597 Brockton Ave., Abington, MA

Gayle will be having several vendors there on Friday, December 4th from 6:30PM - 9PM.

You can purchase items from:

• Studio 23, including Silver Jewelry
• Stampin Up
• Tastefully Simple
• Partylite
• and more!

Come on by and take a look around.  There will be refreshments to enjoy.  And for anyone bringing a non perishable canned item for the Abington Food Bank, they will recieve a free gift from Studio 23!

I hope to see you there!

I'm a lax blogger - but I have some eye candy for you!

It's been a busy few weeks.  With Caleb and I being sick in the first week and my continued sickness into the second week, then my birthday was this past Monday so I've been busy celebrating and trying to catch up on the two weeks I missed getting things done.  Oh boy!  I'm amazed that I have been able to do what I've done!  Next is to clean my house, studio, everything.  It's all a mess.  But since I won't be having Thanksgiving at my house, I guess I'm good for right now.  Good enough to bring you some eye candy!

I've completed a few upcoming classes recently.  Sunday, I really cranked out a bunch and I'm happy I did!  It's always so rewarding to have stuff up and postable prior to a few days before class.

Here's my napkin card class:

Each of these cards are made using napkins.  Just regular, old, Christmas Tree Shoppe napkins.  They don't look like napkins, they don't feel like napkins but they are easy and a super quick holiday card!  I may do all my Holiday cards like this!  I wish I took a picture of the napkins to show you but they are at work.  These are the small cocktail napkins and so each card is square. This class is being held on Friday, November 27th and Friday, December 11th from 7-9PM.  It's only $20 for the class and you'll make all three cards.  You'll also learn this fabulous technique and still (even in the December 11th class) have time to get them made and mailed before the Holiday! 

The next class finished is my Dreaming of a Beautiful Christmas Card Class:

I know that Let It Snow card is in there twice - I wasn't sure whether we'd make just two cards or all three.  But I know we will have time to make all three!  This class will explore a few more Dream Weaver techniques.  If you own a Dream Weaver stencil you'd like to use that day, bring it with you!  These techniques can be easily used with any stencil!  This class will be held on Thursday, December 3rd from 7-9PM.  Also only $20! 

The third class I put together is the Stampscapes Coaster Class.  This class is phenomenal!:

Aren't those beauties!  And believe it or not they are easy!  E-A-S-Y!!!  Easy!  Just plain and simply easy.  They are on Stampbord so they are very study.  3.5 x 3.5" and we will spray them before you leave so that they can be used as coasters.  Wrap these up in a bow and they'd make a beautiful gift for anyone!  I can't tell you how easy Stampscapes really are to use.  We will make all 4 coasters, one for Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall (in that order in the photo).  If you have time to come in to the store and take a peek at these - PLEASE DO!  Touching them, looking at them, they are simply delightful!  And really, I just put them together but it's the stamps that do everything justice!  Even if you stamped the images in black and left it black and white, these coasters would still be stunning.  The stamps are simply gorgeous!  OK, so this class is being offered twice as well.  Once on Saturday, December 5th from 12-3PM and then again on Friday, December 18th from 7-10PM. The class is $30.  If you own any of these stamps in the photos (or any stampscape stamps) bring them with you on the night of class.  It'll be easier to get it all done that way.

All the above classes are being held at the Scrapbook Cupboard, in East Bridgewater, MA.  If you live or will be in the area on any of those dates and would like to take a class, call 1-508-378-0008 to sign up!

I have 2 more December classes to share with you.  One I'm waiting on a stamp to come in and the other is just time.  Maybe I'll get it done this weekend.  Metal Christmas cards!  WOW!  Now to start thinking about January...

One Stop Shopping Event - TOMORROW!

It's that time!

On Saturday, November 14th from 11AM - 2PM, you can stop and do all your Holiday shopping in one place! The Hawley's are opening their home to you! Come stop and shop at their beautiful new home at 264 Court Street, Plymouth, MA.

 

Which vendors will be there? You can expect to see business women from:

 

• Stella and Dot
• Stampin Up
• Tastefully Simple
• Beijo
• Athena's Home Novelties
• Southern Living at Home

There will be 100's of dollars in free give-aways, personal one-on-one shopping experience, sparkly drinks, festive foods and of course, you'll be supporting local women and their businesses.

 

Come on by and see what we have!  Where else can you go and shop in one place and get all these different companies under one roof? I hope to see you there!

Free Moodles...

My Creative Classroom offers a Free Class every few weeks.  These are called Everyday Moodlings.  If you are a member of My Creative Classroom, you can view these for free!  How? 

Well this is how...

To enroll in My Creative Classroom's FREE classroom please complete the following steps:

 

1. Go to the website: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/
2. Log on or create a new user account. Subscribing to our newsletter does NOT create a user account on our site. You must be a registered user of MCC to enroll in this course.
3. Once you are logged on choose Free Courses from the drop down menu at the top of the screen.
4. Click on the Everyday Moodlings course title.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
6. Enter the enrollment key: mccfree1108 The enrollment key is case sensitive.
7. Click enroll in this course.

 This week we are talking about Fabric!  Several of the teachers have submitted articles on how to use fabric in all sorts of different crafty ways! Need some inspiration for a easy crafting project, holiday gift or just have a hankering to learn something new, be sure to check it out!  My tutorial is on how to create Paper from Fabric.  You'll be surprised at how easy it really is!

 

You never know what new and interesting techniques each of the My Creative Classroom talented teachers will bring to you.  Why not go subscribe and see what you can learn!

 

Stampers Quest Holiday Blizzard Project!

The Stamper's Quest EZine has been working on bringing you some great projects you can complete for this holiday season.  They've got projects on:

Creating Ornaments
Making calendars
Creating Tags
Making Wine Totes
Place Cards
Journals
and much more!

I submitted my Winter's Welcome door hanger. 

You may have seen it on this blog before.  It was my Kandi CHA submission for earlier this year.  But in this Ezine article, I actually give you complete instructions on how to complete it!  Yippee!!

If you haven't popped over to the Stamper's Quest Ezine lately, you should!  The November Ezine has been published and there's lots of great articles to read and to review.  There's even an article (or 4!) on digital stamps!  Yup, there is such a thing as digital stamps.  WOW!  That opens up a whole new world out there. 

If you've got a few moments (or more!) to spare, take a trip over to Stamper's Quest and look around.  You never know what you'll learn!