Rumpled...but so darling!!

 Hi crafters!

This is Dawn, of Sunnyside Up, just checking in on this fantastic Friday!

By now, spring has even popped up here in Michigan and I thought I'd show you a frilly 

card that will get you lots of admiration b/c of the embellishments!

I folded a long, tall envie into a gate fold.

Then, beribbonedthe edge with Buttercup rumple ribbon from the Southern Sass Collection by Lovebug Creations.  Then, I bedecked the top flap using Spring Lilac and Blue Bells from the Gardens of Tara Collection.

I used Glue Dots  ® to adhere these Beautiful Blooms to my flap.

A Repositional Glue Dot keeps my flap shut!

I love these flowers.  They are lightweight and colorful.

What colors would YOU like to see in the LBC store?

I created this simple card.  

Well..honestly...I cut down a pre fab card to fit inside my envie. 

After I added a lilac insert and the watercoloring/sequins...who would think this was 

ever store bought!

Show your gratitude with a whole lot of flare and style...

For more colors, please sashay on over to the Lovebug Creations store! 

Thanks so much for dropping by today!!

Or, should I say, "Merci!!"

Sunshine!

You know I am all about fun folds. 

And here is one that is just two extra cuts.

The top of the card base was cut away.  

Leaving the sentiment of the card in full view.

There is plenty of room for your note to the receiver.

And...just a slightly different look to a card!

And remember, it can be folded and cut in the landscape orientation as well!

Stamps:  You Are My Sunshine (Stampin Up)

I used Mini Glue Dots ® to adhere the sequins!

Hooting over Creative Paperclay ®

Halloween is just around the corner.

Ready to get your spook on?

Or...

perhaps some of your potted succulents need a little 

Autumn costumes!

Start off with a terra cotta pot.

Mold Creative Paperclay ® around your pot.

If your molding material stretches too much, cut a line and fold the clay over

to fit it around your pot.

I decided to keep a mottled texture on my base.

Since I will be using this for succulents,

I made sure the bottom was clear of Creative Paperclay ®, especially 

around the drainage hole.  This will also help your pot sit level.

Decorate your pot...using "snakes!"

Score and add slip to secure each added piece.

Cookie Cutters make great circles!

An owl!

Create paper template for the wings.

Flip the template over to cut the second wing so 

they will be symmetrical!

Let it dry.

I like to use Mod Podge to seal before I paint with acrylic paints!

Inside and out...since terracotta is porous!

Two coats!

Then ... use acrylic paints to color your creations.

Lastly, plant your succulent in its new home!

Brown Bag Your Sweets!

Halloween is right around the bend.

It's time to Boo! your neighbors and friends with

treats and surprise. 

Here is a sweet little treat bag you can 

make from a simple brown lunch bag.

Check out my tutorial HERE.

Simply White Mama's Mesh make great webs.

I trimmed the ring off of the spider.

Pop Up Glue Dots ® work well to keep the spiders in place.

I use Micro Glue Dots ® for the Mama's Mesh.

Craft Glue Dots ® for the tag.

Be sure to check out Joy's Life: Halloween Puns

for all of your spooky (and not so spookky) Halloween cards

and projects!  

Plan your support...

Earlier this month, I showed you how to create initials out of Creative Paperclay ®.

Easy as it seems, there does need to be some planning on these letters.

Amble over to the Creative Paperclay ® blog to see just what I am talking about.

Meanwhile, here is the Initial tutorial!

Creative Paperclay ® can be used to personalize your room.

Today, I'm going to show you how to create an initial out of this modeling airdry clay.

Once you get started, you will see many possibilities!

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay ®

Papers and dew drops from the Robin's Nest

Glue Dots ®

acrylic paint

gesso

brushes/tools

embellishments as you see fit

a shadow box

A few weeks ago I was just playing around with the Creative Paperclay ®.  What better way, that to make snakes!  Yeppers...go old fashioned clay snakes! But as I was musing and working with it, I realized I could use these long thin lines to create initials. 

*Be sure to roll out extra lines in case you make a mistake.

*Work on a piece of plastic wrap or on a plastic frisbee so that you can pick up your modeling clay easily

to flip it as it is drying.

*Think about what sort of font will be appropriate for the style/theme of shadow box.

Here, I created an A with lots of curls and swirls, because I am making a shadow box

for a little tweener girl!  Let it dry.  Seal it with Gesso.

Paint with acrylic paint. You  will want to give it a few coats.

One trick I use when I am painting is to paint the bottom first. 

Then, paint the edges and sides once that bottom is dry.  That way, you won't have your piece sticking

to your work surface. 

After it was dry, I sealed it with Mod Podge. 

Again, back first, then front.

Then comes time for the fun and bling and embellishment!

I used various sizes of Glue Dots ® to adhere the dew drops to the primas, and 

the primas to my shadow box.

Remember, more layers can me more interest!

Glue the Creative Paperclay ® Initial on top of the shadow box.

Remember to think about the edges of your shadow box as well!

There is going to be one happy girl once she receives this pink and green and zebra striped 

shadow box...with her initial!

Mark it with an A...

For information on how to create this absolutely, awesome A initial...

amble over to the Creative Paperclay Blog! 

Glue Dots ® made adding these baubles, dew drops, flowers, and ribbon a cinch!

Micros, Craft, and Pop Ups!

Last month, I shared this blue bird project on the company blog...

I have a very small collection of blue birds.

Since it is so rare that a new one is added, I thought I would use some Creative Paperclay ® 

to create my own addition.

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay ®

paper towel

sandpaper

gesso

mod podge

sponge brush

paint brush

acrylic paint

additional decorations

1.  First, I balled up some paper towels for the body of my bird.

Then I formed Creative Paperclay ® around it into the shape of a bird.

2.  Let dry. Remember this takes some time. I tend to cover it loosely with plastic for a day or so.

Then I take it off so it can dry completely. This helps cut back on cracking and breaks.

3.  Then, sand your piece.

4. Next I seal it with Gesso. I like having a seal before I decorate my pieces.

5.  Using acrylic paints, I mixed a pretty blue color up.  When you are mixing your own color, make more than enough to cover your piece in case you need touch ups and second coats.

6.  Use Mod Podge to seal your design.  Again, feel free to apply a couple of coats.

 7.  Don't stop there.  Why not add accent baubles or frilly designs in paint pen?

I was thinking about doing that.  But I loved the simple shape...and so I stopped. 

This is my new favorite part of my Blue Bird Collection.

Though, I now want to make a few more and over embellish them!

What can you make out of Creative Paperclay ® to add to your collectables?

Dandy Day Greetings!

Here is a terrific technique that you will enjoy creating using your Gel-a-tins stamps and Gelly Acrylic Blocks!  It's super simple so you can create a great card in no time at all.

Start off with a clean Gelly Acrylic Block. Smoosh colored ink directly onto your block.  Here I used colors in striations.  Then, stamp onto a piece of paper.

Next, mask the edges of your color block with post it notes. Then, stamp outline stamps against the color block. Here I used Wild Things from Gel-a-tins.

Add a few extra bling or ribbon if you want.

Presto...You have a finished card!

Gel-a-tins has many great solid stamps to chose from...and many different sizes of Gelly Acrylic Blocks.

Love You to Pieces

Last week, I snapped a pix of the kids at a State Park. It was candid and free...just perfect. I thought I would create a gift for an older relation.  When you are cooped up, you sort of need to keep moving. Know what I mean?  So, here is an interactive , easy kids' craft!

Supplies:

Glue Dots ©:  1" lines, Removable

4x6 inch photograph

9 tongue depressors

card stock

cutting mat

craft knife

metal ruler

Paper and embellishments for a decorative tag

1.  Using Removable Glue Dots ©, line 9 tongue depressors together on a piece of scratch paper.

2.  Place 1" line Glue Dots © along the edges and down the middle of your photograph.  

3.  Adhere your photo to the depressors.  Press down and smooth out. 

4.  Place your project on a cutting mat.  Use the depressors as a guide and slice apart your picture using a metal ruler and craft knife.

5.  Take Removable Glue Dots © off of the back of the sticks.

 6.  Create a tag...remember to use Glue Dots!  Use ribbon to tie up the tongue depressors.

That great bow is made from Lovebug Creations...Goddess Green!

Telescoping Card with the Robin's Nest

For the last year, I have been honored to be a designer for The Robin's Nest papers.  It's been a lot of fun to  create using their sparkly papers!  I enjoyed the "anything you want to create" for the first 6 months.  Then, for my second term, we were more specialized.  Making a variety of cards for each post allowed me to really get to know the paper patterns and colors. I enjoy stretching ideas!  So, here I go...trying out again!

Do you want to learn how to make a telescoping card?

Let's get to it!

Supplies:

*three layers...each one a little smaller than the next

(My Distressed Honeycomb is 5 inches square. Flames is 4 inches square.)

*2 brads

*embellishments as needed

For this project, I used Green Leaves from  Lovebug Creations, 

linens, dew drops, and papers from The Robin's Nest's Flame Line,

stamps from Joy's Life "That Tastes Punny"

First, I cut the linen into strips.

Using Glue Dots ©, I created these rosettes. 

With many colors to choose from, you are bound to find one that matches your paper!

Use a brad to adhere the first to layers.  

Add one more brad to attach the last layer.

Remember to think about how the papers turn with the brad and align your patterns correctly!

Another trick: Line up your papers on top of each other to see how they center before you decide where you want to poke that hole.

Time to embellish!

I added smaller black, scallop heart using dimensionals. 

I made sure it could still swivel.  Very important!

Clear stamps are great b/c you can curve the sentiment!

That is how I got the "What's Shakin'?" to fit inside my circle.

It also adds interest!

I used Mini Glue Dots © to lay down my Rumple Ribbon.

The are strong but mighty!  And can keep your ribbon and heavier embellies right in place!

(Super great for dew drops too!)

Don't you love all the textures...between the textured Honeycomb, Embossed Flames, unraveling Linen flowers, and sponging edges!  

Remember, the Flame Line is 20% off this month!  

Stock up before the sale is extinguished!

Thanks for joining me today.

For more hot projects using The Robin's Nest papers and embellishments, 

shake on over to the Chattering Robins blog!