Stamping with Noel

Upcycled Easter Grass Basket With Handmade Flower

Last week my preschooler came home with the cutest upcycled basket of easter grass - but, me being me, I just had to do something more with it:

I love the simplicity of the original preschool project - strawberry basket, pipecleaner, wax paper, soil and grass seeds!  My woven ribbon and handmade flower additions are almost as easy to throw together.  

Handmade Easter Flower "Tutorial":
(These simple notes should suffice, but let me know if you need more help!)

   

1. The Base layer for this flower is a simple 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch.  To give the shape more texture, I roughly snipped between each scallop to about 1/4" from the center of the circle - some snips went deeper than others, it was all rough cutting.  Once the petals were created I bent each petal in half into a valley fold for depth.
   
   
2. The next layer is a 3/4" Circle Punch also roughly snipped and folded. 
   
   
3. The final layer is a single flower form our 5/8" Flower Trim - yes, I'm using every last flower from the 2 yd package!
   
   
4. Attach all layers with a simple gold brad.

This flower came together very quickly and adds a little spring charm to an already cute upcycled project!  It could just as easily be added to a card or any other spring project, but it wouldn't be the same without the flower trim.  Buy yours today - click here! to start shopping.

Take Two: Handmade Flowers with Pop-up Posies Kit

Today I'm sharing the second style of flower flower from the Pop-up Posies Designer Kit. At first glance, this was not my favorite paper flower, but I do like the amount of depth they give to a piece!

Again I assembled the flower following the directions which came with the kit - and within minutes had a finished paper flower!  I added to my flower this time with punches (rather than the Big Shot Die Cut Machine) using thelargest petal from the Blossom Petals XL Punch for my leaves.  I felt the petals needed a little texture, so 'scrunched' them a bit before adhering to my piece.  My lattice in the background comes from the Summer Silhouettes Stamp Set.

Notes on assembling these 'handmade' paper flowers:

• Small, Medium, Large?  Maybe it is just me, but I found it hard to determine which 'coffee filters' (isn't that what these look like?) was which size.  But, in the long run, I don't think it really matters which sizes you use - just that you have variation!
• Pierce a 'largish' hole?  You will need to pierce a wide hole to get the prongs of your brad through your flowers. Don't pierce with just the tip of your paper-piercing tool, push through to the wider part of the shaft.
• Adhesive?  Unlike with my first take with this kit (Take One), I did not find it necessary to add adhesive to the flower layers when assembling.  Do what works best for you!

What do you think?  Which handmade paper flower style shared so far is your favorite?

Take One: Handmade Flowers with Pop-up Posies Kit

As promised, here is the first of my efforts using the Pop-up Posies Designer Kit to create 'handmade' paper flowers:

For this card, I simply mixed the basic flower and label from the kit with a few old stand-bys - the Big Shot, Petals-plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Little Leaves Sizzlit.

A couple thoughts on assembling these 'handmade' paper flowers:

• Ease of scrunching:  because the paper stock for these flowers is thinner than our regular card stock, the paper 'scrunched' easily without the need to mist with water first. This has the added benefit that there is no dry time!
• Piercing:  I found it best to pierce through all 10 layers of flowers first with my Paper-Piercing Tool prior to any scrunching.
• Scrunch and adhere as you go:  once I had my holes punched, I placed my brad upside down and wrapped one flower around the brad.  Next I added a bit of Liquid Multipurpose Adhesive to the back of the flower, then added the next flower (with the petals in the gaps of the first) and scrunched around the brad. I continued in this way until all 10 flowers had been added.

What a simple process to create such a lovely card!  Handmade paper flowers couldn't be easier.

Handmade Flowers Made Easy: Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit

Have you checked out this Pop-up Posies Designer Kit yet? 

With my love of handmade paper flowers, I just had to pick up a set with my last order - and I wasn't disappointed.  I'm playing with them today, and hope to have some samples photographed to share with you tomorrow.  I think I might get my daughter a set to play with.

What would you use these for? 

Big Shot Projects: 5 Minute Felt Hair Clip from Leftover Scraps

What do you think of the cutie wearing this 5 Minute Felt Hair Clip Big Shot Project?

This past weekend I had my Fall Big Shot class at which we created beautiful felt pumpkins (see here for image).  At the end of the class I was left with only a few scraps of leftover die cut felt - five 2 1/2 inch orange circles, and one three leaf green piece.  A few quick folds, some hot glue, a Sale-a-bration brad and a hair clip later and I had this beautiful hair clip for my youngest.  (to see the folds used for this clip, see this fabric flower post - you could just as easily use this circle based felt flower for the same bookmark project!).

So I have to ask AGAIN ... when you finish a project, what do you do with the scraps?  Store them for the future? Throw them in the trash? Or create something right away?

I'd like to suggest that every once in awhile you try to put them to use right away! You'll decrease your clean up and increase your creativity.  This time around I was able to create a handmade gift idea for little girls and make my daughter happy at the same time!

Pura Vida! Costa Rican Inspired Floral Punch Art Greeting Card

This handmade Ginger flower punch art card with Pura Vida greeting was inspired by my recent trip to Costa Rica:

While most of Costa Rica lit up in multiple shades of green, the various tropical flowers definitely popped against the backdrop.  One of my favorite tropical flowers is the Ginger flower, and in Costa Rica I was able to see plenty of it in abundance.  My punch art version was created with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch and Melon Mambo card stock.  Each petal was punched, edged with Daffodil Delight classic ink, and then coated in Crystal Effects before assembly.

The greeting, Pura Vida, is the essence of Costa Rican life.  It is a catch all phrase, used like Aloha in Hawaii, and literally means 'pure life'.  It can be used as a greeting, as a farewell, and to express satisfaction or wellness.  For the Costa Rican people we met along the way, it definitely seemed to be accompanied by a general happiness or contentment that was contagious!

The recipient of this card will be the organizer of my trip, and I hope to bring a smile to her face - and some of that Costa Rican contentment- when she opens the envelope! 

Do you take inspiration from your travels?  Does that inspiration make it into your crafts?  Whether you simply mount a photo from your trip onto card stock, or take time to recreate an image from your journey, bringing details from your trip into your art will keep the adventure going! 

Pura Vida!

The Perfect Earth Day Project!

Earth Day is here and with it this fabulous wreath made by my dear friend (thank you so much Stephanie for letting me share it with everyone!):

You all know how much I love to hear "I was inspired by you ..." just before someone shares a finished project with me.  All of my harping on using your garbage/product packaging for craft projects, my love of bottle caps, and all of my 3D flowers made from recycled materials has paid off BIG TIME!  This fabulous wreath uses up a huge amount of colorful packaging that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill, as well as over a dozen bottle caps, and - look at that! - Stampin' Up! brown paper packaging for a bow!  I can see little bits of my art throughout this wreath, but have to admit she has taken all of these ideas and executed a truly inspired piece of art!

Tip:  while Stephanie hand cut each and every one of her flowers, I recommend using the Big Shot to make quick work of this time consuming task!

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

White Out!

One of my best selling greeting cards at my spring craft fair was a white on white layered card.  I find I love this look for weddings, anniversary, christmas, birthdays, and thank you cards ... well, actually, for almost any occasion.  I turn to this simple monochromatic color scheme when I'm looking for subtle elegance.

Since I don't have a photo of the 'big seller', I thought I would create another white on white card to share with you today:

Throw together a little white card stock, a few punches (Large Lace Ribbon Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch and Blossom Builder Punch), White Bakers Twine, some Tombow Liquid Multipurpose Adhesive and some Basic Rhinestone Jewel Accents and one Large Pearl Basic Jewel and you have a lovely elegant greeting card for all occasions. 

Tool Tip:  The simple flower on this card was made with a petal from the Blossom Builder Punch. I punched the shapes from Whisper White Card Stock, then spritzed with water and 'crumbled' to add texture to the flower.  I think this is especially important in a monochromatic card to add contrast between the elements

Have you created anything with this punch lately? 

 

Non-craft Craft Supplies: Drawer Pull & Rub-ons Paper Weight Project

This paper weight was made a few years ago with one of my favorite non-craft related craft supplies, drawer pulls!  (To see my Top 10 products in this category, see my original post here.)

I simply took a 4 x 4 x 4 inch wood block, painted it black, and added photos of my family using modge podge.  The drawer pull is then added to the top after adding retired Stampin' Up! rub-ons for a little extra detail across the top.  I love to use rub-ons when I am working with painted surfaces.

I think it may be time to remake this project with some updated family photos.  Wouldn't it be a great project to do with our Love-Impressions Rub-ons to high light the love I have for my family?  Or a few images from the Bright Delights Rub-ons?  Or maybe the Sweet Stitches Rub-ons for my 'cute as a button' daughters?  Don't forget Stampin' Up! rub-ons when you are working on painted surfaces!

Happy Crafting,

Noel

Valentine's Floral Brooch From Fifth Avenue Floral

Today I want to share with you this handmade floral brooch I made for Valentine's Day two years ago.  This was before all of the hoopla over 3D flowers made from fabric and other materials with the Big Shot (still one of my favorite projects - see one here), when I was making 3D paper flower pins using Crystal Effects to give them stability and durability.  So for those of you who have not yet succumbed to the die cut mania, there are still 3D flowers in your future!

Flower Tutorial:

1. Stamp the large rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set three times.  You  may choose to stamp on colored cardstock, or to color in your image with Stampin' Write Markers as I've done here. I chose the markers so there would be a little more depth and variation to the color. 
   
   
2. Once your images are colored cut one out fully, the second without the outer most petals, and the third using just the central portion of the flower.  Give each layer a light coating of Crystal Effects and let dry completely.
   
   
3. Next, attach your three layers using Stampin' Dimensionals to give more height to your finished product.  Give your entire project a thick coating of crystal effects - or three thin layers - and let dry completely.   I use a paint brush to put the Crystal Effects between layers, but you don't have to do too much because you have added the first layer before assembling.
   
   
4. Flip your flower over and coat the back side with Crystal Effects as well.  Let dry completely.
   
   
5. I chose to add velvet leaves that were in my stash, but you could also choose to cut paper leaves and treat with Crystal Effects in the same manner as the flower.
   
   
6. Glue a pin back to your flower with additional Crystal Effects or a heavy duty adhesive.

I hope you have fun with this idea! My flower brooch has held up well over the years.  I have worn it strung on a ball chain, pinned on a blouse and even clipped it onto a headband for my daughter!  These flowers would make a great handmade Valentine, Mother's Day Gift or favor for any spring event.

Happy Crafting,

Noel 

Handmade Flower + Doily Mask = Valentine With Depth!

A handmade Valentine's Day card is best delivered in person.  As such, this is the perfect opportunity to use a handmade three dimensional flower to add depth to your greeting card!   

(note: for a better view of the flower, scroll down this post!)

This card uses three of the new products from the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog.  As I've previously shared with you, the products in this catalog coordinate together beautifully!  Here I've used the Paper Doily Large Sizzlit Die, the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and a sentiment from the Sweet Cake Stamp Set.  Don't you just love how they come together?

To add texture and depth to this card, I've used three special techniques:

1. Masked Stenciling:
   
   To create my background paper and add weight to the upper right corner of my card, I used a doily cut from card stock with the Paper Doily die as a mask to stipple Real Red Classic Ink onto Pink Pirouette Card Stock using a stipple brush.
   
   
2. Dry Embossing:
   
   Dry embossing is a quick and easy way to add texture to a card.  The heart embossing on this card was done with the Big Shot and the heart embossing folder from the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder set. 
   
   
3. Handmade 3D Paper Flower:
   
   This flower was created with both the 5 Petal Flower punch and the Daisies #2 Die.  Simply roll the flower petals around the barrel of a pencil to give them shape before assembling. 

What do you think?  Is there someone in your life deserving of a special card?  You'll find many great new products to use on cards for any upcoming event in our Occasions Mini Catalog.  Shop now!

Happy Crafting,

Noel

Fabric Flower Bookmark Tutorial

After I shared my perfect handmade gift for young girls project (my handmade journal with flower bookmark post seen here), I received several requests for more information and/or a tutorial on the bookmark itself.  So here are some directions as well as closeups of the bookmark to help clarify.

  

1. Follow the original tutorial to create the fabric flower, ensuring that your centers line up creating a space through which to place your brad.  Remember recycled old clothing works great for this project ... a bit of old denim, maternity clothing, a child's favorite dress with a stain.  You can personalize this project while making it 'green'!
2. Cut two flowers using the smallest flower on the Island Floral Bigz Die - one out of milk carton (yes my magic material rears its head again!) and another out of felt.  This flower is perfect as it has a small hole in the center through which you will thread your brad!
3. Push a decorative brad brad through the middle of the milk carton flower and on through the fabric folded flower.  You can use a little hot glue between the layers for added stability.
4. On the backside of the flower, hot glue a pony tail holder to the prongs of the brad and proceed to put the prongs through the small brown felt flower from step two. Again you can add extra hot glue just before adding the flower for extra strength.
5. Open the brad and firmly press down.Measure out your ribbon so that when assembled your bookmark will fit around your chosen book or project.  When your recipient wants to use the bookmark with a larger book, the pony tail holder will give the necessary stretch.
6. Fold one end of your ribbon around one end of your pony tail holder and glue closed (again I used hot glue).  The glue should not touch the pony tail holder itself.
7. Repeat with the other end of your ribbon being careful not to twist the ribbon.

Your bookmark is now complete and ready to use.  I've found this is a great gift for both the little girls and the teens in your life - and even adult women are happy to be the recipient.

The Big Shot is a power tool in the world of handmade gifts.  Do you have Christmas money to spend?  Contact me and I'll help you make those dollars stretch further and earn you extra product when you purchase your Big Shot!  

Happy Crafting,

Noel

A Christmas Card Using Card Sketch #4

 

I think it has been too long since I've shared a new card sketch with you.  This sketch is another staple in my go to card sketches.  Given that I am buried in Christmas projects right now, and in honor of the start of my 12 Weeks of Christmas Newsletter Series, I thought I would share a card I used in a recent class that utilized this card sketch.

 

When I approach this sketch, I almost always tuck an extra detail that spreads out from behind my main embellishment (the embellishment that fills the circle in the sketch).  In this case, I used three 'prongs' from a snowflake cut with the Snowflake #2 Die and had it spread out over my other elements from behind my 5-Petal Punch Poinsettia. 

Although this card is a Big Shot Project, you could easily skip the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders and work without the snowflake to create a simpler version of the same card.

Check back tomorrow and I will share another card using this same sketch - but creating a very different feel.

Happy Crafting,

Noel

 

Supplies
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green
Ink:  Garden Green Classic Ink
Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set 
Adhesives:  SNAIL, Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots
Tools:  Big Shot, Snowflake #2 Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 5-Petal Punch, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Gold Brads

Step by Step Tutorial, Flowers #2 - Red Poppies

 

Here is my second in a series of video flower tutorials.  I am having so much fun making these for you and hope you've had a chance try out my Gerbera Daisies Tutorial (here).  Today's tutorial is for a red poppy.  These are one of my favorite flowers ... there is something romantic about a field of red poppies in the sunlight (maybe this should have been a Valentine's post, grin). 

   

And, as before, I have created a PDF tutorial for those of you who like step by step tutorials in hand while you craft.  Just click here or on the Tutorial tab at the top of my blog.

What is your favorite flower?  Leave a comment on this post and I'll see what I can create from your suggestions!

Happy Crafting,

Noel

Gerbera Daisies Tutorial PDF

As promised in my Everything is Coming up Flowers  post, here are the written instructions for my Gerbera Daisies Tutorial.  I'll include them in this post and provide a link for a downloadable version.

 

Supplies Needed:

Big Shot

Daisies #2 Die

Antique Brass Build a Brad

Crystal Effects

Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder

Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder

Heat Tool

Pliers or tweezers

Whisper White or So Saffron Cardstock

Colored Cardstock (I used Real Red in this tutorial)

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

Follow these steps to create your DAISY:

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

For a downloadable pdf of this tutorial, click here.

 

I am working on additional flower tutorials - some of which will use punches rather than Big Shot dies for those of you who are still holding off on that purchase.  So remember to check back for more ideas and inspiration. 

 

Happy Crafting,

 

Noel