A Soul's Heartbeat: Echo Park Party Time

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

CCC's February Craftology Box - Gift Box with Cards

a Country Craft Creations Design Team share

Well I dove into my first Craftology box and since I NEVER have enough birthday card it just made sense that would be my first choice. I used black Book Box from Graphic 45 to house the cards, perhaps it will make a nice gift for someone. There's a video at the end of this post that will walk you through all the cards and give you lots of idea to make your own. If you aren't familar with what Craftology boxes are it's a monthly subscription from Country Craft Creations loaded with all kinds of goodies to play with.

I had to incorporate one of the Art Impressions Vintage stamped and paper pieced ladies into the top of my box, she's perfect here whipping up her birthday cake don't you think?

I stacked some of the paper petals that were included in the Craftology box and tucked a little snipped of cheesecloth behind and attached a brad to the centers to hold the petals together.

Inside there's a nice little package of cards and envelopes for the recipent to use for all those birthday wishes. The box was covered inside and out with the Echo Park Party Time papers.

I made a lot of cards, the box easily fits six, perhaps a couple more and then I wanted a few for myself. I even used the other paper pieced Vintage ladies from both sets of Art Impressions stamps I'd shared with you earlier.

This is one of my favorites, I fussy cut the cupcakes and candles out so that they pyramid to the top. With some foam tape to pop them up and stickles to make the candles flicker it's a really cute card.

Here's another super simple idea, Just cut the candle paper to fit the front of the card, glossy accent each candle and glitter the flames in two colors of glitter. Add a touch of Marvy's Snow Marker across the bottom and you're all set.

Here are my Art Impressions paper pieced ladies and the sentiment that went with them. They really make the front of a card don't they.

There's always the option to supplement the Craftology boxes with a couple of add ons. This time one of the add ons was a set of stamps of which this sentiment was included. I'm always on the lookout for a good set of Birthday stamps and this set from Echo Park certainly fits that bill.

I hope you'll check out the video. I'll link to the supplies used from Country Craft Creations below the video and links to Social Media sites below that.

Supplies from Country Craft Creations

Craftology Box

Art Glitter Glue

Graphic 45 Book Box

Ai Stamp Six Layer

Ai Stamp Bathing Suit Set

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Monday, February 20, 2017

Using Gamsol with Art Impressions stamps

a Country Craft Creations Design Team Share

Today I want to share how I color using a product called Gamsol, paper stumps and blending. Gamsol can be found in most craft and hobby stores or online. It's an odorless mineral spirit solution that when used with colored pencils blends the colors softly so your lines disappear.

To try this technique you'll need a bottle of Gamsol, I've transferred mine to a plastic dauber bottle which can be purchased at a beauty supply store. It's actually used for nail polish remover and runs about $7. Gamsol has a tendency to evaporate so it's best to keep it closed when not using and this is perfect, you'll see how snappy it works on the video. You'll also need some paper blending stumps or tortillions. These can be found at any craft store or online along with the sanding pad. As far as crayons go you can use the most expensive or the cheapest, I actually like these Crayon twist up pencils which are super cheap. When blended with the Gamsol they all take on a soft blended look.

I've used two different Art Impressions Vintage stamps this example is using the Six Layer Cake set along with the Party Time paper collection from Echo Park that was in my Craftology box. If you're unfamiliar with what a craftology box is check them out in the Country Craft Creations store. A few sequins, some flat back gems and bakers twine ties the card together.

To use Gamsol you simply color as you always do. You then dip a paper stump into a small amount of the Gamsol and blend your colored image. You'll see how the lines simply disappear and how soft the coloring looks. It's such a simple step and one I think you'll enjoy adding when you color your images or color in a coloring book.

Here's the inside of this card. I forgot to share the technique for the bakers twine. I punched a hole on the folded edge and ran my twine around and around through the hole and over the side, knotting it in the front and adding a bow. Just popping one of the cut apart saying from the collection on a couple of bright mats which are all grunged on around the edges completes the inside.

Here's the second Art Impressions stamp set, Bathing Suit Set. I just love these ladies!! I've merely fussy cut around the colored image, popped it on black and re-fussy cut and then popped them up on foam,

Here's the inside of this card using an older Art Impressions sentiment that I'd been gifted, some black netting from the craftology box and a sticker from the Party Time Collection.

I hope you'll watch the video where I really show you up close and personal how beautifully Gamsol can soften and blend your colored images. Since Gamsol evaporates quickly you have no residue left on your page when it dries. I'll link to the supplies I used from Country Craft Creations, and the links to the social media sites just below the video.

Supplies from Country Craft Creations

Ai Stamp Six Layer

Ai Stamp Bathing Suit Set

Prima Color Philosophy ink Chat Noir

Echo Park Party Time Collection

Craftology Box

Art Glitter Glue

Supplies from my Crafty Space

Gamsol Blending Solution

Paper stumps

Sanding pad

Glossy Accents

Cardstock

Colored Pencils