Thursday, February 2, 2017

Metropolitan Girl Horizontal Mini Album


Metropolitan Girl by Carta Bella is a fun, zippy paper collection featuring some really snappy ladies and thoughts.  Today I'm sharing a 6" x 8" horizontal mini album for the Country Craft Creations Design Team.  There will be a walk though video at the bottom of this post and all supplies will be linked there as well.  Be sure and stop by Country Craft Creations to see all the fabulous paper lines available. Don't forget to join Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations Facebook Group, where you will be amazed at the abundance of fantastic free tutorials, crafters sharing their expertise and a never ending opportunity to learn something new.  What more could a crafty person ask for?





This mini just lent itself to being horizontal, you'll see why in just a moment.  I wrapped the basic structure in black cardstock and then used the designer paper skyline for the front and back. Black tulle hides under the front, over the spine and under the back cover joining together at the bottom to form a bow closure. Front, back and spine were adorned with fussy cut images and chipboard pieces altering the heights to give dimension.


I cheated on the spine and added a piece of Authentique Spectrum cardstock.  These stripes just sealed the deal.  I used Wink of Stella over all of the spine, in real life it takes on a sparkle that spot on for a Metropolitan Girl.  The chipboard here is actually the top packaging of the chipboard pieces, when I craft nothing is off limits.  I did have to eliminate the designers name with the addition of the Taxi sign.  So stinkin' cute especially with the high heels balancing on top.


This is the bottom portion of the skyscape that was used for the front cover, fitting it should finish out the back as well.  I took one of the chipboard pieces 'Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful', covered it in clear Wink of Stella and then covered that with Crystal 3D Lacquer. When all was dry I tucked some black tulle behind and add ribbons of black seam binding.


The book consists of 4 pages which layer in graduations one atop the other.  To get the book to lie flat like this I used 1/2" gussets between each page.  I also used a combination of red, blue and cream for the page construction using the Country Craft Creations Artisan Paper Sampler pack.  I LOVE this paper!!!  you can score and fold and not have any cracking, a big plus in my book.






Each page has swing outs created from the border strips of shop fronts. I snipped each strip into two pieces and backed them leaving a small solid border around.  I also only glued the backing to the bottom and sides to create extra pockets for photos and tuck ins. These stay closed with hidden magnets.  

When flipped out you have places to write journaling or place your photos.


This is the back of the first page.  I created a cluster pocket using 5 different elements.  You can easily slip a 5 1/4" x 4 3/4" tag behind.  I did use a lot of Crystal 3D Lacquer and clear Wink of Stella on my elements. Backing them with the navy blue solid helps them pop and adding dimension to some elements gives them a much better visual look.




Here's page two, again backed, this time with navy blue and open for photos, tags, or whatever extras you'd want to stick inside the extra pockets. The small photo shows how the flips look when opened.  This time I added some stickers and chipboard on the inside to hold the photo mat in place.  


The back side of page two has a pocket to hold larger photos or the little tuck in I have here.  I dyed the ribbon strip with Tattered Angels Simply Sheer Matte in Red Rose, it was originally white with black dots.  Since my papers were a cream base the white just jumped out of you.  When you purchase elements, ribbons, flowers etc in white or cream you then always have the option to change the color to match your color scheme with mists or dyes.




Page three is my Uptown page. Such fun papers to play with they have that retro vibe to them.  On the inside strips of this one I used a strip from the sticker sheet across the bottom flaps, added the striped paper across the middle top which I only glued on the 3 sides and punched with an EK Success Deco Scallop, I was going for an awning look here.  You have so many options to choose from the stickers, chipboard and ephemera pieces.


This is one of my favorite pages, probably it's that striking red and blue combo.  I love the chipboard sentiment she's standing on.  The blue strip creates a belly band to slide the folded red mat under. Since I'd already used the chipboard piece of this gal I made her again by fussy cutting her from the paper and backing with the solid red.



The last page finishes off the strips of shoppes.  The base page is cream again this time.  I really like alternating the base page color.

I wanted to show you the inside mat on this page.  I took one of the sentiments and cut it from the frame (it's tucked inside one of the pockets on the above pages).  I used the frame here and left the top and side open.  I slid a small mat under the sides and this will eventually be the home to the photo.  If I could have found my acetate sheets, I've packed them in such a good place I can't find them now, I would have backed the frame with acetate, I think that gives a much more finished look.  Once the photo is attached it won't matter.

Here's the flip outs on the last page, this time I matted the shoppes with the red, you can't go wrong with that.  A couple of stickers and the flaps are done. I had to share the perfume bottle on the right.
One thing I preach over and over is to always allow ample drying time when you are using a large amount of Crystal 3D Laquer or Glossy Accents.  Well what did I do but set something right into the goo before it had dried.  There was no way to smooth it out and it would have been a total loss, sniff sniff.  So I decided to see what would happen if I took my heat gun to it.  The result was this crinkly perfume bottle! Perfect so another goober salvaged!



Here's the back of the last page.  Under the fussy cut lady are several magnets so she snaps shut and holds whatever you decided to put underneath snugly.


When I glued my pages to the hinges I left the right sides open so I'd have room for a pocket to slide my mats in.  I used an EK Success Border Edge punch called Flower Burst for the pull.  Because there will be a lot of strain on the pulls coming in and out of the pockets I punched and cut another flower burst and glued it directly over top of the first one.  With double strength the pulls should hold up well.


Finally we are to the inside back covered adorned delightfully with this chipboard dress.  I added a black seam binding sash to the waist to go with the black bows on the top sticker.  So there you have it my horizontal flip mini.  I hope you like it and perhaps will give it a go yourself.  This is a fun retro paper collection to work with.  Happy Crafting everyone, enjoy the process and have fun.


Links to the store and mini album measurements will be directly below the supply list.

 Supplies

Carta Bella Metropolitan Girl paper Collection
Carta Bella Metropolitan Girl  Epherma
Carta Bella Metropolitan Girl  Chipboard
Carta Bella Metropolitan Girl  6x6" pad
Authentique Spectrum Paper Lady Bug 
Authentique Spectrum Paper Black Jack One  
Bo Bunny Pearlescents Island Mist
Art Glitter Glue 
Artisan Cardstock Sample Pack 
Medium Weight Chipboard 

Supplies from my Stash
Punches EK Success - 
Flower Burst Border Edge
Scallopped Scallop
Deco Scallop
Corner Chompers - Rounder and Scallop
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Iridescent Silver
Tattered Angels Simply Sheer Plain Jane Matte Rose Red
3D Crystal Lacque
Glossy Accents
Black Tulle

Please visit Country Craft Creations here -
Country Craft Creations shoppe - http://countrycraftcreations.com/
you can also join the Facebook group
Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations here - http://tinyurl.com/zhess6s

Visit me at A Soul's Heartbeat on

Measurements

2 Chipboard 6"x8" for front and back
I Chipboard 3" x 8" for spine

Hinges for 4 pages with a 3" Spine
cut paper 7.5" x 9.5"
score at 2" (on long side) and then every 1/2" until 
you get to 7.5"
fold your 4 hinges and leave a 1/2" gusset between
with a 2" at front and back

Pages (4)
Cut 7.5" x 11"
Score in half at 5.5"
Fold, glue over hinges


Friday, January 20, 2017

Operation Valentines 2017

Melissa Beatrice Adler, Mel to those of us in the Crafty world, has organized a collaboration among crafters called Operation Valentines 2017.  It's a group effort to provide children in local hospitals (in the Portland Oregon area) with Valentines.  Many of these kids are fighting daily struggles and this kind act will give them a sense of normalcy.  Crafters from all over are making sets of six Valentines and mailing them off to Mel.  She and her sister will deliver them to Doernbechers Children's Hospital early in February.  This is the second year they've done that and the response has been outstanding. If you really hustle you could get cards made and mailed in time to reach the deadline.  Checkout Mel's Facebook page Operation Valentines 2017 and her YouTube video which explains it all.


Here's a look at what I made using the Valentine Combo pack from Authentique and an old Bo Bunny line called Head Over Heals.


I used a lot of Stickles on the cards so that there wouldn't be any loose glitter falling off in the Children's rooms.  There are a list of do's and don't, nothing drastic, just things that wouldn't be appropriate for children in this type of hospital setting.


The heart balloons were die cut from an older Marianne Design Creatables called Heart Balloon (PP1401).  I used them on all the cards and envelopes.



The cards are very simple but I'm sure they are going to bring lots of smiles to some boys and girls.



All card bases were cut with white to an A2 size 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"


Inside I cut another heart this time from an oldie but goodie from Spellbinders called Nested Hearts a Shapeabilities die (S4-296)  The heart originally cut with a little knob at the top but I simply snipped it off and made the heart a more traditional look.  The stamped sentiment is a Paper Source die that had been gifted to me.

Thanks everyone for stopping by, I do have a short video to share the cards.  Please check out Mel's links and if you're too late to make cards for this year mark your calendars so you'll be all ready for 2018 because I'm sure she'll be doing it again. And lastly a HUGE thank you to Mel for taking this on, she will brighten the lives of so many young people with her generosity and compassion.


Supplies

Bo Bunny Head Over Heels
Art Glitter Glue
Stickles
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - 
Stickles
Glossy Accents
Pearls

Please check out the Facebook Page Operation Valentines 2017 for all the information 
Mel Adler's YouTube Video which explains the whole Operation Valentines 2017 

Visit me at A Soul's Heartbeat on
Blogger -  http://asoulsheartbeat.blogspot.com/
Facebook -  http://tinyurl.com/zbph36l
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/nwlady1949
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/northwestlady/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nwlady/



Thursday, January 12, 2017

My Valentine Mailbox


a Country Craft Creations design team project

Right around the corner Valentine's Day will be popping up.  It's such a fun Holiday and this year I wanted to create some sort of centerpiece and came up with this Mailbox.  Sometimes I've got to tell you creating is just plain fun!  This was one of those times.


At least 5, maybe 6, years ago I bought an oversized Valentine paper pad from Tuesday Morning. The inside covers had templates for cards and various projects.  The mailbox was one of them.  Doing this for Tammy Merrill's Design Team I wanted to be able to offer a similar template to viewers so they could make their own.  Today, in this techy world, it's just an amazing time to find just about anything you're hunting for.  I searched Pinterest and the Net for a 'Valentine Mailbox' and came up with a share from Brenda Quintana, it was on her Blogspt Qbee's Quest. I'll link to it at the bottom of this post. Brenda's is very similar to the one I had on my paper pad and really I used a combination of both to create my mailbox.  It's such a simple quick project with such fun results.


The mailbox door is trimmed with lace and ribbon from my stash and accented with Double Dot Think Pink Jewels from Bo Bunny.  I added a heart button to the top threading my narrow pink ribbon from the back to the outside so I can tie it to the top.  (The top ribbon is again run through an inside glued button, I added an eyelet on the outside so the ribbon wouldn't tear the paper).


There's a template for the flag in the instructions, I simply covered both sides with paper from the collection.  To dress it up I stacked a miniature red paper doily, a cut out Valentine word heart from the paper and a fussy cut piece of white paper (I used stamp scissors on the white paper to cut the heart mat so it would stand out from the words).


To hide the seam from where the back and sides of the pieces meet I took a piece of lace, a piece of pink ribbon and flat back pearls.  Since the pearls were cream I used a blue Copic marker to switch them up to a blue that matches the paper.  Whenever I can I always buy white and cream in embellishments and ribbon, you can then change it up to the color you're needing.


It made me extremely happy to use this heart on the inside of my mailbox door.  Manuela (Bunny Bow) gifted me with several happy mails of laces she's made.  They come all the way from Switzerland to my doorstep and I hoard them all!  I have got to quit and start sharing, but it's hard I get them out and look at them, sigh, oooh and ahhh and then carefully put them back.  This time I took out 3 hearts she'd made and used the one here.  I love it, now my mailbox is extra special.


The base is 3 stacked and glued cores from packing tape that I saved from our move (well I saved about two dozen cores but who's counting????).  I then wrapped them in the ombre pink from the paper and used another piece of ribbon for the bottom.  I attached two strips of heavy duty Velcro to the top of the base and the bottom of the mailbox.  By having it removable it will be easier to store and if I decided I want to just place the mailbox on the table without the base it's easy peasy.  

I'll link to the store supplies below the video as well as links to Country Craft Creations and my own site, A Soul's Heartbeat.  Please come and share a little more of your time with me on video and I'll share the process and lots more hints and ideas of why I did what.  I so appreciate you spending your time with me!!!


Supplies from Country Craft Creations
Authentique Valention Combo Paper Pad - http://tinyurl.com/hc25zxh
Medium Weight Chipboard - http://tinyurl.com/zfc7wxj
Bo Bunny Double Dot Jewels - http://tinyurl.com/jfc3tcd
Art Glitter Glue - http://tinyurl.com/h2dc7jy
Artisan Cardstock - http://tinyurl.com/jpsgegh

Special Thank you to Brenda Quintana for her Mailbox Template - http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/450969

Please visit Country Craft Creations here -
Country Craft Creations shoppe - http://countrycraftcreations.com/
you can also join the Facebook group
Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations here - http://tinyurl.com/zhess6s

Visit me at A Soul's Heartbeat on

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Authentique's Durable Collection transformed into Masculine Cards

a Country Crafts Creations design team project

I was chatting with Tammy Merrill, owner of Country Craft Creations, a few months backing and expressing how hard it is to find a Masculine paper collection and that's when she told me about Authentique's Durable collection.  It wasn't long after that she sent it to me to play with.  Well with family, friends and Holidays it took a back seat for a bit.  Today I'm here to share a dozen masculine cards made with it.  I love how grungy and manly they look, I hope you do as well.


There are all sorts of masculine images available in this paper line, it comes with 24 sheets of double sided 12" x 12" paper.  More than enough to make several dozen cards!

I also pulled out some packaging material, like the corrugated paper. If you don't want to fuss with making your own from a discarded box you can buy it from various manufactures but I like the rough look of the bits I torn apart.  I used leftover scraps of chipboard to pop up any of the pieces I wanted to give dimension to and tucked in bits of burlap and dyed twine here and there.  I also applied Glossy Accents in several places for effects.  I also used Distress inks on all torn or cut edges.  I just don't like to see the white edges show, but that's purely a personal choice of what appeals to you.

Another thing I incorporated on almost all the cards were Creative Embellishments arrows and gears. Any of you that follow my channels will remember I won a huge amount of their products before Christmas. This was my first chance to use them and it couldn't have been with a better project. I thought they added a lot to the cards. It's always fun to have something new you've won or been given to play with.  These elements were sprayed liberally with Tattered Angels Glimmer mists, I'll share this on video as well.


Today's video will walk you start to finish for the making of one card, that's at real time speed with me talking and give you ideas as I go along.  I will also be making 7 other cards on camera but in order to not have you nodding off due to the length I sped the video up so you'll see me moving in hyper speed but still be able to see how things were put together.  Off camera I used bits and pieces to finish the inside of the cards.  You'll see as you watch the video that I used several Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists to spray the card bases, oh wow that gives them such a glisten and makes the Kraft card base take on the color elements of the paper line.











You can see from the cards they all resemble one another because the same paper line and added elements are used throughout.  The change comes by how the elements, papers and greetings are placed and intermingled.  My hope is that this will give you lots of food for thought as you make your own set of masculine cards. Links to the supplies and store will be directly below the video.


Supplies from Country Craft Creations
Authentique Durable - http://tinyurl.com/z5sons9
Art Glitter Glue - http://tinyurl.com/h2dc7jy

Please visit Country Craft Creations here -
Country Craft Creations shoppe - http://countrycraftcreations.com/
you can also join the Facebook group
Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations here - http://tinyurl.com/zhess6s

Visit me at A Soul's Heartbeat on

Supplies from my Stash -
Creative Embellishemnts - gears and arrows
Tattered Angels - various Glimmer Mists
Canvas Home Basics - Bulk Card Bases and Envelopes in Kraft
Tim Holtz Distress Inks in - Chipped Sapphire, Gathered Twig, Ground Espresso, Aged Mahogany
Glossy Accents
Dyed cord, Burlap,brads, etc.