Handmade Leather Traveler's Notebook with Leather Flowers

Materials used:  Sizzix Big Shot Jewelry Studio, Sizzix Carnation Stack Movers and Shapers dies; scrap leather from Michaels; crystal rivets, elastic cord, and scrap leather from Hobby Lobby

This is a Passport size Traveler's Notebook (TN).  The base of the TN was cut out with generous scraps of black leather purchased from Hobby Lobby.  All credit must be given to my dear friend and amazing crafting guru, Tammy Santana who not only figured out how to make these TNs but also was generous to supply the leather and expertise to help me make this TN.  You can find Tammy on Instagram at @diyplannergirls or @tammysmithsantana .  You can also visit her blog by clicking on her picture on the right margin of this blog.

We used the Sizzix Big Shot Jewelry Studio along with the Carnation Stack dies to cut out the flowers from scrap pink leather/suede purchased from Michaels.  The Sizzix Big Shot made this task so easy - the leather cut like butter! After figuring out where we wanted them, we placed a hole in the leather cover and then used a crystal rivet to attach each layered flower.  We then added the elastics to the inside of the TN.

So pretty!

You can make your own pretty TN if you have the right equipment!  Craft on!!

"Coloring" Birthday Card

Materials used:  DCWV Birthday Wishes Stack, DCWV Pretty Prints Color and Create Stack, Chameleon Color Tone Pens in Peony Pink (PK4), Mellow Yellow (YO2), Grass Green (GR3), Green  Apple (GR1), and Royal Blue (BL6); Glue Dot Permanent Tape Runner; 4.5"x 6" card base

After collecting all my materials for this card, it was time to get started.  I was inspired to make this card by the DCWV Facebook page March 2017 Stack-a-holic Challenge card sketch.  I liked that it was a simple sketch so the coloring design would be the star of the card.

I colored a design from the DCWV Pretty Prints Color and Create Stack using Chameleon Color Tone Pens.  For most areas I used the brush nib of the pen and fused the pens in order to get the color gradation you see.  It's awesome to get so many shades of the same color just from one alcohol marker because of the unique system that Chameleon has.  

After the coloring was completed, I "fussy cut" the design.  I used pop dots to adhere the design onto blue card stock from the DCWV Birthday Wishes Stack which was already adhered to the card base.  I then cut out a "border" from another piece of card stock in the same stack to use on the card.  After typing the sentiment onto it, it was adhered to the card.

 Hope you enjoyed the card!  Craft on!

   

Sine Mandala

This is a mandala by Sine Hagestad that I downloaded and colored from the Chameleon Pens newsletter February 2017 issue of "The Changing Times".  

I colored it using only 3 Chameleon pens - Peony Pink (PK4), Fuchsia (PK5), and Green Apple (GR1).  All the color gradation you see in the individual colors is accomplished by "fusing" the pen.

 I cut out a 3D flower die cut on the Cricut Explore using the Flower Shoppe cartridge.  I colored it using the Fuchsia Chameleon pen - fusing the pen for about 5 seconds.  As you can see I was not really all that particular or careful about my coloring.  This is because once the flower is rolled up it really will not matter.  You'll see!

I finished the interior area with the Peony Pink Chameleon pen - fusing for about 3 seconds and again, not being too careful or particular.

Now use the same process to color the back since this is a 3D flower and both sides will be seen.

Start rolling the colored card stock from the outside end of the "circle".  Keep on rolling till you get to the end.  Tuck the last circle under and adhere with some Glue Dot Squares or a hot glue gun.

I added a design in those empty circles and used a black Pigma Micron PN pen to trace over the pencil.  These pens are compatible with alcohol pens.  Chameleon Pens also makes a black detail pen that is designed to use with their alcohol pens.  I finished coloring, fussy cut it out, and then added the flower to the center.

 Here it is again - all completed!  Be sure to visit www.chameleonpens.com , click on "Newsletter" and you too will have access to the archives of all the Chameleon Pen Newsletters which are full of art, instruction, and free downloads!

Thanks for stopping by!

"Lovely" Box Card

I've been wanting to make a box card for awhile now.  It was all kind of a mystery to me - the how to's and all!  So, I did purchase the Cricut All Occasion Box Card cartridge for the Cricut Explore and thought at least I'd have a jumping off point to begin to see how the whole thing works.

I cut the base of the card in white card stock and all the layers in coordinating colorful card stock using the Cricut Explore and Design Space free design software.  I did search online for some instruction on how to size and assemble the card - here's the link.  Designer Lori Whitlock created the content of this cartridge and the link will take you to her website with a video.

I always score the card with a scoring board as the Cricut Explore scoring tool doesn't score deep enough.  At least the light scoring gives me the exact location of where the score line should go.

Start assembling the box card by adhering the layers according to the assembly directions.  I used a Scotch ATG gun.

The box card is taking shape!

Here she is!  I cut out a few hearts from the colored card stock to add to the project.  I really like box cards! And, they fold flat for mailing!

Craft on!!

Chameleon Pen Colored Mandala

Wanted to share today this mandala colored with 2 Chameleon pens!  Yes, I said only 2 alcohol marker/pens were needed to get the effect you see!  If I had used another brand of alcohol marker, I would have had to use about 6 pens to get the same look/effect.  You heard that right - 6.  

The two Chameleon Pens I used are: BG3 Turquoise and BL6 Royal Blue.  Because of the way these markers can be fused with a colorless blender solution on each pen, blending and gradation is seamless and smooth.  And beautiful!

Currently I only own about 6 pens but I have really been enjoying using them and seeing what they are capable of.  Check out this link to learn more!

Don't Be Afraid to Draw in your Planner

Inspired by the crafting tape "Enchanted" by Recollections which is mermaid and ocean related, I wanted to add more mermaid to this planner layout in The Happy Planner.  I drew a mermaid and mermaid tail using Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils.  Added the washi tape (which they call craft tape on their label) and a few stickers by Me and My Big Ideas and this layout was ready for the pen.  

A Flip Card!

A dear friend was having a special birthday so it called for a special handmade card!  I thought it would be fun to use the new Anna's Fantastic Flip Card digital designs on the Cricut Explore to cut out the base and layers of this card.  I did that first and then I printed and cut the sentiment.  Then it was time to put it all together.  Let's get going!

I chose this retro paper and stamp set by Photoplay called Slightly Sassy.  The picture above shows the paper and stamp set along with all the layers cut out.  

Use a scoring board to score all the appropriate areas on the flip card.  The Cricut Explore uses a scoring tool but it does not go deep enough so I redo the score lines with a bone folder.

Use the bone folder to make all the folds.

Here's the card all folded and ready to attach the layers.

I used Glue Dot adhesive to put it all together.

Here's how the card looks so far.  Next, I thought it would be nice to emboss a stamped image and use it on the card.

These are the items I used.  Prior to stamping an image on card stock, use the Embossing Magic to "wipe" the area where you will be stamping.  This prevents the embossing powder from adhering to the card stock where you don't want it.

After stamping the cat clock image with black ink on white card stock, while the ink is still wet, cover the stamped image generously with embossing powder. Then tap it all off - flicking the card stock to remove all the excess.

Use a heat tool to heat emboss the image.  You will see the embossing powder melt into the ink and the image will look shiny!

I used a few Glue Dot glue squares to adhere the cat clock to the edge of the card.

Here is the finished card again!  It was a fun card to make and my friend enjoyed it and my humor.  

These are items used to make this card:

Anna's Fantastic Flip Cards Cricut Explore Digital Cartridge, Cricut Explore, Photoplay Slightly Sassy card stock/stamps, scoring board and bone folder, Glue Dot glue squares and micro dots, Embossing Magic by Inkadinkado, Versafine pigment ink in onyx black, Zing embossing powder, heat tool

Hope you enjoyed my card.  Craft on!!

'Hello There' Card

Here's the finished card!  If you'd like to see the steps, read on!

 This Authentique card stock is super cute.  Actually it's Fabulous - and that's the name of this 6x6 pad!  Deciding which ones to use is the hard part since they are all favorites of mine.  I took a few pages out and then I got started with deciding on card design.

I choose a card sketch from Pinterest.  Then I uploaded the sketch into Cricut Design Space.  After changing the size of the sketch to the size of the card I wanted, I inserted shapes so I could use the sketch as a template.  Here's how it looked.

             Just drag the shapes over to the template and make them the appropriate sizes.

After all the shapes were complete, I changed the colors of each piece so each would cut out on a different mat.  I also deleted the template.

After cutting everything out, assemble the card according to the sketch - changing it however you'd like.

Check out Authentique card stock if you can.  They have beautiful designs!

Thanks for stopping by.  Craft on!