For the Birds by Jenny Griffiths

From Memory Box . . .

For the Birds by Jenny Griffiths

"This Memory Box grand oak tree is brimming with birds and blooms. It's a little hard to tell that Spring is on its way with reports of snow, hail and torrential rain but really, Spring IS coming and here is a preview...

by Jenny Griffiths

There's even a tire swing for those who feel that little kid inside them. Tire swings are not the easiest to get in and out of---having any flashbacks? Ouch!

Anyway, this card is designed to keep in touch with friends and family which is always appreciated. Sometimes just a note to say Hello is the nicest sentiment of all."

From Imagine Crafts, another Artist-in-Residence project:

AJ’s Technique of the Week: Chalkboard

"Hi all, AJ here to share with you my version of the chalkboard technique. I have seen this done several different ways, and I am sharing my version, which also happens to be quick and easy! 

I adore these mixed font stamps from Avery Elle—I can’t stop using them. And when I do, I tend to use them with the chalkboard technique. I have seen lots of people use this technique with white pigment/chalk ink and white embossing powder. However, I don’t have any white embossing powder. Anytime I can recreate something with less stuff, the better!

I liberally inked up my stamp with VersaMagic chalk ink in Cloud White, and stamped the image onto my black die cut.

Moving quickly, while it’s wet, I gently smeared the ink around using my finger. I also added a bit more ink along the edges. You can keep adding and smearing ink until you are happy with the results. It’s that simple!

Here’s another tip: Sequins are popping up everywhere it seems; the ones I used are white and are simply colored with a yellow alcohol ink marker. I love being able to customize my embellishments to match!

Have you tried the chalkboard technique yet? Leave a link in the comments section; we’d love to see!

Enjoy!"

~AJ

Supplies used: Framed Fonts stamp set from Avery Elle; VersaMagic cloud white ink pad from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko; Copic® marker from Imagination International Inc.; sequins from Ellen Hutson; washi tape from Queen & Co.; Standard Circles SM (#S4-116) and Classic Squares LG (#S4-126) die templates from Spellbinders™ Paper Arts; Crafty Foam Tape and 3D Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L™.

From Magenta, news announcing that the Winter 2013 Cat of the Season is "Holly." She is going to be the last of the Magenta Cat series. Those of you who know the value of a collection, whether it be for sentimental or other reasons, will want to make sure to order "Holly". Our order is going in, so please call Art 'n Soul asap to reserve your "Holly" stamp from Magenta.

HOLLY
Magenta's 2013 Winter Cat of the Season
Limited Series

And also from Magenta's blog, new chipboard dolls for your mixed media projects. We're ordering a limited supply of these chipboard dolls; if you'd like a set for your mixed media project(s), please let us know.

"4 princesses

To follow my colleague's post, I present you the details of my creation made with the Chipboard Mixed Media Dolls, a wonderful new product from Magenta.

CB31- Poupées ''Mixed Media'' / Mixed Media Dolls

To support my project, I used a 12" x 15" canvas and all 4 Chipboard Dolls.

I used a lot of other chipboard shapes on my project from the following products:

CBS123 - Oiseaux / Birds

CB1212 - Bordures victoriennes / Victorian Borders

CBS122 - Papillons / Butterflies

CB651 - Clés et serrures / Keys & Locks

CB644 - Libellules / Dragonflies

CB663 - Tic Tac Toe (coeurs) / Tic Tac Toe (hearts)

I wanted to "hide" the edge of my canvas : I used washi tape that was coordinated to the colors I had picked.

To add a little more punch and dimension to my creation, I decided to add butterflies and flowers that I previously made by hand. I also worked with strings to make swirls

I used the following Mediums to give a little magic touch to this magical universe:
Silks Paints, Inka Gold, Archival Ink, Gesso, Gel Medium.

I highly recommend you these new Chipboard Mixed Media Dolls from Magenta."

Carrie Boissonneault @ Cappucine1978

DT Magenta

From Spellbinders . . .

Penny Gordon: Facebook Friend Guest Blogger

"*Editor's Note: Hi Friends! Every 1,000 new friends we try to choose aFacebook Friend at random to be a guest Spellblogger. It has been so crazy busy and we've been growing so quickly, that our guest  today was chosen during a month where we grew over 2,000 friends! Thank you all for being so supportive of the Spellbinders Community. We couldn't do it without you. And now onto our Guest Blogger, Penny Gordon! Penny is a Facebook fan and reader of our blog, just like you! Let's show her some love as she shares her tutorial below."

By Penny Gordon:
"WOW!! Pinch me I’m dreaming.  On second thoughts, please don’t pinch me because I really don’t want this dream to finish.  I cannot believe that I have this chance to be a Guest Spellblogger. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.  I love Spellbinders, and my ever increasing collection of dies and folders is testament to that.

I’m Penny, and I live in beautiful Canberra, Australia.  I’ve been cardmaking for about 5 years, since I was dragged “screaming” to a card making party.  I only went as a favour, I really didn’t think I would like it...boy was I wrong.  I soon became addicted.

This week’s theme is Cut Fold and Tuck.  I only have a couple of Cut Fold and Tuck dies, and I must confess to not having used them very much, so my first reaction was “What am I going to do?”  I got my dies out, to see which ones I had, had a look at stamps and papers, and hoped that inspiration would come my way.  After several false starts with different ideas, here is the card I have come up with.  It is very different to my usual style.  I hope you like it.

by Penny Gordon for Spellbinder Paper Arts

Spellbinders Paper Arts Supplies:

• Spellbinders Grand Calibur Machine
• S5-137 Diamond Strips and Accents
• S4-310 Labels Eighteen

Preferred Partners:

• Our Daily Bread Designs Bird and Butterfly Labels stamp set
• JustRite Fleur De Lis Labels Twenty stamp set
• Want2Scrap Nestabling Labels Eighteen White and 72 Count White Pearls

Cross Promotional Partners:

• KaiserCraft “Lakehouse Collection” Getaway
• Tsukineko StazOn – Jet Black

 Others:

• White cardstock
• Weathered Wood and Walnut Stain Distress Ink
• Foam tape
• Double-sided tape
• Daubers

First I cut an A5 card base using white cardstock.  I then cut a piece of the KaiserCraft “Getaway” paper to fit the front of the card base. 

Using the diamond strip from the Diamond Strips and Accents die set, I cut along one side of the “Getaway” paper.  Once cut, I folded and tucked as displayed above.

Using the reverse side of the same “Getaway” paper, I cut out the number 4 label from the Labels Eighteen die set.

After stamping an image from the Bird and Butterfly Labels set, and the sentiment from Fleur De Lis Labels Twenty set on white cardstock, I cut the image out, using the number 3 label from the Labels Eighteen die set.

With the die still in place as a mask, I sponged Weathered Wood Distress Ink. Before adhering the patterned paper to the card base, I sponged the edges of both with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  I also sponged the edge of the larger Labels Eighteen mat.

I adhered the paper to the card base with double sided tape, with the diamond strip at the top of the card.

 

I mounted the image onto the floral mat, and the mat onto the card, using foam tape to add some dimension.  Now it’s time for some bling!!! I framed the image with Want2Scrap Nestabling Labels Eighteen.  I love having things that co-ordinate, and I think this sets off the image.

A little more bling along diamond tucks at the top, this time some Want2Scrap Pearls, and the card is finished."

Today was a 'happy' day! Granddaughter Cecilia has grown so much since we last saw her in October. If I miss a day on the blog, I know you'll understand that Gammy is having too much fun to stop and blog.