the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Create With Me Monday

It's my turn again to host the Create With Me Monday post over on the Flourishes blog!  I have a couple of fun techniques to share using the Letraset Aqua Markers.

Here are my finished projects:

For full details, including individual photos, close-ups, and an in-depth photo tutorial, stop by the Flourishes blog.

Have a great Monday, friends!

~Cindy 

Supplies Used:

MFT Pep Rally & Block Calendar Tutorial

Today, the MFT designers are sharing some fun projects made with Die-namics dies.  I had a BLAST with this one!

My project is a Christmas block desk calendar.  I began in the Silhouette store, looking for templates that sparked my interest.  I never did find one I really liked; so I created my own.

I thought it could work either as a count-down to Christmas, or simply a calendar for December.  It's certainly a project that you could adapt, making a year-round calendar.

To create the holder, I began with a 4-1/2" x 11" piece of the gorgeous new Paver Red cardstock.  I scored it at 1/2", 2-1/2", 3-1/8", and 5-7/8".

Next, I folded all the score lines, and added a strip of X-Press It Double Sided Tape on the 1/2" section on the end.

I then folded on the score lines, and adhered the flap with adhesive on it up to the scored line at 5-7/8", forming an angle as shown in the photo below:

Next, I cut a second piece of Paver Red cardstock to 3" x 9-1/2".  I scored it at 1/2" along the bottom, and  2-1/2" from each end.  I then cut off the top half of each end section, cutting from the top inside corner to the bottom outside corner.  

I cut on the scored lines in the 1/2" section, cutting only up to the intersecting scored line.  I then added X-Press It double-sided tape to each of those sections as shown:

I then attached this piece to the first piece of cardstock, adhering the flaps on the underside as shown:

Don't forget to add a little double sided tape in between the two cardstock pieces at the top:

I gave the top of the holder a little more style with the Rounded Banner STAX Die-namics.

Here's what it looks like fully assembled, and before I gussied it up.

Here it is all decked out with the Poinsettia Die-namics, a couple of Medium Flourishes Die-namics for the sides, and a pretty sentiment piece made with the new Stitched Stockings set.

The blocks are 2-1/2" square, and can be made yourself, or you can find blocks on the Silhouette website, making it easy peasy.  Here's a shot of the open box.

Here's one of the blocks, close up and personal...such a little cutey, eh?  The numbers were die-cut with the new High Rise Numbers Die-namics.  I backed each number with Whip Cream cardstock die-cut with the Designer Labels STAX 2 Die-namics.  The pretty patterned papers are from Simple Stories Handmade Holiday collection.

Here's a detail shot of the poinsettia.  I made it out of Whip Cream & Jellybean Green cardstock, and sponged the flower with Tim Holtz Spun Sugar ink.

Here's one more close up of the button detail.  It's all in the details, you know?

Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to shop for your favorite Brand Spankin' New products from MFT. But first... it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally! Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last. We've taken an in-depth look at this month's Die-namics, while re-visiting the amazing sets being released tonight at 10 PM EST RIGHT HERE in the MFT Boutique. And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new?  Head over to the MFT Blog to print out a shopping list. Here are the details about the upcoming release:

• You can attend the New Release Party on November 13 from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can WIN PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on November 13 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• If you'd like to see all the designers' posts for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on November 13 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Thanks for stopping by, friends!

~Cindy 

Supplies Used:

Scor-Buddy & Distress Ink Fun!

It's my turn to host over on the Flourishes Blog with another Create With Me Monday post.  Today I'm sharing a few techniques for using the Scor-Buddy, as well as Tim Holtz Distress Inks.

I'll share one of my cards with you here; but you'll have to hop on over to the Flourishes blog for the video, other samples, and all the product/technique details.

I really couldn't do a post on Memorial Day that wasn't patriotic, now COULD I?! :-)  I used the awesome Patriotism on Parade stamp set for this one...LOVE that set!

I do hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day, my friends!  Take time to remember those who have served and those who continue to serve our country to protect our freedoms.  I want to personally thank my Dad, who is a Vietnam War vet.  Freedom isn't free.  We are truly blessed!

~Cindy 

Splitcoaststampers Tutorial!

Hello Stampers~

 I am so excited to have another tutorial over on Splitcoaststampers!  It's a super-easy one on how to make the Tailored Envelopes I make to go with 4-1/4" square cards, like the one above.  Hop on over to SCS and check it out HERE.

My card is made with Whipper Snapper Designs Fox Friends and All Things With Love stamp sets.   The pink gingham paper is from the Lost and Found Blush pack from My Mind's Eye.  That gorgeous Spellbinders die is the Fancy Tags Two Die.

That's all from me today, friends!  Hope you have a fantastic Wednesday!

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps: Fox Friends, All Things With Love (both from Whippersnapper)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Classic White, Lost & Found Blush Patterned Papers (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories: Pink Sheer Satin Ribbon, Pink Rhinestone, Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two Die, Spellbinders Petite Ovals Die, Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll Pen, SU Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

 

Ruffled Ribbon SCS Tutorial

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a special treat for you.  I was fortunate enough to be asked to write a tutorial for Splitcoaststampers, and today's the day it goes live!  Granted, it is the world's most SIMPLE tutorial; but I do so love the technique. :)  You can check it out for yourself right HERE.

The card above is the sample I made for the tutorial.  If you're wondering how to make that ruffled ribbon border, well, that's what the tutorial is! ;)   I used Flourishes gorgeous new Spring Has Sprung stamp set, and some luscious papers from Echo Park's For the Record collection.

I colored the image with Copic markers.  Here's a close up view for you:

The main ribbon is green Cotton Linen, and I added some cotton Twill and cream Wired Netting.  I used the Classic Oval Nestabilities Dies from Spellbinders, and sponged on some Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink.  I added some Copper Nailheads down the left edge of the card.

Here are the Copic markers I used:

Thanks a million for visiting with me today, friends!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Spring Has Sprung 
Papers:  Kraft, Kiwi, For the Record Patterned Papers (Echo Park), Classic Ivory 
Inks:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities, Grand Caliber Die-Cut Machine, Sponge Dauber, Word Window Punch, Copper Nailheads, Cream Wired Netting, Cotton Twill, Green Cotton Linen Ribbon, Leaf Stick Pins (Little Yellow Bicycle), Dimensionals, Scor-Tape

Another Video Tutorial!

Happy Friday, friends!

I know...can you believe I made another video already?!  I figure practice makes perfect; so here I am again. :)

This week's Flourishes Friday Focus is By the Sea.  We were to try to incorporate the "feel" of the sea in our projects.  I chose the Waterlilies stamp set, and tried a fun technique for giving the water a slight ripple effect.  Check out the video tutorial for all the details.  I made a few improvements in my video-taking skills...still need to work on quality; but I'm getting there.  I'd love to know what you think if you have a minute.

Here is the finished sample:

Stamps:  Waterlilies

Papers:  Classic White, Basic Black

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Marker Collections - Poppy, Spring Greens, Water, Daffodil, C07 Copic Marker (to color pearls at top of card)

Accessories:  Black Satin Stitch Ribbon, Black Lace, White Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch

If you'd like to play along with this week's Flourishes Focus, stop by the Flourishes Newsletter for complete details.

Now, hop on over to see what the rest of the design team has created:

• Christine Okken
• Faith Hofrichter
• Latisha Yoast
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan

Have a fantastic Friday, everyone!  Let's just hope that the never-ending rain doesn't put a "damper" on tonight's fireworks display.  We shall see...

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans...and a belated happy Canada Day to our nothern neighbors! :)

Hugs~
C 

Copic Coloring Tutorial

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Today I have something fun to share with you...a Copic coloring tutorial!  Would you believe it's a video tutorial???  It's my very first one; so please be gentle. :)

The card above is the finished sample.  I used Flourishes Nasturtiums stamp set.  The gorgeous ribbon and crocheted lace are also from Flourishes.  You have got to check out the ribbons at Flourishes!!!  They are the most fabulous ribbons I have ever used...especially the silks!  Yum-O!

I also used a couple of Flourishes new Copic Collections to do my coloring, Tiger Lily & Evergreen.  Those collections make shading your images a SNAP!

 

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Nasturtiums

Papers:  Classic White, Always Artichoke, Porcelain Designer Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tiger Lily Copic Marker Collection, Evergreen Copic Marker Collection, Daffodil Copic Marker Collection (flower centers)

Accessories:  Copper Finishing Touches Heart Pin and Brads, Ticket Corner Punch, Ivory Crocheted Lace, Moss/Olive Silk Ribbon, Sewing Machine, Dimensionals

Okay, here's the video for ya:

Thanks for watching! 

Check out the Flourishes Newsletter, as well as Julie's, Latisha's, and Stacy's blogs for more Copic coloring fun!

Have a great day!

Hugs~
C

Pun Fun Class

OMGosh!  Why have I not played with this stamp set before now?!  These images are so adorable, and so much fun to watercolor!  I hope it doesn't retire this year...I wanna play with it a whole lot more! :)

I did a class with it on Saturday, and everyone LOVED their cards!!!  I kept the layouts all very similar, and chose to do square cards for all.  If you scroll down below this post, you will see all of the cards up close & personal.

It has really bothered me that we don't sell any square envies to fit a 4-1/4" card!  Am I the only one who is obsessed with making these small square cards???  Anyway, I decided to try cutting one of my regular envelopes down & using DSP for the flap....VOILA!  It not only works great; but they are so darned cute too!



Here's how you make the envies:

Cut a medium envelope down so that it is square...I believe it's 4-3/8". 

Next, glue the flap down.  I use SNAIL because I hate licking envelopes!









Next, I used the 1-1/4" Circle punch to punch a half-circle in the top of the envelope.  This makes it easy to pull a card out.  You want to be sure to only punch the side with the seam in it.












Next, I scored a 4-3/8" x 3" piece of dsp at 1" (on the 3" side).  Be careful not to cut your dsp...gentle, gentle, gentle...yes, that's personal experience talking!

Attach the 1" section of the dsp to the envelope using SNAIL.

I used the Tag Corner Punch to angle the corners of my dsp.  You could use a corner rounder or whatever makes you happy. :)

I added some Greeting Glue across the top of the inside of the flap.  This glue is retired from SU; but I'm willing to bet you can get it in a craft store.  You just swipe it on & let it dry.  It then works just like the glue on the envelopes you buy in the store...cool, huh?!












Here's the front side of the finished envelope.

Aren't they neat?!  I usually just give clear envelopes with my small square cards; but this is so much more fun!

Have a very happy Tuesday everyone!

Blessings~
C

How to Dye a Ribbon Slide

Well, I've talked about how to dye a Ribbon Slide before, but never actually shown you how.  So, today I have a tutorial for you.

If you look at yesterday's post, you'll see that the Ribbon Slide in the middle of the flower is dyed blue (Soft Sky actually).

Here's how it's done:

Pour a small puddle of Crystal Effects into a plastic container.  I use the lids of the Stampin' Store containers.  Then add a couple of drops of Classic Re-Inker in the color of your choice.  In the photo I have shown Soft Sky & Groovy Guava.  Use a toothpick to mix the Crystal Effects & Re-Inker together.  Then use the toothpick to drop the lovely colored lacquer into the recessed area of the Ribbon Slide.  Set it aside & let it dry for about 10 t0 15 minutes.  That's it!  You can even dye those fabulous designer brads from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware kit in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  In fact, I'll bet there are other "dyeables" out there...just use your imagination!  Have fun with this, and let me know how it goes!

Star Box

Happy Friday Stamping Friends!

I am having so much fun preparing these posts for the week while I'm recovering from surgery!  I am so thankful to Lynn for explaining how to do that! :)

Here is another one of our Winter Demo Class projects.  I just loved making these!  They are so much easier than you would think!  I have made them in a few different designs.  You can also easily adjust the height of the box by adjusting the cardstock length.  Your box will be one inch shorter than the height of the cardstock.  For example, this box is 6-1/2" tall, one inch shorter than the 7-1/2" piece of Teal cardstock.  Make sense?  Hope so!  Sometimes I swear I know how to speak Greek!

Below is the tutorial for the box.  Enjoy! :)

Supplies:

Paper cutter with scoring blade
Cardstock –
7 ½" x 10 ½”  Taken with Teal
2” x 10 ½” Whisper White
Scraps of Teal & White for top & bottom
Designer Series Paper
3” x 10 ½” Bali Breeze
White Taffeta Ribbon
Pencil for marking
SNAIL Adhesive
Sticky Strip

Instructions:

1. Score Taken with Teal cardstock 1” from one long edge.
2. Adhere Bali Breeze DSP along score line on Taken w/Teal cardstock.
3. With DSP facing down, score Teal cardstock at 1”, 3”, 5”, 7” & 9”.
4. Flip cardstock over (not side to side) & score at 2”, 4”, 6”, 8” & 10”.
5. Adhere White Taffeta Ribbon along top edge of DSP using Sticky Strip.Cut the ten 1” squares into points & cut off the ½” tab (see photo below).
   
6. Accordion fold, creasing along each fold. Apply Stick Strip along the length of the side tab on the right side. Do not expose the adhesive yet.
7. Fold the tabs in, right over left, along bottom. Remove liner from Sticky Strip and adhere side tab to the inside, retaining star shape. Adhere tabs together (see photo below).
8. TakenTrace the outline of the box onto a square of Taken w/Teal cardstock.  Cut inside the pencil lines and adhere with Sticky Strip.
9. Use Crop-a-dile to dry emboss circles onto box lid, which is the Whisper White cardstock strip that is already scored for you. Emboss two circles in each section.
10. Repeat steps 6 – 9 with box lid. Use a white cardstock square to finish off top.
11. Before you adhere the top white star, punch out a Teal star using new Large Star Punch & attach to top. Then use the 1/8” circle punch to punch two holes in the middle & tie White Taffeta Ribbon through holes (see photo below).
12. Next time, try experimenting with different sized boxes. Have fun!