A Horse of a Different Color: New Oz album with G45 "Magic of Oz" & Leaky Shed Chipboard!!

We are journeying over the rainbow once again for an album full of Graphic 45's Magic of Oz paper. One of my oldest friends loves the Wizard of Oz and I want to make a very special album as a gift.  This time I am altering a Leaky Shed Emerald City chip board album.  I ordered this album with some matching etched chipboard embellishments a while back (like a year ago);  I think Leaky Shed still makes it.  Ask your local store if they can order it because it is pretty darned cool.

I started by altering the pages of the ablum to be a little more unique and interactive by adding flaps. I then covered each page with the gorgeous G45 paper.  To do this I traced the shape of the chipboard onto the paper (doing it backwards on back of paper where possible)  And trimmed then sanded/filed away the overhang.

On the front cover is the green "Emerald City" paper.  This album  comes with doors , I covered them with "Parcel Post." 

I really wanted the doors to open and close, so  I used a set of Tim Holtz' Idea-ology hinges. The brads provided won't go through the thick chipboard, so I used 3 in 1 glue. (Let it sit overnight) I also added a latch.

For the chip board letters I painted them in a thick coat od Viva Decor crackle paint in gold.  When it was dry I buffed in some InkaGold in lime green.  The final embellishments added to the cover were some Jeweled brads (green of course) and some green rhinestones.

On the back of the front cover I used the "Munchkins" paper.  Using the text on the door and the munchkins on the rest of the page.  I also added a line of brass colored faux brads around the arch of the door.  On the next page, I lined up Dorothy and Scarecrow to the front door using a quadrant from the "There's No Place Like Home". The background is the bubbles from the "Poppy Fields" paper.

I covered the back of page two with the character side from the "Yellow Brick Road" paper .  At the bottom I added a "pocket" with a strip of card from the "Journey to Oz" 8x8 paper.  I added a couple of tags into the pocket, one curved with  the poppies from "Poppy Fields" and the "Emerald City paper on back with stamps from "Parcel Post" and a pointed one with gingham from "Yellow Brick Road" and the slippers side of the "No Place Like Home" paper.

Page three has a flap added to it, I covered the front side in the Oz lettering from the "Scatterbrained Scarecrow" paper.  I added a copper color die cut embellishment by leaky shed of the Scarecrow. (These also seem to be made to match the Magic of Oz.) The outside of the added flap and main page are cover with the hearts from "Tenderhearted Tin Man."  And have a silver Tin man embellishment by Leaky Shed and Cowardly Lion stamp.

The back of the third page is covered with the ruby slippers pattern ("No Place like Home") and a fussy cut one from reverse side.  The next page is the tall silhouette of the Emerald City and the center of the book. I covered this in the green stripes from "Parcel Post." I added different sized green rhinestone bling on the top "pillars."  I used the same tracing, trimming and filing method that I used on the cover to get the shape right. I added two over lapping flaps.  The front one has the "Emerald City" paper with more green bling and a green pom pom ribbon across the bottom.

 The back of the flap is in the "Tenderhearted Tin Man."  The underneath flap has the newspaper side of the "Goblin Gazette" on one side and the cards from "Journey to Oz" on the back.

 The back of the city silhouette has the Oz lettering from the "Scatterbrained Scarecrow." There are some carer rhinestones added to the tops of the "pillars."  At the bottom I ,made a pocket from the "Munchkins" paper with a fussy cut edge at the top.  I added two tags that I had made for a different OZ album that didn't work out. (long story, lol)  So I honestly don't remember what the pink or gingham paper brands or lines are, I'm sorry.  On page six I added two flaps that I shaped into folder type tabs using the We R Memory Keepers envelope punch.  I added a simple woven ribbon tie to them. 

The base page is the blue gingham ("Yellow Brick Road") with a fussy cut Dorothy. The inner tab has hearts ("Tenderhearted Tin Man") and a fussy cut Tin Man on one side and "Yellow Brick Road" on the back. The front tab has the "Goblin Gazette" with a card from "Journey to Oz" on one side and the writing from "Munchkins" with a couple fussy cut munchkins on the other.

 The back of page six has the stamps from "Parcel Post" with the Leaky Shed Cowardly Lion embelly. The next page (7) has the striped side of "Parcel Post" covering it.  

 This is another page that has an added flap panel.  I covered the outside of the flap with the Scarecrow and Tin Man from the "There's No Place Like Home" paper.

 The inside of the flaps are in the "Emerald City" paper with a fussy cut Scarecrow and the words "There's no place like home" across it.  Page eight has cards from the 12x12 and 8x8 "Journey to Oz" paper.  I used one at the top of the page to change the shape of the page.

The back of page eight features the Wicked Witch.  I used the "Wicked" paper with fussy cut clocks from reverse as embellishments.   The next page is a pre-made chipboard tag I added to the album.  It has the Oz lettering from the "Goblin Gazette"  with the witch feet from "There's No Place Like home fussy cut on it.

The back of the tag has the "Tenderhearted" hearts and a fussy cut Wizard. I added some red and yellow ribbons.  I added a large page to the back so that the silhouette of the Emerald City was highlighted.  To create contrast I used the poppy paper over the whole piece and added the  Scroll work title from the "Magic of Oz" paper. 

 For the back of the album, I decided to go simple with a sheet of the Goblin Gazette.

I was really happy with how this min turned out and I think my friend really like receiving it as a gift.   The leaky shed album and embellishments were a great platform for the amazing Magic of Oz papers in 12x12 and 8x8 (one of my absolute faves!)

I apologize for the meh photos, I ended up taking them with my phone at my friends house.

 

2013 So Cal Shop Hop

Had another fun and awesome So Cal Shop Hop Adventure!  Rosie and I visited all the awesome crafting stores and had a great time! If you are a Facebook friend of mine I am sure you saw all the great photos. 
This one is my favorite!

If you live in or near Southern California maybe I will see you in my Shop Hop journey next year, its a BLAST - Craft stores with discounts and contests, what more could you want?!?

Corset Apron Design fo So Cal Shop Hop

 This year's Shop Hop theme is What's Cooking.  So this year we are decorating canvas aprons.  It took me a while to decide what to do; There are alot of cool things you can do with aprons.  I decided I wanted to go steampunk since I like that style and would be more likely to wear it again.  Then I got some inspiration from a Betsey Johnson tee shirt with a corset drawn on it,  So my final idea was a hand draw steam punk corset.

 

First thisng was to sketch out the corset on the apron.  I used the back of the apron because I didnt want to pockets in the middle of the corset.  I then went over my lines with a brown paint pen and started a bit of shading that would create depth.  To fit with the the steam punk theme I filled in the seams and boning with a copper gilding pen.

I then filled in the "fabric" part of the corset with an olive green paint pen.  I also added a necklace to the top of the apron and began filling in the background black.  This took several Sharpie markers.  I recommend the "magnum" for this much coverage.

 After I finished coloring/painting, I covered the edge of the apron and the neck strap in a faux suede.  I also added grommets down the corset front which I laced with green ribbon decorated in peacock feathers.  I decided to replace the drawing of a necklace with one made of a cameo embellishment and some bling. I think it looked way better.

 I added a glass bead fringed ribbon to the bottom of the corset. and re gilded all the boning and edges with the copper pen.  For finishing touches I added some steampunk themed embellishments like keys. gears and butterflies. I also replaced the tie with the green peacock ribbon.

 Finished apron.

Hope you enjoyed my So Cal Shop Hop apron project.  It was sure fun to make and I think it came out super cute.  I wonder what I will make next year....

Playing and Learning with Copics and LaLa Land Crafts Images

Lately I have been enjoying using my Copics to color some of my La La Land Crafts (digi) stamps.

 I print out my 'digis' on my HP printer in black ink only.  I have been testing different papers and so far I like the Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock and Bazzil Card Shoppe in Marshmallow.  I usually let the print outs dry overnight and sometimes also heat set the prints using my heat tool as if i was embossing the images.  This helps to avoid the black ink from the printer smearing and ruining the image or the tips of the Copics.  (If you use regular stamps I recommend Memento ink. Don't use StazOn because it can ruin the marker tips,)

Two of the projects I worked on were for La La Land Crafts' Facebook group's "Red White & Blue /. Fourth of July" contest.  The first card uses the hero stamps - "Star Boy Luca" and "Super Cupcake Marci."  I printed them both out and cut them off page loosely so i could have a smaller piece of paper I could move to different angles while I colored.

 

I started with the Marci image.  For her skin I used E000, E00, E21 and E11 with R20 as blush. (I will post a tutorial with each stage pictured in future--promise!) I continued to do the rest of her skin tones in the smaller areas.  I then did her bright red hair.  I color hair from the darkest (shadow) area to the lightest (highlight) area. So, for Marci's hair I began with R37 at the roots, tips and also where the hair curves in near her ears.  Working toward the highlight, I blended to R35, then R22 and R20 (highlight color)  I went over this a second time adding some R39 to the darkest areas. I colored in Luca's hair blue. (B37, B34, B24 & B21.)  Since Luca's hair is straight, I work from the roots (dark) and the tips (dark) with a highlight in upper to middle area.  I will some times use the lightest pen to draw a curved line where the approximate location of the  highlight should be.

I used R24 as the main color for the red clothing adding some R29 as shadows and R22 as highlights. My shading group for the blue clothes were B00, B02, B05 and if needed B06.  I thought this was a nice bright and fun blue for a super hero.  I then shaded the "white" areas (his shirt, her belt & gloves) with N0 & N2.  I started with N2 in darker area like edges of belt and blended out with the N0.  I then added a few extra colors, some pink and yellow for Marci's cupcake emblem, yellow on Luca;s safety pin and belt and red and blue for his star symbol.  I also added some glitter to the cupcake and star (its hard to see in photo.)

While the glitter was drying I built my card.  I decided to use a neutral base of a beige paper with stars over that I layered a red and white stipe paper and a bright blue with multicolor polka dots.  I then added red white and blue ribbon and my sentiment, "You are my hero."  I slid a circle with a star on it behind the ribbon.  But it turns out I really didn't like the circle. (lol)  So covered that with flowers and buttons in the red white and blue color theme.  And I liked that a bit better. Which version do you like?

 I also did a second card with the Luka stamp "Best Friends."  It is a really cute stamp of Luka with his dog.  I used the E000, E00, E21 and E11 combo for the skin again.  I also used the same R29, R24 and R22 combo for his red hoodie.  For his hair I used (from dark to light) E29, E27, E25 & E23.  On his puppy I used E87, E84 & E81 for the main fur color.  I added some E39 & E37 for darker spots and some Y32 to the yellowish spots.  For his jeans I used B97, B95, B93. These are a very grey blue and make awesome jeans.

I went pretty simple for background.  I used Authentique's Genuine paper for the jeans with tag on top of red & white polka dots.  I then stamped my sentiment and added the 4 brads and was done.  I really like this card I think its simple straightforward and cute with out being girly.

But speaking of girly...the last La La Land crafts and Copic Marker card I worked on this week was a thank-you card for a special friend.

 I used the Dress Up Marci stamp.  It is so cute with the over sized pumps and pearl necklace. For the darker skin tones I generally refer to the tutorial on La-La Land Crafts. (here) The colors they use are E11, E13 & E18.  For the hair I used C7, C5, C3 & C1.  With hair this curly I just try and decide where I think the darkest part of the curl is and work around it in the light to dark shades.  I decided the hat and shoes would be cute in purples. I used V12, V15 & v17 here.  I tried to keep the edge of brim the highlighted area on the hat. 

I did the dress in the same bright blues I had used on the super heroes. B00. B02 & B05.  The ribbon on waist and sleeves matches the hat coloring.  I also colored the flower in pinks. (R81, R83, R85)  On the necklace I added platinum colored Stickles. To complete the card I added some paper flowers and a doily from the Martha Stewart punch on a pre glittered gold card.

I thought Marcie looked sweet and liked how the colors looked together.  What do you think?  Do you have a favorite skin tone blending set for Copics or Spectrum?  I would love to know what you use!

Tutorial: Paper Teacups Filled with Flowers...Makes a Cute Mother's Day Gift

I wanted to share these really cute 3D teacups filled with rolled paper flowers.  I made these two at a crop this weekend, and think they are going to make awesome Mother's Day gifts!  I made two styles and will be going over the smaller "Demitasse" type cup first.

The smaller teacup is from the Cricut cartridge "Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2."  I cut it on my (new) Cricut Expression 2 on Craft Room at 7 inches wide.  This gave me a nice size for a cappuccino type cup.  When cut out the flat pieces look like this.

This will give you a handle, cup and bottom of the cup and 2 circles that are used to make the cup stay round and cover up glued seams.  I used the "Floral" pattern from Glitz' "Yours Truly" line for my teacup, I liked the patten and colors for a teacup.

To assemble the cup, glue or tape (I used scor/sookwang tape in 1/4 inch size) the tabs on the edge of the cup and base to round them.  I used the tabs as a guide and tried to match the spacing.  (Note: the piece I used as the base of the cup could be flipped and used as a saucer.)  Depending on the look desired, you cand trim a bit off the base to make it rounder or smaller.  After gluing I bent the tabs down on the bottom of cup and base so they looked like above.

I choose not to glue the handle but just to fold it in half and insert it in the slots.  I had to gently lengthen on of the slots with a small scissors to get the tabs on the handle in.  I then put glue (I used 3in1) on the tabs on the cup and glued the base to the cup. I then inserted the smaller circle into the bottom of the cup and the larger circle into the top of the base and glued them in to cover the tabs and make the cup look rounder and more finished. (you wont actually see these pieces and as you can just see, I glued the one in the bottom of cup in upside down.)

There is a big seam where they meet, I am sure if you are more careful and tidy than me that this seam would be lessened or avoided. I fixed it by gluing a piece of lace trim over the seam.  I also cut 2 more circles out of the same pattern, one at 1.125 inches and one at 1.5. I glued the larger one to the bottom of the base to make sure it had a good flat base to sit on.  The smaller piece I cut slits around the edge and crated tabs. I then bent the tabs and glued it to the top inside of the teacup to create a base for the flowers to sit on.  Again it doesn't have to be super pretty or perfect, it will all be hidden by the adorable rolled flowers. On this cup I inked the edges of the cup with Biscotti color Powdwer Puff chalk because I wanted a antique old world look.

The last step before making the flowers is to add something to give the flowers some body and shape, like a floral "bump it."  Here I used a circle that had cut badly that I turned into a cone.  I cut 2 slits at the top to flatten the point of the cone.  You could also use a half Styrofoam ball, floral foam, tissue or what ever you have on hand that works for the size and shape of your teacup. I added some pop dots under the middle of cone (like 6 or so stacked) to make sure it would hold and stay put.

Now its time for flowers!! This is the fun part to me.  I cut various types of rolled flowers from the Flower Shoppe, Artiste and Art Philosophy Cricut cartridges.  I used widths from 4 to 2.5 inches to make smaller flowers.  Now if you don't have a Cricut many of the die manufacturers like Sizzix and Spellbinders make dies for flowers or there are some precut ones by Imaginisce.  Or you cant tear/cut your own spirals to make rolled 3d flowers, I found a bunch of tutorials (like this) when I Googled "spiral flower tutorial."

So I cut out some different sizes and styles of flowers. I used American Crafts' Dear Lizzy 5th and Frolic "Pretty Parkway" paper for all the flowers on this teacup.  (I rolled some with the blue on the inside and some with the white on inside.) I also choose to chalk the edges of the spirals for the aged look.

If you haven't made rolled flowers before, here is my method.  I used a twilling tool or tweezers. (Here I used a locking forceps style tweezers because I forgot my twilling tool when I packed for the crop I was at.) Gripping the small end (outer) end of the spiral in your tool, start winding it or rolling it.  On most flowers the color on the INSIDE will show the most.  once you have the whole thing rolled around (except base/bottom larger center), take it out of tool and loosed flower to get the look you want.  Some people like really tightly wound flowers, I happen to like them a bit looser and unwound. Make what looks good to you.When you get to the end of the spiral you will see there is a large "circle" or other shape that will be the base of the flower. Put some heavy liquid glue or a big glue dot or glubber on it and glue your rolled and shaped bloom to it. You can now shape the petals and flower however you like, I tend to flatten some of the a bit. Voila! A flower.  Now make a whole bunch. :)

After you have a bunch of flowers made, it is time to fill your cup.  I started with the biggest flowers and put them toward the center. I continued too add the flowers from larger to smaller filling in the holes until you couldn't see the inside of the teacup.  To cover the seam I trailed some flowers down the cup like it overflowed.  I did not add any more embellishments to this particular style.

I also made a larger variation with a doily type saucer.  I used Glitz' Cashmere Dame line in Floral for this teacup.  I also embossed the paper to give it a fine bone china look. ( I used Anna Griffin;s Cuttlebug folder in Rosa.)  I wanted this teacup &flowers to have more of a English (Victorian?) high tea look.

I did most of the flowers with the same Cricut cuts, but this time made the a bit larger- like up to 5.5 inches.  I also used several different paper patterns, including Dear Lizzy and Prima.  I did not chalk the edges of the flowers.

For the teacup I used a Sizzix die designed by Brenda Walton with my Big Shot Machine. This cup has a more angled shape with scalloped edges. It gave me almost the same pieces when cut. The circles are smaller, but work basically the same way one one inside and one on bottom of cup. And the tabs on base glued to the side of cup on this version.

 

The Brenda Walton die has a handle that is made if a strip of paper that is rolled in an "S" Shape and glued to cup. I used the seam of the cup as guide to get the handle straight on cup. (as a bonus it hid the seam a bit.)  There is also one additional detail- a teabag label.  I used my tiny attacher and stapled it to some matching bakers twine and  hung it over edge of cup near the handle.  I used a semi blank paper for the tag and wrote my step-mom's initial and my happy mother's day sentiment on it.

After placing the rolled flowers, I filled in the spaces that remained with premade flower from my stash, mostly Prima and Petaloo ones.  I especially liked the small flat blooms for the tiny crevices. (The paper I used had a yellow back and made the inside practically glow.) I also inserted some Prima leaves along edge and between some flowers. After I had the flowers how I wanted them, covered the teacup part with a paper towel and sprayed the flowers only with shimmery Goosebumps texturizer. I then sprinkled Fairy Dust glitter in Sugar Shimmer over it.  This gave it a sugared flower candy look I really like.

For the saucer I cut out a 4 inch and a 6 - 6.5 inch doily on my Cricut using the Teresa Collins Basics digital cartridge for Craft Room.  (For the saucer I used Glitz' Floral from Yours Truly) on the 6 inch one I cut off a "pie piece" from one of the scallops and removed the center circle.  I then glued the edged together to make it slightly rounded.  I glued the 4 inch doily in the center to cover the hole I had cut and make a flat base.  I then glued the teacup in the center. (Ignore the circle under the cup-I originally made a plain circular base ans was scared to detach it.)  I added a couple of flowers that I glittered individually to the saucer to cover the seam.

So those are the two styles of posey filled teacups I made over the weekend.  I am hoping they make make for a nice Mother's Day gift of flowers that will stick around for a while.  What are you doing for Mother's day this year?

Until next time, stay sweet! - L

Materials used:

Dies/Cricut: Sizzix Brenda Walton Teacup die, Cricut Artiste, Art Philosopy, Flower Shoppe, Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2 and Teresa Collins Basics digital
Papers:Glitz: Cashmere Dame Floral & Yours Truly Floral, Dear Lizzy: 5th & Frolic Pretty Parkway
Inks/Glitters/Paints: Qick Quotes Powder Puff Chalk in Biscotti