On the cuff – charms, buttons and braids
Posted: June 14, 2013 Filed under: Blog Hops, Design Team, Fabric, Gift Items, Jewelry, Ranger, technique, Uncategorized, Xyron | Tags: Braid, Cuff, Epiphany Crafts, fabric, jewelry, Linda Neff, Pinterest, Tim Holtz, Tools, Tutorial, wearable art, Xyron 10 Comments »
Hey there! I want to share my Pinterest-inspired braided cuff with you. It’s something I pinned a while back and when I got word Xyron was doing a blog hop with Epiphany Craft I thought it a great opportunity to track down the tutorial and make it.
I love Pinterest and the board list just keeps growing under my name, but fortunately I’m learning to organize them a bit better so I can actually find something when I need it.
When my package for the hop arrived from Xyron with the Epiphany Crafts products inside I was so excited to find I had received a packet of charms because I knew immediately they would be used on the braided cuff. I had never used any of the Epiphany Crafts products prior to this but they were so easy to use and worked just as the package said they would!
I love that the charms I received are double-sided. So often these little charms are one-sided so the backside remains plain. I was able to utilize both sides of the charms for when they flop over.
I gathered up a grouping of old family photo copies and used the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Square to punch the photo and apply the Shape Studio Accessories Bubble Caps Square Epoxy Shape.
I am impressed as to how easy it is to punch and adhere the epoxy with just one step. I swapped in some pretty pattern paper and little word stickers from Tim Holtz to use on the opposite sides of the photos for the charms.
Then I ran all the little pieces face-up through the Xyron 1.5″ Create-a-Sticker and adhered them into the charms.
When the charms were all done I started work on the braided cuff. Heidi over at Sew, Craft & Create has a wonderful tutorial for cuff and I was able to understand the directions as well as have the cuff turn out well.
I started with the leg from an old pair of jeans that my husband saved for me. He’ actually beginning to understand there are certain items you just don’t throw in the trash and denim is one of them!
I cut the denim to the dimensions specified in Heidi’s tutorial and wrapped it around my wrist and having a 1-inch overlap.
Next I cut the strips and stitched them to the main piece just like the tutorial said. Then I followed the directions to make the braid. Easy-peasy!
The braided cuff provided the perfect backdrop for the Epiphany Charms. I hand-stitched them on using carpet thread because of it’s durability. This is the first cuff I’ve made and I’m really liking it and will be making plenty more of these. They’re so much fun to make and to be able to add old family photos (or use someone else’s family) is just the icing on the cake!
I chose to use photos of my mother at various stages in her life. I have since added some vintage white buttons and I may add some clear beads to it as well. The denim with its unfinished edges frays nicely and give the cuff that worn, vintage look. It is very comfortable to wear. I can’t wait to see what other shapes Epiphany has for the charms. I think this would be great with a mixture of shapes and sizes.
Be sure to stop by the Xyron Blog and Epiphany Blog to see what great projects the other designers have been creating!
Techniques to add glam to your next layout
Posted: June 9, 2013 Filed under: Design Team, Globecraft & Piccolo, Ranger, scrapbook layout, technique, Uncategorized | Tags: Globecraft & Piccolo, heat emboss, Linda Neff, Piccolo Embossing Powder Adhesive, Piccolo Embossing Powders, Ranger, ScrapBook, Sizzix 1 Comment »We’ve been challenged this month to create a scrapbook background paper using our Globecraft & Piccolo embossing powders. Sometimes I’m surprised and delighted as to how these challenges evolve and what I am able to learn by working to meet them.
Click on the link to hop over to the Globecraft & Piccolo Blog to see a few ideas you can use to glam up your next scrapbook layout.
Happy birthday, precious
Posted: May 31, 2013 Filed under: card, Fabric, home decor, scrapbook layout, Stamping, Uncategorized, Xyron | Tags: baby, Birthday, gifts, Linda Neff, Ranger Archival Ink, Stickz Fabric Adhesive, Xyron, Xyron Creatopia 5 Comments »
Our baby turned 30 last week.
It’s been a rough road for her over the past year or two but she’s a survivor and I know in my heart she will come out on top and happy. She’s been tough and head-strong since day one and always presents an upbeat and positive attitude – if only on the outside some days. The photo I pulled out to use in these projects reminded me of that.
When this picture was taken, it had been a rough week. She was so sick but still smiling and happy through it all – just taking it all in stride.
I had some projects due for Xyron – birthday and baby themes. The timing was perfect to work both those projects around Rachel and her birthday.
For this card I started with a plain A2 card cutting a pattern and coordinated cardstock to use for the matting on the front and inked all the edges with Ranger’s Archival Pitch Black Ink.
Then I ran all the paper pieces and photo through my Xyron 5″ Creative Station.
It is so quick-and-easy to assemble the card once the adhesive is on the back of each piece – just peel-and-stick!
I used the same photo on a scrapbook layout as well. I have to admit, the layout isn’t my usual distressed style but I really like it. I started with the die-cut hearts (Sizzix Primitive Hearts), some burlap cut for the photo mat, coordinating yarn, a couple vintage white buttons, and some scrap lace. I cut the title from my Sizzix Go Slim alphabet die. I was able to process all these pieces through my Xyron Creatopia using the Stickz Fabric Adhesive at one time – love it!
Once I peeled off the top cellophane layer all I had to do was peel-and-stick onto my background cardstock. I am so happy with the results of this layout and couldn’t believe just how quick-and-easy it was to put together using the Creatopia. It just makes me smile every time I pass by this layout on the table. I’m going to have to put away soon.
This layout is one piece of a three-piece collection centered around a baby theme. The other pieces include an adorable fabric bunny and a cute frame for baby’s room.
The fabric bunny is one of three that was cut and processed through the Xyron Creatopia with the Stickz Fabric Refill. I then stuffed them, ever-so-slightly, with a tad of polyester stuffing and stuck them together. The Xyron Fabric adhesive holds the stuffing and opposite side into place for stitching.
I also cut more fabric hearts, stuffed and stitched and processed the title ‘Precious,’ and the hearts through the Xyron 5″ Creative Station with the 5″ Permanent Adhesive Refill. These were used to decorate a black, framed mirror. The entire collection looks really nice together and would make wonderful gifts as a group or on their own.
Projects like these make me realize that sometimes simple really is the way to go!
Exploring my backyard …
Posted: May 22, 2013 Filed under: Blog Hops, BoBunny, Globecraft & Piccolo, mini album, Ranger, Uncategorized, Xyron | Tags: Basically Bare, Blog Hop, BoBunny, Garden, Globecraft & Piccolo, Linda Neff, mini book, The Twinery, Xyron 22 Comments »
All this week Xyron and BoBunny design teams are working together to share some great ideas using their products. I received BoBunny’s Trail Mix collection. I created this little mini to document areas in my yard and garden that need some extra attention this summer. Of course, as usual, I’m about two weeks or more behind in garden work so now I have to play catch-up. But, I digress. On to the mini book.
I started with a plain mini book from Basically Bare – Krafty Keepsake Vintage. This mini has four white envelope pages with flaps and a heavy-duty chipboard inner page along with two black chipboard covers.
After measuring the covers, envelopes and center page I cut papers to fit each of these along with some smaller pieces to cover the envelope flaps. I inked all the papers with Vintage Photo Distress Ink followed up by a light edging of Black Soot Distress Ink then processed them all through the Xyron 9″ Creative Station.
With full coverage of adhesive on the papers it is so quick-and-easy to put this little book together – just peel and stick! I even process my photos through my Xyron 5″ Creative Station because they stick down so very well. Mini books often get a lot of handling so I like to make sure my photos and papers are stuck down securely.
After adhering BoBunny’s papers to the envelope flaps I made reinforcers by punching 1/2 circles, coating them Piccolo Glastique Gloss (clear-drying dimensional glue), and adhered them in place with little black brads. I added a length of Cappuccino twine from The Twinery as the closure.
I intend to tuck garden notes and receipts into the envelope pages. Seems like every time I purchase garden plants with a one-year guarantee I can never find the receipt the next year if I need to return it because it didn’t survive. This way I’ll be able to access the receipt!
I popped up several of the BoBunny Noteworthy die-cuts by trimming some leftover Grunge Board which I processed through the Xyron 1.5″ Create-a-Sticker, flipped over and processed again. This applies adhesive to both sides of the Grunge Board so I’ve just created my own dimensional adhesive.
The flat embellishments are adhered with Xyron’s Mega Runner and Xyron’s Glue Stick.
I added a dollop of Glastique to the eggs on this little tag to make them a bit dimensional. It dries in about an hour and adds a nice touch.
I love this large postage-stamp embellishment. I inked the edges and used Xyron’s new High Tack Adhesive Dots to adhere the metal BoBunny Trinket in the center.
I also added the Explore Trinket to the cover with two black brads and tucked in a little bird from the Noteworthy collection.
I added the BoBunny double dot ribbon By using Xyron’s High Tack Adhesive Dots to the back cover and pressing the ribbon in place. It keeps the garden journal closed by tying a simple bow.
For even more ideas using Xyron and BoBunny be sure to visit the Xyron and BoBunny blogs.
Glittered ornamentations for anytime …
Posted: April 24, 2013 Filed under: Art Glitter, Design Team, Gift Items, home decor, technique, Uncategorized, Xyron | Tags: Art Glitter Gala Glitz, Claudine Hellmuth Gesso, Independence Day (United States), Linda Neff, Memorial Day, patriotic, Ranger, Sizzix, Sizzix Primitive Heart die, Xyron 20 Comments »Hey there! It’s been a crazy week or so around here – more about that next time; today I want to show you these adorable little glittered ornaments I made using cardboard, Art Glitter and Xyron!
Xyron is updating photos on its Web site and so design team members selected ‘old’ projects and gave them ‘new’ life. I drew the “Glittered Ornaments.”
I just couldn’t get my senses into Christmas mode so opted to make Patriotic ornaments that can be displayed from Memorial Day, which is right around the corner, through the Fourth of July. I was actually inspired by the events that took place recently in Boston. I wanted to somehow pay homage to those who worked so hard to bring the criminals to justice and to all those citizens who pulled together to help each other during the tragic events and I’ll think about how we all pull together in time of crisis each time I look at these.
I cut the hearts from corrugated cardboard using the Sizzix Stars, Primitive die on my Vagabond die cutting machine.
After punching them all out I spritz them with water to make it easier to rough them up a bit. I just use my fingernails for this or a pick or piercing tool work too.
I use a heat tool to dry them before finger painting them with Claudine Hellmuth Gesso to provide a nice white background for the glitters.
The gesso can also be quick-dried with a heat tool. To easily coat these pieces with glitter I run them through my Xyron 5″ Creative Station using re-positional adhesive. I put them in face-down so the adhesive goes on the side with the gesso.
I peel the cellophane backing off and discard. Because I do not want a good solid coverage on these (other wise they won’t look distressed!) I quickly peel the stars off the Xyron adhesive strip so some of the adhesive strings and comes off. I love this technique – it just cannot be perfected any other way. I find that just quickly peeling them off always gives me the kind of coverage I want for this technique. Then, the fun begins! I lay them on a creased piece of office paper and sprinkle them with beautiful shades of Art Glitter that stick very nicely to the Xyron adhesive.
For the patriotic look here, I used Art Glitter No. 27 Navy Ultrafine Opaque, No. 500 Ruby Red Microfine Opaque and No. 533 Mini Pearl Microfine Pearlescent. I just love the way the Xyron adhesive has pulled away from the body of the star so the beautiful Art Glitter colors coat the stars in a random, vintage style exposing some of the gesso and corrugated parts.
Once the glitter is in place I pierced holes on each side of the stars to attach wire for hanging. I tied some tulle and scrap muslin around some and left the others plain. I printed a few patriotic words to adhere to the stars using my Xyron 1.5″ Create-a-Sticker with permanent adhesive, lightly inked the edges and stuck them down.
I added a few embellies here and there: buttons, threads, clear beads, stick pins and an old rusty star that I treated with gesso, Art Glitter No. 533 Mini Pearl Microfine Pearlescent and then just a light sprinkle of the Art Glitter No. 27 Navy Ultrafine Opaque. I’m happy with the way they turned out and I’m going to enjoy seeing them hanging here-and-there around the house.
These are so easy and quick to create – have a go!
To see other great projects from my Xyron and Art Glitter design team members, please click on the links to visit our blogs and enjoy!
Wearing my heart on my fridge …
Posted: April 11, 2013 Filed under: Art Glitter, Art Glitter Design Team, Gift Items, home decor, Uncategorized, Xyron | Tags: Art Glitter, Canvas Corp Clothes Pin, Claudine Hellmuth Gesso, corrugated cardboard, Linda Neff, Magnet, Refrigerator magnet, Sizzix Primitive Heart, Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker, Xyron 2.5, Xyron Magnet Tape 11 Comments »Howdy! Wanted to share a quick little idea with you for creating magnets.
My fridge magnets were really in need of an update since all the kids have left home – and it’s been awhile.
I created a couple to start with that are a bit more my style than child-like. I was able to use up some materials I had stacked and stored (it’s always a good thing when you can decrease your stash!) which made me happy.
Whenever I cut dies such as the Sizzix Primitive Hearts or Sizzix Flowers, 3D, I save the extras I don’t use in a container. I started by gathering the smallest hearts and a couple of the cut flowers, some glitter, Xyron Magnet Tape, Gesso and printed words.
If you’ve been following this blog for a while you know how much I love my Sizzix Primitive Heart die, especially when cut from corrugated cardboard.
I spritz the hearts with plain water so it’s easier to rough them up a bit.
I ran some leftover scallop circles punched from old book pages through my Xyron 2.5″ Create-a-Sticker, roughed up a heart or two, blotted off some of the water and stuck the circles to the top of the hearts. The overhang is torn off.
Dry the hearts briefly with a heat tool and finger paint them with a bit of Claudine Hellmuth Gesso. If the Gesso is too thick and you cannot see the book page words through it, just spritzed with a bit of water and use your finger to rub it around so it becomes a bit more translucent. Rough the hearts up a bit more if needed and briefly dry them again.
Process the hearts face-down through the Xyron 2.5″ Create-a-Sticker Maker. For a distressed look I do not rub the back or outline the edges of the hearts while they’re on the Xyron backing. I tend to peel them off quickly so the adhesive is pulled off randomly and hap-haphazardly. The point here is stringy and missed spots.
Place the hearts, sticky side up, in a glitter tray and sprinkle with Art Glitter #102 Mimosa Ultrafine Transparent Glitter.
The transparent glitter allows all the texture and dimension beneath to show through – it simply adds a nice gentle sparkle.
Cut some printed words or words from old book pages and process through a Xyron 1.5″ Create-a-Sticker and adhere to the hearts.
Adhere the decorated hearts to the top of the clip clothespins, overlapping as desired. Tie a knot in a small piece of dyed muslin and adhere to one of the hearts. Add a bit of Vintage Glass Glitter #901 Krystallos Shards to the upper corner of the top heart.
Zip off a bit of Xyron Magnet Tape and add to the back of the clothes pin. I simply sliced it to fit and used the remaining to totally cover the clothes pin.
They look cute on the fridge and a bit more my style!
To learn how to make the flower magnet, click on over to the Art Glitter Blog for another tutorial.
Piccolo Resin has charming personality …
Posted: April 1, 2013 Filed under: Design Team, Globecraft & Piccolo, technique, Uncategorized | Tags: 3D Enamel Gels, Charms, DIY Ornament, Globecraft & Piccolo, Linda Neff, UV Resin 5 Comments »Well, I tried my hand at using Resin. Globecraft and Piccolo just released their new UV Resin product so I had to try it!
I started small by first making a charm. It turned out pretty good for my first attempt and it really didn’t take long at all.
I started with a bookboard butterfly from the Butterfly Charm Set. I gave it some dimension by running it through my Vagabond in an embossing folder. I wanted some texture so the Piccolo 3D Enamel Gels would settle in the little cracks and crevices.
I first applied Piccolo Yellow Ochre 3D Enamel Gel and spread it around with my finger.
I spread this color around and let it set for a few minutes to dry. When you spread it thin with your fingers or brush it dries pretty quickly. I then added my second color, which was Piccolo Dark Green 3D Enamel Gel.
I did this to both sides and set it aside to dry thoroughly. Then I coated it with Piccolo UV Resin and placed it under a UV light to cure. It cured in under three minutes. Then I coated the other side with the Resin and placed it back under the UV light.
Once cured, the Resin protects the piece so it works great as a charm to hang from an altered book or, in this case, another DIY Ornament! Check out the G&P Blog to see how I used this charm on a new DIY Ornament.
