Tuesday 30 December 2014

Floral Mask - Couture Creations DT

Whenever I feel like I'm getting stuck in a creative rut I like to create an off-the-page project to change it up and try some different techniques. This month I have decorated a paper-mache mask which is now a lovely display piece in my craft room.




1/ Start by purchasing a cheap mask from your local craft store, mine was about $5. Remove the elastic. Cover the mask in torn up pieces of old book paper using PVA glue, mod podge or a watered down polymer resin. This paper is quite thin so moulds to the shape of the mask easily. Once the mask is dry trim the edges to the shape of the mask and re-punch the holes at the sides where the ribbon will go.


2/ Fussy cut a number of butterflies and flowers from various Vintage Rose Garden papers. How many you cut is up to you and will depend on the size of your mask. I applied some Crystalina Glitzin' Glamour to the wings of the butterflies and highlights of the flowers for some added sparkle.


3/ To create the 3D flowers, using the scalloped circle nesting dies cut three circles of the three smallest sized die and two of the next smallest size. Make cuts leading towards the centre (only cut about 2/3 of the way in) from every second scallop. Spritz each circle with water and scrunch up into a ball, leave to dry. Once dry, gently partially unfold the die cuts. To create the big flower I used two layers of each of the two largest sized dies and one of the next size down. The small flower uses two layers of the smallest size circles and the medium flower uses the remaining four die cuts. Each flower is held together with a brad.

4/ Apply your trims. I have used lace along the top of the mask and twine along the bottom and around the eyes. I also used a border die cut from the Vintage Rose Collection along the bottom of the mask. This is attached to the inside of the mask, start at the centre/nose and work your way out to the edges to make sure the pattern is centered. Now is a good time to add your ribbon ties at the sides too.

5/ Adhere the die-cut flowers to the outer edges of the mask using foam tape. Layer up your fussy cut flowers and leaves on the left side of the mask. You may need to cut these down into smaller sections to get the best positioning for your mask shape. Once you're happy with their placement, place a pearl in the centre of each fussy cut flower. I variered the size of the pearl depending on the size of the flower.

6/ Adhere a butterfly in each corner of the mask above the die-cut flowers. 




Couture Creations Materials List:
CO723041 Nesting Dies, Scallop Circle

http://lozcraft.blogspot.com

Thursday 18 December 2014

First Christmas Photo - Scrapmatts DT

Continuing on with the Christmas fun, here is a layout featuring Harrison's first Santa photo! Harrison is very social at the moment and just likes being around people so he really wasn't too fussed by meeting Santa. Ben and I stayed with him just to be safe, plus we used to get Santa photos with just the two of us so this is a nice transition.
 
 
While my cards used older Christmas releases, this layout features two new release chipboard packs from Scrapmatts: CB1228 Christmas Ornaments 14 and CB1224 Holly 03. The Christmas tree charm in the top right is also from Scrapmatts (CH041 Christmas Trees #1).
 
 
Challenge YOUrself requires you to create a layout featuring a tradition. I know this is the first photo with Santa for Harrison but it will probably be the start of a tradition for him. I used the current sketch at Let's Get Sketchy as my design inspiration for this layout.
 
 

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Peace Themed Christmas Cards - Scrapmatts DT

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate the holiday. My Scrapmatts DT project for today is a set of three Christmas cards which have a 'Peace' theme. I find cards are a great way to use up paper scraps and I have so many different bits of Christmas papers lying around.
 
 
The Christmas tree on this card came pre-coloured in the green which made the whole card come together very quickly. I have used CB6079 Assorted Words 11 and CB6082 Christmas Trees 04.


 
My second card uses one of my favourite chipboard packs (CB1096 Reindeers 05) and CB1108 Words 24 Peace. Using gold embossing powder on chipboard is quick, easy and effective.

 

 
This card was also inspired by two current challenges. Just Add Ink had a fantastic sketch for challenge #244.
Scrapbook Boutique has a delicious cupcake Christmas tree as their inspiration picture. The loops on my chipboard tree reminded me of the swirls of frosting on the cupcake, plus I went with the green/red colour scheme.
 
Enter Our Challenge - starts 10th each month

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Christmas Card - Couture Creations DT

Welcome back and Merry Christmas to you! I couldn't go past creating a Christmas project for December, especially with the fantastic range of Christmas die-cut and embossing folders Couture Creations produces.



Interested in creating a similar card? Here is how I made mine:

1/ Cut your card base from kraft cardstock. Mine is 6" x 8", scored in the middle to form a front 6" x 4". Ink the edges in a brown ink.
2/ Cut the front piece from off-white cardstock just a bit smaller than the size of your card. I used an embossed letterpress technique to create the background image. To do this, you need to lightly wipe embossing ink over the raised design of an embossing folder. Place the cardstock in the embossing folder with the right side facing the ink and run through your machine to press the embossing ink into the recessed areas. Sprinkle the cardstock with embossing powder and tap off the excess. Depending on how cleanly you swipped on the embossing ink you may now need to spend some time cleaning up the image. Just use a small paintbrush to loosen any embossing powder you want to remove. Once you're happy with the design heat set it and stick it to the front of the card.
3/ Stick a piece of ribbon down the left hand side of the card.
4/ Cut your sentiment from the Christmas Banners in craft cardstock. Use a gel pen to highlight the letters. Ink the edges with your brown ink. Use double sided tape to adhere to the card at the bottom, this will also hold the letters in place so they don't pop out.
5/ Place a floral cluster to the left of the banners.
6/ Die-cut some Pine Needles from green paper and adhere around the floral cluster.


Couture Creations Materials List:
 
Feeling Sketchy is having a 'free sketch' theme this month, so card design is eligible to enter. May as well enter this one and see how I go! :)
 

http://lozcraft.blogspot.com

Monday 1 December 2014

Couture Creations Creative Inspiration 6

Creative Inspiration volume 6 by Couture Creations is out now. I have a number of projects included in this volume again (including a tag which made the cover!) and wanted to share them. 
 
Creative Inspiration Magazine Issue 6
 
 
 
CO724004 Ornamental lace die – Bold Bouquet
CO723982 Vintage Rose Garden paper- Rose Header
CO724020 Vintage Rose Garden paper – Butterflies & Words
CO721998 Pearls Moonlight
CO721997 Pearls Pink Blush

 
CO724005 Ornamental lace die – Touch of Love
CO724019 Vintage Rose Garden paper – Florals & Time
CO721997 Pearls Pink Blush

 
CO724018 Vintage Rose Garden – Rose Borders
CO724017 Vintage Rose Garden – Butterflies & Stripes
CO723954 Sweet Accents nesting dies – Vintage Labels
CO723957 Sweet Accents nesting dies – Fancy Rectangles
CO724045 Vintage Rose Garden border die
 
 
CO724017 Vintage Rose Garden – Butterflies & Stripes
CO724046 Vintage Rose Garden papers
CO724044 Vintage Rose Garden papers
CO724041 Vintage Rose Garden papers
CO721998 Pearls Moonlight
CO721997 Pearls Pink Blush