Ingenious Inkling

Dragonfly Magnet

It's the 200th Sketch at Unscripted Sketches today & we're celebrating with a Piggy Back Challenge to use this week's Sketch to make something other than a card or scrapbook page.

I decided to take this advertising magnet that I picked-up on one of my trips and recycle it into something much more lovely.

First I started by covering it with Score Tape for a good strong hold ... it's alright if some go over the edges (actually probably a good thing), so the paper is adhered all the way around.

Next I chose my two papers from the Glitz Cashmere Dame collection to cover the base of my magnet.  Rather than trying to trim to fit, I attached my first piece and then overlapped my second piece slightly.  Next I just use my scissors to trim around the edges.

I trimmed a thin strip of cardstock to cover the overlapping edges.

Since I wanted this to be a gift for a guy (yet bright enough for their kitchen), I created a mosaic collage using stamps from Crafter's Companion Draonfly Delights.  I stamped my image on another piece of designer paper from the same Glitz Collection and then trimmed it into four 1" squares.

I stamped the definition in blue to attach along the bottom.  I used Spectrum Noir Markers to color my dragonfly to coordinate with my background paper.

I attached my mosaic panel using double sided foam tape (I buy it in bulk from Overstock.com so I never feel guilty using full strips).  I also added a small stamped dragonfly to the background.

Here's the finished magnet.  Love how the dragonfly stamps combines with the hexagon pattern in the designer paper.

And here it is on the refrigerator (with Eleanor & Ghandi).

Can't wait to see what you create.

Memory Jar

The January Challenge at the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog is ... Anything But a Card.  For my project, I decided to make a memory jar.  I have been saving inspiration for this idea for some time, but the most recent inspiration came from the Memory Jar at Stellaire.

One idea is to write down the good things that happen or memories you don't want to forget and place them in the jar throughout the year ... then you can open them on New Year's Eve to remember what a great year you've had.  

I thought another great idea was to use this as a birthday gift.  You would e-mail or mail out a form to lots of friends and members of hte birthday recipient and have them recount their favorite memories involving the birthday boy or girl.  Then have them return the memories, so you can fill the jar and give it as a gift.  I made this is netrual tones, so it would work for a many or a women.

I started by recycling a large pickle jar ... but any glass vessel will do.  I stamped the border image from Decorative Swirls several times end-to-end on texty designer paper.  I cut the strip of paper slightly wider than the image on both sides, and used super-strong double-sided tape to attach the band around the jar (overlapping underneath the focal image to hide the joint).

Next I stamped the sentiment from Friendship Sentiments on coordinating designer paper.  I positioned the die cut using washi tape to secure it, so I could cut out the focal piece.  I used the next size larger with black cardstock for the border.

I wanted some texture for my jar, so I added several wraps of textured yarn around the top ... yarn shops are one of my favorite places to hunt for great fibers for my projects.  I found this at Yarn Shop & More on one of my Sisters' Weekends (my sister is a knitter, so she never minds a trip to the yarn store).

Finally I assembled the jar adding three layered flowers with a decorative brad center using 3-D Glue Dots.

I added a few bits of tissue tape as the final embellishment.

Check out the requirements for joining the Challenge fun here.  I'm also joining The Crafty Bloggers Network where they're celebrating flowers this month ... and Paper Playtime where they're challenging you to Use Some Brown (I think brown flowers were well for masculine designs as well).

Core'dinations Holiday Magnet Set

Tonight I wanted to play along with April Derrick’s DIY Holiday Magnet Challenge at the Hard Core Holiday Crop at Core'dinations.  Whenever I travel, I'm always on the lookout for free magnets (usually business card size) like this one.

This magnet (and a few more like it) were what I used as the base for my Core'dinations magnet set.  I sized my creations to fit the magnet, created the layers of paper, and then attached everything to the magnet base with strong double-sided tape.

I chose three colors (green, dark red, and gold) for my set to help tie them together.   This one actually started with the Lace Tree Cuttlebug embossing folder done sideways.  I added a big punched snowflake and a bit of bling to finish the design (I figured without a sentiment, this one could stay-up beyond the holidays).

I think I created a bit of a *new* technique on this one (at least that's what I'm calling it).  After using my nail file to sand the first magnet, I forgot to clean it before sanding the yellow embossed ornaments, so it left behind a green residue on the raised surfaces ... I actually liked the effect, so I went with it.

I tamped on two different colors of stickles (Crystal & Holly).  I put a blob of stickles on my craft sheet and then use my index finger dipped in the stickles to tamp the glitter on the paper ... keeps from having glitter blobs on the finished project.  ... I promise it looks more sparkly and less muddy in person.  I finished with an SRM We've Got Your Border Sticker sentiment attached with a bit of foam for dimension.

For the final magnet of the set, I sized it down slightly to work with the size of my punched holiday tree (I can easily cut the thin magnets with my paper cutter).  I used this week's Fetch A Sketch for my layout and three different embossing folders.  I added another SRM Sentiment raised on foam (this magnet is adhered to my metal trash can for the photo ... the magnets are plenty strong to hold-up a few layers of paper).

This will be a fun little gift set to tuck-in with a Christmas Card.

Reading in Grey

At Drunken Stampers they're celebrating 50 Shades of Grey - challenging us to make a project featuring black, white & all shades of grey in between.  

Since the challenge is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the book title, I used Rogue Redhead Designs Relish Reading stamps together with this week's Freshly Made Sketch to create a bookmark ... which is perfect for this month's Rebel Challenge to make a an UnCard (anything but a card).

I'm also joining the Stamping Challenge at Paper Issues.

Christmas in July

We're celebrating Christmas in July at Unscripted Sketches, and today I'm taking you on a tour of my favorite room in my house ... my studio.  I spend time in it almost every day and nothing makes me happier than to be immersed in the creative process.

I recently installed new vinyl flooring in my studio and I absolutely love it.  This shot was taken right after we started moving everything back (all of heavy cardstock was moved and stored in the rolling suitcases ... my husband's idea and it worked like a charm).  

I do most of my designing standing-up, so I have two 48" square standing height tables that I use for my creative space (with plenty of room for storage underneath.  I have several bar height charis when I do want to sit and create.

I have lots of art on my wall ... here are a few of my favorite pieces.

I also got some cool foam mats to help ease the stress of standing (and pretty-up the place).

Some of my favorite things to create for the holidays are card gift sets designed specifically for the recipient.  I love to tuck them in with holiday gifts, so they have cards to send throughout the year.  

I found these awesome Beatles Album Cover stickers and knew immediately they'd be perfect for several music lovers on my gift list.

For this one, the Magical Mystery Tour is paired with gorgeous musical collage paper from 7gypsies Morceaux collection.  I added an Imaginesce Snag 'em Live Loud sentiment stamp.

Please Please Me was paired with Papers from Echo Park's Note to Self and the same sentiment stamp (layout is Sketch Saturday).

Thanks for stopping by to visit me in my studio today.

Beanie Hat Gift Card Holder

We're celebrating gift card holders at jingle belles ... the gift that keeps on giving.  I loved this tutorial at SCS for a Beanie Gift Card Holder.  It assembled quickly, but looks like you spent a lot of time putting it together.  I love the patterns of Basic Grey papers.

I didn't have the same punch she used for the pom pom, so i swapped out a flower punch folded in half and attached with a tiny brad.  I also omitted the bow, so it could be a masculine option & would be more mailable.  I went with a larger decorative brad instead.

So quick, easy and oh-so-cute ... perfect for a coffee gift card to warm-up the recipient.

Graduation Hat Card

It's that time of year again ... time for graduation cards.  Graduation is such a big deal in Iowa with huge parties, so each one requires a card.  I went with the same design I used last year since it was so popular (and so easy to mass produce with color variations for the different schools).

I used Stampin' Up's Go Graduate! digital stamps (so I could print out multiple copies at once).  The card instructions are on this video tutorial, I made a few changes to make it easier for me (using a digital sentiment inside too & not shredding the ribbon).

The top is perfect for tucking in a check or a little cash.  The University of Iowa school colors are also perfect for this week's Dynamic Duo Challenge.  I didn't use embossing, but I did add a bit of texture with a yellow glaze pen on the cowboy boots.

Glittery Owl Gift Card Holder

This week at JIngle Belles we are creating gift card holders ... a fantastic idea suggested by the talented Gina (aka tyggereye).

Since most of my family is across the miles, I give quite a few gift cards for the holidays.  There are all sorts of creative gift card holder ideas out there.  When I saw this adorable little owl family, I knew I wanted to make one of these.

My pillow box die is larger than the one in the post, so I had to make some revisions to the punch sizes.  The feather's are 1.75" circles punched from glitter paper.  The eyes are 3" circles with 1.75" pupils.  I used a larger heart punch for the feet & beak.  My larger oval punches were two wide for wings, so I used a label die cut instead.

This is also for the Color Me Purple! challenge.

And Ms. Gina will be giving one lucky participant two of her fantastic hand-carved stamps ... an adorable tiny owle and little reindeer.

Decorated Dollar Tree Boxes

Hello and Welcome to the EAD Designs Blog Hop!

 

 

You should have arrived here from Amy T.

If not, you'll want to start at the beginning of the hop, which is the EAD Designs Blog.  Remember, every week there are free goodies for a random commenter!!

I picked up a set of three littl white boxes at the Dollar Tree ... perfect for gift cards, jewelry and other tiny holiday gifts.  Rather than wrap them in paper, I decided to deck them with EAD Designs Stickerz & Rub-ons.

For my great-nephew who loves everything Star Wars, a lightsaber duel  from Galaxy Warriors adorns his box.

For my cute little nieces who love critters, some adorable turtle love.

And for my sister, some fun black Kitty Kitties.

Your next stop on the hop is Katie at Crafting with Katie.

Here's the full line-up in case you get lost.

• EAD Designs
• Joanna
• Lauren
• Liz
• Amy
• Stephanie <<------------ You're Here
• Katie
• Jenn

 

Mustache Mug Fun

I'm so thrilled to be Guest Designing with EAD Designs for December.  Today is my first Monday Blog Hop.  You should have arrived from the EAD Designs Blog.  

Leave a comment at each blog stop & remember, every week there are free goodies for one random commenter.

There is a tutorial all-over Pinterest on how to make a mustache mug using a Sharpie marker.  I thought it would be fun (and much easier) to create one using the Vinyl Mustache Rub-ons from EAD Designs.  I used awhite mug I picked-up at The Dollar Tree (the rub-ons are also on sale at Thrifty Seeker).

I decided to put a mustache on both sides, so it would be used by a lefty or a righty ... or you could just pick your preferred mustache of the day.

And EAD Designs Mustaches don't just come in black ... they come in all sorts of colors, including Santa Claus White.  I paired a white mustache with a fun Santa Sentiment.

I think I'll fill the mug with some hot chocolate and tea for a quick & fun holiday gift set.

 

Your next stop on the hop is the talented Katie Jones of Crafting with Katie.

Here's the full line-up in case you get lost.

• EAD Designs
• Stephanie <<------------ You're Here
• Katie
• Jenn
• Joanna
• Lauren
• Liz
• Amy