A Pretty Pile of Paper Chaos

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Trick or Treat Blog Hop

Welcome to the Trick Or Treat Blog Hop

October 8-10, 2011

Crafter's Workshop and Clearsnap have teamed up for the next three days to create hauntingly inspiring projects for this Halloween season. It's all tricks, treats, and techniques so join us on a fright night jaunt to remember, hopping from blog to blog. Leave your "Trick-or-treat" comment on each blog in the hop in hopes of winning candy, blog candy that is! For every 50 comments posted on this blog we're giving away a set of inks and accessories to spook up any crafter's projects!!! We'll choose the winners from the blog comments posted on all the blogs in the Hop. The prize includes Smooch Spritz in Frosted Grape, Green Olive, and Carrot Cake, ColorBox Pigment InkPad in Spooktacular, Glitter in Grape Fizz, Design Adhesives in "Trick or Treat" and "Eeeeks!?", plus our new Design Foils in Lime Burst. That's alot of spook to go around!

Blog List:

Clearsnap http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Crafter'sWorkshop http://www.thecraftersworkshop.com/The_Crafters_Workshop/Blog/Blog.html

Jaime Echt - www.thecraftersworkshop.com

Sabrina Alery http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - http://www.balzerdesigns.typepad.com/

Charlotte Jenkins http://suepup.blogspot.com You are Here

Mary Dawn Quirindongo -

http://mypinkmexico.blogspot.com/ Next

Karen Grunberg- http://www.karenika.com/

Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com

Jen Clark - http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/

Daniela Dobson http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/

Receive extra entries in the Hop for following us on Twitter and Facebook and for tweeting or posting on Facebook about the Hop - just post here afterwards that you have followed us or posted about the Hop to increase your chances to win. Happy Hopping!!!

Today I am sharing with you how to create "A Fall Layout" using Molding Mat, Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Premium Dye Ink, Top Boss Embossing Powder, ColorBox Pigment Ink and Crafter's Workshop Stencils.

Clearsnap Products

Stephanie Barnard Tangerine ColorBox Premium Dye Ink Pad

Stephanie Barnard Spearmint Premium Dye Ink Pad

ColorBox Chianti Pigment Stamp Pad

ColorTool Box Stylus Tray Set

Top Boss Verdigris Embossing Powder

Clearsnap Stylus Leafy Border Molding Mat

Mini ColorBox Deep Green Fluid Chalk Inkpad

Top Boss Watermark Embossing Ink

Other Products

Hero Arts Leaf Detail Stamp

Crafter's Workshop Balzar Design Mini Tri Mosaic Stencil

Bazzil Basics Line Lime Crush Card stock

Hot off the Press Border Stamp

CPS Blog Sketch by Tami Mayberry

Directions

Cut a 12 X 12 piece of Bazzil Basics Lime Crush Cardstock down to 10"X10".

Cut a 12X12 piece of Orange card stock paper down to 11X11 and set the paper aside.

On the 10X10 piece of card stock, ink the Leafy Border Molding Mat using ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Spearmint Dye Ink and stamp on the cardstock.

When dry, stamp and emboss leaves using Top Boss Verdigris Embossing Powder randomly over the entire piece of card stock.

Tape the 6X6 Crafters Workshop Balzer Design Mini Tri Mosaic stencil down over the left upper corner of the 10X10 piece of cardstock. Using the ColorBox Stylus Circle Tip, place Top Boss Watermark Embossing Ink to the collage's surface. Apply the ink using a gentle pounding motion, holding the Stylus straight up and down. Do not use a stroking motion. This motion will keep the ink from seeping under the edges of the stencil. If your stencil seems to be lifting as you ink, use an awl or chopstick to hold the stencil down as you apply ink. Repeat this process on the lower right corner of the 10X10 piece of card stock.

Tap the Stylus Tips blending tool on the Colorbox Stephanie Barnard Dye Ink Pad to pick up a small amount of ink. Now using the Stylus Tips blending tool, blend the Dye ink into the paper. Make sure you blend the embossed area with more pressure to apply more ink around the heat embossed area created in the last step. This will create a stark contrast between the embossed area, which will resist the Dye Ink, and the inked area of the page.

Aggressively run a paper distressing tool over the edges of the 10X10 page. Once the edges have been distressed with the tool, ink the edges with Chianti Colorbox Pigment Ink Brush Pad.

Glue the 10X10 card stock onto the 11X11 orange card stock.

Aggressively run a paper distressing tool over the edges of the 11X11 page. Once the edges have been distressed with the tool, ink the edges with Chianti Colorbox Pigment Ink Brush Pad.

Cut a 5"X4" piece orange coordinating paper. Stamp the Stylus Leafy Border Molding Mat with Top Boss Watermark ink vertically down the paper. Sprinkle the image with Top Boss Verdigris Embossing Powder and emboss powder. Adhere the the paper to the 10X10 page.

Place a double matte on the photo and adhere to the 10X10 card stock. Offset the matted photo on the page.

Place a piece of ribbon vertically on the piece you create above in the last step.

Cut a piece of 9"X1" tan card stock. Using a flourish stamp, stamp a horizontal border on the strip, using ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Tangerine Dye Ink.

Cut a 9 1/2"X1 1/2" piece of coordinating orange card stock. Adhere the tan piece of card stock onto the orange card stock

Cut a 3 X 3 piece of tan card stock, ink a sentiment stamp using ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Spearmint Dye Ink and stamp on card stock. When dry, ink edges using Chalk Inks.

Cut a 3 1/2X3 1/2 piece of orange cardstock. Adhere the piece you made above to the orange square. Adhere a yellow rhinestone to the left lower corner and upper right corner. Stamp a corner flourish and fussy cutout the image and adhere to the upper left corner of the photo.

Cut a 21/2X 6" piece of tan paper, ink a leaf stamp with ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Spearmint Dye ink. Stamp the image on the tan paper. Ink a small leaf stamp with ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Tangerine Dye Ink and randomly stamp over the green leaves.
Cut the piece above down to 4". Add an orange title. Ink the edges of the tan card stock, using chalk inks. Mat the title square with a coordinating orange piece of card stock and adhere to page.

Using the 2' remnant from the piece above, stamp a sentiment and adhere behind the right corner of the photo.
Place butterfly and glitter brads to the page.
Adhere the 11X11 piece to a 12X12 piece of Bazzil Basic Lime Crush card stock.
Aggressively run a paper distressing tool over the edges of the 12X12 page. Once the edges have been distressed with the tool, ink the edges with Chianti Colorbox Pigment Ink Brush Pad.
Using a short sentiment stamp, ink the stamp with ColorBox Stephanie Barnard Tangerine Dye Ink and stamp the sentiment around the border of the 12X12 piece of card stock.

Enjoy your day hopping from blog to blog and thanks for stopping by.......

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Trick Or Treat Blog Hop

Welcome to the Trick-Or-Treat Blog Hop
October 8-10, 2011

Blog List:

Clearsnap http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Crafter'sWorkshop http://www.thecraftersworkshop.com/The_Crafters_Workshop/Blog/Blog.html

Jaime Echt - www.thecraftersworkshop.com

Sabrina Alery http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - http://www.balzerdesigns.typepad.com/

Charlotte Jenkins http://suepup.blogspot.com You are Here

Mary Dawn Quirindongo -

http://mypinkmexico.blogspot.com/ Next

Karen Grunberg- http://www.karenika.com/

Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com

Jen Clark - http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/

Daniela Dobson http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/

Today I am sharing with you how to create "Plastic Pumpkin Restoration" using Smooch Spritz, Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Premium Dye Ink, Smooch Pealized Accent Ink, ColorBox Pigment Ink, Crafter's Workshop Stencils, Top Boss Glitter and the Rollagraph Design Wheel.

Clearsnap Products

Stephanie Barnard Tangerine ColorBox Premium Dye Ink Pad

Stephanie Barnard Grape ColorBox Premium Dye Ink Pad

Stephanie Barnard Licorice ColorBox Dye Ink Pad

ColorBox Moss Green Pigment Stamp Pad

ColorBox Tuxedo Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

ColorBox Molasses Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

ColorBox Lettuce Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

ColorBox Pumpkin Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

ColorBox Wicked Black Dye Ink Pad

ColorBox Silver Foil Smooch Spritz

Top Boss Sparkling Amethyst Glitter

Glue Gloss Gel Adhesive

Rollagraph Coal Ancient Page Ink Cartridge Jumbo

Jumbo Rollagraph Handle

Rollagraph WordsWords Design Wheel Jumbo

Rollagraph Doll Face Design Wheel Jumbo

ColorTool Box Stylus Tray Set

Other Products

Mod Podge

Crafter's Workshop Love Beads Stencil

Crafter' Workshop Henna Hand Stencil

Joann Fabric Holiday Decorations

Stephanie Barnard Stamp of LifeSpooky2Scare Stamp

Liquitex Gesso

Orange Twist Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paint

E-Z Form Plaster Cloth Wrap

Directions

Cover your work area with a drop cloth, this is messy but fun! You will need an old container to place the warm water in for dipping the plaster strips.

Remove the plastic handle of the pumpkin. I cut the handle in half and pulled the handle through the hole.

Cut the plaster cloth into 7 strips, approximately 14 inches long.

Fill a medium bowl 1/2 full with warm water. Dip the strips into water one at a time and run fingers downward to thoroughly wet the strip. Turn the pumpkin upside down. Wet a 14" strip, starting at the center of the bottom, bring the strip down the side of the pumpkin and over the top, smoothing the strip as you go. Smooth out the air pockets and wrinkles with your fingers.

Flip the pumpkin right-side up and fold the ends of the strips over the lip of the opening at the top. Trim the strip ends so that about 1" folds to the inside of the pumpkin, and smooth the ends against the inside wall.

Continue adding strips around the pumpkin, overlapping the strips by 1/4 covering everything but the face. Dip the 14" strip halfway into the water. Starting at the bottom of the pumpkin, in the middle of the face, bring the strip up from the bottom and tuck it into the crevices of the mouth. Add several strips in the same manner to cover the width of the mouth.
After the bottom of these strips has started to dry and conform to the mouth shape, wet the top half of the strips and cover the top of the mouth and eyes on the same manner.
While the pumpkin is still damp and pliable begin defining and smoothing the pumpkins eyes, nose's and mouth's crevices with your fingers.

Wipe out the inside of the pumpkin with a damp cloth to remove plaster.
While the plaster is damp to the touch, peel the ends of the strips away from the inside of the pumpkin, trim them make them even and tuck them back inside to give the edge a neater, finshed look.
Paint the entire surface of the pumpkin with orange paint. Make sure the paint gets in the textured surfaces. The plaster really soaks up the paint, so do not use an expensive paint to cover the pumpkin.
Once the orange paint dries, antique the pumpkin by applying a thin layer of ColorBox Tangerine Stephanie Barnard Dye Ink using the ColorBox Stylus Tool.

Paint the eyes and teeth white. I used a white canvas gesso to paint these areas.

Paint the mouth, I choose an orange color and extend the mouth color beyond the original mouth, rounding the corners to give it a more vintage look. Using a small paintbrush start building more details by painting the mouth area with Smooch Molasses Accent Ink, Smooch Tuxedo Accent Ink and ColorBox Leather Mix'd Media Inks.

To create the eye, I used the ColorBox Circle Stylus Pad. Tap the Circle Stylus Tip Tool on the ColorBox Blueberry Stephanie Barnard Dye Pigment Ink Pad to pick up a large amount of ink. Now using the Circle Stylus Tip, press the Stylus tip in the center of the eye. Paint another small white circle with the white gesso. Add a small black circle and build the outline and details with Smooch Molasses Accent Ink. Using a small paintbrush, I start painting more details on the face using Smooch Molasses Accent Ink and ColorBox Leather Mix'd Media Inks.

Tape the Crafters Workshop 6X6 Swirly Vines stencil down to the pumpkin. Using the ColorBox Stylus Circle Tip, apply Stephanie Barnard Licorice ColorBox Dye Ink to the collage's surface. Apply the ink using a gentle pounding motion, holding the Stylus straight up and down. Do not use a stroking motion. This motion will keep the ink from seeping under the edges of the stencil. If your stencil seems to be lifting as you ink, use an awl or chopstick to hold the stencil down as you apply ink. I stenciled this on several areas on the pumpkin, stencil as many flourishes until you are happy.

You will need to create two 12X12 or one 24X24 collage.

Apply a thin layer of ColorBox Silver Foil Smooch Spritz over the entire collage. Gently shake the Silver Foil Smooch Spritz to make sure the mica is mixed completely with the ink. Holding your Smooch Spritz just a few inches from the inked paper, spray and coat the paper with a layer of Smooch.
Using a permanent felt tip marker outline the stencil design.

Brush a thin coat of Glue Gloss on several of the blocks within the Crafter's Workshop Love Beads Stencil. Sprinkle the Top Boss Sparkling Amethyst Glitter onto the Glue Gloss. Using a small paint brush, gently brush the glitter over the entire stencil block. Repeat this several times, filling in several blocks using the Amethyst Top Boss Glitter. When you are finished, carefully lift the stencil from the collage. Carefully lift the picture collage and hold it perpendicular to your work surface. Gently tap the edge of the collage to remove any loose glitter.

Once the collage surface is dry, add additional color with ink. Do some stamping on the collage's surface I used the Stephanie Barnard Stamp of LifeSpooky2Scare Stamp, Doll Faces and WordsWords Jumbo Design Wheel. Tape the 12X12 Crafters Henna Hands stencil down over the collage and stencil the image on the collage using ColorBox Wicked Black Archival Ink.
To enhance several areas of the collage, apply Pumpkin Smooch Accent Ink inside the stencil blocks and circles. Using the Lettuce Smooch Accent Ink and Tuxedo Smooch Accent Ink randomly apply the Lettuce Smooch on stencil design.
Cover the entire surface of the collage with a cloth and apply a hot, dry iron with heavy and even pressure.

The Witch Hat Construction

Draw a half circle on the edge of a piece of the collage of 12 inches in diameter using a mathematical compass and pencil. Cut out the half circle and roll it into a cone roughly the size of the opening of the pumpkin.
Place the cone on the pumpkin, and tighten or loosen the cone to fit; the cone can be stapled or taped into position. Apply glue to the seam of the cone, and press down from the inside of the cone to form a bond between the pieces of collage paper.
Measure the inside diameter of the cone using a ruler, and mark the diameter on the second piece of collage paper; the center point of the diameter should also be marked. Using the mathematical compass, draw a circle for the inside of the brim; a second circle should be drawn wider than the first for the outside edge of the brim
Cut out the outer and inner edges of the collage paper, and place the cone on top of the brim to make sure it fits. Spread glue on the inside edge of the brim before placing the brim over the top of the cone; the glued area of the brim should be pressed against the edge of the cone.
Allow the brim to dry onto the cone of the witch’s hat, and decorate the hat as required. I added Halloween Garland, Halloween Tag, Ribbon and lace around the brim.

Happy Haunting. Thanks for Stopping by my blog.
Plaster Pumpkin Inspired by Lesie Brier

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Scraps of Darkness Blog Hop

I just wanted to give a quick heads up for some exciting news.. Scraps of Darkness will be hosting "The Halloween Blog Hop" on our next reveal day, which will be held on October 15th in celebration of our favorite Holiday and most exciting kit. You want to make sure you don't miss this awesome event. SOD will be giving away 2 main kits and each DT member will also be having a little giveaway. You have chances to win. So be sure to stop at the Scraps of Darkness Blog first to begin this awesome Trick or Treat Adventure!!!!

Little Treasures

This is a photo of my mother and her aunt, they are teenagers in this photo and best friends. My mother (R) is 17 years old in this photo. The photo was taken on my great-grandparents farm. My mother hates this photo because everyone teases her asking what were you drinking? My mother swears they happen to all find empty bottles and posed for the photo...right. No one bought the story 62 years ago, and I "ain't" buying the story today....lol.
I used the awesome kit "Passages" from Scraps of Darkness. I am in love with this kit...I am so sad that this kit is gone.

Sarah's and Lucy's Secret

This is my first attempt at box art. I have always been drawn to Joesph Cornell's boxed art, so I finally gave it a try. I loved creating this piece. I picked the box up at a locate thrift store and converted the box to fit my needs. The box is my personal story of my mother's maternal side of the family. The two big photos are of my great-great grandmothers Sarah and Lucy. The smaller photos are photos of my g-grandparents throughout different stages of their lives.

The top left square: Old teabags. Whenever I see old dried teabags they remind me of the wrapped medicine remedy bags used for healing.

Top Middle: Feathers, cornstalks and corn encased in wax. Symbols of NDN/Melungeon heritage.

The top right: A teaball. I happen to come accross this teaball one day long ago in an antique shop. I thought the design and color was beautiful, so I bought it. I have had the teaball stored away waiting for the right project.

The bottom left: A saltshaker I bought at an antique store. I thought the rusting and patina were so stunning.

The middle bottom: Wood and deer. The wood is from West Virginia. My family migrated from Delaware to West Virginia. The deer were and still are a big part of many of our family's diet-sacred animals.

The bottom right: Rusted shovel and coal. A occupation for many of my family members..I am a coal miner's daughter and granddaughter to a Redneck.

The bark wrapped around the photo: GGgrandmother Lucy was a well known medicine woman.

I lined the the interior and exterior box with paper and placed several layers of heavy wax over the entire box for a more vintage look. The wire was something I found in an old construction yard walking my dog a few months ago.

I used the "Passages" kit from Scraps of Darkness. This was the last bits of the kit. I loved the kit so much, I did not want the final pieces to go to waste. I loved using this kit and I am very sad that the kit has been completely used.......fabulous kit!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Cinderella's Envy

Hello Everybody! Charlotte here with a project using Smooch Spritz, Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Premium Dye Ink, Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Designer Foil, ColorBox Pigment Ink, Designer Adhesive and the Rollagraph Design Wheel. The name of the project is,"Cinderella's Envy". A couple weeks ago, I walked into a vintage thrift store and when I came to the shoe rack, a pair of pink stilettos caught my eye. I knew immediately that these shoes would end up being altered, and turning into fabulous pair of
stilettos that even Cinderella would envy!

Here is the tutorial on how to make these shoes. http://clearsnap.blogspot.com/2011/09/cinderellas-envy.html

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Scraps of Darkness "Passages" September Kit

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~ Robert Frost ~

Here is what you'll find in our newest kit:
*4 double sided papers from Bo Bunny's Etc. Collection and 6 double
sided papers from the World Traveler Collection by Teresa Collins
*12x12 Chipboard from the Etc. Collection by Bo Bunny
*Doily Flowers by Jenni Bowlin
*World Traveler Trims by Teresa Collins
*Prima Brick Wall clear stamp
*Prima Toggle - Bobbins
*2 Cork disks
*Vintaj Arte Metal Bric-A-Brac
*A fabulous new sketch by Suepup, created just for our Passages kit

We're sure you will love this beautiful collection as much as we do.
Click here to see the beautiful creations our Design Team did with this kit!

"Their Bond"

"Sisters by Spirit"

Monday, September 5, 2011

Clearsnap Proud to be Made in the USA Blog Hop

Proud to be MADE IN THE USA Blog Hop

Did you know that all Clearsnap Products are manufactured right here in the United States, at our headquarters in Burlington, WA? They are! Every inkpad is made right here under our loving, careful guidance so that it will be the best quality possible when it reaches your craft table (and for years to come). To celebrate Clearsnap's commitment to manufacturing products in the USA we have released a Limited Edition 3 Color Pigment Inkpad, MADE IN USA. Our Design Team has created stunning projects with this inkpad to share with you today, Labor Day! This inkpad has only been available to retailers purchasing inkpads and distinctive accessories direct from Clearsnap, as a "thank you" for their support of our company.

But we're giving one of these inkpads away!!! Please visit all of the blogs listed below as part of today's blog hop and leave a comment on each blog. Each comment counts as an entry into the drawing. Comments must be posted by midnight 9-5-11 PST to be eligible for the drawing. A winner will be posted to the Clearsnap Facebook Page on 9-6-11.

Clearsnap Blog http://clearsnap.blogspot.com/
Cathie Allan http://canadianscrapbooker.ca/cathie/
Robyn Weatherspoon http://robynweatherspoon.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Ackerman http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/
Tami Sanders http://tamisanders.com/
Charlotte Jenkins http://suepup.blogspot.com/ You are Here
Daniela Dobson http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/ Next
Sabrina Alery http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/
Jean Okimoto http://davebrethauer.typepad.com/inkollage/
Mary Dawn Quirindongo http://mypinkmexico.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com/

Today I am sharing with you how to create," Vintage Labor Day Photo Block" using the "Made in USA Colorbox Ink Pad" and 12 Timbers wood block. I wanted to create a "vintage look" project, a little treasure you might find sitting in your grandmother's attic.

I dedicate this project to all the men and women who helped build the American Dream. I want to he honor all those who fought for rights of workers in America. Many generations later, were are still benefiting from the fruits of their labor, eight-hour workday, Social Security, health insurance, unemployment and disability insurance, occupational safety standards, fair wages and decent working conditions – labor fought to win these protections for all Americans.

Front

Back

Directions

I surfed the Internet for some vintage images. I reduced the images to 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 and printed the images on my printer. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut out the image.
Make sure the wood block you are decorating is clean and dry, fill in deep gouges, and sand it down to remove bumps and imperfections if necessary. If you want to paint it or refinish it, you should do this before pasting anything onto it. I primed the surface with a coat of acrylic paint to help the cut-outs stick better.
Use a paintbrush to brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto your surface and onto the backs of the cut-outs. Make sure you apply the Mod Podge evenly and over the edges of the cut-outs
Ink the edges of the images with red a blue ColorBox Pigment Ink Pad.
Using a star stamp, stamp six blue stars with ColorBox Pigment Ink
Lay a piece of your cut paper image onto the area to which you applied the Mod Podge. Apply the paper carefully to avoid bending or crumpling it, and smooth it out with an old plastic gift card or with your finger, rubbing outward from the center. Repeat with each piece. For a more complex appearance, make several layers of cut-outs.
Make sure the whole piece is thoroughly and completely dried before proceeding. If you are applying several layers, make sure each layer is dry before starting on the next.
Seal the decoupage with a couple coats of Mod Podge. Let each coat dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.
When the Mod Podge is dry, sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to remove imperfections. Use a damp cloth to remove residue from sanding. For this project, I lightly sanded the project because I wanted to keep some of the imperfections and brush marks.
Using a drill, drill three 7/64 small holes in the top of the block.
Distress the edges of the finished block's edges with Blue ColorBox Pigment Ink
Using 20 gauge wire, wrap one end of the wire around a wooden skewer three times, creating a spiral. Gently remove the skewer and repeat this process two more times.
Apply craft glue into the three drilled holes and place the non-spiral end of the wire into the drilled hole. Repeat process for all three pieces of wire. Let dry before moving to the next step.
Cut and tie ribbon randomly on the wire pieces.
Cut and mat three images, make sure the images are double sided so you can display this project "in the round"-basically 360 degrees.