Saturday, March 31

A Visit With Dick

Happy Saturday, crafty friends!  Earlier this week, we enjoyed Spring Break in Chicago. I love everything about that place! Well, except for the 9.5 sales tax. The view of the skyline is marvelous from Shedd's Aquarium and Navy Pier. Food is great everywhere, and shopping was fun.  Getting to watch the Blue Man Group was one of the highlights of the trip. The beggars on the street don't bother me much - I just keep walking when I see them.

Every time I travel, I make sure to see anything or visit any place craft-related.  Ok let me rephrase that. Every time I travel, I make sure to go to a local craft store that is not Joann's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby. And while in Chicago, I was able to visit the Dick Blick Art Store in the Loop.


I have known Dick Blick as an online store. And I was surprised to find out that there is actually a physical store you can go to.  This particular store has two floors. As you enter the first floor, you will see painting canvasses and the like on the right. In the middle would be the cashier counters and the escalator. On the left would be select paper crafting supplies predominantly by Martha Stewart and Inkadinkado. Books are on that side as well.

The second floor is a haven of art materials for various media. I have never seen so many Copic Markers in one place. Sure wished I had a list of which markers I want.... er need. There were good displays of Mepxy and Prismacolor markers as well. They have framing services too. I can go on and on about what's on the second floor, but I don't want too long of a blog entry.

The sad thing is, I left the store empty handed. They didn't have the  particular things I wanted... er, needed. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed my visit at Dick Blick's. And DH was happy deep inside - I know for sure!

Friday, March 30

It's Not The Years

TGIF everyone!  Sometime last month, I received a box of chocolates for Valentines Day from a former student in Japan.  As expected, the chocolates were yummy.  And as expected, I kept the box to alter. 


I looked for dp that would go with my red box, and I took it from there.  You will see below what I did on the cover of the box.  I was in the mood to stamp and emboss on vellum, which I haven't done for a while.  Now I remember that it is one fun thing to do.




I finished the rest of the box, making sure to cover the original prints that came with.


Materials used:
cardstock/dp:  DCWV, Recollections, vellum, leftovers
image/sentiment:  Unity (Moments in Bloom)
ink:  Tsukineko, Ranger
tools:  Spellbinders, heat gun
misc.:  embossing powder (American Crafts, Joann's)
adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape, Glue Dots

This project is perfect for Ippity by Unity's current challenge where we are to use FLOWERS.

I haven't really decided what to put in the box.  Stationeries?  Mini album?  Card set?  We'll see.

'Till next blog!

Tuesday, March 27

Winter CHA '12 Flashback: Walnut Hollow

Happy Monday dear reader!  This time, I'd like to share with you a make-and-take card I made from the Walnut Hollow booth during Winter CHA in Anaheim in January. 



The product in focus was their Creative Metal, and we were to stamp an image on one. It was pretty interesting. I learned that you have to stamp really carefully as the metal sheet is pretty slick.  The image had to be heat set as well.



And you know what else made this fun?  I got to use decorative edge scissors to cut around my image.  I haven't use those in a long time!

'Til next blog!

Monday, March 26

What A Girl Really Wants

Happy Monday everyone!  I have been itching to color with my Copics lately, and this weekend I was able to do so.  This time, I played with images from "Girl's Ruin" set by Bombshell Stamps.  I have had this set for a while, and it seemed like I was waiting for the right time to color the images.  I'm glad that time finally came.  I have to say that I enjoyed coloring this "Pin-up in Shoe" image.

I'm entering this card in Ms. March's Challenge called "Feel Up Your Bombshells", where we have to have texture with our Bombshell creations.  And my texture would be coming from one of Spellbinder's M-Bossabilities. 



Materials used:
cardstock/dp:  Recollections, ColorBok, Copic, leftovers
image/sentiment:  Bombshell Stamps
ink:  Copic, Tsukineko, Ranger, Spica
tools:  edge punch (EK Success, Fiskars), Spellbinders, heat gun
embellishments:  rhinestone stickers
misc.:  Ranger embossing powder
adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

After finishing this card, I did feel like a bombshell.

'Til next blog!

Saturday, March 24

With Love and Hugs

Hello crafty friends!  I would like to share with you a sympathy card I made for good relatives of ours.  Their father just passed this week, and it is a sad moment for all of us.



I'm also entering this card for Unity's challenge this month, "Doors and Windows".  I used stamps from "With Sympanthy" set.  I achieved the windows by punching my card front with Real Estate Sign punch by EK Success, then cutting a pattern on my card base with the Spellbinders Labels 14.  It is also my first time to use one of Spellbinders' M-Bossabilities, and I love it!




Materials used:
cardstock/dp:  Martha Stewart, leftovers
image/sentiment:  Unity
ink:  Tsukineko, Stampin' Up, Spica
tools:  EK Success, Spellbinders, Janome Sew Mini, Fiskars, heat gun
embellishments:  rhinestone stickers
misc.:  Ranger embossing powder
adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Wednesday, March 21

Contemporary Box Origami

So I was wearing this pretty blouse yesterday at work, and the color mix inspired me to play in my planet last night.  I picked from my Copic markers and reinkers collection, and made this background on Copic Illustration Paper using E49, BG72, E93, BG09, YR14, R59, Y17 and the Colorless Blender.


And then there is this box origami that I liked from the Origami 2012 Calendar, which I bought from Joann's in December:


I thought of using my designed paper to make this origami box.  As I was about to start folding, I accidentally saw the negative side of my Copic background paper:


I kinda like the effects of this side better, so I used it instead.  Here's my cute origami box made from 8 x 8 Copic background paper:


I adhered cardstock in the bottom to make it more sturdy, and attached flower brads on the folded sides to secure.


Materials used:
cardstock:  Copic, leftovers
ink:  Copic
tools:  Martha Stewart score board, micro hole punch
embellishments:  brads 

Guess what?!?!  It's almost Spring Break... and I can't wait!!!

'Til next blog!

Monday, March 19

Winter CHA Flashback: Impress Art Stamps

I learned two things when I tried the make-and-take at Impress Art Stamps during Winter CHA.  One, it is not that hard.  Two, it takes time to get used to the noise.  The bang of metal to metal sure is not so good to the ears.  But once you get the hang of it, and you see the final result - you can say it's worth it.


Before I show you what we were able to make, I really want to say how good the demo artist was for Impress Art.  She very well explained how to use the product, and her execution was really good.  Her approach was very friendly and candid, but made sure to point out the great things about the product.  I can say that she gave the best demo out of all the make and takes that I did that day.

Anyway, here are the pendants that my sister and I made:




After the make-and-take, they gave us a freebie metal stamp to play with at home.  Who doesn't like freebies?!?? 

I find Impress Art Stamps good for metal art and jewelry making.  You can also use them to personalize metal embellishments for card making and scrapbooking.  Do I want to invest on these?  Not for now.  The price for each set is too much for me ($8 per stamp or $50 per set MSRP).  I need more convincing.  If I am a jewelry maker, maybe.  But since I'm more of a paper gal, they're quite in the bottom of the list.

'Til next blog!

Tuesday, March 13

National Craft Month DAY 13

This was a good day!  I received some goodies in the mail and I was able to put them away right away.  My planet is still in pretty good shape.  In fact, I have been updating my organization schemes lately, and once it's finished, I'll post pictures.

 

For today's project, I decided to "alter" my ATG gun holder according to my planet's theme, which is black and white.  This was actually a brown pen organizer which I bought from the 100 Yen Store in Japan.  I basically paid less than a dollar when I purchased this.  It helped a lot that the top rim can be removed.  And then, DH cut the divider, so my two ATG guns can be aligned right while nestled in there.  At first, I was thinking of spray painting it black, but it's late at night and I didn't want to go outside in the cold.  I had no choice but to cover it with bg paper.  Besides, it's faster that way.  


 
So I searched for a nice BG paper in my stash.  This one is by Carlees Creations.  After measuring my ATG gun holder, I cut the paper according to size.  I also made sure that the flowers will be in each cut piece.  After that, I fed the cut pieces through my Xyron sticker machine, so there will be even adhesive application.  I took the body and the top rim apart, and adhred the pieces to the body.  Then, I sanded (then inkaed) all the edges to make sure that the bg paper will not peel in the future.  On the top edge, I adhered a strip of white lace.  Then I carefully re-attached the top rim back to the body.  For the final touch, I adhered yellow glass beads in the center of each flower for dimension, using mini Glue Dots.  These are actually glass beads used for flower arrangement, which you can buy in the flower section of any craft store.  They're small enough and can be used as scrapbooking embellishment.




What I like about the outcome is that the yellow center of the flowers go together with the color of my ATG gun.  Then for the extra space, I store my Crop-A-Dile.

I'm hoping to alter my ATG guns next time.  I've seen other people do it and they're just beautiful!

For more photos, click here.

Winter CHA '12 Flashback: MEPXY Design Marker

I saw two other brands of markers during the Winter CHA convention, apart from Copics.  To be honest, I wasn't really interested to try them out.  But since I'm there to blog about my experience, I tried to open my mind and observe.  

One of the brands is Mepxy, which is distributed by Creation Supply


They are alcohol markers as well, and claims to work on almost any surface.  There are two kinds - the Design Marker (fine tip and chisel tip) and the Brush Marker (brush tip and chisel tip).  You can get more information in the Mepxy website

For their make-and-take, they focused on using the markers on foil, to be used as an accent for a card.  I let my sister sit and make the card, as I observed how the markers worked.  



And the big question:  Is there a difference between Mepxy and Copic?  To be honest, I really don't know... and I really don't care.  I think it's all in a matter of preference.  But since Copics have been in the scene for a long time, Mepxy will have a lot of catching up to do if it claims to do everything it says.  Alcohol markers are not cheap, and if people have bought a lot of them, it's going to be hard to switch to another brand.  However, it also gives people who are just starting in this scene more choices.  It is always nice to have choices.   
 
And I will definitely be watching.

'Til next blog!

Monday, March 12

50

Hello crafty friends!  I got some bad news.  Something is wrong with my internet somehow, and my internet provider is trying to figure it out.  There are certain websites that I can go to like normal, but there are some that I cannot access.  Good thing that that I'm not having any problems with Blogger and I can still update my blog.  Yipee!

Anyway, last weekend I made a card for a good friend who turned 50.  I have had some sentiment stamps from My Sentiments Exactly pertaining to the "50th birthday", and never had the chance to use it until now.  I was glad that I found an image stamp from Unity that would go well with the sentiments.






 

Materials used:
cardstock/dp:  Stampin' Up, DCWV, leftovers
image/sentiment:  Unity, MSE
ink:  Copic, Stampin' Up
tools:  Spellbinders, Ornaire, EK Success edge punch, piercing tool
embellishments:  pearls, ribbon
adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

It was nice to play with my piercing templates.  They have been hidden for a while. 

'Til next blog!

Saturday, March 10

Bebesis Bracelet

Hello crafty friends!  This blog post is not going to be about me.  I have mentioned before that my sister is here visiting from the Philippines.  She is the jewelry-making/beads type of crafter.  And while she's here, I encourage her to bead and make jewelry, since I haven't visited my bead nook for quite some time.

She has made some accessories already, but so far this is my favorite.


She used paper clips and ribbon from my stash, originally meant for card making and scrapbooking.  Isn't she brilliant???



I'm actually wearing it as I type this blog entry.  This bracelet is definitely for keeps.

'Til next blog!

Friday, March 9

Altered Calendar

I guess when your internet is not working well (since the solar storm, I think), there's nothing good to watch on TV, snowing outside, and your sister wants to watch a DVD movie that is very uninteresting... then you have no more reason not to do any crafting.  I have to admit that I've had a lot of alibis lately for being crafty lazy.  But it seemed like my muse took a longer vacation than I expected.  Well, I think my muse is back.

When I got my new job, there was this calendar on my desk that I can say has been there for a quite a while. 


Even though I use it everyday, I'm not very fond of the colors.  So I took it home yesterday, with the goal of altering it and making it look better, at least for my standards.

There's no way I can change the day, month and date pages, so I had to pick a designer paper that would match.  Looking through my scrap paper drawers, I was able to find one. 

Presenting my desk calendar's new look:


I also embellished both sides on the inside.



I used the same design on the back, but without the bling.


I'm excited to take this to work with me on Monday.

'Til next blog!

Thursday, March 8

Winter CHA '12 Flashback: ALUMOSAICS

I have seen lots of projects using soda cans, but I found something new and different at the Winter CHA.  The moment I saw the beautiful artwork when I passed by Alumosaic's booth, I just had to stop, look and inquire about this really cool idea.


What you do basically is cut cans in small rectangles, and put them together to form a picture.  It sounds easy, but really it's not.  Because you have to have the right color, shades and drawings on the aluminum to achieve the picture you want.




A new item has just been added in my to do list.  Right now, I cannot access the Alumosaics website, but when I do, I'm thinking of buying their instruction DVD.

'Til next blog!

Wednesday, March 7

Winter CHA Flashback: GCD Studios

I got home from work determined to update my blog... but I fell asleep on the couch.  So here I am at 10:20 pm.  Honestly, I don't want to go back to bed anymore.  But I have to.

Anyway, I really enjoyed hanging out at the GCD Studios during Winter CHA. 


Their make-and-take was a mini scrapbook album using elements from the Splendor Collection.  I like the concept of their make-and-take.  First you get to have your photo taken.  Then they will give you a copy of your photo so you can use it in the mini scrapbook album.  The fun photo is already a souvenir by itself.


The pages of the album are sewn together - I really like that extra mile to make the album extra special.


And without further ado, here's the cute mini album we made:





This album is one of my favorite make-and-takes from this year's Winter CHA. 

'Til next blog!