Repurpose, Re-use, and Recycle...

I have been collecting old beads for years, hoping to figure out what to do with them. With a little inspiration from the internet, these little vintage baubles have emerged from my "stash". I can't wait to put them to use. My head is spinning with ideas! At first, I created them to be centers for some flowers that I have in the works. Watching them bloom, I can envision them incorporated into some jewelry creations. Ellen and I are getting ready to take our wares out on the road. We have a couple of craft shows scheduled in the next few months, so we're going to be very busy! We'll keep you posted with our latest creations...ENJOY!

Quick Canvas...PanPastel background...

Donna Downey and PanPastels...

I've really been enjoying Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesdays videos. I know, its not Wednesday...

it doesn't matter...any day can be a day to CREATE!...

hope this inspires you...

Click HERE to go to the video.

For more inspiration from Donna Downey, the New Signature Series, brought to you by Scrapbook Trends and Northridge Publishing, is featuring Donna and her famous style and her love of creating. You'll find out what fabulous things she has been crafting lately and get loads of ideas for your future projects! The pages are full of stunning photographs, step-by-step instructions, and personal tips. Get ready to be inspired like never before!

(Click on the image to go to the Northridge Publishing Store)

Here's one last picture that Donna posted today on Facebook...painted with PanPastel Colors.

Clay Embellishments with Dies and Stamps

This technique...brought to you by...Papertrey Inks...is sooo cool! They are using some of their coordinating stamp and die sets. This is a trend that we are seeing with a lot of the die companies so you can try this with any that you might have in your stash. But, you might be asking, "What if I don't have any?" Our suggestion would be to use any die shape that compliments your choice of stamp OR you could stamp your clay first and then free hand cut around the image....What are you waiting for?...Watch their video and go give it a try!

Click Here to watch the video => Clay Embellishments With Dies & Stamps

 

Another PanPastel Video...

This is another Pan Pastel video that Ellen has posted. It is in Dutch...but a picture is worth a thousand words!...still worth watching how easy it is to work with!

PanPastel Video...

Ellen learns how to use a NEW product...

Before Ellen headed to Holland, she started "experimenting" with a NEW product that artists in Europe and the U.S. are starting to get excited about. Since she has been in her home country, she has spent a lot of time with her friend Diny. (Creadin.blogspot.nl) She has been sharpening her "coloring" skills with her Copics, concentrating on techniques doing hair and fabric folds and can't wait to share with us what she has learned.

While there, Ellen has caught that excitement that many artists and paper crafters have experienced when using one of the most popular products in the craft industry at the moment...PanPastel Colors. They come in concentrated cakes that are easy to use and can be incorporated into your artwork in many ways, depending on the application. Cardmakers are creating some gorgeous backgrounds and are accenting their diecuts with them. Art journaling and mixed-media artists are doing amazing things when applying these luscious colors into their masterpieces using their favorite tools and techniques.

Just what we all need...another craft obsession!

Cutting fabric using dies...

Lately I've been longing to "experiment" with stitching on my paper projects. My two most favorite obsessions are paper...and fabric. A true crafter never can have too much! Yesterday, I watched a video from Papertrey Ink that demonstrates how to cut fabric using your paper cutting dies. I never would have thought to stabilize the fabric with cardstock!

Now I can stitch fabric on to my paper projects with ease! ...I'm off to my stash to give it a try...

Cutting and embossing die cuts...

We are creating a lot of interest in our new paper cutting dies from Holland. This tutorial will demonstrate how easy it is to make your own beautiful die cuts using the Marianne, Leane and Cheery Lynn dies with your Sizzix Big Shot or Big Kick. When Ellen gets back from Holland I will find out her "recipes" using a Cuttlebug.

Supplies needed: Sizzix Big Shot or Big Kick machine, standard platform with flip tabs, pair of clear cutting plates, black silicone rubber pad, black hard plastic texture impression plate, any metal die and your choice of quality cardstock scrapbook paper.

1. Select a die that is designed to cut and emboss. Raised metal lines will cut out the paper and the flat, cut out areas on the die will emboss when using the silicone pad.

 

2. Choose your paper. Solid colors will work better when embossing. The raised texture that you add to your die cut might be hard to see when using patterned papers.

3. Cut your design first. Begin with the standard platform with all the tabs down. Place one of the clear cutting plates on top and lay your paper down in the center. Next, position the die on the paper with the cutting side down. Put the other clear plate on top of the die. Run this "sandwich" through the machine and back again.

 

4. Remove the top clear plate and extra paper that has been cut away. Keep your cut out piece in the die. Flip the die, with the cut in it, and leave it placed in the center of the bottom clear cutting plate. The cutting side of the die will now be facing up, ready to be embossed.

  

***TIP*** When your cutting plates get marked up, you can avoid unwanted texture by placing a piece of VERY thin plastic down first. Computer transparencies work great. Using an additional clear plate that you have not cut with, will work also.

 5. Set this aside while you adjust your platform. Flip Tab 2 out, towards you, and then place your clear cutting plate, with the die, on top of the platform.

 

6. Place the black silicone rubber pad (the soft, floppy one) on top of the die.  Top it with the hard black plastic texture plate. This will complete the "sandwich" to be embossed.

  

 7. Run this "sandwich" through the machine and back again.

 

8. Remove the black pad and plate and pop your embossed paper die cut out of the die.

  

Now you are ready to embellish your cuts. Try misting or inking the edges to enhance the raised areas. Maybe we'll try another tutorial to "spark" your creativity!...Stay tuned...

Check out our Etsy shop for the best selection of Dutch dies...at the best prices on the internet!

www.CrazyCraftyCreators.etsy.com

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Ellen has gone to Holland...

I took Ellen to the airport yesterday so she could catch her plane back to her homeland. As we approached the terminal, I really wanted to be going with her. I love to travel. Because my Dad was in the Air Force, I traveled a lot growing up. But, I never got to go to Europe. Hopefully, some day, I will be able to go with her. Until then, I'll continue to listen to Ellen's stories and "dream" about the day that I will get to see it all for myself.

Although I'm looking forward to what she is bringing back for us, I know that this is not going to be an easy trip for her. It is time for Ellen and her brother to clean out their father's house. No one looks forward to dissolving their parents' estate. It will be a quick trip filled with a lot of hard work. May they find joy in completing this unpleasant task as they work together and travel down "memory lane".

Prima Paper Kits...

In today's economy, it may be difficult to afford some of the beautiful papers and all the embellishments offered on the market. Ellen and I want to give you the opportunity to try them without making a huge investment. We've just listed a few kits from Prima. ------> www.CrazyCraftyCreators.etsy.com
 

National Scrapbook Day...

This Saturday, May 5th, is National Scrapbook Day. Scrapbookers, cardmakers, and other papercrafters around our nation will be gathering to do what they love the most...creating keepsakes and preserving their cherished memories. What are you doing to celebrate the occasion?

I will be joining some friends at a retreat in Wichita Falls for four days of fun and fellowship. Scrapbook n Such is one of the largest scrapbook stores in Texas. Terri Doyle and her staff have been working hard to plan a weekend loaded with classes and make and takes. Here are a couple of the projects...

Stay tuned...I will be posting pics along the way for inspiration. Since Ellen won't be going, I plan on learning how to "Skype" with her. This weekend is going to be so much FUN! Post a comment and tell us what you will be doing...

The "BOX" before...

This is the "BOX" before the challenge. This is a VERY SPECIAL box. It is the first project that we have selected for our first workshop. Envision it filled with lots of different tags for you to use for different occasions and purposes. There are actually three (3) boxes...three (3) designers...resulting in (3) totally different looks! Stay tuned for future developments...

M is for...Mother's Day...

We have been telling you how much we LOVE the paper cutting dies from Marianne Designs in Holland. Here's some inspiration for those Mother's Day cards that you are planning to make.

These M-arvelous ideas can be applied to any of your papercraft projects. I'm planning on embellishing a large paper mache "H" for my granddaughter, Haylee. Take note of the stock numbers of the items used. We are now taking pre-orders for Marianne Designs products.

Aside from the obviously beautiful roses, I LOVE the light and airy leaves that are used to frame the bouquets and draw your eye to other embellishments. We'd like to know what you think...leave your comments and feel free to ask questions.

Ready for take off...

Ellen and I are REALLY EXCITED about getting our business off the ground and running! We both have lots of ideas filling our heads. So many things we can do...so little time. Friday night we did some "experimenting" with the NEW LaBlanche stamps and spray mists. We hope to be putting our first kit together soon. Since we both enjoy teaching, our goal is to educate our friends and customers on how to use the products and techniques that we love so much. So, stay tuned in...for future tutorials and videos. Of course, we're still learning the "how-to's" and "what-for's" of blogging...bear with us and excuse us as we stumble through it...