Shadow Box Layout

I thought I better get to posting the Shadow Box Layout that Linda, aka LGuild, and I worked on over the weekend since I had talked about it several times. The flowers are from Flower Shoppe and the frame around the picture is from Art Philosophy.

Supplies Used:
Shadow Box - Michaels
Cricut Flower Shoppe cart
Cricut Art Philosophy cart
Various Pattern paper
Various cardstock
Kaiser Pearls
Color Box Cat Eye Chalk Ink
Pearl Brads
Chipboard Shapes
Small Tatted Doilies
Velour Scallop Ribbon
Braiding Trim
Perfect Layers trim set

The shadow box Linda found was suppose to be for a t-shirt display box, however it worked perfectly for the layout she was wanting to do. She sent me a picture of a layout she found that she liked and thought would work with the picture. She brought the sentiment she wanted to be included.

In order to get the layout centered we measured in and then marked with a pen the 12x12 centered area and then just used the ATG gun to apply the tape and then place the layout accordingly.



I totally cheated and used the Design Studio file I had from the MEMORIES frame that I had done for the flowers. They seemed to work well for the layout and the number of flowers worked as well. This way we didn't have to figure out sizes and such.




I did add pearl brads for the flower centers, trying to use different pearls for each flower type.



Linda thought of the idea for the pearls on the flourishes. She did help some by pushing the load and unload button on the Cricut. She also glued the cardstock to the chipboard shapes. 





We had a great time working on the layout even though it seemed to take all day. That might have been because we took multiple breaks and of course we had to go to lunch and the scrapbook store! Linda was kind enough to buy my lunch, saying it was my pay and that I was earning about $2 a hour! HA HA HA

Altered Frame - Memories

I saved this frame to post last because it was my favorite and I think by far the best of the frames I did. I sure didn't want to post it first and then have you guys look at the others and think "damn okie that one looks like chit compared to the first one" *okie smiles slyly at the methods to her madness*.

I actually saved this frame to use as my Dirty Santa gift. I was concerned people wouldn't care for the frames but after sending pictures to a friend who said she loved them I thought the frames would make good prizes. I made this frame last and even I was impressed with how it turned out! Of course it wasn't my talent that made the frame but the awesome elements that worked together and the benefit of using the Flower Shoppe cartridge! I spent quite a bit of time on this frame, mostly because of the cutting of flowers and assembling.

Supplies Used:
Ready to Finish 12x12 Memory Frame
Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden Collection
Various Cardstock
Cricut Flower Shoppe cartridge
Cricut Home Decor cartridge
Imaginesce Heat Set Pearls
Small Doilies
Glimmer Mist
Cat Eye Chalk Ink
Glittered Brads




 

I am really enjoying making the flowers and they are a lot more simple than I thought they would be. I can't wait to do some more of these for some projects. I of course used Design Studio to layout the basic flower so I could figure out the sizes I needed. I did two different leave cuts for the frame and folded them in half before scrunching the ends toward the middle. 




 
I used a background swirl stamp and did heat embossing before assembling but after adding the glimmer mist you can't really see the embossing much in the picture. It did show up a little better in person. Next time I will forgo the Glimmer Mist if I want to add heat embossing to the flowers.




 

Inking the edges of the flowers seemed to give them a more realistic look and besides, ya'll know I have an inking fetish *okie is seriously thinking of seeking treatment*. You can see the brads a little better in this picture. I just used regular brads I got on clearance at the Dollar Store and put a glue dot on top and then dipped in some glitter. It's an inexpensive way to make glitter brads and you can make the color you want.


 
On the title I inked the lower half of memories because it just looked a bit stark at first. I like how the inking only half made it seem to blend better in with the theme and elements. I cut the title shadow out of some chipboard to help give it a little more dimension.





 I think one reason I am enjoying making these frames so much is because you can add so much dimension to it without worrying about the elements getting smashed like they might if it were a scrapbook page going in a scrapbook.  One thing I have done since making the frames is invest in a fine tip glue gun. The one I had has a larger tip and was a little to difficult to work with on some of the smaller items such as the flower centers.

Like I posted last week, Consumer Crafts is having their shipping special for the rest of the month and while they are still having the special I am going to order quite a few of the 12x12 frames and probably a few of the smaller ones. I am actually thinking of making some...okay ya'll don't faint...and selling them!! *okie watches a few of her readers faint* Uh will someone grab the smelling salts?

Paisley Purse - Altered Item

This is the last of my little Bare Elements Sonia purses. I really do wish I had a few more. I only had gotten 6 at the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington when I was able to attend in 2010. Hopefully I can find something just as cool next June when I get to go again.

Supplies Used:
Bare Elements Sonia Purse
Cricut Flower Shoppe cartridge
FancyPants All Fall patterned paper
Various cardstock
Prima Paper Flowers
Swarovski Crystals
Cat Eye Chalk Inks
Glimmer Mist
Basic Grey brad
Pearl edging
Pearl earrings minus posts

Since the paper was double sided I was able to use one of the sides for the large flower and not have to worry so much about trying to match the colors *okie so loves things made simple*. the center is cut from the green and brown polka dot you see on the purse flap. I am not sure how I like the patterned paper flower but it stuck on there now and actually might be wrapped up already so I can't change it. The little blue flowers are made from Flower Shoppe and I used Prism paper for those.


I wanted to try and show you the sparkle of the Swarovski crystals but let me tell ya, it ain't easy photographing sparkle! My friend Carol, aka Carol with two hearts, had sent me some of the crystals from her stash probably about two years ago. Well I am so picky about who I use them on that I rarely use them. I don't want to waste them on a card someone will throw away so I thought this purse was a great use for a few of them.




Here you can see where I randomly added a few of the crystals. It just kinda like the overall design of the flowers seem to flow over the flap of the purse.

You might be able to notice the pearl center in the small flower at the bottom of the picture, that is the earring with the post cut off. Years ago I went into a shop that was going out of business and they had this HUGE container of pearl earrings, fake of course, and earring jackets so I snatched them up. I had forgotten about them until the other day when I was looking for something else and got the needlework and beads tote down off the shelf. I wondered if I could cut the posts off and since I had some jewelry wire pliers/cutters I was able to snip them off easily. You will probably be seeing these in the future as well.

For the flower petals I folded down the middle lengthwise. I wanted to give the flower a Mum sort of look and I think it worked out pretty good. I again used a piece of chipboard and cardstock left over from another project to add to the top of the flap so I would have a little more room to work with and would have some extra support for the flower that is "standing" off the top of the purse.

Not sure I will get a project done tonight to post. I need to wrap some more of the prizes for my party. I got 8 wrapped last night. I still have to get the tulle so I can make the bows for them. I also have to take Naomi to wound care today. For those who know who Naomi is, she is doing well. Her surgery a few months ago went well and she goes for treatment once a week. She says there is no pain and if she hadn't gotten infection while her incision was healing she probably would be fully recovered by now. However, she is in great spirits, other than being really ticked about having to go to wound care and treatment. I told her "well ya ding bat it is better than the alternative!" and she just laughed and agreed.

Linen And Lace Purse - Altered Item

Blogger hasn't been working to well for me so this is posting a little late today!

Here is the finished project I did with the flowers I showed earlier this week. I hope you can see why I am so loving Flower Shoppe! I love the idea of being able to bend or curl the flower petals and make them look almost alive! If you want to ooh and ahhh right now that is fine. It's pretty much what I did when I got the flowers finished and put on the purse. I think this cart can make even the most simplistic project into something that everyone will ohhh and ahhh over!

Supplies Used:
Bare Elements Sonia Purse
Cricut Expression
Cricut Flower Shoppe cartridge
DCWV Linen and Lace
Various cardstock
Pearl Brad
Imaginesce heat set pearls
Small tatted doily
Cat Eye Chalk Inks
Glimmer Mist



I cut the brown flowers from paper scraps from the Linen and Lace stack and also from some Prism pink cardstock. You can see the heat set pearls that I used around the edging of the flap. I really love those little pearls and wished they offered different colors of them. I used a scrap piece of cardstock and paper I had cut out from another project to adhere the tatted doily to the purse. This also gave me a little extra room to add the flowers and leaves.



I used Coredinations to make the leaves. I first crumpled the cardstock and then sanded it a little for the distressed look. I used a paper towel to wipe off the excess paper dust before putting down on my Cricut mat to cut. I cut the leaves in two different sizes. After getting the leaves cut and inked I folded them in half length wise and then smooshed it together a little to get the effect you see in the picture. I think it helped give them a more realistic dimensional look than just a flat leaf would look.

If you watched the CRICUT PROJECT FLOWER SHOPPE video that Christina did you saw where she sprayed with water and suggested glimmer mist, I used the glimmer mist. It is hard to see in the photos but it shows more in person and gives the pieces a nice little shimmer.

I love the little rosettes and I was concerned about them being difficult to work with due to the small size but thanks to Christina's instructions it was very simple. I think I do want to get a quilling tool like she used as it might make it easier to assemble the smaller flower centers or rosettes.

I will be posting another altered purse tomorrow. I wasn't sure if I liked it. I send a picture to my friend Carmen and she said she liked it even better and thinks it is because of the colors. You guys can make your judgements tomorrow.

I have a problem....Flower Shoppe cartridge

I am one of those personality types that when I get a good thing I want more and more and more of it. It doesn't matter if it is a good pack of Cream Horns, gorgeous paper, comfortable socks or heck even men! *okie thinks she might not want to go into that right now as it would take a whole notha blog to even begin to explain okie and the male species* Anyway I think I am going to have this problem with the Flower Shoppe cartridge!

I found two more of the chipboard purses that needed to be altered and wanted to get them done for my Girlfriend Christmas party as prizes. I picked out some papers and got them covered and then remembered I had the Flower Shoppe cartridge that I hadn't used yet. I have been wanting to try it but thought it was going to be very difficult to use and of course I didn't really look at the handbook *okie thinks instructions are for boys*. I went to Christina's blog, ya know Creations with Christina *okie would so hate Christina's butt for being uber talented if Christina wasn't such a sweetheart*, and of course she has the video CRICUT PROJECT FLOWER SHOP showing how to make the flowers. Well within 10 minutes I felt like I could be an expert flower maker!


This is the first flower I made and it was super super simple to do thanks to the video! You guys know me and my inking habit *okie thinks it is more like an addiction than a habit* so I had to ink the petals a little. I used a pearl brad for the flower center. I think Eyelet Outlet actually as some of these very pearl brads in their clearance section right now.

Here is the group of flowers for the project. I will post the project sometime this week. But for now I just wanted to share a little of the project and let you guys know how much I am gonna love this cart! I am not sure how many of these flowers i would use for scrapbooking or cardmaking since some stand up quite a bit, but I know they will be fabulous for altered projects for sure!