Tea Party PlaceCard/Napkin Holder Tutorial

It is my pleasure to bring you the latest for my Tea Party Birthday!!.As you may know, all this month Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot is having their one year birthday celebration. The Design Team was asked to create a party theme and make the necessary crafts to make your party complete.

This week I am showing you how easy it is to make a place card/napkin holder. By using my Cricut and Design Studio, I created my card by using the cartridge George and Basic Shapes.

After cutting your card, score so the end flaps fold inward; your design should be showing on the outside. On the rounded end, come in 1/2 inch and cut a slit. This will allow the pointed end to slide through. Slide that end in about 1/4 inch and fold the pointed flap down. You can square off the point if needed. When you put this together, just adjust with your hands so it stands up straight. I cut my slit a little too long and this caused the tip, when put through, unwanted sliding room. Once I got it lined up where it should be, I used a dab of glue to hold it down.

Now it's time to decorate!!
I wanted to keep with my theme, so I did not need much to bring it together. Once again I used the Victoria embossing folder on the card and Swiss Dot for the flower. I just love Core'dinations paper for embossing and sanding!!

I added the large flower, lace and 3 little flowers. Then I cut the tag using my oval Nestabilities and 'Betty' was cut using the cartridge Cursive 101 on my Cricut.

Here is a side view of what it looks like... And here is my finished project now with the folded napkin inserted through the opening....

If you would like this file cut, please let me know and I will email it to you. If you can not use the file cut, I can send you a template to work with.

The month is not over yet!!..There is still more to come!!..I hope you have enjoyed seeing what the Design Team has been creating for you and remember, be entered to win the grand prize, you must complete all the Be Inspired Wednesday challenges for September, become a follower of Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot and use Mr. Linky to post your creation!!

Tea Party Centerpiece Tutorial

Some of you have been following the Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot and my blog to know that all this month we are celebrating our ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY at Cuttlebug Challenge!! Each Design Team member chose a theme for their party and I chose...Tea Party Birthday!! If you are new, please enjoy what the Design Team has created for you thus far.

I am so excited to show you what I made for my Tea Party centerpiece! Trust me, this was so easy to do, but actually looks like a lot went into it.

Here are the supplies I used. Now, most of you know that I will pull together what I think I'm going to use, but by the time I get started I always end up adding or taking something away. That's ok; you can do that :) I bought a square styrofoam block and cut it down to the size I wanted for my project. Four sheets of Core'dination cardstock was cut about 1/4 inch taller than the block so I would have a valley to work with. I used my Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder on the cardstock and then used my sanding block to bring up the under color. Once I used my hot glue gun to attached the sides, I measured cardstock to cover the seams.
I was lucky enough to find strands of beads that I bought on sale after Christmas one year; how perfect for my 'look'!! I draped the beads and with plenty of hot glue tucked them into the corners. I did each strand separately.

For the flower stems, I found large craft sticks that were colored using Glitter Mist. Using my Rangers work mat, I sprayed Olive Vine Glitter Mist right on the mat and with a sponge brush, brushed on the 'paint'. I wish you could see the pretty sheen it left on the wood!
My flowers were cut using my Cricut; sorry don't remember which cartridge I used. Some flowers were embossed with the Swiss Dot folder and some were embossed with the Victoria folder. Also used with those flowers and alone were Prima flowers and Prima centers. Cuttlebug cut and emboss butterfly combo was used and lace for a bow. I used my Sizzix leaf/stem die with a little added Stickles. With the extra strands of beads, I arranged them inside the 1/4 well I had made.

Here is a close-up of the front where you can see how awesome the embossing looks on the Core'dinations cardstock.

Close-up of the butterfly

Here is a photo showing how it will look on my table


Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog and be sure to visit Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot
You still have time to get your party put together by following each Be Inspired Wednesday and uploading your creation to Mr. Linky. There is a grand prize waiting for someone, but you must 'play' along to be entered.

My Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Class 7-25-Celtic Knot

How exciting it is for me to be presenting to you one of the newest Provo Craft Cuttlebug folders, CELTIC KNOT!! I looked at this folder and had so many ideas in my mind, but first I did a research of Celtic designs from jewelry to tattoos. This folder opened a whole new world of interest for me. Keeping in mind what I found surfing the internet, this is the card I designed.

This is a photo of the supplies I used. Now, if any of you have been following any of my work, you may have read where I mention how I start in one direction and can end up totally different from my original plan. This card was no exception and because of that, I added a smaller photo of those extra items I used.
I embossed the gold cardstock that had a slight line embossing to it. Realizing how great this folder works to give a sharp emboss, I decided to cut out a few of the center designs with my Fiskars finger knife. Did you notice the gold marker in the first photo? Well, here is something I do when those cutting lines leave a little white showing. I take a marker in the color of the paper I'm cutting and tap onto the white. This helps to 'tone it down' and not have that white jumping out at you.

Next thing was to add a red background. This paper is a shinny red that I purchased from Marco's Paper. I trimmed around so as to not have any showing out from the top and sides. Then I used pop dots and set it on a black mat. The border of the black was done with Versa Mark and Perfect Pearls. Then I attached the black cardstock to more shiney red cardstock that was adhered to the card. I then added the decorative Cuttlebug corners.

Now it was time to 'bring it home' and give it that finishing touch. I used the Celtic Knot folder once again to emboss black Core'dinations that was gray on the back. Once that was done, I freehand cut a cross and using my sanding block, roughed it up. I then used pop dots and adhered it to the card. One last thing was needed...a green heart gem.

I hope you enjoyed my quick and easy class and get the opportunity to play with the Celtic folder yourself. Be sure to stop by Cuttlebug Challenge for fun, prizes and awesome inspiration from our Design Team.

My Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Class 7/14/09-Flourish Frame

I am so excited to be sharing with you this new embossing folder from Provo Craft called Flourish Frame!!

Let’s get started!!..

How exciting to be one of the first to use this awesome new embossing folder from Provo Craft called Flourish Frame. In this first photo I gathered up my supplies and pre-embossed both cardstocks. The blue cardstock was embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dot folder. Now, I don’t know about you, but my supplies change throughout my projects. You will notice things added that are not in the supply photo. Unless you are doing a challenge that restricts you to use only what is shown, just go with your creative juices and get creative!

In this photo, I covered the card with a blue and green print from Me & My Big Ideas. You must have guessed by now that I was in a blue and green mood..lol. I added a strip of blue and green ribbon to the blue cardstock and adhered the cardstock to the print. My choice was to off center that piece.




It was now time to add the green cardstock with that awesome embossed frame on it. I chose to cut out the center for a little different take on this folder. After I played around with where I was going to set it down, I used 3M double sided foam tape, but doubled up on it since I wanted a better dimensional finish. I set it in place and then let the juices flow on how to dress it up. Stardust Stickles was used to accent those cool flourishes on the frame. I cut a butterfly with my Walk In My Garden cartridge using Me & My Big Ideas cardstock with a glitter design on it. Once that was cut, I used a pop dot and then added more Stickles (green and stardust) just to make it stand out more. After playing with my Prima flowers, I chose the ones I wanted to use and placed them on the card. I then finished it off with some blue and green fibers and 3 self stick bling rounds.

Here is my finished card!!

Be sure to stop by Cuttlbug Challenge and get inspired!!!

Monday Rendezvous at Cuttlebug Challenge

Today I am giving a class on making your own embossing paste at Cuttlebug Challenge When you go there, remember to take the ProvoCraft survey if you haven't done so yet. You too will have a chance to win an embossing folder!!

I am also posting my class here; hope you enjoy it and find it informative!!

Making your own EMBOSSING PASTE!!

This photo shows the supplies you will need to make your own embossing paste and to do your project. Yep, you see that right, it's spackle!!! You can find this in your supercenter or hardware store. I think I may have gotten this at Walmart and it is not expense at all. Maybe a couple dollars!!. This says 'fast'n final lightweight spackling'. Also shown is painters tape, chalk, plastic knife (lost my better craft spatula), embossing plate, paper plate and glitter.
Ok, we are ready to get started!! Set your embossing plate on the cardstock you want to work with. Using painters tape, tape all four sides.
Take some of the spackle and put it on the paper plate. Put the lid back on the tub so the spackle will not dry out. You are now going to make embossing paste!!..Take how much you think you may need; I always work with more just to be sure. The way I get my color is to take my old chalks and scrape some of the chalk with the knife over the paste. You determine how much color you want to work with. Remember you can always add more chalk and if it's too dark, just add a little more of the white spackle. Now, you want to keep mixing until all the color is evenly mixed and the texture is creamy.
Yes, this is the same blue..the camera changed the color!!..Take your knife and start putting the embossing paste on your embossing plate until the design is completely covered. Once it's all applied, start swiping if off. Keep doing this until the only paste showing is that in the design itself. Be sure to wipe your knife after each swipe. Keep working until it looks like the next photo. If I had used an embossing plate that didn't have a design so close to the edges, I wouldn't have to bring it out so far. The main thing, no matter what embossing plate you are using, is to cover all the design.
Be sure to check those little edges. You may need to reapply a little to fill it in. Yep, sometimes you will swipe away and it will pick up where it shouldn't. No problem, just fill it in.
While still wet, sprinkle glitter over the design. Then, remove the painters tape working backwards. Lift the embossing plate and there you will have your finished design. Soak your plate immediately for easy cleanup.
Here is the finished card all set and ready to go!! Cuttlebug embossing folders swiss dot and textile were used to give the card extra texture.
Here is a close up of the card; you can see the raised embossing. Pretty..isn't it??!!
Some of you asked how I did the icing on my Be Inspired #24 project and now you can see how easy it is to do!! Follow step 3 with mixing your color (chalk) until creamy and mixed well. This time, transfer a glob of paste to your icing area. With your fingers, you will mold the icing until it looks like the real thing. I tapped a few times with the knife to give it a more puffy effect. While still wet, I sprinkled some pink glitter, let it set and then lightly sprayed the glitter with hairspray to hold it all in place. You will find the heavier the cardstock, the better since your cardstock will 'warp' a little. You don't notice it in the final project thought.