Adorning Apron Hop

One of the hottest trends today is Aprons.  They're no longer worn just for chores, but used as fashion accessory also.

The design team members of the Paper Crafters Sampler have now taken those fabulous aprons into the world of paper crafting.  We've created another special blog hop for you this month featuring "Adorning Aprons".  The aprons are designed using the apron template available in the upcoming March issue "Le Jardin" (The Garden).

This month we have something extra for viewers.  Each design team member will have a drawing for a FREE copy of the March Paper Crafters Sampler.  Just leave your comments on our Adorning Aprons by March 3rd.   The winners will be posted on March 4th.  Now, let's move on to my Adorning Apron samples.


Well, if you're going to dig in the dirt you might as well do it in style, right?   The frilly lace and shapely heart pocket will keep my spirits up if I come across half of a worm will digging.

The Apron template wraps around to use as a card and is designed to fit into an A2 envelope.

I'm a large fan of Mary Engelbreit.  This next sample was designed trying to mimic her famous cherry image and bright color schemes.

The leaves tucked into the pocker are from the new SU! Two step bird punch.  The cherries were embossed, cut out and lifted with dimensionals. 

I hope you've enjoyed Adoring Apron samples.   Don't forget to leave a comment to have your name entered for a Free March issue of Paper Crafters Sampler.

Hop on over to Lisa Hensley blog to view her fabulous take on our apron template. 

Tour de Freaks ~ February

It's time for another fabulous Tour de Freaks blog hop.  All projects this month are created with products from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog.

I'm posting my creations early as I'm heading out for a workshop.  Remember, the blog will officially begin the 20th of the month, so make sure you come back Saturday in the morning to see the entire hop.

More than likely you have just come from the oh very talented Gretchen Barron's blog.  She does a fantastic job with all her projects.

This month, I've created something to focus on the awesome designer papers in the mini catalog.  My first project is an Easter dress using the Shades of Spring paper.  The large flowers in this paper series are so beautiful, to cover them up is not an option so I try to use them in a way that will best showcase their beauty.

Start by cutting a dress template from the paper, focusing on where you want your flowers on the dress.  Additional flowers were cut, jazzed up with glitter and applied to the dress with a dimensional.  

THANKS to everyone who enjoyed my Easter dress.  I've had multiple request for the pattern.  You can download your Free copy at Craftside.typepad.com. 

Here's the back of the dress.  I ran it through a texturz plate for a little added detail and sponged Saffron ink around the edges along with some Sahara Sand.

What do you think of my satin ribbon flower?  I took an interest in ribbon flowers during the holidays.  With a quick trip to the library, I checked out as many books as I could on the subject "Ribbon Art".  This rose worked perfect for the back of the dress as you can not see it when looking at the front of the dress.   

For the ruffle, (on the base), I used the new Scallop trim punch from the SAB catty and crimped it.  Then there's a layer of pink tissue under that I just HAD to add.  Maybe it's a Southern thing, LOL!  It made it so much more girlie!

Hard to see here, but all those white circle surronding the yellow flower have crystal effects added to them.

Next up I have an Easter card.  Again, the paper here is from the new Occasions Mini catalog (Sweet Pea Designer Paper).  The top of the card uses the new Perfect Polka dot embossing folder.   The ribbon is one of the several new Satin ribbons available in the catalog also. 

If you're wondering about the ivory and grey swirls on my images, they were created with My Digital Studio.  Just having some fun with the cool software.

I hope you've enjoyed my samples this month.  Next on the hop is LeeAnn Greff.  She's got some beautiful creations waiting for you.  Hop on over to LeeAnn's blog by selecting the button just below.

Scherenschnitte (Scissor Cuts) Stamping

What could be lovelier than a well crafted silhouette?  Images void of detailed facial expression, or the feathers of a bird.  Images cut with such detail the outline alone is all you need to understand what the paper cuts artist is trying to convey.

More than likely you once created a Scherenschnitte yourself.  Your teacher once offered a sheet of paper and scissors, instructing you to fold and cut, creating a lacy snowflake.  What about those accordion paper dolls?  While the projects you created were not very elaborate (like the example below from Sharyn Sowell ), you were still creating your very first Scherenschnitte project.

While we can't all be master Paper Cut artist like Mrs. Sowell, we can certainly try our hand at this beautiful craft.  I've recently created a video for Splitcoaststampers entitled, "Scherenschnitte (Scissor Cuts) Stamping".  The video takes a shortcut to create a version of Schereneschnitte using my rubberstamping and basic crafting supplies.  Here are a few of samples.

The technique is simple really.  The bird and branches shown above (from the Touch of Nature stamp set) was simply inked in black, stamped on the paper and then filled in completely with a black marker.  Don't limit yourself to a "silhouette" stamp.  Any basic rubber stamp you have should work fine with this technique.

Here's what the rubber stamp image looked like before it was filled.

Don't limit yourself to just black cardstock.  Artist today will use colorful paper to create silhouettes. 

Here I've removed the eyes from the owl for a little more detail.

The second option is to emboss your image onto black cardstock and cut it out.  You can view the entire How-to video below or on my YouTube Channel.  Try your hand at this technique.  Use your completed project to grace the pages of your stationary, wedding invitations, scrapbook art or a beautiful framed piece of artwork for your home. 

Creating Miniature Birdhouses

Thanks for all the wonderful comments from everyone about the Easter Bonnet hop.  Those little hats were really fun to create.

The bonnet template is available inside the February issue of Paper Crafters Sampler, along with a slew of Easter projects.  You'll find several ideas that can be used for holding treats or table decor.  There's even an idea for keeping your little Easter egg hunters cooled in style. 

Here's another little template we've included in the February issue.  Minature birdhouses.  These darling houses can be used for plant pokes, pins or Spring magnets for your fridge.  Let your imagination guide you.

Here's a close-up of the house detail.  A big Thank You to Cherie, one of our design team members for offering the pattern.  This bird house measures approximately 2" x 3" x 1".

Below is a view of the roof along with it's inhabitant.  The bird is from the Branches and Birds die.  The roof was cut from the birdhouse template, punched with an eyelet board, crimped and adhered to the top.  The leaves and flowers were dies and punches. 

My goal was to make it feminine, thus the 'bling' on the entrance hole.

So many in the South use their back door as their front door.  It only seemed appropriate to add a little message to the back of the birdhouse.

I hope you've enjoyed another sneak peek of what you can expect from the February issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.  We've decide to make the current monthly samplers available for purchase.  The cost is $12.99.  You can read more about the sampler at the site Paper Crafters Sampler.com

PCS Easter Bonnet Hop

Welcome to the Paper Crafters Sampler Easter Bonnet hop.  I hope you have been enjoying the hop.  You might have just arrived after viewing Virginia's beautiful bonnet sample.  I really like how creatively she used the punch on the edges of her flower.  If you're just starting the hop at my blog, make sure you select the button at the bottom of each post, as that will allow you to come full circle.

The Easter Bonnet hop came about when the PCS design team was given a little challenge for using the Easter Bonnet template offered is this months Paper Crafter Sampler.  The February sampler showcases "Baskets, Bunnies and Bonnets" for our Easter edition. 

The sampler is released the 10th of the month.  If you haven't signed up yet that's OK, just head on over before the 10th so you'll have a chance to win a $15.00 sampler buck reward.  Only those who subscribe or have purchased the current edition are eligible for the drawing on February 11th.

Let's move on to my bonnet.  The base of the hat usesere Sending Love DSP from SU! and the small leaf embosslit.

The white flower beneath the button is from the Birds and Blooms embosslits.  Tell me, what do you think of this handsome couple?

Below is a front view of the bonnet.  I think my model loves it, look at that smile on her face.

There you have it.  I'd like to take the time to thank Mr. and Mrs. Hare for being such good sports and not dashing off before I completed the photos.

Now, hop on over to Ms.  Lisa Hensley's blog to view her ADORABLE hats!  Just select the link below.

Shades of Easter

Today I've decided to participate in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.  Yes, it's Saturday, but I've been preparing for this month's Paper Sampler and took a break to fit a Mojo Challenge in.  

For this challenge, I focused on using Easter colors, and what says Easter more than pastels?

Here I've paired Banana, Pretty in Pink and Sahara Sand.  I have had trouble using Sahara Sand in the past, but today discovered it pairs so nicely with pastels, especially these two.

Here's the sketch.....

Here's what I've come up with......

The main image is a cut-out from the Shades of Spring DSP from SU!  Aren't the colors pretty?  I like the white dots around the outer edge of the petals.  Great detail.

Barely Banana cardstock was covered with the Very Vintage wheel (in Saffron ink) to give it a bit more interest.  The scallop edge is simply the Eyelet border punch run through my paper crimper.

The Sahara Sand card stock just behind the flower is the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch wheeled with the Very Vintage image.  It was also distressed a bit to add more texture.

Add a dot of Crystal Effects in the center of each flower and you're done!