Craft With May

I first heard of Core’dinations from Stacy Julian, when we were discussing the project now (cardstock) class she was giving me the green light on. I was excited and intrigued – after all the concept of cardstock with a lighter color core (so you can sand or tear away to reveal) sounded good to me. Like thick buttery frosting inside a cake of paper goodness if you know what I mean.

You’ve got to head over to www.coredinations.com to check out all their goodness. I have a wish list going right now, but first I’m working on using up the lovelies I have right here in-house. Would you like to see a layout I just made?

First of all – Mindy (from Core’dinations) taught me that you can put a piece of chipboard under the paper, sand, and this is what happens. The outline shows up that pale color. (swoon) SO love this technique! I also love that if I cover chipboard with it I get a painted/distressed edge very easily without ink or paint – I’ve got core color!  I also learned something new this morning…

I drew “bliss” on the back (backwards) and when I held it up to my desk light I could SEE IT. So I was able to make adjustments & get my title just right before cutting out. I thank the light core for that – and I’m very excited to use this again and again!! (note you can see that light color on the torn edge. Cool, no?) Not to be a tease here- but if you’re in my cardstock class at Big Picture then you know how I make hand-drawn titles like this. Students, know that I continue to do them & love them. CARDSTOCK ROCKS!

Just rubbing lightly on the punched hearts made them look like I’d smudged pale paint on them – I so love distressing.

Don’t even get me started on the whitewash & vintage collections. I use those as much as I can! I love how I could fold & crumple & tear this green strip and make it look all broken in & faded. love.

Finally I’ve got to share this. At the top of my “oh please, oh I so need this” is this:

I haven’t found it anywhere… and I need it. (sigh)

In the meantime I’ll be heading back to the bat cave to create more with cardstock and make a dusty mess of myself. It’s too fun not to!

Have you seen www.thegirlsloft.com? Margie & her daughters have a new kit club, and they are putting out some super cute & useful kits. I’ve been playing with their September kit today –

This box is for Elizabeth and is going to hold jelly bellies for her AFTER she does work in her preschool workbook. I covered the apple with paper, sanded edges, then used my VERY beloved Fiskars drill to make the holes through the box lid and apple itself. Then I pulled a ribbon through (loosely), squirted some liquid adhesive in the space between box and apple, and then pulled the ribbon nice and tight.  

I’m seriously loving my apple box and I don’t want to give it up. I might make more – and I think I’ll make more for Christmas too. Oooh- and Valentines. The great thing about this is that E can totally open the lid by grabbing the apple. Much easier.

Then I got it in my head I wanted to make a little wall hanging (it’s about 9 x 6)

I have serious decor commitment issues, so I’m loving the idea of wall hangings that are paper so if they only last 1 or 2 years I don’t have to feel bad.

The only thing not in the kit is the Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas sheet I stitched everything onto (before adhering to red cardstock).

I’m really excited about how my experiment turned out. It didn’t take long either and was F to the UN. Now I’m working on this layout. (note: the ‘joy’ stamp has nothing to do with anything. I  got it for $1 at Michaels today and I guess I plopped it down right there but didn’t notice it until just now while blogging)

I’ll be sharing a few more Girl’s Loft projects here on my blog – but I’ll be sharing a whole lot more in Kits class. I got to use their Debut kit for that (July), and oh how much fun I had.

Well – back to creating for tonight. Until next time –

Ok, I’m hooked. I loved making this journal + sewing right onto the cover. LOVE.

I already put the pumpkin muffins (from THIS post) in there, and next I’ll discuss what we’re all talking about as possibilities for costumes. FABULOUS. Loving this. See the whole thing + get instructions & supplies here: http://fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_fall09notebook.aspx

Now, I’ve got two sets of give aways today. That’s right. TWO of you who leave a comment here will walk away winners. Why, because Fiskars + I love you. Of what, you ask?

oh, ANY one of the new Border/Corner Combo punches. I’m showing the one I used, but you can pick.

prettiest scissors any paper cutting junkie needs. I love mine.

best tape runner. Oh, and a crazy cute corner punch.

That’s right friends, if you win you get all 4 fabulous Fiskars tools. I’ll draw a winner on 9/28… good luck!

Of course I do, but more specifically I need you to ask me some questions. I’m working on a presentation for my Big Picture class, and I thought it would be fun to address real questions.

So please – lay it on me!! Any questions you can think of about scrapbook kits – using them, making, ideas for specific themes of kits, favorites, what to do with ___…. anything! Leave your question(s) in comment section here please.

As you can see I’ve been busy. This picture represents only about 1/2 the layouts I made for class! Working without feedback as I do, sometimes I feel like I miss some piece that my students would want. Oh, I work hard to make sure I don’t miss anything major – but I thought a presentation with some Q & A would be a fun addition BONUS to this class.

As a thank you, if I’m able to use any of your questions I will mail you a little treat. Something special in a ‘happy mail’ envelope to say thanks. I’ll respond to each comment left – and you’ll know soon if a treat is heading your way.

Thanks for helping!!

update: Thank you to those who’ve commented so far – I now have enough for the presentation. If you have questions though, DO feel free to ask. I will continue to respond.