Cased Starburst Wrapper Bracelet

This week the #120 challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments is Anything But a Card and to make a Wearable Bit of Art.  You have to go check them all out and then add your handmade piece of jewelry to the site. 

When I saw these cool Starburst Wrapper Bracelets on Pinterest I immediately thought of using a cool combination of Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! to make a watch.  I started with the Starburst Wrapper tutorial for some good instructions on how to make a fun and funky bracelet.  Then I modified the instructions to accomodate the weight of Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers.

Here is what I did to adjust for the heavier weight of the Floral District Designer Series Paper:

I cut 20-24 strips of DSP at 4.5" x 1".
Then I folded each in half lengthwise.
And then I folded each lengthwise strip in half widthwise.
From that point I followed the tutorial.
To add the watch face I simply slipped the watch-band in between the strips.
I made my watch big enough to slip over my wrist like a bangle.

For Miss Charming

In January I visited with my brother and his family in Austin Texas.  My Sister-in-law and I were chatting about our blogs and she mentioned to me how much she enjoyed when I shared a bit of our event work on my blog.  So, for Gina aka Miss Charming the following is a post is for her and all of your too :0)

I'll give just a few bits of information about me and these photos.  First, I work for a company called Bloomster's which is located in San Jose CA.  We do flowers, landscaping, interior design, and events.  I should say lots and lots of events.  These pictures were all taken by me on my little pocket Cannon camera, so they are just snapshots for us to have a few archival photos to document this event.  All of these were taken at the Rosewood Hotel in Palo Alto for a young man's contemporary-industrial-lounge styled Bar Mitzvah. 

A close up of a large floral design on a credenza in the ballroom lobby.

I did all the placecards and table numbers.  Each pocket held a tag with each guest's assigned table number inside.

Each name was made using a Dymo label maker (this was hard on the hand).

There were two sets of these curved suede banquets to the sides of the placecard display.

All the girls had red pockets and the guys had grey.  I used the Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die to cut all these.

I omitted the top flap of the pocket so the tab would show.  These metal racks stood in front of a very cool stacked cake.

Some of the kids tables were square while others were tall rectangular white high gloss tables.

Tall white kids tables with battery operated candles which are not my favorite, but necessary.

Light cubes around the dancefloor.

A full look at the dancefloor and furniture.

That's black corregated card stock behind the number and it looked so industrial which was perfect for the entire look and feel of the party.

Another credenza floral design, but this time a wider view.

I hope you have enjoyed taking a peek into what I do.  To see more do visit our Bloomster's page on Facebook.  We add all kinds of event photos every week.

Happy event planning, Elizabeth

Everything Eleanor

Or should I say everything Elizabeth?  This card has details that I are so me like dry embossing, fussy cutting, bling, masking, and a little rock and roll.

Stamps - Everything Eleanor, Perfectly Penned

Inks - Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Jet Black Staz On

Paper - Whisper White, Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler,and Basic Black Card Stocks

Accessories - Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Scallop Border Punch, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, Basic Rhinestones

 

Enjoy and be a happy crafter, Elizabeth

Man Caves

Are you getting ready for Father's Day or celebrating the man in your life's upcoming birthday?  If you are you have to check out the ideas for masculine man cards at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  The #119 challenge this week finds inspiration from "the man cave."  Is there a man cave at your house?  There is one at my house, well actually there are two plus a fenced off side yard full of race car parts.  So, that makes three for me (oh thrill). Each filled with tools and gear for racing cars and a motorcycle.

For my card I decided to create a hybrid project using My Digital Studio and traditional products because my husband just bought a Prius C.  I selected the motorcycle as the focal point because he just passed his motorcycle riders training test.

I started the card on My Digital Studio with the Motorcycle stamp and then filled it in with the splatter image from the Extreme Elements.  The splatters are at various levels of opacity which I feel adds a great dimension to the look.  On a separate page in MDS I stamped a couple greetings and frames from the brand new Seriously Awesome brush stamp set.  When I was finished with my digital stamping, I printed my pages on Whisper White card stock, cut them out, and then layered them on Island Indigo and Basic Black card stocks.  To finish I added a spritz of Silver Foil Smooch and Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink.  One detail I like to include on masculine cards is a cool and easy frame.  I simply score the second layer right along the edge of the top layer, cut out the corners, and then fold the second layer up, easy peasy :0)

All Supplies from Stampin' Up!
Stamps - MDS: Motorcycle, Seriously Awesome
Inks - MDS: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, & Basic Black
Paper - Whisper White, Island Indigo, & Basic Back Card Stocks
Accessories - Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Silver Foil Smooch Spritz, Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

http://seeinginkspots.blogspot.com/2012/05/man-caves.html

A Little Somethin' Pretty

To add a pretty touch to any card try using the Elizabeth background stamp.  There are just a few days left to get this stamp as it is being retired on May 31st.  The bird is from the Language of Friendship stamp set which coordinates beautifully with the Bird Builder Punch.  Other elements on the card include Attic Boutique DSP, Red Glimmer Paper, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Thanks Kindly, Basic Rhinestones, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz, and the Modern Label Punch.  Card stocks used include Blushing Bride, Real Red, Whisper White, and Pool Party.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Emboss Resist

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today the new challenge #118 at Hand Stamped Sentiments is all about the Emboss Resist Technique.  This is such a great technique because of it's versatility.  Once you have stamped and heat embossed an image you can do all kinds of things to create one of a kind looks.

For my card I scribbled back and forth across the embossed image with an Aqua Painter and water only.  While the water was still wet I sponged back and forth over the water with various colors of dye based ink.  Where there is water the ink takes to the paper much darker.  It's a cool look and for this card adds to the heat of the safari design.

Do click over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to see more emboss resist ideas.  Try your own project applying this technique and share it with the stamp world on their site.

All supplies from Stampin' Up!

Stamps - Zoo Review

Inks - Whisper White Craft, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, & Not Quite Navy Classic Inks

Paper - Neutrals Collection Textured Card Stock (Very Vanilla & Soft Suede), Well Worn & Everyday Enchantment DSP

Accessories - Aqua Painter, Stampin' Sponges, Live Every Moment Embosslit, Regals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Vintage Trinkets, Stampin' Dimensionals, Champagne Smooch Paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol & sprayed)

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

http://seeinginkspots.blogspot.com/2012/05/emboss-resist.html

Dollar Tree Designs

Hello Folks!

Today I am happy to share with y'all a design duo which all started from the Dollar Tree.  These frames are actually pressed cardboard and were originally a dark burgundy brick red.  They sat around for a super long time until I sprayed them with Heirloom White paint.  Because the frames are cardboard and MEGA porous it took a bazillion coats paint to finally cover them.

I slipped a piece of Attic Boutique DSP inside each frame while the rest of my decor was adhered to the outside of the glass and frame.  I used the Elegant Bird die and covered one wing and the body with Champagne Glitter for my main focal ingredient.  I then nested the bird in a poofy Attic Boutique DSP flower.  A bit of ribbon, Itty Bitty Punch Pack flowers with pearl centers, and a couple greeting banners was all I needed to finish the pair of frames.

This photo was taken in our Scrapbook Expo booth in Pleasanton.  They sat inside an old suitcase and they looked super cool there.  Now, they are in my house as part of my spring decor.

Enjoy and as always happy stampin' and craftin',

Elizabeth

Happily Ever After

The challenge for this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments is all about weddings.  It's that time of year for June brides, so get your stamps out and stamp up a wedding sentiment.  Then take a picture of your card or project and post it on Hand Stamped Sentiments #117 theme challenge.

For my card today I decided to take a storybook approach.  Why?  Because I pulled out the Elegant Trio Decor Stencils, which are being retired at the end of this month, and it made me think of the fairytale greeting from the stamp set Full of Life.  My mind kind of went Cinderella on me.  I had the card finished and then decided to really enhance the fairytale feel by adding the Pennant Punch banner.  I think it adds to the "kingdom" feel of my whimsical wedding card.  The whimsy juxtaposed with the clean lines, pleated ribbon, and the rhinestone bling give the card a sense of sophistication.

Supplies all from Stampin' Up!

Stamps - Full of Life

Inks - Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Jet Black Staz On

Papers - Basic Black, Pool Party, Blushing Bride, and Very Vanilla Card Stocks, First Edition DSP

Accessories - Elegant Trio Decor Stencils, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Basic Rhinestones, Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon, White Bakers Twine, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Scallop Border Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

I Hate the Word Specimen

That's right I hate the word specimen.  It conjures up all kinds of icky bugs pinned with all their body parts spread wide open in a sterile box, tucked away in a big drawer of a science classroom that stinks of formaldehyde.  But my hate gets worse when people say "collect a specimen" for the doctor!  So, when these beautiful works of art are classified as specimen art I just cringe as my mind wanders off.  

These beauties were all made by the very talented Tami Waddell for our booth at the Scrapbook Expo.  The cool thing is many of the items she used have made the new catalog. In person the detail is absolutely exquisite!  Please excuse the photos.  With all the lighting and the glass inside the frames I was having a major glare issue.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Fabulous Colors

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today offers a new color challenge #116 over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  The colors are Pool Party (yum), Basic Gray (a great neutral), Pink Pirouette (sweet), and Regal Rose (rich).  These colors are so great for the season right now and also made me think of baby showers.  So, I went that direction and busted out the Aviary stamp set, that I have had for almost a year and have never before inked it up, and sat down to make a baby card.

It is really hard to see but the bottom of the birdcage has been painted with the Silver Fox Pearlized Accent Ink to give a metallic appearance.  It is super cool in person ;0)

Do pop over and see all the very sweet samples created by the design team at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Be blown away and inspired to grab your supplies and create your very own hand stamped sentiment.

Stamps - Aviary, Curly Cute

Inks - Basic Gray, Pool Party, and Regal Rose

Papers - Tea Time Simply Scrappin', Neutrals & Regals Collections 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock, Whisper White Shimmer Cardstock

Accessories - Basic Rhinestones, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/8" Real Rose Taffeta Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Silver Fox Pearlized Accent Ink

Happy craftin, Elizabeth