File Folder Mini

My online scrap buddy Jean (the Musical Scrapper) made this mini at a recent retreat.  I didn't get to go on the retreat, but she did a video on her USTREAM show.  A letter size file folder was used for this project.  This was fun.  Thanks Jean!

In the tutorial Jean puts a gusset on the flap so that it closes smoothly.

I added a gusset to the sides and bottom of this packet so it would hold more stuff.  This is the ideal size for 4 x 6 photos.

 Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Box Portfolio

This is a way to organize and store all that ephemera that I have collected.  I watch INKWELL (Dede) on USTREAM and this is her project for the year.  She calls it the alphabetica box. Each week Dede gives 2 suggestions for what to label the file folders like 'birds' or 'doors' or 'maps'.  The goal is to personalize the box and make it your own.  She collages each folder and has shown this method on many shows.  Still I hesitated- see when I first learned to collage and decoupage we never used paint- we just glued on paper, napkins or fabric.  Dede makes using paint look so easy.  Every time I try I get mud (LOL).  So, for the sake of catching up and to stop staring at an empty box I just cut down some already decorated 12 x 12 folders from my stash.  I decided to just stamp and hand write the labels on the plain manila folders,  Here is my box portfolio.

The portfolio is a recycled large flat rate shipping box decorated with book pages, alphabet stamps, colorbox ink, duct tape, and tulle.

Here are my folders and dividers so far.

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Altered file folder record keeper

My dog, Dugan, has been a great addition to my life.  I record information about him.   I use a tag, but I ran out of space after having him for more than a year.  I wanted to make a log for keeping his records.  I started him on a new eating plan in an effort to pinpoint the source of his allergies.  The vet has been expensive and not really helpful.  So, I am resorting to my own troubleshooting and home remedies; documenting is very important to this process.  

This is an altered file folder album that I made. 

Painted, collaged and misted cover flap

 

There are 4 big panels and one small panel to write information.  Also there is a tag and pocket.

 

 
 I may add another pocket. I do like the informal feel of the paperclips.








I feel better after making this new record keeper.  I hope Dugan stops itching soon.  And that I find out what is causing his allergies.  He is really loving the food I am making for him, but I think he misses his treats.

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Scratch Art

I tried this technique on a tag.  It is done by coloring the whole tag with different colors of oil pastels.  Then covering the whole thing with black oil pastel.  Then using a stencil and wooden skewer the black is scratched off revealing the color underneath.  The tag is then sealed with gel medium.  It was fun, but I definitely want to try it using a more detailed stencil and a larger canvas.

Materials:

shipping tag

fiber from stash

oil pastels

TH crown and flourish masks

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Angel Tree

I recently had an opportunity to participate in Angel Tree. The card I selected was for a 11-12 year old girl requesting a diary/journal. I asked the facilitator if the gift could be hand crafted instead of store brought. I received the OKAY. Whoo Hooo! I made this journal.

Outside covered with fabric.  Padded with fiber fill batting.

 Inside is a piece of chipboard covered with contrasting fabric and a ribbon closure.

These are just composition books covered and padded.  I may make a smaller journal and a book mark.  I plan to include a pink pen too.  I made another one for my niece's birthday.  

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Putting the two together

I posted the dress favor boxes I made a while ago.  Then I recently posted the altered binder clip pocketbook charms.  Well I thought even though the colors didn't necessarily match that I should put them together.  Here is what I came up with:

I gave these out at a small writing party I had recently.  Only one of the attendees was a scrapbooker, but I think the guests still liked the party favors.

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BCA Note Cards

These pocketbook shaped note cards were from Walmart.  I "doctored them up" by adding embellishments and of course BLING!

I wish the stickles and glitter showed up better, but trust me these note cards are blinged out.  The envelopes are decorated also.

Materials:

Note card

stickles

sakura pens

ribbon from stash

glitter glue

pink rhinestones

BCA ribbon punch (2 different styles)

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Mini purse charms

I covered binder clips with fabric scraps to make these. 

A thicker fabric will work better to prevent the binder clip from showing through.  Also, I am now on a quest to find a different glue.  Fabri Tac dries clear, but this project is so small it needs a less clumping and even clearer glue.   I plan to use these charms on gifts or tags.  But, I want to make them again.

Materials:

3/4 inch binder clip

scrap of fabric

coordinating ribbon from stash

bead or pearl for purse clasp 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Binder clip picture holder

This is made from scrap pp.  The sentiment cut was given to me by an online scrap buddy.  Thanks Helen.  I just doodled on the paper and adhered the sentiment.

Materials:

large binder clip

pp

micron black pen

sakura pink pen

Party Dress Favor boxes

I received these favor boxes in a RAK (Thanks Helen).  I decorated them for the guests that will attend a small writing party I will be having.  I hope the ladies like them.

Materials:
pp
ribbon from stash
fibers from my crop table mate's stash (Thanks Chanequa)
flowers
the dress boxes are a $1.00 at Dollar Tree and come 10 to a pack.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Scraplifting gone wild!

A while back I received a RAK.  It was a pink ATG gun. Love it!http://parablesproductions.blogspot.com/2011/03/have-special-day.html

I thought I would decorate it like I saw online.  This one lady made hers look like Hello Kitty.  It was fabulous!  I love Hello Kitty.  I worked on it at a recent crop.  The lady sitting next to me said "...that doesn't look like Hello Kitty, that is not even the shape of her face..."  Good thing that lady was my buddy, otherwise I might have had her disappeared (LOL) 

However, this project was more difficult than I imagined.  The rhinestones did not line up properly, I couldn't get the whiskers on the right angle, the eyes are too close together...just a total, sticky mess.  I think I got impatient and just started gluing down bling any and everywhere; and ended up with some unfilled spaces.  Perhaps I can fill the spaces with smaller rhinestones or glitter.  I have the 'Hello Kitty' cricut cartridge, but there didn't seem to be an option to just cut the bow without cutting the entire face.  I ended up drawing the bow free hand.  Oh, do not get me wrong,  I AM STILL GOING TO USE THE ATG...and love every minute of it.  I made clothes for my niece's Hello Kitty stuffed toy without a pattern, but I guess I needed a pattern for this project (LOL).  Oh well.  Here is the finished project:

Materials:

rhinestones

Glossy accents

Recollections glitter card stock

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Recipe Box

The style of this box created a little challenge when covering the back.  In the end I think I figured it out.

Materials:
scrap paper
ribbon from stash
fiskars border punch
colorbox chalk ink 

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My first dotee inspired doll

So I keep seeing these dotee dolls.  They are supposed to only be swapped or given away, but it seems like I have seen them for sale before.   

What is a dotee doll?

A dotee is a type of small handmade fabric doll ranging in size from 3-7 inches. They have a face, tail and hanger with no arms or legs. The tail and body of the doll may be decorated with various items like ribbons and beads. Dotee dolls were originally created by Dorothy Christian.  I have clicked on so many links to her blog only to see a bunch of polka dot items and NOTHING about the dolls. So instead of me posting the useless link and cause you the same frustration...just remember Google is your friend. lol 

Here's my take on the craft. 

Materials:

scrap fabric

beaded trim

beads for hanger and dangles
felt
bic mark it pens
embroidery floss
button
needle and thread
poly fill

I like to think of my dangles as legs.  

My mom says that they look like the little rag dolls that she and her friends made as kids.  I guess the old stuff really does become the new stuff (LOL)

 
 
 
 
 

 

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Altered CD Challenge

Here another challenge from the Stampin Dymonz Creative Place blog. 
Requirements: Cover with paper, 3 flowers, ribbon/fibers, stamping, and decorate both sides.

Materials:
fringe/trim
old book pages
scrap fabric
mod podge
ribbon
color box chalk ink
Inkadinkado circle and swirls stamps
markers 
brown embroidery floss
beads, cowry shells
paper flowers
walnut stain ink

Back: 
Same earrings, head wrap and hair as on the front
grey bling
Inkadinkado circles and swirls stamp set
markers
cowry shells
paper flowers
embroidery floss
walnut stain ink

this is not my entry but here is another altered cd.

stick pin and shimmer sprayed flower,
sentiment: follow your dreams by
Rubbernecker



Materials:

cotton

scrap paper

acrylic paint

stamps for the eyes

flowers

brads

stick pin

bic mark its

                                                       beads, old earring

Here's another one.  I call her Lil' Miss Sunshine.

Her body and arms are made out of a cut up cd also

These projects will make nice door hangers or refrigerator magnets

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you came back soon.

Altered Tiles

Materials:
Porcelain tiles
Alcohol inks
stazon ink
rubbernecker stamps 
glossy accents

For this one the stamping was done on tissue paper.  The glitter specks from the tissue paper add a nice affect, but the colors are more muted.  I like the other two (stamping right on the tile) much better.     

Additional materials:                                         Gold leaf pen

gel medium

                                                  

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Altered CD Album

Here is a mini album I did to hold pictures of my dog, Dugan.  I used old cd's.  Punched the holes with the crop-a-dile, adhered the paper with Yes glue, sanded the edges with my TH sander that I got in a RAK
(Thanks Chanequa!).  It is bound with a ring and I used ribbons and fibers to cover the ring.



Sentiments:Dugan, dugan, silly, smart & cute



Sentiments: It was love at first sight,
baby man, my guy, cute



one side is white based pp... 

...the other side is black based pp

Finished Mini Album!

Sentiment: It was (heart) at first sight.

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Eyeglass lens art

Here is a broach made with vintage paper.  I used vintage wrapping paper, an eye glass lens (from the dollar store), glossy accents and a bar pin back.  This was a simple, but fun project.  This is a great way to recycle old glasses that cannot be donated to the local Lyons club.  I have heard that some types of glasses (prescription and thickness) are not usable. This was my first time trying this craft.  I am thinking I could add  bling, fancy trim, a feather on the back.  One could get real creative with this easy project.

 

 

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Altered Clipboards

These thank you gifts were for some aspiring writers in my circle.  I recently had a small gathering (a writing pass-it-on party) for adults.   I was so wowed by the excerpts that the attendees shared.  I expect to be reading books by each of them in the near future.   So many times day to day responsibilities prevent us from being artistic and creative.  I wanted to encourage them in their craft.  In an effort to keep the creative juices flowing, we wannabe writers are going to get together regularly.  The words say Create, Inspire, and Imagine.  The note pads are monogrammed.

Recipe:

Mini clip boards

Mulberry paper

Mod Podge

Crackle Paint

Weathered Wood ink (TH)

Acrylic paint

Glimmer Spray

Ribbon and fibers from stash

One man's trash...

...truly is another man's treasure.  I found this 7 gypsies ATC holder (still in the box) at my local thrift store for the wonderful price of......drum roll please...........$2.50!   Whoo Hooo!

Other thrift store finds...

         bird cage ribbon storage

Hmmmmmm, what can an old record album rack be used for in crafting? 

Scrapbook album storage!  After all; an album rack, is an album rack, is an album rack. (lol)

• Wine holder wire rack used for acrylic paints
• Some sort of carrousel caddy used for art journaling supplies
• Silverware wire caddy used for sponge brush storage.  The basket weaved black elastic fiber that was used to decorate this caddy was also found in a thrift store.  It was a whole spool for $1. 

Tie rack embellishment storage. 

I do not recall the exact prices, but all of these items were under $2.00.  Can you believe that on one visit I even found brand new cuttle bug embossing folders and a fiskars paper crimper.   Jack pot!

Thrift store shopping reminds me that though the world may sometimes see us with all our mistakes as trash; the heavenly Father sees HIS followers as treasures!