Card Making with Liquid Pearls - A Makeover!

Hi guys!   Just a quick share and fun "before and after" photos to show you just how much Liquid Pearls can transform a card from blah to Wow!  Below is a fun stamped card made with watercolor markers.  It's pretty cool all on it's own.....

Adding a layer of Liquid Pearls transformed the card by giving it a sassy star quality!  It just took a couple minutes.

My newest class Card Making with Liquid Pearls is available for purchase!  For an in-depth look at all the techniques you can use with your Liquid Pearls, this class is a steal!  Take your Liquid Pearl prowess a step further with Card Making with Liquid Pearls!

Hauls, Warriors, and Turkey Legs!

So I recently did this haul video for fun.  I picked up some fun stuff at Michaels and thought I'd share.  I also made it a point to USE what I bought almost immediately after I bought the items!  If I keep this up, I'll be "allowed" to buy more ;)

I'm happy to report that I DID use most of the items I bought!  Most items I created ended up as example projects in my A String of Ideas:  Creating with String Class.  But I'll share you a sneak of one of my favorite items.

I used the textured cardstock (Recollections), the yarn-wrapped wire, and a handmade flower I created using yarn, ribbon and raffia.  I also used one of the Memory File clear stamps sets by Heidi Swapp as well as the cute instaframes and rub-ons from that same collection.

All of these items were on sale or clearance!  I am so happy with everything I bought!

I scrapbooked about a recent sister day I had.  The three of us decided to do the Warrior Dash here in Washington and it was good fun!  Actually, I signed up with a friend who go pregnant and then I begged my sisters to sign up so I wasn't alone.  I think there were about 12 obstacles and it was AWESOME!

Over the last month I've been packing and moving items out of my craft room.  That also meant purging LOTS of items from my house and hauling boxes upon boxes up and down the stairs.  Anyway, I decided that this was all great training for this event and I was right!  Amazingly I was able to complete the obstacles without much of a struggle due to all the arm and leg strength training.  The running...wasn't so great ;)

Here are some fun Instagrammin' photos to share!

I'm currently working on my next class.  It's a frame photo magnet you can put on your fridge.  It's the perfect gift to give and I'll be sharing some gift giving ideas soon!

I've got some blog plans in the works.  Just planning things out a little more and getting on a good blog and YouTube schedule.  If I keep my mojo going, it's helpful when coming up with class ideas.

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Mo

All you need is some STRING...

Yes, you read that right. Creating with String focuses on using string in your crafty play. Employ other stash items such as baker's and hemp twine, embroidery thread, yarn and even ribbon as a tool in your artwork and partner them up with different mediums such as ink pads, reinkers, acrylic ink, mists and watercolor for various looks. Spritz, splash, dribble, drizzle, roll and stamp until your heart's content. Get ready to get your hands good and inky with this inspiring class.

I'll show you how to stamp, mask and make impressons with string.  I'll even go over fun way to store them either very cheap or even free!  You'll learn how to create beautiful backgrounds to incorporate onto your cards, pages, tags ATCs and even altered items.  You can also apply the techniques to mixed media projects and art journal pages.  Everything you'll learn in Creating with String is applicable to multiple disciplines of crafty fun.  You'll also get to see artwork in action as I share and discuss scrapbook pages, cards and tags created for this class.

The class is presented in video format and accompanied by helpful PDFs to illustrate the ideas and techniques you'll be using over and over again.  CLICK HERE for a peek at the outline!

For a chance to win a FREE seat in my class, check out my YouTube video (a free technique share from the class) and comment there for a chance to win.  Spread the word and give me some love by hitting the THUMBS UP button!

I will be offering more opportunities for a free seat in this class soon so stay tuned.  If you subscribe to my YouTube Channel, I'll be sure to let you know when and where you can enter to win!

xoxo

Mo

Lucky Me...When "I" Became "We"

Hello Fellows!  My goodness, it's been almost a month!  I've been working on my Creating with String class as well as purging all the years of junk from my home.  I'm in the process of organizing everything and that's been such a challenging but rewarding job!

I've also been hard at work painting my patio furniture and plastic planters!  I'll snap a photo and share it soon!

This morning I had some time to edit a video for you all and I'd love to share this very special card I made for my sister's birthday last year.  I remember the day she came home.  I was presented with my very first best friend that day and boy was it an unforgettable occasion in my life!

In the video,  I employ stamping and spray resist techniques using Versamark and Goosebumps spray from Tsukineko.  I also used my fabulous Versacolor cubes and watered them down for a watercolor effect.  This card was so much fun to make!



I hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July!!!  I am off to some family BBQs!

xoxo,
Mo

Paper Bag Mini-Album Tutorial

Now that school is out, you've got all those extra paper bags left over from sack lunches right? No?  Well they're super cheap so next time you're at the grocery store, scoop some up!  Time to make a mini-album with them to document the finished school year OR your summer vacation!

Watch my video tutorial on my YouTube channel to learn tips, tricks and techniques to create a fabulous mini album.  There are TWO videos.  The walk-through and the video that shows you how to glue together the pages of your mini-album!

If you watch the first video, you'll find the link to the second video.

CLICK HERE to watch the walk-through video.

or watch here:

CLICK HERE to watch the assembly video.

or watch here:

Have fun!

Sneaky Peekie...

Here's a sneak peek of my upcoming class.  It should be up and available around mid July!  I've also finished editing a video below which captures a little bit of both of my newest classes.  In the video I show how to create a journaling circle jazzed up with various hardware and hemp twine from my stash while using my trusty Crop-A-Dile!  I've included this as part of my YouTube Video Series called Stash CPR!

(click on the photo above for a detailed description of my current class)

For the class set to debut in July, the tutorials are broken up in small and manageable pieces.  I'll show you how to create fun backgrounds, flowers, trims, embellishments (just to name a few items) using........have you guessed yet?

Have you used yarn, string, or twine lately?  Whether you create cards, scrapbook, play with mixed media, create altered art or home decor, you'll get tons of fun ideas from my new class.  I'm still working on a catchy title but I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Hope you enjoy the video.  I currently have a step-by-step tutorial of it up but the video illustrates it so well! Give me some lovin' on my YouTube channel, and don't forget to click the "me likey" button!

Muah!
Mo

Using Metal Embellishments to Create a Journaling Block on Your Scrapbook Pages

Hardware Hodgepodge

Create an eye-catching journaling circle simply by raiding your stash of hardware!  See how I mix various photo hangers, brads, eyelets, flower brads, and photo holders to create a scrapbook page you can’t help but run your hands over!

Supplies:

Patterned paper in greens, blues, and browns

Vellum accent paper

Circle punches or circle cutter (two sizes)

Hardware: photo hangers, brads, eyelets, flower brads, photo holders

Stickers

Lace trim and ribbon

Fabric flower

Alphabet stickers

Hemp twine

Glue

Gem border trim

Brown ink

Crop-A-Dile

Paper piercer

Tape

Step One:  Arrange a grouping of patterned paper squares.  Cut or punch two circles.  Ink the edges of all the elements including the circles.  Glue together the bottom square and rectangle papers but do not glue any of these papers to the base patterned cardstock of the scrapbook page.  Glue together the circles but do not glue the circle down to the papers yet.

Step Two:  Arrange some brads, eyelets, photo hangers and a photo holder in varying areas around the journaling circle.  You will be stringing a piece of hemp twine through and around these pieces.  I am also adding a couple photo hangers to the outside edges of the patterned paper cluster.

Step Three:  Use a pencil to mark where the holes for the brads and eyelets will be placed. 

Step Four:  Use a Crop-A-Dile and a paper piercer to create holes into which you will anchor your metal pieces to.

Step Five:  Start the hemp twine in one of the eyelets.  Secure the twine to the back of the journaling circle with tape.

Step Six:  You will then thread the twine through eyelets and wind it around the brads as shown.  You can now add a small amount of glue behind the areas of the journaling circle you have already wound the twine through.  Do not put glue on the bottom half of the journaling circle.  You still have a couple places to thread the twine through.  You will need to lift up the bottom half of the circle to do this.

Step Seven:  Finish threading and winding the twine through the rest of the metal pieces.  

Step Eight:  Thread the twine through the first eyelet again to complete the design.

Step Nine:  Cut off the excess twine and secure to the back of the journaling circle with more tape.  Your fancy fun journaling circle is all jazzed up!

I hope you enjoyed that tutorial!  If you want to see more scrapbooking or cardmaking tutorials on my YouTube Channel, just comment here or send me an email letting me know what you want to see or learn!

Hugs!

Mo

Give your Crop-a-Dile a Workout!

Hello Everyone!  Boy do I have a treat for you!  I have for you a sneak peek into my newest class.  This time I've come up with a fun cardmaking class which focuses on stamping and using your Crop-a-Dile!

If you’ve got stamps and a Crop-a-Dile, then you’ve got what it takes to learn how to use them together to create fabulously fun cards. Whether or not you’ve been getting some good use out of the investment you’ve put into your stamp collection, my class will help fuel your mojo to create cards galore.

 

A Crop-a-Dile isn’t just a hole punch. It’s so much more! Join me in this jam-packed class that features photos and a combination of step-by-step written and video tutorials to illustrate the many techniques you’ll learn.

You’ll be inspired by the smart and savvy tips and tricks I’ve developed to transform cardstock, scraps and ink into beautiful cards you may not want to give away.

I’ll even show you how to jazz up your cards with equally ignored items such as glitter glue, Liquid Pearls, embossing powders and chalk pastels. They’re not a necessity, so it’s okay if you don’t have such lovely materials -- you’ll still be inspired to use what you’ve got on hand.

Stop neglecting your stamps and Crop-a-Dile and learn how to revive them with this class. No CPR certification required.

For more details, just check out my Class Outline for Stash CPR: Breath new life into your stamps and Crop-a-Dile!

I'm so very excited!

Faux Epoxy Button Tutorial

Here's another mini tutorial on how to create the button for this card.

For a tutorial on how to create the epoxy rose click HERE.

 

Supplies

Chipboard

Acrylic paint (pink)

Paintbrush

Pencil

Button (to use as a template)

(Die-cutting machine and button die to use in place of button template)

Heavy duty scissors

Solvent ink (Timber Brown or any dark color)

Crop-A-Dile

Black Sharpie or black marker

Sanding block or file

Background stamp

Versamark or Embossing Ink

Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)

Craft tweezers (optional)

Heat gun

 

Step One:  After your painted chipboard is dry, you are ready to create your button.  Find a button to use as a template if you don’t have a die cutting machine/button die available.  Trace your button with pencil.

 

 

Step Two:Cut out button with heavy duty scissors and sand edges for a clean edge.

 

Step Three: Stamp desired image onto your painted chipboard button with solvent ink.

 

Step Four:  Cover your button in watermark ink/embossing ink.  Sprinkle on some clear Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE).  (Optional: Use craft tweezers to handle your button if you don’t want to get your fingers messy.)

Step Five:  Melt UTEE with a heat gun.  Layer on more watermark/embossing ink and sprinkle again with UTEE.  Heat the button with a heat gun.  Repeat a third time for a thick layer.  Allow button to totally dry before proceeding to next step.

 

Step Six:  This step is optional.  Ink the edge of your button if you don’t like the raw chipboard edge.

Step Seven:  Use your button holes as a template to position your button holes.  I chose to mark only two holes.

Step Eight:  Use the dots as a guide for where to punch your button holes.  Use a Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes.  Your button is ready!

 

 Hope you likey!  In a couple days, I'll go over how to create the stem of that flower you see in the card photo above!