Do It Yourself Graduation Cards

With everybody doing their own thing from birthdays to weddings to other occasions, it only makes sense that this applies to graduations, too. There is no set rule that you have to use the same invitations that everyone else is using. It doesn't make the event any more official or unofficial of you "do your own thing", which is exactly what I did here.

I started with a graduation stamp that I already had in my collection, basic black and white cardstock, embossing powder, VersaMark ink and a heat gun.





I got inspiration from an awesome invitation website called Pear Tree Greetings.

I trimmed my 12x12 inch cardstock to make a 4.25 x 12" strip and folded the top portion approx. 2 3/4" from top, and the bottom approx. 3.5". You want to make the final product 4.25 x 5.5 so it will fit in a standard invitation size envelope.

I stamped my graduation cap image using Versamark ink and poured black embossing powder on it and heat embossed. You could also use clear embossing powder but I couldn't find mine (or ran out). Clear would be more versatile if you chose another cardstock for the card.







I also rounded the corners on the top flap.



For the inside, I used a 4x5 photo, leaving a bit of white around the photo and mounting it on colored cardstock and placing it in the center of the inside flap. I wanted the senior portrait to be the focus.


For the bottom flap, I printed out the announcement, trimmed and matted it on white cardstock.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill (Black, white, teal), Graduation Stamp (Paper Salon), VersaMark Ink, Black Embossing Poweder (Ranger), Heat Gun, Corner Rounder.

Since I'm still in the process of creating these, I'm going to print out a small card for family and close friends with details on a small dinner party immediately following the ceremony.

This idea could easily be adapted to any occasion. I hope you were inspired by this simple way to create your invitations and thanks for stopping by!

Altered art frame

I have this nice home decor item to share with you today.

Don't forget you can click the picture to enlarge to see it better, but hopefully my close ups will provide that as well. 

You are going to need the following-
8x10 inch frame

an embossed double mat, for an 8x 10 frame with a 5x7 inch inside opening

gcd studios products
Homespun Chic collection papers (Laquer, Petit Blossoms, Pink Redwork, Homespun Mod, Pink Stitchery, and Homespun Garden)

Homespun Chic embellishments-Vintage Buttons, Gem Brads, Fabric Brads

Artsy Urban embellishments- Glitter Transparent Shapes & Tags

glue

scallop scissors

three small clear or pink gems

computer font- century gothic
twine
Now to make this rose heart frame, there are  different parts.

Part One- paint an 8x10 frame black, then cover with a crackle medium ( you can find this at most craft stores) and then allow the crackle medium to dry, about 2 hours. Then using plenty of paint, paint the frame again with white paint. The thicker the coat of paint, the thicker your cracks will be in your top coat. 

At this point, you can finish the frame with a top coat of clear varnish, to protect it. or leave it flat for that more authentic distressed look.

Part Two-

When picking my papers to make this project, I used both the 12x12 papers and the 8x8 paper pad from the same collection. I also made sure to use papers with a background of white, helping keep everything feeling light and clean.
Making the flowered heart- the first thing I did was to cut my heart out to fit inside the frame. I used a piece of Pink Redwork, and hand cut my heart. It is about 3.75x4 inches big. To make the roses, first cut a 3x3 inch piece of paper into a rough circle. Then either freehand or draw on a spiral, spinning down to the middle of the circle. Cut along the line. Now take the center point of the circle, and begin rolling it up along the spiral. Basically each rose is a large rolled piece of paper. When you are at the end of the spiral, glue the end piece of the paper on flat to the roll. To make a bigger flower, simply allow the paper to relax before you glue the end in place, and it will enlarge itself. I also punched a small circle about 1/2 sized, and glued my rose bottom to that, it helps to give the rose more stability.

Continue making roses, smaller and larger to fill in on your handcut heart. 

Part three- 

Putting it all together. Using your computer, print out your wording on a sheet of patterned paper. Mine says "You are my everything."  I also took and cut thin scallops from the Homespun Mod paper with my scallop scissors, then added the green scallops in between my two cut photo mats. 

These photo mats were precut and embossed mats that I had purchased. 

I then adhered my heart of roses to my background sheet.

To finish the heart, I added two brads, one with a large pink gem and one pink gingham fabric covered. I also added three small gems to several of the rose centers. I also added this glittered transparent bird, adding a vintage button and a bit of a twine bow to the center.

To finish your frame, insert your papers and photo mats into frame . Hang on wall, or use stand in back to stand in place.

Thanks for dropping by today, I really hope you have enjoyed my altered art project.

kris

Tomorrow is Earth Day...

As a family, we try to be environmentally conscious as much as we can on a daily basis. We minimize our use of electricity and water; we pack reusable containers for lunches; we've cut back on heat and air conditioning; we're switching over to compact flourescent lightbulbs and much more. Basically we are finding ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose wherever possible. It's really not that hard to start small with just a few changes and gradually you'll find more ideas that are just as easy to implement.

Another change we've made in the past year or so is to minimize our use of plastic bags and instead opt for reusable totes. Today I thought I'd share a recent project I made in honor of tomorrow's celebration of Earth Day - a canvas tote bag.

The bag is constructed of a cotton canvas along with some printed fabric I used for the liner and to embellish the outside of the bag. The tote is super sturdy and has reinforced straps sewn into the bag. I can pack it chock full of groceries including quart containers of milk or juice.

It also has assorted pockets inside to hold the necessities for shopping.

And I embellished the outside of the bag with these fabric flowers made with concentric circles cut with scallop and pinking shears.

It's been a great addition to the reusable totes I already own and it was relatively simple to make. For more detailed information as well as more photos and the instructions for this project, you can check out my Earth Day Tote Bag at Fiskars.

And if you're looking for more ideas on how to help save the environment visit SEQL's 100 list.

I'd love to hear about your own experiences and efforts. So if you have any ideas or can share things that you and your family do, please post them here in the comments section!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Earth Day!


Patti

Crumpled Paper Technique...

I love the look of distressed paper! That shabby chic, vintage look where the paper appears well worn and resembles fabric is so pretty. Of course, there are many paper distressing techniques out there to choose from that will give paper an aged look but crumpled paper is one of my favorite techniques and it's been making a comeback with scrapbooking and paper crafting recently. It's one of those techniques that is super simple to do and isn't at all costly. And you can use it for just about anything... to create backgrounds or to make your own embellishments like I did with the card below.

In the past, I remember using this technique on cardstock but now I find I use it much more with patterned paper. I especially love using this technique with vibrantly colored patterned paper set up against crisp white cardstock for contrast. For this card, the My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary collection of Jack & Jill papers and stickers were exactly what I had in mind and they happen to be some new papers I've been sooo looking forward to using.
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I started with cutting the checkered background paper and punching and cutting the circles first. Next, I inked the edges and then softened these pieces by lightly misting both sides with a small spray bottle of water. You can crumple paper dry if you prefer but I've found it's easier using the water. When the paper was wet, I crumpled the pieces gently and unfolded them carefully to avoid too much tearing. I repeated this several times. To dry the paper, I had a pair of tweezers to hold each piece as I used a heat gun to dry the paper. The wet paper can also be ironed or simply air dried if you have time.

Note: the water will shrink the paper slightly but I think the imperfection adds to the charm.

I stitched on the checkered piece of paper. To create the flower I punched and cut several circles (some trimmed with decorative scissors) that I then layered them on top of each other once they were distressed and dry.

Whether you're new to scrapbooking or an experienced veteran I hope you enjoyed the post today!


Supplies:
My Minds Eye - Jack & Jill patterned paper; Jack & Jill How Sweet It Is and Life Is Good Accessory Sheets; Lush - Green Rhinestones
Tools:
Fiskars Americas- Round 'n Round Squeeze Punches; Circle Shape Template & Ultra ShapExpress Tool; Scallop Paper Edgers
Glue Arts - Mini Adhesive Squares

a quick project

hello, I thought I'd share a quick project with you today.
This notebook was a quick project I created with some Pink Paislee 365 degree collection and a $1 spot cork fronted notebook.
 
I used the Pink Paislee Press Ons to add my background directly on the cork. It takes the rubons well, but you do need to make sure you really rub them on.

I then continued on using a flip note that I cut in half to add into the spirals. I added some Ocean letters for the word Notes, adding a button tied with twine to the letter O. I also tied on two buttons and looped them around the last spiral to the right.

Next I added this punch out, adding a second smaller one- the finger pointer- underneath the quote.
To make the flower I used the red Ribbon Pleats and a Bella Brad. I wound the ribbon pleat into a circle, bringing the inside pleats up so that they stand up, and added the Brad in the center. Then I hand cut two leaves.

Hope you enjoy my quick craft.

kris