Display Stand for The Tube

The Scrappers Cove in Milltown, NJ, sells wonderful clear plastic tubes made by SRM Press.  I brought a 7" tall tube home and thought about making a pretty display stand for the tube to use as a favor for a baby shower or any other event for that matter.

I found a cool display put together last October by Ellen Hutson at the CLASSroom here.  Ellen's Hocus Pocus Test Tube Treat Holder makes a nice Halloween display for a smaller tube.  Inspired by her spooky tube holder, I began putting together a more dainty version.

I used Grafix Medium Weight Chipboard and had to add 1 1/2" to the top.  I held the chipboard pieces together using basic masking tape on both sides.  Masking Tape is strong and flexible and can withstand regular handling.  I thought it best to make three the first time, you know, just in case I messed up so badly then I'd have another ready to try again - LOL!!!

I used my Zutter Kutter to score through one side of the chipboard piece in several places.

I needed a 1 1/4" circle cut out of the chipboard for the tube to slide through.  I don't have any punches that will cut nicely through chipboard.  I don't have any single circle die cuts that I could easily fit through my die cut machines.  Hmmm.  I might have to break a sweat for this project - LOL!!!  I had to use the smallest of my Creative Memories circle cutters with the green blade to score through the top layer of the chipboard and finish the circles with an xacto knife.  That part was not so much fun but definitely worth it!  Here's how my naked chipboard looks now . . .

So far, so good - LOL!!!

I used Ranger's Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick to ink the fold areas and edges on both sides.

That ink coordinates well with My Mind's Eye Market Street "Princess" Princess Crowns and Lovely Lady Paper that I plan to decorate my Display Stand with.  I tried to adhere one full sheet then create the folds and found that the paper shifted so I adjusted and used smaller paper pieces to fit just the panels between the folds.  Here's how the inside of the Display Stand looks now . . .

I used a pencil to mark the placement of my circle on the wrong side of the patterned paper and cut the circles before adhering those papers.  Here's how the outside of the Display Stand is covered . . .

Three small pieces of 1" wonder tape secures the folded bottom to the back for the base.  Now my Display Stand for the Tube is ready for embellishing - Woo Hoo!!!  This shot of a naked chipboard display stand may help you to see how it's folded and adhered.

The top ledge has plenty of room to hang things from.  I've used Tim Holtz' Baubles with some wire attached to a My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Madison Avenue "Sisters" button.  I added a patch of K&Company Smitten Ornaments rub-on lace to the Tube itself.

The folded base of the display stand has plenty of room for embellishments.  I used an Autumn Leaves Greetings Rub-on, and white paper blooms that I airbrushed with Copic markers R12, R20, R32 and R37, then painted with Diamond Stickles.  Some Fruit Punch Stickles fills the space between the chipboard folds.

This photo shows the completed Display Stand for The Tube as decorated for a Baby Princess . . .

I'm off to find something wonderful to put inside The Tube . . .

Ooo!  Cool!  I have two more Display Stands for The Tube ready to be dressed!!!

Card Art with Copics: Crafty Secrets Home Sweet Home

Several years ago, one of my first scrapbooking projects related to genealogy.  I was lucky enough to get some photos of my grandparents from their younger years that I wanted to create layouts for and tell their stories.  Some of those bent and partially torn photos in sepia really needed to be surrounded by classic and shabby chic papers and embellishments to maintain their look of days gone by.

Many of those vintage scrapbooking layout techniques can also be applied to vintage card art.

Very recently I took a little time to experiment with a perfectly cheerful and whimsical piece of My Little Shoebox' 2009 Sky's the Limit - Nice to See You paper covered with some houses and words.  I wanted to see if I could give it a vintage feel.  This photo shows a bit of the paper before I went "shabby" with it . . .

I tore the edges with my Distrezz-it-All then crumbled the sheet into a little ball, trying to get as many creases and folds as I could.  Some of the edges ripped naturally - cool!  I unraveled it, not being at all gentle, and roughly patted the paper flat again.  I used a brown Cat's Eye to ink the edges and ran the ink pad over the sanded creases.

I adhered that piece to some distressed cardstock, added a lace border and some mini brads.

I used coordinating Copic colors to fill this Crafty Secrets Home Sweet Home image of a cottage retreat  . . .

I added a sentiment from the same Crafty Secrets set and attached a very simple but effective Prima Vintage Trinket using a Tim Holtz Charm Clip . . .

This photo shows the completed card front . . .

I can't decide if it looks vintage or just thoroughly battered - LOL!!!  Your thoughts?

Copics used:
wood - E31, E35, E47
pine, grass - G82, G85, G99
mountain top - B000, bottom - C2, C0
chimney, house - C4, C2, C0
owl - Y13, Y26, Y28
sun - Y21, Y23, Y26
sky, landscape - Y13, YR12, R12
roof - E97, E02
border - atyou Spica chocolate

Card Art with Copics: Whiff of Joy Confirmed Melinda

The current challenge over at Whiff of Joy Challenges is about combining Aqua, Pink and Cream.  Simon Says Stamp! is offering a very generous $25 gift certificate for use in their store.  Find out more about this challenge and their sponsor here.

I've inked up my 2010 Whiff of Joy "Confirmed Melinda" guardian angel by Elisabeth Bell and stamped her onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White.

This photo shows a close up of my Copic filled image.  I've painted some Diamond Stickles over her wings.

I've used a word from the Tim Holtz' Stuff to Say set, added a charm clip and a My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose Hattie "Happy" Bits and Pieces star charm.  I've used punches to create some coordinating shimmering flowers.  This photo shows a close up of the embellishment cluster.

I used my Distrezz-it-All for tearing the edges of Bazzill aqua, pink and ivory bling.  I've also added a distressed edge layer of KI Memories Posh Vineyard.  A Fiskars read between the vines Border punch adds flowers to one edge.

Here's a pic of the completed card front and my entry into the Whiff of Joy Challenges Aqua, Pink and Cream . . .

I'm so glad that you stopped by and I WISH you an amazing week!

I'm also entering the Rubber Cafe's current vintage-themed challenge here.  They're offering a Spring set of LetraSet Pro Markers and a bottle of their specialty sheer glue.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
gown, hair bow - R81, R85, R89
wings - BG11, BG15, BG18
outline and grounding shadows - E42, E41, E40

Card Art with Copics: Sweet Pea Stamps Blue Eye Fairy

The Sweet Pea Stamps challenge blog, "In A Sweet Pea Dream," is currently hosting a challenge to "Bling It Up."  They're offering a $7 gift card for use at the Sweet Pea Stamps online store.  Find out more about this challenge here.

I laughed to myself as I began filling this magnificent Blue Eye Fairy image by Ching-Chou Kuik.  I couldn't help but say out loud, "My, what a big face you have."  I guess that's how Little Red Riding Hood felt when eyeing the Big Bad Wolf's teeth when he was disguised as her dear grandmother.  Anyway, this image does have a really big face . . . and big hair too.  LOL!!!

This photo shows a close up of the Blue Eye Fairy image filled with Copic colors.  I've added a tiny rhinestone to the center of each flower in her hair and choker, and to the stamped sparkles of the background . . .

Many of my Copic students ask if other opaque white applications are suitable for use over Copic ink colors.  If you're able to click on the above photo to enlarge it, then zoom into her eyes, you'll find better detail of how Ranger's Inkssentials opaque white pen works over dry Copic colors.  The pen has a ball point tip so I had to dab it several times over the pupil of her eyes in my attempts to get complete whitest coverage without the center showing a missed area because of the ball point removing color already there.  The Inkssentials opaque white pen also allowed color from the iris to show after my attempts at adding a gleam to her eyes.  Using the Inkssentials ball point pen resulted in fuller strokes too.  I have far better control of thinned Copic Opaque White acrylic paint resulting in much finer strokes and whitest coverage without having to repeat the application of paint.

Best Creation's Sunset Kisses glittered paper has a beautiful glazed and shimmering hibiscus that I wanted to use to coordinate with the flowers in the Blue Eye Fairy's hair.  Doodlebug's Bubblegum sugar coated cardstock is loaded from top to bottom with glitter.  A bit of Bazzill's dark pink and aqua provide a coordinated card base and matting.

This photo shows the completed card front including handmade paper punched flowers and a Mae West quote from Prickley Pear Stamps.

I used a Punch Bunch grape leaf, stamen and ash leaf, with a Carl Craft sakura punch in my attempts to add coordinating Hibiscus paper flowers.  Some Golden Rod Stickles shimmers in the center of each flower.  Here's a close up shot of the flowers and quote:

This side view shows the glaze and shimmer of the Best Creation Sunset Kisses glittered paper . . .

The expression of this image now looks much happier to me being surrounded by the colorful sparkle, glimmer and bling than she did as a simple black on white image.

I'm entering this card in the Sweet Pea Stampers "Showers of Flowers" challenge here.

I'm also entering this into the Crafts and Me digi team's "Anything Goes (optional Kraft)" challenge here.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - T8, T6, T0
eyes, choker, draped top - B01, B04, B06, C1
lips, flowers - RV11, RV14, RV19
dotted background - RV000, Y000, B000

Copic Creations Challenge: Yellows

The current challenge at the Copic Creations Challenge blog is to show off your use of Copic Yellows. Paper MakeUp Stamps, owned by Copic Creations design team member Katie Cotton, is sponsoring this challenge and offering a $20 gift certificate for use at the Paper Makeup online store as a prize to a randomly selected entry. Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. In heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty and now represents friendship. Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings. Yellow sends a message of joy and new beginnings.

Paper MakeUp Stamps graciously provided me with this Heart Fairy image and mend a broken heart word art quote by actress Gwyneth Paltrow to show off my use of Copic Yellows.

Here’s a close up view of my Copic-filled Heart Fairy image:

To accent the shades of golden yellow that I added to the Heart Fairy’s dress, I’ve layered complementary Die Cuts with a View deep purple cardstock with some imaginisce Go For Baroque uber The Top double-sided, patterned, textured purple/gold paisley and crackled gold cardstock to form my easel card. I used some torn crackled paper on the card front to represent a broken heart and show mending with metallic gold embroidery thread.

This photo shows just the card front:

The card base shows a fully mended heart with hints of remaining crackle. The little red heart button adds hope that this healing broken heart will be full of life again one day.

This photo shows just the card base:

As inspired by the magnificent paper flower creations of Susan Tierney Cockburn, I’ve used a few basic punches to create paper flowers to coordinate with this card. There’s something incredibly satisfying to me about using my own hands to manipulate small paper shapes to produce these life-like paper punch art flowers. I love that I can use my Copic markers to add colors that I need to make these shapes coordinate with whatever project I’m working on.

These photos show a close up look at some of my paper flower clusters. I’ve tried to recreate Coreopsis, Bachelor’s Button and a flower from a Rhododendron bunch.













This photo shows the completed open easel card showcasing my use of Copic Yellows:

I’m entering this card into the current Crafts and Me Challenges blog “punches” challenge. Their Rockin’ Rubbah design team wants to see your punch art. Find out more about their challenge here.

To all of you who have ever had a broken heart, be it from the ending of a loving relationship, the passing of a beloved family member or friend, the loss of a dear furry companion or any other heart-rending event, this one’s for you . . .

Copics used:
skin – E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, boots – E31, E35, E47
wings - BV00, BV0000, 0
dress – Y13, Y15, Y19, Y28
heart - RV19, RV23
airbrushing – outline BV01, BV04, grounding W2, W7

Sugar Nellie Challenge: Vintage Baby

The Sweeties over at Sugar Nellie stamps' challenge blog, The Sugar Bowl, want to see your vintage/distressed work using Sugar Nellie images per Erika's sketch.  They're offering a "Steampunk" gift bag to the lucky winner.  Find out more about this challenge here.

I've inked up my Sugar Nellie Vintage Baby image and stamped it onto Bazzill Smooth White.  This photo shows just the image filled with Copic colors  . . .

I've layered some Bazzill Bitter Chocolate and pine.  The My Mind's Eye Lost and Found 2010 Portobello Road "Party" Looking Glass Paper has a magnificent vintage look.

I've spent many hours dragging various distresser blades over the edges of my cardstock for layouts, cards and other paper projects.  I finally invested in the Zutter Distrezz-it-All and I'm overjoyed!  Within seconds I was able to get the look I've always wanted on my projects but couldn't achieve because my fingers cramped or my hands just got too tired of all that scraping.  I can't believe the time I've already saved with this tool!

This photo shows the card front with a few Stampin' Up! clear jewel brads and a sentiment from a 2006 Warm Words set.

Here's a side view of this card that shows a glimpse of the inside lining . . .

I can't wait to try the Distrezz-it-All on chipboard albums!  Woo-Hoo!

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, shoes - E31, E35, E47
clothing - BG70, BG72, BG78, Y13, Y26
cloud - B21, 0

Just Magnolia Challenge: Dancing Tilda

There is an Anything Goes with the Option of Faux or Real Stitching special monthly challenge at the Just Magnolia and  hÄnglar & stÄnglar Challenge Blog.  Their sponsor, Simon Says Stamp!, is offering a $25 store voucher to a randomly selected entry.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

The My Mind's Eye card challenge is to design a Free-style Anything Goes card using a sketch by the wonderful Anam Stubbington.  They're offering a collection of the winner's choice as the prize.  It's not clear to me whether the winner is randomly selected or chosen in another way.  Find out more about the My Mind's Eye challenge here.

I've inked up my Magnolia Stamps Dancing Tilda from the 2010 Fairy Tale Collection, stamped the image onto X-Press It blending card and filled her with Copic colors.  Here's a close up view of the image . . .

I've layered some of My Mind's Eye papers from their 2007 Tres Jolie Mademoiselle "Mother" stripe/light bleu, "Sisters" floral pattern/bleu, "Girl" Tiny Dots/Bleu with Bazzill dark teal cardstock.  This fabulous double-sided cardstock made wonderful Sizzix Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes.  Simple faux stitching added with an 0.8 black marker adds a handmade feel.

This photo shows the complete card front . . .

I like the consistency of the pleats I added to Dancing Tilda's dress being repeated in the rosettes.

Here's a side view of the card . . .

I have tried again to use Copic markers on X-Press It blending card.  I still don't like it - LOL!!!  I become very frustrated with the color splotches and ink puddling.  Using X-Press It wipes the papercrafting joy right out of me.  I prefer to have some control over my color and ink application rather than have the paper behave as though it's in charge.

Just look at the splotches throughout Dancing Tilda's face.  Ugghhh!!! Instead of absorbing the moisture of Copic ink to allow for a smooth blending, X-Press It paper causes the ink to rest on the surface and the lighter colors push the darker colors out of the way resulting in splotches of color.  It saddens me to think that others who try Copic colors on this paper expect Copic ink to work that way.  It shouldn't.  If this is what you find when you're filling your images using Copic colors, I urge you to try other smooth papers like Bazzill Smooth White.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93
hair - E31, E35, E47
dress, gloves, shoes - RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99
crown - Y13, Y26, Y28

Card Art with Copics: Crafts and Me Cocktail Melody

The design team over at the Crafts and Me Challenges blog wants to see your swirls.  Whimsy Stamps is sponsoring their challenge and offers a $15 gift certificate to a randomly selected winner.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

I've filled this image of Cocktail Melody by Lemon Shortbread using Copic colors. . .

I love how a little shading with C2 on the pearls, topped with a thin layer of Copic's Opaque White paint, allows the pearls to appear to be pearly white.  Yay!

This photo shows the inside of the open gatefold card where I've added a layer of Bazzill Smooth white for completing with handwritten note or stamped sentiment.  There's just a touch of a QuicKutz flourish die cut that carries over from the card front.  I enjoyed working with the great texture of Bo Bunny's Double Dots Mulberry.
 

Adorned with more QuicKutz flourishes and a touch of bling with Prima's Say It In Pearls Mixed Crystals Cream, I'm happy that this Cocktail Melody looks quite elegant on this card front.  Kaisercraft Gypsy Sisters Collection Esmerelda and an unknown brand of textured teal cardstock provides extra special matted layers.

This view shows the completed card, partly opened . . .

Cocktail Melody is a fabulous image to work with and will make a wonderful image to use for many occasions.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
martini glass - B000, YG11, 0
hair, wood grain - E31, E35, E47
eyes - BG11, BG13, BG15, C1, 0
dress - BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18
lips - R59, R29, R22
pearls - C2, opaque white

Copic Creations Challenge: Make Clouds

The Copic Goddesses at the Copic Creations Challenge Blog are challenging Copic lovers to use their Copic colors to make clouds.  Lili of the Valley is sponsoring this challenge and offering a generous gift certificate for use at their online store as a prize to a randomly selected entry.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

I've inked up my Times to Treasure stamps from the Lili of the Valley January 2011 release and stamped them on Bazzill Smooth White cardstock.  This Times to Treasure image comes with a sentiment.  I imagine that these little folks are lovingly looking through a scrapbook of their treasured moments on a beautiful and bright spring day.

This photo shows just the image filled with Copic colors:

I spent some time experimenting with making clouds on spare paper using a variety of colors:  Copic marker tips directly to paper; a QuicKutz weather die cloud used as a mask for airbrushing; various ink refills pounced and rubbed; using Copic markers directly on an Alextamping's mountain skies rubberstamp spritzed with colorless blender before stamping onto paper.  Here are the results of my experiments.  Somehow these clouds just didn't make me happy.

Finally I used a Great Impressions Stamping in the Clouds Stencil Kit and airbrushed.  Ahhh, this is what I'll try to show on my finished project.

I die cut my image with a Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Square.  I used temporary adhesive to place a cut out mask over my colored image.  Leaving the die in place, I began by covering the top of my image with a torn paper mask to create a horizon line.  Tearing the paper allows a soft line rather than the harsh line created by a straight edge mask.  Within seconds, my airbrushed ground was complete.

I replaced the torn paper mask covering the top of my die cut colored image with the matching bottom half of the mask.  Using the lightest color first, I began airbrushing around the sporadically placed acrylic cloud mask.  I started from the top of my image and moved the cloud mask closer to the ground as I moved along.

Here's how the clouds look with just the lightest color.  Soft and subtle.

I just couldn't leave well enough alone!  LOL!!!  This step would have likely filled my needs for a nice, soft cloudy background.  But nooo . . . I needed to brighten it up a bit more.  So I used a brighter blue and went through the same steps again.  Here's what happened . . .

I think I've overdone it!  Now I have some areas that need to be covered.  That's what flowers are for, right?  I may need a bouquet - LOL!!!  Here's how my die cut, color-filled and airbrushed background image looks now.

I formed an easel card out of Bazzill dark teal and pine green cardstock, Bo Bunny a gift of love Mama-Razzi stripe and aperture.  Punch Bunch elongated leaves, mini sun and stamen, combined with McGill branch and EK Success paper shaper punches in daisy, small daisy and snowflake made it easy for me to use coordinating Copic colors in my attempt to create some handmade paper lily flowers.

Paper Lilies as inspired by Susan Tierney Cockburn

This photo shows the completed easel card and my attempts at making clouds . . .

You have until May 14th to show us how you make your favorite Copic clouds.  We'd love to see 'em!

I'm entering this card into the Lili of the Valley "Love Is In The Air" Challenge.  Find out more about their challenge here.

"Top 3" Designer May 5, 2011 Lili of the Valley

 

 





Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair, bench - E31, E35, E47
shoes girl - T0, T6, T8
shoes boy - E30, E33, E37
hat - RV23, RV14, RV19
shirt boy - G82, G85, G99
book - E41, E43, BG70, BG75, BG78
airbrush ground - G82, G85
airbrush clouds - B91, B14
paper lilies - RV23, RV14, RV19, G82, G85