Destinations Décor

Recently, I added the Cricut 'Destinations' cartridge to my ever-growing library. Currently, this cartridge is an exclusive early release to HSN (available in a Gypsy bundle or as a separate purchase). It should be available in mass retail in December 2009.

I knew when I first heard about this release, it was going to be a 'must-have' for me. (But then again, aren't they all?) I've always loved the history and romance of old steamer trunks, valises, and portmanteaus covered with vintage labels/stickers from varied destinations and travels around the world. From the artwork, color combinations, landmarks, and world languages, they have always inspired and fascinated me. This cartridge takes that concept and gives it a modern twist. Covering locales and landmarks around the world--and cities in the United States--'Destinations' is a must for those with wanderlust and travel in their souls.

After glancing at some of the images, I was inspired to create a piece of home décor alteration. I've had a reproduction black steamer chest around my home for many years. It's served as an endtable, a book case, and numerous other functions in rooms around my house. I've decided to take it and decoupage it with 4" labels from landmarks around the world. While it will be a project in stages and over time, I thought I would show you two of the labels I created that will find their way onto the finished project as an introduction to 'Destinations'.



The first cut I made represents Rio de Janeiro ("River of January"), Brasil and features a depiction of its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. I chose to cut all the pieces out of white corduroy-textured Bazzill cardstock with my Cricut Gypsy and Expression, then color them with my Copic Sketch markers, and finally, adhere their layers with Zig 2-way Glue and Sakura Quickie pens.

Using the Brasilian flag as inspiration for my color combinations, this is what my finished label looked like:





The second locale I "visited" was Moscow, Russia and its magnificent St. Basil's Cathedral (The Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat). Here are the cuts for this project:



For this label, I had two inspirations for the color scheme. The first was Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' (reds and oranges of flames) and van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' (blues, whites, and blacks of the night sky).





So two down, only several dozen to go...lol. Hopefully, I'll keep you updated on this project as the steamer trunk gets a facelift. In the mean time, I strongly recommend you give 'Destinations' a "trip"...



Keep Crafting!

Snow & Witches?

It's that time of year where the collective psyche of all paper crafters kicks in high gear. From now until year's end, there are an abundance of holidays, projects, home decor, and gift ideas that dance in our heads like sugar plums on that fateful night.

I've been busy tackling several home decor and alteration projects (some of which may end up on this page). In between time, I've been on a kick with the holiday cards. Here are two more in my growing arsenal of designs:

This particular project was unique and satisfying in that the background images of this card are all hand stamped. I'm recently inspired to start creating some of my own 'decorative' papers for my projects.





(INGREDIENTS: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Guidelines I Grid Sheet White, Bazzill corduroy textured in Petroleum Blue and Ice Blue; Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Giga Guidelines' and 'Signature Christmas' sets; Inks: Tsukineko Memento in London Fog and Bahama Blue; Cricut & Gypsy Die Cuts: Christmas Solutions ornament and shadow cut; Adhesives: Zig 2-Way glue pen, Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots; Accents: Prima Marketing faceted rhinestone, Stampin' Up! 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Tempting Turquoise;)

This second card came from a negative cut of a piece I used on another project. Once again proving that your scraps can always inspire.





(INGREDIENTS: Cardstock: Bazzill corduroy textured in Raven Black and Spiced Pumpkin; Cricut and Gypsy Die Cuts: A Child's Year (witch outline), George & Basic Shapes (rectangle); adhesives: ATG 714;)

Interestingly, this card was dictated by the size of my negative diecut. It is a 4" x 4" square card and purposely layered the cardstock so that the waling texture was perpendicular to one another for more visual and textural interest.

Finally, I received a couple of new toys this week. My numerous years too old digital camera finally gave up the ghost. I still can't believe what wonderful pictures I got out of that 3.2 megapixel Canon. I stuck with the Canon family and upgraded to 10 megapixels. So, I'll be experimenting with images for a while--so bear with me. I also finally broke down and purchased a Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. I was able to get in on a "goof" deal on the Sizzix website and purchased a Hello Kitty edition of the Big Shot for $29.99. At that price, I figure I can deal with a hot pink machine that doesn't match any of my other crafting tools. Of course, I had to buy the extended cutting pads, crease pads, and accoutrement. So, I hope to bring you some projects using it in later entries.

As always, bundle up from the chilly winds....and keep crafting!

Halloween Tri-Fold Card

I know I've been on this Halloween kick! But, I suppose I'd better get it out of my system as Thanksgiving and Christmas soon approach. Today's card project was a bit different in construction and execution.

The basic shape of the card is a tri-fold. What's nice about this particular arrangement, is that it basically creates a "pocket" card that's wide enough to store a hidden surprise inside of. Say your favorite lollipop, tea, or cocoa (as examples). I made a few with Halloween candy in them, but I decided to show just a non-treat example for this entry.

The base cardstock for this project is cut at 5" x 11". I used Stampin' Up! Crushed Curry. The decorative paper (the "cover" if you will) is also Stampin' Up! from the Designer Series Paper collection entitled "Cast A Spell". It was also cut at 5" x 11". While there are numerous ways to adhere the two layers of paper together, I found that using my Xyron 510 is easiest. I simply ran the decorative paper through the Xyron and adhered it to my Crushed Curry base. Now, you are ready to score your card to create the gatefolds.

Using my Scor-Pal, I scored the cardstock layers at 3 1/2", 3 3/4", 7 1/4", and 7 1/2". Use a bone folder to ensure your card is properly creased at these score marks. Now the real fun begins.

I chose to use my ProvoCraft Gypsy to create a portion of this card. The "Autumn" greeting and shadow were cut on my Cricut Expression from the new "Gypsy Wanderings" cart. The two pumpkins used (and the corresponding shadows were cut from this exclusive-to-the-Gypsy electronic cartridge. (Can I just say I LOVE my Gypsy!) The acetate witch die-cut is from Little Yellow Bicycle. The mulberry paper orange jeweled flower is from Petaloo. The spider stamp is from Papertrey Ink. Finally, I used my Making Memories Slice to create the "Boo!" greeting from the "Spook Alley" card.

I cut the word "Autumn" and the two pumpkins out of white Bazzill cardstock as I wanted to handcolor them with my Copic Sketch markers. I still consider myself a beginning learner with the Copic markers, but I have to say nothing beats the shading effects you can obtain by using these markers. I'm particularly fond of the orange-to-yellow effects achieved on the card front.








I hope Autumn finds you well today...and as always, crafting!

Release Your Inner Gypsy!

On September 24, 2009 at 12:00am EST, the highly anticipated world-wide launch of Provocraft's digital companion to the Cricut line of personal die cutting machines took place on HSN.

A special bundle was released for $299.99 that includes the Gypsy (including two exclusive cartridges and all the needed cables and cords), the protective sleeve, an AC adapter, a car charger, a bonus color-coordinated shoulder carrying bag, and the hard-to-get 'Don Juan' Cricut cartridge.

Apparently, crafter's were salivating at the chance of getting their (glue) sticky hands on the Gypsy. More than half of the original stock available to ship, sold out in its first hour of sale. Very few units are still available for your stragglers. You can find more information here.