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!

Quilting In The Greenhouse

The art of quilting is an amazing source of inspiration. Taking needle and thread and combining two or more layers of material produces a landscape of textures, colors, and patterns. Adapting ideas from quilting into your cardmaking is an easier transition than you might first imagine.

Today's card project uses the illusion of quilting blocks to create a background for stamped images. You can really use your eye for color and pattern to create some mesmerizing tableaux. You can go bold or subtle. You can go for harmonious or contrasting designs. You'll find yourself playing with your paper blocks--rearranging, rotating, and replacing them over and over.

I chose the following papers to work on this card: the card base is Stardream Fuse Mica Paper in Copper cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; the decorative papers are Basic Grey 6" x 6" from the Marrakech collection; and a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select white cardstock.



To begin creating the quilting pattern for my card, I used an EK Success 1" square paper punch. The 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white cardstock will be the base upon which I'll layer my quilting blocks. Using the punch, you'll need to cut out ten (10) 1" x 1" squares of each piece of your patterned paper selections.




Now is when your creative juices really need to kick in. Play with your blocks and look at colors and patterns. Lay them out like a puzzle and try to find the best patchwork design for your project. Once you've settled on a pattern, you can begin adhering your blocks on the cardstock base. I used Stampin' Up! SNAIL adhesive to begin attaching my quilt blocks.




Next, I chose to use my Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Bigz Top Note Die (a Stampin' Up! Exclusive) to add another element of visual interest to my quilted background. Sandwiching the die and quilted cardstock between the two "B" plates, quickly and easily runs through the Cuttlebug.




For the stamped image to complete the look of my card, I chose to use the Stampin' Up! Greenhouse Garden stamp set (I LOVE this set!). I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to create a two-step floral image and stem. The inks I chose to use are Tsukineko Memento in Pear Tart and Cottage Ivy. I stamped my image on Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock and trimmed around the the images. I also chose to add a piece of Stampin' Up! Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon to the quilted background.




I attached the stem using a Zig 2-way Glue Pen and tucked the end behind the ribbon. The flower is attached using Stampin' Up! Stampin' Dimensionals. I also chose to adhere the entire quilted block with Stampin' Dimensionals to give my card the layered visual interest that allows the images to pop from the very deep and glittery cardstock base.






Until next time, keep crafting!

Mosaic Tile Postcard

This project is modern take on the traditional postcard. It is done with a chipboard base, stamped images and distressing techniques. Your finished project will look something like this:


front side

reverse side

To do this project, you will need the following tools and supplies:



--a piece of chipboard measuring 4.5" x 6.5" (I chose to use a piece from the DCWV Chipboard Mat Stack Brights (wine), as it is already finished on both sides. If you use bare chipboard, you can choose to cover it with decorative papers that will match your stamped image or solid cardstock)

--a piece of white textured cardstock measuring 4" x 5" (I chose Bazzill corduroy textured cardstock in Snow)

--a rubber or acrylic stamp of your choosing (I chose an Inkadinkado stamp from "Affair of the Heart" Collection)

--ink pad matching your base chipboard color (I chose Cat's Eye Queue in Ruby)

--a Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad (I chose the color walnut stain)

--several pieces of Kleenex or tissue

--adhesive of your choice (I used the Xyron 510 and Zig pen)

--glitter (I used Doodlebug Sugar Coating)

--a sheet of coordinating solid color paper

The key technique for this postcard is a trick using your favorite scoring device. I love my Scor-Pal. The use of textured cardstock also adds a lot of character to the distressing of this piece.

You want to take a piece of white textured cardstock and trim it to 4" x 5". Using your Scor-Pal (or other device), you want to score your cardstock at 1", 2" and 3" on the shorter side. Turn your cardstock 90 degrees and then score the 5" side at the following intervals: 1", 2", 3", 4". What you will end up with is a grid pattern of one inch blocks which will create the illusion of mosaic tiles in your finished piece.



Before stamping your chosen image, make sure that you stamp the side on which your scored your textured cardstock. It creates a deeper furrow on your scores and breaks up your stamped image for the desired effect. I chose to stamp the image multiple times to fill the cardstock.



Allow your stamped images to dry completely. Then you want to take your Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad. The secret tool you want to use for application is two pieces of Kleenex (or other tissue) balled up for hand application. You want to dab your tissue on the ink pad and then hand apply with strokes going in the same direction on each application.



The amount of distressing you want to apply to your stamped images is a matter of personal preference. You obviously don't want to use so much stain that it totally obscures your stamped images. However, the more ink you use the clearer your scored channels will be accentuated creating the desired mosaic effect.



Once you're happy with the distressing and all of the inks have dried, you can now adhere your cardstock to the chipboard base. I found it easy to run the cardstock through my Xyron 510. I then used a white rub-on (the word "LOVE") to accent the corner. Any further embellishment is up to your heart's desire. But, rememeber, you want your mosaic to be the centerpiece of the postcard and draw the most eye-attention.

On the reverse side, I simply glued a piece of solid pink paper and added another Inkadinkado stamped image to the corner. This leaves you the bulk of the space to do your writing.

Keep experimenting with this mosaic stamping technique. You'll be surprised what a versatile (and easy) technique it is. But, it will look like you spent a long time to achieve the effect. Afterall, who doesn't love immediate gratification more than crafters?

Keep Crafting!