Up On Tippy Toes: bling

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that I love to color. I am by no means a professional colorist. Nor do I pretend to know what I'm doing. If I love the results of my coloring then that's all that really matters to me. And if others like my results, that's just extra, I'll take that as a pat on my back too.

A lot of times when I color I tend to stamp several images at once and color them all. Sometimes I use all the images and sometimes I don't.

I've been coloring a lot of these bears lately. They are just too cute and I became absolutely addicted! And I have made several cards already with this awesome set. But I found that I had an extra bear (that tall guy on the left) leftover that still needed a "home". I didn't want him tossed on the side to get lost or even *GASP* thrown out! So, what else was I to do but to make a new card?

I started with the background. For this project, it became the most important feature. I blended shades of Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch onto a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of white cardstock using my Life Changing Blender Brushes.

I took a mini water-filled spritzing bottle and unscrewed the cap and flicked on drops of water over the ink shaded areas. Then, I blotted the excess water using a clean and dry paper towel.

The reactive "bleached" out effects of the water are stunning! This technique always gives me so much joy!

But... that was just the beginning of my star-filled sky! For dimension and a whole lot of bling, I wanted to fill that blue sky with literal stars!!

I hate the messy process of wet glue. the sliding around, smeared glue, possibly ruining my ink job and the ever horribly time-consuming/ soul-sucking DRYING TIME. I absolutely loathe waiting for things to dry!!

Thank goodness for my Xyron Mega Runner! I simply uncap, face the application point up, and adhere all the tiny things onto the sticky microdot adhesive strip! So easy-peasy! And the best part... ABSOLUTELY NO DRYING TIME!!

Then, I simply attach the stars onto the blue speckled sky starting from the biggest and trickling down to the smallest stars.

Then I attached the background to an A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") card base made from kraft cardstock.

I didn't have any extra houses or trees leftover so I needed to stamp and color a few of those. Then I die cut them with the coordinating dies.

Then I created a little snowy village landscape using the houses and trees. I simply flipped each image over and used my Xyron Mega Runner to apply adhesive and attached them to the card front.

Then I created a sentiment strip and attached it across the bottom of my village with the little bear peeking out holding a gift.

And here is my finished card...

How gorgeous are those stars?!

I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial and create a starry sky of your own!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

Friday, December 13, 2019

Winter Stag Journal

Hey there, Crafty Friends!

Do you make gifts during the holidays? There's nothing quite like a handmade gift. Sure, buying gifts still take time and consideration to select and purchase. Navigating stores, fighting crowds, and waiting in long lines can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. That is why I like to handmake gifts and avoid some of the hustle and bustle.

Journals have been on a hot streak and it doesn't seem like it's going to cool down anytime soon. And I absolutely LOVE making them. I pour lots of love and thought into each one. Today, I created this gorgeous Shabby Chic Winter Stag Journal with the help of my Xyron Creative Station Lite. This little machine has been a HUGE timesaver... Move over decoupage, Xyron adhesive has a permanent place in this crafty girl's heart!!

Supplies Used

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Pocket Notebook Die (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Dashing Dear Die (Sizzix)

Printed Corrugate Cardstock (DCWV)

Patterned Paper (DCWV)

Chipboard

White Peony, (I Am Roses)

Small Spring Cottage Flower (I Am Roses)

Achillea Cottage Flowers (I Am Roses)

Cherry Blossoms (I Am Roses)

White Maple Leaves (I Am Roses)

Elastic Cording

4" x 6" Notebooks

Jeweled Brads

Guillotine Trimmer (Swingline)

Crop-a-dile (We R Memory Keepers)

Hemp Twine

Self-adhesive Iridescent Flowers

Liquid Glue

Clothes Pins (Optional)

I started by die-cutting my journal covers. I used the Eileen Hull Pocket Notebook Die and my Sizzix Big Shot to die-cut two pieces of medium weight chipboard.

Then added a small amount of liquid glue to the spine and attached the two covers together, I made sure to line up the holes on the spine so that the covers were straight and laid properly when closed.

To ensure the covers dried in the correct position, I clamped them together using mini clothespins- but regular-sized ones would work too.

I usually cover my chipboard entirely with patterned paper, but this time I opted against it. Instead, I opted to make "card-front" like panels. Again, I wanted this to be "Shabby Chic" so by leaving the chipboard somewhat exposed it gives it a more rustic feel.

I cut two panels each of white cardstock and patterned paper.

White Cardstock- 3 7/8"x 6 1/2"

Patterned Paper- 3 3/4" x 6 1/4"

I layered and attached the patterned paper over the white card stock using my Xyron Mega Runner. Then attached them onto the outside flaps of my cover.

I ran a 5.5" x 8 " piece chipboard through my Xyron Creative Station, then flipped it over and ran it through a second time to add adhesive to both sides. I left the protective film on and cranked it through my Big Shot machine using the Tim Holtz Dashing Deer Die.

Then, I die cut another deer from corrugated cardstock and adhered the two pieces together to give my deer more bulk and dimension.

Then I attached the deer onto the front of my book cover. and attached a multi-looped bow made from hemp twine.

I created a swag of flowers and leaves under the deer. I curled the leaf stems before I attached them for a bit of interest. Then surrounded the bow with an assortment of flowers.

I made sure to use muted tones throughout to keep with the Shabby Chic feel.

I used my Crop-a-dile tool to punch holes through the thick chipboard on both the front and back covers lined up on both flaps and looped a piece of elastic through it for a closure that hooked onto a jeweled brad on the front cover.

Lastly, I threaded elastic strands through the pre-cut holes and inserted four premade notebook inserts.

And here is my finished journal...

I covered all pre-cut holes with jeweled brads to give a more finished look.

I hope you enjoyed today's project and that it inspired you to create your own beautiful handmade gifts... there really isn't anything like giving a piece of your heart to your loved ones this holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Mitsyana

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Bear Christmas Shaker Card

Hey, Crafty Friends!!

I'm back with Team Xyron today!!

Can you believe it's not even Thanksgiving?!! Thanksgiving is tomorrow and it already feels like Christmas! So with that in mind, I'll show you how to make this adorable holiday shaker card that is bound to make you smile with Christmas cheer!

Supplies Used

Mega Runner (Xyron)

X150 Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Magnetic Platform (Sizzix)

Beary Christmas Stamp Set (Maker's Movement)

Beary Christmas Die Set (Maker's Movement)

Stitched Circle Nested Essentials Die (Maker's Movement)

Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Distress Oxide- Abandoned Coral (Ranger Ink)

Water-Soluble Markers (Derwent Academy)

Watercolor Pencils (Derwent Academy)

Mixed Media Paper

110lb White Cardstock (Recollections)

Chalkboard Cardstock (DCWV)

Patterned Paper (DCWV)

Christmas Carnival Sparkletz (Buttons Galore and More)

Water Pen

White Pigment Ink

White Embossing Powder

Foam Tape

Clear Acetate Sheet (Grafix)

White Gelly Roll Pen (Sakura)

MISTI

Painter's Tape

I started by using my MISTI to stamp my images from the Beary Christmas Stamp Set in Versafine Onyx Black onto mixed media paper.

Next, I colored my images Derwent Academy Water-Soluble Markers and Watercolor Pencils and blended the colors out with a water brush pen.

I used my Big Shot with a Magnetic Platform and the matching Beary Christmas Die Set to die cut my adorable bears.

Then, I added tiny polka dot details with a White Gelly Roll Pen.

To build the card base, I folded an 8 1/2"x 4 1/4" piece of 110 lb white cardstock in half to create a standard A2 size card. I set the card to the side and worked on the card front.

I layered a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of red cardstock and a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" green chevron paper together and attached them using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Once layered together, I used a Stitched Circle die to cut a window through both layers.

I wanted to break up the stark white background but didn't want to get ink around the edges of the card. So I taped off about a 1/4" perimeter. Then used the cut-out as a template to trace a circle where the window would lay.

With a penciled outline, I shaded Distress Oxide- Abandoned Coral using my Picket Fence Studio Life Changing Brushes.

To create my shaker window, I attached a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of acetate behind the cutout using my Mega Runner. Then attached a border of foam tape around the perimeter of the window.

I ran my previously colored trees through my Xyron "X" Sticker Maker and attached it to the center of shaded area.

I sprinkled in a generous amount of Christmas Carnival Sparkletz and topped it the window panel.

I used my Mega Runner to attach the bears around the window.

Then, I stamped my sentiment onto black cardstock with white pigment ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder and attached it to my card front.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed today's Shaker Card project. I had so much fun making it!

I hope you all have a BEARY happy holiday season!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Mitsyana

Monday, March 19, 2018

Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Today is my first official post on Xyron's 2018 Design Team! And this week we are all about SPRING!! Goodbye, freezing cold temps! Hello, sunshine and flowers!!

I remembered I had recently received and fabulous paper mache dress form and I had been dying to have a go at it. I knew right away I wanted to make or at least attempt to make an amazing dress to go on it. The challenge was to make it spring inspired. Then, I thought to myself, "Hmm... This would be absolutely gorgeous if I made the dress out of leaves and flowers"! Well, it turns out, I was right!!

So, today I'll show you how I created this gorgeous Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form.

Supplies Used

23" Dress Form (Darice)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring Die (Sizzix)

Katelyn Lizardi Butterfly Embellishment Die (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Wrap (Advantus)

Creative Station (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Cardstock- All in the Family- Olive Greens (Core'dinations)

110 lb White Cardstock (Recollections)

Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)

Eileen Hull Blends- Leaf, Wildberry (Clearsnap)

Chalk Box Paint Box Chalk Ink- Cornucopia (Clearsnap)

Hot Pink Tulle

Fabri Tac (Beacon)

Wedding Picks (Celebrate It)

Beaded Garland (Celebrate It)

Rhinestones

First, I gathered my materials. Then, I started by die cutting different shades of green cardstock into 2" x 4" pieces with Eileen Hull's "Leave, Spring" die. I cut down my paper into smaller pieces first because this die has 4 different leaves on it and I only wanted to use the largest leaf on the die with the least amount of waste.

I wasn't sure how much leaves I needed to create the dress but figured 2 - 12"x 12" sheets of each color would be plenty. I ended up cutting 144 leaves total... um, yeah that was waaaaay more than enough! In fact, it was too much. It's alright. I'll stash the extras away to use on other projects.

I wanted each leaf to be seen, so I added shading around the edges of each leaf using different shades of green chalk ink. And yup, I shaded all 144 of those leaves! Well, at least next time they'll be good to go and I can just apply them to my next project! LOL!

I knew I didn't want any part of my dress form to be "naked". So, I cut pieces of tissue wrap and inserted into my Xyron Creative Station machine and cranked it through to make my own giant sheets of washi tape. Then, I covered the top half of the dress for up to the wooden post.

I wanted each layer of leaves to lay on the other. I knew I had to create my dress from the bottom on up. I wanted the bottom of my skirt to be fluffy. So, I used tufts of tulle all along the bottom.

I cut my tulle, into 5"x5" pieces, bunched them to form strips, then loosely tied a single basic knot. For this form, I made a total of 20knots.

Then glued each knot, end to end, all along the bottom with a fast drying clear glue,

Once the glue had set, I was ready to build up my leaves.

I ran my leaves a Xyron 3" Sticker Maker. the applied each leaf in staggering rows. I made 2 rows of each color. leading up to the waist. Once the skirt was done, I trimmed the bottom edge of the tulle to make sure it was even.

Then, I moved onto the bodice...

I wanted the leaves to "cup" each "breast" so I created darts in the leaves by cutting out about a 1/3" triangle from the bottom of two leaves. I pulled together the flaps and overlapped the sides and glued in place. Then adhered each cupped leaf to each breast and added another two leaves to below those on each side to complete the bodice.

I wanted to add more texture and color. So, I die cut stems and flowers using Katelyn Lizardi's Butterfly Embellishments die. This die comes with a coordinating embossing folder. I die cut 18 stem and 12 flowers. Note: you need 2 flowers to create a single flower.

I shaded the leaves and flowers using Eileen Hull's Blends. Leaf for the leaves and Wildberry for the flowers.

I glued a flower-shaped rhinestone to the center of each flower. Then adhered the stems to the dress form to form a spray. Then attached my flowers.

For added dimension and drama, I added beaded wedding picks and garland throughout...

And here is my finished Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form...

A closer look...

Even closer...

I love how these pinks really pop against these greens!!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my VERY FIRST altered dress form!! Yup, this was my very first! And, I have to say I just added another addicting hobby to my evergrowing list! This may have been my first but it sure won't be my last!!

Thank you all for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Merry Christmas w/ Xyron and Wild Whisper

Hello, Friends!!

It's been a busy week and I'm back again, closing out the week with Team Xyron, Wild Whisper, and another beautiful Christmas card. With the big day just over a week away and one can never have enough gorgeous cards to give to family and loved ones.

Supplies Used

Home For the Holidays 12" x 12" Paper Pack (Wild Whisper)

Home For the Holidays Stamp Set (Wild Whisper)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Red Flowers- Florde Pascua (Little Birdie Crafts)

Teal Flower- Elsie Celeste (Little Birdie Crafts)

Black Cardstock

Glitter Paper

Twine

Vellum

Star Rhinestones

Versafine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

VersaColor Cardinal Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Clear Embossing Powder (Judikins)

Red Button

Liquid Glue

I am head over heels in love with Wild Whisper's Home For The Holidays paper. This paper has a nice smooth magazine like finish to it that really makes the colors and patterns just pop!

These are also double-sided papers so one sheet can go a long long way. Like it did for my card today. I created my card front using this fun candy-striped paper. It has this beautiful snow covered pine trees on the opposite side.

I cut the striped piece to measure 4-7/8" x 6-7/8" and then cut a second piece using the opposite side to measure 4-3/4" x 6-3/4".

I wanted to add a sentiment directly to the paper but with the sleek finish, I was afraid I'd smudge the pretty print. Instead, I opted to stamp my sentiment onto a piece of 2"x 6" vellum.

I used VersaFine Onyx Black Ink to stamp the large "Christmas" word stamp from the Home For the Holidays Stamp Set and covered it with clear embossing powder then heat set it. I wrapped the vellum around the card front and used my Xyron Mega Runner to adhere the end around the back side.

Then I stamped "Very Merry" in VersaColor Scarlet Ink and covered it in clear embossing powder and heat set it. Then I ran the entire card front through my Xyron Creative Station Lite and attached it to glitter cardstock.

I attached the Striped paper onto a 5" x 7 " card base. then attached tiny stars using a toothpick dipped in glue. When you don't have a fine tipped applicator for your liquid glue bottles, I find that an old fashion toothpick works great!! It has a tiny tip for precise application.

Then with more glue, I added a few flowers and a twine bow to the corner. I didn't like the center of my teal flower so I replaced it with a red button.

And here is my finished card...

I love how the winter scenery is on display in the background and how the teal really draws more attention to all the red throughout the card.

Thanks for spending time with Team Xyron and Wild Whisper this week...

I really hope that today's tutorial inspired you to create your own gorgeous Christmas cards.

Until next time...

Happy Crafting, Friends!!

~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***

Pages

Monday, December 16, 2019

Star Filled Sky Christmas

Friday, December 13, 2019

Winter Stag Journal

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Bear Christmas Shaker Card

Monday, March 19, 2018

Spring Foliage Inspired Altered Dress Form

Friday, December 15, 2017

Merry Christmas w/ Xyron and Wild Whisper