Friday, September 25, 2015

Enjoy!

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015


I remember playing with “whirly gigs” as a child…… do you? They were fun and easy to obtain. It was such fun to run and run and watch the wind make them whirl. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be a kid again!

 
Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • Scraps of pink  and white paper (think junk mail)
  • Blender, sponges & soft towels
  • Microwave, heat gun or sunny window
  • Scor-pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8” version)
  • Die: CheeryLynn # B413 “Enjoy”
  • Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur II™ die cutting machine
  • Westcott™ scissors
  • Two pieces 2” square of patterned paper
  • ColorBox™ light pink Chalk ink pad, Stylus™ handle & tip
  • Beacon QuickGrip™  and ZipDry™ adhesive
  • Scrap of white handmade paper
  • Pencil, 1/8” round hole punch
  • Two tiny white brads

Instruction:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the AG paper making kits or books to create one sheet of pink handmade paper (think card stock weight). 
  2. When the paper is dry, fold in half and tear to create two 5 ½ x 8 ½” pieces.
  3. Score and fold to create two 4 ¼ x 5 ½” cards. Set one card aside for a future project.
  4. Die cut the word “Enjoy” from the scrap of white handmade paper.
  5. Use the pencil to lightly mark on the diagonal all 4 corners.
  6. Cut on the lines leaving approx. ½” in the middle of the square.
  7. Fold each section toward the middle and adhere them with the ZipDry™ adhesive.
  8. Cut two thin strips of white for the handles.
  9. Use the 1/8” hole punch to place a hole in the center of the whirly gig and the end of the paper handle
  10. Assemble them with the tiny brad.
  11. Attach the two whirly gigs to the upper portion of the card with QuickGrip™.
  12. Attach the word to the lower portion of the card with ZipDry™.
  13. Add a message inside the card. Enjoy!


Friday, September 18, 2015

Believe Fan Book

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2014


Each of these little books is full of quotes related to the title on the cover of the book. Several friends are going through some rough patches in their lives and these books will perhaps give them some comfort. Join me in creating this fan book for Debbie.



Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
  • A sunny window
  • Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
  • Personal paper cutter, scissors
  • Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or dots
  • Scraps of black paper (think junk mail, left over cardstock scrap, etc.)
  • One or more of AG #2718 Mini Fan Book
  • Verbiage stamps and black ink pad or computer generated quotes or sayings
  • ColorBox™ Stylus™ handle and soft tip
  • Small scrap of chip board
  • Dies: CheeryLynn™ corner flourish
  • Die cut machine: Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur

Instructions:

  1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create black slurry.
  2. Create a sheet of thick black paper.
  3. When the paper is dry, die cut the corner flourish.
  4. Remove the screw hinge and pages from the book.
  5. Stamp “Believe” onto the scrap of chip board.
  6. Us the Stylus handle and tip to apply ink the edges of the stamped chip board and the book cover.
  7. Deconstruct the die to create small decretive pieces to be attached with Beacon ZipDry™ under the stamped chip board.
  8. Stamp the saying onto the pages (or print out verbiage using your computer and printer, then cut and glue to the pages.)

    NOTE: make sure the verbiage is all oriented the same. (My book is landscape oriented and has the hinge on the top left.)

    I suggest that if you are making several of these books, stamp or print all of the sayings at once. (I will often do many different related saying at a time as well as die cutting the bits and pieces and save them to assemble the “Fan” book at a later time.)

  9. Reassemble the fan book.
  10. Decide on the placement of the deconstructed corner die pieces, and attach them onto the cover with ZipDry™ adhesive.
  11. Center and attach the stamped chip board to the cover with double sided foam tape or dots.
  12. Cut a small strip of the handmade black paper to be attached on the left side of the cover.

BEAUTIFUL

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015


I just had to share one more summer card with you. This is another of the motifs from the CP Nature’s Miniatures molds. Remember that I always make extras to have for later projects. A friend who loves sea shells will receive this card for her birthday…..it would also be wonderful matted and framed. I think I will offer to do that after her birthday as an extra gift.

 
Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • CP Nature’s Minitures Sea Shell (or mold of your choice)
  • Scraps of blue and white paper (think junk mail)
  • Blender, sponges & soft towels
  • Microwave, heat gun or sunny window
  • Scor-pal (LOVE the new 1/8” version)
  • Scissors
  • Die: CheeryLynn #B630  “Beautiful”
  • Spellbinders’ Grande Calibur II™ machine
  • Beacon QuickGrip™ and  ZipDry™ adhesive
  • Small eyed needle and metallic variegated embroidery floss
  • Scrap of white handmade paper

Instruction:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the AG paper making kits or books to create white slurry and cast one or more sea shell.  Remember that I always make extra castings to use for later projects.
  2. When the sea shell casting is dry, use the brush to apply a coat of ZipDry™ adhesive to the inside back of the casting.
  3. Working from the front of the casting (when the adhesive is dry),  use the needle to poke tiny holes in some or all of the “dots” on the sea shell.
  4. Working from the back of the sea shell create tiny French knots and/or “x” in each of the holes.
  5. Create one sheet of blue handmade paper (think card stock weight). 
  6. When the paper is dry, fold in half and tear to create two 5 ½ x 8 ½” pieces.
  7. Score and fold to create two 4 ¼ x 5 ½” cards. Set one card aside for a future project.
  8. Die cut the word “Beautiful” from the scrap of white handmade paper.

Assemble the card:

  1. Attach the sea shell to the lower portion of the card with QuickGrip™.
  2.  Attach the word with ZipDry™.
  3. Add a quote about the sea or a message inside the card.

Enjoy!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Paper Cast Handmade Journal

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015


You may know that I love journals and handmade books - any shape or size! I make them by the batch and always have a wonderful gift ready for whatever the occasion. Creating journals with handmade paper and castings makes them even more special. There are so many molds available from AG - pick one and follow along with the instructions below to create some of your own.


 Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • Blender, sponges and soft towels
  • AG mold #711 Gingko Leaf (or mold of your choice)
  • Scraps of tan and off -white paper (think junk mail)
  • Roylco Rubbing Plates (texture sheets)
  • Japanese screw punch & 1/8” bit, scissors
  • Scor-Pal (LOVE the new 1/8” version)
  • Beacon QuickGrip™ or ZipDry™ adhesive
  • Stick for spine approx. 5 ½”
  • Heavy thread to match the paper for the binding
  • Piece of Palm frond or bark
  • A small amount of old spices and/or tiny pieces of dried grasses etc.

Instruction:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the AG paper making kits or books to create one sheet of tan handmade paper.
  2. Place the damp sheet onto the Roylco RP/TS. Use sponges or soft towels to remove the rest of the water from the sheet. This cast paper will be the cover.
  3. Create numerous sheets of different weights of tan, and off white handmade paper, adding spices or dried grasses to some of the sheets. (I created 5 sheets for this book).
  4. Create one Gingko leaf casting from tan slurry.

Assemble the journal:

  1. Fold and score the cover and all of the pages in half (Journal will be 5 ½ (high) x 4 ½” wide when assembled).
  2. Place the pages inside of the covers, mark and use the Japanese Screw Punch to create holes approx. ½” from the spine.
  3. Bind the journal by attaching the sticks with the heavy duty thread.
  4. Attach the Palm frond or bark to the center of the cover with either of the adhesive.
  5. Attach the Gingko leaf casting to the center of the Palm frond or bark piece.
Note: You can find a lot of videos on the internet showing how to create many different bindings.



Always Give Her Roses

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015


Roses are one of the most beloved flowers in the world. They are not always available to give as a bouquet, but can always be created in any color you want as a paper casting. This little box is perfect for a gift for any occasion. I think it will make a great jewelry container for one of my sisters who loves roses!

 

Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • CP Nature’s Miniatures Rose stem (or mold of your choice)
  • Scraps of white paper (think junk mail)
  • Blender, sponges & soft towels
  • Microwave, heat gun or sunny window
  • Scissors, BowEasy™
  • ColorBox™ Stylus  handle & tips, and light pink and light green Chalk ink pads
  • Beacon QuickGrip™ adhesive
  • 3 ¼” round container
  • 9” of pale green ½’ wide organdy ribbon.

Instruction:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the AG paper making kits or books to create white slurry.
  2. Create one or more rose stem casting. 
  3. When the rose casting is dry, use the Stylus handle and tip to apply light pink Chalk ink to the rose and the edge of the casting.
  4. Clean the tip, then apply light green chalk ink to the stem and leaves of the casting.
  5. Use the BowEasy™ to tie a tiny box.
  6. Attach the rose casting to the top of the round box and the bow to the lower area of the casting with QuickGrip™ adhesive.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Elegant Card Trio

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015


Creating elegant and beautiful cards is a snap! Adding handmade paper is like icing on the cupcake. These three cards went together so quickly – as in less than 5 minutes each, and are sure to be a hit with the recipients. They would be wonderful in any color scheme. I chose to save some time and used purchased cardstock in a soft warm cinnamon color for the card bases and die cuts.

Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • A sunny window or traditional oven
  • Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
  • Scraps of ivory paper (think junk mail, etc.)
  • Tiny pieces of dried flower petals, spices or grasses
  • Dies:  Quiet Fire words “Believe”, “Thanks and “Hello”
              
    Impression Obsession: DIE253-U
              
    Tonic Studios US: 77 E Butterfly Sprig & 76 E Dragonfly Brooch
  • Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
  • 2 pieces of 8 ½ x 11 cinnamon card stock
  • Envelopes to fit cards
  • Westcott™ paper trimmer & scissors
  • Scor-Pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8th version!)
  • Beacon  ZipDry™ adhesive, Double side foam tape or dots

Instructions

  1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to make slurry from the ivory scraps.
  2. Create one or more sheets of heavy weight ivory handmade paper.
  3. When the sheets of paper are dry, tear them into 4 equal pieces. You want ragged edges. Save the 4thpiece for another project.
  4. Cut, score and fold the sheets of purchased card stock to create three 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card cards.
  5. Die cut the words, both dragonflies and the butterfly from the other half sheet of purchased card stock.
  6. Attach the torn pieces of ivory handmade paper to the front of the card with ZipDry™ adhesive.
  7. Attach the words and “critters” to the handmade paper with tiny slivers of foam tape.