Friday, December 30, 2016

There Are Angels Among Us

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016


Yep, I believe in Angels! I believe they watch over us and try to keep us from harm. Sometimes they show up as a friend at a time of need, sometimes as a beloved pet who just loves us for who and what we are. I love to create Angel projects as gifts for those “Angels” who have come into my life. Even though I am giving them as Christmas gifts, I have used non-traditional colors (lavender, pink, blue etc.) so the recipient can use them all through the year.
   
 

Supplies

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer® paper making kits
·       AG CP Victorian Angel mold
·       Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       A sunny window
·       Scraps of white and purple paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Small glass Votive holder and votive candle
·       Approx. 16 inches of 1/4 “ lavender satin or Picot edge florist ribbon
·       Tiny lavender Satin Rose
·       Tiny bunches of purple Baby’s Breath
·       Beacon QuickGripTM  adhesive
·       Scor-Pal™


Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create white slurry and cast one full Angel and one torso/head Angel. 
2.     Allow the castings to dry.
3.     Create sheets of medium shade lavender and medium weight handmade paper. (Note: you can keep adding more white slurry to this and create lighter and lighter colored sheets.)
4.     Attach the Angel torso to the Votive holder with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
5.     Tie two small satin ribbon bows and attach them and the tiny bundles of purple Baby’s Breath to the sides of the Votive candle holder.
6.     Tear, score and fold the lavender handmade paper to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.
7.     Attach to Picot edge ribbon to the ribbon area of the angel casting with QuickGrip™ adhesive. Wrap the end of the right side piece of ribbon to the back of the Angel.
8.     Attach the satin rose between the two pieces of ribbon with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
9.     Attach the Angel to the front of the lavender handmade paper card
10.  Display her on a clear easel beside the votive angel.




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TAGS: Arnold Grummer, Michele Emerson-Roberts, handmade, casting, Angels, Votive candles, lavendar

Friday, December 23, 2016

Earth’s Song

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016


Fall is the beginning of the time of rest for the plants and animals, yes even us humans. Some people think the plants have died….I think they are resting so that they will be ready to bloom again in the spring! This is the time of year that I want to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea and just “be”. Below are a few more of the November cards celebrating this quiet time.


Supplies

Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create ivory slurry with onion skin inclusions and create one or more sheets of medium weight handmade paper.
2.     Make tan slurry and create one or more sheets of medium weigh handmade paper. (I always make extra sheets!)
3.     Allow the sheets of paper to dry.
4.     Tear, score and fold the ivory handmade paper to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.
5.     Tear, score and fold a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card from the tan handmade paper.
6.     Tear a small piece of the tan to stamp on.
7.     Use the Stylus to lightly apply the dark brown Chalk ink to the edges of the tan card and the smaller piece of tan paper.
8.     Stamp the “Be still and listen to the Earth’s song” onto the smaller piece of tan paper and onto a scrap of tissue paper.
9.     Tear a slightly large piece of ivory handmade paper to layer under the stamped tan piece..
10.  Die cut and emboss the Earth from tan handmade paper. While the paper is still in the die, apply dark brown ink through the openings of the die.
11.  Remove the paper from the die and apply the ink around the edge of the Earth.
12.  Die cut one of the largest ferns from a scrap of heavy weight dark brown handmade paper.
13.  Attach the stamped tissue paper to the right bottom of the ivory card with Tonic Craft Tacky glue.
14.  Attach the Earth to the middle left of the ivory card with small pieces of double sided foam tape.
15.  Layer the stamped tan piece onto the ivory piece and attach to the tan card with small pieces of double sided foam tape.
16.  Attach the fern to the right side of the layered pieces.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Giving Thanks

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016


Thanksgiving is one of my favorite celebrations. It is that time when most people look back over the past year and give praise to all of the many blessings that we have in our lives. Here are two of the more than 50 cards that I will send out this November. 

Supplies

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer® paper making kits and “Tea Time” mold
·       Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       A sunny window
·       Scraps of white and tan paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Scraps of tan/brown heavy weight handmade paper or cardstock to die cut
·       The PaperCut™ Ivory cardstock for the “Cozy” card
·       Envelopes to fit cards or make your own with the AG envelope template
·       Die: Quiet Fire Designs™ ECD #1231 Cozy
·       Tonic Studios™ Tangerine die cutting and embossing machine
·       Westcott™ paper trimmer
·       Scor-Pal™
·       Beacon ZipDryTM and QuickQrip™ adhesives
·       ColorBox® Dark Brown Chalk Ink pad, Stylus handle and tips
·       Impression ObsessionTM stamp: C14335 “There is always something to be thankful for!”
·       Mouse and cob stamp BonTon Stamps
·       Dried onion skins, grasses or herbs
·       Scrap of tissue paper


Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create tan slurry and cast one or more of the “Tea Time” castings. 
2.     Allow the casting to dry.
3.     Add more off-white scraps to the slurry and create sheets of medium weight handmade paper with flecks in it. Repeat adding some onion skins or other inclusions. Allow the paper to dry.
4.     Cut, score and fold the ivory cardstock to for a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.
5.     Die cut the word “Cozy” from a scrap of dark brown handmade paper.
6.     Use the Stylus to add ink to the high spots of the Tea Time paper casting.
7.     Tear a piece of the handmade paper a tiny bit smaller than the folded card.
8.     Attach the torn piece to the front of the ivory card front with ZipDry™.
9.     Attach the paper casting to the lower middle of the card with the QuickGrip™ adhesive.
10.  Attach the die cut word to the top middle of the card with ZipDry™.
11.  Tear, score and fold the handmade paper for the mouse card.
12.  Stamp the mouse and the saying onto tissue paper.
13.  When the ink is dry, attach the stamped tissue paper to the card. (Refer to photo for placement).
14.  Add your message inside the cards.
15.  Mail the paper cast card in a padded envelope or hand deliver.


Friday, December 9, 2016

Autumn Memories

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016



This is such a glorious and colorful time of year! Lots of birthdays this month too; so lots of cards to be made! Keeping with the Autumn theme, but wanting to change it up a bit, I pulled out some ‘reactive” paints to use. Wow, what fun they are!

Supplies

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer® paper making kits
·       Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
·       A sunny window
·       Scraps of off white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Dried spice/herb for inclusion in paper
·       Scraps of off white and cinnamon heavy weight handmade paper to die cut
·       The PaperCut™ golden colored cardstock for layer and dark green for one card base
·       Die: Quiet Fire Designs™ ECD 1199 Four Seasons & ECD 1197 Memories
·       SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur™ die cutting and embossing machine
·       Random pattern embossing folder
·       Westcott™ paper trimmer and scissors
·       Scor-Pal™
·       BeaconTM ZipDryTM and QuickGrip™ adhesives, double sided foam tape
·       ColorBox® Stylus handle & tips, rust colored die ink pad
·       “Reactive” paints: Iron, Copper & Verdigris
·       Foam paint brush
·       Plaid® Mod Molds® #24891 Nature
·       Small amount of golden colored air dry polymer clay, Plaid® bee mold
·       Thin twine
·       Clear envelopes for cards


Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create off-white slurry. Add a tiny bit of spice or herb to the slurry. Create one or more sheets of heavy weight handmade paper.
2.     Allow the paper to dry.
3.     Fold and tear the paper to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½ card.
4.     From the other half sheet, hand cut two leaf shapes.
5.     Apply the reactive paints to the leaf shapes.
6.     Allow the leaves to dry.
7.     Apply the second part of the reactive paints to approx. half of each hand cut leaf.
8.     Create the bee with the Plaid® mold and air dry polymer clay. Allow the bee to dry.
9.     Cut a tiny slit in the top left of the handmade paper card.
10.  Inset and tie the twin in a knot.
11.  Die cut the words from scraps of heavy weight cinnamon and off white handmade paper. (Refer to samples.)
12.  Emboss one of the leaves in the random pattern embossing folder.
13.  Cut, score & fold the dark green cardstock to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card. 
14.  Add a bit of rust colored ink around the edge of the golden colored layer piece. Layer onto dark green card.
15.  Attach the painted leaves to the fronts of the cards with small pieces of foam tape.
16.  Attach the die cut words across the leaves with ZipDry adhesive.
17.  Attach the bee with QuickGrip adhesive.


Friday, December 2, 2016

Paper Cast Leaves

© Michele Emerson-Robert 2016


Did you know that almost anything that is convex can be used as a casting mold? The leaf castings on the two fall cards are a perfect example. One is cast from a Jello mold, and the other is cast from a drink coaster! They are both beautiful! Look around your home and see what objects you might have to use as casting molds.
  
 

Supplies:

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer® paper making kits
·       Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       A sunny window
·       Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Scraps of white heavy weight handmade paper to die cut
·       The PaperCut™ various colored cardstock for card bases, envelopes
·       Die: Quiet Fire Designs™ ECD 1199 Four Seasons
·       Tonic Studios™ Tangerine die cutting and embossing machine
·       Random pattern embossing folder
·       Scor-Pal™
·       Beacon ZipDryTM adhesive, double sided foam tape
·       ColorBox® Stylus handle & tips, dye based inks pads in olives, rust, browns, golden colors


Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create white slurry and cast one or more of each of the leaves. 
2.     Allow the casting to dry.
3.     Use the Stylus handle and tip to lightly apply the various ink colors to the leaves. (See photo for placement.)
4.     Apply more ink toward the center of the leaves as shading.  
5.     Apply some ink around the edge of one of the castings.
6.     Die cut the word “Autumn” for each card from the scrap of heavy weight handmade paper.
7.     Cut, score and fold various cardstock to create4 ¼ x 5 ½” cards.
8.     Emboss the card fronts with the random pattern embossing folder.
9.     Attach the leaf castings to the card fronts with double sided foam tape.
10.  Attach the word above the paper casting with the adhesive.
11.   Mail in a padded envelope, or hand deliver.