Friday, January 29, 2016

“The Knot’s Prayer Book”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2016


This is one of my all time favorite handmade books. I make a least a dozen a year to give as gifts to loved ones who need something special to remind them that they are loved. I like to use handmade paper for the pages to make them even more special. You can make these any size; mine are 4 ¾ x 6”, only because I had matboard scrap pieces that size - and so that each folded page will be ¼ of a sheet of handmade paper.
 Supplies:

·        Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
·        A sunny window, heat gun or microwave oven
·        Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·        Scraps of off white or cream paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·        SpellbindersTM Grand Calabur™ cutting and embossing machine
·        Embossing plate or folder with an abstract design
·        Merc ArtTM black embossing metal: 4 ¾ x 6”
·        Mat board: 4 ¾ x 6”
·        Two scraps of black card stock 4 ¾ x 6”,  4 ¾ x 3” and piece for the title
·        Sheets of handmade paper: 4 ¼ x 11” folded in half
·        Scor-palTM
·        WestcottTM paper trimmer & scissors
·        Japanese screw punch & 1/8” bit
·        Arnold GrummerTM Cotton Linter
·        Beacon QuickGripTM and Beacon ZipDryTM
·        Old credit card to use for spreading the ZipDry™ adhesive
·        Heavy black thread for binding, large eyed needle
·        Various black and or white beads
·        Computer generated verbiage (see below)
·        Wide Scor-tapeTM or sheets
·        ColorBoxTM Chalk charcoal and white ink pads
Alphabet stamp set
                                   

Instructions:

1.      Follow the direction for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to make slurry from the white scraps.
2.      Create numerous sheets of medium weight handmade paper.
3.      When the paper is dry cut or tear it into two long sheets 4 1/2 x 11”.
4.      Score and fold the sheets in half. Repeat for as many sheets as you want in your book.
5.      Attach the folded pages to each other (back of one page to the front of the next page) with ZipDry™ adhesive.
6.      Score and fold the 4 ¼ x 3” spine piece of black card stock to accommodate the stack of folded pages.
7.      Attach the front and back cover pieces to the spine with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
8.      Use the Japanese screw punch to make holes in the book spine ½ “ from the top & bottom and on the edge of the title piece.
9.      Remove one side of the release paper from the Scor-Tape™ or sheet and place it on the back side of the black metal.
10.   Emboss the metal with a folder or plate using the Grand Calibur™.
11.   Remove the second piece of release paper from the Scor-Tape™ or sheet and attach the metal to the front cover.
12.   Stamp the title onto the scrap of black card stock with white ink.
13.   Computer generate and print the verbiage.
14.   Cut the verbiage pieces, ink the edges and attach each to a separate page of the book.
15.   Attach the pages to the book spine and cover with a piece of the heavy black thread.
16.   Place to thread in the middle of the pages and insert each end of the thread through the two holes in the spine.
17.   Tie the binding thread into a knot.
18.   Add more threads with lots of beads attached.


Note: The Knots Prayer:

Dear God: Please untie the Knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots, and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase all the will nots  and might nots that may find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots and would nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all dear God;
I ask that you remove fom my mind, my heart and my life all the “am nots” that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought, that I am not good enough!

Author know by God.

Friday, January 22, 2016

“Nativity Wreath”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015


This is one of my favorite Christmas wreaths created this year. I have made over a dozen of them to give as gifts. Each one is a bit different shape or size. The recipients will be delighted to display them. They are just a small reminder of what the season is about. 

Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
  • A sunny window
  • Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
  • Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
  • Cotton Press Nativity casting mold
  • Beacon QuickGripTMAdhesive
  • One 10” rustic twig wreath
  • Several 6-9” twigs
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Tiny bit of moss
  • Small metallic star
  • Approx. 1 yard of wired star garland
  • Approx. 8 “of wire for a hanger
Instructions:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one of the Nativity paper casting.
  2. When the casting is dry attach the star to the peak below the rook and the cinnamon sticks to the roof and base of the Nativity with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
Assemble the wreath:

  1. Wrap the twig wreath with the wired star garland.
  2. Create a hanger with the wire.
  3. Insert and attach the twigs to the bottom center of the wreath to brace the Nativity casting.
  4. Center and attach the nativity paper casting to the bottom of the wreath.
I often spend the whole day making castings, using many of the wonderful casting molds that have been available over the years from the Arnold Grummer Company.




Friday, January 15, 2016

“Saint Nickolas Wreath”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015


I enjoy creating small Christmas wreaths and hang them on my inside doors during the Christmas holidays, and once again I used one of my favorite Arnold Grummer/Cotton Press paper casting molds; Victorian Saint Nickolas. There are so many beautiful paper casting mold to choose from (yep, I have to admit I collect the molds and way too many other things too - smile). Follow along and see how easy it is to create a wreath for yourself or as a special gift.

Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
  • A sunny window
  • Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
  • Scraps of white (think junk mail, etc.)
  • Cotton Press Victorian Saint Nickolas casting mold
  • Beacon QuickGripTM Adhesive
  • Double sided foam tape
  • Pastels, Chalks or powered eye shadow in red and brown, applicators
  • DecoArtTM Americana Line Dark Green paint, “Snow” paint &paint brush
  • Several yards of dark green /white dot 1 ¼” ribbon
  • Two 5” evergreen tree cut outs (chip board or wood)
  • One 12” rustic twig wreath
  • Several 6-9” twigs 
Instructions:

  1. Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one of the Saint Nickolas paper casting.
  2. When the castings are dry, lightly color each area with the chalks. (See sample for placement).
  3. Add some dark green paint to the tree part of the casting.
  4. When dry, add some “snow” paint to the tree part of the casting.
  5. Paint the two large evergreen trees.
  6. When they are dry add the “snow” paint to the trees. 
Assemble the wreath:

  1. Weave the ribbon through the twig wreath.
  2. Tie a large 4 loop bow and attach it to the top right of the wreath with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
  3. Center and attach the Saint Nickolas paper casting on the right bottom of the wreath.
  4. Attach the extra twigs to the left side of the wreath to help brace and secure the evergreen trees.
  5. Layer the evergreen trees with foam tape between and attach them to the extra twigs and wreath.
  
Remember that I always make extra casting to have on hand when the mood to create a project strikes me. It is not unusual for me to make 50 to 100 castings at a time.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Christmas Card for Him

Featured in Blog Tonic USA

Michele Emerson-Roberts


With over a foot of snow on the ground and more coming down, today is a great day to create a Christmas card with one of our favorite Tonic Studios Dies – Regal Reindeer. This versatile die from the Rococo Christmas die line. Michele created this modern Christmas card in more masculine colors perfect for anyone on your Christmas card list.
Peaceful Christmas 2
This black and cream card is created especially for the men in my life as well as my favorite brother-in-law who is a bit of a non- traditional person. Who knew how elegant it would be and is one of my favorites. This card would be gorgeous in traditional Christmas colors too.

Instructions:
  1. Die cut and emboss two of the reindeer from the buff cardstock.
  2. Die cut and emboss one of the sleighs from black. 
  3. Lightly sand the sleigh.
  4. Stamp the Christmas sentiment onto the buff card stock.
  5. Layer it onto black with tiny pieces of foam tape between.
  6. Create a 5 ½’square center step card from the G45™ black & cream cardstock.


Assemble the card:
  1. Attach the layered stamped piece to the top right of the center step card with tiny pieces of foam tape or dots.
  2. Glue one reindeer to the lower left, overlap and attach the 2nd reindeer more to the center of the card with foam tape.
  3. Attach the sleigh to the lower right of the card with foam tape

Supplies:
Tools: Tonic personal paper cutterand scissors, Scor-Pal 
Adhesive: Tonic Craft Tacky Glue, double sided foam tape or dots 
Cardstock: Graphic 45 black & cream card stock, The Paper Cut Manila File Buff cardstock and envelopes for the cards 
Stamps: Impression Obsession: Christmas stamp 
Other: ColorBox Chalk Charcoal Ink pad, sanding block

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Tis The Season for the Sniffles


Featured in Blog Tonic USA

Michele Emerson-Roberts
Tis the Season for the Sniffles


DIY projects using Tonic Studios dies are simple to create and yield stunning results for any occasion. Michele Emerson-Roberts created this giftable DIY project perfect for teachers or to keep for yourself. After all it “Tis the Season for Sniffles”!
“Winter chills and sniffles go hand in hand. I love decorating for the holidays and this will be perfect sitting on an end table, mantel, or bathroom countertop or wherever you might need some tissues.
I will be making these tissue box surrounds for all of the holidays……already planned are Valentines’, Easter, Independence day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. With all the wonderful TONIC® dies to choose from DIY projects like this one are easy to create. And there is a die for every occasion making this project very versatile.
Instructions:
  1. Score the clear plastic strip 4 times every 5 1/2”. (You will have an overlap piece left over….trim it to 1”.) 
  2. Burnish the score lines. 
  3. Glue the overlap with TONIC® Craft Tacky Glue. 
  4. Set the surround aside to dry.
  5. Die cut and emboss four each “ ’Tis the Season”, the small flourish die and the outside square “wreath” die from Kraft colored cardstock.
  6. Apply the Tonic ®Craft glue to one piece of the die cut wreath. 
  7. Center the wreath and attach it to one side of the surround. 
  8. Center and attach the sentiment inside the wreath. *Repeat this step for all four sides of the surround.
  9. Attach the small flourishes to the top of the white cardstock tissue box.
  10. Place the tissue box inside the surround.
Supplies:



Paper/Cardstock: The Paper Cut™ Kraft #709 Adhesives: Tonic Craft Tacky Glue 

Other: Clear flexible plastic strip 5 ½ x 25” strip White square tissue box (I made mine from white card stock)

Friday, January 8, 2016

“Victorian Saint Nickolas”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015


I always make extra special Christmas cards for those extra special friends. The Cotton Press Victorian Saint Nickolas mold has been one of my favorites for years and gets used many times during the Christmas holidays. Coloring him is not difficult but looks like it. Using G45 Christmas cardstock for the card base and one of the versatile Tonic dies made the project go together in a jiffy.  I love these kinds of projects and think you will too.

Supplies:

·        Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
·        A sunny window
·        Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·        Scraps of white (think junk mail, etc.)
·        Cotton Press Victorian Saint Nickolas casting mold
·        Beacon QuickGripTM and Beacon ZipDryTM Adhesive
·        Double sided foam tape
·        Envelopes to fit cards
·        Scor-palTM
·        WestcottTM™ Paper trimmer
·        Die: Tonic GoldTM US #637E (Dragonfly Frame & Insert set.)
·        SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur die cutting machine
·        Graphic45TM Christmas cardstock
·        The Paper Cut™ BS204 Base Green for the frame
·        Pastels, Chalks or powered eye shadow in red, green and brown, applicators
·        Flower Soft™ Ivory or Polar White


Instructions:

1.      Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more of the Saint Nickolas paper casting. (Note: I used the upper part of the mold)
2.      When the castings are dry, color each area with the chalks. (See sample for placement)
3.      Apply ZipDry™ adhesive to the fur cuff, rim of hat and ball of hat.
4.      Sprinkle with the Flower Soft™. (I used Ivory) 
5.      Allow it to dry.
6.      Die cut and emboss a frame for each card from the green cardstock.
7.      Create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card from the G45 Christmas cardstock.


Assemble the card:

1.      Center and attach the die cut frame to the center of the card with tiny pieces of foam tape.
2.      Center and attach the Saint Nickolas paper casting inside the frame.



Add a hand written message inside the card. Hand deliver or mail in a padded envelope or shallow box.




Friday, January 1, 2016

“Dancer, Prancer & Vixen”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015



Christmas is a magical time of year; favorite stories, poems, movies and TV shows often come to mind. Think back to your childhood memories and create card using one of those memories as the theme.


Supplies:

·        Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
·        A sunny window
·        Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·        Scraps of off white, tan & brown paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·        Beacon ZipDryTM and QuickGrip™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape
·        Envelopes to fit cards
·        Scor-palTM
WestcottTM Paper trimmer
·        Dies: Tonic Gold USTM Rocco Regal Reindeer 1018E
·        SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur die cutting machine
·        Stamp: Christmas sentiment stamp (unknown manufacturer)
·        ColorBoxTM Chalk Dark Brown Ink pad, Stylus handle & white tips
·        Approx. 18 “of tiny holly garland
·        Iron

Instructions:

1.      Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more sheets of heavy weight ivory colored paper. (Create more sheets if you are going to make numerous cards…..one sheet will make 2 cards.) 
2.      When the paper is dry, iron it to make it smooth.
3.      Cut it to make two pieces 5 ½ x 8 ½”.  
4.      Create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” left side step card.
5.      Make batch of tan/brown slurry and create one or more sheets of heavy weight paper (think card stock weight).
6.      When the brown paper is dry, iron it to make it smooth.
7.      Die cut six of the reindeer for each card.
8.      Glue 3 sets of reindeer together.
9.      Use the Stylus™ handle and white tip to shade the antlers and bodies of the reindeer.
10.   Stamp the Christmas sentiment onto a scrap of the ivory handmade paper.

Assemble the card:

1.      Layer the stamped sentiment to a slightly larger piece of brown handmade paper with tiny pieces of foam between each layer.
2.      Attach the layered piece to the left side of the card.
3.      Attach small pieces of the holly garland around the reindeers’ necks and down the sides of the stamped sentiment with QuickGrip™.
4.      Attach the three reindeer to the side steps of the card with ZipDry™ adhesive.

Add a hand written message inside the card. Hand deliver or mail in a padded envelope.