Friday, March 25, 2016

“Love is the River”

© Michele Emerson-Roberts 2016


This wonderful quote stamp from Stamp A Mania is one of my favorites. Pairing it with one of my favorites dies from Tonic (and I have so many favorites) made it so easy to creating a stunning card that will sure to be a hit with the recipient! The card is beautiful in any color you may want to create it. I just happened to have some purple card stock on the table - here we go!

Supplies:

·       Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
·       A sunny window
·       Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       Scraps of ivory or white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Dies:  Tonic GoldTM US 178E Petites Acorn Swirl
·       SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur Machine
·       Purple cardstock for card base (card is 4 ¼ x 5 ½” folded)
·       Envelopes to fit card (or make your own with the AG envelope template)
·       Purple card stock scraps for die cutting
·       Tonic GoldTM US Advantage V Blade™ paper trimmer
·       Scor-Pal™
·       Beacon ZipDryTM adhesive, double sided foam tape
·       DecoArtTM Media Fluid Acrylic™ & Misters (shades of purples)
·       Clearsnap™ Purple Chalk ink pad
·       Water mister
·       Sea sponge
·       Stamp: Stamp A Mania MH7125-H
·       Iron if you want the paper smooth


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/ivory scraps.
2.     Create one or more sheets of medium weight white/ivory handmade paper.
3.     When the sheets of paper are dry, cut them to 4 x 5 ¼”. Save the extra pieces for other projects.
4.     Water down the Fluid Acrylic paints.
5.     Use the sea sponge to dab and swirl the paints onto the handmade paper pieces. (See sample.)
6.     Allow paint to dry.
7.     Die cut three acorn swirls from the purple scraps.
8.     Cut, score and fold the purple card to create a 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.


Assemble the card:

1.     Attach the painted paper to the card front with ZipDry™ adhesive.
2.     Stamp the saying “Love is the river of Life in the world” onto the right hand side of the layered card.
3.     Attach the swirls die cuts to the left side of the card with tiny pieces of foam tape.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Listen to the Whispers…….

©Michele Emerson-Roberts   2016


Valentines’ Day has come and gone but this card isn’t just for that holiday. It would be great as an any day reminder that someone is in your thoughts and is loved. Using some left over red handmade paper and one of the new Tonic dies  made it so easy to create this card.....it almost created itself. I made 6 of the cards in less than 1 hour! I know the recipients will enjoy getting them as much as I enjoyed creating them.


Supplies:

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
·       A sunny window
·       Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       Scraps of red paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Envelopes to fit cards (or make your own with the AG envelope template)
·       Medium gray card stock for cards (1 sheet will make two cards) and scraps to stamp on (or heavy weight gray handmade paper would be even better!)
·       Die: Tonic GoldTM US 185E Patchwork Perfect Everyday Squares
·       SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur die cutting & embossing machine
·       Stamp: Impression Obsession D17012 “Listen…….”
·       ColorBoxTM Chalk ink pad red (to match the red of the paper)
·       Tonic GoldTM US Advantage V Blade trimmer
·       Scor-palTM
·       Iron (if you want the handmade paper to be smooth)
·       Beacon ZipDryTM adhesive
·       Double sided foam tape or dots


Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more sheets of heavy weight red paper. Create more sheets if you are going to make numerous cards….. one sheet will make 3 cards. (Remember to always save the” left overs” which can be used for tiny flowers or even put back into the scarps for your next paper making session.)
2.     Cut and score the gray card stock to create 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" cards.
3.     Place the die at an angle on the left side front of the card, run through the machine. (Save the tiny hearts that fall out for another project)
4.     Place the die onto the other areas of the card front, and emboss the design.
5.     Die cut the large heart and some of the tiny hearts from red handmade paper.
6.     Cut the red handmade paper slightly smaller than the card front and attach it to the inside of the card front.
7.     Stamp the saying "Listen to the whispers of your heart....they are telling you a story" with red Chalk ink onto a piece of gray cardstock.
8.     Layer the saying onto a piece of red handmade paper.
9.     Attach the layered saying to the right side of the card.
10.  Glue some of the tiny red hearts various places on the card front.
11.  Write a love note inside of the card and give it to someone you love.


Sunday, March 13, 2016

Send Some Love with the Rococo Heart Dies

Featured in Blog Tonic USA

Michele Emerson-Roberts


valentine michele 1
The Valentine’s Day celebration is under way and it’s time to get the many cards that I need finished and mailed. This lovely black and red card is another quick one thanks to the wonderful Tonic dies! Try other colors….each color combination will be beautiful!
Supplies:


Instructions:
  1. Cut and score the black card stock to create a 5 x 7” card.
  2. Emboss the front of the card.
  3. Die cut two hearts and the sentiment “With Love” from red cardstock.
  4. Apply the Nuvo glue to a small sections of the heart.
  5. Sprinkle that section with Ruby Red glitter. Repeat this step for both of the heart die cuts.
  6. Cut a small slit on the left at the top fold.
  7. Insert the ribbon into the slit. Tie a bow.
  8. Insert the wire stems of the roses into the knot of the bow. Wrap the wires around the round toothpick to form coils.
  9. Overlap the glittered hearts and attach them with tiny pieces of foam tape.
  10. Glue the sentiment to the inside of the card. Write a personal love note to the one you love.

valentine michele 1 - 2

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Love is the River

Featured in Blog Tonic USA

Michele Emerson-Roberts


valentine 2

There are so many meaningful quotes available these days. This stamp from Stamp A Mania is one of my favorites. Pairing it with one of my favorites dies from Tonic (and I have so many favorites……smile) made it so easy to creating a stunning card that will sure to be a hit with the recipient!
Supplies:
  • Tonic 178E Rococo Petites Acorn Swirl
  • Tonic Advantage V Blade trimmer
  • Tonic die cut and embossing machine
  • Tonic Craft Tacky Glue, double sided foam tape
  • Deep purple and white card stock
  • Envelope to fit card
  • Purple water based ink pad
  • Water mister, sea sponge
  • Stamp: Stamp A Mania MH7125-H
  • Scoring board & tool


Instructions:
  1. Die cut three of the swirl from purple cardstock scrap.
  2. Cut and score the purple card stock to create a 4 ¼” x 5 ½” card.
  3. Mist the white cardstock with water. 
  4. Pick up a bit of purple ink from the pad with a damp sea sponge. 
  5. Dab and swirl the ink onto the damp white card stock. Allow the cardstock to dry.
  6. When the card stock is dry trim it smaller than the card. 
  7. Center and attach it to the front of the purple card front.
  8. Stamp the saying “Love is the river of Life in the world” onto the right hand side of the layered card.
  9. Attach the swirls die cuts to the left side of the card with tiny pieces of foam tape.

Friday, March 11, 2016

“Life is Beautiful…..Believe”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2016


Mixed Media” is the “buzz” word in the art world these days. Some people think that means just throw a bunch of stuff onto a substrate and call it done! Sad to say, that is exactly what it looks like too!  You still need to follow the basic elements and principles of design. The Grummer company has always championed making handmade paper using stuff that would have ended up in the trash. They have taught millions of people to make beautiful things adhering to this philosophy. Follow along to create your own piece of art. Mine is a Mother's Day gift for my mom.


Supplies:

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
·       A sunny window
·       Blender, strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       Scraps of white or off white and tan paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Heart: Southern Ridge Trading Co.TM Chipboard “Rope Heart”
·       Scraps of chip board to die cut (I used cereal boxes)
·       Dies: Couture CreationsTM  “life is beautiful” #CO724243, Ultimate Crafts™ Christmas Pageant Border #340842, and Quiet FireTM Designs “Believe”
·       SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur die cutting machine
·       Stencil: The Crafters Workshop #TCW554 BF Collage
·       Antiquing  ink pads in tans, rusts and light browns
·       ColorBoxTM Stylus handle & white tips
·       Beacon ZipDryTM Adhesive, old credit card
·       Double sided foam tape
·       Couture CreationsTM Premium Adhesive Pearls Glamorous Gold #CO724644
·       Substrate: 8 ½ x 10 ¾” box insert from clear acrylic frame (or make your own)
·       Iron

Instructions:

1.     Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create several sheets of light weight oatmeal colored speckled paper.  
2.     Before the paper is completely dry very slightly overlap the edges on the long side and press with the iron to join the sheets.
3.     Apply the ZipDry™ adhesive to the substrate (I use old credit cards as a spreader)
4.     Carefully smooth out the handmade paper, covering the top and sides of the box.
5.     Allow adhesive to dry.
6.     Apply inks around the edge of the box with the Stylus.
7.     Use the various ink colors and stencils to add designs and interest to the surface.
8.     Die cut 2 pieces of the lace border, 4 each of the word “Believe” and the words “life is beautiful” from the scraps of chipboard.
9.     Layer and glue the world and saying to create thickness.
10.  Apply a tiny bit of the ink colors to the word, saying and heart.
11.  Attach the lace border to the top of the substrate with ZipDry™ adhesive.
12.  Attach the heart to the lower left side of the box substrate with tiny pieces of foam tape.
13.  Attach the saying to the middle right with ZipDry™ adhesive.
14.  Attach the word to the lower right of the box with double side foam tape.
15.  Place a pearl on each of the round areas of the lace, the dot of the “I” in Believe and the dot of the “I” beautiful.
16.  Place three pearls on the left top side of the Rope Heart and the v and point of the heart. (Don’t you just LOVE this heart from Southern Ridge Trading CO? I can’t wait to create more projects with their wonderful products - all made from clean recycled paper! Arnold would love the company.)

Friday, March 4, 2016

“Hummingbird Dance”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2016

Even though we just got an inch of snow, the temperatures are starting to warm up and buds are starting to form on the fruit trees. It is time to start thinking SPRING! I'm looking forward to warmer weather. I really do not like to be cold! This all occasion card can be used for many different occasions and can easily be made by the dozen! The addition of the handmade paper makes it special.

Supplies:

·       Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
·       A sunny window
·       Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
·       Scraps of ivory or white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
·       Dies: CheeryLynnTM B194 "Lace Hummingbird" and Tattered Lace: D564 "Dance"
·       SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur™ Machine
·       Black cardstock for card base (card is 5 x 7” folded)
·       Envelopes to fit card
·       Black scraps for die cutting
·       WestcottTM paper trimmer & scissors
·       Scor-Pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8th version!)
·       Beacon ZipDryTM adhesive
·       DecoArtTM Media Fluid Acrylic™ & Mister (shades of purples)
·       Sea sponge
Iron (if you want the paper smooth)

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/ivory scraps.
2.     Create one or more sheets of medium weight white/ivory handmade paper.
3.     When the sheets of paper are dry, cut them to 4 ½ x 6 ¾". (Save the extra pieces for other projects.)
4.     Water down the Fluid Acrylic paints.
5.     Use the sea sponge to dab and swirl the paints onto the handmade paper pieces. (See sample.)
6.     Allow paint to dry.
7.     Die cut the Hummingbird and words from the black scraps.
8.     Score and fold the card.
9.     Assemble the card:
10.  Attach the painted paper to the card front with ZipDry™ adhesive.
11.  Attach the die cut Hummingbird to the top middle of the painted paper.
12.  Attach words to the lower middle of the painted paper.