Gone Fishin’ Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

I have such wonderful childhood memories of lazy afternoons just sitting and fishing with my dad. Looking back it didn’t seem to matter that I never caught anything, or would not bait my own hook. What a delight it is to take junk mail and scrapes of paper and use them to create something that not only is useful but also helps keep stuff out of the land fill! This card will be a big hit with the all the males in your life, so you might want to make several to have on hand.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• AG #552 Large Template: Envelope A2
• AG #551 Large Template:  Deckle Divider
• Scraps of white and olive green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Dried evergreen needles
• AG #163 Opal Sprinkles
• Tiny amount of Opal shred
• Mold: Fish soap mold
• 8mm clear crystal bead
• A sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, scissors, bone folder
• ColorBox™ Olive Green Chalk ink pad and Stylus handle & tip
• Beacon QuickGrab™, double sided foam tape or foam dots
  

Directions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books using the deckle divider and envelope templates to create two sheets of pale green paper.
2. Add a tiny bit of dried evergreen needles for the card sheet.
3. When the paper is dry you will have two deckle edge cards and one matching envelope (You may want to create a second envelope to use later with the extra card - just a reminder: always save the scraps and the left over pieces to use for other projects in the future).
4. Create some darker olive slurry, add a few of the Opal Sprinkles, caste the fish. (While you have the slurry, you may want to cast some other items to use for future projects. I often do many casting at a time.)
5. Since this mold is thin plastic, dry the casting in a sunny window.
6. When the casting is dry, carefully tear around the shape of the fish close to the body.
7. Use the ColorBox™ Stylist handle and tip to apply Olive Chalk ink to the raised areas on the fish.

Assemble the card:

1. Fold the card in half. Follow the folding instructions to create the handmade envelope.
2. Use the QuickGrab™ adhesive to attach a small amount of Opal shred to the front of the card and to attach the 8mm clear crystal bead to the fish’s eye.
3. Use the foam tape or dots to attach the fish casting to the center area of the card. 

Caution when mailing: you will probably need to put this one in a box so that it does not get crushed, or better yet, hand carry it and watch his eyes light up when he opens the envelope!

WHO! WHO!

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2014

I don’t usually do “cute” but fell in love with this owl from Dream Weaver and knew it would make a great “guy” card. I am also an avid “saying” collector and have pages and pages of saying that resonated with me… someday they will get sorted and put in a book, but that’s a project for another day - smile.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Scor-Pal™
• Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive, and foam tape or foam dots, double sided tape
• Scraps of tan paper and black paper (think brown paper bag, junk mail, etc.)
• Two envelopes (or make matching envelopes with the AG envelope template)
• Black frame shape left over from another project
• Embossing folder or vegetable net bag or other texture plate
• Dies: Spellbinders’ “Branching Out” S6-006, Memory Box “Woodland Branch #98187 and Dream Weaver “Nested Owls” DG751
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• “Who do you see……” computer generated verbiage (or your choice of other message)
• ColorBox Stylus™ Handle and white foam tip, Honey colored Distress™ Ink pad

Directions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one sheet of tan heavy weight paper and one sheet of heavy weight black paper.
2. When the sheets of paper are dry cut the papers to 81/2” x 5 ½”.
3. Score one of each color at 4 ¼” and fold in half to create a tan card and a black card.
4. Cut one of each left over piece to slightly smaller than 4 ¼  x 5 ½” to line the inside  front of the cards. (Always save the scraps)
5. Computer generate and print the saying. (Note - I will often do many different saying at a time and save them for later projects.)
6. Die cut the saying.
7. Die cut the owl shape from the front of each of the two cards (refer to photo for placement). Then die cuts out the “parts” and leaves the outline. Note - the “fall outs” will be used on the opposite cards (black owl on tan card, and tan owl on black card).
8. Die cut the branch from the black handmade paper scrap.
9. Emboss the tan owl fall out pieces.
10. Emboss the front of the tan card. Note - to bring out the texture and design of the embossing on the owl pieces, use the ColorBox™ Stylus™ handle with the white foam tip to lightly apply the Honey ink to the embossed paper.
11. Tint the die cut saying.
12. Attach the lining paper (black inside the tan card, tan on the inside of the black card) to the inside of the cards with ZipDry™ adhesive or double sided tape.
13. Attach the die cut verbiage to the right side of the black card with foam tape or dots.
14. Attach the embossed tan owl pieces to the left side of the card.
15. Use tiny pieces of foam tape to attach the black owl (except the feet) pieces to the tan card.
16. Place the branch at the owls’ feet, and place and attach the feet on top of the branch.
17. Attach the frame to the front of the tan card.
18. Add a personal message.

Décor Elements II

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2014


If you have been saving the scraps from your handmade paper projects or if you have some scraps left from the “Décor Elements” projects here is another great way to use them up and show off your style! This project also makes a wonderful gift, just match the papers and embellishments with the recipient’s style.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Personal paper cutter or scissors and ruler
• Scraps of white, ivory, beige, tan, and brown paper, or colors of your choice (think junk mail, brown paper bag etc.) OR scraps of neutral colors of handmade papers. (I used approx. 1/3 sheet of 5 different colors of handmade paper)
• Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive
• Disposable brush for applying the adhesive
• 5 x 7 photo mat with easel back and photo
• Embellishments: Driftwood, river stones, twigs, natural feathers rusty wire or metal shapes, dried leaves and/or pods, moss

Instructions:

1. If you do not have scraps yet, please follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create numerous sheets of neutral papers.
2. When the sheets of paper are dry, cut or tear off approx. 1/3 of each sheet. (set the larger pieces aside for future projects)
3. Separate the front and back part of the mat.
4. Tear the small sheets of handmade paper into random shapes and sizes.
5. Apply a small amount of adhesive to part of the front of the mat and cover that area with torn paper. Repeat this step using different shades and colors of paper until the front and back of the mat are covered with torn paper. Be sure to leave an opening to be able to insert the photo.
6. Set the mat aside to dry thoroughly.
7. Add whatever embellishments you desire.

Note: I have also done this project using pastel colors of handmade paper, some with flower petal inclusions, fancy fibers and handmade paper roses (check out the Lavender Roses box post for directions on making the roses).

These frames also are terrific to frame a saying or poem….match the subject to the style.

Décor Elements

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2014


In my last project I talked a bit about textures and how they are everywhere in the home décor market. I love creating my own decorative accent pieces, using my color palette and rustic style. This is a great project for using up some of those “scraps” I keep telling you to save - yep even the tiny ones can be used for this project. So let’s get started.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Personal paper cutter or scissors and ruler
• Scraps of white, ivory, beige, tan, and brown paper, or colors of your choice (think junk mail, brown paper bag etc.) OR scraps of neutral colors of handmade papers. (I used approx. 1/3 sheet of 5 different colors of handmade paper)
• Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive
• Disposable brush for applying the adhesive
• 3-5 Styrofoam™ 3” balls
• One large plastic plate or bowl
• Embellishments: Driftwood, river stones, twigs, natural feathers rusty wire or metal shapes, dried leaves and/or pods, moss

Instructions:

1. If you do not have scraps yet, please follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create numerous sheets of neutral papers.
2. When the sheets of paper are dry, cut or tear off approximately 1/3 of each sheet. (set the larger pieces aside for future projects)
3. Tear the small sheets into random shapes and sizes.
4. Apply a small amount of adhesive to part of the foam ball and cover that area with torn paper. Repeat this step using different shades and colors of paper until all balls are covered with torn paper.
5. Cover the plastic plate or bowl following the above instructions.
6. Set the balls and plate/bowl aside to dry thoroughly.
7. Wrap some of the covered balls with fine wire or rustic fibers.

Arrange the balls on the plate or into the bowl. Add whatever embellishments you desire.

Save any and all scraps for next week’s project!

Note: I have also done this project using pastel colors of handmade paper, some with flower petal inclusions. I then wrapped the covered balls with sheer narrow ribbon and/or fancy fibers and placed them in a crystal bowl of potpourri.

Terrific Textures

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2014

Texture is everywhere; heavily woven fabrics for home décor, embossed wallpaper and leather, woven baskets, and Anaglyptic tiles and bark cloth boxes are just the tip of the iceberg! How would you like to easily add some textures to your paper projects? Handmade paper embosses so easily! The embossing folders and plates available today include simple to elegant designs and are so easy to use. Follow along to create this quick and simple “thank you” card. Note - I like to create many sheets of paper at a time and emboss them with different folders to have on hand for later projects. If you don’t have access to embossing folder/plates try using the net bags that many vegetables and fruit come in. Great designs, and they are free!

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender
• Cello sponges and soft towels
• Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Scor-Pal™
• Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive, or double sided tape, foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of white and burgundy paper (think junk mail, etc.) or precut and folded burgundy card stock
• Embossing folder with swirls
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Burgundy Chalk Ink pad and Stylus™ handle with white foam tips
• “Thank You” stamp (or your choice of other message)
• 18” ½” sheer Burgundy ribbon

Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one sheet of white heavy weight paper and one sheet of heavy weight burgundy paper.
2. When the sheets of paper are dry cut the burgundy paper to 81/2” x 5 ½”.
3. Score at 4 ¼”.
4. Fold in half to create a card. Save the scrap.
5. Cut one pieces of the white handmade paper to 5 ½” x 8 ½”. 
6. Rough tear the 5 ½” edge at approx. 3”.  
7. Rough tear a second piece at approx. 3 ½”.
   Note - save the scrap to stamp the words on--and for other projects.
8. Place the 5 ½ x 3” paper inside the embossing folder and run it through the Grand Calibur™, then remove the paper from the folder.
9. To bring out the texture and design of the embossing, use the ColorBox™ Stylus™ handle with the white foam tip to lightly apply the burgundy ink to the embossed paper.
10. Attach the 3 ½” piece of white paper to the front of the folded burgundy card with ZipDry™ adhesive.
11. Tie the burgundy ribbon in a bow around the embossed piece of paper, then slide the bow to the left side.
12. Line up the paper with the top of the card and attach the paper to the card front with ZipDry™ adhesive.
13. Cut a piece of the white handmade paper large enough for the verbiage, then rough tear the bottom edge.
14. Stamp the verbiage.
15. Cut a piece of the burgundy paper a little bit longer than the white paper and attach it to the back of the stamped paper.
16. Rough tear the bottom edge of the burgundy paper.
17. Attach the verbiage with foam tape or dots to the right side of the card.

Lavender Butterfly Thank You Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts

I made this card for my “baby” sister as a small token of my thanks for everything she does for our parents--every day. After spending a week in Texas working side by side with her cleaning and rearranging our folks’ house, I’m reminded how much of a saint she is. 

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels paper cutter, scissors, Score-Pal & bone folder, ruler, utility knife and cutting pad
• Quick Grab™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of lavender colored and white paper
• White cardstock 8 ½ x 11” and scrap 2 ¾ x 1/14 (or whatever size to fit your choice of verbiage stamp)
• Dies: CheeryLynn™ Butterflies
• Butterflies and Flowers embossing folder
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Verbiage stamp
• 12 “each of 1” sheer Lavender ribbon
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pads in Lavender Blue
• ColorBox™ Stylist handle with white foam tips
• Pastel multi colored sidewalk chalks

Directions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create a sheet of medium colored lavender handmade paper. (Or use some of the left over handmade paper from the Lavender Roes Box.)
2. When the paper is dry, use the butterfly dies to cut one large and two small butterflies.
3. Cut the white card stock cut at an angle 11” long, 5 ½” on the left and 3” on the right (this will make two cards.) Use the embossing folder to emboss the card.
4. Score from the left at 4” and 7 ¾”.  Fold the card on the score lines.
5. Lightly apply the pastel sidewalk chalks to the embossed areas of the card.
6. Stamp the verbiage onto the small white piece of card stock with Lavender Blue Chalk ink.
7. Use the Stylist™ and tip to apply Lavender Blue Chalk ink to the edge of the card and verbiage piece and the three butterflies.
8. Use foam tape to attach the verbiage to the bottom of the card. Cut a small slit at the right hand fold, insert the ribbon and tie a bow. Attach the three butterflies with Beacon QuickGrab™ Adhesive.

Oak Leaf Note Pad

©Michele Emerson-Roberts

I am always on the lookout for quick and easy gifts that can be created by the dozens and used for a stocking stuffer or one of those "Ooops, I need something really fast!” encounters. This is one of those projects, and any of the Arnold Grummer paper casting molds will be great for that special occasion. I love creating tons of castings and storing them for future use and it is a great way to use up bits of left over paper pulp too.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Molds: CP Oak Leaves
• Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
• Quick Grab™ Adhesive, double sided tape
• Scraps of white paper (think white junk mail, etc.)
• 12 “of ¼ light gray ribbon
• Two pieces 3 ¼” square of marbled gray mat board
• 3” Post a Note pad
• ColorBox™ Light Gray Ink pad
• Colorbox Stylus™ tool and white foam tips

Instructions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create the oak leaves casting with white slurry.
2. Dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or place in a sunny window.
3. Use the light gray ink and Stylist tips to add a small amount of color to the casting to show the texture and detail. 

Assemble the Note Pad:

1. Use the Quick Grab adhesive to attach the ribbon to the inside of both pieces of matt board, leaving enough ribbon to allow for the thickness of the pad.
2. Use double sided tape to attach the note pad to the backing.
3. Attach the oak leaves casting to the front of the matt board.
4. Tie a bow on the side.

Celestial Duo Journals

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

What fun it was to create the two tiny journals for my sisters. I think they will be a big hit for their birthdays along with the matching cards. Now to decide who gets "love" and who gets "peace"....you would have to know them to understand what a dilemma this is.... smile.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
• Tan paper scraps, black paper scraps (added the word “paper”)
• Two small composition books
• One sheet of black 8 ½” paper  (you may have enough left from the previous week’s project)
• Spray bottle and bleach
• Tan thread
• Double sided tape or PVA adhesive
• Dies:  Memory Box Co. love and peace
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Punches: small sun and moon, large, medium and small Spirelli
• Acrylic Mat Medium, sponge brush

Directions:

1. Create one sheet of tan paper and one sheet of black paper.
2. When the handmade papers are dry, punch one each of the large, medium and small Spirelli shapes from both tan and black paper.
3. Die cut the words ‘love and peace’ from tan card stock scrap or handmade paper.
4. Punch suns and moons from the handmade paper or tan card stock scrap and black paper scrap.
5. Lay the 8 ½ x 11” black paper onto a protected surface and mist with the spray bottle of bleach. Allow the paper to dry.
6. Cover the small composition books with the bleached black paper using the double sided tape or the PVA adhesive.
7. Alternate and layer the Spirelli pieces and wrap with thread.
8. Glue the sun or moon to the center.
9. Attach one word and one Spirelli piece to the front of each of the small books.
10. Paint several coats of Acrylic Mat Medium on the covers of the books, allow it to dry between each coat.

Celestial Duo

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

My signature colors are black and tan. I love the contrast between these two neutrals. I needed two birthday cards for my sisters who are as different as night and day. It was easy to create these two perfect cards using two of my favorite molds and any of the Arnold Grummer paper making/casting kits and some scraps of paper!

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Molds: CP 627 Sundance and CP 626 Moonbeam (available from AG)
• Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
• Beacon Quick Grab™ Adhesive, double sided tape
• Scraps of tan paper (think colored junk mail, or brown paper bag, etc.)
• 1 sheet of 12 x 12” Kraft 90# card stock (I used World Win)
• 2 sheets of black 8 ½ x 11” paper
• Spray bottle and bleach
• Envelopes 6 x 6”
• Dies: CheeryLynn Center Step card, Memory Box Co. love and peace
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Punches: small sun and moon

Directions:

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 tan scraps.
2. Cast one each of the Sundance and Moonbeam molds.
3. Dry the castings in the microwave, with the heat tool, or place in a sunny window.
4. Lay the black paper on a protected surface and mist with the spray bottle of bleach. Allow the paper to dry.
5. Check the grain of the card stock to determine the layout for folding. Cut two of the center step cards from one sheet of the 12 x 12” card stock.
6. Fold the cards and use the bone folder to get a good crease.
7. Cut the card layers from the misted black paper. (Save the scrap for another project)
8. Punch two each suns and moons from tan scrap.

Assemble the cards:

1. Attach the black paper layers to the center step cards with double sided tape.
2. Attach the Sundance and Moonbeam castings to the front of the cards with Beacon Quick Grab™ adhesive.
3. Attach the words to the middle of the bottom section of the card and punched suns and moons to each side of the words.

Now to get busy and create small matching journals for them to tuck into their purses!

Pressed Flower “Blossom” Cards

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

(2 projects)

Summer is here! It’s a perfect time to start harvesting those wildflowers or blossoms from your garden and pressing them in any of the Arnold Grummer flower presses. The presses are so easy to use and the results are wonderful. The cards created with some handmade paper and pressed flowers are a special way of preserving the memories of summer.

“and then the day came when the risk to remain tight
in a bud was more painful than the risk to blossom”

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Any of the Arnold Grummer Flower Presses (take advantage of the sale this month!)
• Microwave if using either of the Mirofleur presses
• Flowers of your choice to press
• Scraps of off white and dark green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder
• Deep grape (or color to match your pressed flower) card stock 5 ½ x 8 ½” folded and envelope
• Dies:  CheeryLynn tiny leaves
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Warm Violet Ink pad (or color to match your flower)
• Stamp A Mania MH7061G “Blossom” stamp: (verbiage “and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk to blossom
• Beacon  ZipDry™ Adhesive
• Double sided foam tape or foam dots

Directions:

1. Follow the directions for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create white slurry.
2. Create one (or more) sheet of thick white handmade paper.
3. Create a sheet of dark green paper.
4. When the white sheet is dry, tear it into 4 pieces. (set the extra 3 pieces aside for other cards)
5. When the dark green sheet is dry, die cut three of the tiny leaf stems. (I always cut more leaves than I need for a project and keep them on hand for future use)
6. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer flower presses to press flowers of your choice. (I press a number of flowers at a time so that I always have some ready)

Assemble the card:

1. Attach the pressed blossom and tiny leaf sprigs with the Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive.
2. Stamp the verbiage with Chalk ink.
3. Attach the handmade paper to the card with foam tape or foam dots.
4. Add your special message to the inside of the card.

NOTE - Since the pressed flower is a bit fragile, I suggest placing some bubble wrap or thin foam packing over the front of the card before mailing it.

Any of the Arnold Grummer flower press kits would make a wonderful gift for your gardening friends!

Project 2

“Passion of Life” Pressed Daisy Card

Glorious summer wildflowers and garden flowers are everywhere and are ready to be picked and pressed in my Arnold Grummer flower press. Hundreds of blossoms can be dried in a short time and stored for future creations.

“There is no end… there is no beginning…
there is only the infinite Passion of Life”

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Any of the Arnold Grummer Flower Presses (on sale this month!)
• Microwave if using either of the Mirofleur presses
• Daisy type flower
• Scraps of off white and light green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder
• Olive green card stock 5 ½ x 8 ½” folded and envelope
• Die:  CheeryLynn tiny leaves
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Pastel Olive Chalk Ink pad
• Stamp A Mania MH7102-H “Passion of Life” stamp: (verbiage “There is no end…….. there is no beginning………there is only the infinite Passion of Life”
• Beacon  ZipDry™ and QuickGrab™ Adhesive
• Double sided foam tape or foam dots
• 8-10” of 1” sheer white ribbon
• Heat tool/gun

Directions:

1. Follow the directions for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create white slurry.
2. Create one (or more) sheet of thick white handmade paper.
3. Create a sheet of light green paper.
4. When the white sheet is dry, tear it into 4 pieces. (set the extra 3 pieces aside for other cards)
5. When the light green sheet is dry, die cut two of the tiny leaf stems. (cut more leaves than needed and keep them on hand for future projects)
6. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer flower presses to press flowers of your choice. (press extras to use on other projects later)

Assemble the card:

1. Attach the pressed blossom and two tiny leaf sprigs with the Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive.
2. Stamp the verbiage with the Olive Pastel Chalk ink.
3. Tie the ribbon into a tiny bow. Attach it to the stem area of the pressed flower with QuickGrab™ adhesive.
4. Heat the ribbon for a few seconds with the heat tool to “crinkle” the ribbon.
5. Attach the handmade paper to the card with foam tape or foam dots.
6. Add your special message to the inside of the card.
7. The pressed flower can be a bit fragile, so I suggest hand delivering the card or placing some bubble wrap or thin foam packing over the front of the card before mailing it.