CHA 2015 Paper Arts Blog Hop - Graphic 45 “Artisan Style”

©Michele Emerson-Roberts May 2015

I was delighted to be asked to participate in the 2015 CHA Paper Arts blog hop and loved getting to work with one of my favorite companies. The Graphic 45 (G45) “Artisans Style” Collection is gorgeous! With so many stunning papers to choose from it was hard to decide which ones to use. I picked three of the papers that “spoke to me” the loudest….. smile.

Supplies:

• G45 “Artisan Collection” card stock
   #4501106 “Creative Ideal”
  #44501111 “Attention to Detail”
  #4501106 “Craftsmanship”
• Black card stock for card bases
• Two ”parent sheets” of black card stock for the “match box” style card containers
• Card stock: olive greens, turquoise, gold, kraft, ivory, metallic copper, rusty red
• Beacon QuickGrip™ & ZipDry™ adhesives, double sided foam tape or dots
• Scor-Tape™
• Black permanent marker
• Envelopes for 5 x 7” and 4 ¼ x 5 ½” cards
• Approx. 18” of ½” wide sheer black ribbon
• Rusty red thread and needle

Tools:

• Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur II™ die cutting and embossing machine
• Dies: Gate, large bench, large dragonfly, medium & small peacock feathers, Bamboo, window:  Spellbinders.
• Open peacock feather, tiny birds, “Thanks” & “Peace”:  Impression Obsession.
• Half medallion: Nellie’s 
• Small & medium dragonflies, peacock & small words, tiny flourish: CheeryLynn
• Tricycle, fern leaves & spiky leaves, small bench: other companies.
• Various embossing folders
• Small utility knife and cutting mat
• Scor-Pal Eights™
• Westcott® personal paper trimmer and small scissors

Instructions:

Note: Refer to the photos for colors, placement and dies used for each card.

1. Cards are cut 8 ½ x 5 ½” scored and folded to create eight 4 ¼ x 5 ½ “cards and 10 x 7” scored and folded to create eight 5 x 7 cards.
2. All card fronts are embossed.
3. Use the black permanent marker to color the edges of all the G45 card panels.
4. All G45 card panels are elevated with foam tape pieces or foam dots.
5. The peacock feathers are layered and have tiny slivers of foam tape between each feather.
6. Use the small utility knife & cutting mat to cut slots around printed areas so that the leaves are coming from behind a flower or birds heads.
7. Add a tiny bit of ZipDry™ adhesive to the stems before inserting the stems into the slots.
8. Tiny birds & words are attached with ZipDry™ adhesive.
9. The half medallion is attached with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
10. All other die cuts are elevated with tiny pieces of foam tape or dots.
11. Center Iris is fussy cut and has several layers elevated with foam tape.

“Attention to Detail”

5” x 7” cards:

Card #1: “Sign” Attach the 3 tiny birds on the right side of the card. Attach the large bench with tiny pieces of foam tape at the bottom right of the card.
Card #2: “Door” Attach the window to the lower front of card with foam tape.
Card # 3: “Single Peacock” Layer the 3 small feathers with foam tape between the feathers. Attach the layered small feathers to the top middle of the card with foam tape.
Card #4: “Flowers” Cut a small slit around the hanging  flowers, add adhesive to the fern leaf stems and insert into the slot. Attach the gate to the lower bottom of card with foam tape.

4 ¼” x 5 ½” cards:

Card # 1: “Create” Attach the small words with ZipDry™ adhesive.
Card # 2: “Peace” Attach the word “peace” with ZipDry™ adhesive. Attach the medium dragonfly to the right top corner with foam tape.
Card#3: “Thanks” Attach the word “thanks” with ZipDry™ adhesive. Attach the small dragonfly to the upper right corner with foam tape.
Card#4: “Details” Attach the half medallion to the middle bottom with QuickGrip™ adhesive.

“Creative Ideal”

5” x 7” cards:

Card #1: “Floral House” Cut a small slot behind the large flower and stem. Add a tiny bit of ZipDry™ adhesive to the leaf stems and insert into the slots. Attach the tricycle with foam tape.
Card #2: “Iris” Cut small slots around the bird’s heads. Apply tiny amounts of ZipDry™ adhesive to the spiky leaf stems and insert behind the bird’s heads. Fussy cut layers of the center Iris, layer and attach with foam tape.
Card # 3: “Peacock Pair” Layer the 3 feathers with foam tape between the feathers. Attach the layered feathers to the bottom left with foam tape.
Card # 4: “Large Peacock” Layer the large feathers with foam tape between the feathers. Attach the layered feathers to the bottom right with foam tape.

4 ¼” x 5 ½” cards:

Card # 1: "Ivory Alphabet” Attach the Peacock with foam tape.
Card # 2: “Door” Attach the small bench to the bottom left of the card with foam tape. Apply a tiny amount of ZipDry™ adhesive to the ends of the tiny leaf flourishes and place them behind the small bench.
Card # 3: “Black Alphabet” Attach the large dragonfly to the bottom right of the card with foam tape.
Card # 4: “Artisan” Attach the bamboo die cut the bottom left of the card with tiny pieces of foam tape.

 “Craftsmanship” Instructions:

1. Create two matchbook type boxes large enough for your two sizes of cards to fit into.
   Note: add an extra ½” to the measurements so the cards have room.
2. Cut the boxes from “parent sheets” of card stock or poster board.
3. Score the fold lines.
4. Assemble the boxes with Scor-Tape.
5. Fussy cut the door, gate, dragonfly, & large words motifs from the G45 “Craftsmanship” card stock.
6. Attach the door, gate and dragonfly with foam tape.
7. Cut small panels to fit the sides of the lid and the ends of the drawers.
8. Attach the panels and words with Scor-Tape.
9. Attach the ribbon drawer pulls with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
10. Place the cards into their boxes

WIN $500!
Follow the CHA Paper Arts+ Blog Hop all week on the CHA Blog for updates on new designer blog posts and projects. There will be a “password” at the end of each designer blog post. Make sure you keep track of all of the “passwords.” At the end of the hop you’ll need to use the “passwords” to form a phrase.

The first two people to tweet CHA @Craftandhobby the correct phrase will win:

1st Prize: $500 toward travel to the Paper Arts+ Show (trade only)

2nd Prize: $25 AMEX gift card

Don’t forget, registration is now open for the CHA Paper Arts+ Show in Chicagoland where you’ll see, touch and learn about product, like the ### that was donated for this Blog Hop by Graphic 45.  Paper Arts+ is A CRAFT FUSION experience with exhibits offering everything from paper to jewelry to mixed media materials.  The industry will be there looking for fourth quarter trends and new product SKUs. Members attend for FREE! For more information and to register, visit www.craftandhobby.org/paperarts.

ABC Zig Zag Book

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

Yes, I admit it, I have a TON of word stamps! I have collected them for years, and this project was the perfect venue to use them. This kit from Arnold Grummer made the project go together quickly. How many words can you think of for each letter in the alphabet?

 Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Beacon QuickGrab™ Adhesive
• Scor-Tape™
• Scraps of black paper (think junk mail, left over cardstock scrap, etc.)
• One or more of AG  #2732 Original Zig Zag Book kit or kits or #2782 Tall Zig Zag Book kit or kits
• Verbiage stamps and black ink pad
• ColorBox™ Stylus™ handle and soft tip
• Dies: Spellbinders’ Shazam alphabet set
• Die cut machine: Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur
• Thin strong black cord
• Alphabet beads

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create black slurry.
2. Create several sheets of thick black paper.
3. When the papers are dry, die cut the letters.
4. Follow the instructions provided with the book kits to assemble the books.
5. Add the black die cut alphabet letters to the left hand pages.
6. Stamp the words on the right hand pages.
7. Use the ColorBox Stylus™ to antique around the outside edges of the covers and pages.
8. Add the cord and beads as the book’s closure.

Sea and Sand Journal

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

Did you know that Arnold Grummer has wonderful blank books that can be used for photo albums, journals, guest books or scrapbooks? They are called “Books a' la Carte” and come with great instructions. They are easy to assemble, and make terrific gifts for any occasion. I have used the “Photo Album” set for today’s project. This will be a birthday gift for a dear friend who loves the ocean. The book will be filled with sketches, poems and saying about the sea.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott™ paper trimmer & scissors
• Scraps of ivory or off white, taupe and tan paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Dried crushed leaves or old spices
• Arnold Grummer’s #2720 “Books a' la Carte” kit
• Raffia for binding (I wanted a different thread than came with the kit)
• Large eyed needle
• Scor-Tape
• Beacon QuickGrip™ adhesive
• Tiny sea shells
• Drift wood stick
• ColorBox Chalk™ charcoal black ink pad
• Sea themed rubber stamp
• Alcohol markers: medium blue, dark red, medium brown
• Iron if you want the paper to be smooth

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create 3 sheets of off-white handmade paper. (I added a tiny bit of spices to the slurry to create speckles in the paper.) 
2. Create 2 sheets of tan paper, adding lots of crushed leaves and/or spices to the slurry. (I wanted these sheets of paper to look like sand.)
3. Create 2 sheets of taupe handmade paper.
4. When the off-white and taupe papers are dry, iron them to make them smooth.
5. Adhere the taupe paper to the front and back covers with Scor-tape. Trim off the excess paper.

Refer to the photo for layering and placement.

6. Cut a sheet of the off white paper to fit the cover, leaving a border, and attach the paper with Scor-tape.
7. Cut a piece of tan paper a tiny bit smaller than the off-white paper, and layer it on top of the off-white paper.
8. Cut a second piece of off-white paper leaving a tiny border and layer next.
9. Cut a second piece of tan paper and tear the bottom edge - layer and attach.
10. Cut a third piece of off-white paper and tear the bottom edge - layer and attach.
11. Stamp the sea scene onto the off-white paper with the ColorBox Chalk™ ink.
12. Use the alcohol markers to color in the sky, sea, chair and blanket.
13. Bind the book with the drift wood stick.
14. Tie several short pieces of raffia around the stick.
15. Attach the tiny sea shells with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
16. Fill the books with sketches, thoughts and quotes about the sea!

Three Really Quick Cards

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

WOW! Easter sure snuck up on me this year, and along with two friends’ birthdays that I didn’t have listed on my calendar, I have run out of time!. Thanks to Arnold Grummer’s wonderful paper casting molds and extra castings that I always make when I have the supplies out - not to worry! I was able to complete the three cards in a jiffy.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Molds: R192 Song bird, 412 Rosebud and Celtic Cross (available from AG)
• A sunny window or traditional oven
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white or ivory paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Scraps of light colored handmade paper or scraps of card stock (for die cutting the words)
• Dies:  3 different Doilies, Happy Birthday, and Quietfire Designs™ “Believe”
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Westcott™ paper trimmer
• Scor-Pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8^th version!)
• Three center step cards created with G45™ cardstock
• Envelopes to fit cards
• Powdered eye shadow or chalks and applicators (small stiff brushes work best)
• Beacon QuickGrip™ and ZipDry™ adhesive, double sided 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 white scraps.
2. Cast one (or more) of the three molds
3. Dry the castings in a traditional oven or place in a sunny window.
4. Create several sheets of handmade paper.
5. When the paper is dry die cut the three different doilies. Remember to always save the scraps.
6. Die cut the verbiage from scraps of handmade paper or scraps of card stock.
7. Create three center step cards from the G45 card stock.
8. Refer to the photos for coloring, then color the castings with the eye shadow or chalks.

Assemble the cards:

1. Attach the castings to the middle of the doilies with QuickGrip™ adhesive or double sided foam tape or dots.
2. Attach the doilies to the center top of the step cards with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
3. Attach the verbiage with ZipDry™ adhesive.
4. Add your message to the inside of the card.
5. Hand deliver or mail in a padded envelope.

Inspirational Cards

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

I mail about 50 inspirational handmade cards a month and like to make them in batches. I will often gather up scraps left over from other handmade paper projects and use them in the creation of the new cards. If I am short on time I will use card stock as the card base and use the handmade papers as the accents. If you have been following the blog, you know that I always save my scraps….but in case you don’t have any handmade paper scraps, the instructions below will walk you through the process. I ran across these sentiment stamps from JustRite™ stamps and think they will be perfect for March’s batch of cards.

 

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Scraps of dark gold, tan, burgundy and olive green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott® paper cutter & scissors,
• X-acto knife and cutting mat
• Score-Pal™
• Dies:  Spellbinders™ various decretive square designs
• Embossing folders
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• White card stock for card bases and scraps to stamp
• Envelopes for 4 ¼ x 5 ½ cards or use the AG template to create your own envelopes.
• Double sided foam tape or foam dots
• ½” sheer ribbon to match your handmade paper colors
• ColorBox Chalk™ Ink pads in colors to match your handmade paper colors
• Sentiment stamps of choice

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create the colored slurry.
2. Create one (or more) sheet of thick paper per color.
3. When the sheets of colored paper are dry, die cut the decorative square shapes.
4. Cut, score and fold the white card stock to make A2 cards.
5. Emboss the front of the cards with the folders and Grand Calibur machine.
6. Stamp the sentiments onto scraps of white cardstock.
7. Cut to fit the die cut decorative squares.

Assemble the cards:

1. Cut a small slit in the left top fold of the embossed card front and then insert the ribbon through the slit, then tie a bow.
2. Attach the stamped sentiments to the decorative squares with tiny pieces of foam tape.
3. Attach the decorative squares to the right side of the cards with tiny pieces of foam tape.

The sentiments on this set of JustRite™ stamps will be perfect to cheer up the recipients:

   “Once you choose hope…anything is possible”

   “Every day holds the possibility of a miracle”

   “Hope is the last thing ever lost”

   “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising ever time we fall.”

FYI, I created 10 of each of the cards: 5 people times 4 weeks will be used in March….the others will be set aside for future use. Hmmm….oh dear…. I forgot all about the March birthdays………. smile.

Happy Birthday Medallion Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

I have a close friend who is simply elegant in all that she does. Perhaps “classy” is a better word to describe her. I needed to create a special birthday card for her that would be elegant and classy. Her favorite colors are peach and burgundy. I hope you will like the card as much as she did.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Mold: the bottom of a glass bowl (secretly barrowed from her china cabinet) 
• Heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, scissors, bone folder
• Beacon Quick Grip™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of peach and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• One 6 x12” Burgundy  90# card stock folded in half (I used World Win)
• Envelope for a 6 x 6” card
• Dies: Spellbinders™ Circles, CherryLynn Doily
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pads in Peach and Stylist handle with white foam tips
• Happy Birthday stamp
• 18” each of peach and burgundy 1” sheer ribbon
• Spray bottle and water

Instructions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create one sheet each of light, medium and dark peach paper.
2. When paper is dry cut the doily from the dark colored peach paper.
3. Cut a large circle from the light peach paper (smaller than the doily).
4. Turn the bowl bottom up, lay this circle onto the bottom of the bowl and mist heavy with water.
5. Follow the directions for casting.
6. Dry the casting with the heat tool or in a sunny window.
7. When it is dry use the Stylist tool and foam tips to add a tiny amount of peach ink to bring out the texture of the casting.
8. Stamp happy birthday onto the light peach paper.
9. Use the small circle die to cut the sentiment.
10. Cut a slightly larger circle from the medium colored peach paper.

Assemble the card:

1. Attach the sentiment to the medium colored peach circle with Beacon Quick Grab™ adhesive.
2. Attach this to the center of the casting with foam tape.
3. Attach the casting to the doily with the adhesive.
4. Attach the doily to the front of the card with foam tape.
5. Tie a double bow with the ribbons.

Angel Baby Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015


A close neighbor friend is expecting a new addition to their family. Knowing it will be a little girl gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of the Arnold Grummer’s Cotton Press Angel molds for a “welcome to the world little one” card to include with the baby gift. I will be framing the card for them later as an extra bonus. It will be a beautiful addition to her room.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• AG Cotton Press Angel casting mold
• Scraps of white and pale grey blue paper (think junk mail, etc.)  Note - I matched the paint color they used in the baby’s room for the card background layer.
• Microwave, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott® Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Scor-Pal™
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Die: Spellbinders S5-198 Tapestry
• Beacon QuickGrip™ & ZipDry™ Adhesive, & double sided tape, foam tape or foam dots
• 24” of 1 ½” sheer Iridescent White ribbon
• Clear Iridescent glitter
• White card stock scored and folded to make a 5 x 7” card
• ½ sheet of white card stock for the die cut or create sheets of handmade paper to use for the card and die cut
• Envelope for 5 x 7” card
• Pastels, chalks or powdered eye makeup and applicators (cotton swabs)

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create white slurry.
2. Create one (or more to use later) of the angle castings.
3. Dry the casting in the microwave, with a heat tool or in a sunny window.
4. Create pale blue grey slurry (or color of your choice), then create one sheet of heavy weight paper.
5. When the sheet of pale blue grey paper is dry cut it to 4 ½ x 6 ½” (save the scrap for a future project)
6. When the casting is dry, use the chalks to very lightly add color to the angel’s cheeks, mouth, eyes, hair and flowers.
7. Apply a thin coat of ZipDry™ adhesive to the angle’s wings.
8. Sprinkle the clear iridescent glitter onto the wings, and set aside to dry.
9. Cut the Tapestry die from the ½ sheet of card stock.

Assemble the card:

1. Layer and attach the Tapestry die cut to the pale blue gray paper with small pieces of foam tape or dots.
2. Cut the ribbon in half.
3. On the left side of the layers, attach the two pieces of ribbon to the back of the layers with Quick Grip™ adhesive.
4. Allow the adhesive to dry.
5. Tie a multi loop bow.
6. Attach the layers to the center of the folded card with small pieces of foam tape or dots.
7. Attach the angel casting to the right side of the card with QuickGrip™ adhesive.

I added the message “Welcome to the world little one” to the inside of the card.

Cherub Votive

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

Spring is just around the corner and things are beginning to bud here in SE AZ. We are lucky to have lots of sunshine and a long growing season. Thinking ahead to the delicious fruit and vegetables that my husband Charles grows every year inspired this project. I have a perfect place for it on the dining room sideboard.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Arnold Grummer Cotton Press Cherub casting mold
• Microwave, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Pastels, chalks or powered eye shadow (if you want to add a tiny bit of color) and applicator (cotton swab)
• Faux fruit candle ring
• Long steamed wine glass
• Battery operated votive candle
• Beacon QuickGrip™ Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to cast two of the Cherub molds.
2. When the castings are dry use the pastels, chalks or powdered eye shadow to very lightly apply color to the casting. I chose to leave mine white.
3. Place the faux fruit ring around the bottom of the wine glass.
4. Use the QuickGrip™ to attach the two cherubs to the glass.
5. Place the battery votive candle into the glass.

Note: I always make extras when doing paper castings so that I have them on hand when I need a fast gift. I have also created the votive candle holder with fall or holiday themes - BEAUTIFUL!