Pheasant Fathers Day Card

 ©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

I have the best “dad” in the world!  I wanted to make a special card for him for father’s day to remind him how special he is to me. He and mom have always liked to go for walks and watch the birds they would see along the way. I remembered a story of them seeing a beautiful pheasant many years ago and knew this mold would be perfect.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer’s paper making kits
• Pheasant acrylic paper weight (look around….you might be surprised at how many “molds” you already have!)
• A sunny window, heat gun or microwave oven
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Dies: Happy Father’s Day from CheeryLynn
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Westcott™ paper trimmer
• Scor-Pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8^th version!)
• Scor-Tape™
• Envelope to fit card
• Beacon QuickGrip™ and ZipDry™ adhesive
• 6 x 5 ½” medium blue precut matt and backing

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 pheasant molds, dry the castings in a microwave oven, with a heat gun or place it in a sunny window.
3. Create a sheet of heavy weight handmade paper.
4. When the paper is dry, cut, score and fold to make a 5 ½ x 6 ¼” card.
   Remember to always save the scraps.
5. Die cut the words from the scraps of handmade paper.
6. Attach the pheasant casting to the matt backing with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
7. Attach the matt to the backing with Scor-Tape™.
8. Attach the words to the bottom of the matt with ZipDry™ adhesive.
9. Attach the matt to the front of the card with Scor-Tape™.

Dragonflies Kaleidoscope

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

As you may know I love dragonflies! I use dragonfly images in a lot of my creative endeavors.

I also love kaleidoscopes and wanted to combine the two things to create this project. It will have a special place in my art room, and will serve as a reminder to me to slow down, savor and enjoy a few peaceful minutes. 

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white (think junk mail, etc.)
• Iridescent paper scrap
• Westcott™ personal paper cutter, scissors
• Scor-Tape™, foam tape or foam dots, Beacon QuickGrip™ adhesive
• 12”  each of narrow picot & ½” sheer white ribbon
• Several dragonfly stamps
• Beige ink pad
• Clear embossing powder
• Heat gun
• Iron
• Purchased (child’s) paper kaleidoscope
• 6” of gold colored thin wire, round tooth pick
• BowEasy™

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to make white slurry.
2. Create a sheet of handmade paper.
3. Iron the paper to make it smooth.
4. Randomly stamp the dragonfly images onto the paper.
5. Emboss the images with clear embossing powder and the heat gun.
6. Stamp at least one dragonfly onto scrap paper.
7. Layer it with the iridescent paper on the wings and hand cut both.
8. Wrap the wire around the tooth pick.
9. Remove the wire from the pick and stretch it out.
10. Fold the wire in half and attach the antenna to the head of the cut out dragonfly with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
11. Measure and cut the stamped paper. You will want a bit of overlap.
12. Wrap the stamped and cut paper around the kaleidoscope and attach it with Scor-Tape™.
13. Use the Bow-Easy™ to tie both ribbons into a small bow.
14. Attach the bow and the cut out dragonfly to the turn area of the kaleidoscope with QuickGrip™ adhesive.

Rustic Card Trio

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

I have never been a “glitzy” person…. no “BLING” for me! I am understated with what I create, what I wear and how I decorate. I needed cards for two friends who are moving into retirement centers and another friend who is getting married. Follow along to see how I created the three cards for them.

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Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• A sunny window or traditional oven
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of ivory & brown paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Dies:  3 different types of “label dies” to layer
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Westcott™ paper trimmer & scissors
• Scor-Pal™ (LOVE the new 1/8^th version!)
• Envelopes to fit cards
• Beacon QuickGrip™ and ZipDry™ adhesive, double sided foam tape or dots
• Verbiage stamps (or computer generate the message)
• ColorBox chalk to correspond with the paper colors
• 1/2” sheer Ivory ribbon, picot edged ribbon
• Short “nubby” twigs, flower centers
• Iron

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 ivory scraps.
2. Create one or more sheets of heavy weight ivory handmade paper. Save the left over slurry.
3. Iron the paper to make it smooth. 
4. Cut, score and fold half of the sheet to make one 4 ¼ x 5 ½” card.
5. Die cut the other half of the paper with the label dies (refer to photo). Remember to always save the scraps.
6. Create brown slurry and make several sheets of heavy weight brown paper. Save the left over slurry.
7. Iron the paper to make it smooth. Cut, score and fold two cards.
8. Die cut some labels from the brown paper in different sizes to layer with the ivory labels.
9. Combine the left over paper slurry (do not over mix it….you want it to be mottled) and create a sheet of paper.
10. Iron it to make it smooth.
11. Cut it to 4” x5 ¼”.
12. Attach it to the front of the ivory card front with ZipDry™ adhesive.
13. Stamp the verbiage onto the smallest label die cut piece.
14. Layer the labels die cuts with foam tape between each layer.
15.  Add the ribbon bows to the fronts of the cards.
16. Attach the flower center or twigs with QuickGrip™ adhesive before tying the bows.

I think my friends will enjoy receiving  the cards as much as I did creating them.

Raining Cats & Dogs Fan Book

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

This is another in the series of the AG “52 Card Fan” books. This will make the perfect gift for a girlfriend who will someday be known as the "Crazy Cat Lady". This little book will be filled with "kitty/cat" quotes and cartoons. I know, only those of us who love cats will understand..... smile. I will be using scraps of handmade paper saved from previous projects, whoever you follow along with the instructions below on how to make your own paper in the event you don't have scraps.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• A sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott™ Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Beacon QuickGrip™ Adhesive
• Scor-Tape™
• Scraps of ivory and rust colored paper (think junk mail, left over cardstock scrap, etc.)
• One  AG 3 1/2" square Mini Fan Book
• Verbiage stamps, and rusty orange ink pad or computer generated quotes or sayings, cartoons
• Dies: Cats- Poppy/Memory Box™, "Grace" Frantic Stamper Inc.
•  Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur™ die cutting & embossing machine
•  Cat & dog footprints embossing folder
•  G 45 "Raining Cats & Dogs' card stock
• Rusty orange acrylic paint
• 1/4" round hole punch

   Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create ivory slurry.
2. Create a sheet of thick ivory paper (think card stock weight)
3. Create rusty orange slurry.
4. Create a sheet of thick rusty orange paper.
5. When the papers are dry, die cut the word "Grace" and several of the cats from the thick ivory paper.
6. Die cut several of the cats from the rusty orange paper.
7. Cut one piece of the rusty orange paper 3 1/2" square for the back cover.
8. Emboss the back cover paper with the cats/dogs foot prints folder.
9. Cut a piece of the G45 "Raining Cats & Dogs" card stock 3 1/2" square for the front cover.
10. Remove the screw hinge and pages from the book.
11. Use the Scor-Tape™ to attach the front and back cover papers..
12. Stamp the saying onto the pages (or print out verbiage using your computer and printer, then cut and glue the printed sayings to the pages.) NOTE: make sure the verbiage is all oriented the same. (My book is landscape oriented and has the hinge on the top left.)
13. Punch the 1/4 hole in the cover papers.
14. Dab a tiny bit of the paint onto the screw post. Allow it to dry.

Note - to save time, if you are making several of these books, die cut and stamp or print all of the sayings at once. You can always assemble them later when you need a quick gift.

For those who are "dog people" just change the word and animal dies.

Reassemble the fan book: 

1. Reassemble the fan book arranging the quotes, sayings and cartoons as desired.
2. Attach the “Grace” die cut to the upper right corner of the cover with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
3. Layer and attach the cats to the bottom of the cover.

Peach Pyramid Box

Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

The color peach is one of my favorites, along with cinnamon, rust and sienna. I always feel peaceful when I am working with those colors, so I do a lot of my creating for myself with the earthy tones of nature. The little favor box is an easy one to create, and is always a welcome gift along with the contents.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott™ personal paper cutter & scissors
• Beacon ZipDry™ Adhesive
• Scraps of peach and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• Peach Liquid potpourri or body splash
• Star die (or whatever shape you desire)
• Spellbinders™ Grand Calibur die cutting & embossing machine
• Swirly embossing folder
• BowEasy™
• Scor-Pal™ 1/8" round hole punch
• 12" of 1/2" sheer peach ribbon
• Star brad (or shape to match the die)

Instructions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create one sheet each of heavy weight light and medium colored peach paper. Add a few drops of scent to the slurry before pouring each sheet.
2. When the paper is dry create a simple fold over Pyramid box from the light colored peach paper. Score before folding and gluing the sides. Leave one side open.
3. Die cut two stars from the medium colored peach paper and one star from the light colored peach paper.
4. Emboss the tree stars.
5. Punch a round hole on the open side of the box and at the top of the three stars.
6. Tie a small bow.
7. Attach the bow above the punched hole in the box.
8. Insert the star brad into the hole at the top of the stars and into the hole on the open side of the box.
9. Place the favor or gift inside the box and close the box.

Place the gift into the box and watch for the smiles when it is presented.

Note - always save the scraps and extra pieces to use in creating future projects! 

Angel Bottle

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

I love this angel mold and made several extra full castings the day I made the casting for the Angel Baby card (where I used only a part of the mold). A dear friend that I will be visiting next month has a beautiful guest bathroom done in shades of royal blue with lots of blue glass bottles, jars etc. She is also a collector of Angels.

I purchased this decretive heart shaped bottle several years ago and it will be the perfect hostess gift with the addition of the Angel casting.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• AG Cotton Press Angel casting mold
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.) 
• Microwave, traditional oven, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott® scissors
• BowEasy™
• Beacon QuickGrip™  & ZipDry™ Adhesives
• 24” of ½” iridescent royal blue ribbon
• Iridescent glitter
• Pastels, chalks or powdered eye makeup and applicators (tiny still brushes or cotton swabs)
• Tiny bit of dried Baby’s Breath

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, a traditional oven, with a heat tool or in a sunny window.
4. When the casting is dry, use the chalks to very lightly add color to the angel’s cheeks, mouth, eyes, hair and flowers.
5. Apply a thin coat of ZipDry™ adhesive to the angle’s wings and the flowers in her hair.
6. Sprinkle the clear iridescent glitter onto the wings and the flowers.
7. Set aside to dry.
8. Attach the angel casting to the front of the bottle with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
9. Use the BowEasy™ to tie a multi loop bow. Attach the bow and a tiny bit of Baby’s Breath to the neck of the bottle.

I will pick up a small bottle of Potpourri oil to add to the gift. I think she will enjoy the gift as much as I did creating it!

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.