Paper Crafter's Library – Page 44 – A world of creativity at your fingertips

Mixed Media Monday: “Focus and Listen” Video Tutorial

Happy Monday everyone! Welcome to another edition of Art Journal Express brought to you by Andrea from her personal blog The Art of Simple.

Art Journal Express is a weekly video tutorial series she created for her personal blog The Art of Simple. Each week on Monday she posts a video tutorial on how she created one of her art journal pages from start to finish. Because a typical art journal page takes between 20 minutes to an hour for her to create – which makes for a super long video to upload to You Tube, and for you to watch – the video clips are sped up, rather than having you watch what she’s doing in real time – hence the word “express” in Art Journal Express. However, what makes these video tutorials different from most of the “sped up” art journaling video tutorials out there is that Andrea narrated for you exactly what she’s doing and what she’s using – that way, even though you’re watching a “fast forward” version, you don’t miss a single detail.

The videos are hosted on a You Tube Channel that is separate from the Paper Crafter’s Library You Tube Channel, so if you don’t want to miss a single edition of Art Journal Express please subscribe to that You Tube Channel (you can do so from the video tutorial page from today’s post).

Today’s page is called “Focus and Listen” – shown below. You can watch a video tutorial HERE.

Freebie Friday: The Sky’s The Limit Card

Happy Friday everyone! We are thrilled to bring back our Freebie Friday feature here on the Paper Crafter’s Library blog. Each Friday here on the blog, we will have a special something for you. It might be a project, an element that you can print and use in your scrapbooking/card making, a cut file to use in an electronic die cutting machine, a short technique video or a video introducing you to a product.

You will also see regular freebies on some of our social media and other channels. These freebies will all be different – so to collect all the freebies you will need to check us out here on the Paper Crafter’s Library blog on Fridays, Andrea’s blog on Thursdays, subscribe to our newsletter (which comes out on Fridays) and like our Facebook page. You won’t want to miss out, so if you are not on our newsletter list, be sure to sign up from the right hand side bar of this blog. If you haven’t liked our Facebook page be sure to do that too!

Make sure you check these three sources regularly as any elements and cut files that we give away will ONLY be available for one week and then will be moved to the Paper Crafter’s Library store as well as the Paper Crafter’s Library member area.

The Sky’s The Limit Card Featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies

In today’s card we break out some fun product from Lawn Fawn – the Blue Skies stamp set and coordinating dies. The card features a paper piecing technique – a great way to add color to an outline image without actually having to color it in.

Download the pdf handout here

If you’re currently not a member of Paper Crafter’s Library, we encourage you to take a look at the benefits of membership. Along with our existing video library of over 2000 videos, you’ll receive daily inspiration, great project ideas, fun techniques, instruction on how to use your products and more! For more information and to join, click here.

Have a great weekend!

Featured Artist/Designer: Maureen Merritt

Today on the Paper Crafter’s Library blog, we’re continuing our weekly featured artist spotlight whereby each week we spotlight a different artist/designer in the paper crafting & mixed media world and introduce you to their fabulous work.

Today we’re thrilled to welcome Maureen Merritt.

Before we show you Maureen’s project, let’s get to know her a little bit more…

Hi! I’m Maureen Merritt, a wife and mom living in Northeastern Pennsylvania with our three Siberian cats. I love nature and being organized, VERY organized. I often say, “I live my life like I make my cards, clean & simple”. Admittedly, I’m a perfectionist. I truly found my passion when I discovered stamping over 7 years ago. Clean & Simple is my style, but I admire all styles of design. When I’m not stamping, you can find me cleaning (haha), hiking with my family, doing Tae Kwon Do with my oldest son (we just received our brown belts!) or snuggled up with my iPad watching Netfilx. I’m so honored to have been chosen as the Featured Artist this week at Paper Crafters Library!!!

Just Because Card

Keeping cards CAS is easy, if you have a few tricks in your back pocket! My motto, “Add interest without adding layers!” There are many ways to do this, here I show you two.

This card initially began as a one layer card, but I thought my stamping was a bit too far off to the right. To balance the design and not add layers, I went below the card front by cutting a half inch off the edge of the card and adding a coordinating strip of cardstock to the inside of my card. This not only adds interest to the front of the card, it finishes off the inside too!

For even more interest, I added two strips of sticky strip to the bottom of my card, then pulled off the backing and cover them with glitter. This not only adds a little sparkle & shine, it also grounds my images and sentiments!

I hope you use some of these tricks the next time you make a CAS card!

Supplies:

Stamps: Contemporary Roses (My Favorite Things)
Ink: Hibiscus Burst, True Black (Papertrey Ink) Rose Red, Old Olive, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant (Stampin’ Up)
Paper: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder (Stampin’ Up)
Accessories: Contemporary Roses Die-namics (My Favorite Things) Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (Stampin’ Up) Scor-Tape

We hope you have enjoyed today’s project courtesy of Maureen Merritt. Also, be sure to stop by Maureen’s blog, Facebook Page, and Pinterest to see even more of her beautiful work (and let her know we sent you).

Featured Company: Nunn Designs and a Give-Away

Today we are very pleased to welcome back Nunn Designs a company created by designer Becky Nunn which offers gorgeous handcrafted jewellery findings.

About Nunn Designs

Elements of Inspiration is the original, flagship line created by Rebecca Nunn and her team of artisans at Nunn Design. The timeless beauty of each piece is a direct reflection of Rebecca’s original inspiration, kindled during a year spent in the north of Italy as a foreign exchange student. There, she was transported by the sensory richness and artistic creations of the Old World. These enchantments left a permanent impression, and spurred several return trips to Europe, and later to Bali and Australia.

Driven by her love of crafting, art, and design, Rebecca became deeply passionate about supporting, inspiring, and nurturing the creativity of other artists. She founded Nunn Design, and began producing the products you see here, as a tangible way to manifest that passion: to help facilitate your inspired process, and to allow your unique creations to be the focus.

The artist’s path is one of great mystery — a moment-to-moment exploration of the heart, the intuitive, the inner voice. We hope to add fuel to that mystic fire. We are proud to offer you these pieces of superlative quality — each one intentionally crafted to serve your ultimate vision. And we are committed to bringing you the innovation, ease, and education you’ve come to expect from Nunn Design. We are humbled and delighted to help you follow your art.

Becky Nunn’s mission as the founder and owner of Nunn Design is; “Through collaborative relationships, Nunn Design inspires and nurtures creativity”. Becky believes that everyone is creative and that we are born with natural abilities and a desire to express ourselves in some creative form or another.

To be inspired and nurtured, visit Nunn Design at www.nunndesign.com

Aster Necklace

How it was created:

My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this last year, so I created a fun little bobble to wear to their anniversary party. I painted glue onto the bottom of a glass dome, placed it where I wanted it, squished it back and forth to get the excess glue and bubbles out, cut the image around the dome, trimmed the image to fit, and then glued it into a framed pendant small circle. I repeated the steps with another dome, image and framed pendant and then attached them to a chain with toggle connectors and a heart charm.

I experimented with attaching my pendants to a large loop charm bracelet…

…but went with the necklace in the end.

Instructions can be downloaded here: http://www.nunndesign.com/cheatsheets/DIY_Glass-Dome-Necklace_Nunn-Design.pdf

Supply List for Glass Dome Necklace:

Framed Pendant Small Circle Single – Antique Gold (fpscs-gb)
Patera Glass 22mm Circle (pg22c-b)
Large Jump Rings-Antique Gold (ljrg-b)
Small Heart Charm – Antique Gold (shgo-b)
18” Small Fine Cable Chain – Antique Gold (sfcc-gb)
Small Jump Rings – Antique Gold (jrg-b)
Twig and Connector Set – Antique Gold (ttb-gp)
Nunn Design Glue

Hornad Necklace

How it was created:

Butterfly images were punched from our Collage Sheet Butterflies and glued to both sides of a flat tag grande circle. Once dry, one side got a dose of UV resin and cured under a UV lamp for 20 minutes. Then the flat tag was cemented with Bond Cement into the open bezel and filled with UV resin for the other side. The same steps were applied to a double sided pendant to dangle from the open bezel. After that, all it took was some assembly and bam! A double sided butterfly necklace!

Instructions can be downloaded here: http://www.nunndesign.com/cheatsheets/DIY_Resin-Butterfly-Pendant-Necklace_Nunn-Design.pdf

Supply List for Double-Sided Resin Butterfly Pendant:

Grande Pendant Circle Open – Antique Silver (gpco-sb)
Double Sided Pendant Circle – Antique Silver (dpc-sb)
Flat Tag Grande Circle Single Hole- Antique Silver (ftgcs-sb)
Twig Connector Bar – Antique Silver (tcb-sb)
Large Textured Cable Chain – Antique Silver (ltcc-sb)
Small Hammered Cable Chain – Antique Silver (shfc-sb)
Small Fine Cable Chain – Antique Silver (sfccsb)
Ring Toggle – Antique Silver (rt-sb)
Simple Toggle Bar – Antique Silver (stb-sb)
1/2 Collage Sheet Butterflies (csbf)
Nunn Design Glue 2oz (glue 2oz)
Gel du Soleil 4 oz (gel 4oz)

Optional:
Punch Large Circle – 1.25 inch punch (plc)
Punch Small Sided Circle – 13/16” (pdsc)
UV lamp

Other Supplies:
Bond 527 Cement
22 gauge silver wire

How to Enter the Give-Away

Nunn Designs is graciously giving away ONE of their kits to a lucky blog reader (three options are shown above). To enter the give-away, leave a comment including which kit you would like to win (bracelet, earrings, necklace) in the comments section of this post. We’d love to hear about whether or not you have done any jewellery making of your own, or whether you’ve incorporated these types of pieces into your cards, scrapbook layouts, home decor pieces, altered art, art journals, mixed media pieces etc.

This give-away is open for one week – the winner will be announced next Wednesday. Please ensure that when you leave your comment you include your email address (it is kept private) because we will need that to contact you if you are the winner.

We also encourage you to take a minute to visit the Nunn Designs Blog – please leave them a comment letting them know that we sent you , and then we encourage you to look around as they have LOTS of fantastic project ideas as well additional video tutorials. It is only through the generosity and kindness of sponsors like Nunn Designs that we are able to offer YOU – our fantastic audience – these give-aways so we appreciate you showing your support here and on their blog.

Winner of Designs by Ryn Give-Away

I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Designs by Ryn and her designer for sharing some beautiful cards with us. Ryn also had a generous give-away package shown below.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…….the winner is……Andy Hebert!

Congratulations Andy!! Be sure to email us at customerservice@papercrafterslibrary.com to claim your prize. Please be sure to put “Designs by Ryn Winner” in the subject line of the email, and then in the email itself, be sure to include your full mailing address and phone number.

Join us next week when we feature another great company.

Trendy Tuesday – Putting on the Spritz

Trendy Tuesday – Putting on the Spritz
by Aliya White

Have you seen them? They are beautiful and they have a wide spectrum of colors that can make your projects look amazing and yet they seem so simple at the same time. I don’t know about you but I have a strong desire to buy all of the colors in each set. Some times they are called mists, or maybe sprays. Even if you are not familiar with them, you have definitely seen the results of these rainbow colored lovelies. Spray mists have been around for awhile but because we are a super creative people there are always new fun ways to use these mist and participate in extending this fun trend.

One trendy way I have seen them used lately is in these strategically placed random drip accents. This lovely butterfly card’s spritz adds just a little something to let the butterfly be the star of the show.

Card by Joy Taylor image courtesy of Simple by Design

This scrapbook page is another example of unstructured collage with a little spritz. Look how awesome this turned out.

Scrapbook page by Vee Jennings photo courtesy of Creative Blessings

You can send lots of love with the extra bits of gold and silver splatter effect in this card. It highlights the layered look very nicely.

Card by Joni Nina Andaya photo courtesy of Papell with Love

The overall look of this embossed card is enhanced by the splatter effect of the shimmer sprays.

Card by Tessa Wise photo courtesy of Craft Girl Designs

This next card achieves two awesome splattered looks by using a combination of sprays and daubers. The paint splotches look so awesome and pulled together on this card.

Card by Kelly Rasmussen image courtesy of Hero Arts

Spritzing can also be a great design option if you need to make several cards quickly. This one was made by spritzing with a few colors, a little dry time then a cute stamp and sentiment in the middle. A few glittery accents and done. Cute and simple.

Card by Heather photo courtesy of Houses Built of Cards

I just love, love, love this blended card. Joycelyn used her Cameo and the Wild and Free Digital paper for the colorful background in her love card The top left by the bow was spritzed for effect. The final presentation is so lovable.

Card by Jocelyn Olson photo courtesy of Red Balloon Cards

To create an amazing background you can use a stencil like Lisa did. She used distressed stains and blended colors over the mask then spritzed it all with Glimmer mists for added interest and another layer of color.

Card by Lisa Alonzo photo courtesy of Paper Moon Pie

Look how lovely this winter salute turned out using a combination of color mixing and spray mists. Look at how that night sky just seems to glitter!

Card by Eileen Godwin photo courtesy of Eileen’s Crafty Zone

Within that same lovely color palette is this awesome journal by Dyan. She used her gorgeous line of Dylusion sprays and Distress Inks to create this multicolor beauty.

Journal by Dyan photo courtesy of Ranger Ink

I have a few more examples that use all over spray effects. I am just in love with this technique. Spraying diagonally then when it is dry white embossing over the top. The sunburst creates the feeling that anything is possible.

Card by Nicole Samuels photo courtesy of Nicole Samuels

You can get a similar look with a slightly different spray technique. This technique actually used an ink pad applied to a mat and she water colored the rainbow effect all over the card.

Card by Kimberly Crawford photo courtesy of For the Love of Paper

Whether you use the trendy unstructured collage with a few spritzes for accent or change the look of an accent page or an entire piece of paper, spray mists can be an awesome part of your crafty collection. Below are some of the options you can check out.

If you make your own mist or use one of the fun products below you can add that little extra something to all of your projects. So go on… make something pretty!

Mixed Media Monday: “Face Your Fear” Video Tutorial

Happy Monday everyone! Welcome to another edition of Art Journal Express brought to you by Andrea from her personal blog The Art of Simple.

Today’s page is called “Face Your Fear” – shown below. You can watch a video tutorial HERE.

Freebie Friday is Returning!

You’ve heard it right! We’re excited to let you know that Freebie Friday is returning starting next week, January 24/14. Each Friday here on the blog, we will have a special something for you. It might be a project, an element that you can print and use in your scrapbooking/card making, a cut file to use in an electronic die cutting machine, a short technique video or a video introducing you to a product.

Every so often we will also be giving away a special freebie exclusively to our newsletter subscribers and Facebook fans. These freebies will all be different – so to collect all the freebies you will need to check us out on the blog, subscribe to our newsletter and like our Facebook page. You won’t want to miss out, so if you are not on our newsletter list, be sure to sign up from the right hand side bar of this blog. If you haven’t liked our Facebook page be sure to do that too!

Featured Artist/Designer: Silke Ledlow

Today we’re thrilled to welcome Silke Ledlow

Before we show you Silke’s project, let’s get to know her a little bit more…

Hello everyone! My name is Silke Ledlow and I live in the beautiful State of Georgia. I was born and raised in Germany, but then the BEST guy ever swept me off my feet and brought me to the States. Jerry and I will celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary this June. We are blessed to have three very busy, smart and beautiful girls – Sarah (almost 16), Rebecca (12) and Miriam (9), plus not to forget our boxer puppy Luke (5 yrs).

I’m currently working part-time as a Conference/Event Planner for our local University. When I’m not busy taking care of my family you can find me/us at Volleyball games & practice, at the pool, beach or in my messy craft room!

My stamping career started with buying & demonstrating Stampin’ Up products. Shortly after I discovered a whole new world of other stamping companies and I was definitely hooked.

I currently have the pleasure of designing for two awesome stamp companies – Flourishes and Our Daily Bread Designs. I’m also designing for two challenge blogs – Color Q and Case Study. Hope you’ll have a chance to stop my blog called MY LIFE. I also post most of my work on Pinterest. See you soon!

Santa has blessed with some new stamping goodies this Christmas and I could not wait to show them off!

My card came together fairly quickly, since I mainly used dies. The second layer on my card base was embossed. Next I embellished the card with the Heart Banners, Doily, Heart Die and the Love Die. I also stamped the “you” in the right hand corner. I simply finished the card off with the Ribbon, Bow, Button and some White Scrapper’s Floss.

The jar was done quickly too. First I filled the jar with some yummy candy. Next, I added a Doily on top of the opening and cut the ends off to make it fit. Another round of Heart Dies where added plus the Ribbon on the outside. The Heart Banner in front was trimmed to fit. Again I embellished it with some Heart Dies and the sentiment on the side. At last I added the Bow and the Button with the White Scrapper’s Floss…voila!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words – Love
Paper: Classic White CS, Kraft CS, Red CS, Stampin’ Up! Season of Style DP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Mason Jar (World Market), Doily, Cuttlebug Love Language Embossing Folder, Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words – Love Die, Papertrey Ink Heart Stitches Dies, Papertrey Ink Notched Hearts Banner Dies, White Scrapper’s Floss, Papertrey Ink Red Buttons, Papertrey Ink Kraft Stitched Ribbon

We hope you have enjoyed today’s projects courtesy of Silke Ledlow. Also, be sure to stop by Silke’s blog to see even more of her beautiful work (and let her know we sent you).

Featured Company: Designs by Ryn

Today we are excited to welcome back this week’s Featured Company, Designs by Ryn and to share some beautiful creations using her products.

Here at Paper Crafter’s Library we love to create and share products from many different companies from around the globe. Designs by Ryn offers some fabulous exclusive designs with an array of styles. So no matter what your taste, you are sure to find something you love within her images.

And, we also have a give-a-way for you!! One lucky winner will receive the prize package below consisting of three of her images. More information on the give-away is at the end of the post.

Before we show you a selection of projects, here is a little more about Designs by Ryn:

Designs by Ryn is the manifestation of a dream that began a long time ago for me. I have always wanted to create a lifestyle that fits me and what I want out of my life. One that would allow me to create during working hours and give me the flexibility in my schedule to travel. For the longest time I wondered if something was wrong with me for not fitting into the multitude of ready made jobs that I tried. It wasn’t until around three years ago when I attended a seminar at the Small Business Centre in London, Ontario that I realized that many of those misfit traits of mine were what they called entrepreneurial.

I was hooked by that idea but had absolutely no working knowledge of business. The next few months I laboured over a business plan and submitted it to a program offered at the Centre – the Self Employment Benefit Program. To my absolute joy I was accepted!

I was given a foundation of business related workshops and an advisor – Gord Evans – who went over and above to help me with my project – a business that offered high quality rubber stamp designs based on my artwork. The beginnings of Designs by Ryn.

In order to have the flexibility of location that I wanted my store would need to be online. Never mind that I was almost completely technologically challenged and didn’t own a computer! The library computers just wouldn’t cut it so I walked into Staples and many questions later walked out with a laptop, printer and… A boyfriend?! Lol. That’s another story all together 😉

He became my “tech department” helping with the many issues that came with designing, printing and cutting my catalogues and product cards from home. I also bought a scroll saw – another foreign piece of machinery to me – determined to hand cut the stamps once mounted on cling cushion. The first day I was in tears having destroyed at least half of my attempts but in time I learned.

The website went through several transformations which took a lot of time and patience. The delays forced me to focus on marketing to stores and at festivals. It wasn’t until early 2012 that at long last the new version of my site was released as a fully functioning store.

I am now thrilled to see my stamps getting international exposure. I have built a Design Team of six wonderfully kind and talented ladies who consistently create inspiring art using the stamps – Shirley Deatcher (Canada), Eileen Godwin (UK), Miranda Degenaars (Netherlands), Karin van den Broek (Netherlands), Wendy McCarthy (UK) and Anja Hardenfels (Germany). I also encourage customers to share their work and find myself constantly delighted by what people make. The most inspiring part is that this business is allowing me to connect in a meaningful way to other creative individuals around the world.

That dream of mine is slowly getting there. I am endlessly thankful to all of the people along the way who have purchased my stamps and supported me on this journey.

Miranda Degenaars

Hello, my name is Miranda and as long I can remember I’ve been a creative soul. In fact anything that can make the world a little more beautiful and peaceful. In these hard times we can sure use that… a teacher told me once: do the things that makes your heart sing and I believe everyone around you will be influenced by that! “Be the change you want to see in the world” Ghandi.

I’ve made three cards for you using little squares – two cards with the same colour combinations and one with different colours. I’ve used these stamps of Ryn: Ornate Leaf Set, Spiral Branch Set and the famous Water Droplets. The beautiful and true quote is from the Words of Inspirations from Chocolate Baroque. I used Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed and Black Soot Distress inks. Other supplies include Versafine black/gold ecoline(ink), white marker, Gold pearl ex or perfect pearls.

For the second card I had nine squares to fill. I really love working on those tiny squares. I’ve used these stamps of Ryn; Ornate Leaf Set, Spiral Branch Set, Striped Reed Set, Raindrop Set, and the Trickling Water. The word is from Words of Inspiration sheet from Chocolate Baroque.

And now on to the third card. This time I’ve chosen different colours, purple, turquoise and green…….all Distress inks to blend the background and squares. Than I’ve stamped with matching Memento inks because I like the detailed look of that. I’ve used these stamps of Ryn: Abstract Leaf Set, Compound Leaf, and the Spiral Set. I have embossed some with WOW Silver Bells, a lovely silver with a holographic twist. The word is from the Artistic Expressions from Chocolate Baroque. Distress ink colors include Evergreen Bough, Seedless Preserves and Salty Ocean.

And now for the give-away. Ryn is giving away the three stamp sets shown directly below (Ornate Leaf Set, Spiral Set and Trickling Water) to one lucky blog reader! All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on this blog post.

Also, be sure to stop by Ryn’s blog and leave a comment on this post as she will also be giving away a set of three stamp sets (shown directly below) to a lucky blog reader.

We hope you have enjoyed today’s projects. We want to extend a sincere thank you to Designs by Ryn and her designer Miranda Degenaars for sharing beautiful images and inspiration with us. Be sure to stop by Designs by Ryn’s store, the Designs by Ryn blog and the Designs by Ryn Facebook page. Be sure to tell her Paper Crafter’s Library sent you. Winners will be announced next week!