Wednesday's Tutorial - Stick Pin

Hi Everyone !  Today we are fancying up a TH memo pin, into a glitter stick pin.

The items you will need are:

Tape
Diamond Glaze
Glitter (I used Martha's coarse white)
Tim Holtz memo pin

 

 I worked on a little plastic dish I could lift away from my work table, so as not to disturb the little pin.

 First, tape the back of the pin, like this

 Add some Diamond Glaze in the middle.  It will probably "over fill", but you can always break that part off easily once it is dry.

 Add a pinch of glitter.  And now comes the HARD part !  Put your dish away, and forget about it until tomorrow.  It dries slowly because it is in such a glob.  I know you will want to touch it, I know you will.  But RESIST! 

Pull off the tape tomorrow, and this is how your little pin will look.  Isn't it so cute !  And only about 3 or 4 minutes of time.

Another tip is to keep all of your stick pins on a piece of foam.  This piece is recycled, an old piece from a set of brads.  I can see them easily, and of course now that they "stick" in my mind,  I remember to use them !

Sketches, and Inspiration

Hi Karen's Friends !!

Jan here today with some ideas for inspiration.

Often when I need some kind of starting point for a card I use a sketch.  There are lots of sketch challenges out in paperblogland, but one site I mentioned last week is Feline Playful.  This is a site that lists a large number of challenges on a daily basis, and always has sketches and information.  Use the list for ideas, not just for entering a papercraft challenge.

Here is an example of a sketch from a couple of years ago from one of those challenge sites ....

My friend Ros, from Liverpool, England made this sketch in 2011, and here is her card...

I "copied" her card for a copycat challenge in 2012 ....

and here is my original card for the sketch challenge in 2011...

 

This is a real simple sketch, but you can see how differently the cards look.  The sketch is just a starting point, and you can add or embellish from there. 

Also, last week I mentioned keeping a sketch book.  I scribble down sketches I like, and refer to them almost every time I make a card.  It makes that starting point easy !!

If you think it might be fun to have a blog and participate in challenges from all over the world, I will be teaching a class on starting a blog at Karen's, Friday April 5th at 6:30.  Call Karen to reserve a spot - only $5 !  You will be surprised at how easy it all is, promise !!

March challenge is nearing its end !

Just a reminder that our first challenge will close on Tuesday.  Our theme this month was "green", and you can get all the info and the link right here !  Here is one gorgeous card to inspire you !!

Cathy

Just a couple more days, hope to see you play along !!

Spring Sale Coupon

Click Here

Lost Your Mojo ? Wednesday's Tutorial !

Hi Karen's Friends !  Jan here with a little list of tips today.

I often see other bloggers talk about losing their mojo, and that can be something hard to work through.  Here are some tips on jump starting your ideas, and getting yourself back in the flow !

1.  Keep a sketch book.  There are a lot of sketch challenges, and Feline Playful shows the actual sketch each day for many of them.  Don't hesitate to copy a sketch from a card you absolutely LOVE - it is not stealing.


2.  Keep an idea book.  Often I see cute ideas I really want to incorporate in a card someday, and I may sketch that idea, or keep a list.  My list is very long, and includes things like "try different kinds of folds" and "try using wax on a card."

3.  Pour over the papercraft magazines or books you have in your stash.  If you haven't looked at it in a year, you will find something you forgot about, or overlooked.

4.  Try a new technique !  Here at Karen and Friends Creations blog we have a tutorial every Wednesday.  Our archives are full of wonderful opportunities for you to learn something new.  We have lots of classes at the shop too !

5.  Explore some different papercraft blogs.   Design team members on challenges may have something you admire, and will spark an idea.

6.  Pinterest.  If your Pinterest  page doesn't have a papercraft board, it should !!

7.  Go shopping !  Oh, did I even have to say this.  Nothing sparks your imagination like something new to play with, does it.   Pop on in at Karen and Friends Creations, and you will surely find something you can't live without !!

8.  Try a really difficult challenge.  Maybe it is a tough sketch, or some odd color combination, an unusual photo or theme.  It sounds as if this would be at odds with your missing mojo, but when we stretch our imaginations something new often comes with it !

9.  Sit down with your paper, and set a deadline.  Try 10 or 15 minutes.  If nothing comes, put it away, and try again later.  If something gets going, you won't want a deadline !

10.  Exercise, take a walk or go for a bike ride.  These are proven methods of clearing your brain, and rejuvenating your soul.

My dad did a lot of crafty things, but he always felt it was so difficult to do something better than the last thing he did.  Sometimes we fall into that trap, worrying too much about the end result, and we wind up paralyzed.  Instead - remember all the joy you have in simply creating ! 

A 5 minute card !!

Hi Everyone !  Jan here today with a true 5 minute card.

I have a huge stash of cards at the ready for many occasions, but once in awhile I need to make a card in a hurry, to fill a gap.

This particular card is one you can easily copy.  You will need the following...

Black and white design paper
A contrasting color of design paper
Card stock
A ribbon
A sentiment stamp
A label or tag of some kind
An edge embossing folder & Cuttlebug (or other embosser)
A corner rounder
Your favorite adhesive and some pop ups for the sentiment label

The design of the card follows the graphic arts rule of thirds.  That is, dividing your card roughly into 3rds.  You can apply that rule as I did above, or leave 2/3s empty at the top, and the last third with design paper and your sentiment.  If you think of your card that way, you will always come up with a pleasing design for the eye.

You might think of making a lot of identical cards for a mass mailing - Christmas, or party invitations.  This would be an ideal card to copy, as you can make an eye catching design quickly, and it is flat enough for the mail.

See you tomorrow with another tutorial ! 

Wednesday's Tutorial - Dryer sheets

Hello Everyone !

Today we have another video from our Gulf friend, Tracy, on making butterflies from dryer sheets !  This is so fun, and the butterflies are gorgeous !

Hope you enjoyed it !

Embossing, dry and wet !

Hi Everyone !  

Jan here today, with an inspirational photo of a very simple card.

This has white card stock, scored on the sides and top.  Adhered is a white embossed sheet, with a torn kraft sheet stamped and embossed in white on top.  Some tiny glittery bling was spaced here and there.  Probably a ten minute card, but very classy and simple to achieve.  

If you haven't tried dry or wet embossing yet, stop in the shop and ask Karen about it.  My grandson cranked this dry embossing through a Cuttlebug when he was just three years old, so there isn't anything scary about it at all !!

Another video tutorial tomorrow - stop back in for a quick "class" !

Coupon Thursday

Click Here

Wednesday's tutorial - Organza flowers

Hi Everyone !

We have a video this week from our Mississippi friend Tracy.  Hope you enjoy her tutorial on organza flowers !!

Tracy does some fabulous copic coloring too.  Stop by her blog, I wanna build a memory, to see her gorgeous cards.

Tuesday card and tips

Hi Everyone !

Today's card features a couple of ideas you may find interesting ...

The frame is die cut from two different Spellbinder dies.  This does take a little practice.

Under the frame is some packaging, probably from a Spellbinder package, that was put through a Cuttlebug folder.  Try all sorts of old packaging this way, the texture really adds to the card !

You can get a little twirly end on jute, or jewelry cording, by getting it a little wet and wrapping it around an awl.

Finally, if you haven't yet tried sewing on a card, you will love the end result.

Cardstock - Bazzill

Design Paper - My Mind's Eye, Basic Gray

Flowers - Recollections

Happy Brad - K & Co

Punch - ek success

Jewelry cording

Bling & lace - stash

Recycled Packaging

Tomorrow we have a video tutorial on making butterflies !  See you then.

This Week's Special

This Week's Special

Crafter's Pick

Memory Mount Adhesive

$3.00

Reg. price $4.75

Not valid with any other discounts, coupons, returns or consignment items.

Discount available on in store product only while supplies last.

No rain checks available.

Coupon expires March 7th, 2013

Karen & Friends Creations

2095 Yolanda Ave., Springfield, OR  97478

541-741-7446

Challenge 1 - Green !

Hi Everyone !!

Welcome to Karen and Friends Creations 1st Challenge !

Our theme this month is 

GREEN

 and here is a picture of "green" in case you need some inspiration !

We hope you will play along with us !  Simply create a paper project that includes your idea of GREEN.  Maybe it is Kermit, St. Paddy's Day, or using something recycled (yup, that kind of green too !).

Photo your project,

and 

link it down below !

We will post a winner before April's challenge.

For those of you in the Eugene / Springfield OR area, pop in to Karen and Friends Creations, and see our projects posted there too !

And now, here are some great Green ideas from our Design Team !!

Cathy

Jan

chai tea 'n me

          Kathy             

                I Bee Scrappin                     

Vivian

         Jolene           
                       
                  We are looking forward to seeing your great ideas !!