It's a Prima-Style White Wedding: Altered Book Bundle

This week on the Prima blog, it's all about all white, wedding-themed projects! And today I have an altered book bundle that I created as a wedding table piece featuring all white Prima products. It's been quite a while since I've done a monochromatic project, so this one was very fun for me! And Prima has such a great variety of white products to choose from, so creating was a breeze :)

"Altered Book Bundle"

A really fun way to recycle any old book is to create an altered book bundle. I especially love really old hardcover books for this project, but any type of paperback will work too. Simply tear off the front and back covers, including the spine. You can use one or several books in your bundle. Paint the entire surface with a few coats of white paint or gesso. This will seal shut most of the pages; glue can be used to close up any gaps after painting. Use your favorite Prima trims to tie the books together (you might also want to apply some glue between the books to make sure they are secure), then add flowers, embellishments, and bling! 

Prima Products Used:
573478- Resin Angels
573157- Cartographer SIIC
570378- SIIC
567248 - Chantelle- Heirloom
573300- Resin in a Wood Box- Clock
573393- Trim
572068- Wire Thread- Stark White
571283- Nieve- Rose Flower

I hope you enjoyed my project today! Be sure to check out the Prima blog all week long for more wedding inspiration :)

The March MMM Kit: A Reverse Canvas

Hi everyone :)

I'm here with you today to share a project using the March Magnifique Mixed Media kit from C'est Magnifique. This kit is like a breath of fresh spring air- and just in time. 

I thought I would help you out with an idea as to how to put the cute little glass bottles included in this month's kit to use. I decided on a reverse canvas as the wooden stretcher bars were the perfect little shelf for my bottles to sit on :).

"Make Someone Happy Today" Canvas

 I used the blue Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic ink to decorate the blue bottle. Simply squeeze a couple of droplets inside, replace the cork, and give it a shake. The inside of the bottle will be coated in ink, giving it a nice and even coloring. I dabbed the outside of the bottle with gesso before securing some sticks with jute twine. The green bottle was first painted with gesso before spraying the outside with the Lindy's Stamp Gang "Edelweiss Moss Green" mist included in the kit. 

 A hot glue gun was all I needed to secure these bottle in place. 

 The Blue Fern Studios chipboard was decorated with a variety of colored microbeads.

Twinkling H2Os, including the "Blue Grass" and "Pear Blossom" in the kit helped decorate the edges of my canvas. Simply apply randomly using your fingertip.

I've used vintage book pages to cover the frame. They've been painted with gesso and stamped (with the stamps included in the kit) with distress ink.

 The Cosmo Cricket mini word stickers made for quick and easy titling!

The March Magnifique Mixed Media Kit:

Twinkling H2O’s: Pear Blossom Mini Jar
Twinkling H2O’s: Blue Grass Mini Jar
Twinkling H2O’s: Apple Blossom Mini Jar
Lindy’s Stamp Gang Edelweiss Moss Green
Daler Rowney Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic Ink: Sun Up Blue
Ranger Ink- Distress Stain:Worn Lipstick
Assorted Flowers
Cosmo Cricket :Cardstock Stickers: Tiny Text: Just Because
Inkadinkado Stamping Gear Collection: Inkadinkaclings Rubberstamps: Meadow Flowers
The Crafter’s Workshop 6x6 Doodling Stencil: Mini Swirly Garden $5
2 glass bottles
Blue Fern Studios: Chipboard: Bohemian Flowers
* some items may be partial packages

Thanks for visiting today!

One Final Look @ the February MMM Kit!

Good morning :)

I'm here with you today for one more final look at our {SOLD OUT} February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique!

"This Makes Me Smile" Journal Cover

Collage work is so much fun...and easy. This kit provided so many fun paper embellishments that were simply perfect for this type of project. Most of the Prima cards seen here were cut in two or more pieces and layered throughout the cover.

I've used the stencil included in the kit and some chalk ink to create the flourished masked areas seen here. I've also applied both the Shimmerz paint and Twinkling H20s along the edges, touched by a dab of the Tim Holtz Distress Paint for depth. {I use my fingertip to apply}.

I love ready-made titles :). And this Prima Paintables card was perfect for titling a journal cover.

There really isn't a science behind the layers. Just do what feels right- I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's no wrong way to collage. Really. Just try it!

Thanks for joining me today for one more look at our February MMM kit. Stay tuned for the reveal of our March MMM kit coming up SOON.

Take care!

Prima: NEW Ingvild Bolme {Altered Frame} Winter CHA 2014

Here we are again with another Winter CHA 2014 release from Prima Marketing!

Ingvild Bolme has created a plethora of new goodies to play with. They are by far my most favorite embellishments of all, so I was delighted to see the variety of designs that Ingvild came out with this time around, and I'm sure you will agree ;).

The largest of her new designs comes in the form of a really cool frame which I got to alter. Here's a look!

"All the Details" Altered Frame

Being a huge fan of anything vintage and antique, I was so excited to find that this frame genuinely feels and appears vintage. So I wanted to leave the surface of the frame alone as it really was too perfect to mess with. So I set my sights on altering the inside and embellishing just a portion of the outside.

The silver flowers seen here are from the new release flowers. I'm loving metallics at the moment!

What's really nice about this frame is the back can be removed for embellishing. So when I went to cover the back with paper, I simply removed it from the frame, placed it on paper and traced around it. Cut and glue and you're done!  

The railing and key are two of the many Ingvild Bolme designs offered in this release and the papers and embellishments are from the Free Spirit Collection :).

Products Used:

892401 Ingvild Bolme Altered Metal Frame
846626 Free Spirit Collection "Perceptions"
892234 Junkyard Findings Vintage Keys
892050 Shabby Chic Treasures Railings
573638 Free Spirit 3x4 ATC Pad
572150 12x12 Stencil Flowers
572075 Wire Thread Teal
573645 Free Spirit Chipboard Pieces
572754 Free Spirit Brads
574604 Tailored
574598 Limitless
571542 Le Mia
556013 Charme Rose En Francais
565367 Fairy Rhymes Vines
565886 Labelle Harbor
571610 Audrey- Smokey Flower
571436 Layla

 Thanks again for coming over to my blog :)

I'll be back yet again tomorrow...hope to see you :)

Webster's Pages: New Year New You {an Inspirational Tool}

Good morning! Over on the Webster's Pages blog today we're featuring the New Year New You collection, which is simply perfect for this time of year! Many people are starting to think of their New Years Resolutions- their goals, dreams, and taking a fresh start with a brand new year. For me, I'm always looking for new ways to get organized, so when I started looking at this collection and embarking upon a project, I came up with a great {and SIMPLE!} idea. 

"Mini Keychain Calendar"

Like I said, SO easy! Just cut apart the "Resolutions" paper {it has all 12 months on it}, hole punch in one corner, add a ring and you're set! You can choose to decorate the cover or leave it as-is. Handy, cute, and way more fun than those gas station ones ;)

Products Used:

New Year New You Collection Pack

New Year New You Mini Trim Pack

New Year New You Perfect Accents

New Year New You Charm Frame

Thank-you for stopping in quick today :).

I find myself once again apologizing for not being very active lately or getting around to your blogs. I hope you know I'm seeing your work- mostly on Facebook. I've had to make some decisions on cutting back {to be announced} to help reduce my workload and help me better balance my creative career with my personal life. I have accepted the fact that life is not slowing down, nor will it- as I had been hopeful. It simply changes- from one form of busy to another ;). I hope you understand. 

See you again tomorrow!

xErin

"Big Moment" Mini Album Cover: December MMM Kit!

Good morning! I'm here with you today to share a project that I created using the December Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique. This kit is packed with a pleasant variety of medias and supporting embellishments making it a strong, stand-alone kit as well as one that beautifully coordinates with this month's main kit. 

Here is a first look at what I've done this month:

"Big Moment" Mini Album Cover

This kit allows for deep, rich colors and textures which I tried to emphasize on my project today. 

My background was first primed with gesso before using the Shimmerz mist. I like to work in threes, so I spritzed the top, right, and lower right of the album cover. On top of that I used modeling paste and a mask to add texture over these same spritzed areas. The Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powder was sprinkled randomly on the masked areas before setting with a heat gun.

Using my finger, I applied both the Viva Decor crackle paint and Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam to the edges and corners of the album. I hit those areas with the heat gun as well. Some stamping with the Prima chalk edger and stamp was added randomly throughout.

For the chipboard, I used the TCW Balzer Bits mask from the kit along with some clear embossing ink and stamped over top the mask with the ink before sprinkling on the LSG embossing powder and setting with the heat gun. That way I got the scattered design with just a hint of script from the mask. 

December Magnifique Mixed Media Kit

Kit Contents:

Deco Art Crafter's Acrylic "Leaf Green" Paint

Prima Chalk Edger "Knotted Wood"
Lindy's Stamp Gang "Midnight Copper Obsidian" embossing powder
Splash of Color- Viva Gold Crackle Paint
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam "Golden Goddess"
Shimmerz "Mama Sings the Blues"
Prima School Memories
Prima: Akran: Taj Blue
Prima: Bellas: Brown
Prima: La Tela: Vintage Eyelet
Webster's Pages Postcards from Paris: Bronze Woman
Prima IOD: Flair Buttons
Prima Natural Bark: Stars
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Winter Page Dangles
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Tattered Diamond Bits
Blue Fern Studios Chipboard: Ever After Frame Set 
Prima: Sunrise Sunset Clear Stamp 3
The Crafter's Workshop: Balzer Bits Doodling Template
Script Star
(some items will be partial packages whose items may vary from kit to kit)

This kit sold out quickly. I sure hope you had the opportunity to get one yourself! To subscribe to the MMM kit, see how to join HERE so that you don't miss out in the future :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Webster's Pages: Postcards from Paris II {Wedding Inspired!}

Good morning and welcome to a brand new week!

I'm here with you today to share a little altered box that I created for Webster's Pages using their popular Postcards from Paris II collection. It's a beautiful, romantic range and what event is more inspired by love than a wedding?! So today on the Webster's Pages blog, it's all about weddings :) Here's a look at what I created:

"Love" Altered Box

The inspiration for this gift box came from the "Let Them Eat Cake" paper- simply perfect for a wedding :)

I started with the bottom half of the box and worked from there. The cake-topper birds would be my main feature and the rest of the supporting embellishments came along as I worked at it.

 I just LOVE working with these vibrant colors and exquisite patterns!

I wanted to create something very dimensional and layered at the same time, accomplished by fussy cutting, foam adhesive, and paper L-shaped "stands" to help support the upright images. I also used a Blue Fern Studios chipboard piece as my backdrop and supporting element.

Products Used:

Papers:

Postcards from Paris II "Let Them Eat Cake"

Postcards from Paris II "Tres Belle"

Embellishments:

Postcards from Paris II: Green Fleur (resin)

Postcards from Paris II: Collection Pack (file folders)

Trims:

Postcards from Paris II: Mini Trim Pack

Other Products Used:

Doodle Circle Frame

I'm so glad you came over today! It will be a busy week on my blog- I will be back over the next couple of days with brand NEW projects like this one- thanks for your endless support and I will see you tomorrow! :)

Prima: School Memories Collection {Altered Gift Bag}

Good morning! How has your week been? Busy, busy here...blueberry picking continues and this morning I'm picking up my order of baby chickens (yes, not only do I hatch babies myself, but I also enjoy ordering them through the mail!) this morning and just can't wait :). We recently had a wolf get into our chicken house and take our two biggest hens, and with being down to 19 chickens (8 of which are babies)- it was time to supplement the house before winter comes. So 14 little fuzzies will be joining them!

Anyways, back to business, right? I'm here to share with you a project that was on the Prima blog a little while back. Using the new School Memories collection, I altered this cute wooden gift bag that I purchased for almost nothing from a craft store.

"Altered Wooden Gift Bag"

This collection is gorgeous- and works well for non-school related projects too. I covered all sides of this bag with this "Teacher Talk" paper and then sanded down the edges with sandpaper. 

I've added a touch of masking using one of the new Finnabair Elementals stencils (doily). The resin frame was touched up with the "Blue Jay" chalk edger from Ingvild Bolme.

There are a ton of cute embellishments with this collection. I've used some of the School Memories Tickets & Tags, 1" Flair Buttons, and Wood Icons.

Products Used:

846145- School Memories Collection "Teacher Talk"
569556- School Memories Tag Me Tickets and Tags Set
569600- School Memories Wood Icons
569532- School Memories 1" Flair Buttons
570019- Resin Frames
891060- Liquid Chalk Edger "Blue Jay"
960551- Elementals 6.5"x7.25" Stencil
571290- Olivia
571696- Lil Missy
571702- Lil Missy
571757- Abbey
571818- Abbey
571610- Audrey

Have a great Friday! See you back here tomorrow :)

Something a Little Different for Blue Fern Studios {Tutorial}

Hi everyone! This is another prescheduled post as I'm assuming I will be quite tired after arriving home last night that I won't be up for creating a blog post, lol. But I'm sure I will be updating you shortly with news about my CHA trip and photos too!

Today I'm sharing with you one of my projects for Blue Fern Studios. I created 3 projects for them this month and will be sharing them over the course of the next week. The end of the month is always my busiest time- so beware...lots of work to be shared in the coming days!

The one I am showing you today is a project of a different kind. When setting about creating this, I only wanted to do something "different". Meaning, I didn't want to do a layout, card, or tag...I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do...just something different. I have a shelf where I keep things like blank chipboard albums or other mini albums waiting to be created, alterable stuff...things like that. As I'm going through the shelf, nothing is appealing to me. I wanted to do something artsy...but I'd done several canvases over the week before and just didn't feel like doing another canvas.

BUT, I did want to do something that had texture like a canvas. And that is how I settled on creating something with sandpaper. 

Yeah, weird I know! But I thought...hmm, I wonder how this will take? So I set about my project like this...I have a step-by-step for you if you'd like to play along ;)

"Pretty Creative Girl This Afternoon"

I love this photo of my daughter that I took recently. She spent nearly an hour painting and she was just the CUTEST little thing! So serious at times, dipping her brush in the water and then mixing it in with the paint...making a mess, experimenting. Way too cute. I guess we both felt like being a little creative lately ;)

Here are the steps:

Products Used:

Quatrefoil Garden Panel

Ironwork Accents

Other Products Used:

845469- Lifetime Collection "Dolce"

844158- Almanac Collection "Agenda"

844110- Almanac Collection "Libre"

565527- Lifetime Roses

565596- Engraver Roses

565664- Lyric Roses

566609- Avante- Coral

561369- Encore Ivory

561451- Serenade Pink

891558- Junkyard Findings Typo Zippers

Ingvild Bolme Chalk Edger- Pastel Peach

Ingvild Bolme Chalk Edger- Pastel Pink

All I Ever- Alpha: Summer Night

Domestic Goddess- Alpha: Salt & Pepper

Thanks for taking the time to come over today! I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial...and perhaps inspired you to think outside the box too? 

Have a wonderful day...and stay in touch, I've got much much more to share!