Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Capture the Spirit Of The Season w/ Graphic 45!

HIyaz, and Thanks for stopping by on this gorgeous fall Tuesday!
Today I have an easy to create Halloween Lantern to share with you, but first...

Have you seen Graphic 45's NEW yummy paper line?!?
Let me just say, WOW!!!  
 Each day this week they are sharing sneak peaks of their newest addition,
Tropical Travelogue!!
A gorgeous mix of tropical birds, African prints, and botanical beauties. 
I believe these will be the perfect papers to dive into this winter to wash away those blues!!
But don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself!!!
Tropical Travelogue new banner 2

Botanica-frt-PR-copy

Garden-Isle-frt-PR-copy

Oceania-frt-PR-copy

And did you see those stamps?  Oh MY!!

Tropical Travelogue Cling 1
Tropical Travelogue Cling 2

Tropical Travelogue Cling 3


Now, onto a little Halloween mood lighting just in time for your party, and all those cute
 little trick or treaters!!
This fun Halloween lantern was created using the 5x5 Graphic 45 Altered Art Box! So simple to create, all you need is the altered art box, colored vellum, a craft knife, clip light, small low watt light bulb, some wonderful Graphic 45 papers, and a little imagination! ** Clip lights can be found at your local hardware store, created to clip into small openings, great for lanterns, small Christmas houses, and altered art boxes!!!

To create the perfect window for the vellum, use a craft knife to cut an opening thru the flap directly under the cover. Using the opening on the cover as a guide to cut the layer underneath.
Before adhering colored vellum between the flap and cover, make sure to cut a hole in the back for a small clip light and low watt light bulb.
For the hole in the back, measure the diameter of your clip lamp and draw a circle on the back center of the box. Cut the circle out using a craft knife. *This time you are cutting thru 2 layers of chipboard, so be patient!

Now colored vellum may be adhered between layers. Last, glue the top cover shut, and decorate with Graphic 45 papers! Embellish as inspired!!
Graphic 45's metal brads make the perfect feet for any altered box!
Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 Papers:
The Magic Of Oz: The Magic Of Oz
An Abc Primer: Calico Kids
Graphic 45 Staples: Metal Brads, 5x5 Altered Art Box
Colorbox Decades Inks: Photogenic, Venetian Lace
Coordinations: Sanding Block
Martha Stewart: Apron Lace Border Punch
Ranger: Rusty Hinge Distress Stickles, Metal Clock Face, Platinum Stickles
Fiskars: Trimmer, Craft Knife
Cricut: Seasonal Halloween Cartridge
Tombow: Glue Stick
Other: Chipboard for star, Small Halloween Decorations(Skeletons, Hand),
Metal Stamping, Small Clip Light, Small low watt light bulb, Colored Vellum, Black Cardstock, E6000

That's it for today!!! I hope you are ready to run off and create your own lantern for the holidays... So many special occasions coming up, which one to choose!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Many Altered Inspirations,
Nicki Chicky

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Boo Banner Graphic 45 Style


Fall is definitely my favorite time of year!  The crisp air, the hayrides, bonfires, leaf piles to play in, the colors, mmm and the apples!  But really, when I think fall, I think Halloween!!! 
Getting to dress up,  all the spooky decorations,  the stories and history behind it all! 
Simply Magic! 
That is why I decided to create a Boo Banner using Graphic 45's Kraft Envelope Album.
To help you capture the spirit of the season, I have also created KITS that are available for purchase in my etsy store!
As well as a tutorial for creating the aged Spiderweb's on the envelopes.
So let's get started....

The best part about creating a banner using Graphic 45's Kraft Envelope album is the ability to hide things inside!  Create tags, or cards, fill with Halloween decor or candy! 
Either way,  your guests will love it! 



These fun little witch tags were created using the leftover Graphic 45 Staples packages and metal brads.  Each tag has a different little seasonal saying, and each witch is a wearing a tiny handmade paper hat complete with trim!


Now onto the Partial Embossing Technique to create a haunting look on your banner!

Colorbox Decades Ink Photogenic
Embossing Folder

This technique can be used with any embossing folders! For this banner, I wanted an elegant yet haunted look, so I went with Cuttlebug’s Spider web Embossing Folder.
Step 1: Take apart album book by bending the binding and remove the pages. Remove cover, and use pages from the inside making sure they all have the same size tabs for hanging.
Step 2: Cut desired paper to size of envelope only, don’t include the tab, this will be decorated separately. I used Tour De France and Well Groomed for my banner.

Step 3: Adhere paper to envelope, and angle cut bottom on both sides, meeting at the center to create a v or flag shape. Make sure not to cut too high, or your tag will hang out!
Lightly Adhere bottom closed to create a pocket.

Step 4: Place envelope partially into embossing folder, angling to make sure paper doesn’t hit die cutting machine before envelope is embossed.
This takes a lot of turning and flipping to get it just right, and don’t be surprised if there is A LOT of your envelope still hanging out. 


Step 5: Crank die cutting machine partially to emboss, making sure to stop before envelope hits machine and becomes crushed.  


Step 6: Repeat to desired effect


Step 7: Once embossing is done, create a little age using a blending tool and Colorbox Decades Photogenic Ink. Ink to desired effect

Step 8: Using Ink Pad, directly drag ink across embossed area’s and edges of envelope to really make them pop.



Once complete, allow ink to dry, and decorate as desired!! Repeat for desired length of banner, alternating embossed area’s on each envelope!
Also, for added strength of your banner, trace shape onto chipboard, cut out and adhere to the back!
Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 Papers
Colorbox: Graphic 45 Decade Inks, Photogenic
Hampton Arts: Flourishes and Flowers Clear Stamps
May Arts: Black lace, fringe black ribbon, white roping, small black seam binding
Cuttlebug: Spiderweb Embossing Folder
Sizzix: Big Shot
Spellbinders: Eyelet Squares Nestabilites
Ranger: Platium Stickles, Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink
Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, repositionable adhesive
Tombow: Color Glue Stick
Other: Clipart, Font(Old English), Printer, metal star stamping, vintage watch faces, crepe paper garland
.
Thanks so much for stopping by on this gorgeous fall day!! 
Happy Haunting your craft room!!
And don't forget if you are interested in purchasing a Boo Banner Kit, head over to




Monday, October 3, 2011

Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives Are Taking Over!

Welcome tthis week to another inspirational duo! 
Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives have joined up to bring you TONS of mind blowing creations from their incredible design teams!! 

Join in the fun for not one, but TWO weeks of great techniques, beautiful projects and of course some outstanding prize packs!! 
So make sure to stop by BOTH sites everyday for your daily dose of inspiration!!
Here is what you could win!
To enter into the giveaway,  just venture on over to the Graphic 45 Facebook Page and leave  them a comment. Scrapbook Adhesives is also offering a great prize this week!  Check out thier Facebook page and tell them that Graphic 45 sent you! 
 So have fun and get inspired with Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives!

For my hop projects,  I decided to use the leftover packing from Graphic 45's Chipboard buttons for a shaker box and Metal Staples packaging to create Christmas Gift Tags!  Also I have created a fun technique to share using your repositionable dot roller to create a "snowy" look! 

This tag was created using a mix of Wonderful Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium papers, combined with Hampton Arts matching cling stamps and Colorbox's spectacular new matching Decades inks! 
Made even more wonderful by Scrapbook adhesives 3D Foam Squares for that extra pop of dimension, and their repositionable dot roller for a truly original aged background!! 
Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 papers:
                      Christmas Emporium: Christmas Emporium, Joyous Noel, Believe, Tis the Season
Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Chipboard Tags 1
                     Hampton Arts: Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamps 3
                            Colorbox Decades Inks: Antique Moss, Triumphant Red, Photogenic
                       Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, My Stik Repositionable Dot Tape
May Arts: Black and White Ribbon
                          Ranger: Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Platinum Stickles, Xmas Red Stickles, Frayed Burlap Distress ink
             Martha Stewart: Apron Lace Border Punch
Tombow: Color Glue Stick
 Other: Leftover tag from Graphic 45 staples packaging
For the Second tag, I used an idea that has been nagging at me since I saw the plastic square and rectangle windows used to encase all the Yummy Graphic 45 Staples that I love!
This one was specifically created using the leftover tag and plastic square window from their Chipboard Buttons to create a Winter scene inside of a shaker box!

These little plastic pieces would have just ended up in the trash otherwise! 
So now you can put ALL your leftover packaging pieces to good use.
 And save the world too, one scrap at a time!  
And they come in a number of different sizes depending on which Graphic 45 staples package you use, so the creations could be endless!! 
Once shaken, the words "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" are revealed from underneath the lightly fallen snow.  Making this tag the perfect fun and interactive package tie on! 
Also these tags are just the right size for that extra special handwritten Holiday greeting!
Loving the combination of Hampton Art's Christmas Emporium stamps and Scrapbook Adhesives's 3D Foam Squares!  To create this effect, I first stamped the desired image onto my tag.  I then stamped the image again onto cream cardstock and cut out certain parts that I wanted to pop up. 
 Afterwards I lined up the cut images over top the prestamped image on the tag and adhered using the foam squares!  Also the Chipboard Button couldn't have fit more perfect into the stamped image center!!

Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 papers:
Christmas Emporium: Christmas Emporium, Joyous Noel, Believe, Tis the Season, Santa Express, Happy Holidays, All I want for Christmas
Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Chipboard Tags 1
Hampton Arts: Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamps 1
Colorbox Decades Inks: Venetian Lace, Triumphant Red, Photogenic
Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares, My Stik Repositionable Dot Tape Runner
May Arts: Red and White Ribbon
Ranger: Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Platinum Stickles, Xmas Red Stickles, Frayed Burlap Distress ink
Martha Stewart: Apron Lace Border Punch
Tombow: Color Glue Stick
Other: Leftover tag and plastic window from Graphic 45 staples packaging
And now last but not least, I have a fun technique I would like to share using Scrapbook Adhesive's Repositionable Dot Roller to create the aged "snowy" background used for both Christmas Tags!
Supplies Needed:
Scrapbook Adhesives Repositionable Dot Roller
Ink Blending Tool
Colorbox Graphic 45 Decades Inks
Yummy Graphic 45 Papers
Leftover Tag From Graphic 45 Packaging
Step 1: Cut and Cover leftover tag with desired paper. I used Happy Holidays to start with a cream base.
Step 2: Using Scrapbook Adhesives Repositionable Dot Tape Runner, Cover the tag with repositionable dots to a desired effect. For these tags I covered them completely with repositionable adhesive.
This will act as a mask for step 3!
Step 3: Once tag is covered with repositionable dot adhesive, use an ink blending tool to blend Colorbox Decades inks over top of surface of tag and adhesive.
Blend to a desired effect, making sure to cover entire tag with color!
Step 4: Once Dry, using your index finger, gently rub away adhesive dots to reveal a tiny distressed polka dot pattern.
  Continue until all adhesive is removed, then decorate as imagined!
Well, that's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by for your daily dose of inspiration! 
I hope this gave you a jump start in creating all those one of a kind Gift Tags for your loved ones this Holiday season! 
Don't forget to stop by BOTH Graphic 45 and Scrapbook Adhesives to hop into all the fun for the next TWO weeks! 
Enjoy the Journey!!!
Nicki Chicky