Xyron and Graphic 45 Couture Corset Banner from Scratch

So what is crafting from Scratch? For me it means I create my own base- whether that be a box, a mini album, or whatever! I guess it's the opposite of altering where you take something already made and alter in your own style. I wanted to make a banner using Graphic 45's Couture collection and at first was going to make a string of dresses- but as I did my Google image search, I found some very cute corsets. If you think you are terrible at drawing- your not alone! I am a disaster, but when I find something I want to make the shape of, I just grab a pencil and go for it. I tend to make one side better than the other- no problem, just draw a line through the middle and cut the good half out. Flip it over and trace the good side, then flip again and trace to create one perfect piece. Works every time. I also have another great tip for using my Xyron Creative Station. Instead of cutting out my base chip board, then my paper, then adhering them. I just make one piece a little bigger than my template- adhere my paper to the chipboard, then trace and cut out. Want to see what I mean? Here is a tutorial of the whole project:

{I use Google image search to find the silhouette that I want. I just free hand drew it, then using the technique I told you about made tow even sides and traced into one}

{The I cut out 3 pieces of chipboard making sure my template would fit on each one}

{I chose my Graphic 45 Couture Prints and cut them same size as my chipboard}

{Then I ran the cardstock through my Xyron 5 Inch Creative Station with permanent adhesive}

{after I attached all of the cardstock to the chipboard, then I traced out and cut my corsets out- so easy, no matching the edges!}

{Ink it up! I am using Donna Salazar Mixed Media Chox on Bluejay and Black}

{Now take those little scraps and cut your self some shoulder straps- optional you don't have to make straps}

{I used Xyron high tack tape to attach my straps}

{now comes the fun part! Embellish away! Use bits of lace and trim. I used Xyron High Tack Tape for my trims but used hot glue for some of my heavier trim like this pearl}

{tip: Don't worry about your high tack tape getting wrinkled going around edges- it will flatten out when you add the trim}

{see!}

{I used some Recollections brads to make this little lace up detail-so cute!}

{Now I needed some clothespins to attach to my line-so I distressed these mini pins with Colorbox Spritzer in Mudslide}

{I then hot glues some vintage buttons on}

{after I hung them, I wanted a little extra, so I made these tags for each using Graphic 45 Couture Chipboard tags and some twine from May Arts}

{Now to assemble-just attach to more twine. This would look so cute on a closet door or at you make up table mirror.  Below I am adding in some detail pics for you, so you can see how I embellished them all. I hope you will have fun making something from scratch today!

-Denise



Old to New with Xyron, get your Party Hat on!

Okay so I know it's a little EARLY for New Years, but this project can be converted into so many party hats. Xyron challenged us to take one of their older projects (Find the project inspiration HERE), and re-new them using our own creative take. There was a LOT of creative freedom given, all we had to do was be inspired by the older project- and lo and behold- one of my favorite things to make was right there begging to be made-over, a hat! So here it is and all the step by step instructions to create it:

you will need: 

Xyron 5 Inch Creative Station

Xyron Glue Stick

Xyron Wishblade (or you can hand cut)

Plastic headband base (available at craft stores)

.25 in Foam Core

Crepe Paper

Colorbok Glitter Cardstock

Marker

Scissors

Xacto knife

craft wire

hot glue gun

A.

B.

Okay so pardon the hairy arms (my husbands!), but you will need help for this first step- YOU MUST bend open the headband before you measure- if you dont, then headband won't open enough to be worn- so put it on your head-get a feel for how open it is, then trace the base circle (A)- then open it BIGGER and trace your top line onto the foam core as pictured (B)

add two end lines connecting the top and bottom line, and cut out with Xacto knife

use this piece as a template to cut our your glitter card stock

run your glitter piece through the Creative station and attach it to the foam core base

place a top your headband and mark the beginning and end point

 run a bead of hot glue between the lines

quickly attach base, spreading out the headband to fit- hold until cools

use your glue stick around the edges of hat and attach your trim-set aside to dry

I used my Wishblade to cut out 7 various shaped stars and ran them through the Creative Station

I then sprinkled with glitter onto the sticky side-press down to make sure it adheres

trim 4 pieces of craft wire about 3 inches long

I cut out 8 ovals with my Wishblade- you can cut out any shape you want- but 4 of them should be scaled smaller- so 4 large shapes-4 smaller shapes- run them through the Creative Station

                                                                                                        

AB

     CD

D

Take your first largest Shape and stick a piece of wire to the base-sticky side up (A) then take your smaller piece and attach it sticky side down (B) Press firmly down encasing the wire-yes you will have sticky still showing (C) Dip the stick edge in glitter and press down. Attach your YEAR numeral stickers and repeat for each number (D)

Accordion fold 12 inches of crepe paper and then trim 1/2 inch off (you may need to trim more or less depending on size of hat)

run glue stick on base and attach crepe. I also attached an extra piece of trim to cover the base-using hot glue

Now for a really cool trick- I sued my Mega tape runner and some left over backing for my creative station, to make my own foam squares. Just cut a strip of foam core, run Mega runner on one side-stick to foam core and cover with leftover Xyron backing. Flip over and do the same on the other side. Voila! now just cut to size as needed.

attach foam squares to back of stars and attach to headband

insert year numbers into top of hat

make some extra curliques with the craft wire and insert into foam- you may want to add some hot glue to the base to keep in place. 

Ta da! You can even save this one and just change out the year!

Hope you have fun with the Old to New Project!

Please visit the Xyron blog for more old to new projects@

Ain't She Crafty!