Friday, March 21, 2014

Xyron and Anna Griffin "For the Boys"

I have never worked with Anna Griffin Products before so I wasn't sure what expect when I got my goodies to create with for this post. What I was expecting was some beautiful floral prints and lots of pastels. Although I did get some pretty 6x6 papers, I also got this set of "For the Boys" 396 Die Cuts. I LOVED all of the images inside! Everything was vintage and masculine, yet still had that soft Anna Griffin touch. So I set aside all the floral pretties and decided to make a gift box for my hubbys Birthday- not until July so I am way ahead of the game! I found this plain box at Target in the markdown area for $3.45! Now, if you HAVE to cover a box like this you HAVE to have a 9 Inch Creative Station.
There is simply no better adhesive to use for amazing, smooth, and strong coverage. I also decoupaged this box- and if you don't have your paper adhered to its base properly you are asking for bubbles. I love how this came out following my hubbys instructions that he doesn't like things with flowers, bows or lace!
{Before}

{After}

{I loved the slight wood grain of the background 6x6 Cardstock. After I adhered everything down with my Xyron Creative Station- I decoupaged it using Glossy Mod Podge}

{To bring out the red in the box I sprayed these Heidi Swapp Alphas with ColorBox Spritzers Dye Ink Spray in Fireberry}

{I added these vintage screw heads from my stash with some Hot Glue}

{I made this cool soldered key piece ages ago and had it in my stash, so I tied it on with some Jute}

{I used the uncut 6x6 for the center then cut another piece into 4 1.5 Inch pieces and then added them on with my Xyron Tape runner- Then I ran the whole thing through the Xyron Creative Station to adhere inside}

{The sidewalls have a little Graphic 45 Good Ol Sport paper cut to size and run through the Xyron Creative Station too} PS Graphic 45 Good Ol Boy goes GREAT with these die cuts!

{Yeah, he is a keeper!}

{ now what sort of trinkets to put inside? I am thinking Gummi Bears, Starbucks gift card, maybe some new roller skate wheels...}
I hope you enjoyed the project today and keep your eyes out in those markdown bins for things you can cover up in all the delicious paper you have been collecting!
-Denise
Supplies:
Anna Griffin For the Boys Die Cuts
Anna Griffin 6x6 Cardstock
Anna Griffin Tags


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Awesome News! I am on The Twinery Design Team!

I am so thrilled to be chosen to be part of The Twinery Design Team. I love, love, love twine and am so excited about getting to design with it. And the best part is it compliments so nicely with my other teams....paper, flowers, ink, adhesive, and now TWINE! I just got my twine delivery yesterday so really haven't had a chance to create anything but I couldn't wait so figured I do a quick little embroidery- but alas I need a needle with a much bigger eye for Twine, so I just threw my sewing machine into a small zig zag- wrote my words with disappearing ink, and stitched that twine right on! See all of their wonderful colors HERE!
And why not check out my other teemies pages too:
Denise Hahn
Jen Cuthbertson
Christine Meyer
Rebecca Grecco
DoBea Alberts
Rebecca VanDeMark
Andrew Roberts
Melyssa Connolly
Suzanna Lee
Tobi Crawford
Jeanne Jachna
Stacey Schafer
Anita Mulcahey
Melania Deasy
Katarina Damm-Blomberg

Returning Designers for 2014

Monika Wright - Sr Designer
Jamie Cripps - Sr Designer
Ashley Bores - Sr Designer
Amy Crockett
Tifany DeGough
Jaclyn Miller






Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Mini Album on the Graphic 45 Blog today


When I made this Mini, I had intended it to close. But I filled it with so much stuff it just sat open...so thats the way I kept it! See it here!


Saturday, February 15, 2014

Follow me on Snapguide!

Okay, have you heard of Snapguide? It's my new love. Basically it is a social networking style app that lets users upload their own Snapguide formatted  Step By Step instuctions. Little virtual how to books on anything form cooking to arts and crafts, to electronics, etc. I am now going to do all of my crafting tutorial ons Snapguide so I want to make sure all my blog readers and crafty peeps are following me- so check out my Valentines Snapguide that made the "featured Snapguides" page, and hit follow--- and let the crafty fun begin. (please don;t blame me for a new addiction though!)
-Denise
Check out How to Make a Petaloo Exploding Valentine Box by Denise Hahn on Snapguide.
 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

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











Friday, January 10, 2014

CHA Bound!

{a sneak peek of one of my projects for G45 at Booth #433}

Well at least I am bounding down the freeway! CHA is the Craft and Hobby Associations biggest trade show of the year. All of the Craft manufacturers come from all over the world to display and sell their newest lines and collections. Lucky for me it's right down the freeway in Anaheim. Today I will be helping out at the Graphic 45 Couture Class for buyers and shop owners. I love spending time with the Graphic 45 team, their personalities as beautiful as their paper- I will also be hanging around the booth at times gushing about their new Lines; Botanical Tea, Good Ol' Sport, and Sweet Sentiments their booth is #433 if you happen to be going. On Saturday from 9-1p I will be at the Petaloo booth working the make and take they are at Booth 337- right across form G45! Sunday is Funday! That's the day I roam the floor with my friend Karin-a fabulous designer for Melissa Frances and her friend Gail. We do all the make and takes and oogle over the new lines- we may even make Michele from Paper Tales drop some cash on things we like!
Yeah its fun, I will be Instagramming live so follow me on instagram  Instagram to see all my favorites from the show!


Monday, January 6, 2014

On the Graphic 45 Blog today- Welcome Botanical Tea!


Wow first post of the New Year! It's kind of a crazy time in the craft industry as the biggest trade show of the year is coming this weekend. So just when everyone is packing up their decorations and working on their New Years resolutions- crafters are creating away for Spring Summer! Today Graphic 45 is sneak peeking one of their new line Botanical Tea. I am in love with this line, it has all the vintage charm but includes some polkadots and strips, some of my classic favorite prints! Oh and the Victorian Tussy Mussy I swapped during Christmas is also featured! Click here to see them!