PaperBlackbird: 2013

Monday, December 2, 2013

PAPERBLACKBIRD at St Ives Heritage Fair

PaperBlackbird
We were so happy to show and share our offerings at the St Ives Fair.

Something Special for Someone Special

Rosettes
What ever your theme traditional or modern, there are so many lovely papers available to make Christmas special.
You could also layer a large rosette with a smaller rosette on top. It's up to your.
The centre 'holly' design is because I like building things from paper, not just punching out shapes but embossing, then turning a simple circle into a berry or Rudolph's nose.

All rosettes here are from strips of patterned paper 12" x 1 3/4"
1/4 " scored and pleated.

From the fellow in the Big Red Suit!

I love the Santa Tummy theme.
Square Real Red C/Stock, Whisper White cut 1/4 " smaller than the Real Red. Stamp white after you cut, saves paper. Black C/Stock belt, 1" square buckle, square black added for dimension. Mini pegs from Spotlight. Double sided tape to peg top, cut patterned paper strip to length of peg, place short edge of paper on peg edge, cut paper using the opposite side of the peg as your line. Glue and cut basically as you go. I've added small scallop punch c/stock with a Christmas theme stamp on white, punched with a smaller circle punch. Glue spot together and onto peg.

Rosettes
The hardest thing about rosettes are calculating the length you will need to make a full rosette.
The wider the strip the longer you will need. 2" wide strip will need at least 12" of paper. All my rosettes are scored at 1/4" then hand concertinaed and joined with double sided tape in to a circle.
Then teased into the round shape, held down and hot glued in the centre with small c/stock circles. front and back so they hold firm.

This time rosettes made into gift tags.
An Elf tummy in greens and red would be fun for the kids as well.

Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread Houses.
Yes - made from the Stampin Up Mini Milk Ctn die again.
This die is so versatile. Sweet creations.
They were a happy accidents, as crafting often is. I thought they could be birdhouses, but didn't like the look. Then saw an add for courses to make Gingerbread Houses - voila!

Christmas Thoughts in Paper...

Left to right: Pinecone - 1" squares folded to form points, pinned to foam egg forms.
Melting Snowmen Tags - 3 punched circles, different sizes; 1" square for top hat, ink edges in light blue to show dimension. Decorate as you wish. Candy Box die (Stampin Up) Label punch and stamp set. Santa gift boxes made from Stampin Up Pillow Box die, black belt, 1"square silver buckle, smaller black square to show dimension.

Santa's Tummy Lollie Boxes.
Made from Stampin Up Mini Milk Ctn die. Decorated. White C/Stock run through Big Shot embossing envelope to add dimension.

Soap Box. 12" x 12" sheet of Designer Paper scored and folded to form this lovely favor box suitable for any time.
Just change the paper to suit the occasion.
Directions - see FrenchieStamps link top right of this blog.

Christmas Cards...

Some more fun Christmas Cards.
The top card was our 2012 card. I loved the idea from our door to your door. So hence the front door theme.
This card is on Crumb Cake C/Stock base, Very Vanilla background, Cherry Cobbler door, with 4 panels mounted with
dimentiaonals. I have scored lines around the outside of each panel to resemble wood work. An antique brad in the centre as a door knob. Add a stamped and cut out wreath with red glitter accents and a seam binding bow.
Yes a lot of work, but worth it for a special friend.
The Star Card is so simple. Pennant punch 5 plain edged pennants. The paper is reversible so you already have colour combinations. Punch glitter circles. Coordinated buttons with hemp twine threaded through and tied. All on a Very Vanilla C/Stock base. Cherry Cobbler run through the Big Shot with stripe folder. Add silver tie, matching olive green c/stock to give the red a punch. Attach pennants with double sided tape, top triangle 1st, then two side triangles, BUT they must look horizontal with each other. Then bottom 2. Position these so the straight edges seem to flow on from the 1st triangle's edges. All this will be neatened up with the glitter circle. Add this with glue dots and glue dot the button.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Blackboard Theme

Not the best photo, sorry. More blackboard theme gift tags. This look resembles the old fashioned school easel. Crumb Cake C/Stock base. Stamped with woodgrain in Early Espresso. Top layer, black c/stock stamped in various stamps using VersaMark (clear pigment stamp pad) dusted with white embossing powder, run in front of a heat gun and there you have it - the chalkboard look.

Merry and Bright Add-ons...

I like the versatility of these gift cards. They can be attached to a gift then stood up as a Christmas card.

You will need the Lable Thinlits set to create the layer effect.

Though graduating circles or ovals will do the trick.

Fun little collection of Candy Ideas for Christmas treats or favors.

The Elf Box (centre) is a variation on the Santa Boxes that we all love.

Merry and Bright...I do like these simple Gift Tags. Although a little time is needed for the blackboard embossing, I do like the effect.

Fun little add-ons to a card, note, gift. You might not think you will need one, but I garantee you will find a use for them by the end of Christmas.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

This Years Christmas Cards

I just love this stamp set. Years ago, Lisa Hoggart made cards for Duncan's soccer team, she had rolling soccer balls. We don't have pennys here in Aust so I've used buttons to make the snowball roll. Makes me smile...

Same stamp set with the addition of Lovely as a Tree stamp set background. Lots of cutting out mind, but I like this fellow as well.

I went with the oval frame, simply to make the side sturdier. Dazzling Diamonds on both snowmen look just like snow, love it. Real Red Cardstock, Always Artichoke trees, Pool Party Cardstock and seam binding, with Whisper White.

Christmas is in the air...

Christmas is in the air... well not really as we are expecting another hot day in Sydney tomorrow, 37 C that's 98.6 F. Still a good reason to stay indoors and craft. I don't know where I saw this star but it got me thinking. Cut 5 small pennants from the pennant punch; attach to the back of a 1 3/8 circle punch; add a small scallop circle in glitter on top; add a button to suit with string tie detail. Tip - keep in mind the shape of a 5 point star, sides line up with one another.

Quick Gift Certificate Envelope.

I looked at this envelope on Julia's desk and thought, "That's made from Stampin' Up papers, hmm where did she get that from?" Senior moment. I made it last year to dress up a pasta making course gift certificate. You just have to laugh....

Monday, September 30, 2013

Small Gift Tags...for the guys

Set of 5 gift tags, made with guys in mind.
Two tags a little larger [7cm x 10 cm] and 3 tags [7cm x 7cm]

Crumb cake topper with bakers twine and string bow, staple sealed.

I used the Stampin Up C clear stamp block to stamp the distressed background colour, in Old Olive and Crumb Cake.
Then stamped French Foliage in Early Espresso.