Make a Calendar using a 4X6 Acrylic Frame

This is a very easy, yet beautiful gift idea!!!

Start with a frame like this:

Cut a piece of patterned paper 4X6
Print off a yearly calendar.You can find these online.I used my print program I have to do it.Cut them and ink them with an ink color that will match you patterned paper.Create a small envelope to stick to the back to place the monthly cards in. I used a library pocket and trimmed it and used double-sided tape to stick it to the back of the frame.

Decorate the patterned paper.Remember not to use thick embellishments. The thinner they are, the better it will look.
Adding one photo corner is a good idea so you can slip the monthly card into it without it sliding down to the bottom of the frame. A bit of stability for the card :O)
I like adding a mini-clip that can be used to clip an impt. message there that you can see at a glance!Here are 2 more I did.I used scrap pieces for all 3 of them! Great way to use up some piece of patterned paper.

Enjoy!!! Let us know if you try one, or two or three!!! :o)

Floral Craft - Lets Make a Paper Flower

I used the Silent Night Flourish By Papertrey Ink to stamp a background onto the white base card, I made up the Flower (instruction's are below) and added in to the top corner of the card,

Using the Nestabilities Label Die I cut out the 2nd largest shape and folded it in half and stamped the Everyday Blessing sentiment on the front

I attached the label onto the card and tied a ribbon around the bottom of the card and knotting it.

This is the inside of the Nestabilities folded Label, I cut paper with the next size down Label die and stamped sentiment from Everyday Blessings inside

Making the Flower

Cut out all of the pieces from the template (template at the bottom of post).

1. First to make the stamen colour on both sides as shown in the template and snip with scissors to fringe the edge starting at the thin yellow end add a small amount of glue to the edge that wasn't fringed then tightly roll from the thin end finishing a the thick end of the shape the glue will hold this in place. once the glue is dray open(splay) the fringing so it looks like the stamen in the picture below.

2.Cut out 8 of the large petal shapes then using water colours paint the colour shading onto the shapes starting at the blunt end getting light to the pointed end you can see this shading in the picture below.

Once dry cup them by rolling an embossing tool inside the petal shapes. Then pinch the the blunt end of the petal this is the end you will glue onto the daisy shape petals.

3. Take the daisy and push into the center with an embossing tool then add a little glue to each of the daisy petals and attach the main coloured flower petals leaving a little gap in the centre now add the stamen by adding glue into the centre of the flower.

4. Cut some leaf shapes and score with a pointed tool (darning needle) the leaf veins and attach these to the bottom of the flower

Of Course I needed a box for the card so used the same method as the card I made a smaller flower for the top.

Flower Petal templates, Tutorials and Free Images can be found on my blog HERE

Jak (Crafters Kitchen)

Fimo toadstool tutorial.

Hi all :)

I know there are many crafters out there who have spare Fimo polymer clay hanging around the craft room. A real easy little project is a Fimo toadstool, these can be used for displays, or as a great addition to a fairy garden for the kids. So i have done a basic tutorial with some pics to get you there.

First you need some Fimo, i used the Fimo Classic here....this was a light flesh colour, but any of the lighter colours will do.....



Cut off 1/4th of it, that's all you need for a toadstool of this size...

.

You now need to make two balls of equal size. To do this, just cut your piece in two before you start rolling the balls......cheers for that tip Maddy! :)



Then roll the two balls......one will be your stem, and the other your top.



Take the first ball, and roll it into a sausage shape.....



Then taking an end in each hand between the fingers, twist it alternating ways (one end forwards whilst the other twists backwards......apologies if that sounds like i'm teaching anyone to suck eggs, believe me when i say i need to make it clear so that I can remember it!!! :)

Now you have your twisted stem. You don't have to have a twist in it, in fact i'm not sure that real toadstools do at all.....i just like it!



So that's your stem done. Put it to one side and take your second ball of clay. Flatten it with the pad of your finger/thumb until it's quite flat, about 3 or 4 mm.



Now to mark the underside with the toadstools gills....i just marked a dot in the middle as a guide, then pressed with the blade of a craft knife to get the markings. Tip, if you find it hard spacing the lines out properly, mark a cross, then half the segments in that, then half the segments again......and so on. It doesn't have to be perfect though......have you ever seen a toadstool that was?



Turn it over, then for added effect, i cut small chips into the edge of the toadstool...



Next take the toadstool roof, and press the edges slightly to thin out the rounded edges. You can use two hands for this, one to hold, one to press. I just couldn't as i had to take a piccy!



That's the roof done......now push the stem up into the centre of the roof. Do this firmly enough to make it stick, but gentle enough not to go through the top. Hey presto....one Fimo toadstool!!!



Please do not fret if you think it looks rubbish at this stage, once it's gone hard and you have added some colour later, it looks so much better! Really brings out the realism to it.

Now go and stick it in the oven. I did mine for 30 mins at Gas Mark half, or 110 degrees F/240 degrees C. Once done, let it cool thoroughly.

Time to give it some colour. Below are the colours i used. A Dark Moss and charcoal Colourbox ink, and a Fired Brick and Tea Dye Distress ink pad. These were applied with a standard 1/2in paint brush i found in my shed. Oh yes...only the best tools for Calv! :)



First off, i applied the Dark Moss to the stem. I just jabbed the brush into the ink pad, then flicked the brush around the stem rather than "painted it. This ensured any little nooks and cranny's were coloured.



Then i turned it over and did the underside in Charcoal ink...



I just gave the edge a little ink too......



Lastly, colour the top. I used two layers of colour on this one, Tea Dye first then after a quick dry with a heat gun, i brushed it with Fired Brick to give it a reddish hint.
So there you go.......one finished toadstool!



The underside......



Thanks for taking a look at this, it is on my blog here too. It really is a simple piece to make, even my ten year old made one to this standard with only verbal input from me. I would love it if you could pass this method on to anyone who is new to Fimo, and if that someone was a little one, it would make it all the more special. :)

"Box" Card

I added this to my blog tonight and thought I'd share it with you :) I find these little 'boxes' addictive once I get going :)



Is it a card or is it a box? Well it's both.....
This card looks like a regular card until you open it and then 'surprise' there's a little box attached.





I made these cards last year to hold school pictures of my boys I was sending out, so thought I'd take the time and share the instructions with you :)

You can use them for gift card holders or sending flat type embellishments to fellow carders as a little surprise :)



Materials:
Bone Folder
Text weight paper (sheet of computer paper)
Cardstock
Patterned paper
Embellishments


Instructions:

1. Cut the text weight paper to 8 1/2" x 11"



2. Fold your paper into 3 equal sections and score with your bone folder for nice sharp creases.





3. Open up your paper and take the left side and bring it to the middle and fold the edge back, do the same on the right, you should have what looks like 'french doors' now. Crease well!





4. Keep your paper folded and FLIP it over, fold the tips back BUT not t he 'door' flaps to make points at both ends.






5. Unfold tips and FLIP your paper over again. Pull the 'door' flaps down towards the bottom and do this for all 4 corners.









6. Keep everything folded and FLIP your paper over again, fold down the flap at each end.






7. FLIP your paper over again and UNFOLD everything, tucking the last fold INWARD at both ends.







8. Take the LEFT 'door' flap and fold it over the RIGHT 'door' flap, then pull the top LEFT section downward and fold, now do the same with the bottom section, then fold the 'door' flap back over. Repeat this for the other side.












9. Now you should have your little box!









To make up the card:

Base: cut your cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", put adhesive on the bottom (back) of your box and place it centered on your base.

Flaps: cut your cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", and then cut this in half and adhere the flaps of the box to the center of each flap.

You add patterned paper at this point if your wish to cover your flaps as well.

The center panel on my card is 3" x3" and you only adhere half of the panel to the left side flap.

Embellish as you see fit :)




Happy Carding!
Tamara