Friday, December 30, 2011

Native American/Southwestern Mini

Hey Y'all!  I came up with the idea for my uncles Navy themed mini and box and it was pretty simple to do after I found the embellishments.  Kinda hard sometimes to make something more plain when you are used to going all out with bling and flowers, but I managed to do it.  So, i didn't wanna give my uncle a handmade and time thought out gift without doing the same for my aunt.  I know one thing she loves is the Native American and Southwestern decor.  I even got her a wall hanging one time that was just beautifully hand stitched with wolves.  When I decided on this theme...I found out how HARD it is to find embellishments and stamps and even PAPER that matches this theme.  I found a few things online and actually found a few sheets of paper at the same outlet that I got the Navy themed paper from.  So, from there...that was my start to see what I could find that was kind of natural feeling and outdoorsy themed.   I found one indian Chief stamp that I think I used 3 times in the mini.  I didn't want to pay a lot for stamps because I knew I wouldn't be making one of these types again unless someone specifically asked for it.  I had some horse stamps already because of my love of horses.  So, those fit nicely as well.  I printed a few images from online that I found of wolves and a totem pole.  I pought a bunch of natural flowers from the dried section at Micheals and applied matte Modge Podge.  I did this in hopes that it won't completely lose all the little pieces.  I used a couple charms that I found on clearence at JoAnn and some brown Primas that I also got on clearence.  I kept it VERY VERY simple.  Not a whole lot of interaction on this one because neither my uncle or aunt are scrapbookers.  I also made a box for this mini.  The basic design and layout is almost exactly the same as the mini, but there's a larger heavier element on the top of the box.  I found a really cool dream catcher ornament!  I covered the sides with left over paper and modge podged over it.  Added some animal fur looking trim from Hobby Lobby and topped it off with some more of the braided cord.

Here's the front of the mini



Here's the top of the box


Here's the slideshow with photos of the box and inside of the mini



Products Used

Olive pigment ink by Colorbox
Cigar box(from Susie visit her blog HERE)
Modge Podge
ATG
Red Line Tape
Eyelets
Twine - Natural
Burlap Ribbon by My Minds Eye
Buttons(JoAnn)
Dimensionals
Craft Cardstock
Paper House Productions Patterned Papers
Hot Glue
Bead Landing Charms(JoAnn)
Mini Grapevine Wreath
Feathers(Micheals & JoAnn)
Turquiose Ribbon(JoAnn)
Brown Ribbon(JoAnn)
Brown Fringed Trim(Hobby Lobby)
Mini Roses(Paper Wishes)
Corrugated Tattered Florals Die Cuts(From Renea visit her Etsy HERE her blog HERE)
Acetate
Braided leather cord(Hobby Lobby)
Indian Chief Stamp
Dream Catcher Sticker(The paper studio)
Inkadinkadoo Horse Stamp
Burgandy Cardstock
Dried Natrual Flowers
Recollections Flowers
Prima Flowers
Dream Catcher Ornament(Hobby Lobby)

Thanks for taking a look!  I appreciate each and every one of you.  :)  Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Altered Cigar box for Navy Dog Tag Mini

Hey Y'all!!  Today I wanted to share with you the altered Cigar box that I made for my uncles Navy Dog Tag Mini.  I still have to add the closure, but I haven't  made it to the store!!  I wanted to give this to my uncle already, but I want it completed before I do.  So, I'm holding it until then.

So...here it is!


The slide show is below for more photos of the inside and outside.



I started out with a paper covered cigar box.  This was my first time to alter one of these.  My GREAT friend Susie sent me 2 boxes to get my creativity going!  Thank you so much Susie.  You are really the BEST!  I peeled off a lot of the paper because when I tried to cover with paper, you could still see the embossed paper underneath that the box was covered in.  So...I painted with folk art Silver Metallic paint over the parts that would show.  Then I found this GREAT paper from JoAnn's that was also a little bumpy.  It kinda reminded me of waves?  LOL!!  Ok, maybe a stretch, but I liked it anyway and it's NAVY.  :)  So...I put that on the top.  I used the large Navy emblem sticker from K&Company in the middle.  I used pop dots to raise it off the box and put it on hammered silver texture paper by Hot of The Press.  I also covered the sides with this paper and used screw head brads on the paper joints on the front of the box.  I used mini spools for the legs on the box.  I painted them a darker blue, but not navy.  I didn't have any paint that color.  I used rope in the corners and more stickers from K&Company(the stars) and I also backed these on the silver paper.  I had already covered in the SILVER when I decided to use the K&Company stickers that were GOLD!  LOL  but I think it came out just fine.  I still am not THAT thrilled with the end result...but no bling and flowers on something for a MAN!  LOL  I added the same hammered silver paper to the inside of the lid and added gray felt in the bottom. 

Here's the products I used.

Cigar Box(courtesy Susie.  Visit her blog HERE)
Navy K&Company Stickers
White Rope(JoAnn)
Hammered Paper by Hot Off The Press(I purchased at JoAnn)
Navy colored wavy paper?  (I purchased at JoAnn)
Folk Art Metallic Silver paint
Wooden Spools
Screw Head Brads by The Paper Studio
ATG
Red Line Tape (purchased from Jody.  Visit her HERE)
Dimensionals (purchased from Jody)
Gray Felt

You can find the Navy Mini HERE.

Thanks for taking a look!  If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  :)

Have a GREAT DAY!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Navy Dog Tag Mini

Hey Y'all!!  Keeping with the military theme...today I am sharing the mini that I have just completed for my uncle for Christmas.  He was in the United States Navy and very proud of his service.  I'm very proud of him too and greatful for his service.  So, I wanted to collect the pictures from his Navy days that I have and put them in this mini for him.  I really think he will enjoy it. 

I first saw a dog tag mini created by Regan (EmoraDesigns) on youtube.  Click HERE for a link to her video.  She cut her mini out using the Stand and Salute Cricut Cartridge...me however, I cut mine out by hand.  Didn't even think of using the cartridge until AFTER I cut it out by hand!!  woo!  My hand was hurting.  I also do not have the deep cut blade for the Cricut.  I cut out from chipboard, made my hole for the ball chain to slip through, painted the edges with blue folk art metallic paint, then I added my papers and embellishments.  This was a challenge for me to do this mini.  Not a WHOLE lot of embellishments you can use for Navy that I found.  I didn't wanna use the same things over and over in the book, but some stuff I did have to repeat.  I was lucky enough to find some of the Creative Imaginations Navy Themed paper line at a discount closeout store!!  I paid 10Cents a sheet!!  Can you believe it?  I was so glad to find it.  They did however only have 2 styles.  Navy emblem and Navy words, so I basically used these through out the book.  I also found the Jolee's Navy stickers.  I must say these are my favorite out of all the Jolees Military themed stickers.  So, a manly book...no bling or stickles or lace or flowers!!!  WOW!!  How does one do that?  Well, I'm very happy with the way it turned out and I hope you enjoy the slideshow and will leave a comment or suggestions.  I hope to have this completed for him by December 24 to give to him at our family gathering.  Just have to finish up the box!

Here's the Front Cover - Kept this pretty simple...no frilly touches. 


This page I have to give special credit to....


My friend Susie...visit her blog HERE ....suggested that I do a Shaker box like a Port hole....well, I didn't have any beads or microbeads, so I left this open to fill at a later date, or just to use as a frame.  If she hadn't given me the idea I would have been stuck on this page!  So, thank you Susie!!  You are the best.  :)

And here's the inside slide show:



Here's the supply list:

Navy colored cardstock
Navy Stickers from Jolees
Creative Imaginations Navy Signature Collection
Screw head brads by the Paper Studio
white puff paint
Gray pigment ink
White cardstock
White dimensional boosters from Jody(visit her store HERE)
Black Dimensional boosters from Jody(she has redline tape too!)
Modge Podge
Navy Bazzil Dots Paper
Star embossing folder by the Paper Studio
Rope trim from JoAnn
Twine
Blue Pigment Ink
Timeless Moments Navy Themed Stickers
Star Buttons
Anchor Buttons
Stand and Salute Cricut Cartridge
Chain
Star Brads
Acetate
Ball Chain
Creative Imaginations USN Themed Brads
Karen Foster Metal Tag Lines
Glossy Accents
K&Company Navy Theme Dimensional Stickers
Anchor Eyelets
Battleship Eyelets
Gray Cardstock
Navy Ribbon
Pioneer Metal Navy Emblem
EK Success Wave Edge Punch
Medium White Tags by the Paper Studio
Small Silver Eyelets
Star Shaped Paper Clip
White Round Velcro
Extra Large Eyelets(from the sewing section)

Thank you so much for visiting!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Wounded Warrior Project Minis

Hey Y'all!  Well, again, I'm so far behind in posting.  I think I get one project complete then 2 more get added to my list!  WHEW! 

So, if you have visited me before then you know how much of a supporter I am of our United States Military.  :)  I just completed these books for the Wounded Warrior Project.  This was started by Karen Petersen on the {scrap}beach.  I warn you to be careful where you send items to if you are trying to get something(cards, care packages etc) to a service member.  There have been lots of BAD addresses floating around out there and the items will just be thrown away.  There are several places you can send cards and I will list them below, but this was the first time I had ever been able to make a mini to send in.  I was so glad to get in contact with Karen for this project. 

I kept it pretty simple since these will be going to people who may not be crafters.  I went with a Holiday Theme and this was my first Christmas Mini.  I have to say it was a CHALLENGE not to make it so busy and chunky like my others!  I ALWAYS struggle with my covers on the minis.  This one...i'm still not that happy with, but I had to get these in the mail.  So, just had to put it down! 

Here's a photo of the front of the book.  I made basically 2 just a like(first time for me)


And here's the slide show of the inside.



Products used
Bo Bunny Father Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad
K&Co Christmas Tag Pad
Handmade Mulberry paper trees
Jolees Bells
Making Memories Glittered Brads
Glossy Accents
Acetate
Making Memories Gold Paint
Folk Art Christmas Green Metallic Paint
Harmonie Chipboard Reindeer
Prima Flowers
K&Co Star and Snowflake Embellishments
Recollections Bling
Christmas Red Stickles
Paper Studio Binder Rings
Tulle
Making Memories Lace
Making Memories Trim
Pearls
Pearl Teardrop Trim
Aunthentic Stamp Die Cuts
Recollections Pearl Flourishes
Recollections Buttons
Prima Flowers and Leaves
Rock Candy Distress Crackle
Matte Modge Podge
Garment Pins
Clear Beads
Snowflake die cuts
micro beads
Making Memories Red Glittered Trim(topped this with glossy accents)
Websters Pages Sparklers
Small Key Charm
Kanban Christmas Die cuts
Pleated trim


So, there's the list.  If you'd like to make cards for a service member or get involved in supporting them in anyway...please visit Operation Write Home or Soldiers Angels

You'd be surprised how much a small and inexpensive gesture can mean to a total stranger!!  You might even  make a friend and who can't use a friend?  :)

Thanks for visiting! 

Happy Holidays!