Secret Garden Off-The-Page Class

Hello crafters!

Learn to create a gorgeous off the page project with lots of layers and fussy cutting. This is a project that I have designed. For more info, call Paper Lane store at 04-3443633 or email info@mypaperlane.com. DON'T MISS THIS CLASS!!! 

Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
 Irene

True Friends {Carta Bella} Inspirations

Hello dear crafters.

It's time to celebrate true friendship...time for sharing...and I'm happy to share my ideas and inspirations with you all. I hope you heard this saying "think outside the box" and if you do just don't forget the box. I sure didn't forget mine and I have a triple box of inspirations and much more! The Carta Bella True Friends collections are so beautiful, fun and colorful and just right for these ideas and projects.

 Beautiful Day Box card

This is a regular version (vertical or portrait type) of box card made out of cardstock. I have fun dressing it up with Carta Bella True Friends collection, a few die cuts, doily and coordinated sticker.

 This is how it looks inside the box card...

   Simply leave it as it is or add a photo inside the box...makes an amazing card to gift a friend.

True Friends Easel Box card

I have came up with different versions of the box card.  This one is a combination of easel card and box card.

And because it is an easel card, it looks like the friends have a playground to play. You can always use that part to write a message for the receiver, just mat it up with a plain cardstock or maybe write directly on it. The flowers were simply made using Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Florals die and an adhesive pearl at the center.

The back view of the easel card...the more reason to display this card.

 And when the easel card is close...

 Friendship Box Tag

Yes, a box in a tag or a tag with a box. I was so delighted when this idea came into mind...a simply wonderful and creative idea.  

 

 

I love how it is see through and I use the solid color papers from the collection to die cut. Decorated both sides and covered it up with transparency (acetate).

 

 

 Now, let's have a look on another inspirations outside the box.

True Friends Layout

 

 

Here is a layout on friendship using this paper collection. A glimmer misted and masked page with fussy cut outs, punching, die cut flowers, die cut butterflies and sticker from the paper line.

 

 Here is another project, something beyond the page...a frame. Perfect base for creating a home decor or a gift to a friend.

  Live Laugh Love Frame

The frame measures 30x40cm. I have used the new Prima Mix Media doll stamps and did some paper piecing. The background behind the dolls was created using modeling paste dabbed with a stamp to add a stucco texture then directly applied  Prima pastel chalk inks. The layout on the frame are behind the glass while the bird, flowers and leaves are outside the glass.

 

 

 The flowers were made from the same paper collection and using Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret  die (HCD 727) one of the many new dies available at Paper Lane.

 

 

I have fun creating and designing these projects. I hope I have inspired you and you'll give them a try.

If you are interested to recreate any of these projects, visit Paper Lane and book your place.

Cheers,
Irene 

Martha Stewart Crafter's Clay Inspiration

I hope to inspire everyone today with a project using Martha Stewart Crafter's Clay Nature Starter Kit.

I really love this starter kit, it includes Crafter's Clay (white, brown, yellow, red, and blue), 2 detailing tools, 4 silicone molds, floral tape, floral wire, and instructions booklet with color-mixing chart.

With this starter kit I was able to make this home décor project.

You can also easily create your own beautiful dimensional clay embellishments and decorations with this easy-to-use crafter’s clay kit. It is non-toxic, air-drying molding compound which can be used with silicone molds or free form to become beautiful flowers, leaves, and bird.

 
No baking required, air-dries in 24 hours to a firm consistency and can then be left natural or finished with paint, glitter or whatever suits your projects. There are selections of Martha Stewart silicone molds available to choose at Paper Lane. Visit the store and grab one today.

 

I hope I have inspired you today.

Be inspired and create.


Hugs,
Irene

Flower Soft Inspiration

Hello, dear crafters!

Today's inspiration is  Flower Soft. On this project I used the Flower Soft Spring Textures  Peony Pink, Spring and Meadow colors .

 

It is quite easy to use. Just follow the 3 easy steps: 

1. Take flower soft out of the jar. Keep it in a small bowl or container and loosen it up.

2. Add glue to the design. 

3. Sprinkle over flower soft. Remove excess and let the glue with flower soft dry. 

 

Here is the first card I made using the Spring Texture flower soft . . .

 

 

 The stamp I used is the Bird Haven Set Stamps (HCPC3477) from Heartfelt Creations as well as the sentiment which is the Heartfelt Creations Precut Set Stamp (HCPC3474).  I applied Flower Soft on the flowers and leaves on the stamp design.

And here is the second card I made using the Spring Textures flower soft ...

On this card i used the Tattered Blossom Swirls Precut Set (HCPC3469) also from Heartfelt Creations.  I used the same Heartfelt Creations Precut Set Stamp for the sentiment.

After stamping the flower design on a white cardstock, I cut it out and applied Flower Soft spring color on the flowers and meadow on the leaves.  Accented the flowers with pearls.  I applied Flower Soft on the window too.

The butterfly was punched then flower soft was applied on the wings.  It surely does add dimensions to my card.

 

I hope you'll give Flower Soft a try.  You can adhere it with glue to your cards or scrapbooks.  It does not crush or rub off and it is acid free.  Flower Soft is especially good for adding dimension to flowers, grass or leaves and wide variety of projects.  It also is very light and does not add any significant weight to a project. The floral embellishments are permanent as long as thick PVA glue is used. 

 

There are lots of Flower Soft colors available to choose from at Paper Lane. Have your pick!  Be inspired and create.

Cheers,

Irene

 

Martha Stewart Chalkboard and Glow-In-Dark Paints

Hello crafters.

I hope everyone is having a crafty time. I'm trying to get things organized, paint it up, inspire myself and get creativity flowing. One of  the best way to do it is by having a clipboard! Clipboards are inexpensive yet when painted it can dress up your walls beautifully and organized your life.

I have painted the middle part of a clipboard using Martha Stewart multi-surface gray Chalkboard acrylic paint as my easily erasable writing surface. I applied 4 coats of chalkboard paint.

I painted the bottom part of the clipboard which is around 2inches using Martha Stewart multi-surface Glow-In-Dark acrylic paint. I die cut letters using Tim Holtz alterations vintage market alphabet die as masks for the word 'remember'. Both paints has a creamy, smooth texture and really good consistency.


Again, I die cut letters from cardstock using Tim Holtz alterations vintage market alphabet die for 2013 and 'inspire' words which I also painted with Glow-In-Dark acrylic pain. This paint really works well on any surface.

 After the chalkboard paint is fully dry, remember to prime and condition the painted surface by lightly covering it with chalk then wiping it off. Then it is ready to use as a writing surface.

I hope I have inspire you with this clip art project. Adults and kids alike will surely love using a painted clipboard. I hope you will add in your to-do list... a visit to Paper Lane and grab some Martha Stewart craft paints, tools and accessories. A good quality product that will surely glow in your craft box!

Good ideas glow in the dark...let your ideas glow...and paint it out! 

Cheers,
Irene

Martha Stewart Glass Paints and Silkcreens

Hello everyone!

It's been really quite awhile since my last post. Health wasn't quite well with me for awhile...depressed for quite sometime...mojo's off...and didn't notice time moves and I was left behind!!! Behind with a lot of responsibilities too.

Anyway, I'm getting back on track and trying to catch up with all that's needs catching up. Energy level is not 100% but at least on the way up I guess and hope it will continue. 

 

Anyway, I would like to inspire you with projects using Martha Stewart glass paints and adhesive silkscreens. It looks like glass painting is a hit lately and I painted a bit myself too! Yes, time to explore...time to bring something fresh to my crafting space! 

The glass paints really works great and comes in a number of finishes. I used Yellow Gold Metallic, Raspberry Ice Gloss Opaque, Key Lime Transparent and Feldspar Fine Glitter glass paints for these projects. Love the fun paint colors!

 

 The paint comes with fine point applicator tip and in a nice size bottles which is perfect enough for my craft space. Of course there are a wide of variety of colors available at Paper Lane along with Martha Stewart paints accessories such as tools and applicators which are brilliantly and beautifully designed, stencils and silkscreen, mediums, finishes and specialty effects. Have to grab some for myself too!

 

Also, I used the Martha Stewart Floral Doily adhesive silkscreen along on these projects and I just love how my projects turn out.

 

 The first glass painted project I did was on a flower vase. Imagine from a plain flower vase to this:

 

 

I used Raspberry Ice Gloss Opaque, Key Lime Transparent glass paints on the vase. Really love these paints! It has a creamy, smooth texture and really good consistency. There is almost no odor, too.

 

 

 The silkscreen is wonderful too! It gives my project an exquisite detailed design. I find the adhesive backing makes it simple and easy to apply the paints on the curved surface of the vase. 

 

 

 

I used the Foam Pouncer Method for these projects which I found quite easy for me to use and just ideal for curved surfaces.

And here’s another glass project:

I used Yellow Gold Metallic glass paint for these drinking glasses. 

Now, I have beautiful and unique hand painted drinking glasses to grace my table and to offer to my guests. 

 

There are two methods for curing the Martha Stewart Glass Paints:

Oven-cure and Air dry method. I used the air dry method (as I live in a sharing accommodation and shares oven with other staff). My project has now been air dried for 21 days. As I don’t have a dishwasher either, I hand washed my vase and glasses and WOW the paint did really stays on the glass!!!

Just in case, here’s the oven-curing directions I found on the internet are as follows: 

After drying for 1 hour, place in cool oven. Set temp to 350 degrees F and bake for 30 min. (Glass must heat gradually) After 30 min turn the oven off. Let glass cool completely in oven. Don’t use for 72 hours.

I got carried away and  I thought I’d play a bit more with these paints. I'm using these plain glass tea light candle holders for quite awhile now. So, I give them a lift up. It is new year after all, time for a new look!

 

Used again the Yellow Gold Metallic glass paint but this time I top it up with Feldspar Fine Glitter. I love the sparkle and how they complement each other. It’s awesome that the glitter is light enough to let me layer the paints for a really customizable look! Just remember not to oven-cure projects with fine glitter finish; air-cure only.

We are so lucky that Paper Lane has brought these here in Dubai and stocks the entire selection of Martha Stewart craft paints and wide varieties of tools and accessories.

I hope you will find time to visit Paper Lane and grab some Martha Stewart craft paints, tools and accessories. This is really a good quality product and fun tool that you should have in your craft box!

2013…

new you…

explore…

believe in yourself and let creativity flows.

With these candle lights, I wish that the lights of the 2013 will bring everlasting joy, colors and merriment to your {painting and crafting}lives.

Love,

Irene

 

 

My Mind's Eye Christmas Design Inspirations

Hi everyone! I hope you are all well and starting to get into the festive spirit as well as crafting spirit. After all, this is the season of joy, peace, hope and love. Time when all is bright, like the Christmas projects that I’m delighted to share using My Mind’s Eye All is Bright paper collection. I created a couple of cards and Christmas gift baskets. 

My first card is a Christmas Box Card.

 JOY

 I learned how make the basic foundation of this card from a craft fair that I have attended recently. It was a portrait or vertical style of card that was taught. I'm just excited to make my own version in landscape or horizontal style. So happy with the paper collection and how the card turned out.More excited to share it with you.

 

 This is the side view of the card. I have decorated the spine with ruffled lace which I have misted with Bronze Tattered Angels  Glimmer mist and a strip of red velvet ribbon. Embellished the front side with cut out design and sentiment from the same paper collection.

 

 I had as much fun decorating the box inside the card and this is how it looks inside. The beauty of this card does not only shows from outside but also from inside. For those who do not celebrate Christmas, the theme of this card can easily be changed for any occasions. 

My second card is quite simple, quick and easy to make. 

Merry Christmas

Created a tent-fold style card. After layering the front with cardstock, pattern papers, trims and die cut swirls, I used layered stickers dimensional from the same MME All is Bright collection. Finished it off with some adhesive pearls at the corners.  

 

 The last project I made are the Christmas Gift Baskets and this how the baskets look like.

 

 The basket have enough space to hold your gifts...either sweets & treats, crafting goodies or anything you have in mind. It can also be use to decorate your tables and just fill it up with holiday cheers! The basket theme can  also be easily changed for any occasions.

Here is a tutorial for the Christmas gift basket.

Supplies: Cardstock, Pattern Papers, Trimmer/scissors,border punch, adhesives, embellishments of your choice; Optional: Distress ink, manual die-cutting machine & dies.

 

 1. Cut cardstock to 8 ½ inches square and score at 2 ½ inches on all sides. Cut as indicated using the template below as guide.

 

 

2. Using pattern paper of your choice cut panels and adhere the panels to the basket shape as shown. My panels measures as follows: 2 ¼ inches square for corner panels, 2 ¼ x 3 ¼ inches for center-side panels and 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ inches for the center panel or bottom of the basket. Distress score/cut lines and edges as desired.

 

 3. Assemble the basket. (Opps..I took the photo before I have attached the pattern papers)

4. Cut a strip of cardstock to 2 ½ x 11 inches and punch both edges. Top with a strip of 1 x 11 inches pattern paper and adhere to the basket to act as a handle.

5. Decorate basket as desired.

I hope I have inspired you all today.

Drop by at Paper Lane...grab the All is Bright paper collection from My Mind's Eye. You'll also be amazed by all the goodies available in the store. Also check out the design inspirations from my fellow DT.

Wish you all a Merry and Bright Christmas. 

Until next time, happy crafting!

Cheers,

Irene