Supplies For Bat Display

Photos of the supplies I used for my 

Too Cute Bats Halloween Display

Styrofoam balls, Decorating Paste, Glossy Paint, Glitter

(dowel rods not pictured)

for the bat bodies

The home made shimmer mist and the black card stock

to make the bat wings (misted) .

Orange Paper Twist and Lumiere paint

to make the paper medallions/rosettes.

Black Stazon ink, organdy ribbon, rubber stamp image

to create my own decorative ribbon.

Circle punches, card stock, marker, metal edge tag,

rhinestones (pre-sticky image of a candy corn I cut apart)

to created the miniature punched pumpkin tag.

Decorative papers, punch, stamp, Versamark ink,

embossing powder and mark for each letter / flag.

White glitter, die cut fun foam ghost, ribbon embellishment.

Two very small circle punches, black and white card stock,

Crystal Effects (clear drying dimensional glue) to create bat eyes.

TIP: transfer your embossing powder to a larger container

 to make it easier when you pour the excess back in. 

Decorative papers, Bird Punch (I used the wing and the branch),

Cropodile and mini brads to make the paper strip pumpkin. 

Too Cute Bats Halloween Banner Display

My new Halloween display piece for this year. 

Other than the "cat ears", I think it turned out pretty well =)

Here are some closeup photos and details:

The bats and feet are made from Styrofoam balls.

I have no idea what size they are since they were 

from my stash of loose Styrofoam balls. 

You need two large balls for the bodies 

and two smaller balls for the feet.

Cut the two smaller balls in half to make the feet.

Stick a skewer or dowel rod into each foam ball before

you start to make a handle to hold onto.

I lightly coated the foam balls with a thick decorators paste 

first to try to smooth them out, filling in the little gaps a bit 

before painting. I allowed them to dry 24 hours.

I painted using glossy black acrylic craft paints and a paint brush.

While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled on glitter then let them

set for another 24 hours to make sure they were dry.

I made my own pattern for the wings and ears,

cut them out from Basic Black card stock

then sprayed them with a homemade shimmer mist.

I use rubbing alcohol and a dab of shimmery Lumiere

 metallic paint, mix well in a small mister bottle.

I don't have an exact ratio / recipe, 

I just "eyeball" it but I'm sure you can find

many references online to making your own.

While the wings were still slightly damp from the spray,

 I carefully bent them into shape.

The ears were made the same way.

The mouth was hand painted on with a small paintbrush

and white acrylic craft paint.

The fangs were cut from scraps of the glossy white card stock.

I had to use a toothpick to dab on a tiny bit of Tombow liquid glue

then use tweezers to apply each fang, they are tiny ! 

I have lots of small googlie eyes, but needed larger ones so I made my own.

They were made from Whisper White and Basic Black card stock

punched with small circle punches. I added a dot of silver metallic ink

(white gel pen or white paint would work just as well, I happened to have that marker

 on my work space so I used it) to the black circle, glued it to the top of the 

Whisper White then covered both with Crystal Effects clear dimensional glue/accent.

Once dry, they were glued on with the Tombow liquid glue. 

I created the "happy happy" tag by inking a stamp with a marker.

It is from the "Think Happy Thoughts" stamp set by Stampin' Up!

The stamp says "happy birthday", but by using a water based marker,

I was able to ink only the "happy" and stamp it twice,

twisting the stamp around so the second stamping

lines up with the gap where "birthday" would have been.

I used a Pumpkin Pie marker to ink the image that was stamped on

 glossy white card stock, 

punched out with a 1 3/8" circle punch and 

glued on top of a metal edge tag.

The little pumpkin was made with a 1/2" circle punch,

Pumpkin Pie marker and card stock, Close To Cocoa card stock.

I used yellow green rhinestones as accents.

Hot glue the completed tag to the center of the bows. 

 Using the Alphadots stamp set from Stampin' Up!,

 I stamped onto Green Galore card stock with

Versamark ink then heat embossed them with black

embossing powder.

I punched them out with a circle punch 

slightly larger than the embossed area.

A purple metallic permanent marker was used to 

carefully color over the green outer edge.

The metallic shimmer of the ink doesn't show up well.

It would have been easier if I had the correct size punches

to punch around each letter then punch out a slightly larger

circle to mat it onto, but I don't so this is what I came up with.

The rosettes behind the letters were made with orange

Paper Twist. I cut a 1/2" wide strip the width of the twist

( I'm guessing about 5" long?).

Glue the two short ends together to form a circle.

Stand the circle up on end, then carefully smoosh it down flat 

so that it makes a rosette / medallion / lollipop flower .

Low temp hot glue was perfect to glue these into place on the back of the letters

then to glue them onto the flags.

I lightly brushed on the shimmery metallic Lumiere paint

to some of the raised portions of the rosette.

The little flags are cut from two papers that were in an old

Die Cuts With A View Fall stack I have. 

They were 1 1/2" wide by 4" long.

The bottoms were punched with a square punch.

I normally use scissors to make the cuts, but since I had

so many to make and that would be on display next to each other,

 I wanted them to look more uniform.

I folded over the top edge then used my sewing machine

threaded with purple thread to do a zig zag stitch across the tops.

I ran a piece of 1/8" purple satin ribbon through the pockets.

The ghost is a foamie shape that came in a bucket full

of Halloween foam shapes I bought for my kids.

They never used them so once in a while I remember them

and put a piece to use.

I painted it with the Lumiere shimmery metallic paint, 

but it wasn't shiny enough so I sprinkled on white glitter.

It was hot glued to the center of the bow I made.

I made the orange organdy ribbon with black bats

by using rubber stamps and black Stazon ink, oh so easy !

The stamp is from the Halloween Backgrounds stamp set

by Stampin' Up!.

Be sure to stamp the ribbon on scrap paper, the ink may

bleed through and stain whatever is underneath !

Polka dot ribbon from my stash, unknown manufacturer.

This is the first time I've made a pumpkin from paper strips.

Tip: use double sided paper or solid core colored card stock to look 

more finished (note the inside of mine is white).

I decided to use this light weight paper so it would be more flexible to

bend the papers easier to shape my little pumpkin. 

I don't care for the white on the inside.

 Of course after the fact I thought to myself 

"Why didn't I brayer on ink over the white ?!?"

I used the two step Bird punch from Stampin' Up!

to make the leaves.

Two thin strips of decorative paper were wrapped around

a dowel to make the twisty, vine pieces.

I almost forgot, I added a piece of skewer painted black 

to the backs of the wings that the banner ends are glued to.

I didn't even try it without the support skewers, 

knowing that the weight of the banner 

would make the wings droop. 

Insert one end into the foam ball,

hot glue the other to the back of the wing.

This also shows how I attached the wings and ears:

I simply cut slits with my Xacto knife

and carefully inserted them. 

I didn't bother to add any glue since

the pieces fit snugly enough.

I was afraid of making a big mess if I tried anyway.

You would cut and insert the wings and ears after

they are totally dry and the foam balls have been 

painted / glittered / dried. 

inspiration from Crafts 'N Things magazine - 

I should have looked at it a little bit closer and

taken note of the ears. Oh well....... 

I made this up as I went, I did not have any instructions or patterns. 

My original plan was to attach them to a wreath, hanging them upside down. 

The grapevine wreath I had in stock wasn't quite large enough, 

it didn't look right to me. 

I knew that I wanted to have them holding the banner

and they would not stand upright so they were going to need a base.

I dug around and came across the slat of wood I have had for years and years 

(I had intended on possibly wood burning something into it).

It was the perfect size to use as the base that I could hot glue the bats to

(although I should have stained it or added fake grass, 

something because it looks too plain).

I'm entering this project in several challenges:

Anything But A Card Challenge blog - shiny, sparkly,blingy

 AnythingButACard.com

F4A137 Rosettes  at splitcoaststampers.com

WT395 What Are The Odds at splitcoaststampers.com

SoShelli.com creative challenge

I hope my paper strip pumpkin and miniature punched pumpkin on the tag make my project

"pumpkin-y" enough to fit these two challenges as well ;)

http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com/2012/10/jack-of-all-trades-kicks-off-week-11-of.html

http://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com/2012/10/hss-theme-challange-139-pumpkins.html

Thanks for looking =) 

One Sheet Wonder Card Set - part 2

The rest of the seven cards I created from the One Sheet Wonder diagram I made

for the Papercrafts magazine blog tour 

celebrating World Card Making Day.

SUPPLIES used to make the decorative paper, all from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Card stock: Naturals, Really Rust, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip



Lovely Leaves stamp set



All Year Cheer stamp set



Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set



Inks: Really Rust, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, gold metallic

5 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip 

I cut the triangle out with a pair of scissors,

but you cold use a square punch.

Run the rust colored card stock through the

Square Lattice Embossing folder.

Lightly sponge the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

Run the More Mustard card stock through the

Designer Frames oval embossing folder.

Lightly rub on Chocolate Chip ink if desired

(maybe I should have used some of the gold ink......)

Tear a piece of chocolate mulberry paper to layer underneath.

Ink up the stamp from Holidays and Wishes stamp set with markers.

Stamp on  naturals card stock and

punch out an XL oval punch.

Use a paper piercer to poke small holes under the sentiment.

three 1 1/2" by 3 1/2" pieces of card stock

Layer onto a piece of More Mustard card stock.

Distress the edges of the mustard card stock.

I used twine to wrap around the card;

you could use linen thread, raffia, ribbon.

The cards above and below are created from a 

5 1/2" piece by 5" piece of card stock that I tore in half.

The scrunched ribbon was made by gathering the ribbon together

and sticking it down on sticky strip tape I had already applied to the card.

I lightly sponged a bit of gold paint around the edges of this card.

Use a cropodile to punch through the ribbon and card stock so you can stick a brad in.

I layered three punches for the tag on the lower card:

Word Window

Modern Label

Designer Label large

The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

Thanks for looking =)

One Sheet Wonder Card Set - part 1

WHEW ! I did it - I left comments on every single bloggers post from the 

Operation Write Home blog hop, nearly 100 wonderful creations were shared !

Now I'm suffering from Inspiration Overload =)

 I made this project for the Papercrafts magazine blog tour celebrating World Card Making Day.

The diagram I created for the One Sheet Wonder set of cards I shared .

I created seven cards. 

The decorative paper I created using rubber stamps and inks.

This photo shows it cut into pieces already.

SUPPLIES used to make the decorative paper,

all from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Naturals card stock

Really Rust, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip card stocks

Lovely Leaves stamp set

All Year Cheer stamp set 

Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set

 inks: Really Rust, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, gold metallic

Randomly stamp the images all over your card stock.

This can be cut up into several pieces to make cards or

other small projects or kept as an entire piece to use as 

a background paper for a scrapbook page.

You could also use it on other larger projects.

TIP: to create multi colored leaves,

first ink your image with the lightest color of ink

then roll the edges of the stamp on a darker color.

You could also color the rubber stamp with water based markers

or water color crayons.

Another option is to stamp the leaves with Versamark ink

then pounce on Pearl Ex powders or chalks.

Here are a few of the cards I made with the pieces.

I'll share the rest tomorrow.

4" x 4" piece

The "flag" was hand cut.

The leaf eyelet was a gift, I don't know who manufactured it.

I lightly sponged a bit of gold ink onto the naturals card stock.

I distressed the edges of the rust card stock layer.

4 1/2" wide x 4" tall piece

I tore one of the edges.

I ran the Rust card stock through the Herringbone embossing folder then

lightly sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

I also lightly sponged the edges of the stamped naturals card stock piece . 

The gold organdy ribbon has a piece of chocolate colored mulberry paper torn into a strip behind it.

TIP: use a small dampened paintbrush or aquapainter to run a line on the mulberry paper

where you'd like to tear it. It really does help !

TIP: you can color clear rhinestone accents and the silver metal edge of tags with permanent markers to change their color ! I used a brown Sharpie on a silver metal edged tag to give it a sort of copper look.

TIP: punch out different colors of card stock to fit inside your metal edge tag.

I punched out a circle from the naturals card stock to match the stamped paper background.

TIP: you can ink portions of your stamp image with water based markers and create masks to

change the way they stamp. In my sample I used a single line, long sentiment stamp. I inked it with a Chocolate Chip marker to color "Happy",

 stamped it on the punched out circle. Clean it off well then reink "Thanksgiving", stamp underneath

the "Happy" to make it fit on the circle tag.

3 1/2 " x 2 1/2" piece

layered under a piece of vellum

and topped with a skeleton leaf that I colored

by sponging on various inks

Thanks for looking =)

Christmas Tree Card How To - OWH WCMD Hop

These are the dimensions I used to create the card I shared yesterday  

They were altered from the original sketch since my finished card is 5" x 7". 

Supplies used (almost all of which came from Stampin' Up!,):

Navy blue card stock

Silver metallic card stock

Gold metallic card stock

Glossy white card stock

Various colors of card stock scraps

Decorative paper, lightweight

Dark green marker

Dark brown marker

Navy blue ink pad

Metallic silver ink pad

Dark green ink pad

White crayon

Glitter and dimensional glue

Textured embossing plate

Rubber stamps

Pop Up Christmas tree die

Star paper punch

1/4" circle paper punch

3/8" circle punch

Tiny flower paper punch

Tiny heart paper punch

Snowflake border paper punch- for the teeny snowflakes used on the red ornament, not from Stampin' Up!

Large scallop circle punch, not from Stampin' Up!

Dimensional paper paints, not from Stampin' Up!

Sponge

Facial tissue

Adhesives

I used the crayon resist technique on the tree then added glitter sprinkled onto clear drying dimensional glue to simulate sparkling snow. I added the glitter highlights to some of the branches as well as the ground. NOTE: if you are making cards to send to Operation Write Home, please do not use glitter !

Color your stamp image with water based markers if you'd like it to be multicolored. Stamp your image on glossy white card stock; make sure the ink is dry before moving on to the next step. 

Use the white crayon to draw on areas you want to remain white. Create a mask from a sticky note to cover the area you wish to remain white for the snow covered ground. Sponge ink over the top. The crayon will resist the ink. It is similar to drawing designs on Easter eggs with clear crayons or old wax candles, then the die resists where the egg was drawn on. 

Remove the paper mask. Gently wipe the ink and crayon off with a soft tissue to reveal white highlights where the crayon was. 

To see how to use this technique to create a "black and white" photo stamped image, see my post here. I was quite pleased with how this idea of mine turned out on rubber stamp images of classic vehicles, making several of them to send in to Operation Write Home last year.

Stamp the six silver squares using silver ink. Set aside to dry. For added dimension, heat emboss. TIP: it would be easier to stamp before cutting into pieces, but I wanted my words to line up just so on each piece, so I stamped after cutting. I used a small sentiment stamp that fit almost perfectly, stamping twice per square. 

Dry emboss the large navy blue piece of card stock with an embossing folder, texture plate or brass templates/stylus (remember those?) . You could also heat emboss stamped images or simply stamp the card stock. You may even have preprinted decorative papers that you would like to use in place of the navy and silver pieces. 

The pop up tree was created with a special die made by Sizzix.

Notice that I wrote on the die with a permanent marker

to remind myself how many of each piece to cut out.

All cut out and ready to stamp before assembly.

Stamping isn't necessary, but I like the extra detail.

Assembly is a bit tricky, but once you've made a few of them it gets easier.

Punch two stars from gold metallic card stock then glue back to back on either side of the tree to make the tree topper.

I punched out a large scalloped circle from lightweight decorative paper to glue inside the card before adhering the pop up tree. This made my tree skirt.

I use hot melt glue to adhere the tree to the inside of the card - which for whatever reason, every single one of them I have made doesn't want to fully open / stand upright. It still makes a fun surprise for the recipient.  

Punch numerous little ornaments with various tiny paper punches and papers. Decorate. Apply glue dots to the back of the ornaments and adhere to the release paper the glue dots come on. Perhaps you have some tiny stickers or sticky backed rhinestones/pearls that would work as ornaments, it sure would be easier and less time consuming. You may want to include a note inside the card with the ornaments letting the recipient know that they can be removed from the release paper then be attached to the tree.

Click Here to see my first detailed pop up Christmas tree card. It has the ornaments already attached plus I lightly sponged "snow" on the tops of the tree branches  It is a trifold photo holder card I created my own pattern for. It folds up into a 5"x7" card, opens up to display two photos and a pop up tree. It is still one of my favorite creations. 

Thanks for looking and if you are back from the blog hop yesterday, thanks for visiting me again  =) 

Blog Hop - Operation Write Home World Card Making Day

http://operationwritehome.org/starsandstamps

Be sure to click the link above to be taken to the list of
awesome bloggers sharing their wonderful creations this weekend !

Also, if you've not heard of Operation Write Home,
take a moment to read about this wonderful organization.
It is gratifying to make works of heart to be sent to the troops
 overseas so they have something special to write home on.

I'm thrilled to be a participant in this years 

Operation Write Home World Card Making Day blog hop! 

Thank You So Much for stopping by =) 

Sorry that this is not the best photo, 

it does not show the glittery accents on the snow,

silver ink or dry embossing details very well.

I assume the different shimmery effects as well as the 

contrast of dark and light colors messed with

my camera, not allowing it to capture the image well. 

I used the crayon resist technique and added glitter highlights

on the tree and snow. Please remember, NO GLITTER on the cards

you make to send to Operation Write Home. 

Our challenge was to create a holiday/wintry feel card based on a sketch from the Operation Write Home sketch designs. My card front uses a slightly altered version of sketch number 21. I changed the dimensions of the pieces since the finished card is a 5" x7" size.

Although I am pleased with the front of my card, the inside is what I'm most excited to share: a decorate it yourself pop up mini Christmas tree ! I made tiny ornaments with various paper punches and backed them with adhesive dots. I left them on the release paper so the recipient can easily removed them to decorate the tree. Wouldn't this be fun to send to someone special, such as an injured service member recuperating in the hospital or one that is serving overseas ? Please don't use glitter if sending to service members though.

We were asked to keep our posts short for the hop, so if you'd like more information about how I made this card, please come back tomorrow, Sunday October 7th. I'll be sharing the technique I used on the tree, the supply list as well as a sketch with the sizes I used to make this 5" x 7" card.

Lastly, please take a quick peek at my second post for the day, One Sheet Wonder Cards, that I shared for the Papercrafts magazine blog tour celebrating World Card Making Day. I will post all of the details for this set of cards on Monday and Tuesday. So many details and photos it requires two posts !


Now go get inspired from the rest of the wonderful blogs in this hop ! I'll be visiting all the blogs throughout the weekend. Most of the time I plan on being in my craft dungeon to work on Christmas cards to be sent to hospitalized service members. Last year I stuffed a box full of over 350 cards to be sent to Operation Write Home. I'm not making nearly that many this year for OWH since I've already done nearly 100 for an Honor Flight and am working on those cards for injured heroes to be collected locally. It really is gratifying and fun making cards for our heroes, just a small way to show my support for all that they do and sacrifice for our country.

Thanks for stopping by,
Heather

Blog Hop - Papercrafts Magazine World Card Making Day

Celebrate World Card Making Day 2012 ! 

Looking for card making inspiration ? 

Visit the nearly 250 blogs that are a part of the

Papercrafts magazine blog tour this year.

Be sure to see my second post of the day for the 

Operation Write Home Blog Hop

for World Card Making Day 

where I share a wintry card 

with a pop up surprise inside.

My project is what is referred to by some as a "One Sheet Wonder": using a single piece of decorative paper (plus many extras) to create several cards or projects.

You can use preprinted papers or make your own using rubber stamps (or digital images) such as I did here.

I created my own diagram of the parts I wanted to cut out and use for cards. I made 7 cards with the sketch I created when the paper was cut into the various pieces. You can find many more One Sheet Wonder (also referred to as Double Time) patterns online or make your own.

The cards can be quite quick and simple or by adding numerous layers and embellishments, can become more elaborate. This is also a good project to use up scraps in your stash.

To keep the post for the hop short, I'll be sharing the diagram I designed, supply lists and individual photos of the cards on Monday and Tuesday. I must divide them up into two posts since each will be quite lengthy.

I'm off to the craft dungeon for a little while today, working on Christmas cards for the troops. I plan on making another set using the One Sheet Wonder idea and Christmas stamps !

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the hop =)
Heather

Caterpillars and Squirrels........

are feasting on my tomato plants ! 

First bug I found Saturday morning

found two more Monday evening 

Somebody's been eating my tomatoes 

Now that the plants are finally producing decent looking tomatoes

(they are all still green, but they are larger than they have been all summer

and the bottoms aren't rotten anymore),

critters are munching on them ! Sigh.................

Once we got back from our trip, noticed leaves had disapperaed,

only small stubs of branches left on many of them.

I also noticed the bottoms of some of the

larger tomatoes were gnawed on. 

I'm no gardener and had no idea what to look for, 

figured it must have been some sort of bug munching on them.

While watering the other day, I noticed a slightly odd looking "leaf"

laying on the wire cage, deep inside. 

I kept watering the plants, picking off the new blooms

 and eaten tomatoes. 

Something about that "leaf" reminded me of a time

many, many years ago when my uncle paid each of us kids

a dollar if we found caterpillars in his tomato plants.

I didn't recall exactly what they were supposed to look like,

but do remember they would be difficult to spot which is why

he offered us money to find them

(I don't think any of us found any that day). 

I went back to take a closer look at that "leaf" 

and realized it was a large caterpillar type bug. 

I found a long enough stick to reach in there and 

get it out (it did not want to let go!),

snapped a photo then carried it across the yard and driveway

to the base of the old maple tree. 

I've no idea if it will eat leaves of the tree, but surely it won't 

make it back to devour the tomato plants. 

That evening I saw a cousin of mine that gardens

(who also happens to be the son of the uncle that

offered to pay us to find caterpillars all those years ago).

He told me that squirrels were probably guilty of chewing on the bottoms

of the tomatoes, looking for moisture and that the big bug

 certainly could have been the culprit that ate the leaves. 

Now that it is October, I'm not sure if any of the tomatoes

will turn, but I'm hoping. If so, they will be the best looking

and largest that I've picked all year. I must have thrown out

hundreds of small, rotten tomatoes; we maybe ate two dozen.

I think next year I'll just make it a point to go to a farmers market =)