Todays Top Ten

I was in a mojo funk yesterday and didn't actually make anything to share today (probably due to the BEAUTIFUL summer weather going on outside and the fact that I was not out in it) so I decided to do a post on,  

"Things I am Loving Right Now" 

after which I will be going outside to enjoy the sunshine!

This print

these chairs

looking for new kitchen chairs at present...love the juxtaposition between the farm table (which I have) and the modern chairs.  A new chandelier may be in order too!

this series

 I purchased the 8 part series on iTunes ($13.99) for my recent trip to Chicago.  Did not want to stop watching.  Classic story by Dickens and as always, beautiful costumes, rich characters and cinematography by the Brits for Masterpiece Theater on PBS.   So worth the money.

 If you want to purchase on iTunes as I did, just type the words Bleak House in search.

 this class by my friend Mou

 this recipe

 this book

I bought The Greater Journey on the recommendation of my friend Sally, from Delaware.  The book by David McCullough focus on Americans that lived in Paris between 1830 and 1900.  So interesting how the author weaves medicine, art and science into the timeline of history.  Let me just say that I have used Google on numerous occasions to look up pictures of the paintings described in the book (love when I have actually seen one in person), additional information on the Franco-Prussia war as well as the ever valiant American ambassador Elihu Washburne (someone should make a statue of him). 

 

these shoes

just bought them.
on sale.
fabulous with navy dress.
enough said.

this art card

8 x 10 art card with envelope for mailing

this inspiration

check out Philippa's beautiful wallpaper here

this advice

Now get out an enjoy the sunshine... (except for Deb who lives on the sun).  Now that I think about it, I will be flying to Arizona next week and therefore I will be on the sun with her!  I better start drinking water now!  (personally, I think I might feel better about having to be in Arizona in August if we have bruschetta for lunch at Postino's... no one does it better!).

cheers for a great week everyone!
paula

Unusual Books

I have always loved unique and unusual books.  It's so intriguing when a book is made from something that is not the norm or has something fun or unexpected about it's construction.

Check out a couple of amazing books by Peter and Donna Thomas who have a passion for bookmaking - A true accordion book!

The Thomas's have made an entire series of books made out of ukuleles.
Fitting since Peter is the president of his local ukulele club.

Love these necklaces made of tiny books that sold at Anthropologie.

And, this series of books made to look like a village.

Cute invitation book made from vintage hankies and linens.  

Each comes in it's own little box with a hand painted button on top.

This little "house book" project is still one of my favorites. 

The roof lifts off and treasured items can be stored inside...

.....and the removable roof is actually a little book.  

We have taught this project as a class.  

It's a fun project and I love the unexpected book inside the house.  

Check them out here.

This is a project I made for "The Book Book".   It is a book made from a tiny pair of Converse sneakers and was all about my three little grandsons at the time and their favorite things. 

The book pages are made from a heavy watercolor paper accordion folded then cut out using the shoe as a guide.  I wanted to add some color and texture to the blank accordion but still wanted it to have the look and feel of a shoe, so I used the bottom of several other sneakers to stamp the backgrounds of the accordion pages, then stitched around the edges.  

On the back side of the accordion pages I stamped the boys feet to document their size at the time.  Cole's foot was actually larger than the accordion so his was stamped on some tissue and inserted to be a fold out.

The laces were adorned with lots of charms, ribbon and other objects, all representing things about the boys.  Two tiny bottles were filled with significant items, one was filled with baby powder since Carter was a baby at the time, the other with sand that I had emptied from their shoes after a trip to the park.  

A new "logo" was printed on canvas paper and punched out with a circle punch to cover existing label.  I used fabric transfers to add appropriate words and phrases on the shoe laces.  

The boys are much older now and love to compare the size of their feet now to what it was then.  They also love to see themselves and remember their favorite things at the time.

And now, what you have been waiting for.....the winner of the Stampers Anonymous Christmas Time Stamp, Ranger Stickles Dry Glitter and Sticky Embossing Powder.

 

 Congratulations!

Robin said...

Oh the fun & sparkles! So looking forward to using the sticky embossing powder - love the ideas you shared with everyone. Amazing how the glitter sticks so smoothly.

July 25, 2012 8:34 PM

Sharon Y said...Always up for a fun ride! Thanks for test driving the new products. I'm not usually a glitter fan due to the mess but this looks like it might convert me. 

July 25, 2012 8:03 PM

 

Sarah said...

The sticky embossing powder looks amazing. I might just start playing with glitter....and micro beads....and flock....since I have them all sitting in my stash and no idea how to adhere them without a huge mess...until now.

July 26, 2012 8:56 AM

Pamela said...

Thanks for showing us what this sticky embossing powder can do and how to go about achieving the results you want. I know a great little home for those new Tim Holtz products and I will take very good care of them ;). Thanks for the chance.

July 27, 2012 7:05 AM

Ladies, please send us an email with you mailing address so we can get your prize out to you.

enjoy,

deb

Test Drive: Sticky Embossing Powder

I am finally getting back into the swing of things after being in Chicago for 6 days last week.  Deb and I had a great time at our new home, Idea-ology (because really, if you have seen the Idea-ology booth, you want to live there).  Thank you to Tim and Mario for the fabulous CHA experience!  We felt "at home" and you can't ask for more than that, really just perfect.  Everyone at Advantus, Ranger, Sizzix and Stampers Anonymous was also so very nice and welcoming.  So glad to re-connect with friends at the show and meet many new faces that I know we will see again. 

Part of the CHA experience was participating in a retailer event where we learned about new products from the companies I listed above.  Most products will arrive at your local retailer in about 8 to 10 weeks, so I thought in the meantime we could test drive some of our favorites to show you what the product does and why we like it (this might be a good time to start a list).

First up, Ranger Sticky Embossing Powder

I know... you are probably saying, I already have embossing powder, why buy another?  Let me show you...
I used the Alterations die, Regal Crest to cut out the shapes.  Paper is from Paper Stash - Holidays Past.

Get out an Embossing ink pad...

 I inked the leaves with the clear side of the pad.

Then placed the leaf shape on a piece of paper. 
Cover the leaves with Sticky Embossing Powder then tap off, just like regular embossing.
Return the excess embossing powder back into the jar by folding the paper over and sliding it back in (but you knew that part, right?)

Use a Heat Tool to melt the embossing powder.  It melts rather fast compared to regular embossing powder.

Can you see that it is shiny? When heat embossed, this powder provides a sticky surface for adhering.
 NOTE: You have about 30-40 second window to add something to the "sticky" surface so my best advice here is to know what you want to add to the sticky surface before you melt the embossing powder.  

This is the cool part...I added the new Stickles Dry Fine Glitter - Platinum over the top.  The glitter sticks to the melted embossing powder (and very well I might add).  Again, tap off the excess and slide the extra glitter back into the jar.

LOVE IT!
You could never get these leaves that flat and clean using regular glue.  Virtually no clean up, other than sliding the excess glitter back into the jar.

 

I need more pieces to complete the card.  So back to the cut out banner. 
I added some doodling.

Then I cut out a shape for a background from the new Paper Stash - Holidays Past using the Sizzix Alterations Baroque die.  I also cut a piece of black cardstock 5.75 x 9", then folded it in half for the card base.

So lets try the Sticky Embossing Powder again with chipboard and foil.
Same first steps...
ink chipboard with embossing ink...

 

pour on the Sticky Embossing Powder, tap off excess...

 

then heat with a Heat Tool until shiny.

Lay the foil sheet on the chipboard and rub to adhere.

Peel away the foil to reveal the silver star.  This is just what I was looking for...texture and not too perfect.   Eventually, I inked up the edges with some Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and added the word wishing.

So, time to make the card.  I added the Baroque die cutout to the black cardstock then started layering the pieces.  I used a soft graphite pencil to add shading around the leaves.  The large star was raised with a thin pop dot.

 I added 3 dots of Adirondack Dimensional Pearls in Cranberry to mimic holly.

Once the Dimensional Pearls was dry I had to try stamping with the new embossing powder.  So on the inside of the card I stamped stars with the new Stampers Anonymous Christmas Time stamp.

 

Just follow the same steps to heat the embossed image and add glitter.  I used a big fluffy brush to wipe away any leftover glitter particles. 

I had to take a picture at night just so you can see how lovely the new Platinum glitter is.  It looks gold in the jar but it has just the right amount of silver in it. 

I love the end result...and by the way, it can adhere not only glitter and foil, but micro beads and flocking too. Personally, I would buy the embossing powder just for the fact that the glitter has no glue clean up.

Oh, and one more thing before I go...we brought home samples of many of the new products so when you see the posts marked Test Drive...there's gonna be a prize.  Hope you will come along for the ride!

 Leave us a comment for a chance to win the new Stamper Anonymous Christmas Time Stamp, Ranger Stickles Dry Glitter and Sticky Embossing Powder.  

You have until Friday the 27th at midnight.

And remember, most of the new product I talked about today arrives in stores mid-September, just in time for Christmas! 

cheers!
paula