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Build A Scene OR Paper Piecing Card – Creativity Prompt

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Paper Piecing Card

Way back, when I was a wee kid, my sister used to tell me the most wonderful made-up stories. I was completely mesmerized by her stories, not to mention extremely gullible…

My favorite stroy was about a magic typewriter, hidden in a secret compartment inside the wall (I used to spend HOURS looking for it). Everything you type on it with the words: “I wish” at the beginning, comes true. You could write short sentences such as ‘I wish I had ice-cream with hot chocolate sauce…‘ and immediately enjoy the treat, or you may materialize imaginary worlds, built from scratch with the power of your words (These were my favorite types of stories).

In crafts, as in creative writing or story telling, you may build imaginary worlds from scratch and go as far as your imagination and creativity go.

Go ahead and build a scene. Let your inner creative child guide you through the labyrinth of your vast imagination.

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Adhere a vintage text paper onto a plain, non-textured cardstock using glue stick.
  2. Stamp your image a few times on different patterned papers, including on the vintage text paper. Use as many patterned papers as the number of pieces you want to combine together.
  3. Cut each piece of your image with precision scissors.
  4. Start assembling the “scene”: Adhere the “flat” pieces with a glue pen and the dimensional pieces with foam dots.
  5. For the “hill” – cut a piece of patterned paper in a curve.
  6. Draw some freehand clouds on your leftover text paper and cut the out with precision scissors.
  7. Spritz your “clouds” with Glimmer Mist.
  8. Stamp or punch the little heart on a reddish patterned paper. Apply some Glossy Accent. Let dry and cut out. Adhere to the image with a foam dot.
  9. Stamp the greeting in a curve, by laying it that way on the acrylic block.
  10. Add some gems for the finishing touches.

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out Creativity Prompt’s self paced workshop: “Capture Your Dream”. In this workshop you will capture, follow and make your dream come true as well as document your journey in a mixed media mini album.




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Hybrid Cards – Mix Fancy With Funky

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Hybrid Cards - Mix Fancy With Funky

I was looking at Shimelle’s new kit: Write It Down Ornate Frames, which “aired” today on Two Peas In A Bucket, and thought it would be just perfect for making a bunch of hybrid cards.

At first I thought to edit them on photoshop, add the greeting with one of my gazillion fonts, print out, add a ribbon, or some gems and call it a day. A great way to make a bunch of coordinating classic cards.

Then I thought, lets take it up a notch… It would be really cool to mix Shimelle’s beautiful, classical, traditional ornate frames with some funky patterned papers and a funky – non-traditional – design, and that’s exactly what I did.

I hope you like it and will give it a try. (Shimelle’s kit costs just 99 cents…)

Step by Step Instructions

Hybrid I Love You Card

  1. Use a photo editing program to lay the frame on the right side of a letter size document. Size it to measure 4″ by 5¼”. Print out the document on textured white cardstock, using the borderless settings of your printer.
  2. Cut the cardstock in half – to 5½” and fold in half at 4¼” to create a standard size card.
  3. Print out Creativity Prompt’s free classic journaling tags on plain non-textured cardstock. Cut out one of the tags and cut off about an inch from its right edge.
  4. For the letters I used plain and glittered fun foam that I cut with my Cuttlebug, using QuicKutz Moonlight dies, and adhered it with Tombow Mono Multi glue you can also use American Crafts Thickers.
  5. Adhere the journaling tag to the bottom right edge of the card using foam squares.

Hybrid Thanks Card

  1. Use a photo editing program to lay the frame on the right side of a letter size document. Size it to measure about 3½” wide (keep its proportions). Print out the document on textured white cardstock, using the borderless settings of your printer.
  2. Cut the cardstock to 5¼” by 4″.
  3. Use a craft knife to cut off the oval center of the frame.
  4. Cut a textured yellow cardstock to 8½” by 5½” and fold in half at 4¼” to make a standard size card.
  5. Cut a piece of a funky patterned paper at 3½” by 3½”.
  6. Lay the printed cardstock on the yellow card base and trace the oval window with a pencil. Adhere the patterned paper where the window will lay, over the pencil marks.
  7. For the letters I used plain and glittered fun foam that I cut with my Cuttlebug, using QuicKutz Moonlight dies, and adhered it with Tombow Mono Multi glue you can also use American Crafts Thickers.
  8. Adhere the printed cardstock with foam squares.
  9. Adhere the hearts. I Cut the heart with a Cuttlebug die from the glittered fun foam. (I used a VERY old punch for the small heart)
  10. Adhere the button (I would have used a yellow button if I had one…) with a couple mini glue dots.
  11. Adhere the line of yellow gems below the greeting.

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?



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How To Make Flowers Out Of Recycled Dryer Sheets – Creativity Prompt

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Make Flowers Out Of Recycled Dryer Sheets

I love recycling. It is no news to you. What can I say, giving something a new lease of life just before it was about to be tossed away is magical to me.

I have already posted a tutorial before on how to make dryer-sheet flowers, and today I want to suggest 2 more options as well as a new idea on how to inject color onto them.

If you are interested in learning how I did the flowers above, than keep on reading!

Tools & Supply

How To


[Watch on You Tube & while there, please rate, comment and subscribe]

Step-By-Step Instructions

First Flower Style -

  1. Cut your sheet into strips of about 1″ wide. It doesn’t have to be precise. The wider the strip, the larger the flower would be. For a Two layered flower, make 1 strip wider than the other.
  2. Dye your strip with Glimmer Mists and Perfect Pearls mixed with water.
  3. Dry your dryer sheet completely. You may use a heat gun to dry the strips, but be careful not to get too close and not to concentrate on one zone for too long, or the strip will rip from the heat. You may also use a paper towel to blot the excess liquids.
  4. Pleat the strip around the button and make sure all the ends are tucked underneath the button. Secure all the pleats with a button and embroidery floss.
  5. Tie both ends of the embroidery floss in a double knot and cut off the excess.

Second Flower Style -

  1. Take a couple of sheets and lay them together. Fold them into thirds and cut out an imperfect circle to create a stack of dryer-sheet-circles.
  2. Dye each circle with the mists. To make it more interesting, use different colors on each circle.
  3. Let the circles dry completely.
  4. Stack them together again in an order that appeals to you and secure them with a button and embroidery floss. Alternative: Sew them together with embroidery floss threaded with small beads.
  5. Tie both ends of the embroidery floss in a double knot and cut off the excess.

Dryer sheet Flowers

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
This year you can really make your dream come true!

“Capture Your Dream” workshop is a self-paced, six weeks long workshop, that will walk you through a journey of capturing your biggest dream and making it come true.

In the process of making your dream happen – with lots of inspiration and guided self-exploration, you will also create a mixed media mini album from scratch and learn many tips and techniques – including some photography pointers that will add character to your photos and will help you take better pictures of your projects.


The workshop includes 30 printable PDF lessons with step-by-step pictures and instructions as well as several printable templates you may use in other projects too.

I am confident you will enjoy it and find it helpful so I also offer full money back guarantee while the workshop lasts.



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Posted in Tutorial, Video Tutorial, creativity prompt | 13 Comments »

The 10 Best Creativity Prompts in 2009

Friday, January 1st, 2010

In light of the coming new year, I backtracked a little bit and gathered the most popular posts on creativity Prompt in 2009.

Without further ado, here are the posts which attracted most of your attention and sparked a wonderful conversation – either on the blog or privately, via e-mails.

  1. Make a Hybrid Board Book.
  2. Chunky Mini-Album.
  3. Waterfall Mini-Album.
  4. Make A Notebook With A Simple Stapler.
  5. Make A Fabric Covered Hardbound Journal.
  6. Embellishing Paper Flowers.
  7. How To Use Those Paper Scraps.
  8. How To Make A Cute Box Of Drawers.
  9. How To Make a Drier Sheet Flower.
  10. How To Make THE QUICKEST Mini Album – EVER.

&

Another favorite compilation post was the holiday handmade gift guide: 10 Handmade Gifts Under 10 Minutes.

Share

What Creativity Prompt did you like the best? What types of projects are pulling you to create?

What project have you tried yourself? Share a link!

Happy New Year!!!


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
This year you can really make your dream come true!

“Capture Your Dream” workshop is a self-paced, six weeks long workshop, that will walk you through a journey of capturing your biggest dream and making it come true.

In the process of making your dream happen – with lots of inspiration and guided self-exploration, you will also create a mixed media mini album from scratch and learn many tips and techniques – including some photography pointers that will add character to your photos and will help you take better pictures of your projects.


The workshop includes 30 printable PDF lessons with step-by-step pictures and instructions as well as several printable templates you may use in other projects too.

I am confident you will enjoy it and find it helpful so I also offer full money back guarantee while the workshop lasts.



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Posted in Tutorial, creativity prompt | 4 Comments »

Make A Simple Notebook With Ribbon Binding – Creativity Prompt

Friday, December 25th, 2009

Notebook With Ribbon Binding

This project is also an easy one you can whip up in under 10 minutes. I love those type of projects and I can never have enough notebooks to sketch, doodle and write in. Can you?

I used the ribbon for the binding, as an alternative to the linen thread or embroidery floss I normally use for binding and as an added bonus, the ends of the ribbon also provide a nifty closure for the notebook.

If you are interested in making this sweet and simple notebook, then keep on reading for the supply, video how to and step-by-step instructions. Enjoy!

Tools & Supply

How To

[Watch on YouTube. While you're there, please comment, rate & subscribe]

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut your papers 8″ wide and 5½” tall. Fold in half to 5½” by 4″.
  2. Straighten the edges of the paper stack with a grid ruler, aligned with the edge of the paper and a craft knife.
  3. Cut your cardstock 8½” wide and 5½” tall and wrap around the paper stack to adjust the spine.
  4. Lay the paper stack over the cardstock cover and mark the piercing holes: one at the center and one to each side – 1″ apart.
  5. Pierce the papers and cardstock following the marks you created before.
  6. Thread the ribbon through the needle so both ends would meet and start the binding stitching from the inside out, through one of the outer holes.
  7. Then go in through the opposite hole.
  8. Tie the ends together in a double knot and thread the needle out through the center hole and in again through the same hole.
  9. Thread the needle through the loop the tied ends create and then underneath the first stitch.
  10. Thread the needle out through the center hole again.
  11. Cut the ribbon off the needle and use the ends to close the notebook.
  12. To embellish the notebook I adhered 3 buttons with a dab of Diamond Glaze to the center of the notebook’s cover and adhered three punched out circles of patterned paper to the button. I then secured the patterned paper with another layer of Diamond Glaze.

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?



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Posted in Tutorial, Video Tutorial, creativity prompt | 5 Comments »

How To Make A Gift Card (pun intended) – Creativity Prompt

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Gift Card

The Hero Arts blog has sparked this idea in my head when they came up with a gift card challenge. I’m always up for a challenge and instead of thinking about a fun way to incorporate money or a store gift card in the card, I thought why not incorporating the gift itself and the idea for this card emerged.

Another fun idea is to stamp and cut a tree image and to wrap a necklace around it, like a twinkling ornament chain.

Tools & Supply

How To


[Watch on You Tube - while there, please rate, comment & subscribe]

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Stamp the images over a smooth light cardstock.
  2. Cut around the images with precision scissors, while rotating the cardstock and leaving the scissors at the same position.
  3. Adhere the background piece of the patterned paper centered on the card base with permanent tape adhesive.
  4. Temporarily lay the tree image on the background paper and arrange green buttons around it to simulate a grassy hill. When you are pleased with the buttons’ arrangement – adhere them with glue dots.
  5. Adhere the tree image in its place on top of the buttons with a thick foam adhesive. Either use a ½” thick piece of foam adhesive or layer a few thinner foam adhesive pieces together.
  6. Pierce holes in the owl “ears” and put on the earing. Then adhere the owl on top of the tree with another piece of thick foam adhesive. The thickness of the foam gives room to the earing’s stubs.
  7. Add some more interest and texture with a few touches of glitter glue here and there.
  8. Stamp your greeting with brown ink. Attach the stamp to the left side of the acrylic block, so the buttons won’t stand in your way.
  9. Give the gift card to someone you love and get a smile in return.



Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)



Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Jump start your creativity for 2010 and Make Your Own Planner with an affordable workshop that keeps on giving with an unlimited personal use license…

Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?



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Posted in Tutorial, Video Tutorial, creativity prompt | 12 Comments »

Creativity Prompt – Whip Up Quick Handmade Holiday Gifts – 10 Gifts In Under 10 Minutes

Friday, December 11th, 2009
Quick Handmade Holiday Gifts
[Photo by: Ginny]

The holidays are practically here and with all the preparations involved you may feel a little bit behind. As the holidays get closer, the lines at the stores get longer and the stress level – higher.

Let me help you by compiling a list of 10 handmade gifts that can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes. That is even quicker than driving to the store or than browsing online stores.

Each image is linked to the full video + step by step tutorial:

10 minute book - openedA Cute Box Of DrawersSimple Stitched Notebook
A SIMPLE Fabric Covered Mini AlbumStapled NotebookGate Fold Mini-AlbumHow To make An Accordion Brag Book
THE QUICKEST Mini AlbumHow To Make An Art JournalKraft No-Stitch NotebookWhat are you making this year?

…and one more gift idea -

Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Do you have last minute gift giving challenges? Check out the new “Make Your Own Planner” workshop and you may solve them…



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Creativity Prompt – A Simple Stitched Notebook

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Simple Stitched Notebook

This week I have a cool project – super duper simple and the results are fabulous. For a no bulk notebook that you can carry around freely, without worrying about wear & tear, I have a cool masking technique for you with a color spray and some chipboard letters.

I also have a fantastic tip for threading your embroidery floss through the needle in a split second, you wouldn’t want to miss that… :)

Tools & Supply

How To


[Watch on You Tube. Please rate & comment.]

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut your papers and cardstock to size & fold in half. Burnish the crease with a bone folder.
  2. Lay the paper stack over the cardstock piece and center it.
  3. Mark the placement of your piercing holes. Find the center and mark at ½” on each side and then go on and mark in 1″ increments.
  4. Pierce all your marked holes, all the way through the papers and the cardstock. Make sure they are aligned together and that the piercer goes through the crease.
  5. Thread your needle with the embroidery floss. TIP - To thread your needle in a split second (no exaggeration here) simply stick a small piece of tape to the end of your floss, fold it over and cut the excess. That will prevent the fraying of the floss and will also provide a slight stiffening effect for a quick and smooth threading.
  6. Start stitching your notebook from the top hole, from the inside – out. Make a simple running stitch, going through each hole – once in and once out. After you go through all the holes, go back through the holes, switching direction, so the stitch will look like a backstitch. When you go through the last hole, tie the ends together in a strong knot.
  7. For a no-bulk embellishment, adhere the chipboard letters with a temporary adhesive. Make sure the adhesive isn’t protruding outside or it will affect the impression of the letters.
  8. Lightly spray from about 10″ above your notebook cover. Spritz the color mist as many times you want until you get the effect you are looking for. [The chipboard letters may be reused in another project, by the way...]
  9. Before removing the letters go over them with a black or white marker, that will create a nice outline and will add visual interest. Just make sure to hold your letters tight, as the temporary adhesive isn’t strong enough and they may move around.

Simple Stitched NotebookSimple Stitched Notebook


Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)



Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out the new “Make Your Own Planner” workshop and you may solve this year’s holiday gift shopping problem. An affordable workshop that keeps on giving…


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?




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Posted in Tutorial, Video Tutorial, creativity prompt | 8 Comments »

Cards. Cards. Cards.

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

This week I was determined to dig deep into my stash and make stuff with forgotten products, side by side with some new products and toys I bought lately. Mix old with the new and get into the holidays’ spirit…

Card
Old: Chatterbox patterned paper, Scalloped circle punch, ink: Palette hybrid in Pure Poppy and vintage Cream by Papertrey Ink.

New: American Crafts cardstock, Bazzill kraft cardstock, Apron Lace border punch by Fiskars, Stamps: Papertrey Ink “Retro Basic Backgrounds”, Ali Edwards “You” for Technique Tuesday, Glitz Design “distress 2″.

Techniques: 1. The striped paper was cut diagonally for a diagonal design. 2. For the flower I punched a gazillion scalloped circles (ok, just 10) and attached them together with a brad. Then I crumpled each layer to create a super-dimensional flower.

Card
Old: Chatterbox patterned paper, wire rimmed ribbon, ink: Palette hybrid in Dark Chocolate and vintage Cream by Papertrey Ink, red felt marker, white gel pen.

New: American Crafts cardstock, Bazzill kraft cardstock, Corner Chomper, stamps: Ali Edwards “You” for Technique Tuesday, Glitz Design “distress 2″.

Techniques: 1. I pleated the ribbon, the wire rim helps it stay put. Then I took a strip of a strong double-sided adhesive and attached it to the cardstock and adhered the pleated ribbon to it. 2. For the layered, distressed background, I first stamped a generic houndstooth pattern in a cream colored ink, let it dry and then stamped a text pattern with brown ink over it.

Card
Old: Cream card, red-brown thread, Palette hybrid ink in Pure Poppy by Papertrey Ink, Kaiser Craft’s clear rhinestones, Fiskars 2″ circle squeeze punch.

New: Brother LS2125I Sewing Machine, American Crafts cardstock, Stamp: Papertrey Ink “Mixed Messages”.

Techniques: This is my first trial ever at sewing, so I’m pretty proud of the semi-straight border :) 1. The border is sewn with a zig-zag stitch. 2. the circle was punched with a 2″ circle punch and adhered to the card with temporary adhesive. Then I sewed freely inside and around the circle to create a rose-like abstract pattern. I also made one run with no thread, for a dotted-punctured effect.

Share

Have you been hoarding products that has been collecting dust in the back of the shelf? Have you used your scraps/old supply lately? What have you been doing? Have you been experimenting with a new toy or technique? Share! I love a good discussion :)


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out the new “Make Your Own Planner” workshop and you may solve this year’s holiday gift shopping problem. An affordable workshop that keeps on giving…



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Posted in Tutorial, creativity prompt | 2 Comments »

Creativiy Prompt – Super Quick Christmas Cards + Free Template

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Super Quick Christmas Cards

Sending handmade cards is a wonderful and well appreciated gesture, but with a recipients list as long as eternity, who has the time to make them?

What if most of the work was already done? The basic design has been laid down. The greeting has been “stamped” and all you had to do is cut, score, punch and paste? That would really give the push you need to accomplish your goal of sending handmade cards to all your acquaintances.

Search no more. I have sorted out your Christmas cards dilemma for this year.

Below you can find a printable template (PDF file format) that does most of the work for you. If you are interested, keep on reading.

Tools & Supply

How To


[Watch on You Tube]

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Print the template on a cardstock of your choice (8½” by 11″). Make sure your printer’s setting is on “No scaling”.
  2. Cut your cardstock at 5½” and score each half at 4¼”.
  3. Cut 1¼” by 1¼” squares from the patterned paper of your choice. Use a punch to make this step super quick.
  4. Adhere your patterned paper squares to the squares on the template, using dimensional foam adhesive.
  5. Either stop here, right a personal greeting inside and send the card OR embellish some more.

Quick Christmas CardsQuick Christmas Cards

Quick Christmas CardsQuick Christmas Cards

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share :)



Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out the new “Make Your Own Planner” workshop and you may solve this year’s holiday gift shopping problem. An affordable workshop that keeps on giving…



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Posted in Tutorial, Video Tutorial, creativity prompt | 9 Comments »

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