-Paint Extender:  a small bit of this mixed in with your paint will keep it from drying up without affecting the colors hue or tint.

-Decoupage: Run out of Mod Podge?  No worries!  This can be used in exactly the same manner!

-Adhesive or Sealent:  The same with Mod Podge, this can be used to adhere your project together and seal it from the elements.

Ok, so how can a hybrid scrapbooker use gel medium?  Today, I will show you how a small bit of this amazing product can tranform your hybrid scrapbooking projects!

Supplies:

-Gel Medium (I have used Golden Regular Gel (Matte).  I find that it dries completely clear and maintains awesome flexibility!)

-Foam Brushes

-Canvas bag  (You could use a small mounted canvas for this project as well!)

-Image printed on a transparency

-Brayer, bone folder, or rub-on tool.

The first step in this process would be to create an image that you would like to transfer to your project.  I used TKWhimsy‘s Space Dog kit for this project as my son is obsessed with anything space related at this momment.  You could use anything from frames, to word-art, or even patterned paper; just create an image that means something to you. 

When printing on transparency, you want to make sure to always check your printer’s settings and follow the instructions on the package or you may wind up with an image that does not transfer well.  Also, remember that when printing on a transparency, same with an iron-on sheet, you need to select “mirror image” prior to printing.  Remembering this step will save you a lot of wasted paper, trust me!

Next, prepare a flat surface for your project to sit on.  When using a base that contains multiple layers, if possible, insert a flat surface between layers to prevent sticking and/or wrinkles.

Mark off the areas that will need to contain the gel medium.  You will want to make sure that the ENTIRE area that your image will be transfered to contains a thin, even layer of this product.  Too little and your image won’t transfer to the area; too much and your image might smear. 

Using your brayer, bone folder, or rub-on tool, make sure that the entire area of your image has been pressed firmly to the base and gel medium.  Lift corners as you rub to make sure that you are covering in the entire area.  Once completely smoothed over, slowly peel back one corner until the transparency is free from the base.

At this point, you can continue to add layers of images with additional transparencies or you can let your project dry completely.  After it is completely dry (normally an hour or two), feel free to add additional embellishment or layered dimension to the surface!

As I said before, Gel Medium can be used in a WIDE variety of different ways!  From techniques involving photos to vinyl, this product will be one that you will want to have on hand!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

With the aid of Mari Koegelenberg  Whats Cooking? The Collection kit, a fun new stamp from My Favorite Things called WTG Goes Green, and some non~digi items, I did just that.

Here’s what my project looks like finished.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Whats Cooking? The Collection by Mari Koegelenberg
• Self~Adhesive Vinyl Cover (I used Kittrich Clear Magic Cover Self~Adhesive Vinyl Deocrative Coverings)
• Dry Erase Board
• Eraser Pen/Eraser
• Ribbon
• Grocery or Kitchen themed Stamps (I used My Favorite Things WTG Goes Green)
• Patterned Paper or Color Card Stock
• Staz~On Ink
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic Markers
• All Purpose Glue
• Magnet Tape
• Brayer

Step 1: Make sure your Dry Erase Board is Clean and set it aside to work on your shopping list and menu planner sheet. From the Whats Cooking? The Collection  you’ll need the following:

• Shopping List 001
• Menu Planner 001
• Divider 001
• Flower 007
• Brad 001

Step 2: Arrange as many Shopping List images as possible on your canvas so that you’re able to utilize as much as the paper as possible. Here’s what it looked like on my screen.

Print it and cut it out…set aside to work on the planner sheets.

Step 3: The bottom layer of the planner is the divider, followed by the menu planner image and on the side, I added the flower and brad (I showed you in post HERE, how I put the brad and flowers together). Here’s what the planners look like arranged and ready to be printed out.

Print it and cut it out, set it aside. Grab a couple of pieces of vinyl cover big enough to cover the shopping list and menu planner. Here’s what it looks like before applying it to the Shopping List.

Step 4: Peel off one edge of the vinyl cover and adhered it to the shopping list just above the edge (you will cut this later) and using your Brayer to assure complete adherence.

Cut off any extra vinyl and grab some magnets ~ I found some that are in a tape dispenser which is so much easier to apply to projects. Now you will be able to use this same sheet over and over again with a dry erase pen…don’t you just love that?!

Step 5:Add a piece of magnet to the top and bottom of the shopping list and two pieces to the board.

Step 8: Repeat the same process with the menu planner sheets and stamp image onto lower right corner off board with Staz~On ink. Set it aside to dry.

Step 9: Stamp the image on patterned paper and/or whatever color card stock you decide to use and paper piece the image on the board. Set it aside to work on the marker.

Step 10: Cover the marker with ribbon and hang it from the top of the board with some twill or ribbon. On the twill I stamped the recycle sign to continue the theme and hammered a small nail to hang it. Here you will also see that I used the same flower/brad combo to decorate the pen as well.

With that, you are done! Here’s a closer up of the image paper pieced.

Here’s the finished board once again.

Thanks so much for stopping by and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.  Also if you make your own version of a menu planner board, make sure to link it up here so we can check it out!

First, the supplies I used were:

• Premium Matte Photo Paper
• Ready for Spring by Elise and Jude
• Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s Jewelry Box Template
• glue gun
• mod podge/brush
• buttons/ribbon
• craft wire

First I gathered all of my supplies. I opened up photoshop and used Kelleigh’s template for my base. I knew that I wanted to use the pretty little flowers in this particular kit so I just added a bunch of them on the parts surrounding the template.

I then proceeded to cut all of the little flowers out as well as my template. I used a technique that I got from Mari’s Hybrid Hair clips for the flowers! All you have to do is scrunch the flowers up a bit and mod podge them so they will look like they are actual flowers.  You can find the whole tutorial here.

After about 20 minutes or so, the flowers should be dry. While they were drying I assembled my box. (You can add some weight inside the box by using some glass stones or even pebbles if you want. Just about anything will work since you won’t be seeing it. Just make sure you use your glue gun to secure it to the bottom!)

Now take some craft wire. Wrap it around a pencil, or wooden dowel in a spiral shape. Make sure it’s long enough so that you can fold up the edges to hold the picture, and also make a base to stick inside the box.

Now get your glue gun and glue it to the inside of the top flap of your box!

Once it’s dry, go ahead and start adding your flowers!! I added buttons and some ribbon as well as a cute little tag to jazz it up a bit!

Now that you are finished you can place your photo in the holder!! Wasn’t that easy?!

I really hope you enjoyed this as much as I did making it! Thanks for looking and happy (hybrid) scrapping!

Digital Items:

• Sassy Purse #3 by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs
• Strawberry Cafe [Revised] by Sugarplum Paperie

Physical Items:

• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-back Canvas by Ranger
• BasicGrey Magnetic Snaps
• Zva Creative ~ Pearl and Rhinestone rounds
• Brads
• Double-Sided Tape
• Crop-a-Dile
• Sewing Machine

Step 1: Design the front of the purse ~ I used the elements from Sugarplum Paperie’s Strawberry Cafe [Revised] kit. Next add paper to the front, clasp, and handle ~ I used the paper from Sugarplum Paperie’s Strawberry Cafe [Revised] kit and print it out on a piece of sticky-canvas.

Step 2: Open a new document and using the same purse template, add a digi paper to use as a liner (the inside) of the purse. I used a paper from Sugarplum Paperie’s Strawberry Cafe [Revised] kit. These pieces are important to add because it not only makes the purse look more polished, but it also works as a support so the purse is able to hold it’s shape.

Step 3: On another piece of sticky-canvas, print out any additional items ~ I printed out some hearts. Here’s a photo of all the elements cut out.

Step 4: Add the liner pieces to all the canvas pieces. The easiest way I found to do this, is to peel the backing from the canvas a little at a time, taking time to align both pieces together.

Step 5: I added double-sided tape and assembled the box. I then added some rhinestones around the stem for some glitz.

Step 6: I also wanted to add some fun details to the handle and clasp, so I used my sewing machine to add some zig-zag lines around the edge of the handle and clasp.

Step 7: For some additional details, to the clasp I added some hearts with halfback pearls and to the handle some hearts with brads which I will use to attach it to the purse.

Step 8: I used the Crop-a-Dile to make punch holes on the purse, handle, and clasp. I attached the handle and clasp to the purse with some brads and then moved on to the closure.

Step 9: For the closure, I added some magnetic snaps to the purse and end of the clasp.

Step 10: I finished the purse by adding a flower button with a black brad to the front. Here’s a photo of the front of the purse.

It’s ready to be filled with some note cards or perhaps a treat! Here’s a photo of it with the note cards.

Hope you find time to make one of your own and please share a link on this post so we can all check it out!

I was instantly inspired by Kelleigh’s new template called Heart Cup and when I saw the new kit by {simply.scraps} and Madame Wing called Fave Flave I just new they would be perfect to use with the adorable cup from Unity’s September Kit of the Month.

Digital Supplies:

• Heart Cup by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs
• Fave Flave by {simply.scraps} and Madame Wing.

Other Supplies:

• Stamps: Unity’s September Kit of the month
• Ribbon
• Treats
• Coffee
• Double-Sided Tape
• Misc. Accessories to decorate box – I used ribbon and halfback pearls

Step 1: I printed one of the yummy papers from the Fave Flave kit. I layered the cup template over the same paper and printed again on the other side  - this gave me two sides of pattern paper and give is a cleaner look.

After cutting out and scoring the template, I added a row of glue just around the edge of the heart and added some rick-rack ribbon…looks like this.

Step 2: I then adhered double sided tape to the front of the box as seen below to put the template together.

Step 3: I set the box side and started working on some of the decorative elements and stamped images. The stamped images on the front of the box is the cup and the sentimets that hangs from the handle.

Here you’ll see three hearts and the sentiment I printed and cut out of the Fave Flave kit. I adhered this piece to the front of the box.

This next piece I adhered to the front of a bag I used to put a cookie in…isn’t sugar too perfect?!

This next one I used on a belly band I used to hold some instant coffee pouches. I punched two eyelets on either side of the heart and threaded some hemp and hung it around the pouches.

The last items I made for this gift box, is a coaster with Unity Stamps.

To seal it, I added two coats of stain so it can be used for cold and hot drinks.

I then adhered the ribbon to the box, added the cup and sentiment to the front of the box; placed all the items in it and now it ‘s ready to be gifted to a friend. Here’s a photo with all the items out of the box.

One more photo with all the items in the box.

You have a little bit under a month to start making some sweet gifts and hope this has inspired you!

Supply List:
mint/candy tin
Joyful Paper Pack by Kelley Mickus
Ornamentals Brush Pack by Roben-Marie Designs
TK Flourish font by TK Whimsy
Epson Premium Matte Photo Paper
I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the circles, but you could also use a pair of scissors
Mono Adhesive Permanent & Mini Glue Dots (or whatever adhesive you like to use)
Making Memories paint
sandpaper
embellishments, I used ribbon from Michaels, Prima flowers, Martha Stewart glitter and some brads

The first thing I did is grab a piece of sandpaper and go to work on the tin. I’ve found that the paint seems to stick better for me when the metal has been roughed up a little bit. Then I wiped it down with a wet paper towel, and set it aside to dry while I gathered up the rest of the supplies I thought I’d use. I also measured the tin to determine what size my circle would need to be to fit easily inside.

Next I squeezed some of the paint onto a scrap piece of plastic and grabbed one of my foam brushes and put on the first coat of paint, trying to be careful not to get any on the see-through part of the lid. I did keep my damp paper towel handy to clean up the spots where I got a little messy.

While the first coat was drying, I opened a new 8 1/2 by 11 inch document in photoshop, and then created my circle masks. I was able to fit four per page, and clipped a different one of the Joyful papers to each. Then I added a smaller circle in the middle of each of the big circles with a light colored paper clipped to it. On top of these circles I added the text, using the TKFlourish font. Once I had all my circles created, I printed off the sheets and added a second coat of paint to the tin. As it was drying, I cut out all my circles and put a coat of Mod Podge on them. I also used the Mod Podge to affix the top and bottom covers to the tin.

I probably should have let everything dry overnight, but as usual, I was running behind so I got out my heat gun to try to set the paint and glue faster. When it seemed dry to the touch, I added some glue pen and glitter to the top stripes, and a prima flower and leaf. Then I cut a scalloped circle with my cuttlebug to add around the outside edge. Another flower on the inside cover and a ribbon tied around the outside finished it off. From start to finish it only took a couple of hours to make, so there’s plenty of time left for you to make your own little gift tin for someone special this Christmas!

2010 CD Calendar Template by Mari Koegelenberg

Digital Scrapbooking Kit – I used Mocca Strawberry Flip by JM Designs -  available December 24th at The Digichick

Slim CD Jewel Case (available at office supply stores)  – the front of the case needs to open more than 180 degrees (i.e. the front folds backwards) in order for it to hold the calendar properly.  I’ve found most slim jewel cases do so…

Paper to print on – Epson Premium Matte Paper or Photo Paper of your choice

Photo Editing Software – I used Photoshop

TURN THIS:

INTO THIS:

Mari’s template comes with instructions and both .png and photoshop files.  I used the photoshop files plus the Mocca Strawberry Flip kit to create my pages.  The calendar base (with the scallop edges) is one portion, and you can add in the months as appropriate.  Of course, you add in your photos and decorate embellishments as well!  Once you’re done playing, print it out, 2 per page.  Mari’s template also comes with a style file to add outlines to your finished pages for cutting purposes, but I actually got by without then.

I also created the cover page and a blank page for the case.  Cut out your images.

Here you get an idea of what my pages look like.  The snowflake on the January page is from Jan Hosford’s recent 12 Days of Christmas Freebie for Digichick Newsletter subscribers.

I applied 2 sided tape to the back of the CD case and then adhered a blank calendar page to it.

This way, it looks nicer when the case is opened to display the calendar.  See below!

The month page simply slides into place.  That’s how easy it is!!

Another idea for the calendar is to shrink down the actual calendar portion so that you can add in your own “dates to remember” or journalling about whatever photo is featured…

Or if you would like a year at a glance option, you can do that as well.  I simply took all the months and placed them on one page, added a background paper, photo and elements and came out with this letter sized calendar.

Hybrid items like these are great low cost, personalized gifts.  What are you waiting for?  Get started on your own!!  Don’t forget to post them in the Digichick Gallery for everyone to admire, too!

Today I’m going to show you how to create a beautiful treat bag using Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s templates and one of the many wonderful digi kits in our shop

I will also show you an easy technique called ‘faux stitching‘ that gives your cards or other hybrid projects a nice texture and finishing touch.

Here’s the supply list for the Holiday Treat Bag:

• Treat Bag: Scalloped template by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs
• Snow Much Fun digital kit by Mari Koegelenberg Creations
• light blue cardstock
• paper piecing tool
• old mousepad
• white gel pen (‘Inkssentials’ by Ranger)

optional:

• neutral cardstock (instead of colored)
• Distress inks ‘Broken China’ (Ranger)
• cosmetic sponge
• ornament stamp (Inkadinkado)
  
• Nestabilities die cut ‘classic circles large’ (Spellbinders)
• Paper Flowers
• Mini Brads
• Spacers
• Metal charm ‘Snowflake’
• Red satin ribbon
• Glitter glue (Stickles ‘Platinum’ by Ranger)
• pop dots

Let’s get started….

To begin, open the treat bag template pdf file and print the outlines onto cardstock. Next you will need to create two rectangles in PS or PSP or whatever photo editing software you are using and flood fill these two rectangles with patterned papers you like – I used papers from Snow Much Fun. These will be the front and back sides of your treat bag.

The printouts must fit the front and back side of the bag (in this case it’s 3 x 4 1/4 inches each).

Print and cut everything out.

If you used an already colored cardstock for your treat bag print out, you can skip the next step if you want to. But if you used a neutral cardstock, you will now need your ink to color the neutral cardstock to match the patterned papers.

As I’ve chosen a ‘wintery’ patterned paper in this case, I used a Distress inkpad byRanger in the color ‘Broken China’ .  I took a cosmetic sponge, wiped over the ink pad and then went over the cardstock in circular motions – from the outside to the inside (see picture above). This will not give you an even coloring, but a wonderful dreamy, cloudy look. I also love to color the edges of the printed patterned papers for a softer look with the same ink (this is optional … it’s just that I am addicted to coloring the edges of my patterned papers this way )

Now glue your patterned papers to the front and back sides of the (still NOT assembled) bag.

Now onto the ‘faux stitching’ technique:

You need a paper piecing tool (a needle stuck into a cork or into an eraser will work also). Place your cardstock over an old mouse pad or a piece of foamed plastic.

Poke holes (you may want to use a metal ruler as a guideline) with your piecing tool around all edges of your patterned papers (see picture left)

When you are done, take your white gel pen and draw the ‘thread’ between the stitchings.

You can now add some stamping like I did (I just stamped an ornament to the sides of the bag), add some embellishments (I used paper flowers, spacers, brads) or add an additional image or sentiment. You can add whatever you like onto your bag. And as I’m a glamour lover I also put some glitter glue on the flaps to add a little extra pizzazz.

My tip: embellish the bag completely, before you assemble it!

When you are ready, just glue the bag together (I like to use double-sided adhesive tape, but I’m sure any type of strong glue will work well).

Now cut out a small strip of cardstock (I made mine 1/2 inch wide) and glue it to the inside of the bag sides to create the handle. I threaded an additional ribbon with snowflake charm around the handle, but it’s totally up to you how much or less you want to embellish your bag!

And here’s the result once again:

I hope you will give these cute little treat bags a try and show us your results! If you have any problems, questions, hints… please don’t hesitate to post a comment or just pm me in the forums. Create the bag to your liking!

I hope you had fun and hope that I taught you something new

Sylvia

Let’s get started.
What you will need:
A cute digi kit with some Nativity Story people I used All is Calm by, Jan Hosford (or any characters that you would like to use)
A printer and Photo Editing Program I use PSE
Some magnetic paper, you can get the kind that fits right in the printer for and even easier project
Scissors, Sanding Block, Distress ink, Mod Podge

The first step is to open all of your digital elements in you photo editing program. All you really need to do is resize the figures to fit on whatever size magnet paper you have. I had a sheet of magnetic paper that was 10×12 so I resized all my figures and dragged them into a new file that was 10×12 to be sure they’d all fit on my magnetic paper…then, since my printer is 8.5×11, I fit them onto 2 pieces of 8.5×11 paper and printed them out on matte photo paper. Here they are:

Then cut out your figures leaving a little bit of the white paper around the edges, like this.

Then I stuck them onto the sticky side of the magnetic paper:

The next part will take a little time. You just need to cut out all your little people. Get your self some pointy small scissors and sit in a comfy spot and start cutting. Great time to watch a little tv while you cut. If you want to be picky like me you can sand and ink your edges too. It just gives them a nice finished look, like this:

You can call them done now if you want, but if you have kids like mine, they might need a little bit of protection. So get out the Mod Podge, lay them all out on a non stick surface and brush them all with the Mod Podge, making sure to get it all around the edges, like this.

Close up…

It will dry nice and clear.
When they are all nice and dry pull them off the nonstick surface. You might have to pick or sand a little bit of the Mod Podge around the edges, but after that, you are done! Time to play!

I figured – everybody loves chocolate, but what do I put it in?  Well, as usually, Kelleigh Ratzlaff came to my rescue with an older template – her milk carton template set!

To save time, I printed the lines of the carton on one sheet of my page and then printed the patterned paper on the other.  In this case, I used Country Charm by Mari Koegelenberg.

A very pretty kit and doesn’t necessarily have to be used for Christmas.  I love to get more out of my digi-dollar and Mari’s kit was perfect!

Now I needed a closure for it.  Again, I like to recycle and I like to find things that can work for me in different ways.  In this case, a binder clip from my local office supply store did the trick…paired with a little bit of ribbon and I had an easy-open, easy-close container.

Last – the tag.  Again – Mari had the perfect element for me to use and I just hand-wrote my message on it.  I could have just as easily but a name, but if there’s no name on them, I don’t have to worry about whose is whose either!  (Pure laziness I am sure…)

I just fold the ribbon in half and put in right under the clip and it’s done!   It easy to reproduce as well.  I can skip the cut out flowers for the guys.  Maybe use a button element or even just leave it more streamlined with just the tag.

Thanks for stopping by!