Since this friend of mine is an avid reader, I thought a bookmark would be good.  But not just one bookmark because I know since she has been housebound that reading is something she is doing alot of.  Plus I wanted to give her something she could give to those helping her out  during this illness.   I thought she could write a note on the back of a bookmark/tag thanking that person for helping her.  Using the digital elements really made this project easy and fun!

Here are all the supplies I used:

• Fabrications Classic Scrapbook Pack – Quirky Twerp
• Easter Basket Template Set - Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs – print Large template onto dark gray cardstock and cut out.
• Loves’ Flower Clear Stamp set – Verve Stamps
• gray ink pad, sponge, Ivory Organdy ribbon, black rick rack, Scor-pal, Scor-tape
• Jumbo Classic Scallop Borderabilities – Spellbinders Paper Arts

I made the basket from some heavy gray cardstock.  After assembly, I cut 4 pieces of  patterned paper that I printed out onto white cardstock.  I used the Fabrications Patterned paper #2.  Using a sponge, I added some gray ink around the edges to give it the vintage look that goes with this paper pack.

After adhering the sides into place on the basket, I cut/embossed the handle using my Wizard die cutting machine and the Classic Jumbo Borderabilities Petite die template.  This die makes a perfect handle for a basket! 

Then I printed out the tags I wanted onto white cardstock and cut them out by hand.  Using the sponge, I added ink around the edges.  Then I stamped the sentiment using the same gray ink.  I love how this sentiment looks on the tag, don’t you?

After I tied the ribbon into place, I used my Heat Embossing gun to “crinkle” my ribbon.  It doesn’t take much heat and it is easy to do but don’t heat the ribbon for too long or it will burn.  (Ask me how I know!)   

Here is my completed project.  I think my friend will really like this special gift!  Hopefully I will put a smile on her face!

Supplies I used for the flowers:

• Old Phone Book
• Red Line adhesive
• Basic tools (scissors, circle punch, paper cutter)

Supplies I used for the shadow box frame:

• Endless Summer by the Digichick Designers
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Cutting Mat
• Red River Linen Paper

I knew I wanted to make three flowers that were all different.  For the first flower, I took about 4 or 5 phone book pages and inserted them into my circle punch.  I also took my paper cutter and cut some long strips of paper for the second flower and came up with this.

Then I took an round item that was larger in diameter than the punched circles and made three circles in some basic cardstock and a phone book page.  I don’t have a large circle punch so this is how I achieved making the base for each flower.

The next step was to add adhesive to the base so a phone book page could be the background an no white would show through any empty areas.  Then I added more adhesive on top of the phone book page so the actual petals would stick.

I took a punched circle and rolled it and then placed it on the base.  When I was done going around the entire base, I took my scissors and cut along the edge of the base so there would be nothing over the edge and all even.

For the second flower, I took some more punched circles of phone book and crumpled them up in my hands and then added them to a flower base.

For the third flower, I took the strips of phone book paper I cut earlier and folded them in half and went around the entire base for the flower.

For each flower, I added some embellishments courtesy of Martha Stewart crafts and Jolee’s.

The next step in the process was creating the background and matte for my shadowbox.  I chose some papers from the Endless Summer kit that would go well with the colors in my family room and this is what I came up with!

The fun thing about this is that I can change this up as I please – take a different kit and make a different background or matte for a fresh look every once in awhile.  I hope you enjoyed learning how to make flowers with an old phone book!

-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!

SUPPLIES

• DIGITAL PAPERS/ELEMENTS – [Jenna's] Day at the Zoo Kit,  She Sells Seashells, Partysaurus Designer Kit
• TRANSPARENCY SHEETS – I USED COMPUTER GRAFIX BRAND TRANSPARENT PLASTIC SHEETS
• PRINTER/INK
• ADHESIVE, RED TAPE, TEA LITE, DECORATIVE PUNCH, CARD STOCK

In Photoshop, open up a new page and assemble your scene the way you choose. My finished piece ended up about 8 1/4 inches square. I am making a child’s night light in a zoo theme so I chose to use the [Jenna's] Day at the Zoo Kit for this one.

Make sure that you leave a margin along the top and bottom edge of your scene,  I left about 1.5 inches at the bottom and 1 inch at the top. Print this on your acetate sheet using the transparency setting on your  printer. Let this dry completely before handling or it will smear.

Once dry, add the red tape along the short side.

Remove the red covering from the tape and roll the sheet into a tube.  You will want to roll it so that  the printed side is on inside of the tube.  This will protect the image from being inadvertently rubbed off by tiny hands.

NOTE -You will make two of these, one for each end of the tube. Cut a strip of card stock 8 3/4 inches long and 1 3/4 inch wide.  Score at 1/4 inch parallel to the long edge.  Use a decorative punch or scissors along the other edge.

Cut into and up to the score line at about 3/8 inch intervals along the entire length of the piece.

Using a compass or punch make a circle 2 3/4 inches in  diameter and run a bead of glue along the wrong side.

Take the strip and run along the length of it with your fingers, gently giving it a rounded shape.  Adhere the strip to the circle.

Trim off a bit of the edge of the clipped bottom portion so that it will fit along the final part of the circle.

Cut or punch another circle about 1/8 inch smaller than the first.

Adhere the smaller circle inside to cover up the inner edges.

Place a strip of decorative paper along the bottom to conceal the raw edge of card stock.  Place a tea lite inside.

I didn’t attach the bottom cup to the acetate so that it could be removed to turn it on and off. I did however place a little piece of red tape on the inner part of the top portion to stabilize it.

It makes a fun, functional decoration for a child’s room.

Having a beach party or luau? These make great, inexpensive  table centerpieces.  I added some additional interest by cutting out some surfboards from the  She Sells Seashells kit and tucking them into the edge of the trim.

I think this one is my favorite made for my son’s birthday from the Partysaurus Designer Kit. The smaller, finished size of the piece is 5 1/4 inch by 4 inch so you can fit 4 on a 81/2X11 inch sheet.

I made a little X with a craft knife and threaded a light from the string through the top placing them on every other light.

I think it’s time to party!

Happy crafting!

(For maximum safety, best to use these with flameless, battery operated votive candles.)

SUPPLIES:

• Digital Scrapping Kit of your choice – I used “Where the Heart Is” by Jennifer Labre Designs, available 7 July 2010 at the Digichick.
• Vellum Paper – I used Vellum Cardstock from Stampin’ Up!
• Paper/cardstock for printing on – I used Red River Polar Matte Cardstock
• Digital Photo Editing Software – I used Photoshop
• Printer
• Adhesive and cutting tools of your choice
• Optional – Border punches – I used Pinking Hearts Border punch and Scallop Trim Border punch by Stampin’ Up!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Select and print papers and elements of your choice.  I printed the decorative papers onto the cardstock, along with the flower element.  I printed another element directly onto the vellum cardstock, first decreasing the opacity of the image in Photoshop and then printing in draft mode on my printer.  (I didn’t want the image to be too bold on the vellum).

2) I used the Pinking Hearts Border punch along the top edge of the vellum, and added a strip of one of the papers to the bottom edge of the vellum.  I left about 1/4″ of the vellum exposed so that the seam wouldn’t be too bulky…

3) I added a strip of adhesive along the edge of the vellum and formed the vellum into a tube and sealed.

For the “boat” type votive cover, I selected two different patterned papers.  I cut two pieces of one paper to 5.5″ x 2″, and two pieces of another paper to 5.5″ x 1″, which I edged with the Scallop Trim Border Punch.  I used vellum that was 5.5″ x 3″ (approximate height, you can choose whatever size you prefer) and used the border punch again.  I adhered all the pieces together:

I then took one of the sides and added adhesive to the two vertical edges of the cardstock, stopping before where the vellum shows above it.

I then adhered the two identical sides together, then added a flower embellishment from the kit that I cut out and adhered.  That’s it!  Pop your votive inside and enjoy the ambiance!

Although this tutorial focuses on inserting images into a frame, by the time you watch the video, you will learn how to insert an image, resize/rescale, move, and print.

Enjoy!

Sherrie Piegdon, aka Pixel Gypsy, is a new designer in the Digichick store—and her templates and scrap packs make this an easy and quick project!

I have a thing for travel mugs.  I admit it—I use them all the time, even at home, since I tend to multitask with my tea in hand.  This often means I put the tea down and then have to retrace my steps to find it again… so if it’s in a travel mug, it’s still drinkable!

Look at this lineup—which one would YOU pick to use?!!!

Supplies:

• Travel tumbler – available at coffee shops (think green circular logo and my fave chai lattes…)
• Pixel Gypsy Design Plates – Tumbler Edition
• Digital Scrap Pack – I used Pixel Gypsy’s Share the Magic Full Kit
• Photo Editing Software – I used Photoshop
• Printer
• Lighterweight Cardstock (e.g. Red River Paper’s  47 lb Premium Matte) OR high quality text weight paper.  The cardstock requires a bit more patience to work into the space in the tumbler, but it does fit.
• Cutting tools

HOW TO:

1) Open the template in your photo editing program.  The Pixel Gypsy template comes with a Photoshop file.  FYI the template fits the older style 16 oz tumblers.  The current 16 oz tumblers are slightly taller (and skinnier) so I adjusted the file slightly. 

You want to select the layer that says “Bkg Paper” and drag the bottom and/or top lines of the box around the template so that your overall template is about 7″ tall. 

2) Add your photos, clip them to the various photo masks.  (Having to select which photos to use was the longest step in this process!!) The template has a string element on it already—I recoloured the string and made it “satin” to look more ribbon-like.  Select the “string” layer, then go to layer style, click on “satin” and click on “colour overlay”.  I used the colour picker to get a red shade.

3) Print out your image.  Cut along edges of template.

4) Remove bottom of tumber, insert your customized layout and you’re good to go!

It’s a fun way to identify your mug easily—and I smile every time I take a sip!  This would make a great Father’s Day gift, and you could change out the insert with new photos whenever you like—the template and digital kits make that a snap!!

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!

Today I’m going to show you how to take Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s Canister Box template set, flip it over and turn it into a graduation cap gift box.

But wait….not only is this gift box a super sweet and fun way to give a gift, but it also makes a great table centerpiece for that graduation party you are giving!

For the graduate, you could fill the box with a small gift or money.

As a table centerpiece, it could hold candy kisses, nuggets, M&M’s or anything else you can think of.

So let’s get started with our supply list:

1. Open Kelleigh’s short canister file in your photo editing program.

2. Hide all layers of the template except for the lines.

3. Print the template on computer paper – this will be your pattern to trace around on the black cardstock. Unless you have a printer with a white cartridge, you will be unable to print directly onto the black cardstock.

4. Open the canister bottom file – hide all layers of the template except for the lines.

5. Resize the canister bottom to 96%. This will allow the piece to fit inside of the canister.

6. Print the canister bottom on computer paper – again this will be our pattern to trace around.

7. Cut around the printed canister – I cut out the connecting center sections of the template as they won’t be needed.

8. Cut around the printed canister bottom.

9. Position the computer paper canister and bottom template on the black cardstock and trace around the edges using a pencil. It may be a little hard to see but totally worth not having white gel pen lines showing on the black cardstock. Cut out the black cardstock canister and canister bottom.

10. Score all canister and bottom score lines.

11. Assemble box by gluing the tab on one side of template to the inner side of the other side of the template to form canister. Fold tabbed pieces inward and secure with adhesive of your choice. (See Kelleigh’s instructions included in canister template)

12. Cut a 5 x 5 inch square piece of black cardstock. Punch a hole in the center of square – I used my paper piercing tool. Center and adhere canister bottom on square. Punch hole through canister bottom piece.

To Create a tassel:
13. To create a tassel, wrap white embroidery floss around a 2 1/4 inch strip of firm cardstock or cardboard approx. 20-25 times. The more times you wrap the floss, the thicker your tassel will be. Holding the floss, cut it along one edge of the cardstock/cardboard.

14. Using a long piece of floss, tie a square knot against the bunched floss. These long pieces will become the string that the tassel hangs from.

15. Fold the bunched floss in half to form a tassel and tie a small piece of embroidery floss approx. 1/2 inch from the fold and then hide the tied knot in the center among the longer tassel pieces.

16. Put the top of the graduation hat on the canister. Hold the tassel by the long strands of floss at the center of the black square and shorten the hanging length of the tassel to what you desire.

note: if the above steps to make a tassel didn’t make sense, just google “make your own tassel” and you’ll find lots of instructions and photos!

17. Secure tassel in place with a black brad.

18. Put the top on your graduation cap box tucking rounded tabs to the inside of the cannister.

And there you have it, your very own graduation cap box – ready to fill with goodies!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and project. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask here in the comment section. I’d love to see your version of this graduation box!

Once I had the wrappers designed, assembly took no more than 15 minutes for all 3 of these!

Not only are these cute in the US colors of Red, White and Blue but I think they would be equally cute in some other national colors!

As soon as I saw Jennifer Labre’s newest kit “Glory” (which will be available in The Digichick store on 6/3), I knew exactly what I was going to make.

Her kit “Glory” had THE perfect papers and the fun little stars I was looking for!

Shhhhh! Don’t tell the Boss that I’m giving you a sneak peek!!!

Here are the supplies you will need:

1. Using your photo editing program, open a blank canvas – this will be your firecracker wrapper. I gently removed the label from my roll of lifesavers and measured the original label. (I converted my fraction measurements into decimal measurements using webmath.com. My blank canvas is 3 1/8″ height x 3″ width which equals 3.125″ height x 3″ width).

2. Using digital papers of your choice, design your firecracker label. Resize and rotate the paper to your liking. I kept my original lifesaver wrapper in view so that I designed my wrappers correctly. These can be as simple or complicated as you’d like.

For the striped firecracker, I layered Jennifer’s white paper over top of her solid red paper. Using my rectangle marquee tool, I drew 1/4″ wide vertical stripes every quarter inch and deleted the white paper in each section as I went.

3. Next, still using the Rectangle marquee tool, I draw a 1″ horizontal band across the top of my wrapper, added a new layer, and then Jennifer’s blue paper.

4. Position a few stars along the blue border.

5. Next I chose a few star elements from the kit to print to add to the “wicks” of my firecrackers.

6. Open a new 8 1/2″ x 11″ blank canvas – this is what we’re going to use as our background to print. Copy and paste each of your firecracker wrappers on to the new canvas along with the star elements.

7. Do a final tweak of the brightness and contrast for a nice explosion of color! I always zoom in to 100% so that I can see exactly how the colors respond to the brightness and contrast adjustment.

8. Print using your printer’s best print options.

9. Allow ink to dry before handling. Cut out the wrappers and star elements.

10. Gently roll wrappers around lifesaver rolls a few times “prepping the wrapper”. Add a little adhesive to the back of the label – make sure you also add adhesive where the label overlaps – position on the roll of lifesavers.

11. Gently insert just the tip of your scissors into the center of the roll of lifesavers. Then insert a piece of pipe cleaner into the hole you just made. Adhere a star to the end of the pipe cleaner. (I think mine would have looked better with a white or silver pipe cleaner!)

And there you have it – a super cute and easy table favor for your next picnic!

**You could also insert a wood skewer into the bottom of the firecracker to turn it into a rocket!**

I hope you enjoyed this super simple hybrid project. If you decide to make your own firecrackers or rockets, I’d LOVE to see them so make sure you leave a comment with a link to your firecrackers/rockets!