Then I used the print and cut files from the Folkart Love Digital elements to cut out the decorations to hang on the tree.

I simply opened one of the print and cut files, selected both the image and cut line, copied it and then pasted it into a new document.  Then I re-sized the image smaller (around 2 inches in my case).  I copied my re-sized image and cut file and pasted in a copy.  Next I flipped the copy so when I glue them back to back they will match perfectly.  You can flip your copy by going to Object – Transform – Flip Horizontal.

I repeated that for all the images until I ended up with a print and cut file that looked like this:

I printed and cut 2 copies of the file on my Silhouette – so I had 2 of each design.  You could do more or less, depending on your sticks.

Then I twisted some hangers from floral wire and sandwiched the wire between the front and back copies for the printed element.  The wire is handy because you can bend it to fit on the branches and angle the decorations any way you want.

I hung my decorations on the sticks, and then hot glued on a few paper flowers – just to make it look a little more springy.

Now to move it to that lonely corner of my dining room….

PROJECT SUPPLIES

• Cherish digital kit AND Cherish Borders Elements pack BY ViVa Artistry
• Valentine Sentiments digital stamps by Arty Pants Digital stamps.
• craft metal
• alcohol inks -LATTE, RUST, ESPRESSO, AND PITCH BLACK
• alcohol blending solution
• alcohol ink applicator
• precious metals leafing finish
• oval punch
• Spellbinder dies – SCALLOPED HEART, FANCY TAGS
• E6000 glue, ribbon, paper flowers

Cut the scalloped heart shape using the largest and next largest dies from craft metal.

Add two layers of paint.  Instead of stroking on the paint dab it on so that you are a creating a textured surface on the metal.

I used about a 2:1 ratio of the lighter colors (Latte and Rust) to the darker colors (Espresso and Pitch Black) when I dotted them on my applicator. This was followed with a little squirt of Blending Solution.

Randomly dab the applicator onto the heart shape. Let dry and repeat until you have the desired effect.

I used the pretty flower bouquet from the CHERISH BORDERS ELEMENTS PACK on a background from CHERISH DIGITAL KIT along with a sentiment from the VALENTINE SENTIMENTS DIGITAL STAMPS.  These were sized to fit the heart and my oval punch and printed  out on matte photo paper.

The scalloped heart die was used to cut around the flower. I wasn’t too particular about the edges because they are covered by the metal heart.  I added a little brown ink around the edge to shade the flower.

The Fancy Tags die was used to make a background for the sentiment the same way the heart was made. 

Adhere the sentiment to the Fancy Tag and the flower to the back of the heart.  Small brads were used to attach the tag to the front of the heart.

Small holes were punched at the top of the heart and metal wire was used to create a handle.

A small flower and ribbon was added to the top of the handle.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and have a very sweet and happy Valentine’s Day!

Today I prettied up a plain notebook…super easy and a complete transformation in just a few minutes!

Supplies needed:

• Sarah Jones – Smitten
• Plain Notebook
• Ribbon
• Punches
• Adhesive, foam dimensional
• pads
• Sentiment Stamp – I used Take Note from Papertrey Ink.

1. Gather your supplies and print out papers and elements in your software. I used Photoshop Elements for mine.

2. Cover front of notebook with adhesive. I used double sided sticky tape.

3. Lay paper over the sticky tape to adhere.

4. Trim around patterned paper with scissors or craft knife.

5. Trim more patterned paper and cut ends so it look like ribbon. Then adhere to the front of the notebook.

6. Trim and add pretty ribbons.

7. Punch out 2 scallops using a 2.5″ scalloped punch and punch out element with a 2″ circle punch.

8. Using a small hole punch, punch out holes around the scallop circle, then lay pink scallop onto black scallop and adhere.

9. Stamp sentiment onto punched circle element and adhere to the front of the notebook with foam squares.

There you have it!!  What a transformation of what was once a very plain notebook!!

Here is the digital kit I used.

Have a great day!

Hugs, Bonnie x

I decided to create a decorative heart garland with photos and pretty paper with just a few supplies that I had on hand. I created two types of heart ornaments, single photo heart ornaments and double heart patterned paper ornaments,  with Sugarplum Paperie’s Chocolate Kisses kit and strung them together.

Here are the supplies that I needed:

• 4×6 prints with 6 2×2 pictures
• Double sided patterned papers or cardstock
• Ribbon
• Hole punch
• Attachments (Stapler or Tape)

To create a photo heart ornament:

Cut the 4×6 prints down the center to create two strips of 2 inch x 6 inch and cut the patterned paper to strips of 4 inch x 6 inch

Adhere the strips of patterned paper to the back of each 2 inch x 6 inch photo strip. Place two photo strips facing each other and attach at the top. Note that I trimmed a bit of the side of my pictures so that the paper would frame the edge

Fold the strips over and attach at the bottom

To create a double heart ornament:

Cut the patterned paper to strips of 2 inch x 6 inch and 2 inch x 4.5 inch.

Place the two patterned papers facing each other, layer the solid cardstock on top of each side and attach at the top.

Fold the shorter pieces of solid cardstock over and adhere at the bottom to create the first inner heart. Repeat with the patterned papers to create the outer heart.

Hole punch each heart and string together to form your garland.

Personally, I’m not ready to think about Easter and the DigiChick designers haven’t started creating their Easter kits yet, so today I’m going to show you how I altered this simple little white lantern into a sweet little Valentine’s Day decoration for my home.

Supplies used

• small Rotera lantern from Ikea
• Valentine Retrospect digital scrapbook kit by Quirky Twerp
• Fiskars paper trimmer
• stylus or bone folder for scoring
• Zots sticky dots adhesive
• scalloped border punch
• scalloped circle punch
• small circle punch
• Epson matte presentation paper

First, I measured one pane of the lantern to determine how to create my document. The pane measured about 3″ high by 2″ wide. I created one clipping mask on my document that was the size of four blocks, and one that was the size of two blocks. I also created a clipping mask that was 11″ high x 1.5″ wide to use as my strip of paper for my accordion flower. Finally, I created a 2.125″ square that contained the letters LOVE and the white paper from the kit.

I printed the document and then cut apart each piece. I turned my scalloped circle punch upside down so I could make sure my letters were in the center of the circle.

To create my accordion flower, I started by punching one long edge of my paper strip with the open scallop border punch.

Next, I used my stylus to score in between each scallop. I used the groove on my Fiskars paper trimmer to guide the stylus in a straight line.

Once the whole strip had been scored, I folded the strip up as though I were making a paper fan. Then I placed several small Zots sticky dots on one end of the strip.

I attached the short ends of the strip to form a circle. Then I pushed the middle together and held it in place by adding a Zots 3-D Sticky Dot to a small circle I had punched out.

I attached another circle to the front with the same 3-D sticky dot. Then I attached the LOVE scalloped circle on top of the accordion flower. I set the completed embellishment aside while I fitted the inside of the lantern with the paper I had printed out.

I took the 8″ rectangle of paper and scored it at 2″ intervals. I folded the paper and then placed it inside the lantern. It was a little too tall, so I had to trim a tiny sliver of paper off the bottom. I placed the paper back into the lantern, and used sticky dots on the four outer corners to adhere the paper inside.

After that paper was secured, I took the smaller rectangle and fitted it to the door of the lantern, adhering it in the same way, with small sticky dots on the outer four corners of the paper.

The lantern looks pretty sweet with just the pretty paper inside the glass, but I wanted to take it a step further in its beauty, so I added the accordion flower. I also decided at the last minute to add a ribbon and flower cluster to the top of the handle.

I just tied a bow with some ribbon, added a red felt brad to the center of two six-petal white flowers, and then added a flat-backed pearl to the top of the brad. I placed a sticky dot on the back of this cluster and added it to the handle.

And there you have it – a sweet little lantern all dressed up for Valentine’s Day! This project was so quick, easy, and inexpensive and I love how it turned out!

Supplies:

• Every Day of the Year by Sugarplum Paperie
• Scissors
• Punches
• Glue
• Frame
• Stickles

The first thing I did was punched out my shapes. I am using a hexagon punch I have had for forever.

Once I knew I had enough punches to cover my 4×6 piece of cardboard, I poured out some glue and grabbed my brush. I spread enough glue to put down a few punches and just kept gluing and sticking them down as I went.

Once all my punches were glued down, I trimmed the edges to make it all look pretty.

I then took some of my stickles and spread a layer of it over my paper to give it a little sparkle.

Once my picture was dry, I inserted it into my frame. I punched out a couple of butterflies and adhered them to the outside of the frame. I found a few nails and hung my frame.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Retro Valentines Element Pack – Quirky Twerp 
• I Luv U Printable – Mari Koegelenberg
• Hearts Whimsy Paper Pack – Karen Lewis
• Spools
• Ribbon
• Paper Clips
• Twine

Print valentines from the Retro Valentines and back with cardstock to reinforce.  Mine are printed approximately 3 1/2″ tall.  That seems about right for the spools which are 2 1/4″ tall.  Print out paper.  I used 1 3/4″ strips by about 6″.  Adhere to spools.  Insert paper clips into spools.  If they don’t fit tight enough, wrap them with masking tape first.

Print out round sentiments from I Luv U printable.  Mine are about 1 1/4″ diameter.  And tie to spools with twine.

Decorate paper clip with ribbon and insert valentine.  That’s it – easy as pie!  Cute valentine decorations to keep or give away!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Supplies:

• The Most Wonderful Time by the Digichick Designers
• Comfort and Joy by Sugarplum Paperies
• Trimmer
• Circle Punch
• Glue
• Staple
• Ribbon

The first thing I did was print all my paper on photo matte. Do not use cardstock, especially for the second ornament, the paper is too thick. I created an 8×10 document in Photoshop (because my printer does not print borderless). I then made 8×5 squares of each paper I wanted to use. I printed my design on both sides.

The first ornament I will show you is a flower ornament. You will need one inch strips cut horizontally for total of 10 strips, 5 of each color.

You will now alternate your strips, then fold in half and staple the center. My stapler isn’t very long, so I had to fold my paper to get the staple in the center.

Now you will take each strip, place a small amount of glue on the tip and then fold over to create a loop.

You will repeat this process for each strip till you’ve made a circle.

Run a ribbon through it and hang on your tree.

The second ornament will be a ball. So we’re going to be using a circle punch. I used a 2″ circle punch.

You will need 12 circles so I punched 3 from each color.

You will then fold each circle in half and staple the center.

Now you will add your glue to each punched circle and you’re going to alternate “up” and “down” for each paper. The glue will either be up near the top of the circle or down near the bottom of the punched circle. I started with “down” for the first paper.

You keep gluing till you’ve made a complete circle.

Once complete, add your ribbon.  I slipped my ribbon in between where the ball meets on both sides.

Then hang on your tree.

Both projects are relatively simple and you can get your kids involved in making them. Until next time, have a blessed Christmas!

Items Needed:

• Snow Much Fun by Mari Koegelenberg
• Ring (Wood, Embroidery Hoop..) – mine is approx.  7″ in diameter
• Snowflake Punch
• Ribbon
• Glitter and Glue

Print the papers that you like and cut into 3/4 inch strips.   For a 7″ ring, you’ll need approximately 28 strips that are 4 1/2 inches long and 28 that are 3 1/2 inches long.  Trim the ends in V shape.

Wrap the straight end around the ring and glue.  Glue the long ones on first and then the short ones on top between the long ones.

Next, you’ll add the snowflakes.  In the center, I added a drop of glue and then alternating red and blue glitter.  Crystal glitter covers all the snowflakes.  Add some pretty ribbon and the cute snow people from Snow Much Fun next.  These have been printed about 3″ tall.

To hang, hot glue an office clip to the back and add ribbon.

There you go – a fun flag wreath!  Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

During a recent shopping trip I found the coolest paperweight at the dollar store.  It was backed with a not-so-desirable photograph of a butterfly, but I knew that with a little hybrid magic, I could make it into something spectacular!  For a buck, I was willing to give it a shot!!  So scour your local bargain shops and find yourself a paperweight and play along.  I’ve even seen these at my local craft stores, but your cost would go up, obviously.  Let’s get craftin’, shall we?!

You’re going to need:

• a glass paperweight
• clear glue of your choice (I used Tombow’s Mono Aqua Liquid Glue, what I happened to have on hand)
• digital designs
• felt or cork (optional)

If you want to kick it up a notch (and this tutorial assumes that you do), add to your list of supplies:

• packing tape
• either a laser printer or the ability to make a laser copy of your designs
• popsicle stick or strong nails

I’m using Mari Koegelenberg’s beautiful kit, All Spice.  Be still my beating heart!  I just love the colors in this kit!

1)  The first thing you’ll want to do is prepare your paperweight for crafting.  This may include removing the artwork that’s backing the paperweight using alcohol or Goo Gone to remove any remaining adhesive and washing/drying your paperweight.  I had already removed my butterfly and cleaned my paperweight before writing this tutorial.  I’m so sorry that I’m not able to share that lovely piece of artwork with y’all

2)  Measure your paperweight (approximate is fine).  It’s hard to photograph glass I’ve discovered, but just to give you an idea – - my paperweight is roughly 3 inches tall x 3.5 inches wide.  It is rounded and is beveled so that the back (where the design goes) is slightly smaller than the front.

3)  Begin laying your design out in Photoshop, creating for yourself a shape that is the approximate size of your paperweight.  I created a half-circle that was roughly the size of my paperweight.  Clip all your papers and design elements to this shape.  Once you have your design just as you’d like it, print onto cardstock.  Inkjet or laser prints will work just fine.

4) Any additional elements that will be applied to the front of your paperweight should be chosen, sized appropriately and printed with a laser printer on plain copy paper.   A laser copy will also work.  We’ll be using an image transfer technique for the front pieces and you will need a laser copy/print for this part of the tutorial.

5) Trim all design pieces (paperweight back, design elements for the front).  I didn’t photograph this (sorry!), but I laid my paperweight down on the paperweight back design piece, traced with a pencil and then cut out.

6) We’re going to first apply our art to the back of the paperweight.  Begin with applying a generous amount of clear glue to the back side of your paperweight.  This can be done in several ways, but I prefer to use more glue and clean up any that oozes out rather than not have enough to adhere my image.  Apply your clear glue as shown below.

7)  Place your printed design FACE DOWN onto the glued surface.  Next, flip your paperweight over.  Glue will ooze out somewhat.  It’s okay.  I’ve got damp paper towels on hand.   I like to use the weight of the glass and press and smooth out any bubbles.   By having the paperweight face up, you can see any bubbles quite well (see photo below).  Position the printed design just as you’d like it and then flip the paperweight back over. 

Note:  If you let the paperweight dry face up, the glue could stick to your work surface.

8)  While the first part dries a bit, we’re going to work on the top design.  Trim your pieces, leaving just a bit of white space, and place them face down on a piece of packing tape.  Flip your tape over and with a popsicle stick, burnish the tape so that the design is firmly adhered to the tape.

9)  Trim your pieces again, removing excess tape.  Soak in warm water for 5 minutes.

10)  Remove papers from water and begin gently rubbing the back of the design to remove the paper.  With gentle pressure and rewetting as necessary, the paper fibers should come off entirely and leave behind a clear “rub-on.”  Trim closely leaving just a bit of clear tape around your transparent design.

11)  Apply your rub-on to the front of  your paperweight with a bit of clear glue.  Again, have a damp paper towel on hand to remove any glue oozes.

12)  Let everything dry.  If you would like to back your paperweight with felt or cork, just trim your material of choice to size and apply with adhesive.  I chose not back my paperweight as I plan on displaying it upright at my desk.  Enjoy  your creation!!