Mel Designs

Last day- Post card Charms 40% off at Gigis Petals

 

Many of you have inquired about my postcard charms as featured in my etsy shop. I have great news for you today- Today only, I am offering them at a 40 percent discount through GiGi's Petals.

These come in a set of six miniature wood postcard charms perfect for jewelry making, cardmaking, scrapbooking and altered art. Each postcard is 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" and finished on both front and back with inked distressed edges. The front and back represent the actual vintage postcards. *Necklace is an example of how the post cards can be used (necklace, pearl, and flower not included).

Predrilled holes make them perfect for charms. Antique postcards found at flea market.

 

Click on the GiGisPetals Logo above and create an account by entering your email address. It will take you straight to today's deal! My postcards deal  will be on the bottom left! Dont wait! Last day...

Live Life Creatively,

 

 

10 Ideas for Using Patterned Paper and Cardstock Scraps- Part Two

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed several ideas for using patterned paper and cardstock scraps in your creative projects.Here are yet more ideas on using what is in your stash to create cards, home decor, favors and even paintings with your patterned paper and card stock scraps.

This free form card was created by tearing strips of leftover coordinating papers and gluing them to a card base. Then I simply free formed stitched the background and added a fabric heart (die cut from an old black t-shirt) and added a rolled flower and sentiment.

Making these in batches would be easy and sure to take up lots of old paper scraps as well as putting to use an old t-shirt!

And speaking of rolled flowers. Why not add some made from organza to small recycled bottles covered with patterned paper scraps to use as baby or wedding shower favors? Add an altered scrap booking embellishment created from an old gromment to the center for an interesting focal point.

Not sure how to create a rolled flower from ribbon or fabric strips? See this post on making rolled flowers for embellishing anything from cards to apparel.

Do you have junk mail and security lined envelopes? They make fantastic scraps for cards, layouts, art, etc. This mail themed card was created with paper punched security envelopes. Use your die cut stash to create interesting shapes as well. I used a mix of machine and hand sewing to create this junk mail card, perfect for many occasions.

And so what if you mixed security lined envelope scraps with patterned paper scraps to create a unique decor piece? This thrift store cabinet, purchased for a few bucks, makes a nice mantel decoration.

Use acrylic paint to paint the cabinet and wood shapes, then decoupage patterned paper scraps on the pieces, including a coordinating color of recycled security lined envelopes.

Last but not least, this art "painting" by Cynthia Hanna of Creative ARTitudes incorporates patterned paper scraps. Isn't it amazing?

Cynthia wrote me to share how she incorporates patterned paper scraps into her art.

How do you use your patterned paper and card stock scraps? I would love to hear your ideas!

Live Life Creatively,

 

 

Recycled Brown Grocery Bag Tags

Ok, so I realize that there are not that many merchants who still give out brown paper sacks. (actually, the wine stores where I live still do now that I can think of it). But I still delight in the brown kraft paper look because it seems so organic and natural. Green Craft Magazine is still into having their designers make something from these items we normally toss. So with that in mind, I was inspired to make these brown grocery bag tags. Its very simple and involves minimal supplies. Here what you do.

Use Marvy Uchidas Clever Lever Tag Punch to punch tag shapes from the recycled brown grocery bag and black card stock scraps. If you do not have this punch or cannot find it locally, Scrapbook.com has a cool one made by Fiskers that punches 2 1/2" tag shapes. This is perfect for this project! Punch as many tags from the recycled brown grocery bags and card stock as you will like, in pairs, as you will be gluing them together.

Next, use a Fleur De lis punch to punch the motif in the center of the recycled brown grocery bag tag. Now, the punch I am using is an older Anna Griffin Punch, but Scrapbook.com has several to chose from that would be perfect for this project. Use their handy search tool for "fleur de lis punch."  

Next, use a Marvy Uchida Clever Lever Corner Punch to punch a decorative border on the edge of the tags. This step is optional, your tags will still look great without this step.

 Now, glue the black tag to the recycled brown grocery bag tag with a small amount of paper adhesive.

Enhance the center of your tags with self adhesive pearls or clear acrylic gem stones.

Next, cut a 1/2" x 5" strip of paper from a recycled book such as a vintage text book, dictionary, novel or encyclopedia. Knife pleat the paper as shown above. Find some inspirational words or occassional words in the book such as "you," "mother,"  "father," "Believe," and so forth. Think about how you may be using the tags. If you are going to use them on a scrapbook page, you may search for entirely different words.

Glue the pleated paper to the top of the tag and the word to the bottom uisng Aleenes Fast Grab Tacky Glue.

I am going to include my tags, all pretty and tied together with hand dyed organza ribbon, inside my little "gift of green." I am also going to tie one of them to the top.

Inside my little gift of green...all sorts of recycled pretties along with my recycled grocery bag tags.

 Such as, corrugated flowers die cut with altered brad centers... (made from a recycled cardboard box)

Rosettes made from muslin scraps, all tucked inside a small recycled coffee drink bottle...

 Birds and tags cut from recycled coffee drink sleeves....

 
 And stamped wood cut shapes, tucked inside recycled miniature jelly jars...

If you like this idea but would rather purchase the tags then make them yourself, they can be found in my etsy shop.  

What would you put inside your little gift of green? I would love to hear your ideas.

Live Life Creatively,

 

 

 


 

 

 
 
 
  
 
 

 

 

 

Mixed Media Gift Tags for Men

 
Handmade gifts and gift wrappings for men can be a huge crafty challenge. I like to add feminine touches such as bling, tulle and sheer ribbons to my projects, not exactly appealing to most of the men I know.

I have been wanting to create these gift tags for awhile, so when I ran across an interesting shade of Dye-Na-Flow from Jacquard Products, I decided it would be the perfect start for these mixed media tags.

I poured the Dye-Na-Flow mixed with water in a 1:1 ration into a plastic container and using jewelry tweezers, dipped the tags into the mixture of Pewter.  

  
Next, lay the wet tags on waxed paper and use a heat tool to speed the drying time. To make the background more interesting, I used the jewelry tweezers to flick small dots of the paint mixture on the tags and heat set.

To add to the mixed media look and also add a little color interest, use some Lumiere in Halo Gold Violet and dry brush the tags.

I used a Castaway stamp pad in place of a watermark ink pad to stamp an interesting and man friendly image onto the tag.

  Sprinkle black embossing powder on the image and heat emboss.

Add a special touch using these super cute Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Plaquettes. Simply insert brads through the holes to secure. These plaquettes are available through Scrapbook.com.

You may also want to add some texture such as fabric swatches. To add the sentiments, I printed small words from my computer onto Jacquard Inkjet Cotton Percale sheets.

Then cut them with scissors and glue to the fabric on the tags.

There are many ways to use the tags. Create an interesting gift bag...

Make a card by inserting the tag into a clear pocket...

I would love to hear from you- How would you use these tags? Bookmarkers? To dress up gift jars?

Live Life Creatively,

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 

My New Etsy Shop and Coupon Code for You

I have officially opened my etsy shop featuring handmade embellishments you can use for your card making, scrap booking, jewelry, altered art, wearable art, gift giving and home decor projects.

Many of these items can help you jump start your art projects and give them that special touch. You can save time and money by adding special details to your art that you don't have to make yourself!

Most of the items are extremely lightweight which makes them perfect for creating a special card or layout.

 
As a special thank you for my blog friends, I am offering a coupon code good for free shipping ANYWHERE in the US. This code expires July 15th so hurry in and place your order or custom request! Enter MelDesigns1 at checkout.

 

Live Life Creatively,  
 

 

 
 
 
 

Decoupaged Paper Punch Card Keeper Box

Frozen Charlotte- the Keeper of your A2 sized handmade greeting cards. Read on to see how I used punches from Marvy Uchida to decorate this handy cardkeeper box from Walnut Hollow.

You will need to start with various pieces of unfinished wood. The Cardkeeper Box from Walnut Hollow. Scalloped edged trim (purchased at home improvement stores such as Lowes), a 3" round circle and an acorn finial. Sand and seal all your pieces and paint them all black.

You will need at least two coats. Paint the inside and outside of the box for a more professional look. While you are waiting for your pieces to dry, you can work on getting your punches pieces ready for embellishment. These are the Marvy Uchida punches I used...

I used the scalloped edged circle punches in two sizes, the extra jumbo circle punch and last but not least, the Silouette and Embossing punch in Spring Flower. You will use the Mega Scalloped Circle punch to punch one piece from floral themed patterned paper. Then use the Spring Flower punch to punch one piece from plain white cardstock.

Glue these pieces together. They will become part of your focal point.

Next, punch several of the smaller sized scalloped circle punch and several circles from the papers, arranging them with a 10mm stone in the center to look like this...

These pieces will be used on all four sides of the box, so you should make between 15-20 pieces.

Use your Marvy Paper Trimming Buddy with the straight blade to cut pieces of light colored script patterned paper to fit the four sides and top of the box. This is truly a measure twice and cut once situation as the sides of the box are two different sizes. It may be a good idea to write the position of the paper with a pencil on the wrong sides of the paper. For instance "short side of box," "top of box." This will help you when you start to decoupage the papers to the box.

So once your pieces are dry. Use white paint to dry brush the scalloped edged trim (previously cut with a hand saw to fit the sides of the box) and the acorn finial.

Now its time to start the decoupage. Use Collage Pauge and a foam brush to cover the box.

Cover the side of the box and the wrong side of the papers, using a generous amount of medium.

Place the paper on the surface and smooth with foam brush, followed by your fingers to remove any wrinkles and air bubbles. Sometimes the papers will buckle as they dry but will smooth out as the medium cures.

Once all four sides of the box and lid have been covered with your cut papers and dry to the touch, you can begin to apply your punches pieces. You will do this in the same way for the smaller pieces, applying glue to the surface as well as the back of the punched pieces. Try to avoid covering the gems with medium and if you do get it on the stone, just lightly buff them with a dry paper towel.

Avoid putting pieces too near the top, as that is where your scalloped trim will be attached. For the front, follow this layout.

Notice that the punched "focal point" has been decoupaged to the black circle, which was then glued to the box in the center with tacky glue.

Use tacky glue to attach your scalloped edged trim.

For an extra special touch, I used this "Fractured Doll," also known as a frozen Charlotte doll to adorn the center of the box. These cute little dolls are available on Scrapbook.com.

I drilled two small holes in the center of the box (on the circle) and used wire to attach her. I looped the ends of the wire through the holes and twisted inside to firmly position her.

 
To attach the finial to the box top, I drilled a hole through the bottom of the finial and in the center of the box top so I could attach a screw through both. The screw must be very flat to avoid being caught when the box top slides open and closed.

What a great way to store your A2 sized handmade greeting cards. It would also make a great inspiration kit for a friend. What would you do with your box? Live Life Creatively,

 
 
 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Safe and Secure- Here in Memphis, TN and Button Punch Giveaway

 
There is no telling what Mother Nature has in store for us. In April, there was a near record for the number of reported tornadoes as cool weather transitions to warm weather. Today, we are hours away from a record cresting of the mighty Mississippi river. I am safe, secure and dry. Others I know well cannot say the same.

This week I am sharing a card for you made from the secuity lining of junk mail and Marvy Uchida punches. It is simple and gives a new use for your everyday junk mail.

Start by collecting some envelopes that has interesting security lined patterns.

Open the envelopes and lay them flat so you can punch flower shapes or other chosen shapes from the envelopes.

Here are some the the Clever Lever Craft Punches I chose to complete this project.

Punch from the envelopes. Adding other interesting details such as metered postage or bar codes will add to the interest of your card.

Layer flowers together and adhere. Use details such as inked edges, stitching and a little or a lot of bling. Make several of these flowers to your hearts content and make several cards at once so you will have them on hand for later use. 

 
Chose a relavent sentiment such as this one that says "Friends are flowers in the garden of life."" Or chose several different sentiments such as "Thank you" or "Happy Birthday" if you are making more than one card. Stamp in black ink.

I chose to sew my border using a machine, black thread and straight stitch.

I finshed my card by glueing on the flowers and using a straight stich for stems.

These cards are fun to make with Marvy's Clever Lever Flower punches. Leave ne a comment telling me what you think and I will chose a winner randomly to receive a Silhouette and Embossing Button Punch set from Marvy Uchida. I will chose a winner randomly and announce the winner here on my blog on Monday, May 16th. Please leave your comment by 12 AM, May 16th to be eligible.

Stay safe and secure, and think and pray for all those in my neck of the woods that will be affected by  this flood. 

Live Life Creatively,

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Christmas Every Month of the Year- Cards

 
I don't know about you- but every November there seems to be much wailing and gnashing of teeth and lamenting the fact that I did not get my butt in gear earlier in the year to GET ORGANIZED for Christmas. "Start early" I tell myself each year, just to find myself harried and hurried around December 1st trying to get everything done.

So-- I decided I would complete one task each month leading up to December so I can finally ENJOY the holidays. Now, I admit, I took January and February off. I think we are OVER Christmas stuff up until about March, when we start to look forward to the magical season all over again. So this month, I am working on handmade Christmas cards.

I am going to show you how to make these sweet snowglobe cards so you too can play along with me. I will be showing you a different project each month so by December, you are all ready to party, sing carols and play!

 

This is what you will need to get started on your Christmas card stash for 2011.

 
Create a 5" x 6 1/2" card from white cardstock. Cut black cardstock a little smaller and glue it to the white card front. If you would like, use a sewing machine to stitch a straight stitch along the border. Now cut a 3" x 4" strip from the striped paper, with the stripes going up and down.

 
Cut one diagonal edge off one short end of the strip with scissors.

 
To create an opposite diagonal edge that matches the first edge, use the cut edge as a template by turning it over and cutting along the lines. This will result in even edges.

 
Now that I have my snowglobe base, I am going to trace it on sturdy cardboard so that I can use it over and over by tracing it on the wrong side of the striped patterned paper. This will save me time when working assembly line style since I will be creating so many cards. Now lets do the same for the snow globe top.

 
Cut two 4" circles from white cardstock. Freehand snow drips on the top of one of the circles like in the above photo with a pencil. Cut out, trace on chipboard and cut out. Now you have two patterns you can use over and over again.

 
Looking at the below photo, punch and cut out the following pieces. You will also need a 4" acetate circle, which may be difficult to see in the photo.

 
Stamp the snowman image on the white circle. I used a snowman that sits on a cupcake, and I obviously dont want that part of the image. So I stamped like this.

 
Use colored pencils for the nose (orange) and hat band (red).

 
Glue your pieces together in the following fashion. Glue snowflakes to white circle surrounding snowman image. Place paper glue on top of acetate and press to cardstock to create a "glass globe." Glue snowdrips on top of acetate.

 
Now, glue the snowglobe circle to the cardfront, and the striped paper base to the bottom of the circle. Glue the small black circle to the center of the large white snowflake. Punch a hole in the center of the circle and insert a jeweled brad. I never can resist adding a jeweled component of some sort to a project.

 
Stamp a sentiment on a 1" x 5" strip of light blue cardstock and fork ends with scissors. Glue to top base of card. If you would like to, sew the edges of the snowglobe base with black thread and a straight machine stitch.

Finally, use DecoArts Glitter Writer in Clear to outline edges of snow drips and large snowflake.

 
Check back around the beginning of April, and I will show you how you can create custom wrapping paper by the roll using your collected patterned paper scraps, grocery bags, newspaper and almost anything else you have.

Live Life Creatively,

 

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop Week Five- A Tweet for You

 
The Engineering genious Karen Burniston is at it again with her great inactive die designs. Week five of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop continues with this great pop up gift card die. Imagine how delighted the recipient will be when they open the card and discover a gift card, cash, check, gift certificate (do they still make these?) or a special note or photo.

When I received my die cuts in the mail, I immediately knew that I would use the idea for a card for my sweet niece's christmas happy.

 
Again, couldn't stay away from the avian theme and used an ornate frame and holly and berries for the front of the card.

 
The inside of the card reveals the clever pop up componet, which I painted to match my color scheme. I added a bird from the bird with cage die, sans cage, attached with a simple squared and scored box so the bird will pop up along with the cash holder. Love this die! My niece will adore this. Thinking that I will insert an itunes card instead of the cash to add to the singing birds theme.

Live Life Creatively,