Creative Chaos

Trying to recover......

from a cold that grabbed hold of me over a week ago.  Ack....I have a few pictures of a "Paper Cake" class I'm teaching this Saturday at Paper Tales.......

I was so bummed I had to cancel my "Hoarders" class this last Saturday.......

I need to reschedule it for another evening.  I suppose it could have been worse and I could have gotten the full blown flu that I have seen disarm many around here.  For myself the last couple weeks have been a case of stuffed up head, sore throat and this past week losing my voice. 

Oh...I want to show you a cute project Michelle did at Paper Tales.  I stole the picture from the blog......

Talk to you soon!  Karin

Valentine Tag Tutorial........

Hi everyone!  I have a little tutorial for you using some Melissa Frances paper and embellishments.  

Various Papers for the tag and
background of tag (I used Attic Treasures and 5^th Avenue)

Corrugated paper

Vintage book page

Melissa Frances crepe paper

MF  Organza Pouf/Pink

MF pom pom trim

MF Resin Key

MF Pearl Embellishments

MF Crystal Drop

Tulle 

Letter Stamps

Adhesive

Glue pen

I’m currently obsessed with both kraft and corrugated paper.  So I decided to keep my obsession going with this quick and easy valentine tag.  First thing I did was cut a tag using some kraft paper.  Next I glued down some Melissa Frances Attic Treasures paper as a base and some 5^th Avenue torn up on the sides. 

I like to use a wash of paint on my projects. So here I just dry brushed the sides of the tag with a cream acrylic paint.

Next, I cut a heart out of corrugated paper measuring just to the width of the tag.  Because I like
the look of a “non-perfect” heart, I just folded the paper and cut to size. 

I love painting on corrugated paper.  I just adore the look.  Because I was using the beige and blue paper for my base I decided to paint the heart pink with some cream accents.  I didn’t layer the paint on too heavy because I wanted some of the paper to show through. 

I still felt it needed a bit of something else.  I was going to put some of my old stand by glitter on it when I spied my Glimmer Glam out of the corner of my eye…..perfect. Once the paint was dry, I just put a coat of that on top of the heart to give it just a bit of shimmer and gloss.  

Now, for the all important glitter…..  I used my glue pen to trace a thin line around the edge of the paper and then sprinkled the antique silver glitter on top.

I next made a little banner out of some vintage French book pages.  I thought it looked romantic…. although I have no idea what the words said.  I simply cut the paper into a banner shape and then gave it a quick coat of cream paint. I also traced the edges with my glue pen and sprinkled some glitter on it.

I glued some crepe paper that I ruffled with my sewing machine to the bottom back of the tag.  I then
glued the Organza trim to the top of it.  Since this was for Valentine’s Day I decided to keep the layers going by topping it off with some pom pom trim and a black and cream ribbon.

I then glued my heart in place on top of the tag.  I placed the banner on a slight angle and then glued it along with the key into place.  I embellished the ends of the banner with the pearls. 

I kept toying with the phrase “you have the key to my heart.”  But no matter how I maneuvered the words around there was no way it was going to work.  So I finally decided on the simplicity of “Love.” 

I then topped the tag off with a bow of tulle and a little crystal at the top.  Now you are ready to
give to your favorite Valentine.

 

A colorful hoarder......

At least when the crew of the tv show Hoarders comes knocking at my door, they will all have something pretty to look at.  Even the 1-800-GOT-JUNK guys, who normally are leaning against the side of the truck counting the minutes until they can punch the clock and go home, would be duly impressed with my piles of paper......... 

Last year, I created a "Hoarders Anonymous" at Paper Tales so we could all start using that paper we have stashed but never use. I even came up with a quiz to see if you fit the bill of an official paper hoarder.  Anyway, last week, I did  something I have been preaching all along.  I cut into my one piece of all time favorite paper. Do you recognize which one? 

It's the floral paper from the  Basic Grey Lollipop Shoppe line.  I have held onto this paper forever.   I LOVE it.  But I did what I have been preaching and cut it up to make this mini album......

And I'm so glad I did.  It inspired me to pull out more paper that I love and create this book.......

We'll use it as a base for the class.  Everyone will bring their own paper and use my book as the jumping off point.  It's so much fun to see what everyone comes up with. 

Ok.....gotta run!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

 

Cupcakes Anyone?

I finally got my new batch of cupcakes finished for my class at Paper Tales.   Once again children proclaimed me mother of the year when they saw the baking pans come out.   And, then in the same breath, proclaim that I'm the meanest mommy ever for making fake sweet treats in front of them.......

Oh well. Life is tough kids. Get used to it.

I purchased a new frosting tip that makes the bigger swirls.....

It's the little things that make me so happy......

My pictures aren't the best because of an uncooperative sun.  But you get the idea.......

 

Talk to you soon! Karin

 

Time just gets away........

Making more cupcakes for a class at Paper Tales.   Uggg.....the picture quality isn't very good.  I was hoping to take some better pictures today but it's pretty cloudy.  I also finally sent out two more of my round robin journals.  Although it took me FOREVER to finish these up,I love how they turned out.   I have one more to go and then the reveal of our journals......

 I forgot to write down who wrote that quote....I love it though.  It's so true.  Talk to you soon!  Karin

Melissa Frances......

Here's a look at the Melissa Frances booth along with Melissa, Carolyn and Michelle.....

Loving the big houses......

Chipboard baskets.....

New bird cages, clock faces and on the bottom shelf some file drawers.... 

As usual I didn't take nearly enough photos but here are some projects using the new line of paper. Click on the picture of the paper to see all the detail.....

Anne Kristine.......

Sherrie Siemens........

Rachel McAffee......

Emeline Seet.....

Melissa Phillips......

I'll be back with more!  Karin

Still in Christmas mode.........

To say I was obsessed with the Melissa Frances miniature houses would be an understatement.......

I got this idea in my head to use the same spackle I use for my cupcakes as snow on the house and ground......

obsessed.....

Then I had to make a little snowman.......

and little snowballs......

I can't wait for next Christmas......

So much for my big blogging spree.......

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted.  Between substitute teaching, Paper Tales. Christmas, the boys and then getting ready for CHA, I couldn't quite get myself to the computer to write all the compelling and brilliantly funny stories I had on the tip of my keyboard. Sigh..... Anyway, one of my New Year resolutions was to be more consistent with my blogging.   Considering it's already the 15th, I cantell I'm in trouble.   Anyway, here are couple pictures of some of my Melissa Frances projects.......

I'm so excited about this book.  I planning on teaching a class as soon as the new paper ships. Talk to you soon!  Karin

 

 Here's a little tag that I made using some Melissa Frances paper and embellishments........

I just adore this tulle from Paper Tales.  I'm working it in to all projects I do.

It's hard winding down the Christmas project momentum I've had going lately.  I need to get this creative wind in July of next year in order to complete all the projects I have in my head.  In an effort to use up every last moment Andres and I have taken over the kitchen table with last minute crafting projects and gifts.  He also was in charge of illustrating this year's Christmas card........

Ok....off to bed....talk to you soon!  Karin

 

 

Let's Make a Mini Christmas Book..........

Alrightly.....Here is what I used for this project:

Adhesive

Stickles in platinum

White pen

glassine/decorated bags (Paper Tales)

envelopes (Paper Tales)

Assorted ribbons and embellishments

The Melissa Frances label backdrop chipboard cut in half.  I used four of them......

12 x 12 Countdown paper.........

Countdown to Christmas Tag Collection........

Chipboard.......

Various Countdown to Christmas 12 x 12 paper.......

Cover....

I also used this cute polka dot tulle from Paper Tales, soft green crystals from MF and Stickles glitter in platinum.

back of cover and a scalloped notecard with trim......

mini bag.....

resin star....

Melissa Frances pom pom trim.....

little glitter star....

I cut the words out of the 12 x 12 paper and added them to different pages.....

A little red envelope with some fun trim.....

 

I hope you liked it!  Talk to you soon! karin