But I thought before I left, I would leave you with some projects I have finished. These two are for Simply Cardstock's October's kit. :D
Now, for that frame project, I did a lot of things that you can't see. For one, I used this stamp by Hero Arts. What I used it for, though, is a pattern to where I wanted to put my leaves that I had die cutted out, and, also, where to hand stitch with my linen thread. Ok, maybe that's all I did that you can't really see, but you get the drift. LOL. Lots of techniques used, like, handstitching, puffy paint, die cutting, distressing, and only using cardstock. Well, except for the pumpkins on the far right corner that is. :)
Here is another project I did with the October kit.
This is Holiday To Do list for this year. I used these two stamp sets from Purple Onion Designs :
Artistamp and Stephanie Wheeler's Holiday Notebook Stamp. I also used Heidi Swapp's Journaling Spots Tabs , and that is where I will put my notes, to do lists, shopping that needs to get done, etc. :)
Many people have been asking me to post step by step instructions on how I made my pumpkin. I didn't take photos while I was making it, but hopefully these directions will help.
This is the pumpkin I am talking about:
Here is the pumpkin I started out with:
Pumpkin by Making Memories
Yep, I used one that is a jack o' lantern. But it worked.
I then covered it with orange cardstock. I use Tombi Mono Liquid
adhesive for all of my projects (just cause that stuffs stays stuck!
:D), and after I lay the cardstock down (I don't cut it yet, at this
point, so it was still 12x12, laid down, adhered onto the pumpkin).
At this point, I now run my brayer (you could use just about anything
that helps to smooth out your cardstock, ie, a bone folder, etc) over
top of my pumpkin, where I have adhered the cardstock.
Now, I would cut out the cardstock. Do NOT cut the cardstock where the
eyeballs, mouth and nose are. This is very important. Unless you want
that for your pumpkin. :)
Now I would get out my brown cardstock, and this is where I would try
to cut out a bit more then what the shape of the stem is. I then rolled
it through my big shot using this embossing folder:
Branches cuttlebug folder
After I have embossed the cardstock, I then adhere it to my stem.
Now I have my green cardstock, which I cut out a piece that is about
4x4 (I think), and then adhere it to my leaf. I did brayer this one on
(notice, I did not brayer on the stem, as I did not want to flatten out
embossing). Then cut out. :) Try to get as close as you can to the
edges, but with still leaving a little bit. :) This will be sanded off
later but will help with the next step.
You want to ink all the edges, now. I use the Chocolate from Close to My Heart (totally in love with that color). I use these sponge daubers .
I did this all over the pumpkin, probably up to 1/2" in, whole way
around (now I am guesstimating on how far I went in, but it was deeper
in, so that with the next step you could still see it).
Now, this is where you will need some of either the Basic Grey files or
you could also use the files from Close to My heart. This is what I
used to shape the edges around the pumpkin, leaf, and stem. I used the
one that is more flat on one side. You could also use sand paper, I
think, I just didn't (not saying one is better then the other, I just
don't know how sandpaper will work out.). You do the filing/sanding
down all on the outer edges of the pumpkin, leaf, and stem, then you
want to run either sand paper or a sand paper block over the stem to
make the embossing stand out a bit more.
I traced, with a pencil, where I thought the curve of the pumpkin lines
would be, to give it a bit more depth. Then, after I did that, I took a
little bit of ink and put it on a paintbrush, with some water, and went
over the lines, to give just a tad bit more depth. Then (because I
could still see the pencil lines) I poked holes with my poker (I don't
know the technical name...lol) about every tenth of an inch or so (this
could be way off, could have been 1/4 of an inch, I just kinda went
with the flow). I also did this with the leaf, too (both the pencil
lines, shading, and then, poking the holes).
At this point, pick out your thread, sit on the couch, and watch a good
movie while stitching (I recommend When Harry Met Sally, a true
classic...seriously, the Deli scene...it will ALWAYS crack me up), make
your SO rub your feet while stitching, make your kids bring you a
drink...make it be a family thing. ;) They will appreciate alllll of
the hard work you are doing for them while stitching up that pretty
pumpkin of yours. ;)
Now that you are done stitching, and enjoying a bit of tv time, it's time to stamp. I used the flourishes on this Heidi Grace stamp set
and stamped it onto some Making Memories Ledger paper (I would link you
up, but couldn't find a link to it...you could use any type of ledger
paper, or flourish stamp, those are just what I used) and I used this
stamp pad for the stems:
New England Olive
I then cut those out, inked them, and put them onto the pumpkin. :)
Here is a closer look:
The wooden flourishes I used were from Kaiser Kraft and these from Kaiser Kraft (I cut them up a bit to fit my needs). I also inked onto them, to give them a bit more of a worn look (as if it were outside).
Now, the lace...this I was lucky to recieve from Gypsy Rose Paperie in a RAK. It just kinda fit. It's vintage, but I am sure there is more ribbon out there like that.
I adhered the lace and the wooden flourishes with mini glue dots. :D
If you look closely at the photos that are more zoomed in, you can see where I cut up the flourishes.
I then found a wooden button, and used some of the silk ribbon from Creative Impressions (it would be the 1" Celery Silk, I believe).
The last thing I did, because I can't leave well enough alone, I took
my sponge daubers and lightly inked around where I stitched, just to
give a more weathered look. :D
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away!
Ok, so Paul is calling for me, we are off to the beach! Sometimes, I really do love living in Hawaii. Oh yeah!
Aloha,
~M