There is much to be thankful for

Sometimes life is tough. It is easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. So, it is important to keep reminding ourselves what is the most important.

In my life, I am thankful that I have two beautiful children who are happy and healthy and starting their own adult lives.

I am also incredibly thankful for my amazing husband who does everything humanly possible to make me smile — even if it means telling bad jokes or doing silly dances — things he would probably deny if questioned.

To help keep me focused on the positive and important things in life, I created this 8×10 canvas to hang in my home. (click on the photos for a larger view)

I created the background with Glimmer Mists in oranges and yellows.

The paper is Authentique’s new Thankful line.

I used dies from Tim Holtz/Sizzix to cut out the leaves, then added a bit of Distress Ink and molded them with my fingers to be dimensional.

Then, I added a few acorns, cut out from the paper, and topped them with Distress Stickles. They give a soft sparkle without it being in-your-face bling.

The word Thankful is cut out with my Cricut and the smaller words are cut with a Lifestyle Crafts die.

The globe is from Globecraft Memories. I used the top ring and one globe from the DIY Portrait Ornament Kit. I ran the frame through an embossing folder and then coated it with Victorian Bronze Enamel Powder. I made the family photo sepia toned to match.

For the final touch, I added a few Piccolos — tiny, laser cut pieces made from compressed chipboard — and coated them with enamel powder. I love the elegance they provide.

 This is my last post for the Hobby Baby Blog. But, you can still find my art on Globecraft Memories' site as well as on my personal blog: candyspiegel.wordpress.com. Hope to see you there!

The Harvest Moon

The Hubs has been taking some outdoor photos with our new camera and I just new the Pumpkin Bubble Frame Kit was the perfect piece to display one of them!

Rather than use the pumpkin straight from the package I redid it in Vintage Double Dot papers by BoBunny. To make sure my papers fit correctly I laid the pumpkin layers FACE down on the BACK of the patterned papers and traced them. Then I cut them out, flipped them over, and distressed them with walnut stain distress ink.

Unfortunately after this month the Hobby Baby DT will be disbanded, but I've been so lucky to be offered a position with Globecraft to continually design for them each fourth week of the month! Be sure to keep an eye out on the website for my works and some videos :) 

Bubble Frame Easel Box

Today's project is a gift for my friend, Pat Bolda.  I loved this pic of her daughter in this fun hat - so thought it would make a great gift.  Remember as you explore this project, you can save 25% off your entire Globecraft Memories  purchase - enter Discount Code TS25 when you checkout!

The project is a one-drawer easel box.

 

 

 Supplies for box:

   Chipboard - two pieces - 5-1/2" x 6-1/2"
   Cardstock for drawer assembly:
      Frame - 11-3/4" x 9-1/2"
      Pull Drawer - 8-1/2" x 9-1/2" (Actually I used these measurements - then trimmed off 1/8" to make the drawer slide in/out easily)
      Bottom/Top Covers - two pieces - 5-1/2" x 6-1/2"
      Box Side/Back - two pieces - 1-3/4" x 5"; one piece - 1-3/4" x 6"
      Drawer Sides - two pieces - 1-3/4" x 5"; two pieces - 1-3/4" x 6"
      Drawer Pull - one piece - 4-1/4" x 3/4"; one piece 4" x 1/2"
      Two brads

Box Assembly:
   Cut chipboard for top and bottom.  Cover with cardstock.

Chipboard - 5-1/2" x 6-1/2"

Covered Chipboard - Cardstock used unknown source

   Cut cardstock for drawer frame as shown below...red lines are score lines.

Assemble as shown in following pictures.
TIPS:
   The color you want to be see should be INSIDE (Bo Bunny SUN Kissed Skies shown here - the clouds will be covered.)
   Glue the middle tabs BETWEEN the top and bottom layers.

Frame - 11-3/4" x 9-1/2"

  

Cover sides and back with cardstock.  Note:  Even if you already like the outside cardstock pattern, cover sides and back to give box strength.

Drawer Assembly:

   Cut cardstock for drawer frame as shown below...red lines are score lines.

Assemble as shown in following picture.
TIPS:
   The color you want to be see should be INSIDE ( (Bo Bunny SUN Kissed Skies shown here - the clouds will be covered.)
   Glue tabs OUTSIDE the box.  They will be covered.

Assemble Drawer Pull.  Cut two strips of cardstock using dimensions above.  Attach to front cardstock panel with brads BEFORE adhering to drawer...this provides strength to open drawer without tearing cardstock.  Glue sides, back, and front to assembled drawer.

 

Glue top and bottom to drawer frame.

 

Supplies for Easel:
   Cardstock - 10" x 6"
   Cardstock - 5" x 6"
   Cardstock - 3" x 5"
   Cardstock - 1/2" x 5"

Score and fold large piece of cardstock in half to be 5" x 6".  Score and fold the top half at 2-1/2".  Glue bottom half to top of box assembly.  Glue 5" x 6" cardstock ON BOTTOM HALF ONLY so it will fold up as an easel as show below. 

Glue 1/2" strip at top of 3" x 5" cardstock.  Glue to inside bottom  of easel - glue front edge flat; use pop-dots at back edge to serve as a stop for the easel when open.

 

Supplies for Globeframe Embellishment

   Bottom layer of Little Traditional Rectangle Bubble Frame

   Middle layer of Little Fancy Oval Bubble Frame.

   Piccolo Butterscotch Enamel Powder

   Piccolo Decor Set #3

   Strip of cardstock - accordion folded at 1/4"

   Red Ink Pad 

   Flowers/Leaf

   Feathers

   Ribbon

   Liquid Pearls - Cantaloupe used

   Butterfly Punch - Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Classic Butterfly

   Any rubber stamp - Flourish Squares used

Rectangle Frame:  Emboss with  Piccolo Butterscotch Enamel Powder.  Distress by rubbing red ink pad over embossed frame.

My intent was to emboss the oval frame in red.  As I didn't have any red embossing powder, I decided to ink the frame in red and emboss with a clear powder.  However, after just inking the frame in red, I loved the rugged wood-like appearance and decided to leave well enough alone!

I also embossed flourishes from Piccolo Decor Set #3 and Piccolo Decor Set #10 in Piccolo Butterscotch Enamel Powder and distressed by rubbing in red ink pad.

For the accordion embellishment on the lower left of the frame, I accordion folded a piece of yellow cardstock, distressed it with red ink, then randomly stamped a flourish design with red ink.

My final assembly in detailed pics:

  

Supplies for Inside Sentiment

   Sentiment - Children WordArt from http://lazydaisydesigns.blogspot.com used.

   Distress Inks - Crimson Red and Toffee used

   Piccolo Decor Set #3

   Piccolo Decor Set #10

   Piccolo Butterscotch Enamel Powder

   Feathers

Decorate inside of easel card as desired.  I printed the WordArt to fit and distressed the senitment with Red and Toffee inks.  The Piccolo pieces are embossed with Piccolo Butterscotch Enamel Powder and distressed with red ink to match bottom layer of frame.  Feathers - and good to go!

You can order Bubble Frames, Piccolo Decor, and Enamel Powder - not to mention all kinds of fun items - from Globecraft Memories - Use Discount Code TS25 to get 25% Off your entire order!  

Faux Metal Embossing

Hi, this is Candy and for my turn posting for Hobby Baby this month I am sharing a new technique (well, new to me at least) that I call faux metal embossing.

For this project, I used the Little Fancy Oval globe from Globecraft Memories. I did not use the top frame because I wanted more of the metal embossing to show through.

Here's how I did it:

First, I placed the frame in a Sizzix/Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot so it created the raised impressions.

Then, I inked the entire thing with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink using an ink applicator tool.

To add some depth, I went back in with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and with a dabber, added some additional color here and there.

Next it is time to add the "metal" ... I covered a brayer with Piccolo Enamel  Powder Adhesive and then ran the brayer over the frame, highlighting just the raised edges. Then, I sprinkled Copper Kettle Enamel Powder over the top. I used a dry paintbrush to brush off any enamel powder that stuck where it wasn't supposed to and then melted the powder with a heat gun.

After repeating that last step twice, this is the finished product. Doesn't it look like embossed metal?!

To finish off my project, I covered that back frame with Copper Kettle Enamel Powder and painted the easel black. I used brads to cover the alignment holes. The ribbon is from Maya Road, dyed to match the outfit my aunt is wearing in the photo. The flower is from Making Memories. I printed our names and the date of the photo on the computer, trimmed and inked them to match. Our names were attached with Black Foam Adhesive Squares to provide a bit more depth and definition.

By the way, the photo is of me and my dad's youngest sister. It was recently given to my mom by an aunt. Until then, we didn't know the photo existed, so it is a bit special.

Thanks for reading and I hope you try this new technique soon!

To encourage you, Globecraft Memories is offering a 25% discount on these and all of their products. Visit PiccoloDecor.com and use coupon code TS25 in the checkout.