Curtsey Boutique Lovlies!

Hey there... hope you all are having a great week so far!  I know I am more than happy that tomorrow is Thursday and that means two more days until the weekend!  The hubs will be off work so I am hoping we can finally have a little bit of summer time fun together.  Seems as though we haven't had enough of that lately and summer is going by just way too fast. 

Today I am in the mood to share some of my latest favorite projects that I've created for Curtsey Boutique!  I absolutely love designing with bits and pieces from the Curtsey Boutique because there are always an array of perfect embellies to add to any project I'm working on.  Seriously, totally cute stuff.  Check out the shop if you love anything fancy, frilly, vintage or shabby chic! Please note however that the shop is currently on vacation and will re-open August 10th. 

First up I have a Burlap Drawstring Bag that I decorated.  The full tutorial can be seen HERE! 

 

 

I created the kraft paper flower by die cutting some kraft lunch bags from the shop with some Spellbinder's floral dies. I then dyed the canvas brad and wooden button and burlap butterflies (also from the shop) with some Ranger Dylusions spray ink. 

 

Next up is a sweet gift bag that I had created to enclose a bracelet that I had made for my mom to give to her for Mother's Day this past May.  This bag is just perfect though for gifting a surprise to someone for practically any occasion... birthdays, best friendships or simply "just because"!

 

 

 

I've used a lined pink treat bag, a plain white doily, a dyed yellow doily, a pink glittered bird, yellow rolled felt flowers and a torn fabric strip all from the Curtsey Boutique shop.

In addition, I used Diamond Dust glass glitter, a rub-on sentiment (Kaiser Crafts) and colored feathers all from my craft stash. 

 

And finally... here's a pretty Birthday card I put together!  This one uses another yellow rolled felt flower from the shop as well as some white seam binding that I dyed yellow with some Glimmer Mist spray. 

 

 

 

The cardstock used on here is all Core'dinations (Gemstones and Core Couture collections), and the Cardstock sticker embellie with Sentiment is a Core'dinations/Darice brand from the David Tutera card collection series.  Don't you also LURV the polaroid-like chipboard frame from Recollections that I picked up at Michaels?  I think they are cool... as well as the fabby looking Heidi Swapp resist paper on here too.   By the way... the butterflies... yep, Cricut cuts of course, lol!  These are designs from the Picturesque cartridge! I seem to cut these butterflies a lot :)  

 

So there you have it!  I have many more new things to share with you from Curtsey Boutique, but I will get to sharing them later after the shop and blog are back to their regular schedule next month.  Before I sign off for the night though, I just wanted to remind all my crafty friends that I am still patiently waiting to hear if I will be joining the May Arts Ribbon Design Team for 2013-2014!  The big announcement should come  on Monday, July 29th, so I do have the entire weekend to wait it out yet! Please keep your fingers crossed for me and if you like, you still have time to check out all of the finalists 2nd round audition projects HERE!  I really would love and appreciate all of your comments and support over there on the post too if you have any extra time!  Thanks friends... and take it easy!

 

Some Oldies, But Goodies!

Hello, and Happy Sunday to one and all!  Not all too excited that tomorrow is already Monday, but it is what it is, and I may as well enjoy the rest of this day off!

 

So today, I thought I would break out some oldies (well not too old, just not too recent either) that have previously been published to share with you all.  I know that not everyone subscribes to the magazines and may not have the opportunity to flip through them on a monthly basis either, so I wanted to show some of the things I've created which you all may not have seen before. 

 

These are all from last years Summer issues of Cricut magazine.  The following "Best Wishes" tag and envelope card from the May 2012 issue really turned out beautifully I thought. 

 

This is the envelope, which  I wanted to be just as fancy as the inside tag.  I cut both the envelope and the tag using the Cricut Damask cartridge.  You will see in the next photo that I cut out a tag with an intricate damask design.  But, I then used a portion of the leftover intricate pieces as a mask for the outside of the envelope.  This was sprayed with a teal Glimmer Mist.  I really like using negatives from Cricut cuts as masks for my projects... definitely a favorite technique!  

 

 

The patterned papers that I used for this are from Glitz Design and all that gorgeous ribbon and trim is May Arts! The black crinkled silk ribbon adds just the right amount of elegance!   

 

Here's a look as well at the reverse side of the tag...

 

This last card features some My Mind's Eye papers and I must say, I loved the way this card turned out so much that I'm not sure I can even give this friendship card to anyone.  I think I may just frame it and keep it for myself!

 

 

This card was published in the July 2012 issue and the cuts for this card came from the Give A Hoot Cricut cartridge.  I'll tell ya, the combination of the yummy plaid paper with the Core'dinations Vintage cardstock just makes me squeal, lol! 

 

Here's another close-up of the detail...

 

 

Remember you can always click on the photos to view them larger!  This card really packs the layers and texture that I love :)

 

Okay... I guess that it all I have to show you today.  I also want to tell you to head on over to the May Arts blog this week.  Tomorrow, Monday, July 15th will be the kick off to them sharing all the Design Team finalists' projects.  I'm so excited... and eager to see if I'll be one of the new May Arts Prima Ribbonistas!  The announcement and revealing of the new DT will be made on July 29th!!  I am so nervous, so please keep your fingers crossed for me... THANKS! 

A Decorative Woven Burlap Framed Monogram with May Arts Ribbon!

I seriously do not know where the Summer is going!  Can it really be July?  I've really been super busy, as I am sure much of blog land has been too.  Perhaps I am not the only one who hasn't had as much time to devote to their crafting these hot, hot days!  I'm sure I am not alone.  The 4th of July holiday was pretty fun and relaxing.  On the 4th we saw some fantastic fireworks here in the State College, PA area after we devoured a delicious Bloomin' Onion and dinner at Outback.  Then on Saturday we had a picnic and more fireworks at my brother and sister-in-law's new property that they affectionately refer to as "The Haven".   But now the holiday is over and it's back to the normal routine of life which is okay with me because it also means that my favorite season will be here before we know it.  I so can't wait for it to be Fall!  I'm already thinking about it and filling up the calendar with everything I want to cram in... October sure isn't long enough for me, lol :) 

 

On a crafty note, I was able to get to work on my project for the second round of the May Arts Design Team call this week and today I am really excited to be sharing with you all what I created.  My project uses the May Arts 2.5" Burlap Wired ribbon in both natural and green (398-25-11, 398-25-16) as well as their brown 400 y Burlap String (SM33). 

 

To tell you a bit about my idea for the project, the frame that I used to create with I found at a second hand store.  I had been looking around for a beautiful but inexpensive mirror to hang above our fireplace mantle for the Winter season and so one day I scored this divine ornate framed mirror for $5.00!  Quite the bargain!  Anyway I proceeded to hang it above the mantle and it looked really nice... until it fell the next day and the mirror smashed into bits.  But, not all was lost because I was still able to salvage the gorgeous frame.  I knew I could put it to use perfectly some other way, and I think I succeeded!  I have been wanting to create a framed monogram décor piece for my home office, so I envisioned a really textured design... and this beautiful selection of burlap May Arts ribbon did just the trick!

First I got to work by painting the frame to coordinate better with my room décor and with the colors of the burlap that I selected.  The frame was originally a dark hunter green like this...

 

 

I am now loving the fresh new color.  I painted the frame with a Metallic Krylon spray paint... in brushed bronze! 

 

 

The new color really shows off and highlights the ornate details. 

 

Now for the fun part... weaving the burlap ribbon for the background!  I started by cutting a piece of cardboard into an oval base to fit and be inserted into the middle of the frame securely.  This oval cardboard piece also serves as the base for my woven ribbon background.  I then cut several pieces of ribbon to approx. 20" in length each.  I then laid the ribbon horizontally in alternating color,  over the cardboard oval base. 

 

 

I then flipped the base over and folded over the ends of each length of ribbon, securing each of the ribbon sections to the back side of the base with some masking tape. 

 

 

Now flip the base over again to the front and cut several 32" pieces of ribbon.  These are the pieces that are now woven into the pattern vertically as shown!

 

 

After the pieces are all woven together, the ends of the vertical pieces can also be folded over and secured to the back side with more masking tape.  Here you can also "shape" and "mold" the edging of the entire oval base until you get the perfect shaping to fit snuggly inside the frame.  To secure the piece into the frame I used a heavy duty stapler gun, but you could also use a craft glue if you like. 

 

 

To create my initial which will be framed inside, I selected my font and cut it out from cardstock using my Cricut Expression.  The initial is from the Paper Lace 2 Cricut cartridge.  Each "A" was cut from cardstock 3 times and I glued all 3 together to make the initial sturdier. 

 

 

Now apply a double stick adhesive to the surface of the letter and begin to wind the brown burlap string around the letter until the entire surface is wrapped.

 

 

After the initial was complete I then used a fabric glue to adhere it to the woven burlap background.  I also decided to decorate the feet of the letter with some pretty felt flower and doily embellishments  from the Curtsey Boutique. 

 

 

I love my new framed monogram... and I especially love the woven burlap texture!  It's a  lovely shabby chic addition to my office space. 

 

 

I sure hope you've enjoyed my latest creation and that maybe I've inspired you all toward a new direction in creating with ribbon... after all, ribbon isn't just for bows!   Enjoy!  :) 

I'm a Finalist!

Very, very excited!  I made the 1st round finalist list at May Arts Ribbon!  And now I go onto 2nd and final round and I get to create a project and written blog tutorial using some more gorgeous May Arts ribbon which I was able to select.  Here are the 2nd round deets...

 

Round 2:

• For the final round May Arts will provide the finalists with their choice of ribbon to work with to create a final project.
• All finalists are required to create a minimum of either one tutorial or one video, whichever applicable.  Again, please choose a project that best exemplifies your style & talent. 
• Email me at Bethney@mayarts.com with your ribbon request.  There are no yardage restrictions, but please note all requests must first be approved before we ship. 
• When you have completed your project, email me the following.  For Video Submissions:  Post your video tutorial on your own blog.  Then forward me the YouTube link to your video, plus photos of the completed project.  Please also include a brief written introduction to the video.  For Written Submissions:  Post the tutorial on your own blog.  Then forward me the link to your post, along with photos of the completed project.  Please also include a brief written introduction to the tutorial. 
• All photos should be sent as an attachment and in jpeg form.
• Deadline: July 12th, 2013.  All submissions will be posted the week of July 15^th 2013.

 

And here's a sneak peak of what I'll be creating with...

Burlap wired ribbons and burlap string!  Stay tuned for the  completed project in the coming weeks and most of all... please, wish me luck!  

May Arts Ribbon Design Team Call, 2013!

Yes, you did read my title correctly!  May Arts Ribbon IS having a call for new Prima Ribbonistas and it's exciting! 

I first started using and loving May Arts ribbon whenever I became a designer with Core'dinations.  We would have various product swaps and blog hops with them and so I've become well aware of just how fabulous and versatile their ribbon is. Truth be told, I find it difficult using any other brand of ribbon aside from May Arts when I am crafting these days.  Their product is definitely top-notch quality.

Being that I am applying for a position  for this wonderful DT at May Arts, I will be sharing various projects here that I've created along the way, as well as a requested tutorial, all showcasing May Arts ribbon.   I do hope you will be inspired by what you see here and that you'll fall in love with the May Arts brand just as much as I have! 

First up, I wanted to share with you a technique for making a pretty textural ribbon flower that can be used on a variety of projects. I created my ribbon flower by covering panels of cardstock with rows of adhesive backed ribbon and then die cutting and layering a variety of different sized floral shapes from the ribbon panels. 

Here's a list of supplies needed:

• Choice of coordinating ribbon  (I used May Arts Silky Crush ribbon in brown and teal)
• Choice of cardstock (I used Core'dinations Jillian Spots)
• Choice of metal dies (I used Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies, Classic Scalloped Circles)
• Die cutting/Embossing machine (I used my Cuttlebug)
• Xyron 15 Adhesive and Applicator
• Core'dinations Sand It Gadget
• Decorative Brad

Okay, to get started you will want to cut various scraps of light colored cardstock into panels and then cut several strips of the ribbon. You will want to add adhesive to the backs of the ribbons strips.  I have found that the easiest method of doing this is to run ribbon strips through a Xyron Adhesive Applicator. 
 

 

Once you apply the adhesive to the ribbon, you can begin to cover the surface of the cardstock scrap panels, alternating strips of color as I have done, or  you can cover a panel using strips of one color... your choice, as you are the designer!  

Once all the panels are covered entirely with the ribbon strips you can now die cut your desired shapes from the panels using various sizes of dies.  To create my layered flower, I have die cut my shapes using scalloped circles dies from Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies. 

 

 

To give more visual contrast and texture, I have also die cut some embossed cardstock shapes to be layered into my flower as well.  I used a Sand It Gadget, which is a sanding block by Core'dinations, to sand over the embossed dots of the cardstock. 

 

For the next step, you will want to take each die cut shape and crinkle it up in your hands... don't be afraid to crinkle them up tightly... the more crinkle the better!   Now take each piece and flatten them back out, and  you've just created even more lovely texture and dimension to the pieces.
 

 

 To form the flower, simply layer each shape center to center forming a stack from largest to smallest.  You will want to punch a hole in the centers of each and then attach the stack together using a decorative brad.  Before attaching my brad here I also rolled up a small piece of extra ribbon and coiled it around the center punched hole.  Once you attach the brad fluff up the layers to give dimension.

 

 

Now you can have fun embellishing your projects with beautiful ribbon flowers that you've made on your own! 

 

Here's a card that I made and had published not too long ago in the Cricut Cards Idea Book for 2013.  The one features some of my all time favorite May Arts ribbon... 5/8" purple Cotton Stripes, 1.5" yellow Twill Chevron Stripes, 5/8" gray Solid Plaid and gray Suede String!
 

Next up is a scrapbook page that I created using some more 1.5" Twill Chevron Stripes in red as well as some  3/8" red Grosgrain Diagonal Stripes ribbon.  This layout was published in the Cricut Holidays Idea Book for 2012.
 

Up next is a box set that I created... a plain kraft box that's been embellished with paint, patterned paper (Authentique), embossed cardstock (Core'dinations) and ribbon (May Arts).  I also made candle sleeves for each of the 4 individual votives stored in the box.  Each candle sleeve is tied up with some natural Twisted Burlap string from May Arts.  This box is topped off with a piece of lovely 1.5" ivory Sheer Woven Rosettes ribbon.

 

 

  

 

 

I also LOVE how this green Grosgrain Diagonal Stripes ribbon looks as looped hangers for my handmade paper shamrock ornaments...

 

 

 

And last, a tag to share using some gorgeous purple 1.5" Two Tone ribbon paired with some ivory Twill Chevron Stripes ribbon. 

 

 

 

I do hope you've enjoyed this sampling of projects that I've created, all using the beautiful ribbon selections available at May Arts Ribbon!  I also have more projects that can be viewed if you click on the "May Arts Ribbon" tab under my Labels section here on the side-bar of my blog.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I'll be seeing you soon.  :) 

I'm Here!

I really am here!  I know I've been quiet, and I am sorry.  I have really missed blogging, but once again, I will use the same old standby of "Life has simply gotten in the way".  Funny, but I hate when that happens... when I can't seem to find a simple block of time to do what I'd rather be doing in life.  Instead, lately it seems it's been all about the mundane... 8 hours of work (stressful at times), piles of laundry, grocery shopping, and other miscellaneous household chores... you catch my drift! I've been slacking hard in ALL areas that I really want to be doing and improving upon.  I really am craving more creative time for ME! I can't even tell you the last time a sat down and scrapbooked a layout.  So sad... I think about it a lot though.  I'd also like to be trying to improve upon myself... to become a more healthy and fit me.  That's proven to be more difficult than anything these days.  But, I am not giving up on either of these areas.  Summer is here and I am going to make these some very important goals and priorities in the weeks ahead.  I can't give up :) 

About the scrapping, and well crafting as a whole, well... one of my absolute favorite things was to be a designer for Core'dinations Cardstock.  Sadly, my time with them has come to an end as I did not make the new team selections a few weeks back.  I was pretty disappointed and I guess I could say that it kind of also had a little bit to do with why I just dropped off the blog radar for a spell.  But I have realized that all good things must come to an end at some point, and no matter what, I loved every minute of my time with such a fabulous and respectable company.  Sooo no regrets, and back to business as usual! Besides, I still have quite a fabulous stash of Core at my disposal and it's always going to be a favorite ;) 

While I'm here, I also thought I'd share a few more projects that I've designed recently for the Curtsey Boutique!  If you haven't yet checked out CarrieAnne DeLoach's  Etsy shop, the Curtsey Boutique, you must.  It is totally full of the sweetest items to craft with.  First up is this card that I designed using some felt doilies and a printed fabric bow (currently not available) all from the shop. 

 

 

 

Other Products Used

Cricut Expression and Kate's ABCs cartridge.

Cardstock: Core'dinations, Teresa Collins Core Amour collection.

Sand It Gadget: Core'dinations.

Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye.

Bling embellishments: Queen & Co.

Rub-on alphas: American Crafts.

Green stickers: Prima.

Ink: SEI.

Marker: Sharpie.

 

And next up... another card.  This one is perfect for all those Graduations being celebrated this month! 

 

For this card design I used one of my favorite embellishments from Curtsey Boutique... the gorgeous gray tulle fabric and felt shabby chic butterfly!  The blue butterfly stickpin (currently not available), the white seam binding and the graph print starburst sticker are also all from the shop. 

I also used an embossed dot coin envelope which I adhered on the inside card flap.  This is the perfect size for inserted a gift card or folded check/money to give to the Graduate!

 

Other supplies-

Cardstock and Sand It Gadget: Core'dinations.

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye.

Foam tape adhesive: Imaginisce.

Ink: Sei.

Cricut Expression and Fontopia cartridge: Provo Craft.

 

I do have some other design team projects for Curtsey Boutique but I guess I will show them later... that way I can come back a blog again soon!  Anyway, I am excited to be back and I do hope I can make it be a more regular thing.  I do miss hearing from everyone so I promise to be better about visiting you all as well :)  Hope you have an enjoyable weekend... or what's left of it!  Enjoy :)