Archive for the ‘Grunge’ Category

4 comments

L-O-V-E Banner


2011
01.06

Posted in Banner, Cricut LOVE Banner, Cricut Markers, Ephemera, Feather Boas, Funky, Funny, Grunge, Hearts, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Valentine's Day Craft, Vintage | 4 Comments »

 

So, I’m starting to think the orange as the background just isn’t cutting it in this photo! LOL!  Unfortunately, this is a banner I made over two years ago but I thought I would share it with you anyway!  Since it was made so long ago I honestly cannot remember all of the sizes things were cut at.  I do remember that I used Storybook, Indie Art, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More and either George or Plantin Schoolbook.  I made this when the markers were really hot stuff and cut the wings, lips and crown using the markers on the top layer – the marker outline REALLY made the images pop and gave the boarder an edgy… funky, yet shabby chic feel.  Everything is layered 2-3x for extra dimension and stability too.  Pieces of corrugated cardboard, scraps of paper, LOTS of chipboard, styrofoam letters painted black and then sugar coated with black fine glitter, pieces of feather boas, wire, clothespins, etc…completed the look.  The bottles hanging from the letter “O” are actually mini empty bottles of glitter.  I made labels for each.  One reads ” Love Potion #9 and the other reads “Hot Stuff – add three shakes to spice things up.”  I glued the labels on the bottles and then used a spray adhesive to cover the entire bottle and rolled each one in super fine clear glitter.  The tag bases are cut from chipboard using the deep cut housing blade.  Worked like a charm.  I then cut patterened paper a size smaller and used my sewing machine set on the largest zigzag stitch and black thread.  Little butterflies adorn the ribbon that were from some paper I had where you could just punch them out.  I layered all of the butterflies 2-3x and glued only the centers and fanned out the wings to make them look as though they were actually fluttering.  A large piece of black and white polka dotted ribbon was threaded through each tag and then small pieces of tulle, and ribbon scraps were tied randomly along with butterflies attached here and there.

It’s definitely an oldie but a favorite piece of mine.  Sure wish I would have taken the photo last year with a white sheet or something  behind it though….oh well!

Are you feelin’ the love?  *wink*

Happy Crafting, my friends!

xKim

1 Comment

You’re Da Bomb! (I’m just sayin’…) Valentine’s Day Card!


2011
01.06

Posted in Funky, Funny, Grunge, Indie Art Cricut Cartridge, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Stickles, Valentine's Day Craft | 1 Comment »

I have to admit I have a pretty healthy supply of Cricut cartridges (Please don’t ask me how many because I honestly have no idea and I’m not sure we need to go there just in case my hubby is reading this.  Hi Dear!  Love ya!)  I’m not one to hide things from my hubster…<insert clearing throat here>…ahem…I’m just sayin’….) LOL!  Just kidding!!  Anyway, my point is that with all of the adorable Valentine’s or shall I say lovey-dovey cuts available you would think I’d be cutting  out those images instead… or at least something from a new cartridge….but no, I have to show my rebellious side by making a card using the bomb from the Indie Art cartridge – isn’t Indie Art now a discontinued one too?!  LOL! I know Indie Art has always had mixed reviews.  People either loved or hated it when it first came out…  I don’t know about you, but for the longest time Indie Art was one of my favorite cartridges, probably because it’s so non-traditional and the cuts can be used in so many fun and quirky ways. :-)  That’s me you know, quirky crafty Kim. :-)  
So in honor of kicking off the “LOVE” theme this month for the January Challenge I wanted to tell all of you that I think “You’re Da Bomb!”

 Want to make a card just like this one? 

Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients:

 Cricut

Indie Art Cricut Cartridge

Your preferred Cricut font cartridge

White premade card or make your own measuring 5″x7″

1-2 old book pages 

Cardstock in the following colors:  black, red, white, silver, brown

Inks for distressing ( I used red, black and silver)

Stickles (Glitter Glue) in Red and Silver

White Pen

Your preferred adhesive

Pop dots (or dimensionals!)

Small piece of red tulle approximately 3″x5″ piece

Small piece of aluminum foil or silver paper

Directions:

 

1.  Using Indie Art cut the bomb – botton and top layer.  I cut the bomb at 4 3/4″.  The first layer the shadow/blackout layer was cut out of white paper.  The top layer was cut from black paper.  Don’t forget to cut the flame also from red paper leaving the size set at 4 3/4″.  I cut two of the flames and glued the end together that slips under the bomb and then curled the ends forward to give more dimension. Also, cut the matchstick from brown and the top of the match from red paper.

2.  Cut the phrase “You’re Da Bomb” from your preferred Cricut font cartridge.  I have to admit.  I made this in a flurry and have been working on several things and I cannot for the life of me remember which font this is ….Can anyone tell just by looking?  I want to say it’s Lyrical Letter BUT….I’m not positive!  I do know that I cut it at 1/2″ from the red paper.

3.  Okay, time to assemble! 

  • First thing we’re going to do is tear the old book page(s) into small squares.  Ink all four sides with red ink and a light dab of silver ink for extra Ooomph! Next, adhere the bookprint squares to the card front overlapping a bit so it resembles a collage look.  Any excess hanging off the edge of the card can be trimmed.
  • Next, assemble the bomb.  Ink the edges of all pieces with black and silver ink.  Place a small piece of aluminum foil or silver paper large enough to be centered underneath the top layer opening that resembles a bean shape.  Glue to the base cut making sure it lines up with the top layer so that the silver paper/foil shows through the top layer opening.  Next, add pop dots (dimensionals) to the back of the top layer and attach together.  Attach the bomb to the front of the card with more pop dots for extra dimension.
  • Using a white pen and a heavy hand, outline the “starburst explosion” that’s the part underneath the flame. 
  • Attach the phrase “You’re Da Bomb” to the bottom of the bomb using the photo for placement.
  • Assemble the matchstick and glue to the card front using the photo for placement.

4.  Now, for the final details!  Add silver dots with Stickles (or any glitter glue) around the bean shaped opening on the bomb and around the white shadow part of the bomb (the bottom layer) in groups of three dots.  Also add silver dots around the explosion to add random sparkle.  Use red Stickles on the flame, matchstick and letters.

5.  Scrunch up a small piece of red tulle and place under the top left of the bomb so that the top of the netting flares out.  Add red glitter dots for extra bling randomly using caution to not get it on the card. 

6.  For the final hurrah!  Make sure to ink all four sides of the card with red ink and then a dab of silver here and there – gives the card a nice finished look.

7.  The inside of the card reads “I’m just sayin’….Happy Valentine Hot Stuff!”  This can be cut using a font cartridge and your Cricut or simply by using your computer and printer.

I hope this Valentine card has caused an explosion of creativity!

Olive making Valentine’s Day crafts, don’t you?

xKim

3 comments

Glow-in-the-Dark Skull Tag


2010
10.10

Posted in Grunge, Halloween, Halloween Projects, Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts | 3 Comments »

 

I mean, who doesn’t need a glow-in-the-dark skull tag?

Doesn’t everyone?

 

I have more to share but I’m off and running the roads today!  Make sure to check back later and throughout the week for more creepy craft ideas!  Bwa-ha-haaaa!

 

Ingredients:

Happy Hauntings Cricut cartridge

Cricut

manilla shipping tag

scrap piece of black  and cream damask print paper (this is from Paper Studio)

cream colored cardstock OR a piece of a manila folder

Scraps of black paper large enough to cut the skull base

orange and green glittered velvet ribbon

1 orange button

1 lime green button

stapler

preferred adhesive

Spray adhesive for the glitter

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen

Martha Stewart Glow-in-the-Dark Glitter

Directions:

1.  Cut the skull at 4″ – use the black paper for the base/blackout cut.  Use the manila for the top layer.  Assemble.

2.  Spray the front of the skull with spray adhesive and cover with Martha Stewart Glow-in-the-Dark Glitter.  Tap off excess.

3.  Ink the edges of the tag with both inks.  Use more of the Antique Linen and lightly edge with the Vintage Photo.

4.  Cut a strip of the black and cream damask paper to fit the front of the tag.  Snip the top two corners to fit on the tag.  Ink the edges and adhere to the manila tag.

5.  Attach the skull to the bottom of the tag.  Snip of the base of the skull if it hangs off the tag. 

6.  Tie a piece of green glittery velvet ribbon to the bottom of the tag so that it covers the bottom edge of the skull.  Fray the ends of the ribbon.

7.  Remove the white cord from the top of the tag.  Thread through the orange button and tie in a bow.  Cut off excess.  Glue the orange button to the top of a lime green button slightly larger than the orange one.  Glue to the top of the hole on the tag. 

8.  Attach a piece of orange and green velvet ribbon to the top of the tag.  Staple to the back. Fray the ends.

9. Add a sentiment to the back of the tag if you dare or if you’ll be using it on a card, layout or another spooky project get it on it and then send me a picture so I can admire your creepy craft! *wink*

Enjoy your Sunday!  I am off and running to a local Fall Festival with my family.  It’s 86 degrees in Illinois – definitely not fall like BUT beautiful!

Olive a fast craft idea, don’t you?

xKim

8 comments

Moonlight Press Single Page 12×12 Layout


2010
09.23

Tags: ,
Posted in Book Pages, Cricut, Cricut Cartridges, Funky, Funny, Grunge, Halloween, Halloween Projects, Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge, Humor, Humorous, October 31st Cricut Cartridge, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Tim Holtz ink, Vintage | 8 Comments »

The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out….the mummies are  wrapped tightly and the moonlight glows eerily in this slightly creepy crawly layout waiting for your little goblins 2010 photo. :-)   This layout was made using the new Happy Hauntings and October 31st Cricut cartridges, along with some fabulous paper by Graphic 45.

Ingredients:

Graphic 45 “Society Page” from the Communique Collection paper

Making Memories “Spider Web Toil & Trouble” paper

Black, yellow and cream/off-white cardstock

orange glitter paper

2 manilla shipping tags

cheese cloth or gauze

orange pom pom fringe

olive green glitter ribbon

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen and Tea Dye

Adhesive - liquid glue to attach pom pom fringe 

Directions:

Using Happy Hauntings Cricut cartridge cut the following:

1.  The mummy from page 32 in the handbook.  Cut the base in black at size 5 1/2″ and then in off-white/cream using Layer 1.  Glue the offwhite to the top of the black base cut of the mummy.  Wrap the mummy in pieces of gauze or cheesecloth torn into small narrow strips and inked with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  Using the gold Copic Spica marker, lightly outline around the eyes, nose and mouth.

2.  The frame(frame9) from page 46 of your handbook. Cut the base using the shift key and the Making Memories Spider Web Toil & Trouble paper at 8 1/4″  Cut the top layer using black cardstock.  Cut the bugs by selecting “Layer 1″ and “shift” and the orange glitter paper.  Glue the top layer of the frame to the base.  Attach the bugs to the sides of the frame. 

3.  Cut “moonlight”  at1 1/2″ - 1x with black paper which is the top layer and 1x with the same paper as the base of the frame by selecting the “shift” button - this is the shadow.  This phrase can be found on page 56 of the handbook.  Glue the black piece to the top of the shadow piece.

4.  Cut the letters “P-r-e-s-s” using black cardstock.  The font used was the ‘Spooky Font.”  The “P” was cut as an uppercase letter at 1 3/4″ and the rest of the letters were cut at 1 1/4″ all as lowercase letters.  Attach to the moon.

Using October 31st Cricut cartridge cut the following:

1.  Cut the moon at 3 1/2″ using yellow cardstock.  Ink the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye.  Add random dots with the black Copic Spica marker.

2.  Cut the skull and bones 1x with off-white and 1x with black cardstock – cut each at 2″.  Ink the off-white piece with Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Antique Linen and Tea Dye.  Run under water and smear the ink.  Set aside to dry for a few minutes, then glue the off-white layer ontop of the black cutout so that it is slightly off-center to show a slight black edge.  Using Copic Spica Markers, add detail to the bones with the gold marker by lightly drawing and shading around the edges to outline the bones.  Add random dots with the black Spica marker.

The tags:

1.  Remove the white string and replace with the olive green glittered ribbon.  Tie and trim edges. 

2.  Ink the card edges using the distress inks.

3.  Using a fine tip black marker, doodle around the border of the tag to add some extra detail.

Assembling the page: 

1.  Glue a strip of orange pom pom fringe to the right side of the paper.

2.  Attach the frame to the 12×12 Graphic 45 paper by using pop dots around the edges making sure to leave the top and the center untouched so you can slip the tags underneath the frame.

3.  Glue the moon with ”moonlight press” to the upper right corner of the Graphic 45 paper.

4  Glue the mummy so that it’s walking in front of the frame.  when gluing to the layout make sure not to glue it to the frame so that you can lift the mummies body enough to slip a photo underneath.

5.  Add the skull and bones to the lower left corner.

6.  Slip the manilla tags under the frame where you left an opening.

The frame is large enough for a 5×7 photo OR you can use a 4×6 with a border of the background paper showing around the sides. 

I am loving these new Halloween cartridges!  There are so many things on each that my mind is just spinning with ideas!  Now to get my hands to work as fast as my brain…!

Hope you’re all having a great day!

xKim

5 comments

A Haunted Picture Frame….Ooooooo-OOoooO!!!


2010
09.13

Tags: , ,
Posted in Funky, Funny, Grunge, Halloween, Halloween Projects, Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge, Humorous, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Repurposed, Tim Holtz ink, Vintage | 5 Comments »

An eerie picture frame using the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge!  I also used the Martha Stewart Glow-in-the-Dark Glitter on the ghost – soooo spooky cool!!!

Ingredients:

Happy Haunting Cricut cartridge

Cricut Expression

1 12″ x 12″ black Shimmer paper by Core’dinations

1 12″ x 12″ black glitter paper by Core’dinations

1 12 x 12 of a patterned paper the diamond shaped paper in oranges and yellows is from Paper Studio

2 manila office folders OR cream colored cardstock

2 pieces of chipboard or several pieces of cereal/cracker boxes glued together

1 small piece of gauze or cheesecloth

a stamp resembling newsprint (the stamp used for the project is from Delta Stamps)

Black ink for stamping

Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot

Tim Holtz Distress Ink inAntique Linen

Liquid adhesive  (highly recommend Beacons 3-in-1, Zip Dry or Liquid Fusion!)

Hot glue gun

Optional:  bling to “pimp it up” (photo at the very bottom…),  sandpaper and Martha Stewart Glow-in-the-Dark Glitter (this stuff is sooo cool!)

4 large circular pieces of foam, or furniture floor protectors to give lift and dimension  to your project.

Directions:

1.  (Please Note: There are quite a few layers of each piece  of the frame that I cut to give additional stability because cutting the frame and stand out of only cardstock isn’t heavy enough to support a photo, let alone stand. )

With the Happy Haunting Cartridge you need to cut the following pieces at the stated sizes:

All frame pieces are cut at 7″.

Cut from chipboard: The frame base (layer 1), the stand (layer 1 + shift), and the front piece with the oval cutout (3D Frame + shift).  When cutting chipboard you will need the  deep cut housing and blade OR  if cutting  cereal/cracker/gift boxes you can use the regular blade  and multi-cut but will need to cut out 3-4 of each piece to get the same thickness and then glue the layers together.

Manila folder or cardstock:  Cut the frame piece with the oval cutout  (3d frame + shift)AND the back base of the picture frame (layer 1 + shift)

Black Shimmer paper:  Cut the stand 1x (layer 1 + shift)

Black Glitter paper:  Cut the top layer with the spider web 1x (3D frame)

Yellow and orange diamond shape pattern paper (or whatever pattern you choose!):  Cut the base piece 1x (layer 1)

Ghost from page 37 of the handbook:  Cut  the top layer (select shift) at 4″ from a manila folder or cardstock 1x and then the blackout shape of the ghost 1x from black cardstock (make sure to turn the shift key off).

Stamping and Inking:

1.  Now you’re going to use your newsprint stamp and stamp the manila pieces – all but the ghost shape.  Cover the entire pieces.

2.   Next, with the ink still on the newsprint stamp,  stamp the center of the yellow/orange diamond print paper so that it looks washed out/faded.  If you need to apply additional ink stamp one time on a scrap piece of paper before stamping on the patterned paper.

3.  Ink the edges of all pieces, including the chipboard with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Black Soot. When you ink the stamped  manila paper frame with the oval cutout (this is the piece that fits under the spider web) use either a sponge, paintbrush or your finger dipped in water to smear some of the ink to give a more aged appearance ( I used my finger in water to get the look in the sample project!)

4.  (I also lightly sanded the yellow and orange diamond patterned paper just to give it a more aged appearance.)

5. With a liquid adhesive, glue your layers of the frame together in this order:  The black glitter spider web frame layer to the top of the manila/cream scalloped frame piece you just inked and then glue to the chipboard that matches the scalloped frame.  Set aside.  Next, glue the yellow and orange diamond pattern paper (or whatever pattern you choose) to the top of the chipboard base (this is the piece that is just the scalloped square with a few notches in it for the stand.)  Next, flip it over and glue the other piece of manila stamped paper to the back.  This is the opposite side so just match it up as best as you can – it will be slightly off  but gives a more whimsical look and does not show from the front or you can always leave this piece off and just paint the back of the chipboard or leave it plain. Glue the black shimmer paper to the stand (this is the piece you cut out that matches the (layer 1 + shift piece).  Glue the stand using a hot glue gun to the back of the frame.  I didn’t bother using the notches since I covered the pieces with paper but you can – it  will work either way.

2.  Add four large (size of a quarter) foam circles or furniture floor protectors (those felt like circles with adhesive on one side) to the four corners of the frame.  Add a dot of hot glue to the two bottom foam dots/felt furniture protectors and then carefully place the top frame layer (the one with the spider web) to the foam/felt circles so that  the corners match up.  The top  remains open so you can slip a photo inside.  To keep the photo in place use a repositionable glue dot if you want to change the photo each year OR just glue a photo in the inside.  If you are permanently gluing a photo inside you can also glue the top felt/foam circles – so many choices! :-)

 

Assembling the Ghost:

1.  Glue the cream colored ghost to the top of the black ghost cut out.

2.  Ink around the ghosts edges, eyes and mouth with the Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen.

3.  Also, ink the piece of gauze with the Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen and then shred the edges slightly.

4.Glue the gauze to the back of the ghost shape and around the arms so that it fits around the head and then flows over the rest of the body.  Add a bit of hair spray or spray starch if you want it to hold it’s shape. 

5.  Optional but uber cool:  Lift the ghost’s “sheet” and add a bit of glue to cover the eyes and mouth and then sprinkle a liberal coating of Martha Stewart Glow-in-the-Dark Glitter.  Tap off excess.  This stuff really works and looks really neat when it’s dark!  (I about freaked when I came downstairs last night to find a glowing “thing” sitting on my dining room table!  Here it was the whole bottle of glitter!)

 

6. Before gluing the ghost to the picture frame, gently bend it back to give a more 3d effect by holding the ghost in one hand and lightly folding without creasing the center and crinkle the ends or roll tomake the bottom of the ghost appear more “realistic.”

7.  Glue to the picture frame using a hot glue gun so that it slightly overlaps the opening for the photo. 

8.  The photo below is a more “pimped up” picture frame  with blingy clear rhinestones added around the picture frame oval, of course this is optional! :-)

Ta-Da!  That’s all there is to it!  What a super fun and easy way to add some spookiness to a bookcase, shelf or countertop!  This would also make a great hostess gift for the Halloween parties you may be found howling at during the month of October? 

Olive a creepy craft, don’t you?

xKim

1 Comment

My Alter Ego….Everyone Needs One! :-)


2010
09.09

Tags:
Posted in Chipboard, Ephemera, Funky, Funny, Grunge, Humor, Humorous, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Repurposed, Tags & Wall Art, Tim Holtz ink, Vintage | 1 Comment »

 This is me….well, how about my alter ego!  The wild red ‘fro, the crazy jewelry….zebra print…bright colors….mixed patterns….very white…flat chested (almost as flat as a board…*wink*)…why can’t my butt shift to my chest?….It’s covered in crazy thoughts and sayings people close to me have heard me say on occasion..(don’t look too closely I might cause your jaw to drop)…and my name tag from my very first job when I was 16 which was just a few years ago (Ahem….What?!  Don’t believe that I’m only 21?).  The clock  face and the watch represent all of the time I spend in my creative world….tick-tock….thinking and creating my next “crafterpiece” (you heard that word first here at OJS -yep, insert a wink and giggle here…) The whole piece reminds me of my “loudness” at times  (sometimes it’s just me fighting with the voices in my head and other times it’s me being a smart alec in person or it’s from an obnoxious pattern I’m wearing).  What can I say,  I like to have fun….I like to laugh…I like to make people smile and I can’t  help but smile when I pass my wooden Kim alter ego sitting on top of our piano with a zebra table runner under her feet! :-)  I can’t help but think about what a groovy chick she is and how I want to be just like her!

I often wonder what the real world thinks of the flesh and blood Kim who sometimes (okay, often) feels a bit lost in the shuffle going on around her because she’s typically  lost in her own happy place in her little creative world free from violence….pain….sorrow and sadness…If only the whole world could see things the way a creative soul does I think the “real” world would be a happier place to be…to raise a family…and to be who you want to be…free.  ;-)   I think everyone needs to have an alter ego living in their home who is a funky chick or cool dude.  What about you?

How’d I make it? 

1.The body is a chipboard form I picked up at Michaels a year or so ago.  I have several so don’t be surprised to see some of my other split personalities surface (LOL…some days I wonder! heh-heh-heh!) 

2.I painted the body with a flesh tone acrylic paint and then inked it with Tim Holz Distress Inks – a mixture of Antique Linen, Old Paper and Tea Dye.

3. The skirt and dress was made by tracing the body on a piece of paper and then flairing the bottom out to make a skirt.  I then just kind of free handed the top of the dress and added the green reptile skin paper for the waist.

4.5.  Once the dress was glued down with Mod Podge to the chipboard form, I went through all of my stickers and picked out the funny sayings that reminded me of ME!  It’s definitely a great way to use up stickers!

6.  Next, I applied Mod Podge to the entire doll going right over the dress and stickers.  Once dry, I lightly sanded the edges.

7.  Once the Mod Podge was dry, I glued the  pink beaded fringe to the bottom of the skirt.

8.  The white bow is a long piece of tulle that I doubled up and wrapped around the waist and tied in a bow.  The pin in the center of the bow is a metal flower I had in my stash – not sure where it came from!

9.  I then used a strand of Christmas bead garland and twisted it together with small pieces of silver wire to form a necklace and slipped it over the head.

10.  The watch is a piece I found at a garage sale – I have a lot of these things that I’m always collecting for the “just right” project.

11.  The name tag was from my very first job working at Micky D’s – isn’t that fun?

12.  The clock face is from Heidi Swapp and the clock hands are from the Tim Holtz collection.

13.  The hair is some funky and fun yarn that I cut into strips and tied bunches together at one end and then glued around the head forming hair.  It’s definitely as crazy as my hair can be when worn down!

You might recognize this alter ego from my previous blog.  I didn’t realize until now that “she” didn’t make it to my new blog so I thought I’d quickly upload her so she has a new home.  I hope you like it and are inspired to do something as crazy fun as this was to make….

Happy Crafting, my friends!

xKim

3 comments

“LUCKY” Fabric Tag


2010
08.22

Posted in Ephemera, Funky, Grunge, Hearts, Olive Juice Studio, Olive Juice Studio Inspirations(Gallery), Project Tutorials/Instructions, Random Posts, Tags & Wall Art, Tim Holtz ink | 3 Comments »

I need some good luck to come my way so when I stumbled upon this Jenni Bowlin “LUCKY”  BINGO tag I was completely drawn to it!  I rummaged through my stash and found this awesome fabric tag with a black damask print.  It’s another one of those things I have no clue where it came from but finally put it to good use!  The envelope and card was a set of Valentine’s Day cards I picked up at Target a few years ago for 90% off  – very vintage and funky l0oking!  The envelope was inked a bit with Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The flower was made by fan folding (or some people call it accordian folding) a piece of 4″x6″ tulle paper.  I glued the edges and then added the silver button to the center.  I then gave the flower a coat of spray adhesive and sprinkled clear fine glitter and tapped off the excess.  The edges of the flower were crinkled a bit and a black tulle bow was tied and the ends frayed – I then used my hot glue gun to add the flower to the top of the bow.

The heart was made by using a wooden heart cutout for the base.  I then just rummaged around in my craft stash until I found a bunch of broken jewlery pieces and mismatched buttons, beads and silk roses.  I then covered the entire front of the wooden heart with Beacons 3-in-1 glue and started adding the items until the whole thing was covered.  Once dry I applied a topcoat of Mod Podge to seal it.

The ribbon at the bottom was made by first attaching the leopard print ribbon and then a strip of black pom pom fringe underneath.  I attached the beaded heart to the edge of the ribbon and card  at the very end and added a piece of black ribbon scrap to the top of the tag.  This tag looks adorable pretty much anywhere and I just love the way it turned out!

I hope you like it and are inspired to start using up some of those extra..THINGS in your craft stash!

Olive a funky craft idea, don’t you?

xKim

No Comments

"LUCKY" Grungy/Vintage St.Patrick’s Day Banner


2010
02.21

Posted in Banner, Grunge, Making the Grade Cricut cartridge, Vintage | No Comments »

Use your Cricut to make this!

Add some Irish Luck to your décor by whipping up this super savvy, funky and fun 3-layered banner using your Cricut. Who knows, maybe you’ll attract leprechauns…!

This project requires the “Making the Grade” Cricut cartridge and will take approximately 2-3 hours to complete!

RECIPE
3-5 pieces of 12×12 black cardstock
3-5 coordinating 12 x 12 pieces of patterned paper in green tones (we used Rusty Pickle) but any coordinating paper works just fine!
3-5 pieces of 12 x 12 coordinating solid brown cardstock
2 pieces of 12 x 12 solid green in a coordinating shade
Vintage music patterned paper scraps (we used Making Memories FaLaLa)
Small piece of torn corrugated cardboard
Black and white damask/flourish print ribbon (or any other pattern/color)
Stickles (we used Gunmetal Black and Distressed Stickles in Peeled Paint)
Sewing Machine with brown thread (this step can be skipped)
Paintbrush (or Q-tip)and water
Hole punch
Ink pad (we used a copper colored ink by Dew Drops)
Forest Green Rain dots (adhesive transparent colored dots)
Embellies – things in green – all different shades work great!
(We used muted lime green buttons in assorted sizes, green safety pins, paper clips, St. Patrick’s Day acrylic shapes, butterflies with clips from the Florist section at craft stores) We also used silver beading to attach to the butterflies for more bling, soda can tabs, a bottle cap and silver paper clip – feel free to jazz up your own creation!)
Your preferred adhesive
Stapler

Directions
1. Using your Cricut and the “Making the Grade” Cricut cartridge you will need to cut out five pennants using the “blackout” feature from the black, brown and green patterned paper. We cut ours at 7”. So once all pennant pieces are cut, you should have a total of 15 pieces.
2. Cut the letters “L-u-C-k-y” using your paper scraps from step one and the solid green paper. You will be cutting the word “LuCky” three times – once in black, brown and green. We cut ours at 4”.
3. Next, stack the pennants so that the black is on the bottom, brown in the middle and the coordinating patterned paper is on the top of each. Layer these pieces so they are off-centered slightly (see photo for example or visit our blog at http://www.olivejuicestudio.blogspot.com for close up photos of each pennant).
4. If sewing the pieces together this is the time to do that. Make a sloppy stitch (we used the straight stitch – size 6.0). Stitch around the entire pennant following the edge of the top paper (should be the patterned paper shaped pennant) as a guideline- stitch approximately ¼” in from the edge of the paper. (NOTE: Before sewing, we found it easier to add a small spot of adhesive to the center of each pennant layer to keep the pieces in place.) If you are not going to stitch the layers together, go ahead and use enough adhesive to attach pieces haphazardly.
5. Do the same now for the letters. Cut the word “LuCky” from the black, brown and green solid paper using the paper scraps from step one. You should have a total of 15 pieces – three of each color. When we cut ours we did not use shadow or blackout for any cuts. They were all the same size just arranged so that edges of each color showed.
6. Arrange the three layers of letters in whatever color preference. We mixed our layers to add a little more whimsy to our banner (see the photo for example). Adhere the letters together using your favorite adhesive but do not glue to the pennant yet – set aside.
7. Using a small paint brush, dip and drag across an ink pad and heavily ink the edges of the patterned paper. Once inked, use the same paint brush by continuously dipping in water to lighten the ink and give it more of a water colored look. Continue adding water until you get desired results. While wet, start weathering the edges by rolling and slightly tearing to give it a more vintage/grunge appearance (see photo for example).
8. Using your preferred hole punch (we used our handy dandy Crop-a-Dile), punch a hole through both sides of the pennants making sure to go through all three layers. Lay out the entire banner side by side in the correct order.
9. Cut eight pieces of ribbon into 6”-8” strips (or whatever is appealing to you!) and two pieces to hang the banner (we used two 12” pieces). Hook the banner together using the ribbon. The two longer pieces of ribbon are used on the very first and the very last hole for hangers. To hang the same way we did you will need to fold the ribbon in half and push the looped end through the hole on the pennant. Tie a knot at the end so that the loose ends are on the front of the pennant (see photo for example). For all of the other pieces, just slip the ribbon through one hole on each pennant and connect by tying in a knot- trim ribbon edges to desired length.
10. Tear two pieces of vintage music paper scrap around all four sides large enough to use as a mat under the letters “F”and “y” and ink the edges. Curl the ends of the paper by rolling and slightly tearing the edges. Adhere to the first and last pennant where the letters will be positioned.
11. Find some coordinating paper scraps to place under the “u” “C” and “k”. We used a black cardstock circle from our scrap box, a piece of torn corrugated cardboard and paper scraps from the paper leftover from the pennants. We also added random “x’s” with staples to the corrugated cardboard. This can be done by stapling one time and then stapling on top of the staple on an angle to form an “x.” Adhere the paper scraps to the banner pennants by using the photo above for placement.
12. Attach the letters in the correct order on top of the paper scraps you just glued on the pennant pieces.
13. Now the real fun begins! It’s time to start personalizing the banner by making it your style. Add feather butterflies like the ones we used or cut them out using your Cricut. Add beads, sequins, buttons, safety pins, paper clips, tulle and more to give your banner that special touch that makes it YOUR creation!
14. The final touch, is of course, optional BUT it definitely adds some Emeril “Bam!” And some SHA-ZAM! Get your own by adding dots of black and green Stickles randomly on the letters and maybe some rain dots in a coordinating green around the banner edges.

Olive Juice Studio is using WP-Gravatar