As Time Goes By.......

I found this little frog sitting on the
screen of my craft room 

We've had a lot of rain up here in Cairns in recent days and I have used the time to clean the craft room and tidy up around the house.  A couple of years ago when at the Cairns show, I found a Kaisercraft chipboard clock for sale.  ..... And then  it sat in the cupboard reminding me I really should do something with it.  So last night, along with my little friend who was escaping the wet, I sat down to make my first ever Kaisercraft Chipboard project.

The Finished clock

Earlier this year when staying at my parents in Redlands, I saw a beautiful piece of paper from the Bella! Ever After collection called "Mad about you".  Of course I had to buy it and I thought it would be perfect to use as the background of this clock. 

I used American Crafts AC cardstock Denim Weave for the front.

When it came to making the clock face, I just could not find the right type of stamps so out came the Teresa Collins Stampmaker and away I went.  I used adhesive pearls for the extra numbers.

As well as the large paper flower in the top corner, I added some paper roses.  I was trying to be bold so even added a few little black rose buds.  These gorgeous roses & buds can be found on my site, www.thehappycrafter.com.au.   I also added some Rhinestones - nothing like a bit of bling!  The silver butterflies were found in a throwout bin at Spotlight

Various sentiments have been added to the clock.  In my shop you will find some beautiful Stamp and Die cuts sets from Prickley Pear.  I used the Scalloped circle set to make the outer edge and the stamps from the dragonfly set for sentiments. I used Nestabilities to cut the inner circles. 

For my first attempt at putting together a Kaiser project, I am pleased with the outcome.  It will now hang in the craft room so hopefully I won't loose track of time anymore!

I got my copy of Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft (Vol 17 No 9) last week and really liked the Christmas project ideas on page 14.  Since it has rained all day, I figured what better excuse is there for locking myself away in the craft room and try the ideas.

With Halloween next on the list - I decided to adapt the Christmas theme to oranges and blacks.  So when the Trick or Treaters come knocking, they will get a gorgeous little goodie bag to take home.

To make the embellishments I used Core'dinations Whitewash Wicker Chair and the Cuttlebug Boo to You embossing folder.  I must admit this embossing folder is not much on first impression but actually with a bit of imagination there are countless possibilites.  I embossed the piece of Whitewash and then sanded back to show the core colour.  I used Nestabilities to cut the ovals.  I also used the circles to cut tags from the parts of the embossing I had not used.

The are no instructions in the magazine on how they have held the top of the box together, so I put some holes in the top and threaded through some ribbon.  The little tags were attached by placing an eyelet in the top left corner and tying them on.

I filled the box part with som fibre fill which I teased apart to look like cobwebs.  This little box has been filled with Dove Chocolates as its more of an adult treat, but you can always fill with these gooey sweets they sell now.

Now I am even more proud of myself!  Since realising my dream late last year, I have taught myself a lot about graphic design and html coding as I could afford these expense of experts.  By no means am I a qualified web/graphic designer and I am sure they can achieve what I do in hours in a matter of minutes.  However, there is a great sense of achieve when you do little little things like create the background on this blog.  That's right - I have just spent two hours creating the background for something unique to me.  Now I just have to work on the title!  Anyway enough about that and onto the purpose of this blog!

This week I updated the Project of the Month on my website - http://www.thehappycrafter.com.au/ .  Each month I try to load a new technique, idea or new product - though I must admit sometimes it takes a little longer than a month due to work commitments! 

Colour Blending technique



This Month my Mum came to visit us and she showed me a new technique using colour blending.  Scenes are created using Colorbox chalk inks and blending tools.  We were able to create beautiful sunset and sunrise scenes as well as night times ones.  We also used the Hobby Art Scene-it stamps to add more depth and character.

Mum showed me the first two sunset ones and then I tried to be cleaver and to the left is my first attempts at this technique.  It really is that easy and looks like you've spent hours shading etc.   If you like the look of these cards check out the Link above and there are full instructions on how to create the scenes.  If you have questions, just contact me! 



Some other cards we made using the
Hobby Art Scene-It stamps

 


Well till next time - Happy Crafting everyone!

Hello Everyone,

Well here it is, my new blogspot.   I've had a dream for a long time of owning my own business.  Last year I was turning 30 and decided its now or never - and so The Happy Crafter was born.  At the home of The Happy Crafter, you will find lots of goodies for all you paper crafting needs. 

On this blog I will show you ideas of projects you can create and keep you up to date with new and exciting products.

If you are not the arty crafty person, but like buying handmade, I also have a Facebook account where you can purchase these items.

Well I have to go to my full time job now so I will get the layout of this set when I get home tonight.

Happy Crafting!
Keeley