Life in the Craft Lane: Clearsnap Blog Hop

Friday, June 12, 2015

Ann Butler Designs

DCC members have two challenges this month. Our first challenge is using Background Basics rubber stamps and ColorBox Crafts inks from Ann Butler Designs. Ann's designs are perfect for creating faux quilt projects and the inks are perfect to use on fabric as well as other surfaces.

Each designer received 6 colors of inks and a variety of the Background Basics stamps, which are either square or triangular in shape. For my project, I also used JOY dyeable letters and rick rack trim from Decorative Trimmings; products left over from previous challenges this year.

For this challenge I created a gift that keeps on giving. I had a small bag and decided to add a monogram. I stamped the background pattern onto a separate piece of fabric then frayed the edges for additional texture. Hope you can see how even the stamped pattern is. I placed the fabric on a hard surface then after inking the stamp I positioned it on top of the fabric. Instead of using my fingers or hand to apply pressure (I didn't mount the stamp because they are very sturdy) I used the domed lid from the stamp pad and rocked it back and forth across the back of the stamp. Not sure how correct it is to do it this way, but it worked well for me.....

I also colored the letter with the same ink by pressing the ink pad onto the letter while it was still attached to it's backing then I adhered it to the center of the fabric square with glue. (Easier than getting the iron out.) I used narrow tacky tape to attach the rick rack around the edge and to attach the finished monogram square to the bag. Voilà, I now have a small monogrammed gift bag......

For more inspiration, hop thru the webring using the blue DCC logo in my sidebar, then check out the DCC Blog for even more designer ideas. Enjoy! Y'all come back now.......

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Clearsnap & Smoothfoam Blog Hop

Thanks for checking out the Clearsnap/Smoothfoam blog hop - two great products teaming up for projects to inspire!

I've worked with Smoothfoam for a number of years now, and love how easy it is to decorate - no prep required! I received some of Ann Butler's Crafter's ink pads from Clearsnap and decided to apply these directly to the surface of an 8" x 10" piece of Smoothfoam. I used 3 colors to represent the sky, the grass and a carpet of flowers. Once the ink had dried I added the dotted, faux texture with one of Ann's Faux Quilting stamps from Unity Crafts.

Now to add a photo and a saying. I love experimenting with different mediums and products, so, instead of just adding a photograph, I scanned an old, black and white photo I had, then printed both the photo and a saying (mirror image) onto Craft Attitude film. Not only did the background colors show thru, so did the slight texture of the smoothfoam. Love it when a plan comes together.

My granddaughter loved it too and thought if I added some sparkly "jewels" it would look lovely in her room! After all the colors were just right. The swirly bling which she found in Nana's box of goodies was perfect. The colors matched and believe it or not, she found matching faux metal nail heads on adhesive strips which we placed above and below the saying.

The best thing I like about this project and the products used was the fact that it took less than an hour to pull together. In fact it took me longer to write this post than it did to make the project! Of course, I did have a little help.....

Don't forget to check out the other blogs to see what inspires YOU, then enter to win your own Clearsnap and Smoothfoam products to try!