Creativation 2017 - Phoenix, AZ

 Formerly known as the CHA Mega Show, Creativation was held at the Phoenix Convention Center instead of Anaheim 20-23 January.  Not only did the name of the show change, the Craft and Hobby Association is now the Association for Creative Industries. My mum always said, "a change is as good as a rest".  Although smaller than past shows, it was well attended and there were a lot of new features to enjoy. So, follow the sign post and walk with me and see which trends you can spot.....  Let's start in the park, then we'll hop on the trolley....

 

 

 

First stop is at b&b products, the makers of etchall® reusable etching products.

   

Prima samples - always inspiring....

 

All things with yarn, including string art kits....

Cookie decorating

Pape House productions..

Fun with animated stamps...

 

Darice...

   

DCWV

   

 

 

Pinspiration...

Plaid

Designer Planners

Prym

Rebekah Meier at Thermoweb

 

Graphic 45

       

     

   

Jillibean

Heidi Swapp

  

Ken Oliver with Color Burst and Liquid Metals

Kunin

 

 

 

   

Midwest

 

Paper Trail with Eileen Hull

Buttons Galore

   

      

  

Rinea Paper Foil

   

Joanne Fink

 

Seth Apter @ Spellbinders

Simone Collins @ Marvy Uchida

Sizzix

 

        

   

  

  

    

   

Inkjet Printable and washable fabric

 

Planners, bible journaling, more paints for mixed media, string art, weaving, galvanized metal and rubber stamps with coordinating die designs were just a few of the things that stood out this year together with neverending lines of markers (including paint markers) for lettering and more!  There's one trend I didn't mention.... do you know what it is?  Comment below and we'll see who spots it. Y'all come back now and we'll see who's right....  Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Sweets for My Sweet

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.......

   

 

       

Nothing says "I Love You" like chocolate kisses and heart shaped chocolate candy.  Boxes of chocolates are a traditional favorite of sweethearts everywhere, but a personalized gift is always extra special and these are easy to create.  All you need is an inexpensive mason jar, scraps of ribbon and/or trim, baker's twine, crystal stickers, double stick tape, glue and Joy Embroidered letters.

 

Step 1. Depending on the "look" you want, wrap the mason jar with ribbon. 

 

Step 2.  Adhere the letters with a small amount of glue.  I used the larger X and Os on top of the burlap and lace and spelled "WITH LOVE" on the white glitter ribbon with the smaller letters. I also added strips of pink crystal stickers along the top and bottom edges of the white ribbon.  

Step 3.  Decorate the lid by turning the center disc upside down then gluing it to the inside of the ring. The disc in the lid of the mason jar I used was a creamy color, so this color is now on top.  Wrap the outside of the lid with double stick tape, then wind the bakers twine around the edge.  The tape will hold the baker's twine in place.  Glue 4  U to the top of the lid then add crystal stickers around the edge of the disc to finish. 

Fill the jar with foil wrapped candy.  The multicolored wrapped candy kisses looked so pretty, I didn't think the jar needed a ribbon wrap.  This would make a quick'n EZ teacher gift......   Enjoy! Y'all come back now.

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

3D Shadow Box Wine Frame

Save Water, Drink Wine..!  

What a fun gift for a friend who enjoys a bottle of wine, 

or fill with beer bottle caps and change your saying to "Save Water.... Drink Beer"...

You'll need the following supplies:

        etchall® etching crème                                      

        etchmask™ and transfer paper

        Pik tool 

        Squeegee

 

                                                                                          

        Two  8"x10" Frames

        1/8" Tacky Tape

        Waterproof Glue

        6" Grapevine Wreath

        About 6 wine corks

        8"x 10" Brown (craft) paper

 

 

Instructions:

1. Remove the glass and backing from both frames. Set one piece of glass and one backing aside. 

    Step 1.  Place the empty frames face down on a flat surface. Remove the pins (that hold the glass in place) from one of the frames, then line the inside edge with the double sided tape as shown below.

    Step 2.  Place the backing into the second frame and hold in place with the pins.  Cut an 8"x 10" piece of paper and place over the top, covering the pins.  Hold in place with a 3" piece of double sided tape. Set aside.

2. Etch the saying on one piece of glass as follows:  

    Step 1. Cut the saying from etchmask using a digital die cutting machine. (I made two, so I would have a stencil for another project later.)  While the etchmask is still on the mat, use the pik tool to remove (weed) the letters.

    Step 2.  Place the piece of glass on top of the stencil on the right. This will help with positioning the stencil on the glass.  Cut around the edge of the glass with a craft knife.

   Step 3. Cover the stencil with an 8"x 10" piece of transfer paper. Lift the stencil up off the mat then remove the backing from the yellow etchmask to expose the adhesive on the back.  With the top and left edges aligned, place the stencil on top of the front of the glass. Burnish (press down firmly) using the squeegee, then peel off the transfer paper.

     

     Step 4.  Use the transfer paper to cover any exposed areas of the glass.

    

    Step 5.  Cover exposed areas in the stencil liberally with etching cream.  Leave for 15 minutes then scrape the cream back into the container.  Remember, etchall cream is reusable!  Always follow directions on the container.  Additional information can be found on the etchall website if needed.  Rinse away any residue and remove the stencil.  DO NOT rinse over a porcelain sink. Etching product will permanently remove the glaze.  

    

    Step 6.  Dry and buff the glass with a soft cloth then, with front facing down, place in the empty frame.  The tape will hold it in place. Cut the corks in half lengthwise and place in the bottom right corner of the second frame on top of the paper.  Add a small amount of glue to hold each one in place.  Separate the the loops of the wreath and place about 4 loops above the corks as shown.  Cover the edge of the frame with glue, then place the frame with the glass on top.  Place magazines on top to hold the frames together until the glue dries.

    

Glass etching is an easy way to epicycle lots of things for gift giving or for your home.  Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy! Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Winter Wonderland - Etched Float Frame

I love creating with glass. Often overlooked as a surface, it's unbelievably versatile. A few months ago I created some dimensional projects using paper shapes and glass and thought I'd try etching the same designs on both the front and back of 2 pieces of glass, separated by a thin wood rectangle and, this is the result

 

This is what you'll need to get started:

     etchall® etching crème and

     etchall® etchmask and transfer paper

   

  

  Pik Tool and Squeegee

  8 x 10" Float glass Frame for a 5" x 7" photo.  

This is a dimensional frame with two pieces of glass and a rectangle of wood at the back to hold the glass in place.

 

You will also need designs. I used four of my designs for this project.

  

  

                               Glass 1 - Design A                                                  Glass 1 - Design B

    

                                  Glass 2 - Design C                    Glass 2 - Design D

I uploaded each design into Cricut Design Space and cut from etchmask.

NOTE:  Designs placed on the back of the glass must be reversed, so check "Mirror Image" before cutting Designs B & D.

Cut each design on a separate piece of etchmask.  Use the pik tool to remove the areas to be etched (weed).

Cover the weeded design with the transfer paper. I usually weed the design while it is still on the mat, then cover with transfer paper.  Use the squeegee to press firmly in place.  It was helpful to have 4 mats (one for each design), but not necessary.

After burnishing the transfer paper onto the etchmask stencil, I also use my finger to rub firmly around the edge of the design.  Remove the stencil from the mat, then slowly peel the backing from the etchmask. Do not discard the backing, you can use this to protect uncovered areas of the glass while etching the design.

With the bottom edge of the etchmask aligned with the bottom edge of the glass, place the etchmask on the glass.  Use the squeegee to burnish the stencil firmly on the glass, then carefully remove the transfer paper.  Pour a liberal amount of etching creme onto the stencil, then spread over all the open areas with the squeegee.  Protect the areas around the edges of the glass to prevent any accidental etching on the opposite side.

  

Leave for 15 minutes, then use the squeegee to scrape the etching creme back into its container.  Don't forget etchall etching products are re-usable!

Rinse off any remaining residue then remove the stencil.  Buff dry with a soft cloth to reveal the etched design.  NOTE: Do not rinse in a porcelain sink!  The etching creme will etch the glazed surface. Use a plastic bucket, or other large plastic container.

Set the first piece of glass aside then etch the front of the second piece of glass. When the front of each piece of glass has been etched, etch the reverse side.  Always clean your work surface to avoid transferring etching creme onto unwanted areas.  I place a clean sheet of wax paper on my work surface each time before starting to etch a new area.

When both sides of each piece of glass have been etched, assemble the frame using the thin frame to separate the pieces of glass.

  
OPTION (not shown):  Combine designs A&B on the front of one piece of glass and C&D on the front of the other for a different effect.

Etchall etching crème is a permanent etch; not fake. Please read directions carefully. You can find more information and "how to" videos on the etchall website.

Hope everyone had a happy Christmas. Now it's time to celebrate the New Year and Winter days!

Enjoy!  Y'all come back now..........

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!