Cosmo Mini

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Recently I purchased some of the Tim Holtz binder rings and thought little minis would be a cute item for me to make for RAKs and gifts. My challenge was to use up things that I've had in my stash for more than 6 months. I accomplished that with the Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday paper collection, Prima packaging, Prima hydrangeas, scrap paper, ribbon remnants, Bloomers, Cardstock, and beads. Nothing in this album except the binding rings was new - NOTHING.

I decided to use Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday collection because of its bright colors and ledger styled "B sides".

On the cover, I bound the book with cardstock, and used 4x6 panels of the paper collection to decorate. I used Pink Paislee packaging to die cut the book plate, and hand wrote "A Story". Butterflies were punched from scraps and Prima Hydrangea flowers were used with buttons as centers. Webster's Pages Bloomers and eyelet lace soften the spine. I used two mini binder clips from an office supply store, and attached charms and a chain for the perfect closure.

Prima packaging was used to make a double pocket. For extra notes, I ripped some paper from a small notebook, and placed it in the pocket. I included 2 small tags in the upper pocket. On the right the banner at the bottom was printed on the bottom strip of the paper collection. Remember to look for embellishments on this strip that is often tossed.

On this page, the mini page with the tag, is Prima packaging that I sewed together to make a pocket. I love that this paper collection matches the ledger style packaging so well.

Again Prima Packaging was used to create the pocket on this page.

I used a glassine bag as a pocket on this page, and used the strips at the bottom of the paper collection as an embellishment.

On this page I used washi tape on the left page. To mimic the same look on the right I used some of the Pink Paislee Packaging cut in the same style on the right.

I always buy buy buy when the products are new, I'm so excited when I get home. Then I place them in a drawer where they are horded forever. I'm trying really hard to use the items that I have purchased, and it seems that I'm falling in love all over again.

Thanks for stopping in today

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Hidden Hinge Binding - March Journal

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Last week I promised a tutorial on how I bound the March Journal book.

Here is a video explaining, the binding and the cover construction.



Thanks for stoppping in today,
Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Distress Pens

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So I finally got a chance to play with my Distress Markers from Tim Holtz that I purchased from Flamingo Scraps as a pre-order.

These markers are so much fun, they have a watercolor quality - but react a little different than water colors since the colors replace each other rather than contaminate.




The flower on this card is a Prima stamp that I colored with the TH markers on the Ranger stamping paper. Coloring took some getting used to, but I like how the design looks like I colored it with my Copic markers.

I decided to use the image on a card.

From Flamingo Scraps: Ranger: Tim Holtz Distress Markers, Ornamental Die, Distress inks: Tea Dye; Prima: Rose Stamp, Antques Stamp, packaging (So Happy banner); Graphic 45: Bottle Stamps; Webster's Pages: Trims, Misc. Laces; Pink Paislee Packaging, Frame stamp - Soree, Stampendous: Frantage - Shabby Blue.
Other: Tonic Punch: dotted scallop, Cherry Lynn Designs: Doily Die, Studio G: Stamp "Delight in the Little Things", Spellbinders: Label 5, My Mind's Eye: Tea Pot stamp.

I used the packaging from a Pink Paislee stamp set as the background, I also used packaging from the Rose Prima stamp set for the banner that says "So happy". I love upcycling the packaging when I can.

The bottle is from Graphic 45's new stamp Curosity Shoppe Perfume Bottles. I stamped it with Archival Ink on transparency, then warped it with my heat gun to make it look dimensional.

The tea pot was a My Mind's Eye stamp that was embossed with the new Frantage Embossing Enamel, and the cup was actually another stamped image from the tea pot, but I cut it down to make it into a cup.

To create the sign behind the vase I layered a Prima Printery stamp for the words and the Frame from a Pink Paislee - Soree stamp set.

The clock was cut from a piece of scrap paper on my desk. The table cloth was a punch scrap.

Then I added Lace and Trims to the bottom, and stamp that says "Delight in the little things" as the sentiment.

I hope you enjoy this card share today,

Thanks for stopping in,

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March 2012 Daily Journal

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WOW - March's 2012 Daily journal is CHUNKY, 3 inches to be exact! I had a great time working with these awesome designs available for purchase at http://www.marionsmithdesigns.com. This month's color inspiration was:

I'm loving all the colors and details in this month's book. And these colors are some of my all-time favorites.

I decided to try a different method of binding. It is called a hidden hinge and I love it! Binding the book this way, allowed me to include embellishments on every page. For embellishments I used several of the motifs on the page in reduced or enlarged sizes, then fussy cut them out and added some vintage Prima flowers.



Look for a video soon on how I bound the book. In the meantime, here is a walk through video of every page.



I hope you enjoyed this project. Are you working on Marion's Journals? If so, please be sure to tag us in Artsy Addicts so that we can see what you have created.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Cupcake Pin Cushion

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I have a friend who is an amazing artist. She recently sent me some items that she had hand crafted, so I wanted to make something special for her as a thank you gift. I decided to make her a pin cushion in the shape of a cupcake, and adorn it with butterfly stick pins.

From Flamingo Scraps: Webster's Pages: Hollywood Vogue - Spotlight paper, Rangger Glossy Accents, Mini PomPom trim, Prima: Rosebuds in pink, and prima fairytale roses in white. Other: My Favorite Things small spiral rose die, felt, Pins, Pearls, Charms, Glass beads, candle stick, candle plate, doilie.

The cupcake stand is made from a flat round candle plate and a candle stick that I put together using glossy accents. Then I placed a doily on top of the plate to give it the look of a platter or table top. The cupcake wrapper is made from the Spotlight paper from Webster's Page's Hollywood Vogue collection. I dressed it with mini pompom trim, pearls and Prima roses for added interest. For the cupcake I made tiny spiral rose buds from felt. I also made clay rose stick pins using polymere clay.


I just love how elegant this came out. I can't wait for her to recieve it.
Thanks for stopping in today,

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Rustic Layout - Using March Journal Pages

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So you guys know how much I adore Marion's designs. Today I want to share a tip with you for making layouts using the Monthly Challenge downloads. When I started putting my journal together I began thinking that these images were so beautiful, I would love to make a layout. But my layouts are always 12 x12 and these pages are around 5x7. Sooo this is what I did.

First - decide which designs to use. I used Days 1, Day 1 Insert, Day 2, Day 10, and Day 22. Photos of these days are below.

So Day 2 was the day I decided would make the prettiest paper for a layout. I openned the file in Acrobat. Then chose Document > Crop Pages or (Shft + Ctrl + T or Shft + Cmd + T on a Mac). This dialog box appears.

I adjusted the settings in the circled area until I acheived the crop that I liked. Chose to return to the document.

Then in the Printer Panel I chose "Fit to Printable Area" My pages printed 8x8. (Well maybe 8.25 x 9 depending on how you cropped the file, and how much margin your printer will allow for.) but you get the idea.

My final printed document looked like the preview in the above panel.

Then I began assembling my layout using Coordinating cardstock, punches, lace, twine, antique book pages, and flowers as accents. I spritzed the entire layout with wheat fields, hola hoop, and antique brass Glimmer Mists. I used a Prima resin bird that I painted black with the Folk art Metalic Black & yellow - I love how he matches the bird in the artwork.

The rustic look and warm colors of this layout is going to make it a fav for a long time. I hope this has given you options for reusing your Journal downloads once your journals are finished.

Are you making other projects with your downloads? If so, please post them in Artsy Addicts, and make sure you tag me so that I can see what your projects look like.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

Sources:
Marion Smith Printables - March 2012 Pages 1, Page 1 insert, Page 2, Page 10, and Page 22.
Tim Holtz: Picket Fence Distress Stain, Gathering Twigs Distress marker.
Tatterd Angels Glimmer Mists: Hola Hoop, Antique Brass, Wheat Fields
Prima: Resin Bird, Mini Roses (white) I painted them yellow to match the paper.
Twine, Lace
Paint: Yellow, White, light blue, Black Magic
Vintage Book Pages.
Cardstock: Mustard, Light Blue
Zutter: Donna Salzer Corrugated Cardboard.

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Sew Cute Card

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Wednesday, I received the new Maya Road Sew Cute and Still Sew Cute chipboard pieces from Flamingo Scraps, and I couldn't wait to use them.

Aren't these the cutes little shape? I needed to make a birthday card for a friend and she LOVES dress forms and sewing themed items. Her favorite colors are pink, lavender, and black so I reached into my stash and pulled out the Hollywood Vogue paper from Webster's pages, and whipped out this card. I'm so addicted to making these easel cards. They are super easy and I love how they are easily displayed.

From Flamingo Scraps: Maya Road: Sew Cute Chipboard Pieces, Still Sew Cute Chipboard Pieces, Webster's Pages: Hollywood Vogue - Shine A Light Paper, Tim Holtz: Baroque Die. Other: Trims, Recollections: Roses, Stampendous: Fran-tage, Lace, MFT Doily Die, Sewing Pattern

So, you may be wondering what I did to achieve that awesome rustic look on the sewing machine and the dress form. Well it is embossing enamel called "Fran-tage" from Stampendous and after seeing this demo - "The Big Pink Bird" has decided to carry it. So look for it in the store in the next few days.

Fran-tage Enamel is a unique blend of chunky embossing enamal, glitter and mica. Each color has a multi-colored effect and when melted mimics marble, and granite.

The dress form was embossed with "Shabby Pink" and it is a combo of Pink and White Enamel with gold glitter. I love how the glitter is fused into the embossing enamel and doesn't rub off. The sew machine was embossed with Aged Silver which is a mix of Pewter, Gold and Flat Black.

I can't wait to play with these, and share more awesome techniques. I know I will never run out of this in my stash - EVER!

Thanks for stopping in today,

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Tonic Studios Punches

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Tonic Studios makes some of my favorite tools, they are so durable, and easy to use. I was super excited to see that they are now in the border punch business.

The punches are made with metal gears and cut through thicker materials like butter. I successfully cut thin chipboard, thick cardstock, and thin copy paper. Here is a video of me using the punches so that you can see for yourself.



After making the video I have been asked, could you use this as a corner punch since it only has 1 bunch. The Answer is Yes, but only if you are careful, since corner guides are not included on the punch, making sure your corners are lined up on all sides can become tricky.

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Boy Happy Birthday Card

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My sweet Nephew Trey resently celebrated his 11th birthday and of course the gift of choice at that age is money. So I really wanted to create a special card for him. You don't see many masculine cards, so I thouoght I would share it with you today.

From Flamingo Scraps: Prima: Youth Collection, Tim Holtz: Lost & Found Salvage Tickets, Regal Crest Die, Ticket Die, Baroque Die, Walnut Stain, Music embossing folder. Other: Twine, Greeting Farm - Autumn Ian, Unity Stamp: Ticket, Ribbon, and Copic Markers.

The base of my card was black cardstock, and I embosed a music pattern onto kraft paper. I have a 6x6 paper pad for the Prima Youth Collection paper that made a perfect background for this card.

Then I colored Mr. Ian to look like my nephew, and layered several of Tim Holtz's die cuts around the image to give it some interest. The Bingo Card is actually a sticker from the Tim's Salvage stickers that I placed onto a piece of cardstock and distressed the edges.

When Trey openned the card and the money fell out - he yelled "BINGO".

Thanks for stopping in today,

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Cards & Journal Pages

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While working on January & February's digi kit I had printed out some extra pages by mistake. So I wanted to share a few projects on how to use these pages for something other than the monthly journal.

Last year I was bitten BIG TIME by the "Smash" bug. I think I have bought all the accessories and all of the books created by K&Co. This is the Red Smash book and its theme is "all about me", so I decided to fill it with things that make me happy.

Journal Page

This man started making me happy in 1985. I love that we can be silly together after being together for 27 years. On Valentine's day my husband and I spotted a photo booth when we came out of a movie. I think they are perfect photos for "smashing". I used the beautiful rose motif lined notebook paper that was February Day 29's insert as my background paper. The side was punched with a border punch from Martha Stewart. For the photo mat, I used Day 14's insert.

Another challenge I have for this journal is to use one of my favorite stamps on every page in the journal. On this page I used the new Prima Songbird collection. The tickets are so small and perfect since one says "best friends" - and he truly is my best friend. The same stamp set has the birds (love them!). The bird's nest and Love stamp are both Inkadinkadoo.

Card

When gathering up my supplies, I spoted a torn hymnal page on my desk that said "sowing the precious seeds" which made it a perfect match for this extra sheet of the January Day 23 paper. I wanted this to have a rugged/distressed look so I used some paint on corrugated board for the background paper. I also dry brushed some of the paint onto the music paper and patterned journal pages. I dipped butterflies from 2 different Martha Stewart punches in melted UTEE to give them a glass finished.

Are you using Marion's downloads for something other than the Journal pages? If so share some of your projects on the Artsy Addicts Facebook page. Be sure to tag me in the post so that I don't miss it.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Planes Trains & Automobiles

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This 4x4 mini of my nephew Cooper was designed using the digi downloads from Garett Smith Designs, available on apieceofcraft.com. His papers are designed to print as 8x8 layouts, and include 12 page designs 3 envelope designs and a journal insert design. The rich colors and distressed looks make it rugged and tough looking. I also love the vintage "transporation" icons of bicycles, trains, cars, and planes. These downloads are perfect for boys as well as travel journals. I love the size, and the elements are perfect for fussy cutting.

Here is a glimpse at the pages of my mini album:

On the cover I fussy cut some of the elements from the ads and popped them up to give the cover depth. I also included a stamped sentiment from the Lost & Found stamp set, and the Old Jalopy, arrow, and bookplate from Tim Holtz.


The pocket was die cut with Tim Holtz' on the edge ornate die, and the button is holding down the booklet that lifts to reveal the journaling.

On this page I printed the hot air balloon twice and then fussy cut the balloon, banner and basket and raised it off the page with pop dots. Cooper's image is inside the pocket and journaling is on the back of the photograph. The "Fun" banner was from the new My Mind's Eye FundDay stamp set.

I used the scraps to create a library style pocket to house some of the ads from the paper collection, journaling has been added to the back of the ads. Again the stamped images are from the My Mind's Eye Fun Day stamp set.


On this page, I reduced the size of the coin envelopes to 50% to make them the perfect size for Tim Holtz' Tiny Tags tag diecut. I also fussy cut around the image of Cooper in the race car to give this spread more interest.


This is a typical view of my living room when Cooper is over. I cut the words from one of the papers to create these banners. The journaling is on the back of the advertisement that is nested inside the pocket.

I had a great time working with these designs and I can't wait to make another project with them. I hope that Garett continues to design some fun masculine designs.

Here is a video walk through of the mini...


Thanks for stopping in today, I hope you have enjoyed this week's post.

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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February 2012 - Journal Challenge

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I have completed my February 2012 Journal using Marion's digital downloads. I really have had a blast working with these this month. This month's theme was filled with flowers, butterflies, and distressed postcards. I did some fussy cutting on some extra printouts and used those as accents throughout the book so that my book would remain somewhat flat.

Here is a video walk through of February in the Gibbs household.



Thank you for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.Psychomoms.com

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Zentangles

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Zentangles are really sweeping the art world and I have to say - I'm totally in love with them. I haven't mastered the art yet - but my Daughter Brittany, 18 years old, sure has. As her super proud mother - I thought I would share with you her creations.







Thanks for stopping in today - are you tangeled yet?

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Help Wanted Card

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Ok it is time to start clearing the scraps waiting for CHA new releases. I had pre-colored this image from the Hope & Grace Luandry collection from The Greeting Farm. She is stamped on Cryogen paper. I thought she was beautifully colored to match the paper scraps from a Flamingo 5 Dear Lizzy Paper that I did last year. I used the back side of the patterned paper to cut the loopy oval frame around the image.

From Flamingo Scraps: Seam Binding, Glimmer Mist, Patterned Paper: Dear Lizzy, Lace.

Other: Pearls, Spellbinders Loopy oval die cut, The Greeting Farm: Hope & Grace Laundry, Copics, Cardstock, EK Success Label Punch

After I fussy cut her out, I used one of my EK Success Label punches with the scraps of the cryogen paper (love the sparkles in this paper), and cut it in half length wise to make a tab/sign. Then I hand drew the "Help Wanted". I used my glimmer mists to add color to the little clothes pin. Then I finished off the card, by taking apart a mulberry flower to create 3 separate flowers. I then used buttons with seam bind scraps as flower centers.

This entire card was made from little scraps on my desk. LOVE IT!

Thanks for stopping in today,

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My Valentine

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So I'm sitting in my craft room the other day finishing a project and my Son walks in, puts his arms around me and says "Mommy will you be my Valentine?" without blinking or even the slightest hesitation I said "YES - OF COURSE - FOREVER!" About 10 mins later, I get a notification of a note on my Facebook wall - He had posted the sweetest note about me being the only true love of his life! HELLO - I don't need to tell any of you how I felt, but after I quit crying all over my keyboard - I was floating on air!

The next day - Valentine's Day - he walks in with this paper heart that he had written in Spanish class. Before the details of the past few days escaped me - I wanted to create a layout.

Bazzil Cardstock: maroon; My Mind's Eye: patterned paper; Glimmer Mist: Poppy Seed & Antique Brass; Marion Smith Designs: Dital Paper - Jan day 29 & Envelope - February Day 7; Webster's Pages: Pink Bloomers; Maya Road: Love & Heart chipboard pieces; Karls001: Butterfly Kisses Flowers (Crystal), wheat flowers in pink; Prima: Mask - Floral Frenzy, Cabbage Rosebuds, and Miniature Roses; Crocheted Lace, Pearls.

The background paper says I Love You all over it and is vintage My Mind's Eye. I decided to dress it up a bit with my Glimmer sprays and the Floral Frenzy screen from Prima.

A closer look shows that I used Marion's digital downloads on my layout. In Spot 1, I used the January Day 29 download to mat the image, and in Spot 2, I used February's Day 7 envelope to house the note off my Facebook Wall.


Here is a closer look at the collage of embellies flanking the bottom of the picture. I love how the crystal flowers fill the space, but still allow the pattern of the paper and sprays to filter through.



I know one thing - this boy sure has my heart in the palm of his hand. No matter how old you get - your Momma will always be your Valentine!

I don't know about you - but I think you can never have too many paper hearts!

Thanks for stopping in today,
Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomoms.com

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Valentine's Cards - for Cancer

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I have a friend, Liz, who was hosting a Valentine Day Card drive to send to kids who suffer from Cancer. She wanted to be able to bring a smile to their cute faces. She asked each of us to do 2 cards, and here are mine.

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants Designs: It's The Little Things - Headed South; Prima: Fairy Tale roses white, and mini roses - white. Other: Greeting Farm Flutter Anya, Copic Markers, Studio G: Hug Coupon, Bling, Kraft Cardstock, Making Memories: Lace; Tim Holtz: Ticket Die, and Ticket Stamp from 100 Stamp Collection.

I wanted my cards to be themed around love but not the same traditional Valentine’s Day icons of Red and Pink. So I chose Fancy Pants “It’s the Little Things – Headed South” paper. It has these cute I love you stamps and post marks everywhere. There are still a few sheets of it left in the store if you like to use it on your Valentine's Day projects.



I designed the cards like an easle card so that they could be viewed from a dresser or table top. I stitched around the edges for interest and used my Greeting Farm Flutter Anya stamp as the focal point. I love that I can change the look of the image by simply coloring her a different color. Since these cards will be hand delivered, I used the Prima FairyTale Roses and Mini Roses as the easle prop.



Thanks for stopping in today,

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