Timeless Paper Arts

Stickles and dotted stamp idea

2009-11-18T13:16:00.010-06:00

I was playing around with some Stickles and decided to make my own "bling" embellishment-similar to those self-adhesive rhinestone circles. It's pretty darn close! All you need is a basic dotted stamp design and some Stickles.

I used an old 7 gypsies dotted circle stamp because the dot pattern is uniform and makes it easy to apply the Stickles.

I cut a 2 1/4" circle out of some paper to demonstrate.

I centered the stamp over the circle and pressed down. This would be easier to center if using clear stamps.

Take the Stickles and start covering the black dots. It has a thick consistency, so it's very easy to apply.

Once you finish applying the Stickles, the dots look a little weird...raised and pointy. Set aside to dry.
Note: as they dry, the raised dots will go down...but will be slightly raised.

Here it is finished. IRL, it's much more vibrant and sparkly!

DIY: mini clipboard magnet

2009-10-13T11:37:00.013-05:00

Looking for a fun craft project to make...or even to make for gifts? This mini clipboard magnet is simple to make and doesn't take very long to do. It's perfect for those mini school photos....I always have a few extra of those...and it's a great way to use those photos up by making a cute magnet/photo display for the fridge!

what you need:

chipboard- cut to size 2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
pattern paper- I used BoBunny Star Dust from the "Star Struck" line
hinge clip- I got this at an office supply store. It's 2" wide.
acrylic paint- optional
embellishments- just find something simple to coordinate with your paper. I used Am. Crafts "Playhouse" chipboard stars because they matched perfectly in color and star theme!
ribbon-I used 3/8" sheer
round magnet -with foam adhesive
adhesive- Tombow Mono Multi, Zig glue pen
Tools- exacto/craft knife, cutting mat, scissors

Instructions:
1. Cut chipboard to size, then paint along the sides and even the back, if you want to. Although, you don't really have to paint at all...I just think it looks a little more finished.

2. Apply adhesive to the unpainted (front) side and cover with paper. Smooth the paper out and cut around the sides with an exacto knife.

3. Attach the office clip to the top of the covered chipboard and add an embellishment to a bottom corner, with part of it off the clipboard. I glued two chipboard stars together and glued them to the clipboard with a zig glue pen. Mini glue dots would also work great.

4. Thread ribbon through the clip as shown in the picture and tie in a knot on the front. I used sheer ribbon because it's easier to get through the clip. Also, the ribbon helps hide the engraving on the front of the clip.

5. Turn clipboard over and attach magnet.

6. Add a photo, put on fridge, and you're done!

Notes: If you're using a mini school photo, you will have enough room to mat the photo and add a name, if you have some small alphas handy. You can also use a stronger magnet too, if you're concerned about the clipboard staying in place. If using the foam adhesive ones, one thing I've found is that the clipboard magnet needs to be perfectly straight on the fridge. If it tilts a little, the weight of the clip will turn it upside down. If it's straight, it will stay. It does have good holding power, though....mine have not fallen off the fridge at all.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

A Valentine Creation

2009-02-11T15:54:00.005-06:00

This was a fun little project that I worked on today. Perfect to give to a teacher for Valentine's Day! All that needs to be done is to write the teacher's name on the front of the heart card and a message inside!

Instead of tying a bow around the silver clip holders like I normally do, I tied the ribbon around the bottom. That way the teacher can reuse the clip-either as a "regular" binder clip or as a photo holder.

Plus, a small lollipop fits nicely under the ribbon. I tried to attach it to the card at first, but it was too heavy and the card kept turning upside down. I like the way it looks on the bottom anyway..it seems to balance everything out!

Threading Water Border Punch

2009-01-14T10:17:00.013-06:00

I got a chance to finally use my Threading Water Border Punch from Fiskars! I've been making my scalloped borders "old school" style, and it's just too time-intensive to make them that way, not to mention having a steady hand.

I didn't read the directions as usual...just ripped it from the packaging and played around with it. It was really easy to use, so I took some pics to show how simple it is!

1. this is the punch

2. line the paper against top edge

3. Push down once, and this is what it looks like

4. notice the scalloped diagram/pattern on the punch

5. line up the punched scalloped border with the diagram scalloped one-make sure paper is against top edge

6. work your way to both sides of the paper

7. When done punching out the border, determine how wide you want the strip to be and cut

8. finished scalloped border strip!

Fiskars makes a variety of styles. To look at more of them, take a look here: