Monday, September 5, 2016

Spooky House Holiday Decor made with Smoothfoam!

                                                           
BOO!      


Quietly, stealthily, this thing was creeping up on everyone!  The people were all enjoying the sunshine and warm summer nights, and SUDDENLY; Boo!  There it was!  FALL!  (Boo-hoo.)

That's the way it happens.  The nights start getting shorter, the leaves are turning yellow and orange and before you know it all the little trick-or-treaters' are at your door!  It is never too soon for a little preparation. Some fun decorations are always great for getting everyone in the mood for Fall and Halloween.

Here's what you will need for the haunted house:

Smoothfoam:  12" x 1" sheet; 2
12" Cardstock: Black and orange
Hot Wire Foam Cutter (Marvy)
Die Cut Machine
Dies:  Haunted House; Scary Trees; Bat
Chipboard Sticker: Ghost
Acrylic Paint:  Yellow
Inkpad:  Orange
Wedge Sponge
Paintbrush
Adhesives

*Optional:  Frame with 12" opening that will accomodate the 1" foam.


Hope you got some inspiration for Fall decorating!

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way; and,
Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn


Haunted House Halloween Decor


Conjure up cozy feelings of Fall!
 The turning leaves, a pot of stew simmering on the stove, stormy nights with a warm fire burning in the house, Trick-or-Treaters', candy corn; these are all the things we look forward to as Fall begins to set in. 


To make this haunted house, you will need the following:

Smoothfoam; 12 x 12" sheets:  2
Hot wire foam cutter
Pattern  (see attachment)
pencil
scissors
Acrylic paint:  Black
Paintbrush
Chalk Ink:  White
Wedge Sponge
Cardstock:  White and Orange
Black permanent marker
Chipboard ghost adhesion
6 black die-cut arrows
Adhesives:  tacky glue and low melt glue gun
Toothpicks

Instructions:

Print out pattern.  Cut out pattern pieces.  Starting with the larger pieces; trace around pattern piece onto the Smoothfoam using the pencil.  Repeat for each pattern piece.

Cut out all of the smoothfoam pieces using the hot wire cutter.


Paint all pieces Black.  Let dry.  


Trace pattern pieces onto the cardstock and cut out.  Use the black marker to draw in the details. Adhere the paper windows to the house as shown.  Sponge all of the edges with the white ink.


Join the pieces together using the toothpicks and a dab of hot glue to assemble.  Place all of the pieces before gluing.  

Enjoy your spooky decoration and have a Happy Fall!

Click here for patterns:
http://marilyngossett.blogspot.com/2015/09/haunted-house-pattern-3-pages.html

Sunday, February 28, 2016

3-D Etched Lid for Wedding Card Box


 Our Family has a joyous event coming this next August.  Our only daughter is getting married.  It has fallen to me to do much of the DIY decorating, cards and favors for the wedding.  I am thrilled to do so and this 3-D card box will be a nice addition to our wedding decor!

I started by gathering the supplies I would need to make my box.  I have pictured some of them in the photograph below.

For this project you will need the following:  

Etchall (R) reusable etching creme
Etchall (R) etchmask and transfer sheets

Die cut machine and die with wedding sentiment
12" Cardstock: Black; Black and White chevron design
Wooden Box with hinged lid:  12" wide x 3-3/4" deep
Vintage white Wooden Frame:  5 x 7"
Paints:  Teal, Vintage White, Matte Sealer
Paintbrushes:  1" flat, #6 fan brush
Embellishments:  Faux clear rhinestone trim with adhesive back; Pearl and Rhinestone adhesion's from a package.
Scissors
Paper Trimmer
Glue

Instructions:

Disassemble the frame. Discard the cardboard back and paper mat. Carefully remove, then wash and dry the glass.

Measure the space under the frame to decide how big to make your paper cut for the sentiment. Cut the sentiment from Black cardstock to get the right size for the space.

Using the same die and size; apply the transfer paper to the etchmask and cut out.  The etchmask image should be the same size as the black cardstock die cut.       

Remove the release paper from the yellow etchmask and adhere to the center of the frame glass. Follow the manufacturer's instruction and add the Etchall etching creme to the glass. When the time is up; scrape the etchall creme back into the bottle for another use. Then; thoroughly wash the glass in warm water before removing the Etchmask. Finish by removing the etchmask, rinse; then dry with a lint free towel.
Paint: Center the frame on the top of the lid and trace around the inside with a pencil.  Leave this portion of the lid white.  Paint the entire box vintage white.  Paint the top of the lid (Except for the middle portion) and sides of the lid teal.  Allow to dry.  Use the fan brush (dry) to apply vintage white to the frame and box lid to give it a distressed look.  Replace the glass in the frame and use the metal brackets to hold it firmly in place.  
The next step is the trickiest part.  Adhere the black cardstock sentiment directly under the etched portion of the glass.  This is what will give it the 3-D effect.  Center and glue the frame to the box lid. Double check to keep everything straight.

Cut the chevron cardstock as follows:  two 1-1/2" x 12" pieces for front and back; two 1-1/2" x 8-     3/4" for the sides. Cut 1/2" strips and glue around the sides of the frame. Make sure the seam is in the back.

 Finish: Complete by embellishing the box with the faux rhinestone trim and the adhesions.

Now it is ready for the wedding cards!  

This design can be adapted for any theme, party or color.  Enjoy!


Make sure to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn








Monday, February 1, 2016

I Love Valentine's Day!


Valentine's Day has always been a favorite day to celebrate!  It comes and goes way too fast; but if you plan a little ahead, you can be ready with some fun gifts and decor!
With some ribbon and cardstock you can create some fun seasonal decorations and gifts.  The ruffle flowers shown above are made with die-cut cardstock and hand gathered ribbons.  They are adhered to a fan handle and finished off with a few embellishments.  
Zoomed in for a closer view.......
Below is an idea for a Valentine's banner.
A bouquet of ruffled ribbon flowers......isn't it pretty?
The projects shown below were created using a Deflecto craft frame and clear vinyl pouches.  Here is the link to their craft site:  http://www.deflecto.com/craft/  The album is held together with a pear clip that deflecto also carries.

What is more fun than giving Love Coupons to a family member or friend?  There are a plethora of pretty cardstock papers to be found and there are many variations to be made of the mini Valentine coupon album shown in the photos given.


A closer look:..

I hope you are inspired by all of the Valentine ideas shown here today.  To see the rest of the designs shown on the blog hop today, just go to the link provided and hop on to the next designer's blog!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!


Make sure to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn