Michelle's Crafty Paper

Happy Summer...

OK I know I have some explaining to do! All that I can say is my heart hasn't been in anything the last few days so my crafting and blogging were just coming up blank. It was then that I realised I was actually missing my guys...Chloe who is in Australia for the Summer,and Tristan who is in Florida for another week! As parents we all look forward to some 'me' time...and I have managed to get some, but it has been empty around here without them. So my next two projects are dedicated to them, and I can't wait to see them soon.

Oh! by the way remind me of this post when they are home and arguing! LOL!!!

Right lets go back in time and now pretend it is Tuesday...here is my Technique (more like tutorial) Tuesday post. I will show you how to make this fun swing card.

 As you can see we start off with a card dedicated to Chloe.

When she gets her driving license I could picture her heading off for a day at the beach, in a cute little convertible. Her hair pulled back in a ponytail, blowing in the wind! Our fave beach near us is Wells next the Sea, and separating the beach from the town is a lovely wooded area, so here she is just arriving!

She doesn't surf but I am pretty sure she would have gotten into it big time if we had stayed living in Florida.

So Chloe, I know that you will cringe at your High School picture appearing on my blog, LOL. Sorry sweetheart!! But I miss you loads and I hope you are having a great Summer down under! (Well sort of...it is Winter there right now!)

The picture below is the card when open. And yes...that is pick a petal!

 

Swing Card Tutorial

I have decided to try working in metric measurements, but will post imperial later for those that use inches.

 

Start with an A5 piece of card and position the card horizontally in your cutter.

Position the card at 88mm at score a line by setting the scoring tool at 35mm then scoring to the bottom.

Repeat this same score at 122mm.

Turn the card 180 degrees and repeat the above two scores at 88mm and 122mm, making sure that each score is 35mm in length.

Turn the card to position it vertically in the cutter now.

Position the card at 35mm then make a cut from the score line down to 35 mm on the cutter arm.

Make this cut again at 113mmTurn the card 180 degrees and repeat the above process.

You should end up with something like this below:

 

 

Next you want to join up the cuts. So turn the card horizontally again.

 

 

 

 

 

Position the card at 35mm then just join the exisiting cuts. Repeat at 113mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how your card should look after you have made all of the cuts. Then using a scrap of paper cut to size (140mm x 77mm) mask the centre panel and decorate the card.

 

Using a bone folder, crease along the score lines.

The first score line should be folded in a mountain fold, the next scorelines should be a valley fold.

You are now ready to finish off your card with your main images. I won't lengthen the tutorial by showing you how I did mine, but I will leave you with a guide for mounting your images to your main card as set out in the pictures below.

Just remember that the image that you want for the front of your card (in my case the car) you must stick it to the back of the card when flat, it will then come around to front when the card is folded.The image that you want for the inside of your card (my beach) should be mounted to the front (decorated side) of your card when flat.

Sounds a bit complicated but it isn't really, give it a try and all will be obvious!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming next...what is it Wednesday on a Friday!!!

Oh and 3D Thursday (My Tristan project) and my pick of the blogs Friday!

Also you have got about half an hour to get your comments in below for my blog candy!

See you shortly...

 

 

A Waxy Tutorial

Sam from little red pens has asked me for the instructions on the decorated candles that I demonstrated at a workshop she attended. So I decided to have a go at finally doing a tutorial...

You will need:
candle (white or cream are best)
piece of tissue paper
piece of waxed paper (height of candle and a bit more than circumference of candle)
heat gun
rubber stamps and ink

Stamp your image onto the tissue paper just as you would if making a card. You can stamp a line image and colour it in, but I prefer using solid stamps. Be sure to use a workmat as the ink bleeds through.

Cut around the image as closely as possible but it doesn't need to be accurate.

Place the tissue paper with the stamped image where you would like it on the candle.

Next wrap the wax paper tightly around the candle, waxy side against the candle surface. Hold the candle by gripping the excess wax paper at the back. (Stops your fingers getting very hot in the next step!)

Warm the heat gun first, then point the heat gun at the image on the candle.

Make sure that you keep the heat gun moving at all times to avoid melting the candle. (Just like when you emboss an image).

The wax on the wax paper will start to melt. The image will start to look darker as this happens. (See top of rose in picture). When the entire image looks darker (wet looking) you are ready to stop with the heat and peel back the wax paper slowly.

What you should see is a lovely embedded image. If you have missed a bit put the wax paper back over and heat for a very short time.

And here it is the finished product. I have people ask me about wether these candles are safe to burn. I have burnt one before and didn't come across a problem as most candles burn down the centre nowadays, leaving an 'outside wall'.

However as with all candles you should not leave them unattended!!

I am busy making some of these with matching cards for the Little Red Pen project, check back in the week for more designs. In the meantime there is a nice design using 'Lovely as a Tree' on Maria's blog.

Happy Stampin'