Papercraft Crystal

#Dephemerember Fabric Bowl

#Dephemerember preparations – making the fabric bowl for junk journal scraps

Short process video: https://youtu.be/zBr6HubSMpM

@49dragonflies fabric bowl video with link to free Ephy download: https://youtu.be/SUBdt-giJbY?si=4DID0tLfQMBbHWzc

Barbara built her bowl with fabric layers and PVA glue over an existing bowl as the base. There’s a lot of drying time and not much rigidity in the finished project. I tried that approach with plaster, similar drying time but more rigidity, and that was a horrible idea that did not work at all. I’ve used plaster-infused gauze bandages in a paper mache project before with great success, so that was probably the better approach here. Lesson learned.

The second attempt was modeled on the base of a chocolate truffle box from Aldi. I cut a cardboard base into a square, with the maximum measurement dictated by the size of the box, and then removed the corners to make it a plus sign. I covered that with cotton fabric attached with a thin coat of PVA glue, which dried quickly. While leaving the corners in was fine on the truffle box, it didn’t work for me on my version. I cut out the fabric corners until the fabric matched my chipboard base. I attached ribbon to each top edge using hot glue. I folded up the sides and wrapped fabric strips and trim around the whole thing, attaching that with hot glue. I cut out Ephy, the #dephemerember mascot, from paper and attached that to the bottom of the bowl with a thin layer of PVA glue. The whole project took under 30 minutes start to finish.

Now, perhaps I’m stretching it to call this a “fabric bowl” since it’s about 40% cardboard and it’s pretty blocky. However, it was speedy and I like it. Looking forward to filling it with fun supplies for all the December challenges!

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Presenting gifts of wine, beer, or soda

Two different ideas for presenting gifts of wine, beer, or soda. These are great for holiday gifts or party hosts, for Thanksgiving gatherings or Christmas or New Year’s. These are welcome gifts but always awkward to wrap! Today we’ll talk about decorated cardboard carriers and tags for the bottle neck.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/NSPsuCefrDg

You can buy the carriers plain, but generally you can get them for free wherever you are buying the beverages to put in the carrier. Check your grocery store. The free carriers typically display store branding rather than coming as a blank slate, but I found that easy to cover with acrylic paint or paper.

I’m linking to Amazon plain carriers because they sell low quantities, but these are also available at Uline or Papermart in quantities of 25 and up.

Drink carrier, for 4 20-oz cups, pack of 30 for $24.99 https://amzn.to/3tJsjdG These are good for shorter cans, such as catering minis of Coca-Cola.

Six-pack carrier, for 12-oz bottles or cans, pack of 10, kraft or white, for $16.99 kraft https://amzn.to/46GWnoH These will hold 16-oz plastic bottles of soda.

Four-pack carrier, for 750 ml bottles, pack of 10, kraft or white, $24.99 https://amzn.to/472AArh These will hold 32-oz or 1 liter plastic bottles of sparkling water.

Six-pack carrier, for 750 ml bottles, pack of 10, kraft or white, $29.99 https://amzn.to/497dAcz These will hold 32-oz or 1 liter plastic bottles of sparkling water.

DIES

Look through your stash of holiday products. The surface of these carriers is generally not smooth enough for stamping, so dies or stickers are ideal.

For decoration, I used die cuts from Sizzix Bigz Tim Holtz Festive Stems #664757

From Sizzix on Amazon $23.81 https://amzn.to/3S9ldco

From Sizzix on their own website $34.99 https://www.sizzix.com/664757/sizzix-bigz-l-die-festive-stems

and Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Holiday Brushstroke #665578

From Sizzix on Amazon $8.93 https://amzn.to/3tFy245

From Scrapbook .com $19.77 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/sz-665578.html

As usual, buying older products from Sizzix on Amazon is MUCH LESS.

1.75” circle punch from Stampin Up. Corner rounder is 1/2” from Zutter.

Tim Holtz Retro Type and Vintage Phone

Art journal page using Tim Holtz Sizzix dies Retro Type and Vintage Phone. I cut the dies using shades of dark, shiny cardstock, then layered them over collage paper adhered to a brown inky background left from the coffee spread. I put a halo of white tissue under each die so it would stand out from the busy background.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/ws1xBVcrZ6M

Supplies:

Sizzix Bigz Retro Type #664422

at Amazon $16.88 https://amzn.to/3Mjtbfv

Sizzix Bigz Vintage Telephone #657835

at Amazon $25.18 https://amzn.to/3FDAomI

As always, shopping older products from Sizzix on Amazon offers lower prices and more inventory than their own website.

Ideology Collage Paper Typeset/Composer

at Amazon $6.99 https://amzn.to/49b1eAi

If you want to shop elsewhere, remember Simon Says Stamp carries a full range of absolutely all Tim Holtz products.

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Tim Holtz Flower Garden and Mini Bouquet

Art journal page using Tim Holtz Flower Garden and Mini Bouquet in an ethereal garden scene.

I started by stamping and die cutting all the pieces, then loosely watercoloring using Distress ink and shimmer watercolor. I layered the Ideology cardstock base page with colored tissue, then vellum, then the flowers and a swallow from Tim Holtz Love You (a vintage Sizzix stamp/die set.)

Short process video: https://youtu.be/bG8JaOFGed0

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry colors $13.96 https://amzn.to/49gCsPm

Sizzix Flower Garden & Mini Bouquet #661613 on their website $40.99

on Amazon $24.71 https://amzn.to/3QBTFeJ

Stampers Anonymous Flower Garden CMS215 on their website $24.95

on Amazon $19.13 https://amzn.to/3sbL0WW

Stampers Anonymous Mini Bouquet CMS269 on their website $29.95

cling mount, includes some additional silhouette stamps

on Amazon $21.44 https://amzn.to/3tRsJij

As always, prices for Stampers Anonymous from Amazon are less than from Stampers Anonymous on their own website.

Tim Holtz Bubbles & Gingham Mixed Media Set $11.19

includes clear stamps for mini bouquet

https://www.joann.com/tim-holtz-bubbles-gingham-mixed-media-stamp-stencil-set/18105833.html

Sizzix Framelits by Tim Holtz #660190 stamps and dies set

only on eBay these days, original price $17.99

If you want to shop elsewhere, remember Simon Says Stamp carries a full range of absolutely all Tim Holtz products.

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Quick mixed media birthday card

Get in touch with your inner kid and use crayons and inexpensive watercolor for this super-quick card. Stamp in waterproof ink (hybrid or pigment) on mixed media paper, color in crayon, then create a quick watercolor background using a lot of water for easy blending. Very beginner-friendly for those new to watercolor!

Short process video: https://youtu.be/U8bc_EHmeGU

Supplies:

Stamp: Joann’s Tim Holtz mixed media set clear stamp (comes with one stencil) They issue these slightly smaller versions of many Tim Holtz red rubber stamp sets. This particular set is no longer available at Joann’s but you can find it at Simon Says Stamp, which carries a complete range of Tim Holtz products.

$15.99 https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/products/tim-holtz-clear-stamps-and-stencil-tile-and-splotches-thmm109

Red rubber version (multiple cats, no balloon)

Tim Holtz Cling Mount Stamps – Snarky Cat CMS392

from Stampers Anonymous on Amazon $18.64 https://amzn.to/3Q0nrt8

As usual, this older product is less from SA on Amazon ($18.64) than from their own website ($24.95). Always compare!

Prang watercolors $2.69 https://amzn.to/3tkBgdd

Crayola 24-count, 2-pack $3.99 https://amzn.to/3F2xfg7

Hybrid ink pads $5.99 Rainy Day (gray) https://www.scrapbook.com/store/sbc-ink-42.html Leather (brown) https://www.scrapbook.com/store/sbc-ink-49.html

Mixed media paper $18.99 for 120 sheets 9×12 https://amzn.to/3ZCAPqR

Blog post discussing stamping platforms, including a link to a DIY version: https://papercraftcrystal.com/2023/04/23/stamping-options/

Work surface is a silicone placemat from the kitchen section. Mine was $20 for 4 https://amzn.to/3LNkVE9 but I particularly wanted clear for the one I use on the kitchen counter. Similar mats in a white/gray/black set $10 for 3 https://amzn.to/3RGqW9p

Stamp cleaner is a car chamois from the auto care section, cut in to smaller pieces. This is not as nice as a stamp “shammy” but I can dispose of it when it mildews, which is inevitable since I live in a humid climate. I can get 12 from one package for about $15.

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Prices are current as of the day I typed all this out (obvs.) Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.

Channeling my inner Picasso

Channeling my inner Picasso (and fondly remembering punch art) for the next page in my all Tim Holtz art journal project, using Sizzix Thinlits Abstract Elements and Sizzix Bigz Steampunk Parts.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/Wv3Mqo8OP8o

Supplies:

Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Abstract Elements 666280, $18.95 https://amzn.to/3PLDhqd

Sizzix Bigz Tim Holtz Steampunk Parts 664185, $16.22 https://amzn.to/3rPKLAy

(As usual, buying from Sizzix on Amazon is less than buying from Sizzix on its own website.)

“talk talk” cut with letters in Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Gift Card Bag 662687, discontinued but similar in size to Santa Greetings Colorize 666338

New favorite craft tool: silicone face mask applicator from the dollar store

Stencils used on green backgrounds:

THS006 irregular tiny circles

THS040 ragged alpha

THS099 tiny x’s

THS100 small irregular circles

THS101 horizontal dashes

THS102 vertical dashes

THS104 basket weave dash blocks

Punches:

Stampin Up 1 3/4” circle

Let me know if you need a rep in the greater Houston area, happy to introduce you to mine.

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Prices are current as of the day I typed all this out (obvs.) Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.

Take your cards from basic to extra

How to step up your holiday cards: I run through extra die cuts in vellum and gold, ink effects on the embossing folder, embossing glaze, gold watercolor, gold Foundry wax, gold thread, velvet ribbon, twine, ink blending the background, gold spatter, gold edge, extra die cutting of the background layer, gold highlights, glitter glue, and decorated envelopes. Learn from my mistakes!

Short video showing each option: https://youtu.be/YNHnI7y4lCo

Ultimately, I decided on a plain embossed background, watercoloring the white edges of the die cut to match the leaves, and glitter glue over all the berries.

Supplies used:

Ranger Stickles Star Dust $5.15 https://amzn.to/3RTdS0M

Pinkfresh Essentials Ornate Banners $18 https://www.pinkfreshstudio.com/products/essentials-ornate-banner-die-set?_pos=1&_sid=f2b7c0627&_ss=r

Stamplistic Envelope Dress-Up Holiday $12 https://www.stamplistic.com/collections/envelope-dress-ups/products/holiday

Also comes in birthday, halloween, and a ton of other options if you like the concept.

Stampendous Intricate Snowflakes $15.99 https://createandcraft.com/product/65318/stampendous-stamp-and-stencil-set-intricate-snowflake-6-stamps/%7B%7BviewAllCategoryURL%7D%7D\

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry colors 6 color set $17.50 https://amzn.to/46IRWJY

Ranger Foundry Wax in Gilded (gold) and Mined (copper) $12.99 https://amzn.to/46otQEi

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Prices are current as of the day I’m typing this out (obvs).

Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.

My working life in coffee cups

This is the next page in my all Tim Holtz art journal. I feel like I don’t journal or scrapbook my working life in any proportion to the amount of time I spend at work, but this page covers my working life in coffee cups. The left side features an impressionist take on the Jazz cup design ubiquitous in the ‘90s, and the right side the common cup of today, from Starbucks. The no-sewing mini-books made from file folders (using the Sizzix Tim Holtz Specimen dies) really fit the work theme.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/KXmxrFr_1QM

The phrase “but first, coffee” was popularized by Topher McCulloch. Article about how it went from a single print to a meme: https://sprudge.com/but-first-coffee-128580.html

“Jazz” design on disposable Solo cups: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_(design) and a list from Mentalfloss: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70381/12-moments-history-solo-jazz-cup. If you are planning a themed party, you can still buy these, 100 for $25.99 https://amzn.to/46zQQjz

Dies

Sizzix Tim Holtz “Fresh Brewed” #660232, discontinued but available on eBay as die $37, or as die cuts $3.

Current alternatives

Generic $9.97 https://amzn.to/45bMFJu

Honey Bee $26.06 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/hbs-hbds-cc.html makes a shaped card

Waffle Flower $21.57 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/wfc-420606.html nesting

Spellbinders $17.07 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/spe-s4-1269.html

Mini-books

Sizzix collector die 665926 $29.99 at website $25.47 on Amazon https://amzn.to/3skgc6h

(This is the one with the large envelope.)

Sizzix postale die 665927 $29.99 at website $23.32 on Amazon https://amzn.to/3KP4Ey5

(This is the one with the mini-envelope.)

Sizzix specimen die 665930 $29.99 at website, same at Simon Says Stamp https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/products/tim-holtz-sizzix-specimen-thinlits-dies-665930

(This is the one with the file folder.)

Sizzix Tim Holtz alphanumeric 1” die 660210, discontinued but Tim Holtz has many other alpha sets.

Older Sizzix products are always less from Sizzix on Amazon (when available) than from Sizzix on its own website, so always check.

Stamps

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz “Documented” CMS226

$24.95 https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-cling-mount-stamps-documented-cms226.html

or $18.73 from the same vendor on Amazon https://amzn.to/48wd87B

Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz “School Desk” CMS057

$24.95 https://stampersanonymous.com/tim-holtz-cling-mount-stamps-school-desk-cms057.html

or $18.73 from the same vendor on Amazon https://amzn.to/3PzjgmR

Older Stampers Anonymous products are always less from SA on Amazon (when available) than from SA on its own website, so always check.

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Prices current as of the day I typed this out. Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.

Christmas card with layered stamp die and coloring stencil

I’m using Pinkfresh Berry Branch, which was from last year’s Create and Connect holiday card event.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/D4Ob6LFyXaU

The trick to speed and efficiency when making multiples from a co-ordinated set is to save the die-cut outlines. Use one in your stamping platform to quickly rotate through the die cuts to stamp the image. Use one on each layer of the coloring stencil to quickly rotate through your stamped images to color.

This week was focused on speed tips; next week we’ll talk about how to step up from the basic card to a next-level card.

Stamp-die-stencil sets are a specialty of Pinkfresh Studios

current holiday collection https://www.pinkfreshstudio.com/collections/christmas

Similar berry branch stamps:

Hero Arts Holly Berries $12.79 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/hro-cm557.html

Penny Black Holly Berry Branch $11.09 https://www.scrapbook.com/store/pbs-40-798.html

Set of 5 blending brushes, color handles $7.99 https://amzn.to/487xqE2

Altenew inks https://altenew.com/collections/inks single oval Crisp Dye Ink pads from $4.13 to $7.50. These are being phased out in favor of round Fresh Dye ink pads so watch for sales.

This Stampin Up embossing folder is old, but Spellbinders offers a wealth of embossing folders from $3.59

https://spellbinderspaperarts.com/search?q=embossing+folder

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Prices are current as of the day I’m typing this out (obvs).

Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.

Tim Holtz angels

If you’re thinking, “Wait, did Tim Holtz do angel dies?” No, no he did not. He did a cupid die that apparently did not sell well, since Sizzix literally gave them away. I have no need for a cupid, but I wanted to see what I could make that I did want, hence angels.

This is part of my fall all-Tim-Holz, all-the-time art journal. I hesitate to say “junk journal” since nothing is re-purposed or found, but it has the spontaneous, maximalist, layered feel of junk journaling.

Short process video: https://youtu.be/PLvyg78hunI

I cut the “Love Struck” cupid multiple times and selectively cut the die to add additional wings and remove the weaponry. I added white tissue paper robes using matte gel to adhere and shape, using my new favorite craft tool: a silicone face mask applicator from the dollar store. Top layer on angels is matte gel and fine glitter.

I used one page of patterned paper from Ideology and one collaged from Ideology off-cuts. The collaged page got an overall coat of white gesso tinted with pink re-inker, with a darker section of clear gesso tinted with Picked Raspberry. The floral page got a section of white gesso tinted with pink re-inker.

The “angel” die is actually Sizzix Bigz Tim Holtz “Love Struck” 657484

https://www.sizzix.com/657484/sizzix-bigz-die-love-struck

originally $22.99 in 2011, given away to all attendees at Stamp and Scrapbook Expo in the welcome bag years later so you may have this in your stash.

If you want one today third-party sellers offer it for $23.90 on Amazon https://amzn.to/460IcL0 and eBay seems to be $9.99 and up, readily available.

Small Talk stickers $6.90 https://amzn.to/3qDw1o1

Instagram and YouTube: papercraftcrystal

Amazon links are affiliate, others are not.