Foxglove Tag Tutorial

Hi friends! I have a sweet foxglove tutorial to share with you today. Foxgloves are such pretty flowers and I always stop to look whenever I see one.

Please note: this post has affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

I used products from the Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember® release for this tag. At first I meant to use the foxgloves on a different background, but it was too busy and they disappeared on it. A dry embossed background can add instant interest and texture, while still being neutral.

Start by die cutting the Fine Foxglove from watercolor paper. I die cut one batch of extra flowers, you can use even more flowers if you want to.

Color the flowers and stems with Tombow markers. I scribbled the markers on a clear acrylic block and picked up with a paint brush. Darker details were added directly with the markers. 

Shade the flowers and leaves with ball embosser tools. I used the Tonic Craft Tool set.

Glue the flowers to the stems. I decided to make one of the shorter, which is why there are no flowers at the top of the right-hand flower. I later cut off the green top.

Add highlights with a white gel pen and darker dots and lines with Tombows and a black pen. It is easier to do this step before you shape the flowers, but I forgot.

Apply Distress Ink to a non-stick craft sheet and press a heavystock tag into the ink. Immediately place it in the Triangle Burst 3-D folder and dry emboss. This is such an amazing design.

When dry, ink with Frayed Burlap and Ground Espresso.

Apply a little Sizzix Gold Luster Wax to the tag, with your finger. This step gives a really nice metallic shine.

Tie lace trim to the top. The dry embossed background gave enough interest, while not being too busy for the foxgloves.

I added a little collection of Tim Holtz idea-ology Field Notes ephemera, inking the edges first. Paint was rubbed into the letters on the Thought Token.

Try to think of the shading when coloring the flowers, but aim for a loose look. No need for perfection.

The leaves comes alive with several shades of green, and some white and green lines.

The sentiment comes from the Simon Says Stamp Laugh In Flowers set. 

This is one of those projects which people will want to reach out and touch, since it has all that texture and dimension.

Also, don't miss all the STAMPtember® inspiration, surprises and exclusive products during the month. There has also been a huge Simon Says Stamp release for STAMPtember®, with stamps, dies, stencils, inks and paper products.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here today! 

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

Stitched Canvas Tag Tutorial

 Hello friends! I hope you are well and had a good weekend. Our theme this week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog is 'Stitch it'. 

Please note: this post has affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

I like to stitch on my projects, since it gives a great texture and feel to the project. You can use real or faux stitching. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's creations. Don't miss the project by our September guest designer Susanne with her blog Susanne's Blog.

I made a tag with a partial canvas background and some messy machine stitching. I also stitched the buttons to the tag. 

I started out with these canvas scraps. They had been colored with Paper Artsy Infusions Color Stains and there was some white embossed letters on them too.

Adhere a piece to a kraft tag and white emboss the Simon Says Stamp Circle Pattern.

Tear a three more pieces of canvas and stitch everything to the background with messy stitching. Pull the threads out on the front.

Add color and texture by splattering with Scribble Sticks.

Die cut the Tender Leaves from watercolor paper. The paper had been smooched with Distress Inks. I think it was Pumice Stone, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed and Crackling Campfire. 

Simon Says Stamp Big Scripty Hugs was die cut from gloss cardstock and inked with Peacock Feathers.

Four buttons were stitched to the tag with orange thread. I also added some other bits and pieces. This is a very tactile project.

I usually use either white or black thread when stitching, it was fun with some color for a change.

Dye ink looks wonderful on glossy paper.

I hope you will join us this week in our Stitch It challenge. You have a chance to win a $25 gift voucher to do some fun shopping at Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.

Do you use Instagram? If so please add #sssmchallenge so we can see your entries there too.

Also, don't miss all the STAMPtember® inspiration, surprises and exclusive products during the month. There has also been a huge Simon Says Stamp release for STAMPtember®, with stamps, dies, stencils, inks and paper products.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here today! 

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

Nature Journal and Box Tutorial

Hi friends! I took a lovely forest walk this evening and found an amazingly beautiful mushroom. It was a pity that I had forgotten my brand new nature journal and box at home, or I could have documented the mushroom in the journal.

Please note: this post has affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

This month the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team is creating nature journals. Don't miss all the inspiration and clever ways of using sides. I made a journal/sketchbook and a box or holder to keep it in. The box was made with the Eileen's Sizzix Folio Journal die. 

Inside there is a sketchbook and a pencil. This pencil just happened to be in front of me on my desk and the right length. It is not my ordinary sketching pencil.

Start by die cutting one folio journal piece. For a journal you need two, but for the box we only need one. You also need two side pieces.

Glue burlap to the flap part and a piece of Tim Holtz Backdrops paper to the rest of the box.

Stamp the front with stamps from Simon Says Stamp Forest Scenery and All Seasons Tree, using green and brown inks.

Stamp sentiments with black ink.

Glue design tape to the side pieces.

Attach them as seen here, with Wonder Tape or another strong adhesive. 

Adhere the front side and you have a box. Ink the edges.

I added a little green ink and doodled lines to create hills.

Some of the trees were stamped with second generation stamping, to create a sense of perspective. 

This ledger paper adds just the right amount of interest to the background and fit well for a journal.

Stamp the deer and branch trees with Potting Soil ink.

The title of the box. The wonder of nature never ceases to amaze me.

Fold the flap down and tie with twine.

The back was left simple, with just a piece of Design Tape added.

Inside, there is a journal/sketchbook and a pencil.

The sketchbook fits perfectly in the box together with a pencil. If you want to, you can cover up the holes on the inside of the flap, from the spine of the original folio journal.

For the book, I cut covers from mat board and adhered a piece of Backdrops paper to each cover. I like the organic shapes on this paper. Round the outer corners and punch holes with a crop-a-dile.

Cut sketch or watercolor paper just a little smaller than the covers and round the outer corners. Bind with rings.

The book was embellished with Tim Holtz Field Notes Ephemera and a Thought Token.

To see more Folio Journal examples check out my: Floral Folio, Foiled Folio, Vintage Floral Folio, and Foil and Stencil Album.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here today! 

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.