graphic 45 prize winners!!!

hi everyone!! thanks for stopping by and commenting on all the fantastic art work created to hopefully inspire you and yours using the Graphic 45 12 Days of Christmas line.

as promised a draw has been done and the two winners are Maryann Laursen and Ricky LeBlanc. Ladies you have 10 days to send me your addresses and i will be sure to send out your prizes!!

Merry Christmas and a Joyous Happy Holidays to you all!!!

graphic 45 scraps & give a way

hi everyone.. here is my last posting from the wonderful design team kit that was sent to me.

as always i have the most difficult time throwing scraps out smaller than a pencil so what did i do with them
well first you cut them up, add a bit of stickles ad you get a tree!!

 have you run out of scraps.. well no problem how about layering your stamps. i started with stamping the '12 days' in the background with a light archival ink and kept layering ending with "The Twelve Days of Christmas' stamped in black archival ink. oh and to finish it off i add a spritz of glimmer mist in frost.

 and finally ended with a waterfall card using both paper, stamps and a bit of glossy accents

so... have you followed through this week and seen all my winks!!! yes there is indeed a give a way at the end of the tunnel.. how would you like one of your very own Graphic 45 design team paper kits or the set of stamps we all used ... you can see it here!

all you need to do is go back and visit all the design teams posts, leave a comment so we know you were there, and we will do a draw on Christmas Eve for a winner of the paper parcel and a winner of the stamp set!!

i'll chat with you on the 24th!!

diana

graphic 45 and me take 2

hi again. i am back to show you the second project i completed using my graphic 45 papers and embellies.
first i start off with some claudine helmet multi-medium and i attached all my papers to the chipboard

 for the gate portion i covered it with a layer of black distress paint followed by silver distress paint and once dried cover both gate portions with a layer of clear rock candy distress crackle paint

 i love how it turned out!

 next it was just a matter of assembling the book. i added a bit of shimmer spray to each page to make it pop and more festive.

 and this is the whole book put together and displayed open on my table. it really shimmers at night by candle light.

 once again, thanks for dropping buy and please do leave a comment and let me know what you think!

i will be back on Friday with my final post showing you what i created with the left overs as well as posting why it is good to leave comments on peoples posts!!! (wink wink)

diana

Graphic45 and me -

i have to fully admit that Graphic45 is one of my favourite lines of paper.. not that i use paper because as a rule now a days i don't but i have to say that of ALL the paper lines out there Graphic45 is my favourite by smell alone!!!

so with that said let me get started on the first of three projects that i have completed in the last couple of weeks to share with you.

i am a big believer in using what you have so i started with an empty cheese container, the package of Graphic45 papers, and a pair of scissors (tim holtz scissors but of course!)

added a bit of glue:

a bit of sanding and a bit of paint:

next i mixed a bit of Tim Holtz paint and wendy vecchi embossing paste and using a prima brick mask created the outside of the container...

now it was a little too messy (i know!!) for me so added a tad bit of paint to calm it down.

and ended up creating this:

a little mini book inside the once ready for the recycle bin container!! i had so much fun...i wasn't sure what was next but before too long i was creating again...you can see the sneak peak in the background of this photo!!

have you had a chance this month to check out the other design team members to see what they have created...you will want to perhaps leave a comment on each.. just saying...

i will be back on Wednesday!!
diana

12 Days of Christmas Noel Word Plaque

Hi, Lucy here with my second make using the gorgeous Graphic 45 '12 Days of Christmas' kit. For this Noel chipboard word plaque I paid another visit to my local pound store, and Yes, I do live there! It was covered in gingham fabric which you could peel off or leave on. I painted the plaque with red acrylic paint first and then alternated between a plain then a fussier choice of paper from the 8 x 8 pad for each letter, roughly cut them before gluing them on and sanded the edges. I then fussy cut pieces of holly and Christmas roses and pears from scraps I had left and added them to the papers on the N and the E and the L. I finished off with strips from the sticker sheet for the front, back, and edges of the plinth.

12 Days of Christmas Clock

Hi, Lucy here, with my first project for Snazzys, using the beautiful vintage Graphic 45 'Twelve Days of Christmas' kit which Val kindly sent us.

 

The Twelve Days made me think of points on a clock, so I bought a clock from the pound shop to take the mechanism out, and one of their gold charger plates, the sort of thing you have under a dinner plate at Christmas dinner. For the numbers around the edge I used the Pear Tree paper from the 8 x 8 pad and a 1 inch circle die and cut each of the 12 including the icon which accompanies it, e.g. 4 Calling Birds. This was the most fiddly part of the project but I managed to only use one sheet! I wanted the numbers to really stand out so I went over them with an embossing pen and used red embossing powder. I used the next size up circle die to cut a brown Core-dinations layer to go behind the numbers and sanded the edges, and glued the pieces into position on the plate.

I decided I wanted the centre of the clock to be quite subtle so it wouldn't fight too much with the clock hands so I used the Golden Rings paper which is a soft gold pattern. I drew round a tea plate then cut it out and sanded the edges. I embossed the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' text from the stamp set No 1 in red, top centre. I then fussy cut the partridge and the pears from the Turtle Doves paper and adhered these at the bottom centre and added a very light touch of glitter.

I had to make a hole in the plate for the clock mechanism and I was worried about shattering the plate! I actually went into the garage and got the workmate and the soldering iron out! For those who know me, this is very out of character! But actually it was incredibly easy so I would recommend it.

The stamp set I have is No 1, with the song words, but it looks as if No 2 would work brilliantly for this project if you get that set instead as you could stamp the numbers instead of using the circles of the paper with the numbers and icons on. If you had a smaller clock face, you could stamp them on shrink plastic. Either way, I feel this would make a practical present for someone who likes to bring their Christmas decorations out every year.

I'll be back later on this week with another project using this kit.

Graphic 45 DT Project #2 by Claire

Hi Snazzy fans!

I'm back today to share my second design team project with the Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas collection.

Here is a Tando Triple Arched Layered Frame that I altered using the Twelve Days of Christmas papers:

I started by painting the frames using Paperartsy Fresco paint in Tinned Peas.  I then gave the top frame a coat of their Crackle Glaze, let that dry then added Fresco French Roast and Irish Cream and let the paint crack.

I cut sections from the Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas 8x8 pad to fit the three frames and added them using multi medium. I stuck the layered frames together and finished off the sides and back of the frame with Treasure Gold Renaissance gilding wax.

I then added Treasure Gold gilding wax in Renaissance and White Fire to the front Tando frame with my finger to give it that really luxurious finish.

I fussy cut the partridge, goose, piper and maid from the same 8x8 paper pad.

To finish I added the fussy cut images to the frame along the front. 

Thanks for joining me at Snazzy's this week - make sure you pop back next week to see the what Lucy has been up to with the kit!

Claire

Graphic 45 DT Project #1 by Claire

Hello Snazzy fans!

Claire here today to share my very first Snazzy project with you all featuring Graphic 45's Twelve Days of Christmas range.

I chose to alter a couple of baubles for my first project this week:

They started out as grey chipboard shapes:

 

I covered one bauble with a section of the page for 'Two Turtle Doves'  I sanded around the edges after sticking the page to the bauble to create a nice smooth finish.  I added one of matching banners that come in this collection to the bauble and covered it with glossy accents.

 

The second bauble was covered with paper from the 'Four Calling Birds' pages - again the edges were sanded for a nice finish.  I die cut the '4' from elsewhere on the pages and also the text 'four calling birds'  The oval with the number 4 on was treated with the glossy accents for a nice shiny surface also.

I did paint the reverse of the baubles also just in case they spin around the wrong way when I actually get my tree put up!

I hope you enjoyed my first Snazzy project, I'll be back again later in the week with another project to share with you all.

Thanks for stopping by today,

Claire x

DT Project #2 by Minxy, Featuring;

G45 '12 Days of Christmas' Collection.

Hay Snazzy Gang
{oops I totally forgot, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our American friends xo}

Here I am back as promised with my second offering which is a little different.

A friend {Sandy} gave me the idea to make some napkin holders and from that sprung the whole table arrangement idea.

For the mat I took a sheet of kraft card and stamped on it using the G45 Christmas 1 set of stamps in 'red geranium' & 'fern green' archival ink.

I then placed one of the G45 'my true love' papers in the centre, followed by a Snazzy's doily from their multi pack that I distressed with distress ink. To complete I die-cut a heart from the G45 'golden rings' paper to go in the centre of the doily. To make the mat heatproof I attached a sheet of heat resistant acetate with brads.

For the napkin ring I die-cut one of the Tim Holtz snowflake rosettes from the G45 '12 days of christmas' paper, followed by a punch out in the G45 'swans a swimming' paper, and topped with images I fussy cut from the G45 '12 day of christmas' paper. I also rounded off the edges of the rosette with scissors.

Finally I used one of the cool little G45 christmas tags and pockets, as a name place setting.

I hope you like today's offering, Be sure to stop by next week as we have the first post from 1 of our new DT members.

Till next time, Stay Inky

DT Project #1 by Minxy, Featuring:

Graphic 45 '12 Days of Christmas'

Hay Snazzy Gang

And welcome to my first project of the week.

I knew as soon as I saw the papers that I wanted to make an advent type calendar but I really wanted to showcase the lovely matching stamps so I opted for a 12 day calendar and came up with this

My aussie friend Jen had just done a wonderful live stream on a square version, which you can check out HERE. She is a very talented paper crafter.

For the tree above I used 12 outside boxes which are 6 ³/8" squared, which you will score each side at 2 ¹/8"

And 12 inside boxes which are 6" squared, which you score each side at 2".

I just used a thick card {about 250gsm} for my construction.

 I cut along the score lines {marked with red above} and folded the boxes, Gluing only the outside set at this stage, Once all 12 outside boxes are done I assembled them, {you can do it any way you like but I thought the tree was nice and festive} just make sure that the thicker edges are all on top/ bottom, as when you place in the draws the thick edges will be at the left/right and it will fit perfectly, and look equal.

Once my tree was assembled I used some washi tape to cover all the edges.

I then picked out 2 contrasting papers from the 8x8 G45 pad and cut out 10 x 2" squares for the upright sides {a light pattern}, 3 x 2" squares {dark pattern} for the 2 undersides and top, and 6 1x2" sized pieces for the thinner tops.

I decorated each edge with paper flowers and die-cut holly. I also used some of the G45 stickers to add more detail to the sides, And one of the G45 double sided cardstock pieces for the top.

For the draws I cut out another 12 2x2" squares, again from one of the lighter G45 papers

I stamped each piece with 1 of the Hampton Art matching numbered stamps, first in fern green archival, then over in black to give a slight shadow effect. {done roughly by eye}

I then trimmed each one down to fit the draw front box, inked all the edges with vintage photo distress ink and stuck in place as the thin black line shows below

 I used a small circle punch to make a semicircle {shown in red} as the draw pull, assembled them all and there you have it. One complete advent calendar.

If you wanted to make 24 day tree you would just have to make 2 and place them back to back.

I hope you like todays offering, and you've understood my ramblings!

I'll be back on thursday with another fun idea for you to try.

Till Then..Stay Inky

Snazzys DT Kit Graphic 45 Project #3

Hello again, this project came from all the fussy cutting I did thinking I would use the pieces for the Christmas House I blogged here last Monday. I changed my mind, and that has been a recurring theme.

First, I thought I would make a collection of ATCs, which I kind of did. Then I thought I would use them as toppers on a set of Christmas Cards, which I didn't. Finally I thought I would make a sort of hanging, which is here.....

 

Along the way I added some shrink plastic charms, some furnishing trim and a selection of toning beads just to jazz it up a little. Not my usual sort of project at all, it's very pink and the trim took me longer than the rest of the bits put together, but it turned out OK.

Now, don't forget, next week we have the start of the first cycle of projects from Snazzys new DT and I'm sure you will give them a very warm welcome. I can't wait to see what they make!

Take care

Val xx

Snazzys DT Kit Graphic 45 Project #2

Good afternoon, hope you are all enjoying the lovely sunshine we have here today.

Just a quick post with some very simple cards I made with the leftovers from Monday's project.

 

I'll pop back on Friday with a hanging I made from all the fussy cut pieces I didn't use in Monday's project.

 

Take care

val xx

Snazzys Design Team Kit Graphic 45

Hello Val here with a very warm welcome to the start of first cycle of projects from Snazzy's brand new Design Team - if you missed the introductions then you can meet the new teamies Minxy here, Claire here, Lucy here and Diana here and I can't wait to see what they make!

Here's the first kit they have to work with....

.... Twelve Days of Christmas from Graphic 45 8x8 Paper Pad, Cling Stamps, 12x12 Stickers, 6x12 Pockets & Tags, and 6x12 Banners.

Very traditional with beautiful imagery in stunningly rich colour combinations. I have to confess that I loved these papers but actually found them quite difficult to work with, I'm much more of an inky painty crafter and find papers, stickers and embellishments a bit of a challenge but I had agreed to make a couple of workshop projects for Snazzys with the kit sooo....

  Firstly, a custom workshop especially for the wonderful Kathy & Co who are a delight to have in the studio (and if you want to see more of what they get up to you can find their ringleader's blog here)

I initially envisionaged, and started, a lot of fussy cutting from the papers but then decided workshops are supposed to be fun and fussy cutting is not for everyone so changed tack. These are the elements I used from the kit to which I added a house shaped shadow box, Sand and White Acrylic Paint from Eco Green Crafts, 12x12 sheet of Bazzill black cardstock, a Tim Holtz Ideaology Christmas Muse Token, Wizard Frosted Shrink Plastic, Tsukineko Versafine Ink in Olympia Green and a Creative Expressions medium glass vial coloured with Ranger Snowcap Alcohol Ink Mixative.

I finished up with a very different project than I had first intended but I was happy enough with it in the end.

  

I sneaked a quick photo of the calm before Kathy & Co arrived for the class.......

  

...and here are the finished results courtesy of Kathy's blog as I had forgotten to charge the studio camera. I know, must try harder!

Well, I will be back later in the week to share the cards I made for Wednesday's workshop and show you what happened to all the fussy cutting I did - nothing goes to waste lol, or at least that's my excuse reason for all the hoarding of bits and bobs.

Meantime, get well wishes to Debbie who was too poorly to join us on Saturday, and I hope you all manage to stay toastie in the colder weather forecast for this week.

Val xx

PS This workshop is also timetabled for Saturday 23 November and I have a couple of spaces, full details over on the main website.