Scrap N Grow

Good morning everyone and Happy Mother’s Day to all moms. My mom is in heaven, but I know she still watches over me.  Below is one of our favorite pictures that was taken months before her passing.

2006: My Mom and I in Las Vegas being goofy

Picture was taken on a trip we took to Las Vegas. We had a blast hanging out as best friends.  My mom and I have always been close and had a very special relationship, for every 7 years, my birthday falls on Mother’s Day, including the year I was born. Since her passing, this day has always been difficult and quite emotional for me as I still miss her so much.

On a lighter note, I also have a Paperie In Bloom card to share today as well.

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Lilacs Note Card

For those of you who are visiting for the first time……Welcome.  Paperie In Bloom is a monthly blog feature here at Scrap N Grow. Each month, I select and feature a new bloom with an accompanying tutorial.

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Lilacs

Click here to view this month’s tutorial. Then throughout the month, I feature additional projects that highlight the bloom of the month. Today’s card showcases a bunch of lilacs in full bloom. The focal image is a retired PSX stamp. I stamped the lilacs with Versamark and embossed image with Ranger’s Superfine Detail Black embossing powder. Once cool, I colored the image with various colors of Faber Castell Polychromos colored pencils.

Next, I embossed a 5X5 lilac metal sheet from Add A Little Dazzle using Provocraft’s Wicker Weave embossing folder. Afterwards, I used a Ten Seconds Studio burnishing block to highlight the embossed areas. Lastly, I adhered the card’s layers and placed an Idealolgy Long Fastener accent in each of the four corners for an added detail.

This was a very simple and fun card to make. Thank you so much for stopping by.  The forecast  finally looks promising for this week that I am hopeful that I will be able to prepare my garden beds for planting next week. Have a great day!

Michelle

Good Morning everyone. How was your weekend? Did you celebrate National Scrapbooking Day on Saturday? I do not scrapbook very often, but I did spend some time finishing  my final projects for my online VerDay class.  I recently took an online class taught by Ten Seconds Studio called VerDay online class.  Click here for more information as the class is available anytime. Below are my remaining two projects: Wired Blooms and a Triptych (photos below).

VerDay Wired Blooms

VerDay Triptych

This 6 week class was jam packed with inspiration, techniques, and creative play. I would encourage anyone who loves to incorporate surface texture or antique finishes into their art to take it.  I created so many things and used every ounce of my VerDay paint stash.  It was a great accomplishment for me. I have so many more ideas in mind and will need to re order more VerDay.  I provided a recap below of projects I posted previously.

Butterflies VerDay Picture Frame

Watering Can VerDay Picture Frame

Songbird VerDay Picture Frame

Faucets VerDay Picture Frame

Fly VerDay Picture Frame

VerDay T-Shirt Front Side

Poppy Pod VerDay Canvas

I also made several sample tags as well as created several mixed media surfaces  that I intend to use for die cuts later.  Kudos to Cheryl and Megan at Ten Seconds Studio for being great teachers and to my fellow classmates for a fun, inspiring classroom experience.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. I will be back later this week with more inspiration.  Have a great day.

Michelle

Happy May Day everyone.  I am excited to reveal and share a new Paperie In Bloom bouquet with you.  This month’s featured bloom is the lilac, a harbinger of Spring.

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Blooming Lilacs

If this is your first time to Scrap N Grow, welcome.  Each month, I select and feature a new bloom with an accompanying tutorial.Then throughout the month, I feature additional projects that highlight the bloom of the month. This month’s tutorial is a different format,primarily pictures. I would appreciate your feedback regarding if the pictures are more helpful or if I should revert back to step by step written instructions.

Step By Step Blooming Lilacs Tutorial

Lilac Die Cut Shape

Apply Color To Lilac Die Cut

Apply Additional Color to Lilac Die Cut Shape

Punch Center Hole In Lilac Die Cut Shapes

Mold Petal Shapes and Complete Final Assembly

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Blooming Lilacs

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Close Up #1 of Lilacs

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Close Up #2 of Lilacs

Due to complexity and weight of a lilac bloom, I used artificial stems.  I disassembled the silk blooms and used the plastic stems to attach my paper petals.Each branch of lilacs has 3 medium sized blooms and one large one. Each branch has about 400 petals and took about 2 hours to complete final assembly. Attaching the petals was very tedious but well worth it.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone.  I hope your week is off to a good start. Mine has been a bit winter like yet as I awoke to yet another 3 inches of heavy, white snow.  If it were not April, I would say it was incredibly beautiful and picturesque…but being that it was April…arrrrgghhh.  This was our 3rd spring snowstorm here in MN this year…please Mother Nature…I am begging you to let it be spring….

I absolutely love spring as it is a time of rebirth and renewal.  This is also true for our backyard feathered friends, birds.  If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I am a passionate and avid gardener, but you may not have known that I also enjoy bird watching.  My home’s landscape is a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Foundation and has a 5000 sq ft. professionally maintained native prairie restoration garden.  These two habitats provide birds with food, housing, water, and cover from predators; all of which are critical for birds to reproduce healthy offspring. Pictured below is a picture of my native prairie restoration garden from last year.

Native Prairie Restoration Garden

Birds have their pick of nesting accommodations within my home’s landscape: bird houses, trees, shrubs, potted containers, under the eaves of our deck,etc.. ..I really do not mind.  However, I do have to keep watch and observe closely in order to locate various bird’s nests so that I do not accidentally disturb them.  Today’s featured project was inspired by my study of bird’s nests over the past years.

Egg Study Shadow Box

Pictured above is an egg study shadow box containing an artful interpretation of nine of my favorite backyard visitors eggs. I  applied a coat of Ver Day Iron paint to a recycled a shallow cloth gift box. Afterwards,  I lined the shadow box with tissue paper from 7 Gypsies and applied a top coat of matte Mod Podge. The eggs are paper mache and were painted with various colors of acrylic paints and adhered to the inside of the box with Helmar Scrap Dots. Next, I created a label for the box using a Dymo label maker and inserted the Dymo label into an Ideology label pull.  Lastly, I attached a saw tooth hanger on the back side.

Overall, this was a fun project to make and would be a great project if you have kids.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I will be back soon with another inspiring project to share.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  I sure hope your week is going better than mine.  The weather has dampened my positive and spring spirit a bit. We are under yet another winter storm warning thru Friday.  Really? I do not understand why Mother Nature is being so cruel. Because I can not alter the weather, I need to create my own spring. This weekend while my fiance rebuilt my computer, I started a handful of upcoming spring themed projects.  Today’s card was one of my spring ideas. Enjoy!

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Magnolia Note Card

This card’s beautiful magnolia image is a PSX stamp.  I stamped the image with Versamark ink and embossed with Ranger’s Superfine Detail Black embossing powder onto Canson Illustration Paper. I love how heavyweight this paper is.  I colored the image with various Distress Paints from Ranger. I applied the Distress paint with a water brush also from Ranger. Distress paint colors used: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Mustard Seed, Walnut Stain, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss.

After image was colored and dried, I used an ink blending tool and lightly applied Antique Linen Distress Ink around the perimeter of the image. I added some Ideology Long Fasteners to each corner. Lastly, I layered the magnolia image onto embossed metal ( Acanthus Anna Griffin Cuttlebug embossing folder) and Kraft card stock.

Hopefully spring is really around the corner. I am really anxious for my Magnolia trees to bloom this year as they did not bloom last year due to a late season frost.  Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week….I unfortunately need to go find my snow shovel once again.:)

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone! Happy Friday! Today, I will announce the winner of a $30 gift card. Winner has until next Friday April 19, 2013 at 11:59 pm CST to claim their gift card. Winner must email me at michelle@scrapngrow.com. Be sure to include which store you would like a gift card to as well as your mailing address. Winner gets their choice of gift card from one of the following stores: Archiver’s, Joann’s, or Michael’s.

I used Random.org for the first time in order to determine the winner.  I followed their instructions. and Random.org performed the official, random drawing.

Drumroll please……………………………..the winner is:

The winner of your drawing is…

Congratulations on the drawing! It was completed on Friday, 12 April 2013 at 13:01:24 UTC The winner was drawn from a list of 12 entrants using true randomness, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random number algorithms typically used in computer programs. You will find the permanent record of the drawing here: http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=14402.

CONGRATULATIONS Liz!!!!!   Be sure to email me with your information as noted above before next Friday 11:59pm CST.

I also have some nature inspired picture frames  to share with you today.

I made each of these frames as part of an ongoing online class I am taking called VerDay. The class is completely online and is being taught by the owners of Ten Seconds Studio, Cheryl and Megan Darrow. The class has been so much fun!  Out of respect for us that are taking the class, I will not provide technique details, but I will provide details about the finishing touches following each picture frame.  Click here for class information.

Fly VerDay Picture Frame

Picture frame purchased unfinished from Michael’s.  Dragonfly is rustic tin from my stash and the bottle cap and letter type embellishments are from Darice . Image is a piece of decorative card stock from stash.

Faucets VerDay Picture Frame

Picture frame purchased unfinished from Michael’s. Faucet knobs/handles are from Tim Holtz’s Ideaology line. Rain boot image is a decorative piece of card stock from scrap stash. Stamped sentiment is from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous. Sentiment was embossed with Versamark and Ranger Superfine Detail black embossing powder.

Songbird VerDay Picture Frame

Picture frame purchased from Michael’s. Songbird image and sentiment are both from Stampendous.  Songbird is colored with Distress Ink markers from Ranger. Dogwood twigs are from my garden. Bird nest and eggs are from Michael’s.  Eggs were colored blue with Alcohol Ink Fillable Pen and Stream Alcohol Ink, both products are from Ranger Ink.

Watering Can VerDay Picture Frame

Picture frame purchased unfinished from Michael’s. Watering can is rusted tin shape is from my stash. I punched a hole using a Crop O Dile in the watering can and attached via a jump ring a Teresa Collins facet. I used Sail Boat Blue Alcohol ink by Ranger Ink to custom color the facet. Focal image is a Stampendous background stamp stamped with Sepia Archival ink by Ranger.

Butterflies VerDay Picture Frame

Picture frame purchased unfinished from Michael’s. Butterfly embellishments are Vintaj brass blanks. Butterflies were embossed with a Vintaj Deco Etch embossing folder and painted afterwards with Vintaj Patina paint. Once dry, butterflies were sanded and painted with an acrylic brown paint and rubbed off before dry to create an aged appearance. Butterfly bodies are made from dark annealed stove pipe wire from stash and adhered with E6000 adhesive purchased from Michael’s.  Focal image is a Tim Holtz stamp from his Stampers Anonymous line. Image is stamp onto Kraft card stock with Sepia Archival ink from Ranger.

I hope you enjoyed today’s picture frames.  They were so much fun to make.  I would highly recommend Ten Seconds Studio to anyone interested in creating patina finishes for their art. The possibilities are endless.  Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone! Today is hump day! Here in Minnesota, we are bracing for more snow and are under a Winter Storm Warning. AARRGGHH!!!! The snow was just about melted.

Before I highlight today’s post, a VerDay t-shirt, I wanted to remind everyone that today is the last chance to register to win a $30 gift card to either Archiver’s, Joann’s, or Michael’s in honor of my first blog-o-versary. Cut off is at 11:59om on April 10, 2013.  Click here to enter.

Today I have a totally out of my normal type of project to share….a VerDay t-shirt.  I made this t-shirt as part of my ongoing online VerDay class hosted and taught by Cheryl and Megan Darrow of Ten Seconds Studio. VerDay is a specialty product line that yields some very cool results. Out of respect for those of us paying to take the class, I do not feel comfortable going into the technique, etc used.  The class is online and is still available to those interested.  Click here for class information. What I can share with you, is that I used Donna Downey’s Grunge Flower stencil from her Prima line. I love the results and featured a few pictures below.

VerDay T-Shirt Front Side

VerDay T-Shirt Back Side

VerDay T-Shirt Close Up #1

VerDay T-Shirt Close Up #2

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. It is finally Friday!!!! My week 3 VerDay Online Class assignment is ready for you.  I decided to think outside the box and complete my assignment on a 8X10 canvas.

Poppy Pod Canvas

I do not feel comfortable about going  into specifics in regards to techniques used on the canvas out of respect for those of us who have paid to take the online class. I used a new poppy stencil from Michelle Ward and her coordinating stamps for the label. I love how this canvas turned out. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone.  This canvas is the result of a what if….. moment.  Below are a few close ups.

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #1

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #2

Poppy Pods Canvas Close Up #3

Poppy Canvas Close Up Of Label

Be brave and embrace your inner thoughts.  I am yet embellishing my week 2 assignments and will post those as soon as they are finished.  Thank you for stopping by.  Don’t forget to sign up for my $30 gift card drawing to help celebrate my first blog-o-versary. Click here to sign up. Have a great day!

Michelle

Today is my first blog-o-versary! I can hardly believe it.  My first post was titled, “A Cricut Garden“ pictured below.

A Cricut Garden Canvas

This 12X24 canvas which replicates my home’s gardens later became my blog’s header image. I did not realize that my niche, Paperie In Bloom, a monthly blog series, would arise from that canvas. Pictured below is this month’s bloom, forced magnolia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

I thought it would be fun to look back and reflect upon and share a few milestones from the past year:

Last year, I published 140 blog posts.

My Google Analytics annual report indicated that Scrap N Grow had 15,000+ blog views!

A few of my projects were spotted and/or highlighted on other blogs and social media platforms. Pictured below are a few projects that were spotlighted.

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge Entry Week 3

Metal Embossed Picture Frames

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Week 22: Riveted Patchwork Art Bird

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Hydrangea Pillow

I even won a few challenges on other blogs including Tim Holtz and Studio L3.

Compendium of Curiosities II Challenge Entry Week 19

Tim Holtz’s Tags of 2012, June Edition

Two of my flower bouquets (poppies and peonies) were spotted by Northridge Publishing and later published in a Cricut Home Decor Idea book.

Bouquet of Peonies published in 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Bouquet of Poppies published in 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Over the past year, I really feel I have grown immensely as an “artist” as a result of taking several online classes from established online designers including Christy Tomlinson, Donna Downey, and Tim Holtz.

But the most prized milestone for me… is all of YOU who have supported me along my creative path. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

As a expression of my gratitude and appreciation, I am giving away a few prize packs this month. This week, I am giving away a $30.00 gift card to either Archiver’s, Joann’s, or Michael’s, winner’s choice. To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post before 11:59 CST on Wednesday April 10, 2013. Winner will be announced on Friday April 12, 2013. The winner will have 1 week to claim gift card via email to michelle@scrapngrow.com. Only one entry per person.

Looking ahead…..I  plan on of course continuing to inspire you each month with a new Paperie In Bloom, as well as starting a few new regular blog features once our home remodel project is finished.  I am also in the process of learning a few new blogging skills and incorporating ideas from a few online blogging classes that I am currently taking.  Lastly, this week, I created a Pinterest business page for Scrap N Grow in order to comply with Pinterest’s updated terms of use rules. The Pinterest button on the left hand side bar now directs you to the Scrap N Grow Pinterest page and no longer to my personal page.  Note: If you are following me under my personal name, do not worry, as I will still continue to update that page as well. Pinterest fans, please be patient as I am in the process of uploading all of my previous blog posts projects to Scrap N Grow’s  new Pinterest business page.

In closing, I am so glad that I arose above my insecurities and hesitations that I had about starting a blog and indeed started one. I now only regret that I didn’t start blogging  sooner. It is so much fun. My wish is that you will continue alongside me and that together we can learn, grow, and share more art with each other in order to make this world a more creative place.  Have a fabulous day!

Michelle

Good morning and Happy April Fool’s Day everyone!  I can hardly believe it is already April.  I have an amazing treat in store for you today, a new Paperie in Bloom tutorial.  I absolutely love with this month’s Paperie In Bloom featured flower, forced magnolia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

If this is your first time visiting Scrap N Grow, Paperie in Bloom is a monthly blog feature.  Each month on or about the first, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase. Then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects to highlight the chose bloom of the month.  Last month, we made a spring bulb garden box over the course of 4 weeks.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Box

This month’s Paperie In Bloom is the magnolia. I am smitten with magnolia’s impressive size and sweet smelling blooms that scream Spring to me.  Consider yourself forewarned that the tutorial is a long one…but well worth it. Grab a beverage and enjoy.

Magnolia Branches Supply List:

Provocraft Gypsy and Cricut Electronic Die Cutting Machine

Cricut Cartridge: Flower Shoppe (Image used is 3rd row down and 4th image in from left hand side)

Bazzill Card Stock.

Coloring Agent if not making white magnolias.  I used Distress Ink Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry

Mini Mister

Jewelry Wire, Flat Nose Jewelry Pliers, and Wire Cutter

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Hinge Clips of Jaw Clamps

Magnolia Branches Instructions:

1. Select petal shape and size accordingly to your preference (mine are approximately 1X4 inches). I used die cut image from the Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge.

2. Die cut petals. I cut 12 for each single bloom, 24 for each double bloom, and 6 for each magnolia bud.

3. Color petals as desired with a coloring agent.  I used Ranger’s Distress Inks Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry. Once colored on both sides, I used a mini mister to blend the colors for a gradation of color effect.

4. Next, cut a length of thin gauge jewelry wire about an inch shorter than the length of the petal.

5. Slightly bend one petal so that you form a center crease.  Place a bead of Inkessentials Glossy Accents and lay wire into adhesive.

6. Lay a second petal on top of petal with wire to create a wire sandwich. Use a set of hinge clips or jaw clamps to hold together until dry. This is to prevent rippling seam edges.

7. Once wired petals are dry, go ahead and lightly shape them as desired.

Pictured below are a few close ups.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Magnolia Flower In Bud Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Single Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Double Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Final Assembly Instructions:

1. Gather supplies including: faux branches, hot glue gun and heat safe mat, and tweezers.

2. For each branch, I made one magnolia bud, one single bloom, and two double blooms for a total of 4 flowers on each branch.  To save time, I used fuzzy faux branches for mine and repurposed 1/2 inch plastic cup circles from my stash of artificial stems.  Other viable options include using real branches or floral tape wrapped wire branches covered with Flower Soft or Flocking Powder.

3. Using a hot glue gun, adhere 3 petals in a triangular pattern. Adhere next 4 petals offset to the first three for a single bloom and for the bud.  Repeat this step 2 more times for a double bloom. NOTE: If your center base does not have a center hole already, be sure to punch one before adhering petals. This is where your flower will attach to the faux branch. For the bud, I used a tiny Styrofoam egg shape in the very center to help shape and give substance to the bud.

4. Once all flower assemblies are complete, attach flowers to faux branches and shape again as desired.

Magnolia ID Tag Supply List:

2 Tags

Twist Tie

PSX Magnolia Stamp

Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

Ranger Black Superfine Detail Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Non Stick Craft Sheet

Ranger Water Brush

Distress Paint: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, and Walnut Stain

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad

Magnolia ID Tag Instructions:

1. Stamp and emboss magnolia image onto tag using Versamark embossing ink and Ranger’s Superfine Detail Embossing Powder.

2. Color as desired using various colors of Ranger Distress Paints with a water brush.

3. Adhere additional tag to backside of tag for a clean tag back.

4. Lightly ink the edges with a complimentary color around the edges.

5. Lastly, secure tag to magnolia branches with either a ribbon, string, or a twist tie.

Pictured below is a close up of my magnolia tag.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches ID Tag

Finally, display your new faux magnolia branches in a desired vessel. I used a tall glass cylinder for mine and placed polished river rock in the bottom for accent.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed this month’s featured Paperie In Bloom flower.  Stay tuned for I have completed additional VerDay projects from week two of my ongoing online class.  Have a fabulous day and Happy April Fool’s Day.

Michelle