Scrap N Grow

Archive for the ‘Metal’ Category

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 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 morning everyone and happy Friday! I want to first thank everyone for your inspiring compliments over the past week for my spring bulb garden box (shown below). Click here for link to last week’s spring bulb garden blog post.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Box

Today’s post is a bit unique in that it is not a finished project. Instead, it features an incredible product called VerDay that I have had in my stash for awhile. I bought it with great intentions…but never really used it, until now. VerDay is a specially formulated paint that has metal particles in it that when used with a chemical solution creates amazing patinas.  I have tried many of the patina paints on the market over he years, but I assure you , this VerDay paint is an exception.  I know, I sound like a commercial for them.  I will tell you up front, that I am not compensated by them, and have no affiliation with the manufacturer in any way…only that I am an avid fan of their product and unless they stumble upon my website…they have no idea that I am talking about them. Who is them? Who makes VerDay paint? Ten Seconds Studio owners Cheryl and Megan Darrow. They are the same duo whose metal art I fell in love with a couple of years ago.  I love their art metal product line of molds and tools.  Since I have had my blog, I have featured several embossed metal projects using many of their products. I included a few pictures below.

Metal Embossed Stainless Steel Coffee Tumblers

Metal Embossed Picture Frames

A few weeks ago,Ten Seconds Studio launched their first online class about VerDay.  I immediately signed up and knew this was the perfect way for me to break open my neglected VerDay product stash. The online class is 6 weeks long and each Monday, they will release a new set of technique and project videos.

Last week, in week one, Cheryl and Megan went into details about the properties and chemistry of VerDay.  After the technique videos, they suggested that participants (that’s me) to make a few samples. Translated…dive in and try it for yourself.  I went a bit overboard and made several samples for myself for each of their paints. VerDay product line has 4 paint colors: Iron, Brass, Bronze, and Copper.  I have included pictures below of my samples I made.  I experimented with several surfaces and made myself a sample ring of tags for future reference. Out of respect for myself and others who are paying to take the class, I will only share my final projects here.

VerDay Sample Tags #1

VerDay Sample Tags #2

VerDay Sample Tags #3

VerDay Sample Tags #4

Pretty cool huh? I do not think it is too late to join in the fun. I included a link above if you are interested. I am already in the midst of my week 2 projects…as well as a few of my own crazy ideas. I am so excited about this class and am afraid that I will need to buy more product now as a result. Cheryl and Megan made the comment that everything has VerDay potential. They are right! Especially as an avid gardener myself, I love and am drawn to weathered patina finishes.  I have paid big dollars over the years for containers, garden accents, and such.  No more! Now, I can make my own. Furthermore, I also feel good that this product is no longer sitting neglected in my stash.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I am also in the midst of finishing next month’s Paperie In Bloom for next week.  Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter everyone!

Michelle

Good evening everyone. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.  My fiance, Mike had dinner ready for me when I returned home from work.  He also bought me a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers…my favorite!

My Valentine’s Day gift to all my fellow blog readers is a bouquet of roses and a box of calorie free gourmet chocolates. Enjoy without the guilt!

Rose Bouquet and Chocolates

Roses tutorial can be found here.

I made the box of chocolates last year before I had a blog.  If there are enough requests, I will search for the exact materials and die cuts used.  Below are a few close ups of the chocolates.

Valentine’s Chocolates Close Up #1

Valentine’s Chocolates Close Up #2

Valentine’s Chocolates Close Up #3

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please stop back again soon for more inspiring ideas. Have a great evening.

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  Today, I have a quick Valentine’s Day gift idea for a loved one, a metal embossed picture frame.

Metal Embossed Valentine’s Day Picture Frame

This frame would also make for a great wedding or anniversary gift too.

Supplies Used:

Add A Little Dazzle Metal

Unfinished Frame from Michael’s

Mars Black Windsor & Newton Acrylic Paint

Black Velvet Ribbon from Michael’s

Embossing Folders: Romance (Provocraft), Conversation (Provocraft), Manhattan Flower (Stampin Up), and Valentine Background & Borders (Sizzix)

Thank you so much for stopping by. I greatly appreciate and welcome any comments or questions you may have. Please stay tuned later this week, for I am working diligently finishing assembly of this month’s Paperie In Bloom rose bouquet which I will feature on Thursday, Valentine’s Day.  Have a great evening.

Michelle

Good morning everyone! It is finally Friday! Today’s featured cards will conclude this week’s Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Cards week here at Scrap N Grow.

Set of 2 Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Background Cards

Supplies Used:

Add A Little Dazzle Metal Sheets

Valentine Background Embossing folder by Sizzix for Tim Holtz

Ribbon from Michael’s

Heart Trinkets from Stash

Close Ups:

Heavy Metal Valentine Background Card Close Up #1

Heavy Metal Valentine Background Card Close Up #2

Here is another card variation using the same embossing folder.

Set of 2 Heavy Metal Valentine Background Cards Variation #2

Supplies Used:

Add A Little Dazzle Metal Sheets

Valentine Background Embossing Folder by Sizzix for Tim Holtz

Embroidery Thread

Adage Tickets and Hinge Clips from Ideology

Close Ups:

Heavy Metal Valentine Background Card Close Up #3

Heavy Metal Valentine Background Card Close Up #4

Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you enjoyed this week’s Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day featured cards.  Next week, I will feature a few Valentine’s Day gift ideas.  Thank you again. Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Good morning everyone. Today is day four of Scrap N Grow’s Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Cards Week. Today’s featured cards focal image is from Provocraft’s Heart Blocks embossing folder. Metal is from Add A Little Dazzle and the die cut hearts are from Tim Holtz’s Sizzix Alterations line.

Heart Blocks Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Cards

Heart Blocks Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Card Close Up #1

Heart Blocks Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Card Close Up #2

Heart Blocks Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Card Close Up #3

Heart Blocks Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Card Close Up #4

Thank you again for stopping by. Please stay tuned tomorrow for another Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day card idea. Have a fabulous day!

Michelle

Good morning. Hope your week is going well.  Today, I have another heavy metal Valentine’s Day card to share with you.  I aptly named this card the Queen of Hearts.

Queen of Hearts Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Card

The focal image is a Provocraft embossing folder called Queen of Hearts. I embossed white Add A Little Dazzle metal. Once embossed, I used various Faber Castell Big Brush Pitt Pen Markers to color the image. I referenced a playing card to guide my choice of colors. I am really pleased with the results.  This card was fun to color and create. I also answered a burning question that I have had for awhile. Will Faber Castell Big Brush Pitt Pens permanently color metal? The answer is yes!!!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Please stop back again tomorrow for another set of heavy metal Valentine’s Day cards idea.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good evening everyone. I have another metal embossed card to share with you today. Today’s card focal image, cupid, was die cut using Tim Holtz’s Love Struck die by Sizzix. Cupid’s heart shaped balloon (Stampin Up heart shaped sweet treat cup) is filled with Sweethearts and M&M’s. The card’s background is embossed (Provocraft Conversations embossing folder) using 3 different color variations of  Add A Little Dazzle metal sheets.

Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Cards Week: Day Two

Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Conversations Card Close Up #1

Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Conversations Card Close Up #2

Heavy Metal Valentine’s Day Conversations Card Close Up #3

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please stop back tomorrow for another Heavy Metal Valentine Day Card idea.  Have a great night.

Michelle