"Crafty Secrets DT Challenge" - September Halloween

September 20, 2010

It's time again for another Crafty Secrets DT Challenge. For this challenge we are featuring the recent Halloween releases of Crafty Secrets. For this challenge I am featuring 2 Halloween Themed cards using The Costume Cuties Clear Art stamps. Once more Sandy has done an amazing job coming up with just the right images to create this stamp set perfect for Halloween.''

My first card is in the shape of a witches hat. I had so much fun creating this card. As you can see from the first picture below, I used the candy corn image to make the candy corn tassel at the bottom of the card. I just simply stamped the candy corn image 26 times, colored them with copic markers, cut them out, glued 2 pieces together and placed black string in between the 2 pieces. I then attached it to the bottom of the hat and added black pearls. After attaching it to the bottom I added some Liquid Embossing to give it some gloss.

If you lift the flap for the top part of the hat you have a sentiment that also comes from the same stamp set - "The Witching Hour"

And for the inside of the card I added some sentiments "Happy Halloween" and "Trick or Treat" witch also come from the same stamp set. The cute little innocent looking witch was stamped, colored with copic markers, cut and adhered with double sided foam. I also added a treat bag with some candies.

This second card is in the shape of a house. Once more I used the stamp images from "The Costume Cuties" and the "Halloween" Clear Arts Stamp sets. Once more is have the cute innocent little witch, then added the face of the moon and a witch flying on a broomstick.

When you open the door to the house you are greeted by a clown and 2 black cats.

Here is what the inside of the card looks like.

I sure hope you enjoyed these 2 cards I prepared for this special Crafty Secrets DT challenge. But that is not all, check out the projects of the rest of the DT members. I am sure that you will find more inspiration from them.

Vicki Chrisman- DT Leader
Linda Duke
Pam Hooten
Heidi Blankenship
Michelle Kovack
Melissa Phillips
Flo from France
Julie Campbell
Mary Hammer

And of coarse don't forget to also visit the Heartwarming Vintage Blog and Crafty Secrets site. Sandy always has exciting stories and new products to share as well.

Enjoy the day,

Marisa

Crafty Secrets DT NEW CHA Product Challenge

July 19th, 2010

Good Morning everyone. Hope you are all starting the day with lots of sun and warm weather.

Today, the Design Team of Crafty Secrets has lots of new products to share with you. We are holding a challenge featuring some of the new products that were recently released.

My main project for today is an Artist Supply Bag. I spotted this wooden bag in the clearance section of Michael's and thought that is would make a perfect bag to hold some of my art supplies and at the same time use the Art Supply stamp set of Crafty Secrets. I started this project by first crumpling up a Manila File folder and then lightly passing some Vintage Photo Distressing Ink over the creases. Then I ironed out the paper and distressed it further with Spiced Marmalade, Broken China and Peeled Paint distressing ink. Similar colors to the tag that I posted a while back. In fact this is a bag to go hand in hand with that tag. Then I started stamping the different stamp images from the Art Supply stamp set. Once I was done I coated the top of the wooden box with Clear Glossy Accents. I let that completely dry up and while waiting I continued distressing the other sides of the box. I then assembled the different sides of the box, added some Prima Flowers, Class A Peel stickers for the edges, leaves from the Vine borderabilities of Spellbinders.

 Here is a close-up of the box. I also used the Classic Lace Border Grand for the bottom edges of the box and added some half pearls.

 
This is a tag that I made using one of the stamps and Labels 10 nestabilities from Spellbinders. I used a shiny gold cardstock for the frame.

Added some Art supplies for the finished product.

Next projects are hanging frames that I made using the Birds and Blossoms Creative Scraps. The frames are from the Sweet Chips chipboard frames. For the first one I coated the top with a Gold Leafing Pen, added some gold half pearls and a sweet image from the Birds and Blossoms Creative scraps. I coated the top of the image with some Crackle Glossy Accents. The top ornamental leaves is from the Vintage Findings pieces.

Next hanging frame uses another Sweet Chips frame and image from the Birds and Blossoms Creative scraps. I used copic marker to paint the frame and coated it with Glossy accents and then some Class A Peel stickers. Image was also coated with Glossy Accents. Rose flower and leaves were added for accents.

Next project are some cards that I made using more images from the Birds and Blossoms Creative Scarps. For the first card I adhered double sided tape on the top of the image and added some Clear Ultra fine glitter from Gitter Ritz, then burnished it to bring out the shine of the glitter. DP is Basic Grey.  Flower was made using cotton material that was cut 1 inch wide and then twisted and folded around a round cardboard. Leaves are from the On the Vine Border Grand from Spellbinders.

For this next card I adhered the double sided tape on top of the chipboard frame and added some yellow glitter. Then I burnished the glitter to bring out the shine then coated it with New Leaf Copic markers to match the DP the I was using. DP is Basic Greys June Bug and Urban Prairie. Bird image is once more from the Birds and Blossoms Creative Scrap. Buttons and ribbon were used to finish up the card. the card sketch was taken from this weekends sketch over at CPS.

This next card uses stamps from the Birdies at Home stamp set. Stamped the images onto vellum with Onyx Black Versafine ink. Then I colored the back of the vellum with Copic markers and added some half pearls to the front of the cage. Vellum, brown metallic cardstock were cut using the Labels 10 nestabilities from Spellbinders. DP is Basic Greys Cappella. Added Ribbon and more half pearls to finish off the card.

My last project is another note pad using the Office 101 stamp set. Covered the note pad with paper from Basic Grey and distressed the edges with Vintage Photo distressing ink. Stamped some images from the Office 101. Used Martha Stewarts Embroidered Floral border punch to make the strips of blue paper and added some ribbon in between the slits.

Well thank you for taking the time to look at the projects that I created for today's DT challenge. Now it is time to hop over to the blogs of the rest of the Design Team. I am sure they have special projects to share with you today:

Vicki Chrisman
Linda Duke
Pam Hooten
Michele Kovack
Melissa Phillips
Flo from France
Julie Campbell
Deborah March

For more news and updates to all the products that are coming out soon, please go to the Crafty Secrets site and Heartwarming Vintage Blog.

Have a wonderful day.
Marisa

Crafty Secrets DT Technique Challenge

June 21, 2010


It is time for another Crafty Secrets Design Team challenge. For this month we are focusing on techniques. Today \i will share with you a technique that I saw being used in someones blog. I am not sure who's blog featured this technique but when I saw it I knew right away that I wanted to try it out with the Vintage Postcard kit of Crafty Secrets.

This technique is a 3D Pyramid Layered Image and it uses one of the 6 images that you can find in the Beat Buds Vintage Postcard Kit as seen in the picture below ... I used the bottom image for my project.

 I first cut all around the image and 2 of the smaller pieces that come with the set.

Then I used the Labels 4 nestabilities from Spellbinders to cut out the different layers of the pyramid. For this I just used one image. You can also use 6 different copies of the same image to make your layers. I was trying to be thrifty and decided to try it out with one only. I also cut out the the same layers in full using a cream colored cs so that I could adhere the different layers of the image on it. This is how it looks combined with the cs.

Once that was done, I embossed each layer with the spellbinders Labels 4 die, distressed the edges with Vintage Photo distressing ink and then proceeded to layer them one on top of the other. This is what it looks like after doing that.

You can see how the layers look when they are stacked one on top of another pyramid style. The bottom layers was adhered to the chipboard piece that comes in the kit. I then used a file to remove the excess piece from the bottom layer and decorate the top with glitter, some cut out stamped butterflies (this stamps also comes in the kit), 2 embellishment images (also from the kit), gold leafing pen for the bottom edges and ribbon. For the backside of the postcard, I used more stamps from the kit and distressed the edges with Vintage Photo distressing ink. All this can be seen in the next few photos...

This is how the finish project looks like front and back when it was all finished.

  

 

 I also added a glass hanging ornament that you can find in the Vintage Findings package.

 

 Time to take a look that what the rest of the Design Team have to share with you today. Please take a moment to click on each of them below and it will link directly to their respective blogs...

Vicki Chrisman - DT Leader

Pam Hooten

Linda Duke

Heidi Blankenship

Marisa Grosson - that's me ---- you're here

Michele Kovack

Mellisa Phillips

Flo from France

Julie Campbell

Deborah March

Lastly, don't forget to keep up-to-date on the latest news that Sandy shares in the Heartwarming Vintage Blog and the Crafty Secrets site.

Enjoy the day,

Marisa

Crafty Secrets Photo Challenge

May 1st, 2010

Good Morning! Happy National Scrapbooking Day to everyone. Today the Design Team of Crafty Secrets is hosting a blog hop in celebration of National Scrapbooking Day. We are featuring a photo in our project.

I used several products from Crafty Secrets for my project today which are the 3-D Landscape Frame, Birdies at Home stamp Set, Cherish stamp set, Bird Lovers stamp set, Material Girl stamp set, Classic Paper Designs, and some gold stickers and vintage embellishments that will be available soon.

First picture is a full view of the frame. The picture is one that was taken at the reception of my parents wedding day.

This is a close-up shot of the left side of the frame, that features an ornate branch and a bird cage from the new Birdies at Home stamp set.

Here is the middle section of the frame that has a wonderful picture of my parents on their wedding day. Frame is embellished with some gold stickers, Vintage looking buttons and lace.

Then there is the right side of the frame that uses more stamped images from the Birdies at Home, Material Girl and Bird Lovers stamp sets.

Now don't forget that the rest of the Crafty Secrets Design Team have more to share with you today and some are hosting the $50 Gift Certificate giveaway. Here they all are with quick links to their blogs:

· Vicki Chrisman Team Leader ($50 GC)
· Pam Hooten
· Heidi Blankenship ($50 GC)
· Linda Duke ($50 GC)
· Michele Kovack
· Melissa Phillips ($50 GC)
· Michelle Van Etten ($50 GC)
· Flo from France ($50 GC)
· Julie Campbell
. Deborah March

And last but not the least, check out the Crafty Secrets and Heartwarming Vintage Blogs, Sandy has lots more to share with you today.

Now I am off to see what the rest of the Design Team has done.

Crafty Secrets DT Spring Fling Challenge

March 29, 2010

Well it is time for another Crafty Secrets Design Team Challenge, this time our theme is Spring (Easter, Birdies or Pastel Spring). I have made several project to share with you for this challenge.

My first project, uses the Portrait Frame Set that was released early this year at the CHA. This was designed by our DT leader Vicki Chrisman. Crafty Secrets partnered with AccuCut to come up this this versatile die set. It is available in both Portrait and Landscape versions. Crafty Secrets also sells pre-cut designer paper which is available online.

So for my shadow box frame I used stickers from the Spring Joys Heartwarming Vintage Stickers, sentiment from the Easter Creative Scraps, stamps from the Easter Joy stamp set and an image from the Birds & Blossom Creative Scraps. Designer paper is from the Pastel Paper Designs of Crafty Secrets.

Next are 2 cards with an Easter theme. This is a boy and girl Easter card that uses images from the Easter Creative Scraps and designer paper from the Pastel Paper Designs.


Next 2 cards are 2 more Easter Cards using another image from the Easter Creative Scraps and an image from the original Seasonal Heartwarming Vintage Booklets. Using the creastive scraps are so easy to work with especially when you are in a rush to make something quick it is the greatest thing to have around. There are so many different themes that you can work with. Aside from the Easter set, there is a Calendar, Christmas, Birds & Blossoms, Domestic Goddess, Garden, Girlfriends, Travel, Altered Fairies and Wacky Animals.

And the last card I made for todays challenge uses an image from the Birds & Blossom Creative Scraps.

Now, enough for the projects that I have shared with you today. Now it is time to take a look at the projects our talented design team have to share with you today. Simply click on their names and it will lead you to their blog.

Vicki Chriman (DT leader)

Pam Hooten

Linda Duke

Heidi Blankenship

Michele Kovack

Michelle Van Etten

Melissa Phillips

Flo from France

Hope you all enjoyed what we have shared with you today and that you are enjoying some "Spring" like weather.

New 3D Shadow Boxes and Altered Fairy Scraps for CHA

January 14, 2010

Wow, I can't believe that this is my first blog post for the year. What better way to start it with a Crafty Secrets DT Blog hop CHA reveal.

So the secret is now out.

Our very talented DT leader Vicki Chrisman came up with this fantastic idea. So Crafty Secrets in partnership with AccuCut helped make this idea become a reality. Vicki's idea was 2 kinds of 3D Shadow Box Cards, which is available in a Portrait or Landscape style. And what better time to release these fantastic dies - of course in the upcoming CHA Show! Now each of these dies is designed to work great with the new Altered Fairy Scraps from Crafty Secrets. So today, our Design Team is all geared up to showcase to all of you these versatile and creative 3D Shadow Boxes!

My project for this reveal is a Photo Shadow Box. I used the Landscape style die and paper from the Classic Paper Designs of Heartwarming Vintage Collection. I assembled the various pieces and used an adorable picture of my mom taken when she was just 2 months old. Used some half pearls all around the inside frame . Edges of the die cut pieces were distressed with Vintage Photo Distressing Ink. All the printed images that I used for this project are from the Altered Fairy Scraps and stamps came from the Baby Girl Clear Art stamp set.


Each 3D die (Portrait or Landscape) has a center shadow box style 'stage' to showcase a multitude of creative themes and styles. Some of the projects you can create with them are photo keepsakes, 3D cards, shaker boxes, altered art and dioramas. Both these dies will be available from AccuCut and discouted 25% off, for orders that are placed at the CHA Show. Crafty Secrets will also be selling Kits, with or without the Fairy Scraps included.

If you would like to die cut your own paper, you can always ask your favorite store to order these dies. Many stores will let you use their dies, you simply just have to buy the paper that you want use from them. AccuCut sells to a vcariety of retail stores, teachers, kit clubs and consumers.These dies will be available for purchase online in February.

* 3D Shadow Box Portrait Die #VC101SJ $165.00 (25% off at CHA Show)
* 3D Shadow Box Landscape Die #VC102CD $165.00 (25% off at CHA Show)

To see more sample from the rest of the Design Team, simply click on their names and it will bring you to their respective blogs ...

Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Michele Kovack

Michelle Van Etten

Melissa Phillips

Don't forget to also visit the Heartwarming Vintage Blog for other samples and more information of things to come.

Crafty Secrets DT Blog Challenge Lacey Happy Holidays

November 23, 2009

Excitement is in the air as we celebrated the Holiday Season. Today the Crafty Secrets Design Team is having a Christmas Blog Challege. And to top it of we are happy to have the talented Darlene join us in this challenge as well.



Today I have prepared a Christmas card made out of stickers from the Heavenly Christmas Heartwarming Vintage Sticker collection. Lots of card markers scramble to make last minute Christmas cards as that special Holiday nears. When you are pressed for time, all you have to do is grab one of the several stickers available from Crafty Secrets. Each of these sticker sheets are loaded with different elegant and fun images to help you make that special card for that very special person.


OK on to the card. The image of Santa carry a load of toys in his sack was placed on a deep red cs. I then free hand cut just around the borders of the sticker leaving about an eight of an inch of cs showing. The edges of the cs was outlined with a gold Sakura metallic gel pen. I then die cut and embossed an off white cs with the Lace Pendant die from Spellbinders. Edges of the piece was distressed with Walnut Stain distressing ink and lined with the metallic gold gel pen. This was then matted with the deep red cs. I used double sided foam tape to adhere the setiment "Happy Holidays" to the bottom of the Lace piece. Then I proceeded to die cut the corners (used the Lace Borderabilities) and centre edges (used a flourishy lace from the pendant set) with the deep red cs. Once again I outlined all the edges with the gold pen. Then to finish this card up I added some gold half pearls in various areas of the die cut pieces.


Now let me take you to the blogs of our other DT members who have created lovely projects for you today.


Vicki
Heidi
Pam
Linda
Michele
Melissa
Michelle
Flo


and our special guest:


Darlene


HAPPY MONDAY EVERONE.

Crafty Secrets Design Team Challenge and a Give-a-way

October 30, 2009

It is time for another Crafty Secrets DT challenge organized once more by out Team leader, Vicki Chrisman. Today's challenge is to create a "Bird" themed project.

In addition to this challenge, it is my turn for the $30 Gift Certificate draw that Sandy, owner of Crafty Secrets, is giving away to one lucky winner. Very simple, you just have to leave me a comment on my blog together with a little blurb on what Crafty Secrets product you have used in any of your projects. I give you up to the stroke of midnight on Halloween eve to leave your comment and I will then select one lucky winner.

Now on to the project I will share with you today. For my "bird" theme, I used 3 adorable images available in the "Birds and Blossoms" Creative Scraps. There are actually 22 adorable images to create with. I also used a frame from the Square Sweet Chips chipboard, which is also from Crafty Secrets.

First of all I covered 2 frames with a DP from the Pastel Paper Designs and 2 images that I placed back to back between the 2 frames. I then used a Clear Star Metallic Sakura pen to add some glitter to the bird and flowers in the image. All around the edges of the first piece, I added some Diamond Dust and Crystal Snow together with some Prima flowers that were sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Added a flower button to the Prima. For the other side I used the other 2 images, one for the inside of the frame and another that I cut out as accent piece to go hand in hand with the "bird" theme. I also used some pearl pebble embelishments on the frame. Now to hang the frame I stringed some pearly white and blue beads and attached it between the frames.

I sure hope that you enjoyed viewing the project I shared with you today. Please visit the rest of our Design Team members individual blogs and most especially the Heartwarming Vintage blog which has another surprise give-a-way. All the links to these blogs I have conveniently listed below for you.

Vicki Chrisman

Pam Hooten

Heidi Blankenship

Michele Kovack

Linda Duke

Michelle Van Etten

FlorenceTeixeira - New DT

Melisa Waldorf - Guest Designer

Heartwarming Vintage Blog

Crafty Secrets

Enjoy the rest for your Friday, Halloween and weekend.

Marisa

Thanksgiving Day

September 25, 2009

Today is a special day for the ladies of the Crafty Secrets Design Team as we are having a Crafty Secrets Design Team Blog Hop. So please join me in visiting each of the DT members blog listed in the links below and see the beautiful work that they have prepared for you today.

Vicki, our beloved team leader has asked us to make a project using any CS stamp set and your card or layout should be a different shape or size.

My project for today uses the Thanksgiving stamp set and Sweet Chips Chipboard from Crafty Secrets. The stamped images were stamped on an off-white cs with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. Image was colored with various colors of Copic markers then die cut and embossed with the Labels 4 nestabilities from Spellbinders. Edges were distressed by sponging Tea Dye distress ink and also lined with a gold metallic gelly roll pen from Sakura. The panel was mounted on to burgandy cs and sprayed with Old Lace Glimmer Mist. I covered the Sweet Chips chipboard with burgandy cs and a DP from the Radiant Paper Pad of Crafty Secrets. Edges were also lined with the gold metallic gelly roll pen. Added a gold ribbon to finish my project.

Now it is time to take a look at other projects prepared for you by the rest of out team. Simply click on each of their names and you will be amazed at what they have prepared for you.

• Vicki Chrisman

• Anna Wight

• Michele Kovack

• Linda Duke

• Pam Hooten

• Heidi Blankenship

Don't forget to also visit the following sites of Crafty Secrets and Heartwarming Vintage Collection.

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful Friday and coming weekend.

Marisa