Monday, August 19, 2013

OBSESSED WITH LABELING!

HEY Y'ALL! I HOPE YOU ARE ALL OFF TO A GREAT START TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. OURS HAS STARTED OUT PRETTY GOOD, PRAISE GOD!  

I WAS WONDERING... IS THERE ONE PARTICULAR TECHNIQUE/PROCESS THAT YOU ARE OBSESSIVE ABOUT? LIKE PERFECTION WHEN MEASURING, ORGANIZING, SORTING, ETC.?? WELL, I'VE FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE QUITE A FEW "OCD" HABITS. IF YOU KNOW ME WELL, YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT ME ALREADY! ...LOL... I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU MY LATEST OBSESSIVE PROCESSES. LABELING EVERYTHING! 

I RECENTLY WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY HUSBAND FINALLY BUILD THE SCRAP-DESK OF MY DREAMS!!  HE IS GREAT AT WOOD WORKING/BUILDING STUFF. I HAVE A PLAN, WE TALK IT OUT, MEASURE, JOIN IDEAS... AND VOILA! IT COMES TO LIFE. 


THE PEGBOARD ON THE BACK WALL NOW HAS WHITE PICTURE MOLDING AROUND IT TO FRAME IT. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THE RAW EDGES OF THE PEGBOARD. I TOLD YA, OCD! ...LOL... DIDN'T HE DO A GREAT JOB! THANKS TEDDY BEAR. WELL, AFTER WE GOT EVERYTHING FINISHED AND I GOT ALL OF MY SUPPLIES RE-ORGANIZED, EVERYTHING NEEDED TO BE LABELED - OF COURSE! 


I'VE HAD THESE BASKETS IN MY CLOSET FOR SOME TIME. THEY FIT THESE SHELVES PERFECTLY. I OPTED TO GO WITH PHOTO BOXES MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP BUT REALLY STURDY - I FOUND MOST OF MINE AT MICHAEL'S ON SALE FOR $1.66EA. I HAVE FOUND THEM TO BE REALLY HANDY FOR ORGANIZING. A COUPLE OF POSTS AGO, I SHOWED HOW I USED THESE PHOTO BOXES AND SIZZIX PLASTIC ENVELOPES TO ORGANIZE MY WAFER DIES AND EMBOSSING FOLDERS. 


ON THE TOP SHELF HERE, YOU SEE HOW I HAVE MY CLEAR STAMPS ORGANIZED. EACH STAMP COLLECTION IS IN A CLEAR/OPAQUE DVD CASE. I STAMPED ALL OF THE IMAGES ON WHITE CARDSTOCK TO PUT IN THE FRONT COVER FOR EASY FINDING. THE LABELS ON THE OUTSIDE ARE REALLY SIMPLE, EASY, & ADD A NICE TOUCH TO THESE INEXPENSIVE BOXES.


 I STARTED DECIDING WHAT SIZE I WANTED MY LABELS. THEN, MEASURED AND CUT ENOUGH WHITE CARDSTOCK FOR ALL OF MY BOXES AND BASKETS. AFTER PUNCHING ALL OF THE CORNERS WITH A DECORATIVE CORNER PUNCH, I MATTED THEM ALL WITH BLACK CARDSTOCK. NEXT, I USED A CORNER ROUNDER PUNCH TO HELP THE CORNERS FOLLOW THE DESIGN OF THE DECO PUNCH. WHEN FINISHED WITH THOSE, IT WAS AS SIMPLE AS PUNCHING HOLES IN THEM ALL & ADDING TIM HOLTZ JUMP RINGS (LOVE THOSE BTW).


I DIDN'T WANT TO PUNCH HOLES IN THE LINING OF THE BASKETS, SO I ATTACHED THE TAGS BY PUTTING A STICK PIN THROUGH THE BACK, THROUGH THE RING, THEN BACK AGAIN. IT'S NOT VERY NOTICEABLE AND WORKED GREAT!!

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW I ORGANIZE MY CLEAR STAMPS, JUST LEAVE ME A COMMENT ABOUT IT AND I WILL GET A POST TOGETHER FOR THOSE TOO. AS ALWAYS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR VISITING "FASHIONED IN FAITH", I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!  UNTIL NEXT TIME...

HAPPY SCRAPPIN',


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Friday, August 9, 2013

LWD - Design Team Showcase - "Darcie's Inkjet Printable Shrink Plastic Project & CD"


HEY Y'ALL! I'M BACK AGAIN WITH ANOTHER DESIGN TEAM SHOWCASE FOR LONE WOLF DESIGNS DISCOUNT CRAFT SUPPLIES. THIS WEEK I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SEVERAL WAYS YOU CAN USE "DARCIE'S - INK JET PRINTABLE - SHRINK PLASTIC PROJECT & CD". I DECIDED TO TRY A FEW NEW THINGS WITH THIS SHRINK PLASTIC THAT I'VE NEVER TRIED BEFORE. NOW, I'M NOT ONE FOR REALLY READING ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS, SO... I JUST WENT TO EXPERIMENTING A LITTLE. LET ME TELL YA, I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS! 

 
THE FIRST TECHNIQUE THAT I TRIED IS THE ONE DESCRIBED IN THE PART OF THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT I DID ACTUALLY READ! (LOL)  PRINTING IN AN INKJET PRINTER. THIS IS VERY EASY AND THE IMAGES THAT COME ON THE DISK ARE VERY LOVELY. I CHOSE A FEW DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES TO SEE WHAT I REALLY LIKED FOR MY PROJECT.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE DESIGNS ARE VERY LOVELY AND UP TO DATE WITH TODAY'S CRAFTING DESIGN TRENDS. YOU HAVE TO DO A BIT OF FUSSY CUTTING WITH THESE... UNLESS, YOU OPT TO PURCHASE THE COORDINATING DIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE. IF YOU PLAN ON USING THESE A LOT, I WOULD SUGGEST INVESTING IN THOSE.
AFTER CAREFULLY CUTTING OUT THE DESIGNS, I INKED THE EDGES WITH COORDINATING COLORS OF DISTRESS INKS TO GIVE A MORE FINISHED LOOK. DOING THIS BEFORE SHRINKING IS A LOT EASIER!
SINCE I AM USING MINE FOR A DANGLE CHARM, I FOUND IT BETTER TO PUNCH THE HOLE AND ADD THE TIM HOLTZ JUMP RING BEFORE SHRINKING. I TRIED TO JUST PUNCH THE HOLE, THEN SHRINK, BUT THE HOLE JUST CLOSES RIGHT UP. YOU NEED TO ADD THE RING OR A TOOTH PICK, OR SOMETHING TO KEEP IT OPENED BEFORE YOU START HEATING IT.
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN HEATING YOUR PIECE. HOLD IT WITH METAL PLIERS THAT HAVE STAY COOL HANDLES. ALSO, DO NOT FREAK OUT WHEN THE PIECE STARTS CURLING UP. IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!!  IT WILL CURL, TWIST, BALL UP, EVERYTHING! IT'S FINE. JUST KEEP A STEADY HEAT (NOT TOO CLOSE) AND REMEMBER TO HEAT BOTH SIDES.
WHEN IT IS TOTALLY SHRUNK, IT WILL FLATTEN OUT A BIT. THIS IS WHEN YOU STOP HEATING AND TURN YOUR TOOL OFF! IMMEDIATELY TAKE A CLEAR STAMPING BLOCK OR OTHER SURFACE AND FLATTEN YOUR PIECE OUT COMPLETELY. DO NOT TOUCH IT YET... IT AND THE JUMP RING WILL BE VERY HOT! THE TOP PIECE ABOVE IS BEFORE AND THE BOTTOM PIECE IS AFTER HEATING. THE BOTTOM PIECE STARTED OUT EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE AS THE TOP.
THE NEXT TECHNIQUE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IS STAMPING ON THE PLASTIC!!!  YES!!! IT WORKS GREAT!!!  I TOOK A CHANCE, NOT KNOWING WHETHER THE INKS WOULD TAKE WELL TO THE PLASTIC... BUT I LOVE THE RESULTS. I USED BLACK ARCHIVAL INK TO STAMP THE IMAGE; THEN USED A COTTON SWAB TO COLOR IT IN WITH DISTRESS INKS. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE INKS WILL BECOME MUCH MORE VIBRANT AFTER SHRUNK. ABOVE, AFTER STAMPING AND COLORING THE MAIN IMAGE, I DECIDED TO FAINTLY STAMP THE BACKGROUND WITH A MUSIC SCORE. FABULOUS!!  
FOR CUTTING, I DECIDED TO TRY MY DIES AND PUNCHES. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT BOTH WORK VERY WELL WITH THE SHRINK PLASTIC. YAY!
AFTER CUTTING/PUNCHING THE SHAPE OUT... I ADDED A JUMP RING, THEN SHRUNK THEM. LET ME ADD THAT IF YOU FORGET (LIKE I DID ON ONE) TO ADD YOUR JUMP RING BEFORE, A VERY SMALL DRILL BIT IN YOUR ELECTRIC/HAND DRILL WORKS GREAT TO ADD THE HOLE. TAKE IT SLOW AS TO NOT CRACK THE PIECE.
THIS IS HOW THE FINISHED STAMPED IMAGE LOOKS... IT IS SO MUCH BETTER IN PERSON! THE COLORS REALLY POP, AND THE BACKGROUND STAMPING ADDS SO MUCH TEXTURE. WHAT I DID NOT GET A PICTURE OF (SORRY), IS THAT YOU COVER EACH PIECE WITH GLOSSY ACCENTS WHEN FINISHED TO SEAL IN THE COLORS AND TO GIVE A SMOOTH, SHINY LOOK. ALLOW SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT DRYING TIME.
 SO, HERE WE GO... TIME TO ASSEMBLE THE DANGLE CHARM. I CHOSE TO START WITH THE "CHERISH TIME" PIECE FOR THE BOTTOM CENTER PIECE. I ADDED IT TO A TIM HOLTZ IDEA-OLOGY SWIVEL CLASP. THESE ARE SO CONVENIENT AND EASY TO USE.
AFTER ASSEMBLING ALL OF MY TOOLS, BEADS, PEARLS, HEAD PINS, AND TIM HOLTZ JUMP RINGS... IT WAS FUN JUST ADDING AND CREATING TO FINISH UP THIS BEAUTIFUL DANGLE CHARM!!
I DECIDED TO USE MY SHRINKED CHARMS ON A CHUNKY DANGLE CHARM... I AM MAKING A MINI-ALBUM FOR A DEAR FRIEND; SO I INTEND ON USING IT ON THE BINDING OF THAT ALBUM...
I REALLY HOPE SHE LIKES IT!!  WHATTU THINK? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND LEAVE A COMMENT OR EVEN JOIN THE SIGHT... YOUR INPUT MEANS A LOT TO US. THANKS SO MUCH FOR VISITING WITH ME AT FASHIONED IN FAITH TODAY, I HOPED YOU ENJOYED OUR TIME TOGETHER!!  

And remember... You can find these and many more products for your crafting projects at 25% off MSRP at Lone Wolf Designs, LLC. 
All you have to do is join the 
 Facebook group. If you haven’t joined us yet, you’re paying too much for your craft supplies! 

 UNTIL NEXT TIME...

HAPPY SCRAPPIN',

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WE'D ALSO LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME JOIN US AT
ON FACEBOOK... WHERE YOU WILL FIND AMAZING TALENT AND INSPIRATION. 
(CREATED AND ADMINED BY ME.)

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Saturday, June 29, 2013

LWD - PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

WAFER DIE ORGANIZATION

HEY Y'ALL! I'M BACK AGAIN WITH ANOTHER LWD, DESIGN TEAM POST. THIS WEEK, INSTEAD OF DOING A SHOWCASE PROJECT, I DECIDED TO SHARE SOME ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS WITH A PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT.  I DON'T KNOW IF I AM ALONE ON THIS OR NOT, BUT I HAD BEEN VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE STORAGE OF MY WAFER DIES LIKE SPELLBINDERS AND MEMORY BOX DIES.  



BEFORE I JUST KEPT THEM IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND STACKED IN A PHOTO BOX. THIS WAS NOT ORGANIZED AT ALL. THEY WERE ALL DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES AND JUST DIDN'T WORK WELL FOR ME. 



  I HAD SEEN A FEW IDEAS ON YOUTUBE AND SUCH, BUT THOUGHT THOSE SOLUTIONS MAY GET A LITTLE EXPENSIVE.  SO, AFTER MUCH CONTEMPLATION AND SEARCHING, I DECIDED ON THE PLASTIC ENVELOPES FROM SIZZIX. AT THE LAST CROP WE HELD FOR THE SCRAP CAFE'; MRS. CATHY BROOKS BROUGHT HER DIE COLLECTION ALONG AND HAD THEM STORED IN THESE ADORABLE PLASTIC ENVELOPES. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT BRAND HER'S WERE, BUT I WENT SEARCHING ON THE PRODUCT PERFORMERS WEBSITE TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOME TO PURCHASE THROUGH "LONE WOLF DESIGNS DISCOUNT RETAIL SALES". WELL, AS YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED, I FOUND SOME... MADE BY SIZZIX!!  YAY!!

***POST UPDATE: this particular envelope is no longer available from Sizzix. However, there are 2 other types available and the only difference is the flap. FYI: I later purchased some of the others that are landscape orientation and have a scalloped flap; I like these a lot better. (not pictured)**** 




THESE ENVELOPES ARE VERY STURDY AND WELL MADE. I WAS VERY HAPPY WHEN I RECEIVED THESE AND COULD NOT WAIT TO GET HOME AND START ORGANIZING!!


THE ENVELOPES COME IN A PACKAGE OF 3 FOR A GREAT PRICE, ARE MADE WITH A GENEROUS OPENING, AND A STRONG SNAP CLOSURE. AS I MENTIONED, THEY ARE STURDY AND STRONG... NOT THIN AND FLIMSY AT ALL.


I DECIDED TO KEEP THE PACKAGING INSERT WITH MINE... THE CARDBOARD LINER THAT HAD THE PHOTO OF THE DIES AND NAME/BRAND, ETC. I CUT EACH ONE TO THE SAME SIZE TO FIT INSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE AND PLACE THEM IN THE FRONT OF EACH ONE.


THE SPELLBINDERS DIES COME ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE CARDBOARD INSERT WITH DOUBLE SIDED TAPE. I LEFT THAT INTACT AND JUST SLID THE WHOLE THING DOWN INSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE. I MUST SAY.... I LOVE IT!!  I WISH I HAD CHECKED INTO IT LONG AGO AND I COULD HAVE HAD WELL ORGANIZED DIES ALL THIS TIME.  *LOL*


THE SIZE OF THE ENVELOPES ARE PERFECT TO FIT INSIDE OF A PHOTO BOX. YOU WOULD HAVE TO LET THEM LAY BACK A BIT IN ORDER TO GET THE LID ON PROPERLY. BUT, I STORE MINE ON THE SHELF OPENED ALWAYS FOR EASY ACCESS, SO THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM FOR ME.


WELL, AFTER I HAD ALL OF MY DIES TRANSFERED TO THE NEW ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM... ANY GOOD "ORGANIZER" WOULD LET IT GO WITHOUT ADDING LABELS....


OF COURSE, AFTER LABELING, I ORGANIZED THEM ALL IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. IT BOTHERS ME THAT THE LABELS DON'T ALL PRINT OUT THE SAME LENGTH, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ALL THAT EXTRA TIME PUTTING IN SO MANY SPACES AND ALL THAT EITHER. *WINK WINK*  NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY STAYED ALL DIFFERENT SIZES. HEY, AT LEAST THEY ARE LABELED, RIGHT?!? *LOL*


JUST ANOTHER TIP FOR USING THESE ENVELOPES.... 
FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I OVER ESTIMATED HOW MANY I WOULD NEED, SO I OVER PURCHASED BY 3. IN LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHAT I COULD USE THEM FOR, I FOUND THAT IT WORKS PERFECTLY FOR STORING EMBOSSING FOLDER SETS AS WELL!!  


KEEPING ALL OF THE FOLDERS FOR THAT SET IN ONE NEAT PACKAGE!!  YAY ME!


BEFORE

AFTER


ONCE AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR VISITING "FASHIONED IN FAITH"!! COME BACK TO SEE ME REAL SOON, AND DON'T FORGET TO "FOLLOW"... YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CREATIVITY YOU WILL FIND AROUND THE NEXT CORNER. UNTIL NEXT TIME, AS ALWAYS,
HAPPY SCRAPPIN'...


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You can find these and many more products for your crafting projects at 25% off MSRP at Lone Wolf Designs, LLC. All you have to do is join the Lone Wolf DesignsDiscount Retail Sales Facebook group. If you haven’t joined us yet, you’re paying too much for your craft supplies!
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Friday, June 14, 2013

"SEW" EASY CARD BOX (Lone Wolf Designs - Design Team Showcase)

"SEW" EASY CARD BOX


HEY Y'ALL!  I HOPE YOU ARE ALL GETTING OFF TO A GREAT START FOR THE SUMMER!!

FOR THIS WEEK'S LONE WOLF DESIGNS, DESIGN TEAM PROJECT; I DECIDED TO DO AN ALTERED CIGAR BOX THAT I GOT FROM MY GOOD FRIEND DEANNA. IT HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND IN MY CRAFTING AREA FOR SOME TIME NOW, WAITING FOR ME TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT.  

THIS WEEK WAS ALSO MY MOMA'S 71ST BIRTHDAY... SO, I DECIDED TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR HER. SHE REALLY LIKES TO SEND CARDS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHEN OCCASIONS ARISE. NOW THAT SHE IS OLDER AND CAN'T GET AROUND AS WELL TO GO TO THE STORE TO PURCHASE THEM, I DECIDED TO MAKE AN ALTERED BOX TO KEEP STACKS OF GREETING CARDS IN (THANKS FOR THE IDEA MRS. CATHY BROOKS!)

ALL SHE HAS TO DO NOW, IS GO TO HER BOX AND PICK OUT A CARD TO SEND... NO WAITING ON ONE OF US BUSY KIDS TO GO TO THE STORE FOR HER.  I DECIDED ON THE THEME OF "SEWING" BECAUSE MY MOMA WAS A SEAMSTRESS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND THIS FITS HER WELL. AND OF COURSE HER FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE.

I HAD INTENDED TO SHOW A "BEFORE" PICTURE, BUT I TOTALLY FORGOT TO TAKE A PIC OF THE BOX BEFORE I STARTED ALTERING IT. SO, THAT WON'T BE HAPPENING. SORRY!

THE DECOR OF THIS BOX WAS INSPIRED BY PRIMA'S - "QUEEN MARY BUTTERMINT PAPER FLOWER WITH BEADED EDGE".


I STARTED OUT BY SPRAY PAINTING THE BOX WITH A SILVER METALLIC SPRAY PAINT. I TRIED BRUSHING IT WITH ACRYLIC METALLIC PAINT, BUT WITH WHATEVER "FINISH" WAS ON THE BOX, THAT DIDN'T WORK. AFTER SEVERAL COATS DRIED, I COVERED THE BOX WITH DIFFERENT LAYERS OF COORDINATING CARDSTOCK.


WHEN ALL LAYERS OF PAPER/CARDSTOCK WERE ADHERED, I COVERED THE ENTIRE BOX WITH MOD-PODGE FOR EXTRA PROTECTION. WORD OF CAUTION: YOU SHOULD USE MOD-PODGE TO ADHERE YOUR PAPERS TO THE BOX IF YOU INTEND TO COVER THE BOX WITH IT AS WELL. IF YOU ADHERE THEM WITH REGULAR ATG ADHESIVE THEN COVER THEM WITH MOD-PODGE, THE PAPER WILL BUBBLE AND BUCKLE... ASK ME HOW I KNOW, I CAN TELL YA FIRST HAND!  (LOL)  BUT, THANKFULLY, AFTER DRYING OVER NIGHT, THE PAPER FLATTENED BACK OUT. WHEW! 


ONCE ALL OF THE MOD-PODGE DRIED, I USED E6000 TO ADHERE THE BOX FEET BY TIM HOLTZ. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE USED THESE FEET FOR ANYTHING... BUT I GOTTA SAY, I LOVE THEM! WHEN THE FEET WERE GOOD AND DRY, I ADDED SOME "VINTAGE LOOKING" LACE AROUND THE SIDES.


OF COURSE THE MOST FUN PART IS DECORATING THE TOP!!  IT IS, HOWEVER, THE "SHOW-STOPPER" PART OF THE BOX. I USED A SMALL PICTURE FRAME FROM THE DOLLAR BIN AT MICHAEL'S TO ADD A SENTIMENT TO THE TOP. ALSO FROM THE DOLLAR BIN, I ADDED THAT RIBBON THAT LOOKS LIKE MEASURING TAPE TO THE FRAME, TIED IT IN A BOW, AND ADDED A LITTLE "THIMBLE" BUTTON FOR A COHESIVE "SEWING" LOOK!


ALONG WITH ALL OF THE VARIOUS FLOWERS, LEAVES, AND "SEWING" EMBELLISHMENTS, I USED SOME PRIMA "SAY IT WITH CRYSTALS" PEARL FLOURISHES... THOSE THINGS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! 


I JUST HAVE TO SAY, I AM TOTALLY THRILLED WITH HOW THIS BOX TURNED OUT!!  AND, THANKFULLY, MOMA LOVES IT!!  I THINK THAT IT PROVED TO BE A FITTING GIFT FOR HER BIRTHDAY. THOSE PRIMA BUTTERMINT FLOWERS REALLY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE MADE OF ZIPPERS AND FIT THE THEME WELL...





















THANKS FOR VISITING "FASHIONED IN FAITH" TODAY. I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS WEEK'S LONE WOLF DESIGNS, DESIGN TEAM PROJECT!
HAPPY SCRAPPIN'!!



YOU CAN FIND THE PRIMA "QUEEN MARY BUTTERMINT PAPER FLOWER WITH BEADED EDGE" FLOWERS AND MANY MORE OF THE PRODUCTS YOU'LL LOVE AT AN EVERYDAY 25% DISCOUNT AT...



AND DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US OVER AT...
(CREATED & ADMIN BY ME)