CropStop

Couture Creations Endless Dreams!

noreply@blogger.com (CropStop) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Hi, Kerrie Gurney here for CropStop!

Today I am using the fun key decorative dies from the Couture Creations Endless Dreams Collection.

You can use keys on so many projects, I thought I would do a quick card that can be used for any occasion.

Cut base card 12" x 5" and fold in half, cut a piece of patterned paper 5 3/8" x 4 3/8"

Die cut a heart using Core'dinations Cellar Door Whitewash Cardstock and Couture Creations Heart Nesting Dies and emboss the heart using Couture Creations Extra Loren Embossing Folder. Gently sand the heart revealing the blue core colour

Die cut one each of the key dies in grey cardstock using the Couture Creations Key Dies - Aladdin, Baroque, and Key to My Heart, and paper strips measuring 1 x 7" x 1.5" patterned paper, 1 x 4.5" x 1 3/8" grey cardstock, 1 x 5 1/4" whitewash cardstock

Distress all the edges using your scissors or distressing tool

Die cut another 1 of the Key to My Heart dies, you will just use the heart shape from the center of both dies

Layer all the pieces onto the base card using foam tape on the grey strip to add some dimension to the card

Tie the keys together using silver cord.

Use foam tape behind your heart accents, finish off by adding some Couture Creations Crystal Gemstones.

Couture Creations Product Used

CO723417 Endless Dreams Decorative Die, Aladdin Key

CO723419 Endless Dreams Decorative Die, Baroque Key

CO723418 Endless Dreams Decorative Die, Key to My Heart

CO723445 Elegance Embossing Folder,Extra Loren

CO721996 Gemstones, Crystal
CO721955 Pointed Non-Stick Scissors

CO723060 Sanding Block

CO721961 Double Sided Foam Mounting Tape 12mm

CO721985 Double Sided Tape 6mm

CO721954 Precision LED Tweezer

Other Products Used

Core'dinations Whitewash Cardstock, Cellar Door

Core'dinations Cardstock, Elephant

Teresa Collins Patterned Paper, Now & Then Collection

Silver Cord

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! Happy Creating!

Kerrie

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog!

Shop in the CropStop Store for your crafting needs. It's the "stopping place for paper-crafters"!

Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase of $30 or more.

Couture Creations Happiness Embossing Folder!

noreply@blogger.com (CropStop) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Today's post on the CropStop Blog is a Make-N-Take format featuring

Couture Creations' Happiness Embossing Folder,

and created by Michelle Pearson.

It's never too early to get ready for Christmas!

Supplies:

White Cardstock: A2 size, scored and folded, 1/2 x 3 inches

Dark Brown Cardstock: 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches

BasicGrey Basics Kraft Paper Pad sheet: 3 3/4 x 5 inches

Couture Creations' Happiness Embossing Folder

Stampers Anonymous Simple Sayings CMS155

Tsukineko/Memento Rich Cocoa Ink

May Arts White Crochet Trim 433-14-01 (5 inches)

Sanding Block

Craftwork Cards Candi Dots: Ritz (5 white pieces)

Adhesive Gems (12 various pieces)

1/8 Scor-Tape

Foam Tape

1. Score and fold A2 Cardstock.

2. Emboss BasicGrey patterned paper with Happiness embossing folder.

3. Sand embossed area with sanding block to bring out the detailing.

4. Adhere patterned paper to the dark brown cardstock.

5. Attach Crochet Trim with Scor-Tape and wrap tails to back of panel.

6. Attach Dark Brown Panel to card with foam tape to add dimension (and make room for the lace ends on the back of your card)

7. Attach Candi Dots to largest snowflakes and gems to the remaining ones.

8. Stamp Peace On Earth on remaining white cardstock piece and trim to banner shape.

9. Attach sentiment to card with foam tape.

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog!

Shop in the CropStop Store for your crafting needs. It's the "stopping place for paper-crafters"!

Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase of $30 or more.

Dainty Doilies!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Liz here today...

Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer so far and getting time to play outside AND create some fun projects. I am finding it a tad bit difficult to sit at my crafting desk with so much sunshine, so as of late, I have turned into a night owl. Favorite TV show to watch while scrapbooking? Nashville, The Following or Revenge. Hulu Plus is a favorite at our house and then I can watch as many episodes as it takes me to make a project. But, you didn't necessarily want to know what I watch on TV so much as see the late night creations, right...

I love the beautiful colors and gorgeous details of Simple Stories' Vintage Bliss collection. In fact, the Couture Creations doily die cuts completely reminded of the roses and lace in this collection, so I thought I would make a card combining the products.

Crop Stop sent me the gorgeous embossing folders I mentioned last week, but these great die-cuts from Couture Creations are just as much fun, just as beautiful and worked so well with my Spellbinders Grand Calibur.

I thought this rose sticker stacker from Simple Stories was the perfect center for the two layered doilies. I used some of the Candi Fix foam pads to separate them and add depth to the cluster. Although the sticker stacker already had a sentiment. I added one more " Loved." sticker to the mix to extend the thought. Then I tied a little bit of the sheer green polka ribbon that Crop Stop sent me into the cluster to complete the look.

The Exotic embossing folder from Couture Creations is such a great background and I love how it looks with patterned paper. I used this newsprint paper from the Simple Stories Vintage Bliss collection and love how the vines pop right out, but allows you to still be able to see the print on the paper.

Thanks for stopping by to share my inspiration today!

Liz

I blog HERE

Featured Product

Couture Creations Fantasia Doily Die - Ivy Set

Couture Creations Fine Design Collection, Limited Edition Embossing Folder - Exotic

Craftwork Cards Candi Fix Foam Pads

Shop in the CropStop Store, the stopping place for paper crafters! Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

Couture Creations Elegance Collection - Damask

noreply@blogger.com (CropStop) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:42:00 +0000

Flowerpot card by Adriana Bolzon

Hello there everyone,

It's Adriana here today and it's my turn today here at CropStop ,

showing you all a step by step project with the fabulous products from Couture Creations.

Today, I have created a Flowerpot Happy Birthday card,

these have been popular lately and this is my interpretation of one.

The flowers are made from the

Couture Creations Sunflower Nesting Dies which are then

embossed with Couture Creations Elegance - Damask Embossing Folder.

TO CREATE THE FLOWER POT

Cut a piece of card stock 28cm x 12 cm

Score cardstock at 4 cm and at 16cm, fold on each score line.

Ink edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

At the 16cm fold, measure 3cm from each end and cut out triangular shape.

Fold over top flap and attach on to front of pot with Doubled sided tape

also attach Doubled sided tape each side of pot,

peel tape backing and close pot,

this will create an opening on top of pot for your tag.

TO CREATE FLOWERS TAG

Cut 3 Sunflowers for the Couture Creations Sunflower Nesting Dies

with different coloured papers. To create a tag cut a piece of cardstock 8cm x 14cm.

Place all flower pieces through

Couture Creations Elegance - Damask Embossing Folder.

Ink all the edges and on top of embossed images with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Pierce a hole in the center of each flower, place smaller flower inside

middle flower and then inside the large flower,

place pearl brad through centre of flower.

Repeat process to all flower petals.

On top of tag attach flower, adhere double sided foam tape

on the other two flowers on either side of middle flower.

Cut 3 scroll die cuts from green cardstock,

cut in half and place around flowers and on the top of pot.

Create a bow with Seam binding ribbon attach in centre of tag.

Write your message on the tag.

Cut a piece of cardstock 8cm x 6 cm, fold in half and attach

on back of pot, this will help to keep the pot standing upright.

Decorate pot with messages or more flowers, if desired.

........so, I hope you like my Flower Pot Card.
Happy crafting everyone :)
Cheers Adriana XX

Shop in the CropStop Store, the stopping place for paper crafters, for a fabulous selection of Couture Creation Products along with other crafting needs.

Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

Follow Up Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Vicki here...today is the first Friday in a new month already! It's Father's Day month in our family, but my inspiration was going in a totally different direction the past few days. My new flourish die-cut had yet to be opened so I wanted to create something soft, delicate and swirly! What better way to portray this than with a "Sweet Sixteen" card.

Here's what I came up with....

"Sweet Sixteen"

The card background was created using a "Belleek" Technique that I learned from a friend. The coloring mimics and is similar to Irish pottery.

You will need an embossing folder with a large amount of negative space, a light shade of ink and a brayer to roll the ink on evenly.

Using the brayer, I inked the top inside cover of my embossing folder with Ranger Distress Ink - Spun Sugar. It is best to use a subtle color for this technique to achieve good results.

Couture Creations Flamingos and Hedgehogs Embossing Folder worked well with this technique.

I cut a frame using Spellbinders Fleur de Lis and Classic Rectangle-Large Nestabilities. This was layered on top of the embossed background.

Next, I mounted the embossed cardstock onto the card base then die-cut and assembled 3 flowers with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive. While the glue on the flowers was drying, I die-cut 4 pink flourishes and 4 white flourishes using the Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die. Using both a pink and white swirl, I layered them around the left side and bottom of the frame.

The 3 flowers were added in the lower left of the frame. I used pearl buttons for the flower centers. I tucked a few feathers into the flower cluster for added dimension.

The sentiment tag was printed in my card program and die-cut with a Spellbinders Lacey Pennant die-cut.

Featured Product

Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish Die-cut

Couture Creations Limited Editions Flamingos and Hedgehogs 5 x 7 Embossing Folder*
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive

Ranger Distress Ink* - Spun Sugar
Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Rectangle Nestabilities*
Spellbinders Lacey Pennant Nestabilities*
Spellbinders Rectangles - Large Nestabilities*

*Denotes similar product available in the CropStop Store.

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog today!

Shop at CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters.
Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase of $30 or more.

Feature Thursday with Liz!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Today, our June guest designer, Liz Qualman joins us on the blog...

It is a pleasure to be invited to guest design at Crop Stop this month. I hope that I can leave you with a few ideas and tips to incorporate into your own projects with some of the supplies you can find at the awesome Crop Stop store. I was definitely surprised at what they sent me and had to think outside the box a little bit.

I really enjoy creating these Life Documented Pages with many of the Simple Stories collections. It just brings an element of efficiency to scrapbooking that does not take away from the creativity. I'm not sure that the pages take any less time than a one page layout, but I feel like I can document an event more completely and more easily add details, memorabilia and journaling.

Crop Stop sent me these really fun embossing folders from Couture Creations, some Dylusions mist and Flower Soft products. It was a new adventure for me since I am not one to buy embossing folders and I am scared of anything that looks like glitter or has to dry. But now after trying them out, I am hooked. All of the materials add some fun dimension and texture to a paper craft project. Rather than build a project around the products, I decided to incorporate them into what I love to do with the Life Documented pages, so I added the products and techniques to those.

It was so fun to run the 3 x 4 Simple Stories I Heart Summer journal card through the embossing folder. If you look at the close up, you can see the beautiful vine pattern and how it gives the paper more dimension and texture. I also added some of the white Flower Soft crystals to the middle of the sun for some shimmer and texture. I have to tell you that I very much dislike any form of glitter, but the Flower Soft products do not stick to your skin and are easy to clean up. I did not have to wear it around all day if you KWIM.

The orange mist combined with the embossing folder also created a fun effect.
Tip, be sure to add any relevant journaling before you emboss and then add mist and stickers after.

I look forward to sharing another project next week. Please let me know if you have any questions. You can find me at my blog Liz Qualman Designs or at Simple Stories.

Take care - Liz
--
I blog here - http://lizqualman.blogspot.com

Featured Product

Couture Creations Fine Designs Collection - Exotic Embossing Folder

Dylusions Pure Sunshine Ink Spray
Flower Soft -Polar White
Flower Soft High Tack PVA Glue

Shop in the CropStop Store...the stopping place for paper crafters!

Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

June Guest Designer - Liz Qualman!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

CropStop is delighted to introduce our June Guest Designer, Liz Qualman.

Hi my name is Liz Qualman and I guess you could say I have been paper crafting since Kindergarten and have never stopped. It's just one of those things that keeps the creativity flowing in my brain. I might just be warding off a slow descent into dementia with all of my paper and glue...

I live in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with my family, who provide a lot of inspiration and keep me on my toes. I like to play outside and enjoy camping, skiing, hiking and pretty much what you would expect from rugged mountain people.

I've been active in the scrapbook community since 2006 and have been fortunate to work with a lot of great companies and occasionally see my work in print. It's rare that I get to visit civilization, so no big box stores for me. I shop almost exclusively online for scrapbook supplies. My favorite products are stickers, but that is probably because I am a teacher.

Stop back next Thursday, June 6th to see what Liz has to share with you!

Ahoy Matey!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Vicki here...Today, I'm sending you "Oceans of Love". With Father's Day just a few weeks away, I have been working on cards for the fathers and father figures in our family.

Nautical themes are everywhere now and certainly make me think of the guys in my life. I received the fabulous Lifestyle Crafts/QuicKutz Nautical embossing folder set recently and I couldn't wait to use it. There are two embossing folders, one with anchors and one with stripes.

Are these anchors so awesome or what?

"Oceans of Love".

I used both embossing folders on my card. The blue background cardstock is embossed with the anchor embossing folder. I love these mini anchors! The next layer was embossed with the striped folder and used between the stamped image and the embossed background.

The sailboat image and sentiment were stamped using the Vintage Beach Babes Stamp Plate from Rogue Redhead Designs and Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa Ink.

I tied a square knot is a piece of twine and tied it around the sentiment banner.

The lower left corner of the image layer is punched with Just Imagine Kreaxions #310, 4 in 1 punch. I love that it looks like a splash of water.

Featured Product
LifeStyle Crafts/QuicKutz Nautical Embossing Folder Set
Core'dinations Bright, 4.25 x 5.5 Cardstock
Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa Ink

Other Supplies
Just Imagine Kreaxions, #310 - 4 in 1 Punch
Rogue Redhead Designs Vintage Beach Babes Stamp Plate

Thanks for stoping by to see this week's Follow Up Friday project.

Shop in the CropStop Store...the stopping place for papercrafters. Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your purchase over $30.

Follow up Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Vicki here....I've been wanting to create a monochromatic card for a while, but wasn't sure what color I was going to use. Today I want to share a "white on white" card using only the color white.

The entire card is made from Bazzill white cardstock.

The base is 8 1/2" x 10" in dimension. Folded in half, it makes a 4 1/4" x 5" card.

Using a piece of cardstock cut to 4" x 4 3/4", I embossed with the Couture Creations Magical A2 embossing folder and added some glitter to a few of the leaves. This was mounted onto the cardstock base.

Next, I die cut and assembled the embellishments, adding Ranger Rock Candy Glitter to the flowers. I used Robins Nest Dew Drops for the center of the violets.

I layered the Whimsy Circle and Seville Buckle to use as the sentiment base. The typed sentiment was punched out with an EK Success 1" punch. The leaves were tucked in behind the sentiment base and the flowers were glued on top above the sentiment.

Supplies

Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection - Magical Embossing Folder

Memory Box Die-cuts

Cottage Leaf

Lorelai Outline Leaf*

Seville Buckle

Whimsy Circle*
Ranger Dry Fine Glitter - Rock Candy*
Ranger Glue N' Seal - Matte

Sizzix Thinlits-Pansy/Violet Die-cut

*Denotes similar product available in the CropStop Store.

Thanks for stopping by to see my Follow Up Friday project. I hope I have inspired you to create a monochromatic card of your own!

Shop at CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters. Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

May Flower project with Jan

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This week, Jan shares a great idea for a quick and easy home decor project!

Using the Couture Creations Emporium Tag die-cut, I cut my flowers and switched the centers around to give them more interest. I used only the center piece from the die-cut for the third flower.

Next, for the stems, I painted some wooden BBQ skewers with Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picked Raspberry. I layered Deco Sticker Gold Foil Flower Stickers in the center of two of the flowers.

On the front of the crock flower pot, I used Crafters Workshop's Love Birds Template and the Picked Raspberry Distress paint to add some leaves. A piece of May Art's Sheer Satin Band, White Ribbon completes the project!

Featured CropStop Product

Couture Creations Endless Dream Collection - Emporium Tag Die-cut

Crafters Workshop Love Birds Template

Deco Sticker - Gold Foil Flower Circle

May Art's Sheer Sating Band Ribbon - White

Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Paint - Picked Raspberry

Thanks for stopping by for some Jan inspiration today!

Shop in the CropStop Store for your crafting needs! Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters!

NSD "Greatest Impression" Challenge winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

We were truly "impressed" with the wonderful entries for our National Scrapbook Day, Give Us Your Greatest Impression Challenge. Thank you to everyone that played along with us.

Now, on to the 3 lucky winners of the Couture Creations Embossing Folders.

Chosen by random draw, the winners are...

Winner #1 - Karen Hasheck

Couture Creations Fine Designs Collection of 10 Embossing Folders

Winner #2 - Cathy R

Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 10 Embossing Folders

Winner #3 - Cebelica

Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 4 A2 Embossing Folders

Congratulations everyone! Please e-mail us at the address under the CONTACT TAB in the upper left sidebar of the blog. You will have 10 days from today, May 20th to claim your prize. Any prize not claimed by May 30th will be considered a forfeiture.

Thank you, once again, for taking part in our CropStop NSD Challenge!!

Visit CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters, for your crafting needs!

Follow Up Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Vicki here...back again today with a fun project I created at a recent crop that I attended.

We always have a challenge to complete on Saturday evening. The past couple of crops it's been an altered art challenge. Not a problem for me except the time frame is shorter than I am used to having for this type of project. Fortunately, I had all of my favorite mixed media products in tow and put them to good use along with my heat tool!

This is the finished frame. Now...here's the how!

I started with just a raw unfinished wooden frame that's more than likely from a local craft store. Since time was a factor, I used a very, very light coat of gesso to help seal the wood. I added some of my favorite mists and distress inks all from Ranger.

The bottom right corner was the next order of business because it needed the most time to dry. Using my Want2Scrap Brick template, I used a plastic gift card to apply glass bead gel. Love this stuff!!

I used my heat tool to help dry it a little faster. You can see the difference in the appearance as the gel dries and the beads become almost transparent.

In the lower left, I added some trees with a template, modeling paste and Flower Soft for texture. The chipboard letters, heart and house were from my stash.

Across the top I used more modeling paste and added some flying geese. I inked them when they dried. The cloud is also made with modeling paste and Flower Soft. The jeweled flourishes for some "wind" effect and the frame is finished!

I sprayed a coating of Thermoweb Glitter Dust over the entire frame to add more shimmer.

CropStop Supplies

Crafters Workshop Templates

Snowy Treescape

Flying Geese

Flower Soft Christmas Textures (green & white)

Liquitex Light Modeling Paste

Ranger/Dylusions Ink Spray

Dirty Martini

Pure Sunshine

Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Thanks for stopping by to share our Friday inspiration with you!

Visit the CropStop Store for your crafting needs. Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters!

There's still time to play along with our National Scrapbook Day Challenge....share your "greatest impression" with us and you may be the winner of one of the fabulous prizes CropStop is giving away!

CropStop will be awarding prizes to 3 winners!

Winner #1 - Couture Creations Fine Designs Collection of 10 Embossing Folders

Winner #2 - Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 10, 5 x 7 embossing folders

Winner #3- Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 4, A2 embossing folders

Click on our National Scrapbook Day icon in the upper right corner of the blog sidebar to go straight to the challenge post. Deadline for entries is May 18th!

Guest Designer Thursday with Jan Tatomir

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Once again, our May guest designer, Jan Tatomir, is "tickled pink" to share her headband project with you!

I love it when I can use my scrapping goodies on other projects! This is a quick and "easy to do" project that starts with a plastic headband.

I sprayed the entire headband with spray adhesive and layered the beautiful May Arts fuschia ribbon onto the headband.

I love how the zig zag of the headband shows through the ribbon somewhat.

I used the Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Paint, Picked Raspberry, on the pretty paper flower. The dauber application made this really easy. I wanted a little of the white to show through on the flower for contrast.

When everything was dry, I popped the flower on the headband with a bit of glue.

Featured CropStop Product
Ranger/Tiim Holtz Distress Paint- Picked Raspberry
May Arts Sheer Ribbon with Ruffled Edge - Fuschia

Thanks for stopping by to share Jan's fun project!

Shop in the CropStop Store, the stopping place for paper crafters. Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

"Greatest Impression" Challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:04:00 +0000

Click on our National Scrapbook Day icon in the upper right corner of the blog sidebar to go straight to the challenge post. Deadline for entries is May 18th!

Monday is the new Friday with Sizzix!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Vicki here with my Follow Up Friday project...on Monday!

Today, my card features the new Sizzix Thinlits Mini Lily Die Set. The set consists of 3 metal dies with petals, leaves, calyx and stamen. Create your own beautiful lilies with this die set.

This card will be for my nephew's wedding in September. The love bird stamp from my Rogue Redhead Designs, "This N' That" stamp set was a good choice for this card.

"be mine"

Supplies

Featured - Sizzix Thinlits Mini Lily Die Set

Copic Markers
Rogue Redhead Designs "This N' That" Stamp Set

Spellbinders Beaded Ovals Nestabilities

Tsukineko Memento Black Tuxedo Ink

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog!

Visit CropStop, the stopping place for paper crafters.
Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10 % off your total purchase over $30.

There's still time to play along with our National Scrapbook Day Challenge,
"Give us your greatest impression"
Click on the above link to go directly to the challenge post.
Great impressions, great prizes, and great fun!!

Still time to play our NSD challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

There's still time to play along with our National Scrapbook Day Challenge....share your "greatest impression" with us and you may be the winner of one of three fabulous prizes to be given away to three lucky winners!

Click on our National Scrapbook Day icon in the upper right corner of the blog sidebar to go straight to the challenge post. Deadline for entries is May 18th!

Dream frame with Tracey Cooley!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Today, CropStop would like to share a project created by Tracey Cooley, special project designer for Couture Creations.

My husband works away a lot and my beautiful 8yr old daughter Tayla is a wonderful help to me, she helps me with her little sister (3), does chores and is generally a wonderful young lady. So as a surprise I made this frame for her bedroom wall as a gift for all that she does.

I purchased 2, 8"x10" black frames from my local discount store and then cut a piece of white cardstock with the Couture Creations Fantasia Doily Die - Irish Dreams (first applying the ejection foam that comes with the die that is found in between the back packaging).

I stamped a T for her name in the middle of the doily. Then with Couture Creations 12 ml double-sided tape I covered the gap in the back of the doily, just around the centre. Flipping it over I used my Couture Creations Precision Craft Knife to trim away any unwanted tape. I then applied some blue glitter (being Tayla's favourite colour).

I then took the glass from my second frame and sandwiched the doily in between it and the original frame. HINT: I made some chipboard chocks to keep the glass in place as I did not want to use the backing board from the frame but you could use silicone to do this as a more permanent solution.

Then I simply embellished the front of the glass with some matching elements.

The best thing about this frame is that Tayla loved it!

Couture Creation products used

Fantasia Doily Die - Irish Dreams

Double Sided Tape

Precision Craft Knife

Self Healing Mat

Keep on creating!

Jan's first canvas project!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Today, Jan shares her first experience working with canvas.

Follow her simple step by step to see how she assembled this awesome project!

First, I brushed a store bought canvas with a 50-50 mix of white glue and water.

I then crumpled up a sheet of tissue paper and layered it over the wet glue.

Next, I added some more of the glue mixture over the top of the tissue and let it dry.

I mixed 3 colors of Glimmer Mist * together and poured some of the mixture into a cup and added water to thin it out a bit leaving the rest as it was.

Then I lightly brushed the watered down color over the tissue and added a bit of darker color here and there.

I used the Crafters Workshop Dina Wakley Mini Love Bird Stencil and embossing paste * to add the birds to the canvas.

Next, I added the SRM Sticker Sentiments along with some leaves using the Crafters Workshop Stencil and more embossing paste*.

I cut the little birds' nest in half and used glue to attach it to the canvas.

Supplies
Crafters Workshop Dina Wakley Mini Love Bird Stencil
Dreamweaver Embossing Paste*
Joanns Bird Nest
SRM - "Life is Good" Sticker Sentiments
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists - Coffee Shop, Sugar Maple, Tattered Leather*

Jan says, "This was fun!"

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog.
We hope that Jan has inspired you to try embossing paste and stencils on your next project.

Shop CropStop, the stopping place for crafters.
Use our blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your purchase over $30.

CropStop's NSD "Greatest Impression" Challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In honor of National Scrapbook Day, CropStop challenges you to share your "greatest impression" with us!

This is a two week special challenge for National Scrapbooking Day.

To celebrate this awesome day, CropStop challenges you to use an embossing folder on your project...card, layout, altered item or whatever you create.

See the National Scrapbook Day post for details or click on the icon in the upper right corner of the blog!

"Give us your greatest impression"

Paper Embroidery with Michelle

noreply@blogger.com (CropStop) — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Michelle Pearson here for CropStop with some projects featuring Couture Creations and paper embroidery!

I am using folders from Couture Creations' Fresh and Fun collection.

As soon as I saw this folder: Fudge, I knew what I wanted to do, and being an organized pack rat, I knew right where the paper was that I wanted to use with this piece!

Check out the fun detail stitching this folder gives you!

Supplies for this technique are quite simple...you will want some embroidery floss, a piercing tool and a foam mat of sorts to pierce into. I recommend piercing the indented side of the design, your thread will lay nicely in the embossed channels. You can make your stitches as long as you like, but on the curved areas I recommend keeping them fairly close together so your stitching bends easily with the design.

On this example you can see the effect done on the Powder Puff embossing folder. For this project I embossed on Tim Holtz's Core'dinations' Distress Collection paper, and hit the embossing with some sandpaper.

I used the embossing side up on this one because I wanted the sanding detailing to pop the puffs. I used longer stitches with some iridescent floss for some of the puffs. Other supplies are Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch and Candi Dot Embellishments.

My final project using this technique would be this card using the Magical embossing folder. I selectively decided which areas to stitch and then stitched the indented side of the panel.

This is a fun way to add a whole new layer of detailing to your layouts and papercraft projects!

I hope I have inspired you to try stitching on projects.

Michelle

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog!

National Scrapbook Day - Give us your greatest impression!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In honor of National Scrapbook Day, we challenge you to share your "greatest impression" with us!

This is a two week special challenge.

Today, May 4, 2013, is National Scrapbook Day. National Scrapbook Day was started in 1994 by Creative Memories and is celebrated on the first Saturday every May. Since 1994 paper crafters everywhere celebrate their passion for scrapbooking and other paper projects on this day. Who knows, maybe this will be a national holiday some day!

To celebrate this awesome day, CropStop challenges you to use an embossing folder on your project...card, layout, altered item or whatever you create. Link it using the link tool at the bottom of this post. The winner will be chosen by random draw on May 19th and posted in the blog on Monday, May 20, 2013.

CropStop will be awarding prizes to 3 winners!

Winner #1 - Couture Creations Fine Designs Collection of 10 Embossing Folders

Winner #2 - Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 10, 5 x 7 embossing folders

Winner #3- Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 4, A2 embossing folders

There is a limit of 3 entries per person. You will receive one chance in the draw for each entry linked correctly to the post.

Extra chances will be awarded if the embossing folder used on your project is made by one of the manufacturers available in the CropStop Store. For each project using an embossing folder available at CropStop, you will earn an extra 2 chances in the draw for a total of 3 per project.

For example: you have created 2 cards, both with embossing folders carried at CropStop. Then you will receive a total of 6 chances in the draw. 3 per card...1 for entering and 2 for using an embossing folder from the CropStop Store inventory.

Please link directly to the project from it's location. Indirect links will not be accepted.

Follow these simple guidelines to qualify:

1. Enter a newly created project using an embossing folder. No back links will be accepted.

2. Label your project with your name and link it using the link tool at the bottom of this post. Direct links to project locations must be used. PLEASE NOTE: Only direct links to your entry will be eligible for a prize.

3. You must provide a link back to CropStop in your post.

4. You may combine this challenge with other challenges.

5. There is a limit of 3 entries per participant.

6.. CropStop reserves the right to remove links that do not meet the challenge criteria.

Challenge deadline is Saturday, May 18, 2013 at midnight, U.S. East Coast Time.

Follow Up Friday..."With love'...from Sizzix!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Vicki here...sharing a card today that I created using the new Pansy/Violet Thinlits die from Sizzix. What a super fun die-cut! You can get as creative as you want with colors, layers and overall design of your flowers.

"With love..."

The card base is made from a rich coral colored Bazzill. I used the reverse side of Graphic 45's Leafy Treetops patterned paper from the Secret Garden collection for the second layer. The next layer was stamped first and then embossed with Couture Creations, Magical Embossing Folder from the Fresh and Fun Collection. The main focus of the card, the yellow and purple pansy was made using the Sizzix Pansy/Violet Thinlits set.

I stamped the doily image with Stampin' Up's "Hello Doily" onto white cardstock using Ranger Distress Ink - Bundled Sage.

Then I embossed it with Couture Creations "Magical" Embossing Folder from the Fresh and Fun Collection.

I love this double image effect you get with stamping and then embossing.

The Sizzix Thinlits Pansy/Violet set has 12 dies. It includes petals for the pansy and violet along with leaves for the flowers. I used purple, yellow and green cardstock to create the pansy petals and leaves.

Here is a close up of the finished pansy. After assembling the petals to form the flower, I drew the dark lines with a Ranger Distress Marker - Aged Mahogany. Wow, the distress markers are great for projects like this. I added some Ranger Glitter Glue Stickles - Icicle to the yellow petals and Twinkling H2O -Plum Crazy watercolor to the purple petals.

I finished off the card with a white bow and key charm. I used the Craft-Dee Bowz Tool to make my bow. What a great tool this is! Makes me wonder why I waited so long to purchase one.

Featured product:
Sizzix Thinlit Pansy/Violet 12 Die Set

From my stash:

Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection - Magical Embossing Folder

Craft-Dee Bowz Tool
Luminarte Twinkling H2O
Luminarte Viva Color Paint Pen-Lemon
Ranger Distress Ink - Bundled Sage
Ranger Distress Marker - Aged Mahogany
Ranger Glitter Glue Stickles - Icicle
Sizzix Sizzlit Photo Corners
Spellbinders Nested Pennants

*Denotes similar product available in the CropStop Store.

Thanks for stopping by the CropStop Blog to share our inspiration!

Visit CropStop, the stopping place for paper-crafters.

Use our CropStop Blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your purchase of $30 or more.

May's Guest Designer, Jan, shines like gold!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Jan here with some crafty inspiration for you today!

I used my CropStop product to adorn this glassine bag. This will make a great journaling card envelope or a gift card holder.

Using the Couture Creations Dream folder, I embossed two different patterned papers with the same area of the embossing folder. I cut the papers into 1 inch squares and alternately pieced them together to make the "quilted" background.

For the butterfly, I embossed a square shaped blot of ink with gold embossing powder and then cut out the butterfly with Couture Creations Art Deco butterfly die. The WOW! gold embossing powder

accentuates the details of the butterfly. I added a piece of May Arts white sheer ruffle edge ribbon under the butterfly.

Here's a close up of the Action Wobble Spring that I placed under the butterfly. It adds both motion and dimension to the butterfly.

Supplies

Action Wobble Spring

Couture Creations Art Deco Butterfly-Endless Dreams Decorative Die

Couture Creations Fresh & Fun Collection-Dream Embossing Folder

May Arts White-Sheer Ruffle Edge Ribbon

WOW! Embossing Powder-Gold Rich

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my project today!

Jan

You can find more of Jan's crafty inspiration on her blog, "Simply Made".

Shop CropStop, the stopping place for paper-crafters! Use our CropStop Blog discount code, BLOG, for 10% off your total purchase over $30.

Only 4 more days until NSD!

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

In just 4 days, CropStop will be sending out this special challenge to YOU! Visit the CropStop Blog on Saturday, May 4, 2013...National Scrapbook Day, and take part in our "Greatest Impression" challenge. You could be the winner of one of the awesome prizes listed below!!

In honor of National Scrapbook Day, we challenge you to share your "Greatest Impression" with us!

CropStop will be awarding prizes to 3 winners!

Winner #1 - Couture Creations Fine Designs Collection of 10 Embossing Folders

Winner #2 - Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 10, 5 x 7 embossing folders

Winner #3- Couture Creations Fresh and Fun Collection of 4, A2 embossing folders

Don't miss this opportunity to win a collection of amazing embossing folders!

Visit the CropStop Blog on NSD, May 4, 2013 for more info!!

National Scrapbook Day Challenge - May 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Vicki) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:54:00 +0000

In just 6 days, CropStop will be sending out this special challenge to YOU! Visit the CropStop Blog on Saturday, May 4, 2013...National Scrapbook Day, and take part in our "Greatest Impression" challenge. You could be the winner of one of the awesome prizes listed below!!

Don't miss this opportunity to win a collection of amazing embossing folders!

Visit the CropStop Blog on NSD, May 4, 2013 for more info!!