Let's Get Krafty!

A new week means a new challenge from Simon Says Stamp and Show! And this week, we are talking all things KRAFT!

From paper to paint, stickers to chipboard any loose interpretation of “kraft” is welcome here! This would be a great challenge to break out the Ranger kraft tags, some of Tim’s chit-chat stickers, or even some plain chipboard or corrugated cardboard! A grocery bag made of kraft brown paper could even work - the krafty field is wide open it is up to you to decide how - and what - you’ll make this week.

I do love a good dose of kraft. In fact, I have these fabulous Jenni Bowlin tags that I do believe will work very nicely all layered up with some Crate Paper goodness here:

But, you know - I also think a little krafty creative play is in order!

First up, some white paint and one of my go-to stencils:

Now for one of my favorite things to do after stenciling white onto kraft... mist!

Spritzed on and wiped off, this creates a lovely layer of shadow and dimension, and that white paint acts as a resist. Now, speaking of layers and dimension... let's get a little glitter on there! A simple bit of stamping with my glue pad...

 And that took that glitter very nicely indeed!

 A quick sketch on the back of that paper, gives me some guidelines for cutting:

And then we get to layer our custom kraft pieces up with our Crate Paper goods:

 Ah yes! Coming together...

 Now for some embellies:

 Look! There's that Raffia again!

And you know the drill... lots of fun bits and pieces, along with pen work and journaling...
And there we have it!

 A layout full of kraft and Crate...

 Fun times!

Alrighty! Now it's your turn to play. I can't wait to how you will get crafty with Kraft this week. Don't forget to link-up with us!

Remember... one lucky winner is chosen at random each week to win a $50 shopping spree from SimonSaysStamp.com
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Oh, and if you would like to try something like the above, a complete supply list is below: (affiliate links used)

Happy Father's Day!

Last year, Mother's Day got all the attention... So this year, it's time to do some crafting for the Dads!

For me, that is a little easier said than done. I like flowers, and glitter... and well, just lots of girly goodness. To top it off, I am not much of a card maker (more on that in another post). 

When you combine the above stumbling blocks, with the desire to give the special men in my life something relatively practical, you get... BOOKMARKS!

Tag bookmarks to be exact. Complete with embossing (thanks to some recent Camp Scrap inspiration) and a photo of their little ladies.

A quick run through ye ole Sizzix and I am ready to adhere my photos and scrap paper with some Matte Medium. Side note - it felt SO good to use this gear embossing folder. I don't think it has ever felt paper before. HA!

I gotta say - I was pretty unsure about this. I printed those photos on my Epson PictureMate and I have learned from past experience that those photos do not handle moisture like professional prints do.

 But I am pleased to say that after a careful application, we are all set!

Once that matte medium was thoroughly dry dry enough, I reached for my alcohol inks - thanks in part to some inspiration from Scarlett.

 My father loves red... and I would say that is VERY red! Oh my...

And the hubster loves green and blue. Now, that is more my speed. But hey - these are gifts and I want the recipients happy!

With all of that colorful play done and dried, I am thinking that a good smooshie of gesso might be in order:

Now perhaps some tape? I have this copper tape that is really cool. I bought it many years ago when I decided I would make soldered jewelry. Then I found out the precision and measurements required to make something worth while and gave that a second thought! Time to dust off this fun copper goodness!

Layers all set, tape down, time for the "title." I want to try something a little different here. I think the thing can make a gift like this so special is the added touch of a child's handiwork. Here I have some white card stock strips....

I then had all my kidlets write their names. Well, the eldest gave me a little help with the youngest's contribution ;)

For a final good measure of strength and durability, let's glue those puppies down to some card stock and apply a final coat of matte medium on top. After all, I am hoping these will indeed be used as bookmarks!

And there they are, all dry and cut out with a little bit of twine at the top. It was all I could do not to make that twine more substantial. But, I am thinking of practicality here - and a bulky bookmark is just not practical.

That was a fun little experiment! Dueling bookmark tags - complete with mixed media embossy goodness and handwriting from the little ones!

Happy Father's Day!!!