Happy New Year: My Wish for You!

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Blog Hop, Cardmaking, Collage, DIY & Crafting, Field Trip, Lovebug Creations, Mixed Media, Papercrafting, Scrapbooking, Swap, Textiles, Vintage

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

2014, altered book, apron, book art, cha winter 2013, dry erase board, happy birthday card, Happy New Year, home decor, LOveBug Creations, paper rosettes, prairie chic, pretty dry erase board, rosette tutorial, rubberstamping, Rumple Ribbon, scrapbook layout, shabby chic apron, spring, spring banner, spring garland, valentine, valentine heart, valentine swap, Vintage marketplace, vintage music, wedding, wedding cake topper

As we wind up 2013 and look forward to a brand new year, I’d like to wish you a wonderfully creative, successful and whimsical 2014.

Need some inspiration for the New Year? Here’s the top 10 posts of 2013 for Scarlet Calliope:

1. Home Decor: Pretty Dry-Erase Board

2. Card Making: Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

3. Crafting: Glamour in Pink Layout featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

4. Wedding Blog Hop with Lovebug Creations and Jaded Blossom

5. Swap: Valentine Swap Revealed!

6. Crafting: Spring Banner featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

7. Sewing: Prairie Chic Apron Featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

8. Paper Crafting Tutorial: Vintage Music Rosettes

9a. Field Trip: CHA Winter 2013, Part One

9b. Field Trip: CHA Winter 2013, Part Two

10. Field Trip: The Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow, CA

Thank you so much for joining me for the last Scarlet Calliope Blog Post for 2013. Have a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve!

xo,

Christine Barker

If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”

-Roald Dahl

Home Decor: Pretty Dry-Erase Board

22 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, DIY & Crafting, Lovebug Creations, Mixed Media, Papercrafting, Vintage

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

craft, dollar store craft, dry erase board, dry erase marker, fabric flower, fake calligraphy, german glass glitter, glitter, home decor, home decor craft, LOveBug Creations, mother of pearl button, paper flower, picture frame craft, pinterest inspired, rhinestones, rosette, Rumple Ribbon, scallop, vintage lace

Welcome Friends!

I spend quite a bit of time on Pinterest looking for exciting new ideas and trends that I can incorporate into my creative projects. I do love being creative and creating art for arts sake, but I also love making something pretty that I can use around the house to make my life easier.

Posted by lindsayrobbins

I came across this dry-erase board idea on Pinterest a while back and was inspired to create something similar for this weeks project featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon. You could create a board for writing down: your schedule, love notes to your family, a grocery list, or inspirational quotes. Or make one for each of those tasks!

I started with an 8″x10″ wooden frame that I bought at the dollar store and then put in a sheet of 8″x10″ scrapbook paper. Next, I started creating my embellishments. A lace scrap became a flower, a left over rosette from another project was incorporated, I added a mother of pearl button, and then I hot glued on a length of rhinestones.

I cut up some vintage sheet music and created a rosette using my Martha Stewart Score Board. Next, I added some German glass glitter to the paper flower on the right, topped it with a mini crocheted doily and finished it with a mother of pearl button. The scallop edge circle to the right is from a scrap of vintage wall paper.

I got brave and used some scraps of vintage lace from my stash to decorate the top and side edges. The flowers started off as white so I diluted some cream-colored acrylic paint with water and painted the paper and fabric flowers. Next, I glued some large silver glitter to the paper flower.

The beautiful bow is made using three different colors of Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon: Oh Darling, Buttercream and Augusta. Using a tutorial that I found, I wrote out the quote in fake calligraphy using a dry erase marker. I think I need more practice. The nice thing is that if you don’t like the way it looks you can just wipe off the glass and try again!

Here’s the dry-erase board on my wall. What do you think?

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! It makes me super excited when visitors leave comments, it makes it all worthwhile and tells me that someone is looking and hopefully getting inspired!

And, I have a special announcement! You may have heard that Lovebug Creations is looking for some new Creative Team Members. Check out their blog for all the juicy details!

xo,

Christine Barker

Friday Round Up: Chalk Paint

19 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Christmas and Holidays, DIY & Crafting, Mixed Media, Papercrafting, Scrapbooking, Tags

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

chalk paint, chalkboard, chalkboard flower pot, chalkboard label jars, chalkboard paint, chalkboard pots, chalkboard seashell frame, craft organization, craft supply organization, gift diy, home decor, mason jars, organization, paint, party diy, photo booth, seashell ornament, seashell tag, silhouette, valspar, wedding diy

Happy Friday Friends!

I have a secret to share with you. I’m obsessed with chalkboard paint. I think it goes back to my carefree days in elementary school when I was sitting at a miniature desk with a little blackboard on my lap and writing in chalk.

I love chalkboard paint so much that a whole wall in my son Trevor’s room is painted with it. Whenever friends come over we hand them a piece of chalk to write him a message.

I use Valspar Chalkboard paint that I bought at Lowes, but there are several kinds out there in sizes ranging from 2oz to a gallon.

Here are some fun and easy crafts to make with chalkboard paint. Just click on the pic to be taken to the ideas and tutorials!

Posted by GuroRenton

I love silhouettes and wouldn’t it be fun to enjoy your coffee with a friend in a mug with a silly nickname on it!

Creme de la Craft

And an easy tutorial from Creme de la Craft to make chalkboard label jars!

Celebrations.com

How about some whimsical idea bubbles for the photobooth at your next party? This link includes 10 creative chalkboard paint ideas!

It All Started With Paint

I don’t know about you, but I really struggle with keeping my craft supplies organized. I love this idea, especially because the jars are clear so I can see the contents as well as a handy label so that I can tell what’s in it from above as well!

Fox11 Blog

I’ve seen this on Pinterest many times but I haven’t tried it yet. This is an awesome idea to help you remember what you planted when those little sprouts come up looking all the same! This would make a wonderful gift for the gardener in your life!

The Examined Life

Christmas in July? Why not when the tags are this cute! Adorable gift tags from Jess on The Examined Life. Chalkboard tags could easily be made in other shapes with other colors of ribbon for any occassion!

By the Seashore Decor

If you’ve been checking out my craft projects for a while, you might know about my passion for sea shells and this handmade frame makes me so happy! It’s perfect for a sign at a party, a gift for newlyweds or a lovely housewarming gift!

Tales from an OC Cottage

And speaking of sea shells, how much do you love this amazing idea from M to paint the inside of a seashell for a tag, wedding place marker or an ornament?

Thank you for joining me for this round up. I’ll be back soon with another project for Lovebug Creations and I have an interview coming up with my sweet and talented friend Julie Weller on How to Host a Craft Swap. You won’t want to miss her sage words of wisdom!

Have a creative weekend!

xo,

Christine Barker

Design Team Call: Lovebug Creations

18 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Blog Hop, Cardmaking, DIY & Crafting, Jewelry, Lovebug Creations, Mini Album, Mixed Media, Papercrafting, Rubber Stamp, Rubber Stamp, Scrapbooking, Sewing, Tags, Textiles

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2013, altered art, beautiful ribbon, blog, blog hop, blogger, card making, craft project, craft tutorial, creative team, creative team application, creative team call, Design Team Call, designer, diy, home decor, jewelry, LOveBug Creations, making greeting card, mini album, mixed media art, mixed-media, ribbon, Rumple Ribbon, scrapbook, scrapbook pages, scrapbooking, seam binding, tag

Hello Creative Friends!

You may have already heard, but there is a new call for Creative Team Members for LoveBug Creations.

Do you have what it takes? Are you a:

Fun, excited, passionate crafter who loves working with beautiful ribbon?
Creative type who loves all forms of crafting including Scrapbooking, Card Making, Mixed Media Art, making Home Decor or another creative craft?
Talented crafter looking for an exciting Creative Team to join?
Lover of gorgeous ribbon and want to get it before anyone else?
Blogger who loves to do Blog Hops and meet new online friends?

Did you answer YES to any of those questions? LoveBug Creations may be the team for you!

Requirements:

6-Month term is Sept. 2013 – Feb. 2013
Open to USA Residents only
Strong passion for crafting and sharing your work
Ability to meet deadlines and work well with others! (No Drama Zone)
Commitment to Lovebug Creations goals and guidelines
An active Blog and Facebook Account. YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and other social media optional!
Great written communication and great photography skills to show your projects and postings in the best way possible!
Ability to post quality tutorials is a bonus!

Garden Party Straws 4 for Lovebug Creations by Christine Barker

Creative Team Expectations:

1 project per week shared on your blog and Facebook pages as well as a short engaging post for the Lovebug Creations Blog
Projects can be high quality cards, scrapbook pages, altered art, home decor, jewelry, or anything you can imagine that shows off the versatility of Lovebug Creations Ribbons
Participation in blog hops or creative challenges as they arise
Posting on the Lovebug Creations Facebook Page and promoting your projects via as much social media as you can
Sharing information on your Facebook and Blog such as Lovebug Creations sales, Hops, Sneaks, and anything else that comes up
Taking the time to comment on and share other Creative Team member’s projects
Commenting and posting in the Lovebug Lounge, a Lovebug Creations Facebook Group

What you can expect from Lovebug Creations:

Each Creative Team member will receive monthly shipments of Lovebug Creations products
Promotion of your work on the Lovebug Creations Facebook page, blog and store site as well as other social media
25% discount on any other Lovebug Creations products you wish to purchase

Application & Due Date:

Please email your Creative Team Application to lovebugcreations3@gmail.com by midnight EST Monday, August 12, 2013.

Please copy, paste the following info into an email, fill it in and email it:

Your Name
Mailing Address (USA Residents only)
Email Address
Phone Number
Blog Name (and a link) as well as links to any other social media you would use to promote LoveBug Creations (Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, Reddit, Two Peas in a Bucket, etc.)
A list of current Design Teams you are on. If you currently are on one or not, that will in NO way affect their decision.
Tell the story of YOU! When did you start crafting? What is your favorite thing to make? What sets you apart from other crafters?? What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses as a crafter – be honest. What do you do besides crafting?
Tell them why you WANT to be a part of the LoveBug Creations Creative Team!

Include:

Attach photos or links to your all-time favorite 2 projects you have made. These can be from any time period as long as it is your original work. They want to see what you think is your best.

They would also like to see 1 brand new, never posted anywhere project! This can be whatever you would like to make. Of course you don’t have to use their Rumple Ribbon on this but it wouldn’t hurt. It MUST, however, have ribbon on it so they can see how you would use the Lovebug Creations ribbons. Think outside the box and try to use ribbon in a new, fun way.

The LoveBug Creations Creative Team will be announced on their blog and Facebook on August 16, 2013!

If you have any questions PLEASE ask. Questions can be sent to lovebugcreations3@gmail.com or contact them through their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/LovebugCreations

I can tell you that being a part of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team has been a wonderful experience and I have met many amazing crafters. Good luck to my creative and talented friends!

xo,

Christine Barker

Crafting: True Love Home Decor featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

02 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Cardmaking, DIY & Crafting, Lovebug Creations, Scrapbooking, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Antique Chic, cricut, home decor, LOveBug Creations, Olive You, rhinestone, Rumple Ribbon, sparkle, True Love, Twinklets Diamond Dust, velvet flowers, Victorian Romance, vintage, vintage flowers, We R Memory Keepers

Hello Crafters!

How would you like to see dazzling Home Decor for this weeks Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon project?

I got the “Victorian Romance” cartridge from Cricut a couple weeks ago, along with a pack of “Antique Chic” paper from We R Memory Keepers and I couldn’t wait to play with it all. I may be living in 2013 but my heart is pure vintage!

Using my Cricut, I first cut out the shadow design from black paper. Next I cut out the Lady and Gentleman design from the Antique Chic patterned paper. I cut these out at 8″.

Then I cut out the “True” and the “Love” from two coordinating papers. The word “TRUE” is cut at 1 inch and the “LOVE” was cut at 2″. Once everything was glued into place, I applied glue onto the letters in the word TRUE and sprinkled Twinklets Diamond Dust finely ground glass. I used my styrofoam pop dots to raise the lady and her lover off the page.

Next, I glued some vintage flowers to her head and her dress. I bought these flowers at an estate sale several months ago for a mere pittance. They were actually part of a dilapidated hat, but I didn’t care, since I just wanted all these lovely velvet flowers for making craft projects!

Next, I created a loose foof out of Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon in “Olive You”. I have a special technique for taming this beautiful but wild and unruly ribbon and I’m going to let you in on my secret. I wrap the ribbon loosely around my fingers, this time it was 4 fingers, and I stop when it seems like I have enough fullness, which was after I wrapped around my fingers 3 times. I carefully lay it down on my table and then cut a length of the same color, or sometimes a contrasting color, of about 3 inches. I carefully slide this ribbon underneath the foof, put the ends together and tie it off. (It’s kind of like making a pom pom, but without the other 77 wraps around your hand, red, throbbing fingers and the loss of circulation). Finally, I trim upside down V’s into the ends of the ribbon so that they have perky edges. Since this is a dressy occasion, I added a vintage rhinestone broach to the foof and would you look at that sparkle?

I think this would look pretty framed in a black shadowbox.

Ribbon: Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon “Olive You”
Paper: We R Memory Keepers “Antique Chic”
Cricut cartridge: Victorian Romance
Glitter: Twinklets Diamond Dust

Thank you all for joining me!

xo,

Christine

Design Team Call: Graphic 45

28 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, DIY & Crafting, Uncategorized

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Tags

altered art, art, arts, cards, craft designer, crafting, crafts, creative, design, design team, embellishments, graphic 45, graphic 45 design team 2013 audition, home decor, layout, paper crafts, scrapbook, tutorial

Did I mention that Graphic 45 is one of my favorite scrapbook paper companies? You don’t want to miss your chance to join their brilliant and celebrated design team! Not only do you get the opportunity to create some fantastic projects and show off your skills, but you get shipments of amazing new product, not only from Graphic 45 but also from the crafting companies that they partner with!

If you aren’t familiar with the story of how Graphic 45 was started, I’ll share some of the inspiring story with you. Diane Schultz worked as a designer for companies like McCalls, Simplicity, Vogue/Butterick and some other companies. At the age of 45 she went back to school and got her degree in graphic design. As a person who has gone back to school and earned a degree while working full time and raising a family, I applaud Diane for her discipline and hard work. Diane named her company Graphic 45 to celebrate her achievement.

She took a risk and launched her company with the help of her daughter, Aimee, and the rest is scrapbooking history.