Paper Crafting: Vintage Inspired Christmas Ornament Swap

08 Sunday Dec 2013

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

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

LOveBug Creations, Lovebug Creations Creative Team, Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon, paper craft, paper rosette, papercrafting, rosette, seam binding, seam binding ribbon, swan, victorian card, victorian christmas card, Vintage Collector

This past weekend I went to a very special event hosted by my friend, Kim Caldwell. The event was called Winter Wonderland and was held at the magical Disneyland Hotel. A wonderful part of the creative retreats that I attend is the swaps among the participants. It’s so much fun to create a set of identical ornaments and receive a set back from your friends that are so beautiful and gorgeous, and handmade!

There were several swaps for this event but I only joined the vintage Christmas Ornament Swap. Since I have 2 other ornament swaps PLUS a Secret Santa swap going on, I didn’t want to overload myself!

For this swap I created a Victorian-inspired Christmas Ornament, with a swan as the focal point, complete with vintage glass glitter and tinsel around the edges.

I created a sweet bow, using Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon, and attached it to the vintage-style bottle brush tree and used Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon as the beautiful hanger, as well. The ribbon I used is Buttercream, from the “I Do” Collection.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

XO,

Christine Barler

PS: Did you get a chance to see my tutorial on using the Martha Stewart Scoring Board? I made a VIDEO tutorial with all of my best tips for making no stress paper rosettes! Check it out!

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

Sewing: Prairie Chic Apron Featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

17 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, DIY & Crafting, Sewing, Textiles

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

apron, apron tutorial, battenburg, lace, lace rosette, LOveBug Creations, prairie chic, ribbon, rosette, ruffle, Rumple Ribbon, seam binding, sewing, shabby chic, shabby chic apron, The Creative Connection, unbleached cotton

Hello Friends!

I’m going back to my shabby chic roots for this weeks project featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon. I like to call this look Prairie Chic, since it reminds me of something that Laura might wear if she could choose a pretty apron to wear in her Little House on the Prairie.

I started with a piece of unbleached cotton canvas and ripped off 16″ of fabric. I prefer ripping cotton fabric as opposed to cutting it with scissors because ripping fabric ensures that your seams are completely straight. This apron is about 16 inches high by 20 inches wide. I folded the fabric in half and cut a nice curve at one end.

I laid out my doilies and stitched them into place. Next, I created the ruffle, (leaving one side with a raw edge), and stitched it along the edge of the apron, right on top. Then, I added a piece of crocheted lace trim on top of the ruffle stitching. Finally, I created a waistband sash and added more crocheted lace trim to keep the look cohesive.

In 2010 I went to a very special event in Minnesota called The Creative Connection and got to meet one of my favorite artists, Ruth Rae. Ruth signed a copy of her book, Layered, Tattered & Stitched, for me and I’ve treasured it ever since. I’ve been inspired by her work for a long time now, and from time to time I give free motion stitching a whirl. It’s a little difficult to see but the words I stitched are LOVE, CREATE, IMAGINE.

I created a rosette from some sheer mesh and used Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon to create the center of the flower and added a pretty bow to the sparkling glittered key.

The ribbon that I used is called William. It’s been one of my shabby chic favorites and it’s part of the Oh Cecilia Collection.

This apron is for sale in my Etsy shop. Please come over and check it out along with my other shabby chic and vintage treasures.

And if you haven’t visited the Lovebug Creations shop lately, you’ll want to check out all of the beautiful colors of ribbon, and now mesh, that they offer. From Shabby Chic to bright and vivid, there are many stunning options for you to choose from. If you’d like to give some Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon as a gift, you can also choose a gift certificate and your gift recipient can select their favorite colors!

Thank you so much for joining me for this project. I hope you have a wonderfully creative week!

xo,

Christine Barker

Jewelry: 4th of July Earrings featuring Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Christmas and Holidays, DIY & Crafting, Jewelry, Lovebug Creations, Rubber Stamp

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

4th of july, 4th of july craft, create fourth of july jewelry, diy jewelry, earrings, fourth of july, fourth of july jewelry tutorial, jewelry tutorial, LOveBug Creations, patriotic, red white blue, rhinestone, ribbon, ribbon earrings, ribbon jewelry, rosette, ruffle, Rumple Ribbon, tutorial

Hello Crafters!

Kimi Cremar from Lovebug Creations gave me a challenge this week. She pointed out that I’ve made necklaces and bracelets using Rumple Ribbon and challenged me to make some earrings!

So, this week I dreamed up and created these earrings inspired by the 4th of July and patriotic bunting.

I used the ribbon from the Lovebug Creations Star Spangled Rumple Ribbon Collection. This beautiful collection features Simply Red, Simply White and Simply Blue.

The “Star Spangled” Rumple Ribbon Collection gives you 4 yards of EACH color. That’s 12 yards of ribbon for only $6.00!

To give these earrings some sparkle I added a rhinestone to the center of each adorable bow.

How to Make a Rosette

1. Measure out 7 inches of ribbon. Thread your needle with 12 inches of thread, double it up and knot it at the end.

2. Next, insert your needle into the edge of your ribbon. Then, begin running your needle in and out of the fabric and create a 1/8″ running stitch.

3. Run your stitch all the way across. I usually bring a couple gathers up onto the needle at one time and then gently pull the thread all the way through.

4. Once you get to the end of your ribbon, pull gently on your ribbon to slide it in small waves across your thread towards the knotted end. When you’ve gathered to the length you want, tie off your thread in a couple knots. I’m super OCD so I make 3 knots. Every. Single. Time.

Finish the Rosette

1. Place your raw edges (the two ends) together and fold them over 1/8″ and then fold again. You can pin this or just hold it while you put a couple of quick stitches in.

2. Run your thread from the seam that you just stitched over to the opposite side and make a couple stitches to keep the hole in the center from opening.

3. Voila, a finished rosette!

(Polka dot pattern background thanks to Frenzy McGee)

Are you ready for a SURPRISE?

I’m so happy that this is my 50th post that I’m ready to celebrate with a special gift for a lucky winner!

Sign up to follow me via email and leave me a comment telling me your favorite part of the 4th of July and I’ll be picking a winner for a special present! I have a Mixed Media stamp from the oh-so-talented Julie Nutting to give away to the WINNER! Winner will be announced next Tuesday!

Thank you for joining me!

xo,

Christine Barker

Happy Valentine’s Day!

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by kryztyne2012 in Art and Crafting, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

chipboard, glitter, love, LOveBug Creations, martha stewart scoring board, paper crafting, paper crafts, paper doily, paper rosette, ranger glossy accents, rhinestone pin, rosette, Rumpled Ribbon, scrapbook paper, slice die shape cutter, valentine, valentines day, Valentines Day Craft, valentines day decor, valentines day decoration, Valentines Day paper craft, vintage

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the colors of red hearts, with pink accents, and white trim. And, I love the idea of celebrating LOVE!

But most of all, I love candy, especially chocolate. So it’s amazing to me that there is a holiday that brings all of these things together!

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I created a fun card using Lovebug Creations Rumpled Ribbon.

Supply List:

Lovebug Creations Rumpled Ribbon in Caddy Blue
Valentine Scrapbook paper collection
Chipboard key shape
Paper Doily
Turquoise rhinestones
Clear glitter
Red paint
Rhinestone pin
Hot glue gun
Tacky glue
Ranger Glossy Accents
Foam Squares
Slice shape cutting tool
Scissors

Begin this project by creating your embellishments. Start by cutting out a 2.5″ heart out of red patterned paper using a Slice or other die shape cutter.

Flood the top of the heart with Ranger Glossy Accents to give it a beautiful shine and use a paint brush to spread the glue around before it begins to dry. While the heart is drying, cut out an interesting element from your coordinating scrapbook paper that will be placed in the left hand corner (I used a sweet bird). Add some vintage glitter to really make the embellishment pop. Edge this element with a brown stamp pad or brown marker to give it some definition.

Paint a chipboard key red and set aside to dry. Once dry, add some glitter.

Next, to create a rosette, cut out two strips of the red patterned paper that measure 1″ x 12″. (I attached one strip to the other and ended up using 21″ of it). Also, cut out a 1″ circle of paper using a punch. Using the Martha Stewart Scoring Board, score the strip of paper every 1/2″ and then accordion fold in 1/2″ intervals. Stick the ends together and glue with your hot glue gun. Work the rosette into shape and using a hot glue gun, glue a circle of paper onto the middle of the rosette.

Using 12″ of Lovebug Creations Rumpled Ribbon, create a loosely gathered bow and tie it down in the middle with 2″ of ribbon. Glue this down on top of the rosette and attach the red Key Chipboard Shape. Attach a rhinestone pin on top of the red key. Set this aside to dry.

Next, cut a piece of scrapbook paper that is 7.5″ tall and 6″ wide. Using a red ink pad, rub the ink pad on the edges to give them a vintage look. Set aside to dry.

I love using Paper Doilies, they remind me of making Valenting crafts in elementary school. Glue a paper doily to the center of the card. Using your red ink pad, edge a piece of 5.5″ x 4″ coordinating paper and attach that on top of the doily using the foam tape. For the center element, a vintage valentine, I used 2 identical pieces of scrapbook paper, but you can also go to The Graphics Fairy and download a free and super cute vintage valentine. Print out two copies onto card stock, and cut the main element out of one of the copies.

You’ll be layering this cut out copy using foam tape on top of the original copy. Attach these to the 5.5″ x 4″ paper. Add some glitter and some rhinestones to your element.

To finish, attach the handmade and glittered element to the heart shape embellishment using foam tape and attach that to the upper left hand corner with foam tape. Attach the rosette embellishment to the bottom right hand corner with glue. Add some additional rhinestones to the upper right and lower left hand corners of the 5.5″ x 4″ paper.

Voila! You have a beautiful card or decoration for your home. Enjoy!