Saturday, February 20, 2016

"From my house..." Fold Open Card Tutorial



"From my house..." Fold Open Card Tutorial

I  get quite a few requests for tutorials for the work I create - especially the design team member pieces that are specifically for Alpha Stamps using the products available for them. I've rarely attempted it for two reasons. First, frankly, I never remember to photograph each stage of the construction...so there's no record of how or when I did what. And, secondly, and most importantly, because each piece is an original, I'm flying my the seat of my extremely wide pants and don't really don't know what direction I'm going in until I've already gone there.

With that excuse out of the way, I knew it was time to honor some of those requests, and I purposely made a project with this month's wonderful collection of products in the design kit which I could do a tutorial from!

We start with a sheet of Provincial Hedge Scrapbook paper. It is 12" x 12" - but we're going to take care of THAT. We want the 'hedge' side to be the outside of our card; it will serve as both background and ground for the houses to sit in. The clocks will be the interior of the card. Trim one side of the paper to 11". Score and fold the paper into quarters - the 11" side will go across the top of your scorer.
Now, cut and remove the bottom left corner. I suggest using a paper trimmer to get a good straight line (unless you've an excellent eye for cutting a straight line!) DO NOT throw away the corner you've cut out - we'll use it later. Trim the bottom right corner to 8 1/2".

Now score the upper half (the 11" side) at 5 1/2" and fold in half with the foliage on the outside.

We're going to do a lot of scoring now to prepare the base of the card. Take the piece we cut off the bottom right and score: 1/2" + 1/2" + 1/8" + 3/4" + 3/4" + 1/8" + 1 3/8" + 1/4". NOTE: These are accumulative figures; in other words, first score 1/2" then go to the next 1/2" and score then go to the next 1/8" and score, etc.

Butt the final 1/4" score edge to the edge of the 8 1/2" trimmed side of the card. Tape flush together. I used double stick tape without removing the top layer of paper from the tape. Don't worry about the appearance - you won't see the join - but it should fit FLUSH against the edge of the page.
Looking at the card from the back.
Now fold your scores into 'mountains and valleys.' To give you a mental image of what you're creating, every one of the 1/8" flat plateaus is where we will affix our decorated chipboard houses.

If you would like to create a 'sky' as I did, take a piece of blue scrapbooking paper (cardstock is not necessary) and cut to 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" (I think the Amour Violets are Blue paper from the Amour paper pad at Alpha Stamps is perfect - but any subtle pattern blue paper will do. Now tear from bottom right to top left of the blue paper leavening an uneven or jagged edge. Using blue chalk ink (or any dusty blue ink), edge the paper, then glue to the top right square of the card.

Now we start the really fun stuff - decorating our houses! There are several designs to choose from; pick your five favorites, you'll want some shorter ones for the front, a skinny one for the middle, and two taller ones for the back.
 On the first row I used the Decorative Window Set; the four pane square one I covered with gold Dresden paper trim and the arched four panel one I backed with acetate I colored with alcohol ink. All the papers on these houses (and all the houses on the card) came from the "Provincial" 6 1/2" Paper Pad.  The trim on the shorter house is bronze/brown Dresden scrap and the faux beading is half bead plastic trim from Alpha Stamps, as well. In the supply list I will include all the names of the collage sheets used for trees, roses, door, etc. The small printed tile is from my stash.

Now glue with strong adhesive, your houses into the first 1/8" plateau in your folds. You may want to clamp (or paper clip the sides of the 'mountains' to the houses to ensure a snug and secure fit.
 I used the bling-on-a-string rhinestones and colored them with pink alcohol ink. The doorknob is a single flat back pearl (I think it's on the wrong side of the door, haha, but that's where the doorknob was printed on the house!). Everything else, the rock wall, the topiary, the urn with flowers, the windows, the door - are all cut from collage sheets.

Using the same process, glue this house to the CENTER of the second 1/8" plateau. Again, I recommend using binder clamps or paper clips or something make sure that house stays down snugly in it's resting space!
 For the last row, I chose two house that were somewhat thinner so that I could have some space between them and not be completely covered by the middle house. I used gold Dresden scrap trim on the house roof on the right. A small gold bead is standing in for the doorknob. Both the red decoration and the balcony are diecuts I made on my Cricut. All the other elements, doors, windows, shrubs, etc. were cut from collage sheets. The key charm and clock charm are from my stash.

Using the same system, affix the two houses in the final 1/8 plateau.

To create the banner bunting, use a short piece of twine and cut various shape pennants from doubled over scraps left from making your houses. Fold them in half and glue them together with the twine at the top of the pennants. Glue the whole thing in place. You can see from the photo, I could have done a better job of trimming my twine closer to the edge of my card.

Make sure you've given your pieces a good length of time to dry ... it's sometimes hard to wait, I know, but I really do let them sit overnight. then unclip.

When  you unclip your binder clips or paper clips, gently pull your houses forward. They should stand on their own.
This will give you an idea of what will happen if you try to rush the drying process ... I wanted to get the photos taken for this posting and I didn't wait for the E6000 to thoroughly cure. I had to stick a few markers and pens under the middle section to hold it open LOL. I can't emphasize enough - give it time to dry!
If you would like, you could score-tape a piece of plain paper over the interior of the card (with the clocks) leaving a 1/4" border...which I only say because I think it looks nicest that way LOL. 
Now you can write a note and send off your made-with-love-and-Alpha Stamps "From My House..." card. 
Chances are, you won't have an envelope that will fit this card, so you'll have to either (a) make one on your envelope punch board - or, if you don't have a punch board, just use some sturdy white paper (butcher's paper is great!) and wrap your card like a gift, but on the diagonal ... it will look just like an envelope! You'll have to take this one to the post office to mail - it's over the 13oz. limit - and will require extra postage.

If you've made it this far, thanks for sticking around! I do hope you make some fun house cards for yourself to send to friends ... they're a delightful way to "connect" your home with friends, family and loved ones!
If you would like to see the supply list that was used from Alpha Stamps, just click here!
Now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan





 

Friday, February 19, 2016

Pink Saturday

I'm back after a long vacation from participating in Pink Saturday ... and I'm not even sure I can get back in the regular swim of things - but I found this photo and thought it really needed to be shared with everybody for Pink Saturday ... it's just too perfect!

Now, go make something beautiful ...
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan
 

Monday, February 15, 2016

Would You Like a Cupcake?




Posted by The Storybook Of Dreams & Beauty on Saturday, 6 February 2016


Now go make something beautiful ...
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan

Happy Presidents' Day!

Image Courtesy of Vintage Image Craft
 
I'm not really sure how we're supposed to celebrate Presidents' Day.
Tell the story of Washington chopping down the cherry tree, then dashing off to the 
best Presidents' Day Sale we can find?

Whatever you do, make it a swell one!

...and then come home and make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan
 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

A Valentine's Lover's Tryst Mini Theatre

As soon as I heard that the design team at Alpha Stamps would be doing houses, and shrines and theatres for this month's theme - and I saw the fabulous new collage sheets that were coming out - and knowing that it was Valentine's Day month, I knew exactly what I what I wanted to make...a Marie Antoinette style mini-theatre with a pair of Valentine's lovers trysting by a swan pond in a Valentine garden.
 For my Valentine Lover's Tryst mini theatre, I started with Alpha Stamps' Gatefold Triptych Shrine blank ... they have many premade room blanks that are wonderfully easy ways to begin a project!
 I added lots of chipboard, papers and flowers to create a much larger and more elaborate scene than the original triptych. Lots of fun getting so fussy and fancy for an homage to Valentine's Day!
 This is a close up of the display pedestal with the miniature terra cotta flower pots filled with paper flowers from Alpha Stamps. The tiny piece of Dresden paper border on the edge of the display stand top, the display pedestals themselves and the topiaries are all cut from Alpha Stamps collage sheets.
 This shows the center of the stage with the circle of swans around a (mirror) pond with a gold (plastic) miniature vase filled with flowers from Alpha Stamps. The red acrylic heart came from my stash of Valentine 'stuff.' I really like using the mirror - and wish I had used it in a way that was more visible to the viewer!
 
 These are the top arches of the piece - diecut and embellished with red acrylic hearts, bows, and three dimensional heart ornaments. All the draperies, curtain swags and theatre curtains are from Alpha Stamps collage sheets. There are so many colors to choose from, it's always hard to make a choice, but since this was for Valentine's Day, it made it a bit easier! The tall upright pillars are wrapped with mini thin satin ribbon - really beautiful stuff to work with!
 
 This is a close up of the two Valentine lovers meeting in the garden. They are from the Alpha Stamps collage sheet titled 'French Ballet Costumes.' A little pink paint on the holiday berries made them work perfectly for Valentine's Day!
 
 Thank you for visiting with me and sharing my journey creating my homage to Valentine's Day lovers everywhere! All of the supplies available from Alpha Stamps are available by clicking here.

...Now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan

Would  you be my Valentine?












Monday, February 8, 2016

... and we can crown the winner!

Handmade crown by AnitaSperoDesign


Today at noon was the drawing for the prize lot of art and craft supplies.
I used the  Random Number Generator, and received ...
which means we crown the winner of the drawing:
Jennifer

Jennifer, please send me your shipping address to 
tristan@tristanrobinblakeman.com and I'll get your prize
package into the post to you!

Thanks to all who played!
There's still time to join the hop and enter the drawing at the
Scrapbooking with M.E. youtube Valentine hop!
Visit that by click photo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glnH4BsQIe0
 
Now go make something beautiful! ...
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Valentine Youtube and Blog Hop February 4, 2016

Today, February 4, 2016, is the first day of the Valentine youtube and blog hop, sponsored and organized by Scrapbooking With M.E., a Facebook discount supply store for brand name crafting and art supplies.
There is also a chance to win one of two (or two of two if you're really lucky!) craft supply hoard treasure baskets! But, before I tell you about the way you can enter to win the prizes, I'd like to share with you my Valentine projects.
Please note that all the supplies for these projects were supplied by
Scrapbooking With M.E. Boutique and Alpha Stamps.com. All images are
from Alpha Stamps collage sheets.

For my Valentine Lover's Tryst mini theatre, I started with Alpha Stamps' Gatefold Triptych Shrine blank ... they have many premade room blanks that are wonderfully easy ways to begin a project!
I added lots of Scrapbooking with M.E. chipboard, papers and flowers to create a much larger and more elaborate scene than the original triptych. Lots of fun getting so fussy and fancy for an homage to Valentine's Day!

 The Gatefold Triptych Shrine blank provides the back wall and the two side walls with the smaller arches on top. The French windows are a diecut and the display pedestals, which hold the miniature flower pots, are constructed from images from a collage sheet from Alpha Stamps.
This is a close up of the display pedestal with the miniature terra cotta flower pots filled with paper flowers from Scrapbooking With M.E. and Alpha Stamps. The tiny piece of Dresden paper border on the edge of the display stand top, and the topiary cut out are both from Alpha Stamps collage sheets.
This shows the center of the stage with the circle of swans around a (mirror) pond with a gold (plastic) miniature vase filled with flowers from Scrapbooking with M.E. and Alpha Stamps. The red acrylic heart came from my stash of Valentine 'stuff.' I really like using the mirror - and wish I had used it in a way that was more visible to the viewer!
These are the top arches of the piece - diecut and embellished with red acrylic hearts, bows, and three dimensional heart ornaments that I made using a tutorial by Miss Edith on Scrapbooking with M.E.'s youtube channel ... some fun things there that are quick and easy and effective on your projects!
This is a close up of the two Valentine lovers meeting in the garden. They are from an Alpha Stamps collage sheet titled 'French Ballet Costumes.'
 

 Also, I made some vintage style Valentines for the blog hop - a couple I will send to people who I am doing Valentine swaps with - and a few will get sent to good friends - and one to my mom, of course! I was first inspired by this design by Laura Carson's tutorial on her blog Artfully Musing. Again, all supplies are from Scrapbooking With M.E. and Alpha Stamps.








Well, that's my 2016 Valentine stash! Hope you enjoyed peeking in - I'm glad you came for a visit.
Now for all the information about the prize drawings!

-->
Please go to each link below, watch the video, like, share and subscribe to their channels. You never know when we might throw in a few more giveaways.
MayMay Helms from MayMay Made It - https://www.youtube.com/user/MayMayMadeIt
Jenifer Stephens from Atouchofsparkle - https://www.youtube.com/user/BeautyisVirtue
Loretta Harwell from Loretta H - https://www.youtube.com/user/tkdgalsamm
Jannifer Schweitzer from Iowabuttercup - https://www.youtube.com/user/IowaButtercup
Tristan Blakeman from Enchanted Revelries -  https://www.youtube.com/user/tristanrobin
Christopher Allen from Brutus Monroe - https://www.youtube.com/user/christopheradesigns
Edith Wray from Scrapbooking With ME - https://www.youtube.com/user/SCRAPBOOKINGWITHME
Scrapbooking With ME Blog – www.scrapbookingwithme.blogspot.com
Make sure to go to our blog to register for the BIG VALENTINE GIFT BASKET
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing to all channels.
Here is the photo for the big basket of Valentine goodies and crafty supplies. 




And, now to enter my giveaway contest for Enchanted Revelries, all you have to do is become a follower of the blog (which you know you want to do anyway *smile*) and leave a comment below. I'll use the Random Number Generator to choose a winner. My prize isn't nearly as pretty as the other one! But it has lots of fun stuff in it ... here is a picture of the goodies.
 This is most of the prize package, though I couldn't quiiiiiiiiite get it all in the photo, so there's a few surprises in addition to these things. A few of the goodies include Graphic 45 chipboard embellishments and stickers, Ink Jet Shrink Film, several sets of quality printed craft papers, a set of Spectrum Noir pens (flesh tones), lots of clear acrylic and red rubber stamps (all new and never used), metal embellishments, lots of layered paper embellishments and stickers, a roll of Scor-Tape and a roll of RedLine Wonder Tape (my favorite!), a Heidi Swap stamp, some fancy paper die cut tags, several packages of crocheted embellishments (mostly holiday oriented), several tubes of Pixie Stix glitter, a Sizzix Susan's Garden die set, and much more. Please note!!! In the photo, you can see the tiny corners of my Vagabond machine and my Minc machine - those are NOT included (they just happened to be on the work bench when I took the photo!).

I will draw the winning name/number at noon on Monday, February 8. I will make the announcement and if the winner hasn't contacted me within 48 hours, I will draw a new name/number.

And remember, when you join the blog as a follower, if you don't 'subscribe' to notifications when a new post is made, you'll never receive an email from me - this is not a way for me to build my email client mailing list!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop - good luck with entering the contests! - and that you've found some inspiration! And, as always ...

Now, go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan




Monday, February 1, 2016

Who Wants a Human Hair Wig When You Can Have One Made From Paper?!

"Historical wigs always fascinated me, especially the Baroque era. This is art for art's sake aesthetics for aesthetics, no practical sense. But they are beautiful. I made a series of wigs. Paper helps to highlight in this case the main form and not be obsessed unnecessary details."
                                               ~  Asya Kozina Artist
                                                       St. Petersburg, Russia




... now, go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)(¸.•´ 
(¸.•´♥ Tristan