G45 Featured Tea Time With Alice -Altered Book

Thanks for joining me on this wonderful Monday morning.  Today is the first day in a while that we started off the day with sunshine here in Ohio!  YAY!   Which means it is time to sneak outside and take LOTS of pictures today while I can!  Things have been busy here creating projects, and getting ready for CHA.  This will be the first CHA that I've attended and I am SUPER EXCITED!!!  Been making all kinds of goodies with G45's NEW Magic of Oz line, and I am just loving the combination of Oz and Halloween!!  A definite must have!  And speaking of Halloween, today's project was created using the fantastic Halloween In Wonderland Line!  These Halloween mixed lines are so versatile, making them just perfect to use all year round.  Now onto the tea party...

For the Cover, usually I would crumple and layer some tissue paper for a more rough and tattered look.  But I just loved the aged color and texture of this book already, and felt the brass would make a wonderful contrast.  

Just Rite Stamps were used to create the perfect title and heat embossed to match the brass.

To create the shadowbox effect, use mod podge to seal all the pages together.  Do this by painting a few layers over the closed book pages along the outside edges, gently holding the pages pressed together flat. 

Once dry, use a craft knife to carve to the desired shadow box size and depth.  Cutting a few pages at a time, removing and repeating. 

Supplies:

Papers: G45 Halloween In Wonderland Collection

Jaberwocky

Through The Looking Glass

Wonderland Classifieds

Alice’s Tea Party

G45 A Proper Gentleman Collection

Timely Point of View

Man About Town

A Proper Gentlemen

G45 Steampunk Debutante Collection

Time Flies

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection

Butterfly Kisses

G45 Le Cirque Collection

Magnifique

Bohemian Floral

Wizard of Wonder

7 Gypsies Avignon collection

Ecriture

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Tumbled Glass

Frayed Burlap

Shabby Shutters

Black Soot

Stamps: Cherry Pie Art Alice Collection

Hero Arts Bold Flourish, Just Rite Stamps

Embellishments: G45 Ornate Door Plate, G45 Metal Flowers, Making Memories Metal Frame, Prima Flowers

Extras: Twine, Mod Podge, Black Acrylic Paint, Vintage Book, Vintage Clock Face, Vintage Key

Adhesives: Scrapbook Adhesives 3d foam squares, E6000, Tombow Mono Color Glue stick

That's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by, and have an incredible Monday!

Till Next Time,

Nicki Chicky

G45 Featured On the Boardwalk Card

Welcome back on this fabulous Wednesday!  Now that it is officially summer, it's the perfect time to share a little summer fun with a card created using G45 On The Boardwalk papers!  And speaking of summer projects, make sure to join in the fun over at G45.   They are holding a fantastic giveaway and they want to see YOUR creations!  So get started making something celebrating summer and post it on their facebook page today for your chance to win!

Now onto the Boardwalk...

This is a very simple card to make, but has high impact with all the little dimensional details and the shadowbox effect created using Spellbinder Dies.  It truly reminds me of an old postcard but with lots more yummy colors! 

To create this effect, Cut your background paper to the size of card.  Mine is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".

Now use your spellbinder die to cut the center out of your background. 

For stability while cutting, use a little repositionable tape to hold your die directly in the center of your paper.  Now once cut, you want to use the negative, open space that is left over. 

Make sure to place whatever image you want underneath first.  Then adhere your negative with pop dots over top.  And now just embellish.   This allows for a lot of dimension while decorating!

Supplies Used:

Papers: G45 On The Boardwalk Collection

Coney Island

Life’s a Beach

By The Beautiful Sea

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilites

Classic Scalloped Rectangle Small

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Frayed Burlap

Embellishments: Basic Grey Half Pearls Black

G45 On the Boardwalk Tags

Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives 3d foam squares

Tombow Mono Color Glue Stick

Did that get your ready to make something to post on G45's facebook?  Well if not, make sure to stop by their blog today to see what the wonderful Laura Denison has done!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! 

Happy Scrapping!

Nicki Chicky

G45 Featured Elephant Pull Toy

Good morning, and Thanks for stopping by on this glorious Monday morning!  Today I have a G45 project that I am super excited to share with you!!  This is something I came up with after finding the cutest paper mache elephants at Michaels.  Just like a kid, I envisioned dressing him up.  And from there I knew he had to be a G45 Le Cirque Elephant! 

The idea to make him into a pull toy came to me when I remembered a box of 2" wooden blocks that I had purchased at Christmas time for altering.  Once I saw how well he fit on the block, I knew it was meant to be! 

The G45 Le Cirque Collection was perfect for this creation!  With all the bright, fun patterns and colors.  I really think he would be perfect for a Birthday decoration set on a cake plate surrounded by cupcakes. 

He could be holding a number instead of the flag.  Or there could be a number on the block.  The possibilities are truly endless.

A little tiny steampunk bracelet created out of a Tim Holtz gear adds just the perfect touch. 

For the wheels, use tinker toys, or just create your own using small wooden circles from the craft store and some tiny dowel rods.  Tiny paper rosettes finish off the wheels wonderfully, and tiny paper flowers make the perfect hub caps. 

Once faced with "How was I going to attach the pull string"  and still make it look fancy was a little challenging.  Until I remembered G45's gorgeous Metal Brads.  This one is just perfect for tying the string around the center.  Sealing it off with a little Glossy accent to make sure it won't pull out. 

And Voila, instant pull toy with an elegant pull!

Every detail decorating the Elephant is handmade using G45 Papers. From his little hat, to his flag. His saddle, and even the little tassels. And as you can see we are at the END of the tail err tale.  For more info on how to attach your wheels, or decorating tips head over to Graphic 45. If you are interested in purchasing this little piece, he will be available in the future at my etsy store.  And keep an eye out for LOTS more elephants to come!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I would love to hear some ways you would like to decorate an elephant pull toy if you had one.  And who knows, maybe there will be little treat too!

Have an awesome Monday and head back Wednesday for more G45 goodness!!

Nicki Chicky

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day everyone!  Hope that you have had a wonderful day with family and or friends today celebrating the wonderful Father's in our lives!  Today my Dad was working, so my Mom and I decided to head out a do a little junking earlier in the day.  I snapped tons of pics of strange and obscure finds to share. But first I have a little Father's Day card that I would like to share with you, that I created using TJ Designs stamps and papers.

Supplies Used:

Papers: Scrapbook & Collage Papers, The European Collection, by TweetyJill Publications

(#59 French Script, #77 Ephemera and Embellishments)

Black and Cream Cardstock

Stamps: Vintage Collage Rubber Stamp Collection by TJ Designs

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Rusty Hinge, Frayed Burlap)

Ranger Adirondack Ink (Sunshine Yellow)

Tsukineko VersaFine Inke (Black Onyx)

Images: From Rescued Relatives Collage Pack by TJ Designs

Dies: Sizzix/Tim Holtz, On the Edge Dies (Ornate Edge)

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Ornate Plates and Gears & Sprockets, 7Gypsies Industrial Gears, Graphic 45 Chipboard Buttons

And now onto some fun finds while out junking, and some weird ones too!

One thing I have ALWAYS wanted in my house is a phone booth!!!  I know, not very practical, expecially when currently living in a 900 square foot house, but a girl can dream! 

Until I set my eyes on these beauties! 

Yea, so they just look like red phones, but read closer.  They are battery operated rotary phones! 

So not only do you look sweet with your retro red phones, but with the convenience of a portable phone!!

Oh the technology!  Love it!!

Here is a completely original idea!  That's right, it's a sewing machine tractor/lamp!!

Sew, when you are working, your lamp will follow where needed! 

I wish!!!

I just fell in love with the Life Like Grass.  I think this is a must have in every household!!!

There must be over 1000 uses! Love IT!

This cash register is gorgeous, but just don't think it would be too practical for shows. 

I could just see myself trying to tote it around during set up and tear down. 

Love anything that has to do with science!  Always my favorite subject in school.  Focused on Zoology in college.  Anything with diagrams, old bottles, surgical instruments you name it, I LOVE IT! 

And this last picture is a reminder to you to stop back tomorrow to check out one of my projects created for Graphic 45 this month!  And also this is a little hint!  So don't forget, because Elephants Never Forget!!

Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Nicki Chicky

Graphic 45 Featured Layout - Let Your Spirit Soar

Welcome back for another day of inspiration featured on the Graphic 45 blog!!  YAY!! Hope wherever you are your not melting away!  I know here it has been 95 degrees with high humidity and smog alerts, which means hiding out in the house making more G45 creations, and only going out if you have to.  Unfortunately the grass needs mowed so tomorrow early morning is the time.  Maybe it will be early enough I won't just melt away! 

Things here have been hectic with teaching classes, doing shows and keeping up with sales on Etsy.  Sometimes I feel like a one man band, but am really loving every minute of it!  And I can't forget to mention all the amazing help my boyfriend David has been giving trying to get us caught up!  The last week exhaustion has taken me, and I have broken out with cold sores in my nose of all places and am having a really hard time staying awake all day long.  On top of that this week has been nothing but hectic trying to find missing boxes through UPS, and just plain getting caught up!  Whew!  Really looking forward to relaxing next week and playing with G45's NEW Magic Of Oz line.  If you haven't had a chance to set your eyes on this wonderful line make sure to follow the link and check it out!  Shipping is starting very soon!!!

Now onto the inspiration!

This layout is all about my daughter Skyler.  She is a ray of sunshine that is always just happy as can be.  Always singing songs, dancing around and just being silly.  She is never shy, making friends with anyone she meets in public no matter their age or possible handicap. 

She sees the good in everyone and Let's her spirit soar.  This is something I hope she hangs onto as she grows.  Growing up can be so tough at times, but being positive and keeping the right mind set can make all the difference in the world!

Supplies:

Papers:

G45 A Proper Gentleman Collection

-Man About Town

-Dashing Debonair

G45 Steampunk Debutante Collection

-Victorian Transformers

-Modern Marvels

-Time Flies

-Fantasy Floral

-Ephemera Extraordinaire

G45 Curtain Call

-Leading Ladies

G45 Le Cirque

-Bohemian Floral

Pink Paislee Daily Junque Collection

-Junque

-Tabs

Title: G45 staples Alphabet Stickers

Basic Grey Capella Alphabet Stickers

Font: Script MT Bold

Embellishments: G45 Staples Chipboard Buttons

Tim Holtz Idea-ology precut grungeboard shapes

G45 Staples Lace trim

Dies:

Tim Holtz Alterations/Sizzix Gadget Gears

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Frayed Burlap

Black Soot

Rusty Hinge

Adhesives: Tombow Mono Gluestick, Ranger Glossy Accents, Scrapbook Adhesives 3d foam squares

Other:

White Gesso

 That's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by, and look forward to lots more Graphic 45 goodies to come soon! Wishing you wet swimming pool wishes! 

Keep Cool!

Nicki Chicky

Giveaway Winner and Rocket Age Cards

I just want to start off by saying Thank You!  For your support, your kind words, your inspiration and just for being you!!!  I hope you are enjoying a spectacular Friday!!  Here in Ohio it is a comfortable 75 degrees with a nice breeze and no humidity(for once).  But the hot weather will roll back in tomorrow, and I will be hiding away working on some G45 design team goodies! 

Today it's time to announce to winner of my blog giveaway, and I would like to share some cards I created using the New October Afternoon Rocket Age Line. 

First for the winner...And the winner is:

Carol! 

Congratulations Carol!!!  Super Excited for you!!  YAY!!

If you could please contact me @

Scrapaholicmania@aol.com .

with you shipping info, I would love to get your goodies out to you ASAP!!!

Again thanks to everyone for playing along, and all your wonderful support and comments!! 

Now for a little quick inspiration, then off to a Bday party for my Mom!

I have just been dying to get my hands on the New Rocket Age Line by October Afternoon! 

Their cute retro children and images are just as fun as can be.  Couldn't you just see these used for invitations to a little boy's Bday party.  Or even Bday cards, they are just irresistible!!

Dates and locations of classes for this set TBA next week, so make sure to stop back by!

That's it for today, off to with my mommy a special bday.  We are having a picnic/grill out.  Skyler is so excited and can't wait to eat a big piece of watermelon!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nicki Chicky