Graphic 45 Design Team Introduction and Final Projects

Over the past few weeks we have had a chance to get to know all the AMAZING  New Graphic 45 Design Team Members over at the G45 Blog. 

Well today is my day to be in the spotlight with the wonderfully talented Maiko Miwa.

If you haven't already, make sure to stop by the G45 blog and read the great write ups they have given us today and catch up on anyone you may have missed along the way!

I feel truly blessed to be back with the BEST International Paper Company there is! 

Thank you Graphic 45 for keeping me around, it is a truly humbling experience!

Ok, so for this year's application I created a little something new as well as used a few golden oldies!

This collage was created with a mix of Kraft Reflection and Olde Curiosity Shoppe.  I have always loved this castle image, it first made it's appearance with the Botanica bella line many years past. 

I was pleased to see it printed again in the new Kraft Reflections line. 

The ornate black frame was cut with the Cricut Machine using the Sentimentals Cartridge.

For the title I used a mix of Chipboard, printed computer font and Graphic 45's New Antique Typewriter Wooden Stamp Set.  The flying man is a clip art image that was cut out, and actually pop dotted at different levels to give more effect to his flight.

Layers, layers and more layers!

For my second project, I turned in a card favorite from the past.

This Center Step card was created for Summer CHA in Chicago last year.

Created with the fabulous Magic of Oz line featuring all of the memorable characters from childhood!

And the third project turned in was my magical Fairy Season Carousel Book.

This book was created for reapplying to the team, but was also featured in March as one of my monthly projects.  With a mix of over 10 different Graphic 45 lines, each page has tiny hand cut images placed in scenes to portray the 4 seasons.

The best part about this book is how it opens up into a star shape, making all the images really Pop out!

I even hand wrote a short little poem about the seasons for each page!

That's it for today folks!  Heading off to put the finishing touches on my May Graphic 45 projects. 

It's back to being cold here again, my baby girl is sicky on the couch and there is always lots to do in my little creative world.  Can't wait to share my April Projects with you!!!

Thanks so much for stopping in,

\Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

Nicki Chicky

Graphic 45 Altered Post It Note Necklace

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

It's been awhile since I have blogged, between being sick, shows, flower orders and Birthdays life has been CrAzY!!!  A BIG THANKS to everyone who has sent well wishes and Bday wishes my way. You have all  helped to brighten up my days!

After being sick off and on since August, and FULL on since January, I am happy to say that I am feeling GRAND again and almost fully recovered except for this drowning, lingering cough...(knock on wood)  I had forgotten what it was like to not be sick and have energy to do things, it had really started to weigh me down.  So very happy to be back into action!!

Currently I am still trying to get completely into the swing of things again, one baby step at a time.

Though I was sick, life never stopped and I know it is almost May, but to me this is the REAL beginning to my New Year, finally! 

Now if the weather would just cooperate...But what can ya do...

Alright, with all that said..Whew...I have a technique video to share with you today!!!!  Also still a little behind, I will be sharing my Altered Lazy Susan Carousel.

This little video was created for Graphic 45's Sneakie Peakie email sent out yesterday!

If you aren't signed up for their emails, then you are missing out on all the exciting things!

To sign up for their emails follow the link HERE directly to their facebook page.

 

I like to call this little ditty the Altered Post it Note Necklace!  Super simple to create, makes an excellent gift, hey, and Mother's Day is just around the corner!

Plus you can follow along from to start to finish!

 

Supplies Used:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Butterfly Specifics, Parlor Wall, Genuine Article, Mercurial Masterpiece

Curtain Call: Tour De France

Tropical Travelogue: Botanica

Graphic 45 Staples: Metal Hinges, Olde Curiosity Shoppe Tags 2

Hampton Arts: Paris Postage Stamp

Want 2 Scrap: Bling

Bazzill: Chipboard

Ranger: Glossy Accents(as adhesive), Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Distress Inks( Frayed Burlap, Tumbled Glass)

Fiskars: Craft Knife and Paper Trimmer

Font: Daulphin

Other: Mod Podge, Paint, Jump Ring, Chain, Clasps

 

 

Now onto the Fair!!

This was something I thought up last year right after making the team. At the beginning of the year it was my mission to complete it for this years tryouts, but it wouldn't fit in the box to ship this year around!!

The finished piece measures approx 14'” high x 12 1/2” wide. Created out of a double layer food carousel, or lazy Susan. The double layer worked out better than I had planned making it extremely easy to create the roof top.

Decorated ornately with dozens of tiny mirrors, 100 ‘s of gems and 6 different hand colored carousel animals. Each animal is double sided, both sides have been colored to match, cut out, then adhered together using pop dots. A painted food skewer was then slid between the layers of each animal to create their carousel poles.

The center chipboard “post” has been sitting on my desk for a few years now, leftover from industrial cling wrap rolls..just something I knew would come in handy some day and couldn’t throw out!

The finished piece probably took me way too long to create, but I am truly pleased with the results! I for see a circus inspired party in the future, and I’m already one step ahead with this interactive centerpiece!!!

 

Supplies Used:

Graphic 45 Papers:

Le Cirque: Magnifique, Circus Parade, Greatest Show On Earth, Bohemian Floral, Le Cirque

Renaissance Faire: Bona Fide, Tudor Rose, Enlightened

 

Colorbox: Chalk inks- Warm Red

Want 2 Scrap: Bling

Staz On: Timber Brown

Maya Road: Canvas Flag

Fiskars: Scalloped border punch

EK Success: Giant Scalloped Border Punch

Ranger: Glossy Accents as adhesive

Tombow: Glue Stick

Other: Spray Paint, E6000, mini mirrors, cooking skewers, metal star charms, chipboard, lazy Susan food carousel

 

That's it for today!!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wishing everyone a Happy Friday!!

XOXO
Nicki Chicky

 

Graphic 45 Design Team Finalists 2012

Well you could definately say I am a little behind with posting.   Though I am EXTREMELY excited to make the team again, I have been too sick to celebrate, or do anything but rest.

  Sat and brainstormed ideas yesterday, was all excited to get started...Then the exhaustion hit and it was Nap time. Hoping the meds will kick in soon and I can start feeling better!!!

Thank you to everyone who believed in me, and has been sending your love and support my way!!

Creating art is first a passion, then a love for sharing and connecting with other!

You all mean more than you could ever know!

Ok, onto the amazing list of artists that is now the 2012 Graphic 45 Design Team!

 

1. Denise Hahn - USA

2. Sharon Ngoo - Singapore

3. Nicole Eccles - USA

4. Clare Charvill - UK

5. Alberto Juárez Díaz - Spain

6. Arlene Cuevas - USA

7. Tara Orr - Canada

8. Jim Hankins - USA

9. Maiko Miwa - Japan

10. Gloria Stengel - USA

11. Susan Lui - Singapore

12. Kristin Wilson - USA

13. Jane Tregenza - Australia

14. Roberto Cesar dos Santos - Brazil

15. Laura Denison - USA

This new team is going to be unreal!!  With a strong base in Altered art and funkiness, these peeps speak my language!!  I can't wait to be inspired by all they do, as well as really push myself even more this year, and this is the team to do it!!  WOOHOO!!

Congrats to all the finalists, and all the applicants!

Hang in there, took me 2 tries before making the team!

Off to be lazy with my daughter!! 

Happy April Fools Day, and Hope you have a lazy Sunday!!

XOXO

Nicki Chicky 

A Celebration of Cards With Graphic 45 Papers

Hello and Welcome on this gorgeous Thursday!  As you may have been following along, this week is Card week over at Graphic 45 Papers.  All week long they have been sharing fantastic cards created by my fellow teamies.  And today is my day to share along with the fantastic Nancy Wethington and Gloria Stengel!!!

Plus I have a quick tutorial, and even a little design tip to share...So let's get to it!!!

The first card I would like to share is created using the WONDERFUL Kraft Recollections papers!

When I first saw that Graphic 45 was releasing a Kraft line I was pumped! Great for so many different projects, adding just the perfect G45 vintage touch. I even took a que from Gloria Stengel, and did a little coloring of the patterns. So easy, with quick results to match any project. As soon as I saw the tea cup paper in the Kraft Reflection line, I knew I had to put “something” in them! Couldn’t you just see a classic Easter card with eggs and a bunny in the cup, or a cup filled with flowers for Mother’s Day? Really this idea leads to endless designs and with these few easy steps you can be on your way to creating your own variation to this fun card!

Supplies Needed:

Graphic 45’s Kraft Reflection paper Tea for Two

Craft Knife, or Scissors

Cutting Mat

Step 1: To prepare, using your scissors or craft knife, cut out desired teacup image.

Step 2: After teacup has been cut from paper, use your craft knife to carefully cut just along the front lip of the cup to create an opening.

Make sure to stop just before the corners of the cup so that it is still all one piece.

Step 3: Using your finger, or a small tool gently separate the opening on your cup making sure not to tear it

Step 4: Cut out desired images to place into the cup, and slide them into the cup opening

Step 5: Once desired objects are put into place, adhere them to the cup from the backside

For a more dramatic effect, adhere finished piece to project using Pop Dots

*Tip: To create the “wet” colored water droplets, in a small container mix a little Glossy Accents with Re Inker to desired color.

Using an eye dropper, pick up small amounts of colored glossy accents and drop directly onto paper in varying amounts for different droplet sizes.

Allow plenty of time to dry once complete

These chipboard words by Imaginarium designs were actually cut apart from whole phrases. 

The phrases were things that wouldn't work for me currently( ie about a son), so I decided to put them to use for other things.  And I still have a bunch of other cool leftover words too!!

Supplies Used:

6 1/8” x 4 1/4”

Graphic 45 Papers

Kraft Reflections: Tea for Two, Bits and Pieces, and the reverse side for plain Kraft color

Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Parlor Wall, Genuine Article (bottle), Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Steapunk Debutante: Fantasy Floral, Eclectic Emporium (top hat)

Graphic 45 Staples: Stamped Metal Brads, Olde Curiosity Shoppe Cling Stamps 3

Colorbox Inks: Decades Inks (Photogenic, Triumphant Red), Chalk Inks (Robins Egg, Warm Red)

Ranger: Glossy Accents, Frayed Burlap Re Inker

Imaginarium Designs: Chipboard

Scrapbook Adhesives: 3D Foam Squares

Tombow: Gluestick

Making Memories: Silver pressed paper images

Other: Colored Pencils

The second card I would like to share today was created for a fellow artist.

Recently he had sent me an awesome clipart disk with over 650 images, so I wanted to say thanks with a card created from the clipart I recieved. 

Designed with layers and layers of pop dots to create a 3D framed image set on G45's luscious Olde Curiosity Shoppe.  I actually ended up using 3 different clipart images combined to get the finished result.

Stack handcut images for a simple decorative finished look!

Use selective coloring for a dramatic effect. 

 Here I colored only the background using inks, as well as the saddle on the horse with colored pencils. 

Create even more dimension with depth.  Notice how the horses tail is tucked under the frame, but the head is coming out.

Supplies Used:

6 1/8" x 4 1/4"

Graphic 45 papers:

Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Butterfly Specifics, Exquisite Motif, Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Colorbox Chalk Inks: Periwinkle

Scrapbook Adhesive: 3D Foam Squares

Tombow: Glue Stick

Other: Clipart, Colored Pencils

That's it for today!  Many Thanks for stopping by!!!

Make sure to head over and see the wonderful cards that Teamies Nancy and Gloria have created for us.

Also, tomorrow is the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT of  Graphic 45's new design team for 2012!!!

The anticipation is killing me....Wishing the best of Luck to ALL!!!

Have a Great Thursday!!!

XOXO

Nicki Chicky

Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Mini Star Book

Happy National Craft Month!

As you may already know, this month is National Craft Month.  And all month long Graphic 45 is celebrating with TONS of awesome ideas! 

Each week, they will be focusing on a different kind of project.  Week one was Altered Art, week two Layouts, and now into week three, Mini books!

The projects that have been shared from the Design Team are AMAZING, and the inspiration just keeps on coming!

Rolling into day three of Mini books, and today I have a little mini inspiration of my own..

I have to confess that I am not usually a lover of creating mini books. I love looking at them, and all the great ideas that come from them. But they take me entirely too long, and I start to feel crazy finishing one.

I find I need a quick fix, something I can whip up fast, then spend days perfecting with all the little details!

But this little book was right up my alley with a love for fussy cutting.

Called a Carousel book, or Star book, this cute little book measuring only 5" x 4" packs a lot of punch!!

What makes this book so neat is that is it meant to be placed standing upright. 

As you can kinda see from looking at the bottom, this book was created by gluing LONG strips of paper together, then accordion folding them just right.  Creating two separate super long accordion folded strips, you then stitch them together at the seams. 

Also due to the accordion folding of the book, everything has to be able to lay completely flat, and there were absolutely NO pop dots used in it's creation! ( Such a Rarity for me)

Even the covers on the book cannot have any dimension, and have to be tied shut on both sides to keep the book closed.

Here you can see where the pages have been stitched together. 

Also once the book is set upright, the covers and be placed face to face opening the book up completely, revealing the inside!

And once completely open, you can see from the top, why this is called a Star Book. 

For my little star book I decided to play with Graphic 45's Once Upon A Springtime and Le Romantique papers.  Letting the papers be my guide I was driven to the idea of a Children's Book.

After all, don't you just love all the story book characters of Graphic 45?

For each page I designed mini "pop up" scenes that depict the seasons.

I then wrote a fun little poem to go along with it.

Each page is filled with tons tiny details, so look close you never know what you may miss!

(Pictures were hard to get with all the strange angles)

Spring

Fairy Tea Time, Spring is here...

Come and join in all the Cheer!

                                                                            Summer

Summer Days , Hot and free

Fairies take a dip in the Sea!

Fall

Leaves are Falling..

Autumn's here

Mousies gather what is near!

LOVE the little Mousies! (and my made up word too)

Winter

Winter's Here, ice and snow..

Fairies watch the Holly grow!

Here is a link to the original instructions used.  http://virginiabookarts.org/files/2010/08/Carousel-Instructions-VABC.pdf

I actually skipped over the first strip of paper.  If I had used it the book would have measured 7" x 5". 

The recipe calls for super long piece of paper, which I had some HUGE rolls of paper from the printing press.  However measurements may be scaled down to use 12 x 12 papers. 

If you have any questions about the creation, I would be happy to help out!

Supplies Used:

Finished project 5'”x 4”x 1.5”

Graphic 45 papers

Kraft Reflections: Bits and Pieces, Before your Time, Forgotten City

Le Romantique: Daydreams, Tender Missives, Enamored Embrace, Le Romantique

Once Upon A Springtime: Woodland Fantasy, Primrose Cottage, Spellbound, Pixie Post, Once Upon A Springtime

Steampunk Debutante: Ephemera Extraordinaire

Tropical Travelogue: Rainforest, Exotic Desitinations, Stickers

Magic of Oz: The Magic of Oz

Xmas Emporium: Tis The Season

Curtain Call: Top Billing

A Proper Gentleman: Timely Point Of View

Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Mercurial Masterpiece, Parlor Wall

Colorbox :Decades Inks -Triumphant Red, Chalk Inks – Rouge, Aqua

Hampton Arts: Cling Once Upon A Springtime 1

Coredinations: Signature Core Cardstock

Red Lead: Mushroom Stamp

Quickutz: Tree and branches

Spellbinders: Labels 8 Nesting Dies

May Arts: Ribbon

Ranger: Glossy Accents, Stickles –Waterfall, Distress Stickles- Rock Candy

Other: Colored Pencils, Chipboard, Sewing Needle, Thread, Printer

Thank you all so much for stopping by today!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!!

Nicki Chicky