Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

Well hello there Paper Peeps! I’m so very excited to be sharing the projects I’ve created for the 2014 Design Team Auditions for the fabulous Graphic 45 papers. It’s no surprise to all you followers that I love G45…..and I had loads of fun with these projects. There’s lot’s and lot’s of pictures…..so get a cuppa and settle in….I hope you enjoy them : )

First Project: Bird Song Asian Pagoda Lantern with Mini AlbumSecond Project: By The Sea Mini Album

Third Project: A Ladies’ Diary Card

Fourth Project: Once Upon a Springtime Card

Fifth Project: Vintage Football Matchbook Box Shadow Box

Sixth Project: Good Ol’ Sport Layout 2 Bubbies At The Park

Seventh Project: Good Ol’ Sport Layout Jonathan Football

Thanks so much viewing my audition! Wishing you all a happy and productive day and time to be creative : ) G

Cherry Blossom Branch Tutorial

I’m very excited to be sharing a fun and easy tutorial for making Cherry Blossom Branches for your projects. This tutorial was inspired by a lovely vintage image that I added some  of my favoritest song lyrics to. The image had a slightly Asian feel with a very subtle cherry blossom pattern in the background. I’ll share a sneak peek of the finished project….then begin the tutorial.

I upcycled the frame with a shabby paint finish…added the printed image…then layered on the pretty cherry blossom branches. This altered piece is very dimensional as you can see : ) Last but not least…a couple of trimmed butterflies.. 

Okay so here is what you’ll need to make your own branches:

Floral wire….Scor-Tape ( yes that is glitter stuck on the side of my Scor-Tape lol) wire cutters, scissors, brown ribbon Really Reasonable Ribbon and  Wild Orchid Sweetheart Blossoms.

Snip several bits of the wire a little over an inch. Wrap the cut pieces around a longer stem portion….varying the angle and width to get a real branchy appearance. It took me several tries to get my branch not to resemble something out of a Tim Burton or Halloween movie lol….but with a bit of practice I had a shape I was happy with.

Add Scor-Tape to the tops of each branch tip…and along the length of the longer section too. Begin wrapping your brown ribbon…starting from the bottom branch tips…so when you build up the layers….you will be adding bulk to the branch in a realistic fashion.

The branch on the bottom is all wrapped up. There’s a few areas where I didn’t quite get all the floral wire covered…..this is a good place to add your flower blooms lol.

I think I’ll be making myself a whole mini tree of these lovely little branches.

After I had applied the branches to the frame…..I layered some pretty little butterflies to hide the ends of the branches. Wonder what these would look like with roses???? Guess I know what my next project will be!

Sometimes less is more ( but only sometimes) for this project I felt that 2 branches was just the right amount…not to much…not too little.

I used hot glue to apply the branches…..I always burn myself…so I recommend you be super careful.

I hope this inspires you to think “outside the frame” when working on your projects…no reason why you have to stop with just a picture right?

I hope you all enjoy a happy and productive day and find some time to be creative. : ) Huggs…Ginny

RRR March Bog Hop with Peachy Keen Stamps

It’s time again for another fun blog hop with the Really Reasonable Ribbon Design Team YAY!!!!

We’re working with the fabulous March Ribbon Club Assortment:

And for a little extra fun…we are also using stamps from Peachy Keen.

Okay…let’s get hopping. You should be coming to Polly’s from the lovely and talented Misty. If you’re just starting here…..you need to click here to start at the beginning…then follow all the links to see the very inspiring projects created by the design team. Don’t forget to leave a little love for the fabulous projects!

So here is another layout for the shop with a super sweet picture of my Niece Olivia : )

It was so great that the pics had a light  background so I could add lot’s of color.

I trimmed all these paper pieces out and gave them a nice accent with Stickles and Glossy Accent.  I anchored the bottom corner of this arrangement with hand painted flowers and leaves created with the green trim from the Ribbon Club assortment. The little fan was cut from coordinating pieces and got a little stickling and glossing. I added a bit of the extra paper to layer between the background and the cut out portion for extra detail.

After base coating the chipboard frames….and inking them with chocolate brown…I used my new lattice Peachy Keen Stamp to add the pattern. After it dried…I gave it a coat off gloss. I think it looks like an Asian lacquered frame. I did have to add many spacers to keep all of these chunky elements level. 

There’s a pretty little layer of the white lace to border the center arrangement. I clipped additional lanterns out and detailed them and layered them extra flowers. I have no idea if that Asian writing is upside down or sideways…so sorry about that : /

Cute little birdie in the nest of hand painted flowers. I actually had a customer in the shop this week who told me I was crazy to hand paint all my flowers…I’m not mentioning any names…you know who you are : ) Also I think you might be right lol.

I’m sure she will come in next time and tell me I’m crazy to cut out all the lanterns and birds too lol. But I just love how they turned out!!!

I may have to add some reinforces to the layout display…this one is heavy. Thanks so much Crystal for the picture donation : ) Love ya!!!

Okay so that’s it for my project for this months hop. Now all I need is someone to bring me a ladder to the shop so I can get them hung up.

Your next stop in the hop is Gloria. She has a super fabulous creation to share. Don’t forget to leave her a little love for her project : )

Thanks to everyone for joining us in the hop. Hope you all have a happy and productive day and find some time to be creative : ) G