Cruising & Chalkboards

I've been away for a couple weeks on an Alaskan cruise -- and what a wonderful time we had.  The weather was beautiful, and the scenery absolutely amazing.  When I was about 12 years old I remember my Grandmother coming home from an Alaskan cruise and showing us some pictures that were so amazing that I determined some day I would take my own Alaskan cruise.  This was the time!  Pictures really don't do it justice though--but what a relaxing and refreshing adventure we had.  And I think whale watching might have been the pinnacle of our time there.  It just didn't get old...well, except for the one rough day at sea we had.  But I didn't get seasick, so that's a bonus.  And watching everyone try to walk on deck...that was just hillarious.  But anyway...moving right along--

Just before we left, though I'm just now posting it, I finished up a project I'd been thinking about for some time.  A while ago the local framing shop was selling mat board inventory for an incredible low cost.  So I picked up a bunch (a whole lot) for some "down the road" projects.  Then just recently, Hobby Lobby had their wood frames on sale for 50% off and I was just so excited to pick up a couple for the Mother's Day gifts I had planned.  I barely finished in time, in addition to packing for our cruise. 

I cut both foam core and mat board to fit the frame, then spray painted the mat board with chalkboard paint.  Note:  be sure to read the instructions on the paint can for a good curing.  I didn't need to add any further backing to the frame, but a decorative backing adds a nice finishing touch.  For the front, I added some decorative ribbon, and stamped some words with Archival Black Ink--after the ink dries there's no smearing.  Also, I used clear embossing powder and heat embossed an image to the front of the chalkboard.  I thought it added a bit of dimension...and for my Mom's I loved the wet look for the "coffee ring & drips".

On the computer I created a title block & images that I distressed with Distress ink before I laminated them.  My mother's was for her kitchen, and my mother-in-law's was for her Scrapbook Room. 

It was fun to make and very simple.  I added the laminated card to the front of the frame with velco so that it could be removed if needed to clean the complete board, or a new Title Card can be added in it's place.  Also, with the Title Card attached to the front as is, it gives you a place to put your chalk behind it.  They loved their gifts, and I was able to make it in a weekend...which included my drying/curing time.  I just love quick fun projects!

**UPDATED**

The Bird Was Framed!

So...I found this frame at the Thrift Store last summer.  Both the picture and the backing were torn, but the frame was lovely, so I figured I'd find some way to use it later.  One of Tim Holtz new Alterations dies is the Caged Bird, which I cut and distressed with Distress Ink.  I love the look of it, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to display it.  When to what do my wandering eyes appear?  But a miniature frame, just sitting there -- yeah...anyway-- with just a smidge of a trim the birdcage fit inside the frame perfectly.  I added ribbon to hang (just by stapling it to the back).  It was pretty cool in the window with no backing, but it just needed a bit something more.  So I added a backing and cut out backgrounds I could slide into the back...for whenever the birdie needs a change of scenery.  I've only added two so far, but can you guess what they are made out of?  My backgrounds were cut out of kleenex boxes!  Puffs...to be exact.  I use them for some amazing cards too...and so much more.  I always buy my kleenex boxes based on the picture.  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this quick one. 

Thanks for stopping by....Lisa

Tim Holtz Bookplate Bookmarks

Back in January for the Just Rite Garden tour, I saw a wonderful project on Barb Schram's blog for ribbon bookmarks using bookplates.  So I tucked it into the back of my mind for a March birthday gift for my Mom.  Tim Holtz' decorative bookplates were an amazing find for this project.  You'll soon discover that I am a big fan of Tim Holtz products -- I love that whole vintage, distressed look.  But I especially love repurposing.  So using the bookplates for something a little different really appealed to me. 

I've taken some pictures of the steps, and I'm adding some direction.  But as I'm quite new to blogging, please feel free to post any comments you might have to help me on my journey.  I hope you enjoy the project...I certainly had fun creating it. 

LoveLee Recipe:
Adirondack Alcohol inks - Stream, Cloudy Blue, Cranberry, Gold Mixatives, Blender Solution. 
Cricut Sentimentals Cartridge – Shadow Frame3 at 4 ½” (Gold Metallic CS), Layer Frame3 at 4 ½” (Bazzil Swiss Dot), 2 Library Cards (not cut, drawn w/brown ink), and 1 Library Pocket cut at 3” (Ivory CS). 
Just Rite Stamps - Monogram Set w/Versa ink and black embossing powder. 
Tim Holtz Idealogy Ornate Plates. 
Crystal Lacquer, Glossy Accents, or Diamond Glaze. 
LaMode Vintage Buttons. 
2 yds decorative ribbon. 
Fired Brick/Broken China Distress Stickles. 

Distress Inks: Brushed Corduroy and Tattered Rose. 

Perfect Pearls (Gold). 

Using scraps of deco CS (cardstock), press into ornate plate to gain impression of inside of plate.  Cut off excess & stamp monogram with versamark or perfect medium.  Brush on perfect pearls to cover and lightly brush off excess.  Mist with water to set.  Adhere to inside of bookplate with Crystal Lacquer on the inside rim.

Box Inserts

Two, 12” x 3” strips of Deco Cardstock

- Score at 5”, fold

- From fold line, score at 5” & 5 ¼”

- Fold on all score lines

- Round top left/bottom left corners on one strip, and right left/bottom corners on other to fit snuggly in Metal Tin (top is short edge)

Center

5” x 4 ¾” piece of Cardstock

- With 4 ¾” edge at top of score board, score at 1 ¾”, 2”, 2 ¾”, 3”

- Fold on score lines so that center is raised (valley fold, mountain fold, mountain, valley)

- Distress center of CS (distress inks used – brushed corduroy, tattered rose)

- Apply strong adhesive to top of left/right sides, but not center

- Adhere back only of deco CS to each side (pay close attention that rounded corners are on correct sides)

- Place in tin

Using a combination of alcohol inks ink the tin in small sections at a time, as it does dry quickly.  I chose to ink with a a bit of metallic gold accent, and then I went over it again adding blending solution to mute out the colors a bit.  Tim Holtz has some great video tutorials on his website for the techniques I used in this project. 

For the ribbon, I folded it in half and used the folded edge for the tail.  I put brads through the holes of the bookplate and wrapped it around the ribbon to hold in place.  I used a separate piece of scrap CS to adhere to the back of the plate, over the ribbon, holding everything in place.  I added some decorative stamping to the back with perfect pearls again, and outlined it with stickles.  I attached a decorative button to the top of the ribbon with a brad as well.  I also colored the button with copic markers.

I hope you enjoyed this fun project. Thanks for looking. Lisa