December Daily Part 2

Hi friends, Welcome back to my December Daily, Part II!
This is a collection of what I did for the 1st Seven days, and little changes I added to the previous pages.
The first thing I did was to complete the cover of my little "book". I added a cute poinsettia with an a gorgeous button given to me by Viviana Colondres. Not only did it match the colors perfectly, but it added a whimsical touch to the page. 

I also added a chunky charm to my book!!!!
This took me longer than I will admit ,but I finished it with jingle bells, pearls, baubles, and even a tassel and an antique pearl button. I am soo happy with the result!

Day three...We watched The Grinch Movie, and this motivated me to work with all greens. 
This was fun to do, and I also re-purposed some bits that would otherwise be discarded to make an embellishment. I love how even making paper crafts, we can be reminded of those little details: what appears as unusable, can often times be made beautiful. God does this with us, and it's good for us to have the same perspective~

Day 4 is this stinkin' cute little teddy! He is holding a gingerbread man. His belly button is another antique button, with a little knotted twine. The tag is made of chipboard and reads "Smile". I drew his eyes to make his expression look innocent. It reminded me of my sons when they were younger and anticipated what they would receive under the tree on Christmas morning.

Here is a closer look. The teddy is made of white paper with Oxide ink distressing. 

Day 5 is all about listening to music, and worshiping Jesus, (with coffee??) 
Having music in my life has been such a blessing, and no amount of words would ever do to describe why. This is why I crossed out the dates stamped on the tag, and wrote FOREVER. I also used a small sticker to add the small banner: Believe
I made the coffee embellishment with a die, and a peppermint sticker from the collection, finished with the number 5.

On Day 6 I eliminated the "magic" portion from a card, and replaced it with God. This suited my page perfectly, and the flower stickers worked perfectly to balance out the page. I used them by cutting the flower in half, and also adding pearls to the center. I also used striped washi tape to create a banner, and for the journaling page, I added a rounded sticker to create a more elaborate tab.

These are little details from Day 7. I will reserve the picture of my family, but if you need a peek, watch my video, and there you will see hot I used Sticker paper to print our picture, and make the embellishments. I used embossing powder and Pink Oxide Ink to keep the colors vibrant!

This has been fun to work on, and I truly hope it is of inspiration to you to document your own. My objective was to remind myself of the reason why Christmas is special to me, so my project is very personalized, and has many little details that speak to my heart.
 I hope you can Be inspired, Be Blessed!

Watch the video, and don't forget to give it a like!!

Christmas December Daily (pp1-2)

Hi friends! 
The Christmas season has begun, and this year I'm making a December Daily to go along with celebrations and memory making!
I used my Tonic Craft Kit #15 for this quick and easy project. This allowed me to cut out all of the pages I intend to use, as well as all of the journaling cards in one day!
Easy Peasy!
I began with the Authentique Colorful Christmas Collection, and some adorable dies from my stash. My cover has a cut-out from the collection, and I layered it onto a snowflake frame, as well as a photo mat die, and then embellished it with a gingerbread man, Vintage Christmas lights, and sequined tulle.


The Red Cardinal has a huge significance for me, so I incorporated him onto my cover. I wanted him to look extra special, so I spruced him up using red and black ink, as well as glossy accents
For my first page, I began with a little Gingerbread couple sticker from the collection. This is neatly tucked into a small envelope I created using the WeRMemory keepers mini envelope punch board.
I found this little tool to be very handy with little leftover pieces of paper!
With other stickers and die cuts, I created a scene, and my journaling card fits nicely behind all of it, as I created a pocket where it slides in perfectly!!
I also decided to use the Keepsake Book Maker Photos and Filmstrips die set. I think this will be the easiest way to add little pictures if I feel they are needed, and I love that it also includes phrases that fit perfectly in my little December Daily!
Here I have incorporated the Photo Die cut as well as the sentiment Believe, and the filmstrip along the bottom of the page.
The penguin sticker was a gift from my hubby, and he fits nicely onto the page, adding sparkle with a trail of bubbles!

Here is what the entire page looks like!


Every piece is part of the happenings of that particular day, and pieces of ephemera also fit into the pockets I created using the photo mats and small gussets. 
I look forward to continuing this project, and hope to share each step with you!
Watch the video if you prefer to hear the details!

I hope that you can Be inspired, and Be Blessed!!
Raquel

Tonic Studios Winter Buddies

Hi friends,

Today I'm sharing some fun and easy embellishments made with the Tonic Studios Winter Buddies. These have been around for some time, but this was my first time playing with them, and I had lots of fun creating different versions of these little personalities!

Here you can see I made a Snow girl, and I used Nuvo Glitter Pen on the pompom decorating her hat. To mkake the hat, I simply inverted the same piece I used to cut the scarf! Genius right?
I also adhered heart-shaped sequins to her scarf, to make her extra sparkly!

Here comes the rest of the gang!
The boys get to play along, and just check out the laces on the penguins shoes!!!


For this little girly penguin, I even added a bit of yarn around her scarf, and it added a completely different look! Her earmuffs and her skates are holographic also!
As you can see, these are tons of fun, and you can truly personalize them to fit your liking.

I hope that this serves as inspiration for how you can use the same dies to come up with different variations of the same characters. I didn't want to go through the trouble of adhering the eyes, so I used markers to draw ones I liked.

If you'd prefer to watch a video, take a peek here!
Thank you for stopping by!
Be inspired, Be blessed!
Raquel


Cards using Tonic Studios Craft Kit #15

Hi friends,
I hope today find you well! I am sharing a few cards made with my Tonic Studios Craft Kit #15. Let's just say I wanted to get my feet wet with this kit, and I decided to incorporate some of the lovely dies into some much needed cards.

Here is a peek at most of the items I used on this card! WOW!
It looks like a lot, but this is because I LOVE to use what I have. The image of the little nurse has been in my stash for YEARS! 

C.C Designs Nurse Nora,  Stampendous Daisy Thanks, AC Bible Journaling Stamps
There are several layers on the front and inside of this card. For the background, I selected a soft green and blue card that I distressed and inked on the edges. On top of that, I used Kraft card that I cut using the book cover die, and also inked to make sure it had the same look throughout.
Gelly Roll Pen, Nuvo Drops, Ranger Distress Crayons & Oxide Ink
I used some lovely stamps that I colored using Nuvo Alcohol markers, and even added some earrings with Nuvo Jewel Drops. This added a delicate shine to my stamped image. 
The sentiment is a partial Biblical verse from American Crafts, which I also love to incorporate into my gifts and cards. It was finished off with some glimmer, and a yarn bow for softness in a lovely bright blue.
The colors in this card set were all cohesive, and made it easy to keep incorporating different hues and textures. Watch my video for more pointers!

Thank you for reading, and of course, more importantly, 
Be Inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel



Christmas Centerpieces

Hi friends, 
This post is regarding some handmade flowers, and what I used them for.
I have been playing around with my Cricut and Cameo machines, and stretching myself to see what I can accomplish. Today, I am sharing one of my latest projects with Home Decor.
I used my Cricut to design these poinsettias, (not a Cricut file) and decided to use creams and golds. Each flower is hand colored, embellished with ink, enamels, and chunky glitter. I loved making them, and they added the perfect touch to this vase. 

To make the entire ensemble coordinate, I also etched several leaf designs unto the glass. This took an ordinary piece, and made it look luxurious!

Here is a better view of the etching on the glass. It takes patience, but the results are stunning!!

For my other designs, I used my Cameo. I must say, these flowers were a bit more work....a LOT more work. (not a Cameo file). I am so very happy with the results however, as I had to really challenge myself, and the results were exactly what I envisioned!

Each was slightly different, and I grouped them, or placed them singularly onto the ribbon I tied around each glass vase. 

All of these vases are also etched, although it is difficult to see that in the pictures.

This picture shows the same shorter vase from a different perspective.

All of the centers were meticulously prepared with care. I used seed beads and other pieces as well as sequins. The flowers also sparkle with gold. 
I hope this has been motivating to you. Keep working with your supplies, and of course, 
Be inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel

pssst..if you prefer a video...

Fall Thank you Card and Sunflower Basket

 Hi friends,
Today I'm sharing a beautiful Fall-themed thank you card made with several dies from my stash.
This little card will accompany a small sunflower basket, and will make a perfect little gift presentation.
To make this card, I used the z-fold style to incorporate all of the beautiful elements...

Here you can see that not only the card topper is embellished, but also the smaller "hinge" panel, and the hidden background panel.
I used a card die from C.C. Designs to put it together easily, and also used an embossing folder from Richard Garay for the beautiful sweater-like texture.


To help the textured stand out, and give this card a fall-work look, I used Ranger Oxide inks on all embossed surfaces and edges...

You can see the layering, and the sentiment is also layered multiple times for added dimension!

Here is the pretty little basket that will go along with this card...

I love the versatility of this type of gift set! Any fall occasion would look spectacular with these little baskets adorning a table!

The back of the square card is shown here, as this is where my message will be written. 
I absolutely love making sets like these! 
If you are interested in watching more, check out my video!



For custom orders, I can be reached at:
Paintsandglitter@gmail.com
or 
Instagram: 
www.instagram.com/paintsandglitter

Be inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel 

Masculine Cards in Fall Colors


Hi friends,
One of the greatest challenges people ask me about is: "How to make masculine themed cards?"
Well, I have to confess that I absolutely love creating masculine cards, so I have gathered some quick tips fror you that might help!
I like to follow basic rules of design, but above all, I love to add texture!! 
These are created using Graphic45 papers, with rich yet subtle colors...
My recommendation is that you look at the papers as if you were selecting an outfit for the "Man in your life"...all kidding aside, this works!
Above, you see I selected a "pin-stripe shirt" base paper, followed by a music sheet embossed "tie".
A black "slacks" paper is embossed in wood grain, and the olive green burlap ribbon could very well be a belt. Now do you see it?


Then it's time to accessorize! 
I topped this card with two elements that had to convey my message. This card is for a pastor and worship leader, so the microphone and Bible were must-haves. In order to make sure these elements were not competing against each other, I added the microphone on a shaped tag, and topped it off with a metal brad (can you see a cuff link there?) and a black floss bow. 

Here is a closeup of that microphone and Bible. Both were stamped with black ink. The Microphone was also heat-embossed. This changed it to a copper finish, and oxide ink was used throughout.
The Praise stamp finished my card.



This card was a bit easier, but the same elements are at play. I wanted to incorporate the same Bible stamp, but this time I placed it on a flat surface. (As if on a desk). Once I had this element, I created the background as I would decorate a festive wall display.
Again, adding texture is key, so I used banner dies with a stitched edge, and also embossed the background paper with a honey-comb shape. Oxide ink helped to make this stand out. To repeat the same element in the card and still keep it subtle,  I added the banner tag pieces in the same honey-comb shape. 

The sentiment was the centerpiece of this card, so I added it with two small button brads at the center of my card, and used the same olive burlap ribbon. 
I was quite pleased with both of these cards. The neutral color pallete made it easier to concentrate on adding texture, and I loved using the inks and embossing to give them special touches here and there.

What I used: 
Graphic45, Making Memories, 7Gypsies, Ranger Oxide ink, Sheena Douglass, Dove Art Studios for C.C. Designs, BoBunny, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, & others
I hope that this post has been helpful to you. If so, don't forget to leave a comment and visit my youtube page for more inspiration!
Be inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel



Swan Mini Album using Tonic Studios Keepsake Dies and Maggie Holmes' "Gather"

Hi friends,
Today I am sharing a mini album I made using One of my new favorite Die sets, as well as one of my new favorite paper lines!
I am not one to follow trends of any nature, but Tonic Studios has made me fall over myself in this category more than once! Recently, I added the Keepsake Memory Die set to my collection, as one of my favorite ways to share my love of paper arts is to make Mini Albums. I love the flexibility that this die set allows me to create a book as serious, or as whimsical as I like!!
The cover give the introduction. I love the story of the ugly duckling emerging as a beautiful Swan, so I created this beautiful embellishment to top the lovely paper using my Cameo. It has pretty pearls in soft colors, a bit of enamel and glitter to make it shine, and it's adorned with a crepe rosette, an acrylic flower, and a white feather. I'm already swooning!!
To close the book, I added a precious soft pink ribbon that I finished off with silver gems.

Once you open the first page, you see an inside cover with gorgeous music-sheet paper. The recipient happens to play the drums, so she will love to see music incorporated in this little book!
The first page is what I call a Barn-door style. I used a die from Sent with Love to add texture, and button dies to complement the gold colors throughout. A pretty flower applique and sequins finish off this page, with its own tab on the side. 

Open the page and there's room for your first photo. This was gifted to me, and it reads Smile. I love how it fit perfectly on this page!

Open that page, and there are two more pages ready for photos and journaling. I have also dry-embossed the white and green papers, and provided a tag for added notes. 

The second page has all the "pretty little horses". It's one of my favorite songs, and this paper reminded me of it!! To embellish its partner page, I added three tickets with my mini attacher, and topped them with one of my little camera embellishments. To make the tags fit in a little better, I also added a pink bow that I topped with a plaid brad. 

The third page is adoooorable!!! 
I made a side pocket with an edge die, and topped it with antique seam binding. The little note card inside is embellished with gold buttons and also opens to reveal two pages for more pictures!

This page has a top-folding flap topped with a beautiful sentiment:
Create Beautiful Memories
I topped it off with a fussy cut flower and leaf, and a beautiful dragonfly.


This page has a simple scalloped frame, but I added a banner with  handmade felt flowers, a felt bird, and little gems. 

Here I added another Picture frame, this time using the Photos and Filmstrip Die set.
To make it my own, I used it with pink vellum instead of images, and further embellished it with gems, glitter, and the sentiment: Love


That page also opens to reveal two more pages. One reads :
Celebrate
The other has room for a larger picture, or can be left blank.

Can I get a WOOHOO???
Yesss!! I added a shaker...I am in love!!
The little doe is from the paper collection. She is wearing a bow, so I added two more on the page, because...BOWS!! 🎀🎀 
The sentiment reads: Always be Joyful
I topped it off with sequins, stickles, and a small vellum pinwheel. 

To keep it consistent. I made a pocket on the following page with yes...another bow! 
This one houses lots of tiny little polaroid-esque  ephemera for her to write on, or use as a place for tiny pictures. 

This page appears more subtle in this book, but it has a lot of texture with tags that have stitched borders, and a belly band I designed using a Decorative Hinges die. I also added pink vellum to make the belly band appear softer, and topped it with a butterfly sticker.

Here I added some cattails that I designed and hand painted to match the papers, another photo frame, gold ribbon and pink washi, tiny little flowers, a blue swan I created with my Cameo, and a piece of flair that reads: Take Flight

To finish the inside of this book, I created another belly band. This time, with crepe paper and gold washi tape, topped with another camera from Magnolia Doohickey. The back cover also has a tag that reads With Love , using Sent With Love. 
I absolutely love how this book turned out, and I have enjoyed sharing it with you. If you like to see the spine, I have included that in my video. Feel free to watch it, 
Be inspired, and Be Blessed!!
Raquel 


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P.S.S. I do not represent ANY company. My website and any items shown are only meant for inspiration, or promotion of my own projects, made and sold respecting angel policies. I am not affiliated with any craft company, and my opinions on any products are not for promotional reasons.


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