Challenge # 6 - Playing with Stencils

Hello, Crafty Folks!

This week we are going to play with stencils!  Stencils open up new vistas of creativity for crafters at every skill level!    Later today, I will post a new Stencil project with a step by step tutorial.   As with all my Tutorials, draw inspiration, but if you don't have all the products...use what you have on hand, you may surprise yourself!

I am using the Tim Holtz Crackle Layering Stencil for this week's project!

BUT FIRST, HERE ARE OUR TOP THREE PROJECTS FROM CHALLENGE#5

 All of the projects were well done!  Thanks!

CHALLENGE # 5 - TOP THREE

(in no particular order)

MARGARET of  Cards and Cats

Very balanced design!  Great image choices and composition!

Lil Artsy Woman

The colors are nicely integrated and the bold sentiment definitely elevates the design!

IMKE of My Crafty Place

Love the colors and the composition on this design!  

The addition of the twine was a great design decision.

Thanks, Ladies!  I will e-mail your badges!

CURRENT CHALLENGE:  PLAYING WITH STENCILS

The challenge this week is to use a stencil as the focal of your design.  

The FOCAL is the image, embellishment grouping, or sentiment that serves as the "center piece" of your project.  All other elements should complement the Focal point.  

Minor elements should never overwhelm your focal.  Even your background papers and layering papers should complement rather than distract from your focal elements.  

THINK PINK

This project, created for Canvas Corp Brands ® during Breast Cancer Awareness,  is one of my favorite creations using a stencil on canvas.  The Stencil "Live Inspired" is by Donna Downey.

The canvas size is 6" x 6".  

Hugz,

Chana

STAINED GLASS "NEW BABY" GIFT TAG

Supplies Needed:

Tag Dies or Tags #8,  Layering Stencil, Distress Inks, Modeling Paste, Mod Podge and Fairy Dust.
Clear Acetate.

STEPS

Determine the size of your tag, I used #8 which is the largest die in the Alterations Tag Die Set.  To get your frame,  you must use the large #8 and the next die down.   Cut a piece of card stock to serve as your base.  It should be large enough to cover the entire frame.

 Select the Distress Ink Colors you want to use for your stained glass window.  I used: Pine Needle, Aged Mahogany, Brushed Corduroy, and Chipped Sapphire.

Apply your distress ink in your desired pattern.  I used finger daubers, but I also applied ink using the Tim Holtz foam blending tool.   It is your creative decision!

Once you are satisfied with your window design, place your layering stencil (I used Tim Holtz's Crackle) over the design and apply a thin layer of modeling paste. Remove the stencil and allow the paste to air dry.  You should be able to see your colors through the paste.

After your paste has dried, use your blending tool to lightly swipe colors across the surface.  Allow the paint to dry (you can help it along with your heat tool.)  Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge and while it is still wet, sprinkle a light layer glitter over your window.  Allow to dry.

 To create the shadow box effect, apply foam tape to the sides of your window base.  I cut my foam strips in half.  I used three on each side as well as the top and bottom.  If you are making a shaker card, sealing the top and bottom will prevent your shaker elements from escaping.

You can now decorate your base and set it aside.

 Apply double stick tape to the back of your frame.  Cut a piece of Acetate large enough to cover your frame. (I cut a piece from an old die package.  I save these to use on projects.) Remove the tape cover from the frame and apply the acetate,

You can now assemble your project.  Remove the paper cover from the foam tape on your base and apply your frame.

 Backlighting highlights the Stained Glass Effect!

Remember, all challenge are open until December 31, 2016.

An InLinkz Link-up

Paper Sizes

Hello, Crafty Peeps,

Today we are going to talk about paper sizes.   Here is a chart that will help new paper crafters understand some of the references you will see in various challenges.

The most difficult part of any undertaking is learning the "lingo."  Even crafting has it's own language that can be confusing to the uninitiated.  As you begin to participate in challenges, you may be baffled by unfamiliar terminology.  Or, if you are following a tutorial that was made in the UK, the metric system may be your stumbling block.  We will try to de-mystify the paper speak and help you get started crafting instead of cruising the net looking for answers.

American paper sizes

The US and Canada do not use the international standards but instead rely on the paper sizes below. The ANSI standard was added in 1995 to create a set of sizes that are based on shared dimensions. It lacks however the consistent aspect ratio of the ISO A-series.

	Millimeters		Inches		Points
	Width	Height	Width	Height	Width	Height
Letter (ANSI A)	215.9	279.4	8.5	11	612	792
Legal	215.9	355.6	8.5	14	612	1008
Ledger (ANSI B)	279.4	431.8	11	17	792	1224
Tabloid (ANSI B)	431.8	279.4	17	11	1224	792
Executive	184.1	266.7	7.25	10.55	522	756
ANSI C	559	432	22	17	1584	1224
ANSI D	864	559	34	22	2448	1584
ANSI E	1118	864	44	34	3168	2448

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Half Fold

The easiest card in the world to make is the Half Fold.  You simply fold an 8 1/2" sheet of paper in half either vertically or horizontally.  Your finished card will measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2.

Quarter Fold

The quarter fold is merely a half fold that is then folded in half vertically.

In card making, rather than folding on the dotted lines, the paper is cut either vertically or horizontally and then folded.  You can make two cards using one sheet of paper.  If you want to use the French Quarter Fold, it is possible to print sentiments on all panels.  But we will discuss that when we get into actual card making.

Basic Card Folds

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A5

A5 is a paper size that is often used for notepads or pocket books.

Dimensions

A5 measures 148 × 210 millimeters or 5.83 × 8.27 inches. In PostScript, its dimensions are rounded off to 420 × 595 points.

Part of the ISO 216 standard

A5 is part of a set or range of page sizes, called the ISO A or ISO 216 standard. This international standard is based on the German DIN 476 standard from 1922. A5 is actually often referred to as DIN A5. The Japanese have adopted the same range of paper sizes in their JIS P 0138-61 standard.
By folding an A5 in two along its shortest side, you create an A6 document. Two A5 pages next to each other in a spread equals the A4 paper size. This way a range of paper sizes are created from A0 (which has a surface of one square meter) to A10. The height/width ratio remains constant (1:1.41 or the square root of 2) for all sizes. The dimensions always get rounded to the nearest millimeter.