Do it yourself embossing mat

I got this great tip from one of my scrapbook groups...

I needed a mat that I could use my embossing gun with and I ran across one I could make.  First I used very heavy/thick chipboard.   This one was the back part of an embellishment pack.

Next take some aluminum foil (I used name brand).  Cut the size of the board plus a little extra for folding.

Then I folding the foil around the cardstock, like I was wrapping a present.  I taped the flaps down on the back side.

Now I have a great embossing board. 

I think the reflective foil helps the powder/gun heat up faster and I don't have to worry about burning my fingers or my table.  I also use a wood skewer/tooth pick to help hold my paper in place so it didn't blow away.  

At the Scrapbook Expo

Sorry that I am not posting a project. This week was a bit hectic and today I am at the Scrapbook Expo with CSD Diva Liz and Guest DT Maryann.







Here we all are.
Maryann, myself and Liz



Liz and I



Liz and I with Stephanie Barnard from The Stamps of Life.



Here I am pretending to ride the cardboard scooter!! LOL!!

Happy Crafting!!

Michelle

Chalk and it's Versatility...

Hello Divas,
I've been excited to share the versatility of using chalk to color your stamped images. Today, I'll show how one stamp and chalking get fabulous results.

so my first card is done with black ink on white cardstock. and the next is done with Black cardstock and white embossing..

Using chalk to color your images gives a soft effect and is very easy.. Just use a Q-tip and chose a color and rub directly over the image... The result is fast and very colorful... Here are the two finished cards.. All done in less than 6 minutes.. I really need to learn to video and make you a tutorial.
I hope you can see the chalks and the ease of this technique.

Have a Happy Day, Liz

Useful Tip with Luisa - Project Life/Journaling Station

Hello Divas,
Luisa here... This time am sharing a tip that has been working wonders for me, since I decided to adopt it.
As you know am an "organization junkie" and always trying to find the best way to organize myself and my stuff (maybe I create 50% and organize 50%, lol...). 

Well I have been reading about having "work stations" for the different tasks that as crafters we do, like: stamping, die cutting, etc.  I don't have a big scrapbook room, actually my bedroom is 65% sb room and 35% bedroom, lol...). So I decided to create mini stations for some of the most specific tasks I do, which are: Journaling, Project Life and Embellishments.
I already shared my Project Life little tote, which is the one I carry with me to the living room to create and enjoy my family at the same time.


Today am sharing my JOURNALING / PROJECT LIFE Station!
This one sits in my night table, besides my lamp.  I place it here, because I want to be able to use stuff from it when am writing in my Diary, Weightloss Journal and Inspiration Journal.  If am working in Project Life pages, I can simply move it to my desk.


It all started with this organization box from Walmart ($8 dlls) with dividers.

Plus some journalind materials, such as Smash Products (post- its, flags, tape, journalind books), some general office supplies like labels in different sizes and shapes) some index cards and other fun stuff I found.



And this is the end result:

For now, this has been working wonders for me.  But I know myself and am getting addicted to Project Life and my supplies stash has been growing pretty fast...


What about you?  How you store your supplies?
What you think about creating stations or as me mini-stations?

Hugs and blessings,

February Guest DT - Maryann Abutaha - Post 3

So Valentine's day is over and I'm not ready for Easter yet, I thought I would do something for St. Patrick's Day.

I printed a clover box on green card stock and cut out some designer paper




I heat embossed a silver four leaf clover with silver embossing powder. I thought it would stand out more but it didn't..hmm..oh well.




I cut out the squares and circles and adhered them to the box and put pop squares for the circles where I embossed the clover.




And Viola! put the box together! I hope you can see the embossed four leaf clover. Since I'm new to heat embossing, I only have a few colors right now. But you know I will have more soon!







And this is the top of the box. I also cut out the designer paper to match the top.




Hope you like my project!

Maryann

Valentine's Heart Shaped Pouch

I know that Valentine's has passed but since it was only a couple days ago and since every day is a day to love one another, I figured I would share a Valentine Heart Shaped Box I made.

This is from the 'Heart Shaped Box' collection from SVG Attic .

Here are the first two shapes that I cut out using my Cricut and Sure Cuts A-lot and the Heart Shaped Box. These pieces will be the sides and top flap of the box.

Here are the two hearts which will be the sides of the box.  The holes are for ribbon to tie it closed.

Here it is after being assembled.  You can see the flip top.

I chose to put a chocolate covered heart peep inside but you could put Hershey's Kisses too.

I added some white ribbon and a piece of card stock with a heart that looks like a stamp 

for mail and matted it.

Here is a close up view.

Here is the view from the top.

Side view.

I hope you like it!

Happy Crafting!

~Diva Michelle

Have you seen what's new from SIZZIX...?

Hello Divas!,
I'm so excited to share with you that Sizzix dies has now released a few of Stephanie Bernard Flip it card dies.. They are a 5x5 finished card and are so fun..

I decided to play and make two cards using the same Fancy frame flip it so you can see the versatility of this card die.. You can use it for fancy cards or just some fun everyday sentiments..

you can create two cards from a single 8.5 x 11 sheet or three cards from a 12x12 sheet of cardstock.

My first card is a fancy card I did using a patterned cardstock and a stamp set from Market City Stamps.

This die is so much fun... You can cut these out and make a card in under five minutes.. Just cut, add a sentiment and your done if you ise patterend paper.. FABULOUS AND FANCY..

Here's my playful Bday card.. using The Stamps of Life stamps





I'm off to create more flip its.. I think these are my new favorites...

Enjoy your day,
Liz