My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy

I was at the Craft and Hobby Association the year that Core'dinations was chosen CHA's Top Pick.  It was my first time hearing of Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock.  I checked them out that trip and I've been hooked since. 

Today, I want to feature several projects I made predominately using Core'dinations.  I can't begin to tell you which is my favorite, but I can tell you what the theme is going to be:  Spring colors, butterflies, and flowers.  I think I have a good dose of Spring Fever!

The Story
This is my new little granddaughter.  The picture is from her dad's cell phone.  The two of them were watching the Cincinnati Bearcats play basketball.  Little Honey is having a great time.

The Layout

What I Learned

• Core'dination Cardstock is just addictive !
• I used a Prima Mask and the light yellow Core'dination cardstock to create an embossed background.  I laid the mask on my desk and Core'dinations paper face up over the mask.  I used my stylus to outline the mask.  I flipped the Core'dinations paper over and used the lighter side of the paper for the background.  You can see the lightly embossed background next the butterflies.  Cool.
• I embossed a piece of the Core'dinations cardstock, sanded, inked, cut the shape out for the journaling.  I was able to print my journaling right on top.  I held my breath through the working of that idea. 
• The circle is attached by zig zag sewing stitch.  I punched out small circles of different colors from the Vintage Collection and cut the circles in half.  I placed these on the edge where the sewing outlined the circle.  I "pen" stitched around each circle.  I'm totally satisfied with the results. 
• The effect of the Sizzix butterfly die and embossing folders on the ColorCore paper are incredible.  I sanded the embossed area and inked the edges to put those butterflies in flight. 
• I could not resist adding Graphic 45's little fairies to the butterflies.  Can you just imagine the fairies riding on the back of the butterflies?  It's how fairy tales are made. 
• I'm hooked on butterflies!

The Story

I just purchased Core'dinations Cosmo Cricket paper.  It matches everything I have.  It's close to Easter so I thought it would be nice to make an Easter Card for my daughter and her family.  When I think of Raelyn I think of butterflies.  So the theme continues.

What I Learned

• You can create that collage distressed look on a card. I had so much fun seeing how much I could get in the birdcage that is on the card.  LOL  It was really fun.
• I punched the lacy bottom of the cage with my Fiskars Border punch.  I layered the crochet ribbon, and sanded a small left over piece to make another layer of "lace."  I totally love it.
• Although I sanded the background Core'dination Cosmo Cricket paper, I painted the butterfly.  After cutting the die and embossing it, I used my brayer and acrylic white paint rolled over the  embossed part of the butterfly.  The paint really popped the embossing.  Now I can't stop embossing and painting everything!  LOL
• I had forgotten some of my old tricks from the "early years."  I snipped a 3/8" wide strip of Core'dinations White Wash Collection.  I ran it through a dynamo label maker.  I had to make sure to squeeze hard to make the embossed letter raised enough to sand to reveal my greeting.
• While designing my card I remembered my crafty junk drawer.  I found the pearls, lace, and Kaisercrafts wooden piece in the junk drawer. 
• Using the back of paper is cool.  The "Kraft" looking paper is actually from the Core'dination White Wash Collection.  It doubles really well for my accent layers.
• I'm still hooked on butterflies!

The Story

As you probably know I have SPRING FEVER.  LOL  I set out to make a home decor piece to express my joy for the Spring season.  This is one of Dad's photos of me.  Although the photo is a little faded the Spring dress is a beautiful pink.  The dress has a pink ribbon belt and Mom fixed my hair and added a pink ribbon.  See those knee socks?  I had never heard or would have thought to go without socks, wear ankle socks, etc.  A little lady always had her knee socks.  When I was 12 we moved back to the States to a rural area in Florida.  After two days of school, I venture to say I lost the socks for sandals quickly!

The Project

What I Learned

What didn't I learn! 

• I used Core'dinations' Jenni Bowlin Collection and Cosmo Cricket Collection.  I sanded and cut out the butterflies from Jenni Bowlin's Vintage Brights Collection.  I was amazed I was able to cut them out and not lose the outline of the butterfly.  

• I painted with the brayer for the bottom layer.  I sanded the teal and left the brown un-sanded.  I love mixing it up.

• The buttons are from Core'dinations cardstock and Martha Stewart button punch.  If...I would punch, SAND, and CRACKLE paint each button.  Then I would have rubbed in some Tim Holtz Distress ink.  Hmmm, hindsight is 20/20?
• Who says sewing must be straight?  Not total mayhem, but the accent of the sewn piece turn out to be just the right touch.

Biggest Lesson:  I learned how to make these adorable paper roses.  I watched about a dozen YouTube videos until I could make my own.  Then I shook it all up.  I cut the paper 4 x 4 inches.  Then I ran them through the Cuttlebug with an embossing folder.  Sanded.  Starting in the center of the square I drew my swirl for a pattern to follow.  I did not cut my swirl, I tore it.  Once I rolled it up and turned the edges down I had a real shabby, distress rose. 

Bonus Project

I could not resist this idea.  Once I learned how to make the roses I had to make more.

The Story

I won a packet of Core'dinations Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection from Core'dinations.  I received it in the mail just as I was finishing my first three projects.  I really wanted to do a project from this incredible new release.  The colors just inspired more Spring Fever!

The Project

Things I Learned

• I loved making these simple roses and shaking up everything by making it a distressed rose!
• When you are distressing something perfection goes out the door.  The more nicks and dings the shabbier it looks. 
• I made the roses the same as in the above project.  I applied Ranger's Alcohol ink to the base of the bracelet.  Ranger's Meadow Alcohol Ink is a great match for these distressed but Spring color papers.
• I attached the roses and tulle to the bracelet with Glue Dots® Adhesives Craft dot.  Glue Dots® Adhesives dots really stick well for many types of projects. 
• In honor of the "distress" Core'dinations bracelet I add Tim Holtz's Ideaology baubles. 
• This will be fun to share with my friends.

This is one loaded post.  I hope you find something inspiring for your layouts and projects.  I want to also thank everyone for their suggestions on my last post.  I will be spritzing the back of my papers from now on.  How did this one slip by me? 

Have a wonderfully Crafty day!

Gratitude List

1.  LH's health

2.  a very understanding husband

3.  friends you can share with in loss

4.  God's wonderful sense of humor

5.  proof of new life all around me