Another Oversized Holiday Tag with Sandi ~ Creative Embellishments

Hello, scrappy fans!

Thanks for dropping by my blog today. 

Sandi here with you today sharing another Oversized Large Tag from the Large Tag Set.

This time I'm featuring a photo of my mom from many years ago on Christmas Day. This was back in the days of cameras with disposable lightbulbs. We had used all out lightbulbs on Christmas morning, so we had to go outside to snap this photo. Photo credit to my 8 year old self. :) What a neat memory.

My Large Tag was altered with papers from 13 Arts Christmas Stories. After adhering and layering my papers, I dabbed the center portion of my tag with white gesso so that the focal point would be more visible as well as to add a frosty theme. My Winter Tree 3 was then mounted with corrugated cardboard to give it dimension. It was altered with Rangers Peeled Paint Spray plus ink and Fresh Balsam Mica spray. Next I added some Aleene's True Snow. After I matted my photo, I added more corrugated cardboard such that I could set in the photo of my mom in front of and to the side of the Winter Tree 3.

 

Then I moved on to colorizing my Poinsettias from the new Poinsettias which are more of a Skeleton version. They are quite nice and I love the new look! These were altered with Rangers Crackling Campfire as well as Tart Cranberry Mica Spray. The "25" from the Christmas Sentiments set was altered with Rangers Black Soot and serves as my title.

Tucked in around my photo are several Mini Berry Branches from the Mini Berry Set. These were altering in varying proportions of the Crackling Campfire and Tart Cranberry. I then used some lime green Stickles for the center of the flowers. There is some mesh ribbon tucked into this focal area as well.

The Tag was completed with die cut ephemera from Tim Holtz Christmas Botannicals and a few Prima fabric poinsettias.

Lastly, I added some seam binding and splattered white gesso in a diagonal manner. My plan was to send this to my brother as my Christmas Card for this year. Which I did and they loved it! 

Thanks agin for visiting the blog!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year! 

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Large Tag Set

Poinsettias

Winter Tree 3

Mini Berry Set

 Christmas Sentiments

 

Gorgeous Christmas Layout with Sandi ~ Creative Embellishments Throwback

Hello, scrappy friends!

It's Sandi Clarkson here with you today sharing a new Design Team layout created using Creative Embellishments .

 

This adorable photo is of my cousin's grandson taken a few years ago. She reminded me of it a couple of months ago, so I put it on to-do list for this time of year.

   

I wish the photos could do justice to just how pretty and shimmery this layout is truly is.

My background papers are some older Graphic 45 Christmas papers that went well with my sweet photo.

 

My background was prepared with clear gesso and then I added some super heavy gesso pushed through the CE Falling Stars Stencil. The colorizing around the photo cluster was done later with my Shimmerz Vibez Rolling in the Hay. It's a darker, more vintage gold than Vibez Glorious Day. It really adds just the right amount of oomph to my cluster.

 

 

I had just received the CE Tall Trees chipboard in the mail and thought they would be perfect for this project! I altered them with Shimmerz Green Olive original paint and then lightly sprayed them with Vibez Palm Reader for a little more glimmer. Later I went back and splattered everything with Vibez Snow Storm which gave a snowy look to the entire page  .. even better than gesso. As you can see see, I also added some art stones here and there.

Here you can also see some of the CE Falling Stars Stencil work as well as my random stamping with the CE Circle Bokeh Stamp.

 

I wanted to frame my photo with more than just cardstock, so I used one of the Creative Embellishments Mint Box Flourish Frame Set 2 and altered it the same way as the chipboard trees for a cohesive look. It was placed underneath the photo so that I wouldn't lose any photo details.
Just to add a little bling, I added some green flat back pearls to the frame and to the trees.

Another sweet little snowy tree and more stamp work.  You can also barely see the end of the CE Wavy Music Note Border which I altered with Walnut stain. I thought it made a great little "road" for my sweet fella driving his Christmas tree home.

 

Here is the lefthand portion of the CE Wavy Music Note Border. Also you will note lots of the added art stones which were first sprayed with my Vibez Glorious Day. Later, I decided to spray them with my Vibez Snow Storm instead to make them white like snow. However, the gold edges still show and make them glisten a bit more which I like.

I finished the layout with a very old Petaloo vine that I had on hand. I updated it by spraying the flowers with myVibez Glorious Day. Because I'm trying to use up my old Christmas stash, I added a few 3-D candies and some old buttons. Why, oh why do I have so much Christmas paper?

Thanks for coming by today!

Sandi 

 

Creative Embellishments products used:
Chipboard:

Tall Trees

Wavy Music Note Border

Mint Box Flourish Frame Set 2
Stencil:

Falling Stars Stencil
Stamp:
Circle Bokeh Stamp

 

 

Christmas Ornaments for Creative Embellishments ~ TB

Hello, crafty friends!

Sandi here with you today sharing an older Christmas ornament project! 

 

I had asked Nicolle several years if she could design some "moose" chipboard similar to some cute moose ornaments that I purchased from the local craft store.

I've been doing a woodland theme the past 2 years and am figuring that I will do the same this Christmas because they are neutral and oh, so cute!

 

 

 

 

Each Moose set has 2 pieces in it, so I've actually used 2 sets.

You'll need one set for each moose that you create if you glue them together as I did. Of course, you can also use them as single pieces for other projects.

 

I first painted both sides of each chipboard with antique white craft paint. When that was dry, I used the Distressed Crackle Stamp and black ink to give the moose some character.

 

After the stamping was done, I coated them with Honey Medium for shine and sprinkled them with 13 Arts iridescent glitter. As you can imagine, my whole house now sparkles! Ha!

 

 

 

Next, I glued two moose pieces together, only gluing the head portion (not the antlers) and along the top of the back of the moose. I used a canvas stretcher to hold and separate the lower body and legs.

 

I decided that the moose looked a little too plain, so I added some bits from the Pine Cone Clusters and  adhered them around the neck. For one of them, I added a painted jingle bell from the Antlers set.

A twine bow was added on each.

 

 

 

 

After they were good and dry, I used my crop-o-dile to make a small hole where I could run some twine to create an ornament hanger.

 

 

 

As you can see, I split one of the Pine Cone Clusters into 2 pieces and used the foliage portion on this guy.

 

 

 

Each moose has an unembellished side but you could decorate it also if you wished.

 

 

 

I've included this photo to show you how the antlers are bent and separated for a more realistic appearance.

 

 

 

Here is a photo of the canvas stretcher which I used temporarily between the two pieces until everything was good and dry. You could actually leave it if you wished, in which case, you might want to paint it or use something fancier.

 

That's it for today!

Thanks for coming by.

See you next time.

 

Sandi

 

 

 

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard:

Moose (2 packages)

Pine Cone Clusters

Antlers

Stamp:

Distressed Crackle Stamp

 

On This Day Earth Shall Ring ~ Creative Embellishments

Hello, Creative Embellishments fans!

Sandi here with you today sharing my almost-Christmas Eve post.

I've created another oversized Tag from the Large Tag Set to document my newest favorite Christmas Carol performed recently by our Chancel Choir "On This Day Earth Shall Ring."  Written in the 15th of 16th century, it has a great, catchy rhythm and a fun juxtaposition of lyrics that somehow really amplifies the meaning of the words. It's one of those songs that you can't get out of your head.

After choosing a suitable Nativity scene photo, I looked through my stash for some Palm tree or Olive tree chipboard but found none although we do have several Palm Tree chipboard images in the Store. Sadly, those were not in my stash. However, I had recently ordered the new "Spruce Clusters" and decided to use them as my greenery in place of Palm trees.

To alter my chipboard Spruce Trees, I've used Rangers' Rustic Wilderness which is a great color. However, for the appearance of texture, I've added splattered Peeled Paint as well as some Wild Honey, both by Ranger. The trunks of the tress were altered with their Walnut Stain.

Beneath the photo, I've tucked in some green moss for additional texture as well as a few old florals. Papers and die cuts are from 49 and Market's ARToptions Holiday Wishes.

I printed out a few lines from the hymn and adhered them to some of the Holiday Wishes die cuts. I love how the lowliest of creatures are part of the Christmas story.

Of course, I wanted to add an angel, so choose one of the new "Angel Ornaments." It was altered with Walnut Stain and a metallic gold wax from Prima.

To create the illusion of rolling hills, I added the second grouping of Spruce Trees a bit higher than the others.

I used corrugated cardboard to elevate my photo and added some sisal between my layers. On the upper left of the Tag, I added one of the Flair from the "Shine Flair Gold" to represent the star of Bethlehem.

I finished with some splattering of white gesso and by adding a few flat baked pearls. At the top, I secured a bit of red crinkle ribbon. Although not my most striking piece, I am so glad that I documented something important about this particular Holiday Season.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

See you next time.

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Large Tag Set

Angel Ornaments 

Spruce Clusters 

Shine Fair Gold

Peace on Earth Tag ~ Creative Embellishments

Hello, scrappy friends!

Sandi  here with you today sharing a new altered Large Tag from the Large Tag Set. These oversized Tags are 5.5" by 10" and are such a great size for creating something fun! Use them to display as home decor, trade them or use them as gift tags as I sometimes do. Honestly, I have a hard time parting with them!

For my first layer, I adhered some papers from 49 and Market's ARToptions, Holiday Wishes collection from the December My Creative Scrapbook Limited Edition Kit. After adhering my papers, I selected the chipboard elements that I wanted to use as well as the Acrylic White Snowflakes that I added. My focal photo is a stock one from Unsplash.

 

I built up my focal area with old miscellaneous flowers that were off white and red but many years old. Because they aren't seen this is a great way to use up those florals that you don't think you wish to use visibly. Next, I added several layers of corrugated cardboard to my photo and then added a torn white crochet doily as a fun, textural element. Especially because I didn't do any mixed media to speak of this time around.

Here you can see a bit of the Holly and Berry Frame that I've altered with Tim Holtz Rustic Wilderness paint and Wild Honey Oxide Stain. Later I added some Christmas Red Stickles as my berry alter.

 

Just to try something unusual, I altered and added the Tropical Foliage pieces because I thought the tips looked an awful lot like pine needles. Don't use agree? Also as another fun layer, I altered the Antlers from the Antlers Set and stained then Walnut and then added gold metallic wax to them. Love, love using them!

 

For the corner of my Tag, I've used one of the large Reindeer from the Reindeer Set and altered him with Walnut Stain and some cream acrylic paint for spots. Then I added a Tim Holtz Christmas Botanical die cut poinsettia at his neck. Later I finished my work with dabs of white gesso, as well as splatters and you can see some of that  here.

 

Just a shot of the right side of the focal area and revealing one of the White Acrylic Snowflakes as well as an antler and the rim of the Holly and Berry Frame. Additionally, I've tucked in some holly die cuts from that same Botanical collection. The title piece is a Tim Holtz Christmas Noel Label Sticker.

 

For more texture, I tucked in some lime green moss at both the top and bottom of the focal area. I also used some small pine cones from 13 Arts.

 

At the top of the Tag I added some green crinkle ribbon from My Scrap Cabin.

 

The red poinsettias are also from the December MCS Limited Edition kit.

 

And lastly, here is the other side. I love how this Tag turned out even though I seemed to have had a million other things going on at the same time! My scrapbook room looks like a bomb went off. I'm sure many of you can relate to that!

I hope you will find time to drop by the Creative Embellishments Store. Nicolle has SO many great Winter and Holiday pieces! All my CE pieces are linked below!

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful season and also that I have inspired you in some way!

See you next time!

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard: 

Large Tag Set

Tropical Foliage

Reindeer Set

Holly and Berry Frame

Antlers

Acrylic:

White Snowflakes

 

The Best is Yet to Come ~ Creative Embellishments

Hello, everyone! 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 

Sandi Clarkson here with you sharing my newest project for the Creative Embellishments store. 

This sweet layout was created using the 49 and Market ARToptions, Holiday Wishes paper collection. 

I haven't played along with a sketch challenge lately, so I'm taking advantage of the November sketch challenge at My Creative Scrapbook. It's a great one by Laura Creates. Sometimes I need to get out of my comfort zone and sketches help so much in that regard. Photo are of a couple of the grandkids and are printed three times as per the sketch. 

Here is the November sketch from My Creative Scrapbook:

And now for a bit about my process. 

Firstly, I tackled the title piece The Best is yet to Come as well as the Berry Wreath. These were altered much the same .. but honestly, they were 4 or 5 colors before I was happy with the end result. I finally saved the day by adding some Tim Holtz Ranger Fossilized Amber Stain to them. So, if you are struggling just know that it happens to all of us. Usually, I am able to save the project. But not always. 

I did add some color to the berries with Ranger's Tart Cranberry Mica Stain. It turned out a little messier than I would have liked but it's really okay as the printed pattern paper is somewhat muted and watercolor-y. 

I am totally smitten with the new Leafy Cluster. Firstly I covered these with gesso and then added Rangers Peeled Paint Spray Stain as well Peeled Paint ink. I can see that I'll be needing more of these chippys! 

I'm also loving this little embellishment cluster at the bottom of this photo. The 49 and Market ephemera and laser cuts offer so mch! 

The gold microbeads were added next and lastly. I did some splattering with white gesso. It's cloudy outside and I seem to have trouble photographing the shine of the microbeads but it's grand! 

Love the added poinsettias from the laser cuts pack.

It's hard to see but I also did a bit of stenciling around the focal area with the new Retro Stencil and added white ink through the corner of the stencil. Very faint but does add dimension.

That's all from me today! 

CE Products used are listed below. 

Hope you are getting your Thanksgiving planned if you are from USA. 

Don't eat too much! 

See you next time, 

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard: 

The Best is yet to Come

Leafy Cluster

Berry Wreath

Stencil: 

Retro Stencil

Veteran's Day Tribute ~ Creative Embellishments

Hello, scrappy friends! 

Sandi Clarkson hosting the blog again today and sharing my newest project with you. 

Since today is Veteran's Day here in the USA, I've scrapped an old photo of my Dad, my much loved and all-time favorite veteran! 

I prepared my background with clear gesso and then added some texture with paper layering and by stenciling through the Small Circles Stencil with modeling paste. Later I colorized the modeling paste with Rangers Uncharted Mariner stain using a transfer technique. Additionally, I did some random stamping using the retired Creative Embellishments Fishnet Stamp and brown archival ink. Papers used are 13 Arts In Love collection. The colors in this collection are great for beach or nautical themed projects. 

The base layer of the focal area was created using the amazing Old World Map (medium) which I altered with  Rangers Unchartered Mariner Spray Stain. While I was already working with the Unchartered Mariner stain, I also altered my title piece from Sands of Time. I used white ink to distress the edges of the title piece. 

Because I wanted to allow time for my chipboard to dry, I went ahead and altered my Seaweed 2 set with a layer of Rangers Crackling Campfire Oxide Spray, followed by a bit of Tart Cranberry Distress Mica Stain for interest. These pieces were used alongside my photo and also as a base for my title area. 

I built up layers in the focal area by using 3 pieces of corrugated cardboard under my photo as well as by using some torn cheesecloth. Further texture and dimension was added using 49 and Market florals, Creative Embellishments Wood Veneer Nautical pieces and Art Stones. The three Wood Veneer pieces come in a set of 6 of the same piece. Mine were distressed with a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I used: Boat Wheel (set of 6), Nautical Star (set of 6) and Compass Rose Set of 6. 

My layout was completed with some random splatters of Rangers Picket Fence Spray. 

One last close-ups for you: 

Thanks so much for coming by the blog today. 

We appreciate your interest in Creative Embellishments products! 

To visit the store, you can follow my link: 

CE Store

See you next time! 

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard: 

Old World Map (medium)

Sands of Time

Seaweed 2

Wood Veneer:

Boat Wheel (set of 6)

Nautical Star (set of 6)

Compass Rose Set of 6

Stencil:

Small Circles Stencil

Stamp:

retired Fishnet Stamp

End of Summer ~ Creative Embellishments Canvas Board

Hello, scrappy friends! 

Sandi Clarkson hosting the blog today and sharing my newest project with you. 

I was in the mood to create a canvas and knew I wanted to do something Autumn themed. So, I grabbed a thin canvas board from my stash and covered it with Rice paper from the older 13 Arts End of Summer collection using Ranger's Distress Collage Medium. After that was dry, I added some Distress Crackle Paste and let that air dry. 

While the Crackle paste was drying, I started selecting and altering my chipboard pieces. For a frame, I choose the leafy vine frame and altered it with Ranger's Distress Mica Stain in Irongate. It became my bottom layer. Then I went on the hunt for something with berries but while I was looking, I came across my stash of Baby's Breath and decided to save the berries for another time. I altered the Baby's Breath with Burning Embers Mica Stain. One thing I really like about these stains is that I get full chipboard coverage with one spray. Plus, they shine! 

My die cut ephemera is also from the 13 Arts End of Summer collection. These were added during the creative process. 

In search of a little something novel to add, I chose the awesome engraved chipboard Tree Rings. I need to order more of these! They are so interesting and provide texture for your projects. 

Next, I chose an Autumn Themed flair from the Fall Flair Buttons and positioned it as above. 

Feeling the need for more texture and something to brighten the photo, I added some older golden fabric Petaloo florals and tucked them in a few spots. 

I completed the piece with a little vignette on the lower left, altering the Tree Ring with some gold wax. I had already added gold color around my focal area, but felt that it needed more, so I enhanced with a deeper hue. 

Gold microspheres and Black Soot stain splatters were the finishing touches! 

This was a fun, relaxing piece to create and will make a great home decor piece until it's time to decorate for Christmas. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 

See you next time ... 

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard: 

leafy vine frame

 Baby's Breath

Tree Rings

Flair:

Fall Flair Buttons

Autumn Memories ~ New Layout for Creative Embellishments

Hello, scrappy friends! 

Sandi Clarkson here with you today sharing my newest project for Creative Embellishments. 

This project has been on my desk for awhile now but I finally made an appointment with "me" to sit down and lose myself in the mystery and wonder of the creative process. 

Anyway, I wanted to create using Autumn colors and chose this sweet photo of my twin grandsons back when they were small, walking in the leaves. So cute! 

For my papers, I've used 13 Arts awesome Industrial Zone collection. I really didn't do any mixed media this time outside of some random stamping with the Circuit Stamp and brown archival ink from Ranger. Because I had settled on using some burlap ribbon for my background, I felt that stenciling with modeling past might be too much. Same with focal color. 

But I was more than ready to get after my Autumn themed chipboard, that's for sure! 

I gave everything a good coat of walnut stain from Ranger and then used custom metallic wax along with some Tim Holts distressed oxide inks from Ranger for color: Wild Honey and Crackling Campfire. 

To bring the eye to my photo, I used the Circular Twig Frame which created a bit of a base for some of my other elements. I always enjoy creating with the Acorn Clusters this time of year, so I placed 2 of those on top of the frame using foam squares for dimension. 

Before going too far, I added a few pieces of Industrial Zone ephemera here and there for balance and interest. I was careful to tuck in the ATC that says "Autumn" before adhering my Acorn Cluster on the right of the photo. This ATC as well as the one on the far right of the page, are from the Autumn Artist Trading Coins set. I decided to cut and offset the Coin on the right and made a little cluster with leaves from the Branch and Leaves set. I scattered a few more of those leaves around the focal area. 

And of course, I needed some flowers, right? 

I chose some from the Rustic Bouquet, Marigold set by 49 and Market. 

Perfect colors and texture for my piece. 

I finished with some gold microspheres from 13 Arts and some flat-backed pearls from BoBunny. 

Here are a few more close-ups: 

I hope you feel inspired to create regardless of your circumstances. 

Creative Embellishments products used are listed below. 

Thanks so much for dropping by the blog today!  

See you next time,

Sandi

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Chipboard: 

Circular Twig Frame

Acorn Clusters

Autumn Artist Trading Coins

Branch and Leaves

Stamp:

Circuit Stamp

Bedhead or Dryad ~ October Layout with Sandi for Creative Embellishments

 

Happy October, y’all! 

Sandi here and I'm sharing another throwback with you today!

 

Bed Head or Dryad? Either way, you need a little coffee in your life! Right?

 

 Anyway … although I rarely do black and white layouts,  I was really feeling this photo.  In Greek mythology, Dryads were the Forest Fairies but in 2020, this represented all things Bed Head to me and maybe even 2020 in general. It was a doozy. 

 

Despite all that, I had lots of fun with my chipboard pieces: Leafy Vine Frame Life Happens Coffee Helps Flourish Butterfly Set 2 Typewriter Keys Alphabet Blocks and Alphabet Game Pieces. The great thing about the alphabet sets is that you can create your own custom titles. 

Here are some close-ups: 

 

That's about it! 

Here was my inspiration photo: 

 

 

See you soon!

Happy Creating!

 

Sandi

 

 

Creative Embellishments products used: 

Leafy Vine Frame

Life Happy Coffee Helps

Flourish Butterfly Set 2

Typewriter Keys

Alphabet and 

Alphabet Game Pieces