MINC I DIY TECHNIQUE WITH A DIMENSIONAL BUTTERFLY CUT FILE

the MINC never ceases to amaze me with what i can create with it.

just when you think that you have run out of ideas i find more come along that i want to try out and see.

i love the trial and error when it comes to creativity as i find that is when some of my most favourite projects emerge and techniques appear!

this latest technique may just be my newest favourite!
i used the crate paper maggie holmes sunny days collection for this project.
to begin i used this butterfly cut file from paige evans off the silhouette design store.
the fun part about this particular cut file is that it is a 3-dimensional cut file so the butterflies are only 3/4 cut.  you simply fold up the wings and you have a beautiful 3D cut file background design. so fun!

using my minc and the minc reactive mist i thought to take this cut file one step further.
using this minc fan paint brush i lightly applied some of the medium to the butterfly wings.
i have no plan here....just lightly brushing the wings with the brush so that i can add a beautiful foiled effect to my butterflies.

you can see below how the medium looks on the wings. remember they will be foiled once the medium fully dries.  the trick here i found is less is more. you do not want it super thick or goopy. just a light brushing is all that is required.

next up pick your MINC toner reactive foil.
i love this silver holographic.

run your project through the minc on heat setting 3.

and voila!
my most favourite part of the minc is to always gasp at the ever so beautiful results!!!
i love this mixed media foiled effect!
just how i imagined it....but better :)

you can see how gorgeous the minc detailing looks once the wings are popped up.  i just adore this!  (note: because the cut files are semi open because of the 3D cut, i simply backed my paper with another piece of coordinating patterned patter to my layout).

i finished off the rest of my layout adding in some additional butterflies and embellishments all from the crate paper maggie holmes sunny days collection and crate paper sticker book.

this is definitely a technique i will be using again and again!  

be sure to try this out for yourself. i know you will love it as much as i do and it is SO easy!

happiest crafting friends!

0

MEMORY DEX I ALL HEART BY CRATE PAPER

i love playing with all the different paper collections that get released.

there are so many beautiful patterns and designs to play with.

i remember seeing this particular collection released back in january 2019 at creativation and literally gasping out loud.

i have always been a lover of anything crate paper and this collection entitled "all heart" seriously took my breath away.  it is SO unique, so trendy, so fun...romantic and grunge.  the whole concept behind the art and design of this release is truly fabulous.  when i finally got my hands on the product i could not wait to play!

first creative project up....my heidi swapp memory dex!

i love my heidi swapp memory dex cards and spinner.  

it is really such an amazing way to spend time inspiring yourself and creating such gorgeous cards that result in beautiful collections of art.

most of the time if i feel like i am in need of a 'creative uplift' i will create a few memory dex cards.  i always find that when i do that it is just the creative push i need to get myself going on other projects where i feel creatively blocked.

watch my video below to see just how easy it is to create custom memory dex cards using the heidi swapp memory dex dies and patterned paper.  i used the all heart 6x8 paper pad in the video.  creating memory dex cards is also an amazing way to use up scrap papers and stash.  a little truly goes a long way when designing and putting together your memory dex.

as you can see it is super easy to use the dies.  just run them through your die cut machine on top of your favourite paper and then voila!  perfect cut and sized cards for your spinner.  add your favourite embellishments, photos, stickers and more.  i love using my we r memory keepers typecast to incorporate sentiments and quotes onto my cards.  to do this you could either type on your paper before or after you run it through your die cut machine.  the choice is totally up to you.

i love how each card encompasses a different personality.  holds a different sentiment, message or memory.  just flipping through my memory dex brings me so much joy and creative uplift.  and it sure looks beautiful sitting on my desk.

note: you can find a ton of memory dex goodies right now (such as the dies, spinners and pre-made cards) right now at scrapbook.com

thank you crate paper for creating all heart.
it is SO beautiful and looks amazing in my spinner.
XO

0

CRATE PAPER JOURNAL STUDIO I APRIL

i am just going to cut to the chase.

i am really excited to share this project.

WHY?!

mostly because i actually WROTE in this journal!

does anyone else relate? 

sometimes blank pages can be SO intimidating for me.  

for fear of wrecking something...i do not do anything. 

and that really can be frustrating.

add on top of that when supplies are SO beautiful. 

gosh...the intimidation can be paralyzing creatively.

however...i think i FINALLY faced that fear head on and am completely 100% confident in taking on any journal and making it my own.

i have been admiring this insanely gorgeous crate paper journal studio collection since it was first released.  i adore ANYTHING crate paper and have been a long time fan.

i love the pretty feminine vibe.  the touch of vintage and romance.  it is beyond inspiring and i could not wait to get my hands on it.

this beautiful delicate polka dot journal is everything.
not only does it just look beautiful gracing ones workspace or desktop...the potential it holds for ones creative imagination is limitless.
that is why i was committed to work in this journal and create something that was meaningful and pretty and fun.
i committed to working on a project for me and i am SO happy how it turned out.

you know the saying, "begin each day with a positive thought"?  

that is kind of the inspiration behind this journal.

for the month of april i am going to note one positive thought per day for 30 days.
using a ruler and a micron fine tip pen i created a basic calendar spread for the month of april.
i embellished with elements of the crate paper journal studio sticker set.

to complete the rest of my journal i created weekly spreads which i hand drew using a basic ruler and micron fine tip pen.

again...there is no real structure or guideline here when i created my spreads.  i simply started drawing boxes.  one for each day of the week.  once that was complete i embellished with simple stickers and titles.

i am so happy that i prepared this journal before the month of april.
that way NO excuses.
one thought a day...that is all there is to it.
i always love a good challenge and i am ready to fill this journal with even more beauty and positivity.

as i finished up these spreads i definitely realized that when it comes to creating mind over matter is a huge thing.  sometimes you just have to get out of your head and onto the paper and let things happen.  it really felt so freeing to bring this project to life and it helped me find a working system that felt good and motivating.  i also LOVE the feeling of using up stickers and stash.

so all in all this was a win win for me!  i encourage you if you have ever felt this way to just start playing in a blank journal.  it is amazing what can happen and what can be created when you just give yourself permission to be free.

xoxo.

0