'Twas the Night Before Christmas Part 2: The Process of Designing Cards

Hey Bloggers!'
My friend Jen owns a crafting store called Ink Paper Rubber, and when first saw the new Graphic 45 paper "Twas the Night Before Christmas", she wasn't sure it would be a line she wanted to order.  Jen's customers for the most part are artists and card makers, but not scrapbookers.  Some papers work better for one group than the other...maybe this line was one of those best-suited for scrapbooking...in her mind it just didn't seem to have enough images that would work for a card...

Well, maybe, maybe not.  Because even though "Twas the Night" is perfect for scrapbooking, great journaling spots, "Project-Life"-esque shapes, pretty colors,  and the like,  if you just think a little bit outside the box, you might be surprised at what what you can do!

I personally liked the new line very much, the bright colors and Victorian images always speak to me!
So I bought one sheet of every paper in the line, and the envelopes and tags packet to boot, and set out to see what card designs I could come up with!  Let me take you through my process and maybe it will help you to see things a little bit differently next time you're shopping for paper!

First, I cut out all the images.

Along with the framed illustrations, I cut out any images that might work in a card element, or that I could use as an embellishment. I cut holly, clocks and images of Santa... even if it wasn't a full image, I cut it out.

I selected the striped TEXT paper to use for my rosettes.  

It worked great!  I used red buttons for rosette centers.

Next, I opened up the envelopes and tags packet, and assembled all of them.

Now it was time to start playing!  I cut a background out of every paper, and experimented with what looked the best.

I tried different combinations of just about everything I had!

Once I selected my focal image, I set out to find the perfect background, and the perfect embellishment. 

Sometimes I would like the background, but try it with a different focal image just to see if I made the right choice...

When I design cards for a class, I need to see everything at the same time, to get the big picture.  So I put everything out in front of me and start moving pieces around until I am satisfied.

I knew I wanted to decorate the insides of these cards, so I laid the cards open. This helped me to match up the outside with the inside, and again, make the best choice.  I wanted them to be cohesive, yet different, and wanted the inside and the outside to coordinate.

The cards slowly came together.  It does take a while.

On this card, I liked the image, but it was a journaling spot, so would not have worked as a focal image.  But by using the little envelope OVER the journaling spot, I covered up that part, and an image I would have originally rejected became an adorable little interactive card!

And I didn't mention it earlier, but I inked all the edges of the elements. That way, I can glue down the pieces when inspiration strikes, and not have to stop to ink edges. 

All the insides of the cards are interactive.

Only the top half of this little Santa image was appropriate for my card, but as you can see, the top half was really all I needed!  I tucked it inside of the envelope!

And here they are!

All ready to send!

I hope you found this helpful and maybe the next time you buy paper, you'll be able to look at it in a different and more creative way!  And you may wonder, what did Jen decide to do about this paper?  Well, she took one look at these cards, and decided to order the entire line of course!  Stop by Ink Paper Rubber and see her if you're in Kansas City!  And please tell her I said hi!  

I have an exciting announcement so please check back Monday!  

Until next time,

 Happy Creating!

ReNae

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Hello dear bloggers,
We all remember from our childhood that wonderful poem by Clement C. Moore, "'Twas the night before Christmas." This year, graphic 45 has released a beautiful paper line with the same name. These beautiful Victorian images are perfect for making Christmas cards. So I made some!
I am also conducting three sessions where I will teach how to make these cards. Hastings, Nebraska,  September 26, 2014 and Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City) October 2 and 3, 2014.  Leave a comment if you want more information about either of these classes.

 Here are four Christmas cards that I made using this beautiful paper line. I hope you enjoy looking at them, and if you do, please stop back in on Friday and I'll explain to you exactly how I made them!
Enjoy!

And a close up...

Please check back Friday for more photos!
And please take a moment to Join my Blog!

Happy Creating!
ReNae

SAF 2014: Memories of a great day (video)

Hi Bloggers,
Saturday's StampAFaire was such a huge success!
I am so glad I participated, and am already thinking of ways I can incorporate what I learned into my stamping and card making classes!  Below is a video put together by Nichole Heady, of the day's participants and their projects.
Enjoy!  Maybe you'll see someone you know, I did!
I saw some of my online friends in this video, including Nancy Penir, and Tonya Jastad, both of whom left comments on my blog! So exciting!



So take a minute and watch how much fun we all had at this year's Stamp A Faire!
Happy Creating!
ReNae

Would I like to be a guest Designer? Absolutely!!

The prints are stamped images I made using watercolor pens on the stamp.

Hello dear Bloggers,

Recently I was asked by Tonya Gibbs, (Marion Smith Design Team) if I would like to be a guest designer/featured artist on the Marion Smith Designs blog, Artsy Addicts!

I just love these bright colors!

I was both honored and excited to be considered, and quickly began working on my project.
I decided to do a series of four cards, using the watercolor technique I demonstrated in a previous post.  This had to be really special.  It was the first time I had been "published".
My creative process is always the same:  start with the focal image, grab some coordinating embellishments , throw everything on the table and go to town!

I use all kinds of lace, trims, buttons and bows!

See the stick pins?  I made them!

Everyone says this one looks like a cake!

Here are some photos I took while creating my cards.  I hope you enjoy them, and if you have any questions on how I made them, please leave me a note in the comment section at the end of this post.

To read my Article as Featured Artist, you may click on the link here: Artsy Addicts: Featured Artist ReNae Allen
Thank you for stopping by, and until next time,
HAPPY CREATING!
ReNae

It's Time for Stamp-A-Faire!

Hello Dear Bloggers!
If you're here for the first time, welcome to Crabtree Creations!  If you've been here's before, welcome back!  I'm so excited to share with you all the latest information about  today's annual stamp event,

"Stamp-A-Faire!

It is a completely FREE online event that is offered to stampers worldwide! The theme for this year's event is TIME TRAVELER. We are going back in time and will be discovering new ways of stamping using various periods in history as our inspiration. We will visit Ancient Rome, The Renaissance Era, The Regency Era, and several fun decades of the 20th Century including the 20's, 40's, 60's and 80's. The festivities begin at 7am (Eastern Time) Saturday, and will continue late into the night!  It's always tons of fun and I can hardly wait to get started! Here is the official schedule of Events. 

The first event will be taking place in Ancient Rome.  From the amazing architecture of that era, to the beautiful detailed mosaics, you will love stepping back in time as you immerse yourself in this ancient culture.  Lindsay Jones will be our tour guide as she presents two video challenges for us to try!

8:00 a.m.  (Eastern Time)
FAUX FRESCOES
Basic supplies for the first project, if you care to participate, are as follows:
*some sort of coloring medium. Re-inkers, watercolors, Or Copic markers, to name a few. ..I'm going to try gelatos!
* white molding paste. Wendy Vecchi embossing paste by Ranger is safe with Copic markers, but any brand will work if you're using other mediums.

All ready for Faux Frescoes 

My Finished Faux Fresco 

Close up of the "Fresco"

A layer of moulding paste was applied to the paper prior to stamping the image.
Then I colored the image using Distress Markers as watercolors.  This is done by scribbling the color from the markers onto your craft sheet, then applying the ink to the image with a water brush.  It works just like watercolor paint.  

MOCK MOSAICS
Basic supplies for this second project are as follows:
*A mosaic style die, or any cover plate die that creates several openings.
*White self-adhesive foam, such as fun foam
*clear card stock, or Vellum
*an embossing ink pad, and some clear embossing powder.

Next, you will be inspired by the Renaissance era.  The dark ages had ended! Now it was time for opulence--shiny jewels,  beautiful fabrics,  rich luxurious clothes. Artists were creating beautiful works of art.  It was the age of discovery, and the world was becoming a more beautiful place.
Nichole Heady will be taking you tstep by step hrough this fabulous era and teaching you some amazing techniques!

VELVET STAMPING
The basic supplies for this project are as follows:
* velvet fabric
* A flat iron preferably with the steam holes covered.
* A Spritz bottle full of water
* A large, bold stamp.

"Velvet Stamping" Card

Using foil paper for the medallion, made it look like real metal.  I used bronze and gold foil paper,  green and burgundy velvet and white and gold cording to give it a Renaissance look.

Next I melted sealing wax and adhered the seal to the center of the medallion. 

Here is a close-up.  It really looks like an expensive metal medallion!
Isn't it beautiful?

WAX SEALS
Basic supplies are as follows:
* A sealing wax stick. (Preferably one with a wick)
* embossing ink (preferably versamark) and gold embossing powder
*small layered circle punches or dies preferably 1 inch or so
* I small bold stamp, one which will fit inside the circle

Regency with Melissa Phillips 

1920’s with Heather Nichols 

I made this card to resemble a 1920's Flapper Hat

1940’s with Betsy Veldman 

My 1920s card reminiscent of a tablecloth

1960’s with Erin Lincoln 

The first card from the 1960's is an homage to advertising in the 60's.
The stamp kit for this challenge came with several dies, which I used on this card.

Taking the same dies, I created a whimsical TV card!
The stamping technique creates depth.

  1980’s with Lexi Daly 

A Care Bears 45 record, a Trapper Keeper and a Beverly Hills Cop Cassette...
Memories of  the 1980's!!

This card reminds me so much of my daughter Ashley who was born in 1982.  She loved RAINBOWS!
Her bedroom was decorated in Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite, and lots and lots of rainbows!
I think her Trapper Keeper had rainbows on it too!!

For the "how to's on all the challenges, please click on this link:http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/files/saf-2014-schedulesupply-list.pdf

I'm ready to travel through time while stamping!

I hope this gets you excited about the days activities! It should be a lot of fun!

HAPPY TIME TRAVEL, and Happy Creating!

ReNae