Burlap Christmas Banner Tutorial

Hello everyone, I'm here today with my very first project as part of the Addicted 2 Scrapping Design Team.  Check out our Facebook page HERE, so you can keep up with all of the DT's latest projects.

Our theme this month was Christmas, so I decided to create a banner to hang from my mantel.  

I am going to walk you through step-by-step what I did to create my project.  You will need about a 1/2 yd of burlap, a ruler, a marker, and a pair of fabric scissors.

I cut out 19 rectangles (to spell MERRY CHRISTMAS) measuring 5" wide and 6.5" long.  I marked the spots with a marker and then just cut them out.  I wasn't worried about being too exact.

Next, I folded the burlap in half (hot dog fold = lengthwise) and measured 2" up from the bottom and made a mark.

I then cut on a diagonal from the bottom left corner to the mark 2" up on the fold.  I ♥ this trick, an oldie my Mom taught me! :)

When you unfold it, it should look like this...

You now have the foundation for your banner.  Next up is the letters.  You can choose to do this so many different ways.  I am going to share 2 with you today.  If you own a Cricut, you can cut out letters and use the negative as a stencil.  I used the "Storybook" cartridge.

Cut out your letters using your Cricut.  I made mine 4" tall.  I wanted them big enough to see, but not hanging over the banner.

After I cut out the letters, I used the negative part of the paper that was left over as a stencil.  I would suggest taping this down, to ensure your stencil stays in place.

I used black acrylic paint.  Here's how mine turned out...

The second option for letters is to cut them out of black cardstock with your Cricut and use glossy accents to adhere them to your banner...I chose this option.

I wanted to add a bit of shimmer to my banner pieces, so I sprayed them up with my Golden Sleigh Bells Starburst Spray by Lindy's Stamp Gang....♥ this stuff for Christmas!!!

I use an old box to spray in, so I can keep my work space clean.  After I sprayed the pieces, I used my heat tool to dry them.  This also helps to keep the burlap pieces from curling up.

When you have them all adhered, it should look something like this...

I used some bias binding to hold the banner together.  This is actually from my Grandma, it's circa 1950.  Love that vintage touch! :)

Just a bit of hot glue and the project is complete!

Here's a close-up...

And here's my decorated mantel.

Hope you enjoyed today's project.  Click HERE to check out our Addicted 2 Scrapping Facebook page for crafty inspiration and some wonderful Christmas projects! HUGS :)

Birds of a Feather Baby Mini-Album

WOW, I can't believe the holiday weekend is almost over!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  For today's project, I created a baby mini-album for I Am Roses.  I used the "Earth Love" collection by Cosmo Cricket, such a sweet collection for a baby boy or girl!  I covered a 4"x4" board book mini by 7gypsies and added a bunch of adorable tiny flowers from IAR.  

I used a bunch of different ribbons and trims from my stash in this mini.  The green ribbon is actually from one of my bridesmaid's bouquet in my wedding, I'm always trying to find ways to reuse things! :)  I used an Ivory Gardenia that I sprayed with LSG Desert Moon Sunset Pink and nestled in some Tan Cherry Blossoms.

I used some stickers and cutouts from the paper collection as journaling spots.  

The small flowers are the Small White Flowers (sprayed with LSG Desert Moon Sunset Pink) and a Small Brown 2-Tone Flower.  

To create this flower, I used some of the White Hydrangea Petals and sprayed them with LSG Dark Chocolate Truffle and put a Small Ivory Crochet Flower in the center with a stickpin that I made. 

I sprayed a corrugated cardboard frame with LSG Dark Chocolate Truffle and edged it with a bit of linen acrylic paint.  The journaling spots are cutouts from the paper collection.  

This flower was originally an Ivory Gardenia that I pulled the center out of and sprayed with LSG Cocklebells Coral and added some pearl rhinestones in the center and accented with some 1" Green Leaves.

I used this lace to hold my journaling spots in place and added Tan Cherry Blossoms, an Ivory Mini Paper Rose, and some Tiny Green Leaves.  The tiny ticket is by Maya Road and stamped with the sentiment "dream."

I love this sweet little poem.  It's from the "Quiet Moments" stamp set by JustRite.  I thought it went perfectly with my nature/garden theme.  I brought the lace around from the previous page and added a cluster of flowers at the bottom.

This flower started out as several of the Small White Gardenia Curly Petals that I sprayed with LSG Gator Gumbo Olive and added a pearl rhinestone in the center.  I accented with a Ivory Mini Rose Bud and some Small Brown Black Semi Open Rose Buds.

I used an MFT die to create the banner and sprayed the chipboard bird with LSG Cocklebells Coral and added a pearl rhinestone for the bird's eye.  I used beige seam binding to create the bow and hung a small heart charm from the center.

I used a 1" Brown 2-Tone Paper Rose and some Ivory Mini Paper Roses (sprayed with LSG Cocklebells Coral).

On the left-page are some more Tan Cherry Blossoms and some Tiny Green Leaves.  I created the photo frame on the right-page using the "Open Scallop Doily Die-Namic" and "First-Place Award Ribbon Die-Namic" by MFT.

This flower started out as an Ivory Gardenia that I sprayed with LSG Cocklebells Coral and then pulled the center out of and added an Ivory Mini Paper Rose and some Tiny Green Leaves.

I created a pocket for a journaling spot behind the photo mat and added a 1" Brown 2-Tone Paper Rose with a cluster of Ivory Mini Rose Buds and some more Tiny Green Leaves.

Click HERE to watch a video of this mini.  Hope you enjoyed today's project and check out I Am Roses for great flowers to accent all of your projects.  I wish everyone a whimsical Sunday.  HUGS! :)

Unexpected Fall Colors

Hi guys!  I'm here today with a couple of projects for I Am Roses.  I love challenging myself to create outside of my comfort zone.  I am a traditionalist when it comes to colors.  You can always bet that all of my projects for Fall will have the usual suspects....browns, greens, oranges, and reds....so I decided to branch out a bit and create 2 fall cards with an unexpected color palette.  I have had the "Amber Autumn" paper stack by DCWV in my stash for quite some time now and there are a ton of blue and purple papers in the collection.  So, I figured why not create a Fall/Thanksgiving themed card using blues and purples.  I must say, I am quite pleased with how they turned out!


Here's a peek at the first card using a blue color scheme...

I used some brown ruffle lace trim from Hobby Lobby and a round Thanksgiving tag from my stash.  I used the Textile Rectangle Frame Die-Namic by MFT and stamped a sentiment from the Clearly Sentimental About Abundance stamp set by MFT.

I love how the flowers accent this card.  Here are the IAR products I used:

Big Brown Rose Leaves

Brown Black Semi-Open Rose Buds (currently being restocked)

2" Rose (sprayed with LSG Buccaneer Bay Blue)

1" Brown Paper Flower

1" Black and Brown Roses

This sentiment is also from the Clearly Sentimental About Abundance stamp set by MFT.

And here's the second card using a purple color scheme...

A totally unexpected color palette for a fall card, but I actually think it's kinda eye-catching! ;)  The adorable sentiment is from the Sweetest Pumpkin in the Patch stamp set by MFT.  This card would be perfect for that sweet little girl you know!

The flowers really help to pull this color scheme together.  Here are the IAR products I used:

2" Rose (sprayed with TA Indian Corn Glimmer Mist)

1" Soft Green Roses

Deeper Burgundy Paper Roses (currently being restocked)
Green Rose Leaves
I also tucked in some berries that I cut out of an old wreath.



A simple sentiment and the card is complete!

So, I challenge you to think outside the box and use some unexpected colors this season...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  Also, don't forget to check out IAR for all of the beautiful goodies I used on today's projects.  Hope your day is filled with Love and Whimsy! ♥

- Hugs :)

Altered Pumpkin & Hostess Gift

Hi everyone!  Today I have 2 adorable projects for I Am Roses.  I got this paper mache pumpkin a few months ago and knew right away that I wanted to alter it up to use it as a centerpiece for one of my tables for Thanksgiving dinner.

I started out by painting the pumpkin.  I mixed some orange and yellow acrylic paint together to get the color I wanted and painted the stem brown.  After the pumpkin had dried, I sprayed it with LSG Opal Sea Oats to give it a bit of shimmer.  I created the banner using some stickers from the "Catching Fall" collection by Lily Bee Design and the MFT banner Die-namic.  I used brown StazOn ink to stamp "blessed" using the Typewriter Alphabet stamps by MFT.  I put brown rhinestones in the center of each pennant and anchored it on both sides with some burlap string by May Arts.

I just love how beautiful the I Am Roses flowers are on this pumpkin.  Here are the products I used:

Small Natural Skeleton Leaves (sprayed with LSG Dark Chocolate Truffle)

Small Brown Rose Leaves

Big Brown Rose Leaves

2" Rose (sprayed with LSG Cajun Carnelian Red)

Brown Black Cherry Blossoms

Puffy Semi-Open Rose Buds (sprayed with LSG Cajun Carnelian Red)

Brown Black Semi-Open Rose Buds (currently being restocked)

Brown wheat leaves from Karla's Etsy

Brass maple leaf charms by LSG

I also created a hostess gift to give at Thanksgiving.  I picked up this glass jar at my local drug store for $1.00.  I tied some orange tulle around the jar and accented the bow with some gorgeous flowers and leaves from I Am Roses.  

I filled the jar with pumpkin pods and then nestled in a tea light candle.

It's amazing how a few IAR flowers can really make a simple project look so special.  

Here are the IAR flowers I used:

Tangerine Daisy Leaves

Big Brown Rose Leaves

Brown Black Cherry Blossoms

2" Rose (sprayed with LSG Cajun Carnelian Red)

Click HERE to watch a video on how to create these adorable projects.  I hope you enjoyed today's projects and be sure to check out I Am Roses for these beautiful flowers and so many more items to make your projects dazzle.  Hope your week is filled with Love and Whimsy! ♥ 

- HUGS :)

I Am Roses Blog Hop Winner Announcement

Happy Sunday everyone!  We had an AMAZING response to the I Am Roses "Fall into Autumn" Blog Hop.  We wanted to thank you for participating in the hop and showing your love & support for the projects the Design Team created just for you. 

Are you ready to find out where the secret blog candy was hidden and who won the gorgeous IAR goodies?

Head on over to the I Am Roses Challenge Blog where it's all revealed.

Thanks again and see you over at the I Am Roses Design Team YouTube Channel, where myself and the other designers will continue to share unique projects to keep you inspired. ♥

Hope everyone's Sunday is filled with Love & Whimsy!

Fall in to Autumn 2011 Blog Hop

WELCOME!  Thank you all for joining the I Am Roses Fall in to Autumn 2011 Blog Hop!  The Design Team is thrilled to share these special projects with you showcasing some of the latest flowers and old favorites.  

We also wanted to thank you for all the support and wonderful comments on our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/iamrosesdt.  We have reached over 1,400 subscribers!  What better way to celebrate this FALL season than with a PRIZE!...and if you just happen to be stopping by my blog today, be sure to start over at the I Am Roses Challenge Blog so you don't miss out!

Here's how for your chance to win:

-Hop along to each of the design team member's blogs and be sure to comment on their individual Fall in to Autumn 2011 Blog Hop post.

-There is 1 hidden blog candy prize up for grabs in one of our DT member's blogs!

-Be sure to Subscribe/Follow the new I Am Roses Challenge Blog (http://iamroses-challenge.blogspot.com/).

-Commenting along the way highly increases your chance of winning the prize package.

-Comments will be closed on Friday Nov. 4th 9pm PST.

-We will be randomly selecting 1 winner from the comments on the blog and will announce the winner on Sunday, Nov. 6th!

As you hop along be sure to subscribe/follow to the individual design team member's blogs so you don't miss out on the winner announcement!

Now on to what I created...

I created this tag from a piece of a shipping box that I had in my "recycle bin."  It measures 3.75" x 7.5".  I started out by spraying the background with LSG "Cajun Carnelian Red" and then stamped leaves using "Natures' Vein" acrylic stamps by CTMH.  I used a layering technique to add some depth to my leaves.  The background was stamped with CTMH Brown Bag ink and then the veins of the leaves were stamped using TH Walnut Stain.

I used the TH Sewing Room die to cut out the cute dress form and then created her an outfit for Fall...hehe!  I started by putting down some lace and then layered some Large Brown Rose Leaves (ZQL0 - 400) on top.  A necklace and belt of bling rhinestones and a 1/2" Paper Rose (R8 - 49) (painted with LSG "Red Hot Poker Orange" Magicals) make her outfit complete! :)

Behind the sentiment is a Crochet Doily by Kaiser Craft.  I cut out a scalloped circle using the 1st Place Award Ribbon Die-Namic by MFT and then added the pumpkin label by Crafty Secrets.  The banner was cut out of ivory card stock using the 1st Place Award Ribbon Die-Namic by MFT and the sentiment is from the "Inspired by Autumn" acrylic stamp set by MFT.  The leaf sprays are from Karla's ETSY store (KARLAS001).

I created a cluster of flowers using some of my favorite IAR products.  Here is what I used:

Orange Cherry Blossoms (S3 - 210)

White Short Paper Flower Spray (SP1 - 151) (painted with LSG "Red Hot Poker Orange" Magicals)

2" Rose (R 77 - 15) (sprayed with LSG "Van Dyke Sepia" Moon Shadow Mist)

Curly Roses (G3 - 152) (one sprayed with LSG "Desert Moon Cactus Gold" and one with LSG "Cajun Carnelian Red")

I nestled in a fabric flower charm from the Vintage Groove collection by Making Memories.  To make the cluster look a bit fuller, I used my Martha Steward Oak Leaf punch to create some "fall foilage" behind my gorgeous flowers.


I hope you enjoyed my fall tag. 
Next up is Becca ← (Click to keep hopping along).

I'm sure she has something AMAZING to share with you!

In case you get lost along the way, here is a list of the I Am Roses design team members hopping today:

Arlene

Amy

Andrea ← You are here! :)

Becca

Bona

Cindy

Jo

Joy

Limor

Rina

Yonne

*Don't forget to Subscribe/Follow the I Am Roses Challenge Blog: http://iamroses-challenge.blogspot.com/ to qualify for a chance to win.

Before I go, here is a preview of one of the I Am Roses blog candy that is up for grabs:

Thanks for coming by and playing along!  

Hope your day is filled with Love and Whimsy.  Hugs! :)

-Andrea