Party with our new Pattern Basics papers!

I'm so excited to share our new papers with you! We're calling them Pattern Basics and they come in three different color families. Watch our online store for these beauties . . . they're coming real soon!

What's the story with these patterned paper collections?  It all started with a thread in the Coffeehouse where our members and customers were begging for requesting some smaller generic prints Club Scrap would always keep in stock; papers with really cool patterns that would complement the plain and printed kit papers. So, being the people-pleasers we are, we (well, really, Jac) designed this set of patterned paper to fill that request! 

They're printed onto text-weight white paper, so you can feel free to layer and collage them, without adding a lot of bulk to your artwork. They also lend themselves well to tearing, shredding and distressing, which exposes the white core of the paper. Cool, eh? (I have so many ideas dancing around in my head already!)

Being the Pinterest-addict that I am, I have a board filled with cool projects I want to do in that ever-elusive "free time". One of those projects was the perfect way to "play" with my new Pattern Basics papers! We celebrated my husband's birthday yesterday, so the kids and I wanted a fun way to spruce up the joint. Check out this coolness:

I found the basic instructions on the blog link, but since all of the measurements were metric, I had to do a few minor alterations. Her tutorial was awesome, but if you're interested, measurements and instructions for my version of the project are below.

Well, what do you think? If these designs go over well, and the demand is there, we'll design even more sets in the future. Now that's a reason to partay!

Paper Lantern Garland
(3) 12x12 Pattern Basics Papers
54" Twine, trimmed into 6" lengths (Plus extra for hanging)
Grid Ruler
Bookbinding Glue
Bone Folder
Craft Knife/Cutting Mat
Trimmer
Stapler
Pencil

Trim each 12x12 paper at 8". Rotate the 8x12" horizontally, and cut at 8" and 4". Rotate the 4x12" horizontally, and trim at 8".

Rotate one 4x8"from each color vertically, and cut at 3.5", 3", 2.5", 2", 1.5" and 1". 

Score and fold each remaining 4x8" in half vertically, with the print on the outside, burnishing with a bone folder to make a nice, crisp crease.

Open the folded piece and flatten on your work surface, white side facing up. Using the grid ruler and pencil, mark a vertical line 1/2" from each long edge, (parallel to the fold).

Rotate. Using a craft knife, cutting mat, and the grid ruler as a guide, cut straight lines between the long pencil lines, every 1/2". 

Apply bookbinding glue to one short end 1/2" section. Wrap around to the other short end and adhere.

Staple each end of a 6" length of twine to the top of the lantern. Use bookbinding glue to wrap a 1/2 x 8" strip (in a contrasting print) around each end of the lantern.

Repeat with remaining eight lanterns, for a total of nine. String along desired length of twine to hang. 

Creatively yours, 
Karen

Watercolor Window Frame Technique

This is a Pinterest-inspired idea I've been wanting to try for a while. It sort of took on a life of its own. I like it when that happens.

1. Ink a UM Wisteria image with Amethyst and Earth. Stamp into the lower left and upper right corners of a 4x6" White panel.

2. Use a grid ruler and purple watercolor pencil to draw a line 1/2" from the outside edge of the panel. Do not draw the line on top of the stamped images.

3. Lightly blend the line with a water brush. I love that new Faber-Castell water brush. Yep, I do.

4. Use a ruler and fine tipped PITT pen to draw a thin line over the blended line. (Totally optional.)

5. Stamp that sweet unmounted sentiment onto the panel with India Black ink.

6. Splatter the panel lightly with a purple Gelato and waterbush.

7. Shade the outside edges of the panel with Amethyst ink and a handy CS Ink Applicator. Nest the art piece onto a 4.25x6.25" Dark Purple matte and Light Purple card.

And you're done!

I hope you give this a try. It's pretty easy!

Creatively yours,

Tricia