Creative Imaginations Blog

Introducing our new monthly feature ~ Techniques with Eva Dobilas!

Hi there, this is Eva here today.  I am bringing you a new monthly feature that will showcase some fun techniques each month!! This month I choose to work with our Real Wood paper and showing you how to use it in different ways.  To show of the techniques I created three different ATC's. 

Die cutting with Real Wood paper.

Dry Embossing with Real Wood Paper

Wet Embossing and painting on Real Wood Paper

To see how I used the techniques on these ATC's please watch the video below.

 

On my Life is Beautiful ATC I used Samantha Walkers Spellbinders Antique Frame and Accents. I simply diecut it and to highlight the design I dry brushed some white acrylic paint and that is all you need. To decorate my ATC I used Samantha Walker's Life is Beautiful Unity Stamp set, which I painted with Twinkling H2O's.

On my Love ATC I did some dry embossing and used Spellbinders new Valor M-Bossibilities folder. Once I embossed the paper I once again dry brushed some white acrylic paint over it to highlight the embossing. Love that affect of embossing real wood paper, definitely one of my favorite techniques. To finish off my ATC I used Marah Johnson's Monarch Die cut frames, which I painted in with Twinkling H2O's. The Love stamp is by Justrite Stamps from their Winter Words set.

My last ATC is showcasing wet embossing on real wood paper. For this ATC I worked with My Favorite Things Inspired by Butterflies and Inspired by Love sets. I simply inked up my butterfly stamp with Versamark embossing ink pad and using White embossing powder I embossed it and here is what it looks like. Once I embossed it, I just painted it with Twinkling H2O's.

We will be featuring some of our other 

Introducing Samantha Walker Nautical collection

I grew up near the ocean...not right on it...but about a 45 minute drive over the Santa Cruz mountains from San Jose. I loved that drive...making my way over the top of those ridges and then around a few bends...my heart would thump as I would see a glimpse of the ocean in the distance and know that I'd be on the beach with sand in my toes in just a short while. We spent many a happy occasion with friends or family at beaches along the Northern California coast.We built many a sand castle with our beach pails and shovels. We collected sand crabs by chasing their bubbles in the sand. We also enjoyed going to "the Boardwalk" in Santa Cruz...a beach side amusement park with retro carnavel flair. I loved the rickety wooden roller coaster "the giant dipper", and the smell of cotton candy and kettle pop corn.  All those memories always invoke a smile on my face. 

Those are the kinds of memories that inspired me to create the Nautical collection. The red white and blue colors remind me of the colors at the Boardwalk amusment park which was infused with these colors.  The Dipper was a white roller coaster with red accents. The deep navy blue ocean along the northern coast with the bright blue skies was also inspiration for the coloring in this line. I took artistic license and added lighthouse icons to this collection to give it a "dual coastal" feeling...I know that lighthouses and lobster are indicative of the East coast. 

Here are a few fabulous projects created by the Creative Imaginations Design Team with the new Samantha Walker Nautical collection for Creative Imaginations.

Above layout created by DT member, Lynn Kopas

Above layout created by DT member, Tanisha Long

Above card created by DT member, Jenn Shurkus

 

To read more about the Nautical collection, pop on over to Samantha Walker's blog.

Introducing Samantha Walker's new line "Tea Party"

One of my favorite stories to tell from when I was little, is when one of my cousins engaged my Grandmother in a proper tea party. I thought it looked like so much fun. Grandma put her pinky in the air and sipped her tea very politely with my young cousin.  I was slightly jealous of this interaction and how much fun they seemed to be having...until Grandma asked my cousin, "you are so short, where have you been getting your water for the tea? It tastes so sweet!" Then my cousin proceeded to take my Grandmother into the bathroom to show her where she had been getting the water, and she dipped a tea cup into the toilet and offered my Grandmother another cup of "tea."

I wasn't so jealous of that tea party any more...but having a tea party did pique my interests. The following Christmas, I got my very own tea set.  I cherished that set.  It had pink roses on the little plastic cups, and I knew where to get my water for the tea...not like my cousin. I made many happy memories with that tea set and my stuffed animals.

 I think we all can think of a time where we enjoyed a "tea party" with a friend, doll or stuffed animal when we were little. As adults, drinking tea is associated with friends, and chatting, and enjoying the passing of time together.

 That's why I'm so excited to introduce to you, my new collection, Tea Party, for Creative Imaginations.

Through the iconography of tea party elements, it celebrates friendship and the warm feelings associated with the ones we love. I hope this collection warms your heart, and inspires you to create projects for and about those friends and the people you love.

This lovely project was designed by Eva Dobilas with papers stickers and embellishments from the Samantha Walker Tea Party collection.

This card was also designed by Eva Dobilas.

Layout created by DT member, Lynn Kopas

I hope you have many more Tea Parties (or hot chocolate parties, or soda pop parties, or your favorite friendly beverage of choice) celebrating friendship in your life...and when you do...you now have the perfect collection of products to document all about it.

To read more about the Tea Party collection, visit the Samantha Walker blog.

 

Day Seven of Our Twelve Days of Christmas - more teacher gift ideas!

Shelley, here, with another teacher's gift idea!  This time, for Macy's teacher, Mrs. Williams.

For this project, begin with a simple 6"x6" book with only a few pages in it.  On the cover, I used Samantha Walker's A to Z Collection - ABC Stripe and the sticker sheet.  A also used a Maya Road wooden bingo piece, a stick pin, and some trim!

For this page, I used Writing Paper, and Macy wrote her a little note(using her best handwriting, of course)!

On this page, I papered with School Toss, and made a pocket with ABC Stripe.  Then, I cut the cards out from Flashcards, and stapled a little piece of ribbon to the corner of each.  I put a picture of Macy on one of them.  Macy loved that idea!

Here, I papered with Cursive, and matted with Schoolhouse.  For the embellishment, I used a sticker that I pop-dotted to the page with Maya Road zipper trim!

Here, I papered with School Toss, and matted with Writing Paper.  For the embellishment, I just used a sticker and a small piece of ruler ribbon along with a small red paper bag.  Along the edge of the page, I used a strip of Schoolhouse and folded it back and forth to make a ribbon-looking piece.

On the left page, I papered with Cursive.  I used stickers from the sticker sheet to edge the page, and for the embellishment at the bottom.  Simple, but sweet!  For the right page, I used Cursive paper, and I embellished with stickers, a stick pin, and some ribbon and tulle trim.

For the back, I papered with ABC's and used stickers for a little gradeschool banner!  What could be more fun!Here's hoping that Mrs. Williams likes her gift!

Thank you for looking at this project!  I hope you enjoyed it, I know I enjoyed sharing it with you!

Product Used:

• Samantha Walker A to Z collection
• Small book to alter

Have a great day!  Love, Shelley Hamilton

Day Seven of our Twelve Days of Christmas

Teacher Gifts!!!

Shelley, here again!  For this project, I designed a cute project my son, Evan's(my 9 yr old son) teachers.  It is a small book that perfectly houses wallet-sized photos.  Since Evan is going to give it to her, his picture is on the front.  My vision for it, is that she gets a photo from each of her students, and places these inside.  It will be a perfect way to remember her students from this year.  I punched a hole in the top-left-hand corner, and made it into a Christmas ornament.  This way, she can retrieve it every year for fond memories of this year's class!

It is a small book that I found at a craft store.  I cut out a rectangular hole in the front of it, and placed Evan's picture behind.  I colored the front of the book with Luminarte Radiant Concentrate Dauber in Olive Vine.  This product comes in a dauber, so coloring was fun and easy!  I used the same product in Hot Cinnamon for the back cover.  For the spine of the book, I used Luminarte Twinkling H2O's in Sunflower(on of my favorites!).  I painted this on with a paintbrush.  I also kept the book closed and painted the pages.  This color sparkles and sparkles--making any project a special one.

The school stickers I used are from Samantha Walker's A-Z school paper line.  It is fabu, and I can see many school books and projects coming from it!!  On the front cover, I also used a Maya Road wooden bingo piece and trim, and some seam binding that I colored with the Luminarte Grande 10 gram Sunflower H2O.  Being able to match paint used on a project and ribbon is awesome...just use white or off-white seam binding, and color as much as you like.  You will love the results.  It also gives the seam-binding a little bit of stiffness, which makes it look great!  Twine and some rule-like ribbon finish off the front!

Evan wrote Mrs. Turner a little note wishing her a Merry Christmas!  Isn't he sweet?

At several places in this little book, I painted again with the Sunflower--simply couldn't help myself, and also used some of the A-Z stickers.  It turned out really cute!

Just another page that I colored.  On this one, I used the Olive vine first, then went over it with the Sunflower.  It is so shine and beautiful!  Maybe Mrs. Turner will put the picture of her 2nd favorite student here!  ha!

Here is the back of the little book.  I used several stickers from A-Z and a found item to finish it off!

Product Used:

• Samantha Walker A to Z Collection
• Luminarte Radiant Concentrate Dauber in Olive Vine
• Luminarte Grande 10 gram Sunflower H2O

 

I hope you enjoyed this project.  On to the next!     Shelley

 

You are so Sweet!

Dt member, Jenn Shurkus created this adorable card using Samantha Walker's Sweet Life Unity Stamps, Luminarte Twinkling H20s and our new 6x6 gingham paper pad!   The result is a beautiful birthday card that is fast and easy!






Supplies Used:

• Unity Sweet Life (Samantha Walker Kit)
• Creative Imaginations Gingham 6x6 Paper Pad
• Luminarte Twinkling H2O Chestnut 
• Luminarte Shimmering Mist Periwinkle
• Luminarte Twinkling H2O Snapdragon

Other Suppies Used
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Versafine Sepia Ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities
Bakers Twine
Judikins Eclipse Tape (for masking)
Tim Holtz Distress Stickles, Rock Candy 
Assorted Buttons 

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello! Jenn here, I just wanted to share a project with you that I created last weekend while my girlfriends were down for a crafty weekend, one thing I am very grateful for. 

I saw this lil mini book over on Lisa's blog, and I knew I just had to create one. I was having so much fun with all the Harvest papers, stickers and embellishments I decided to create a card too. I can't wait to give it to my good friend Melyssa, for having me with her family on Thanksgiving.

The mini book is created just using a sheet and 1/2 of 8.5x11 kraft cardstock, the directions are on Lisa's blog here. I then embellished it using the 6x6 Orchard Harvest paper pad, stickers, diecuts and some other little embellishments.

I plan on listing some of the things I am grateful for on the inner pages.




And for the card I created, I used some more of the Orchard Harvest 6x6 pad, and diecuts. I just love how this turned out! (a full supply list is below)
I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for?




Supplies Used:

• Orchard Harvest 12x12 cardstock stickers
• Orchard Harvest Die-cut shapes
• Orchard Harvest 6x6 paperpad
• Paint It basic Alpha letter stickers
• Other Supplies Used:
  Chalk Inks (Chestnut Roan, Creamy Brown)
  May Arts Ribbon
  Score Pal
  Foam Tape
  Tim Holtz Edge Distresser
  Kraft Cardstock 
  Memory Box Notecard
  Prima flowers
  Assorted gems 

Unity Blog Hop: It's your day!

Today is Wednesday and that means we have a winner!!!

Love the card, so dimensional and great textures. The layering, twine, ribbon, and lace all work so well together.Thank you for sharing and a chance to win. ~ Kim H

Kim please send me your address via email to ceeangels@aol.com and i will have Unity get your stamp set out to you!

Hey everyone!! Jenn here with a quick birthday greeting for you. I had so much fun combining the wonderful stamps from Unity with Creative Imaginations papers and Luminarte's Twinkling H2O's... it all came together so nicely! This is my first time playing with stamps from Unity. I love how they are red rubber cling, they stamp so nice!!

With the card above I played with shading the Luminarte Twinkling H2O's, making the ice cream look more realistic. Adding a little ultrafine glitter to the icecream and glossy accents to the cherry really adds some dimension.

Supplies Used:
Unity Stamps- Sweet Life (Samantha Walker Kit)
Luminarte Twinkling H2O's Jasmine
Luminarte Twinkling H2O's Pink Azelea
Luminarte Twinkling H2O's Chestnut
Luminarte Twinkling H2O's Poppy Red
Luminarte Twinkling H2O's Sunburst
Creative Imaginations Studio Basics Birthday Bliss Stripes 
Creative Imaginations Dots & Stripes Cool 6x6 Paper Pad

Other Supplies:
May Arts ribbon
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Marvy Extra Giga Scallop Circle Punch
Ranger Glossy Accents
3M Foam Tape 

New Inspiration Challenge by Eva!

Hello everyone, it's Eva here announcing a new monthly challenge, where we bring you ideas to inspire you with.  I promise it will be fun and hope you play along, as there are some yummy prizes involved.  How could you not play along, right????

My first Inspiration Challenge is using one of the amazing products Creative Imaginations makes.  Have you seen the Real Wood line?  Have you had a chance to play with it yet?  Well, if not, it's time to play with some and here is where I will share the card I made using Real Wood Thin Cherry paper.

One of my favorite techniques with the Real Wood line is to dry emboss it and just paint it lightly with acrylic paint.  That is exactly how achieved the look of this card.  Can't wait to see your creative ways to use Real Wood products.

Here is the list of the Creative Imaginations items I used on this card:

• #26049 Real Wood 12x12 Thin Cherry
• #28563 Pear Paisley DS Paper
• #28559 Pear Harvest DS Paper
• #28561 Fall Harvest DS Paper
• #28070 Monarch Define DS Paper

Hope you play along with us, just upload your Real Wood creations to our gallery and make sure you add in the title REAL WOOD.  Here is what the winner will get.

An assortment of Real Wood papers

And since I used some of Samantha Walkers Orchard Harvest papers to create my card with, the winner will also receive this collection.  How fun is that!

Happy Fall!

Good morning and happy Fall to you!! Cheryl here to share with you a mini album i created using the new Samantha Walker Orchard Harvest collection!  For the base of my book, i use an Accucut Mini Mix and Match Album.  The size is perfect for holding all my favorite photos from our family visit to our local Pumpkin farm!

 

I will be teaching this Fall book at our Tim Collins Retailer Event in Houston next month!

 

I also added some of our Real Wood, painting the wood to match the Autumn colors using our Luminarte Pourables and H20 Grande Twinkling H20's!

 

Creative Imaginations Product used

• Samantha Walker Orchard Harvest Collection
• Samantha Walker Orchard Harvest 6x6 paper pad
• Real Wood - Birch
• Luminarte Indian Sunset Pourable Kit - Autumn Butternut
  
• Luminarte H20 Grande - Orange Peel
• Luminarte H20 Grande - Spiced Pumpkin
• Luminarte H20 Grande - Olive Vine

Accucut Dies

• Mix & Match Mini Album #CC106
  
•  Antique Frame #14885