ITSY BITSY CHALLENGE#3-2016

Hello Crafters!

Good morning & welcome again!

This is Tanvi, here to announce the last challenge of 2016. As always it is ANYTHING GOES using Itsy Bitsy Color Splash Sprays

Here are some guidelines to participate. Simple & easy to follow - 

ITSY BITSY CHALLENGE#3-2016

Theme - Anything Goes using Color Splash Sprays

1. Submission can be a card, box, tag, scrapbook layout, decoupage, altered art, home decor - anything as long as it is handmade and complies with the theme.
2. Please follow our blog to be eligible.
3. Turn off word verification to enable us to leave comments.
4. Entries can be submitted until 25th of each month. 
5. In order to submit your entry, click on the inlinkz button provided at the end of this post, add your image and link to your blog post containing the submission.
6. Each participant can submit a maximum of 3 entries. Please add numbers 1,2,3 while submitting multiple entries.
7. Please link to your post and not just your blog.
8. In your blog post, create a link back to this page. 
9. Only projects posted during the Challenge period are eligible (no backlinking).
10. Entries are welcome from all over the world however if you are the winner, we can only ship your prize to an Indian address.
11. If you don't have a blog and want to add your creation on Facebook, please upload it on our FB group page Itsy Bitsy Crafter's Cafe with the hashtag - #itsybitsychallenge316 & add the link here.
12. TWO winners will be picked through random.org who will each receive a voucher of Rs.500 , redeemable online at www.itsybitsy.in. Top 3 will be selected by the DT.
13. You may link up with upto 10 challenges including ours.

In my previous post here I used the Highland Greetings paper pack. My post today too focuses on papers. As crafters we all have different needs wrt the thickness of papers, patterns, colors & so on. A cardmaker may like a print on a decoupage paper & vice versa! Keeping this in mind Itsy Bitsy has introduced the same prints in 3 different qualities to suit the needs of all! Isn't that wonderful???

I will be using all the different Chevron Aquarelle papers in my post today.

 Let me warn you today's post is lengthy & picture heavy with loads of project!

CHEVRON AQUARELLE PAPER PACK (linen papers)

These are 12x12papers  priced at Rs.200 for a pack of 12 sheets This gorgeous paper pack is brought to you by Little Birdie. These fine quality linen papers are exquisite, classy and available in 6 colors. These papers are acid free too, perfect for scrapbooking, card making, banner making, DIY and other creative projects.

We are in the last month of 2016. Each year I make a calendar for my craft studio.  Sharing the 2017 calendar I made using the whitewash alterable photoframe. On the sides of the frame I used the chevron decoupage paper (will talk about this is detail in a while). Splashes & splatters of the berry blast color sprays added some drama to the monochrome colors, Stencils & modelling paste some textures! Embellished the front with pearls, diecuts & flowers.

          

Some closeups  

                                      

                                              

Glued a small wooden cloth pin to hold some notes & reminders!

                               

For the calendars months I have used all the 12 papers in the pack! A new look every month!

                               

DECOUPAGE PAPERS 

My next project uses decoupage papers from the Chevron Aquarelle Range. This paper is available in all the 12 prints I have used in the calendar. Sold as individual sheets at Rs.20, this 60 gsm paper is perfect & a must have for decoupage lovers! Wait until I share my decoupage project!

I first prepared my decoupage base by priming it with two coats of gesso, followed by dabbing several shades of acrylic colors to match uneven shades in the paper print.  I was very happy with the outcome! Later I trimmed the paper to size & decoupaged it on the base.

Added some stenciling in a darker shade for some added texture & layers!

CARD STOCK  CHEVRON AQUARELLE

Finally I am sharing a few cards I made using the card stock range of Chevron Aquarelle papers. Once again sold as single sheets of 12x12 in all the 12 designs, these are 250gsm papers, so perfect to use as a card base!

What I like about the cheron aquarelle range is the prints are so busy & colors so soothing & subtle creating a faux layered & textured look. 

This set of cards is simple & yet has so many details  die cuts, frame, stencil texture & don't miss the heat embossing on acetate!

This brings us to the end of this post. Remember you have until December 25th, 2016 to link up your entries!

 Do visit us again as we bring you loads of inspiration using Color Splash sprays.

Hugs,

Tanvi

Supplies used - 

Mont Marte dimensional paints 

Flexible knife

Handmade flowers

Silicon glue

Stencil

ColorSplash Sprays

Distress inks

Embossing powder

Stamps

Modelling paste

Versamark ink

Foam tape

Black card stock

Vellum 

Heat gun

Thinlits die set

Chevron Aquarelle

whitewash alterable photoframe

decoupage papers

card stock range of Chevron Aquarelle papers

wooden cloth pin

hemp cord

LINK YOUR ENTRIES HERE

An InLinkz Link-up

Christmas Gifts

Hello & happy weekend to you all!

Christmas is round the corner & it's the most magical time of the year! Time to celebrate & enjoy! Festivities are never complete without gifts & today I have some quick & easy ways to wrap the gifts. 

Here's a sneak peek!

I am very proud to introduce the newest range of Itsy Bitsy products - a favourite with most paper lovers like me - Little Birdie's Pattern Papers!!! Let me warn you hoarders like me will find it hard to run the scissors!

Over the next few days we will share a lot more inspiration using different paper packs.

So here it is the Christmas Pack - 

Priced at Rs. 200 for a pack of 12 sheets each one with a different design. With a very good mix of checks, plaid, dot & stripes, these are truly value for money & they are SINGLE SIDED! I loved the rich & vibrant prints & colors, very very festive. These are printed on 160gsm acid free Linen Paper & are a delight to work with.

Besides this pack Itsy Bitsy has the widest range of Christmas embellishments & home decor products. Check the link here to view the festive collection.

Over to my post now........loads of ideas! 

First I have a quick & easy idea to transform a gift bag using the Itsy Bitsy stencil. My favourite paint to work while using a stencil is the Mont Marte dimensional paint.  Once the paint dried I popped up the pattern using a white gel pen. 

The gold shimmer is very festive in real!

Next I have a star shaped gift box & complete with glitter embellishments for a festive look.

Pillow boxes are so handy when gifting small items. With the WRMK pillow box punch making these is child's play!

This star I made using the Sizzix die looks so elegant. Aren't these papers fantastic!!!

A magnetic frame up next, also made using sizzix dies! 

A simple tag in which I used the backing of the embellishment pack.

And finally my favourite is this gift card holder, made is a jiffy!

Hope these ideas help you in making your gifts even more special!

Stay tuned for the next release in this range coming soon!

Hugs,

TANVI

Supplies from Itsy Bitsy - 

Christmas embellishments & home decor

Sizzix star die

Sizzix retro frame die

Christmas Pack

Itsy Bitsy stencil 

Mont Marte dimensional paint

glitter embellishments

Foam dots

tacky tape

red card stock

twine

Fabulous Cards by Hussena Calcuttawala

Hello All, today we have an extremely talented crafter, a crafter who probably needs no introduction, Hussena Calcuttawala!

She is passionate about card making & Quilling & her fabulous cards are creatively adorned with  stunning flowers & foliage! Over to Hussena:

Hello, everyone!

This is Hussena here. I have been a craft blogger for over 4 years now and I love to try out different types of craft and techniques related to it. My current crafty passion is card-making and I am head over heals in love with it. I usually love working with florals and all my work has some element of flowers in them.

When I was invited for this Guest Design spot for Itsy Bitsy, I was really thrilled as I love all the products that Itsy Bitsy carries, but especially the gorgeous range of flowers and foliage that Itsy Bitsy carries and that too in such pocket-friendly budget.

Today, I have three projects to share. One is a card and two are note-cards. So without further ado. let's get on with it.

Here's a look at my card first :

And a look at the two note-cards :

I have used some really beautiful pattern papers which were sent in my kit along with the gorgeous flowers from Itsy Bitsy's new release Margarita Carnation from the Little Birdie range. Itsy Bitsy have also launched some really amazing Stencil designs and Burlap embellishments which are all included in all three of my projects.

I also have a small tutorial to share on how I created the background for my card and the products used.

Step 1 - I have used a peach colored card base which was sent to me in the kit along with a piece of pattern paper which I have distressed using a pair of scissors & colored the edges using two different shades of Distress inks.

Step 2 - After distressing, I glued the pattern paper to the cardbase & then using a stencil from Itsy Bitsy (Floral) and some Mont Marte Modelling Paste, I did some stenciling using a Spatula to add some texture. I also added a bit of Distress ink to the Modelling Paste to give it a hint of colour.

Here is how it looks once the stenciling is done!

Step 3 - This is what I have used for embellishing my card. The Pattern papers that you see on the left were the ones i have worked with & the little flower embellishments were created using flowers from this set. I absolutely love the Glitter Paper from Itsy Bitsy & I have used it for die-cutting my leaf & foliage. Also used some dies for embellishing my card.

This border die by Spellbinders is absolutely regal & so intricate. I absolutely love using this.

And here's a final look at all the projects together.

The note-cards were die-cut from the Itsy Bitsy Nesting Dies & I die-cut it from the same pattern papers. The jute strings that you see on my card & note-cards are also from Itsy Bitsy. I have used a lot of embellishments and the background for my brown note-card was created using the Leaf Stencil. The green leaves that I have used on my blue note-card are also created using the stencil & then fussy-cut it into the leaf shape to create my embellishment. The purple pollens are also from the store. 

I hope you like what I have created. I would like to thank Rashmi & her team for inviting me over (and also for their patience). This post was scheduled for nearly a month back, but due to some personal reasons, it couldn't go live.

If you have any queries regarding any of the projects, or supplies used, please leave me a comment below & I will get back to you.

Thank you so much for your visit!

Have a good day ahead.

Ink Embossed Accordion Album

Good Morning Crafty peeps, a Big hello from Sharada Dilip 

Today  I am sharing a technique that I haven’t used in a long time but love a ton -Inked Embossing Folders. 

This is such an easy technique… This is one of my all time favorite techniques since it is a great way to stretch products and get new looks. 

I have made an Ink embossed card and Accordion album to share with you all  !

The idea to create this began when I set my hands on this bright coloured card stack 

I fell in love with this Card stock super stack which consists of 72 sheets and a must have for all the cardmakers and scrapbookers !

I chose to start with the bright blues with the black 

Embossing folders are inexpensive and come in a ton of patterns. 

I chose to go with the Sizzix  TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS LOVE SET #2

Here is how to make it -

I put 4x6 cut  Blue card-stock in the folder, closed it and ran it through my Big shot die cut machine.

After removing it, I applied Ink just to the raised areas in the darker shade of blue . 

That gives an awesome look to the cover page , 

Further I decorated the cover with Hearts die cuts  and RETROGLAM EMBOSSED STICKER along with satin ribbon and washi tape 

For decorating  the inner pages I have used plain embossed cards 

For few of the inserts I have used pattern papers and tag dies 

I couldnt stop at one , made a 6x6 sized card with ink embossing

Here I have repeated the same procedure and decorated it with frame die  and 

FLORAL WREATH Die

This is one of my all time favorite techniques since it is a great way to stretch products and get new looks. Do check my earlier creations  Here at the Itsy Bitsy Blog

Supplies used - 

1. Card stock super stack
2. Embossing Folders. 
3.  Big shot die cut machine.
4.  Ink
5. frame die
6. tag dies 
7. Hearts die cuts 
8. RETROGLAM EMBOSSED STICKER
9. TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS LOVE SET #2 656760 1PK BLISTER SIZZIXSizzix THINLITS DIE SET FLORAL WREATH 
10. AZALEA ABSTRACT BLUE WEARABLES 3PC PBHC IB
11. SINGLE SIDE PATTERN PAPER 12X12" BAMBOO TEAL CX-106 1SHT HAMPTON ART
12. satin ribbon 
13. washi tape 
14. DOUBLE-SIDED TACKY TAPE 
15. Silicon glue
16. Scrapbooking glue

Thank you for dropping by today!

Crafter In The Spotlight 5 - Itsy Bitsy

Hello friends!! Itsy Bitsy brings you "CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT" – a unique way of encouraging and appreciating the talented crafters. We recognize talented crafters week after week, turn the spotlight on them & feature them in our "CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT"! We love what you talented crafters create & are amazed at each of your unique creations every single day! We love the way you use Itsy Bitsy products & give life to those products.

We are very excited to announce this week’s “CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT” - July 2016 – SWATHI SWAMY ! Although an MBA in Marketing, Swathi wanted to do what she loved most & turned an entrepreneur in 2013 & took to Crafting full time! This extremely talented crafter specialises in personalised gift items & handmade cards! Paper crafting & decoupage are her favourites & cooking & baking are her other passions. She has been an active participant in Itsy Bitsy Crafters Café & we wish her loads of success on this creative journey of hers & would love to see many more creations from her in the future. 

CONGRATULATIONS Swathi Swamy !

Here are excerpts of my interview with Swathi :

Rashmi Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy :Tell us a bit about yourself, your background? Where are you originally from?

Swathi Swami : Hello Rashmi. Thank you and the entire team of Itsy Bitsy for appreciating my work. I always enjoy shopping at your Itsy Bitsy stores. The staff are very friendly, helpful and have a good knowledge of the products available at the store.  I am an MBA in Marketing by profession and chose to be an entrepreneur in 2013 to take on my passion and interest towards arts and crafts to the next level. I am born and brought up in Bangalore.

RC : How did you get into crafting?

SS : Since a young age I have been pursuing Arts and Crafts as a hobby. Every summer vacation I used to learn a new form of hobby from my mother or attend any interesting summer camp. I have learnt Oil painting, 3D work on pottery, Quilling etc. in my younger days. But in 2012 the crochet work done by my Aunt made me to start crafting on a serious note. Initially it was only crochet accessories, some gift envelopes and bookmarks. Now I make gift items with felt material and paper like photo frame magnets, post-it magnets, handmade cards, decoupage, etc. My Sizzix big shot machine that I purchased from Itsy Bitsy helped me to explore and experiment the field of crafting.

RC : What is your favourite type of craft?

SS : I love to learn and experiment new areas of crafting and don’t have a particular favourite. However decoupage and paper crafts are my current favourite. I hope to explore the world of mixed media very soon.

RC : What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

SS : I like every product available at Itsy Bitsy. Some of my favourites are paper stacks, felt sheets, card stock, sizzix dies, embossing folders, embellishments, chipboards, acrylic paints, etc.

RC : What products from Itsy Bitsy do you think are must have’s for a crafter?

SS : If you are a serious crafter then I would recommend the Sizzix big shot machine. This helps you to create small products in a more professional way. The basic tools like self healing cutting mat, punches, paper craft tools, jewellery findings, embellishments and card stock are a must have for any crafter.

RC : What product would you like to see at Itsy Bitsy?

SS : I would like to see some more ink pads, stamps, charms and mixed media sprays.

  

RC : What do you do to make your workplace inspiring?

SS : My tools and supplies always inspire me to work more. Everyday life has also inspired me to create a few products. Crafting makes my workplace messy. But unless things are in their place and organised my mind does not work to craft on new ideas and products. So after every project I need to organise and put back things in their place.

  

RC : What are your other interests?

SS : Cooking and baking are my other interests. But right now crafting has taken over me and I am involved in it some way or the other all the time as there is so much to learn every day.

  

RC : If you had magic powers, what would you want to contribute to the Crafting world?

SS : If I had magic powers I would like to buy all the crafting tools available at Itsy Bitsy. But on a serious note I wish to educate and teach basic crafting to the rural people with the minimum resources that they have. They need to have the basic idea of tools and supplies available because they are highly talented but do not have much opportunities.

RC : What is your most treasured possession in your craft stash?

SS : My most treasured possession in my craft stash is my Sizzix Big shot machine and my paper stacks.

  

RC : How would you describe your style of crafting?

SS : My style of crafting depends on the project that I am working and do not follow a specific one. It keeps changing quite often as I like to try new techniques and create one of a kind products. It is an amazing feeling to come up with an idea, gather the required materials and tools and create the desired product in mind. As crafting is my passion, a sense happiness and satisfaction is experienced upon completion of every product. Quality is something that I never compromise on.

RC : What do you do when you’re suffering a creative block?

SS : I take a break and spend some time out alone. The world outside helps me to think better and also some blogs and videos help me to work on new things.

  

RC : How do you organize your time for crafting?

SS : I do follow a routine of starting my day early and maintain the same every day. However the closing time is never fixed as I prefer to complete a project to a certain stage and then wrap up for the day. At times I do craft late night as that is when new ideas pop up.

  

RC : Tips for people who want to craft?

SS : There is no particular style or rules to be followed. These days a whole variety of materials are easily available. Just go with the flow as per your imagination and be open to learn, experiment and explore all types of craft and create your own unique creations. Believe in the work that you do and you can create wonders.

Here are a couple of Swathi’s awesome creations :

Many congrats Swathi for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT - ITSY BITSY :-) :-)

You will receive Rs 500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher :-) :-) & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog.

Also, visit our Youtube channel to view & to know more about this crafter -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB80mlTrWaA 

Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!