Things I Adore

It's about time I share some of my favorite embellishments with you. I feel the need to share because I have scoured the internet, craft magazines, Etsy shops, markets, boutiques and various other venues in search of things I love and what inspire me most. These beautiful things deserve credit for always getting my creative juices flowing!

I create so much more than what I post on this blog and what I offer at LizzyJDesigns shop. In the process, I have found what I'm good at doing, what I hate and don't have a knack for, materials that thrill me and colors that make me smile. These are just a few that I have come to love and try to incorporate in my designs and projects.

Many if items I love come from Andrea's charming boutique at One Hundred Wishes.

Shiny dresden foil trims from Germany




Precious petite leaf ribbon




Yummy seam binding



Fun paper posies I got from Caramelos Etsy Shop.



Delicious Amy Butler prints



We all have favorites that we always come back to. I find that I tend to incorporate some of all these elements in my craft. What are some of your favorite embellishments you can't create without?
Curious?? Read on right here...

Go Win Stuff Now!

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I was featured on Handmade Showcase, a fantasic blog featuring artists and their wares. Nearly everyday you have a chance to win some beautiful handmade creations!



The LizzyJDesigns contest is coming to a close AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT! That's midnight EST. So hurry and go try score some cute paperie from the shop! Hurry...go... Curious?? Read on right here...

HOT for Gocco Bulbs

I was instantly in love with my gocco printer and blogged a tutorial on the print process. As with all crafts and things in life, I am learning as I go. As I diversify LizzyJDesigns' product mix, I decided to bust out my good old Gocco printer again this weekend. Alas, what do I find in the box? ONLY TWO BULBS LEFT!


I spent about 15 minutes contemplating whether I should use these bulbs or save it for a rainy day. My Gocco PG5 printer requires two bulbs for each design. Bulbs and supplies are hard to find now. What if I use these up and can never Gocco again?!

I went to www.paper-source.com and they were out and have been for a while. Ok, time to search for more bulbs that will not cost me my first born. After a search on Etsy and other online retailers, I found the best deal at Think Ink. Not only is this the best price, they seem to be in stock of bulbs, inks and screens during a time when Gocco supplies are scarce. I always seem to need supplies when Riso (Gocco's parent company) decides to discontinue their line. Somehow suppliers come up with more and we are all happy but Gocco enthusiasts will share my heartache of uncertainty of available supplies. This time you can be sure that I'm stocking up!

So I'm off to buy some spankin' new Gocco supplies and will share my creations with you. I'm hoping to get a nice mix of products for an upcoming craft fair. More on that later!

Any Gocco users out there have a good, reliable source for affordable supplies? Please share!
Curious?? Read on right here...

How to Make a Frame Pretty--Decoupage

Paper crafting has been a passion of mine for quite sometime but decoupage is one of my newest ventures. I love the idea of preserving the pretty patterns of paper on decorated boxes or frames. Creating pretty things is wonderful, but if the "thing" has some functionality, that's even better! I have fallen in love with creating decoupage frames and wanted to share what I've learned with you today.

Materials:
Naked wooden frame
Assorted papers
Decoupage glue
Scissors
Small crafting knife
Bone folder
Vintage seam binding or other ribbon
Your favorite embellishments


The first thing to do when starting a decoupage project is to pick out the papers you want to use for your art. I find scraps from other projects work best because they are all different shapes and colors. Another perk is not wasting paper! What a great way to recycle scrap paper.

I like to place the papers on the frame before I do any gluing. Just to make sure everything fits.

The trickiest part of this project is making sure the edges of the paper and frame line up. I place the paper on the edges of the frame and trim to make sure no paper is sticking out. I repeat all around the frame, rounding corners and snipping excess paper.


Once all the paper is laid out, I begin to glue the pieces to the wood frame starting with the bottom layers.

I find that Martha Stewart's decoupage glue and sealer works best. Each bottle comes with an applicator brush. You can find these at craft stores like Michael's for $3.99. They go a long way. I can make about 6-7 frames with one bottle.




Apply a thin layer of glue on your scrap paper. The glue and sealer has a thick consistency so make sure you apply a very thin later to keep the glue from soaking through the paper. You can also you a strpong bonding glue stick or your favorite adhesive to glue the papers down. I like using this glue only because I am also using it as the sealer.


Use a bone folder to gently scrape across the glued paper to make sure no air bubbles are trapped. You want to get a nice, flat surface when you are finished.


Keep gluing the papers you laid out until each piece is placed the way you like it. You can always add more scraps and layer papers if you get some "naked" spots where the wood shows.



For this frame, I'm using an image and I want to put a pink dresden foil wing behind it. I went ahead and did this because the foil wing is flat enough to decoupage over. If you have embellishments that are on the 3-dimensional side, you want to wait and add it after you decoupage.



Once you make sure there are no air bubbles, you are ready to decoupage. Apply the decoupage sealer over your frame. This top coat will hold all your paper together and provide a nice glossy finish over your frame, so make sure you apply generously.

Hold your frame up to the light to see if brush strokes are visible or if you have empty spots. If so, go over with another coat of glue and make sure the entire surface is covered. Lay the frame on a flat surface to allow frame to dry. DO NOT leave the frame uprigtht as the sealer will droop. I always leave it to dry overnight.

When the glue is dry, it should have a nice finish to it. The colors of the paper will now be preserved! Only when your frame is completely dry, you can repeat to the back.

Cut and layout your paper and glue...

The only difference with the back of the frame is to make sure you leave the hole for the dowel. This is why I prefer to use thinner paper rather than cardstock for the back. This way, I can use a little blade and poke through the paper so the hole is exposed. I kind of scrape around the edges of the hole so the edges are nice and clean.

Now it's time to decoupage the back....

When the back of your frame dries, it is ready to be embellished! I like to use dresden foil trims...
or vintage paper posies....

wings....
....leaf trims, ribbon, lace, baubles, pearly pins and and endless other things. You can also leave the frame as it is. The only limit is your imagination!
For the sides of this frame, I find vintage seam binding is perfect. I lightly glue a strip or ribbon around the entire frame. Make sure you only apply a think layer as seam binding is thin and you will get wet spots of glue showing through.



And now you have your own beautiful creation on your hands.

I never know how a frame will turn out when I begin one, but always love the result. I plan on doing some themed frames for little girls, boys, or bridal showers. Once you do enough of these and find your own little techniques, there's so much you can do with them. They make great gifts for anyone. This one is off for a few more embellishments and then it's off to the LizzyJDesigns Etsy shop!

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and attempt to try this project. If you do, please let me know how it goes. If you have other tips and technique ideas, do share! Curious?? Read on right here...

Featured Giveway on Handmade Showcase!

Today, I am featured in a giveaway at Handmade Showcase blog! I have decided to give the lucky winner a bundle of matching paper goods.



Handmade Showcase is run by Lynde at Cozy Sister Jewelry and features giveaways from shops that offer handmade items. I am featured in one starting today thru August 21st.

The lucky winner will receive a Birdie Note Set and a matching Birdie Note Cover. Each birdie is hand cut by me from delicious Amy Butler fabric and adorned with tiny rhinestone for eyes. Super cute!



Each note card measures 3 1/2-inches by 4 7/8-inches folded and includes coordinating kraft envelopes. They are blank inside for your own message. I love have these on hand because you can use them for anything!



The same birdie design is featured on the cover of this sticky note book. Perfect for jotting down shopping lists, to-dos, and anything else you need to remember. They're the pefect size for you purse.



Win this bundle! All you have to do is go to the LizzyJDesigns shop and pick out your favorite item, leave a comment with the item link on my featured post at Handmade Showcase and wait until the winner is announced. Contest starts today and goes until midnight on Aug 21, 2008. The winner will be selected on Aug 22nd.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Curious?? Read on right here...

New notes

My mom is a big inspriation and since she was in town this weekend, she helped me design some new cards. These are available at the LizzyJDesigns shop. Hope you like them!


The first is inspired by the design on the Betty Invitation. It features a scalloped window with the message "Thinking of you" peeking through. I can personalize these with any short message.



The card opens to the same beautiful design printed on the left hand side. I offer these in sets of 6 with coordinating white envelopes for $12.

The next set features the same boroque design on a pink and brown scallop and finished off with some bling in the center. This set includes 6 notes with coordinating envelopes for $10.





Each note card is printed and decorated on fine white cardstock with a nice silky finish.

These are perfect for "Just because" notes. Remember you don't need a special occasion to send a note to a friend! Curious?? Read on right here...

We Love Custom!

One of the things I enjoy most since LizzyJDesigns opened is customizing products for my clients. Whether is it's a truely special wedding invitation or a simple everyday stationery set, it's been such a pleasure working with creative minds to create customized paper goodies.



This is custom wish card set I did for a great customer. She wanted cards for a wish tree in place of a guest book at her wedding. The original cards are 5-inches x 4-inches, printed with my gocco and not customized with the bride and groom's names. The bride wanted hers to be a bit smaller (4-inches x 3-inches)and include her and her fiance's name. We printed these using black and metallic gold ink on fine ivory paper.


I also stung some ribbon in her wedding color so they are ready for her to hang at the reception. I like knowing I helped her check one task off her list before her big day!

Another custom order I'm working on is a colorful personalized note set.



At the shop, you can customize to say "From the cubicle of" or "From the desk of" with your name printed on lower right hand corner.



A client contacted me and asked if she can purchase a set that said "From the mother of" Why, of course!



What a wonderful idea. Wouldn't these notes be great to write to your child's teacher, coach, or family friend?! I adore it. It's so wonderful to receive inspiration from clients for new ideas in the shop. Its a wonderful circle that keeps all our creative juices flowing.

A big THANK YOU to all my clients for their inspiration! Curious?? Read on right here...