Earring Carousel Tutorial

I'd like to invite everyone to try making a carousel using my tutorial. It is currently posted in the Artz de Scrap website. Do visit the site to see what the Design Team (Felicia, Cabbi, Cathy, Kim and Emily) came up with as well for inspiration. A few months ago, friends were asking me how I did a carousel with ceramic horses. The tutorial is for an earring carousel, but the carousel can be modified and horses can also be used.

Title: Earring Carousel
Materials:
- illustration board or any stiff board (approx. 30cm x 60 cm or 1ft x 2ft)
- 7 pcs. disposable bamboo chopsticks (or barbecue sticks)
- empty ribbon spool with hole in the middle (piece of styrofoam with a hole in the middle)
- old cd (to be used to stiffen and add weight to the base)
- patterned papers
- ribbons/laces
- cord/ crochet thread for sewing, plus a hairpin instead of a needle
- glue
- hanging earrings (those with a hook attachments only)
- optional: metal trimmings used for fancy jewelry

1. Cut a big circle with a diameter of 20 cm. using the stiff board. Cover with pp. Make a 1/8 pie cut.. Cut a small circle with a diameter of 11 cm. Cover with pp. Cut another small circle of 11 cm or smaller. The latter is a back-up circle to be used to stiffen the base if needed. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel1.jpg)2. Punch holes along the left side of the big circle. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel2.jpg). Move the punched side towards the right side by at least 1''.3. Trace the holes made, then punch them as well. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel3.jpg) 4.Sew the two edges together. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel4.jpg)
5. Trace finished cone on another stiff board and cut. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel5.jpg)
6. Cover with patterned paper then punch a hole on the the traced circle. Push the chopstick through the hole. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel6.jpg)
7. Put glue on the sides of the circle on the stick, then stick this to the edge of the cone.. This will look like an umbrella cone. Push the stick through the previously cut circle with hole at the other end of the stick. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel7.jpg)8. Insert the open end of the stick through the empty ribbon spool. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel8.jpg) This is the framework of the carousel. Set aside.9. Measure 6 panels of 4cm width x 13 cm height on a stiff board. Add 1.5 cm to the height on top and at the bottom. Add another 1.5 on the width of the panel to serve as overlapping flap for gluing.. Cut and score all lines. Cover other side with patterned paper. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel9.jpg)10. Cut the edges to make triangles. Also punch 2 or 4 holes on each of the 6 panels. These is where the earrings will hang. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel10.jpg)
11. Fold the scored lines inward. This will make a hexagonal shape. Glue remaining flap behind one of the panels. For a more finished look, the patterned paper can be longer than the 6 panels and flap. When gluing, this extension goes on top of one of the panels. Punch holes where the previous holes are. Fold the triangles inside. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel11.jpg)12. Tape opposite triangles together. Do this to the bottom as well. This will hold the hexagonal shape together. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel12.jpg)13. Punch a hole where the tapes meet on both ends using the pointed end of the scissors. Take out the stick from the cone and circle base, then insert through the taped top and bottom. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel13.jpg)
14. Insert top end through the cone and bottom end through the bottom circle. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel14a.jpeg) Then stick the remaining end of the stick into the empty ribbon spool. DO NOT GLUE onto the ribbon spool. Make the whole carousel stand on a flat surface. The ribbon spool acts as a stand and as pivoting point. You can now turn the carousel. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel14b.jpg) NOTE: If the bottom circle on stop of the ribbon spool is not stiff enough, you can glue an old cd underneath or another cardboard circle with a hole in the middle to make the bottom thicker and stiff.

15. Cut 6 pieces of bamboo chopsticks into 13 cm lengths. Wrap with ribbon/-s. Glue ends to prevent unravelling. Optional decorative metal can be attached at the ends of the sticks for interest. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel15a.jpg) Glue top and bottom ends of the sticks to the carousel near the corners of the hexagonal prism. (See photo ADS Earring Carousel15b.jpg)16. Embellish the carousel, then hang the earrings through the holes. You're done!
(See photo ADS Earring Carousel Done1.jpg)NOTE: Ceramic horses with holes for carousels can also be used on the bamboo sticks.
(See photo ADS Earring Carousel Done2.jpg)IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT GLUE the stick through the empty ribbon spool as this will prevent the carousel from turning.

Do tell me if you've tried it. I'm sure there's a little girl in all of us that wants one. This is a perfect gift for a girl who has everything.

ADS TicTacToe Revised!

A new Artz de Scrap Challenge is to make a TicTacToe. Instead of the typical game of 3x3 box grid, I made mine 4x4x4 by adding a 3rd dimension. Hence, this game is a very challenging one.
To make the boards, I used the plastic containers of the SeeD's stamps. I used 4 of the covers and I stamped a Prima My Rose window stamp 4 times using StazOn white to make a 4x4 grid. I decorated each side of the grid with AC black rubons, then colored the sides with cranberry alcohol inks. To make the TicTacToe grid stand, I used magnets underneath the bottom of the 4th cover. On top of the cover, I used magnetic sticks (Magnetic Stix & Balls) which I colored with black alcohol ink. On top of the magnetic sticks on each of the 4 corners, I placed another SeeD's plastic cover. Again, magnetic sticks and a cover were placed one on top of the other until a 4th cover is in place. This is the playing board.On one of the bottom covers of the SeeD's Stamps, I collected several Rhonna Farrer buttons. These would be the playing pieces. Because the game itself is already complicated because of the 4 layers, I decided not to decorate the buttons to avoid further confusion. In truth, I am not a button person when it comes to scrapping and I've had these buttons for so long, I decided this game is the best way to use them instead.
In general, the game is played with 2 players, playing TicTacToe. To win, you can make 4 in a row, in a column, or in a diagonal either on one level or in multiple levels. This makes this quite challenging. Also, it is possible to also have a 3rd player using different colored buttons.

Do check out the our Artz de Scrap Team's takes here.

Artz de Scrap Altered Tin Can + Rubber pads

For this month's challenge, we were asked to alter tin cans. I chose to use the Van Houten Chocolate Almond tin can because of its unique shape. I made it into a small purse!

To cover the tin, I got a few of my extra See D's rubber padding for stamps. I don't know about you but I just have SOOOOO many of them and they're occupying too much space in my craft area. Anyway, the half-size rubber pads were perfect for covering almost half of the tin, so I was able to use 2 1/2 pads. I did a free-cut design of a spider's web, intending to make the bag more like one Elvira would use in Halloween. Since the pads were naturally black, the design was perfect just as is!

I adhered these rubber pieces one-by-one on the outer tin using a quick-drying epoxy glue. Then I sewed Prima velvet leaves into a flower, added some silver beads for accent as well as for a handle, and got myself a bag! The bag came out pretty well, no one would ever think its just a chocolate tin can.

To check out the Artz de Scrap Teams' work, visit the website here.

Metal Embossing, anyone?

I found this book at 40% off at the National Bookstore Sale in MegaMall last week. Since then, I've been obsessing on the art of metal embossing.

I haven't tried doing this yet, although I've dabbled in paper embossing. I was so intrigued by the idea of manipulating sheets of metal to decorate practically anything! I am so partial to silver and pewter in decor because I feel it lends to an atmosphere of vintage, elegant lifestyle. After going through the first few pages of the book, I said to myself, "I can do this!"

Yesterday, I was able to purchase beginning tools and materials on-line. I am one step closer to playing with this artform. I am so excited, my brain is working overtime in planning projects involving metal embossing!

Artz de Scrap Altered Lantern

The latest challenge at Artz de Scrap is to alter a lantern. I bought this copper candle lantern a year ago and I thought that with a little alteration, it could be used to showcase photos of my son. I took off the colored glass from their arched panes from the inside and inserted the photos. I also used Perfect Pearls Aged Patina (blue) on the lantern to match the flowers and lace. This is a perfect way to reuse lanterns and make them part of the living room decor.

To see the other DT's lanterns, do visit the Artz de Scrap website here.

Artz de Scrap Altered Toilet Paper Tubes into Saturn V Rocket

My son wanted me to make a rocket ever since he became fascinated with spaceships. Last summer, he was introduced to the Saturn V Rocket, after seeing a demonstration of the 3-stage rocket booster separation in a Singaporean Aerospace Museum. Given that Artz de Scrap's Guest Designer Timi Mercado challenged us to alter toilet paper rolls, I decided to give in to Galo's whim to make a Saturn V Rocket.

I used several toilet paper rolls, some smaller in girth. I simply unrolled the cardboard, rolled it to make it tighter and taped it well. After getting the desired height and basic shape, I covered the whole rocket with several layers of strips of toilet paper and white glue, like in paper mache. To make the fins and line definitions, I used different lengths of wooden toothpicks which I glued to the side of the rocket. I then covered them with layers of toilet paper and glue as well. I also made 8 small cones, painted them in black and glued them as fuel nozzles at the bottom of the rocket. Afterwards, I painted the whole rocket with gesso white, then painted the black designs, the US flag and words "USA" all over the rocket using acrylic paint and Whispers Strokes pens. Lastly, I made white checked designs on the body of the rocket using a white textured textile glue. For displaying, since it couldn't stand very well with the black nozzles glued at the bottom, I used a metal paper stake which I inserted in between the nozzles. This, I had to put away for safety when I gave the rocket to Galo.

Except for not being not scaled to size and not very straight, it still turned out quite well. My son couldn't wait to play with it!

Materials used: toilet paper rolls; toilet paper strips; toothpicks; Delta Ceramcoat Gesso; Semco acrylic paint black; Whispers Strokes Pens; Pebeo Touch Textile white.

Techniques used: paper mache; painting; drawing; doodling with puff glue.

Art de Scrap Journal Challenge

I made my own journal for the Artz de Scrap Challenge. I decided to recycle stuff I had plenty of. For the inside, I used tons of brown paper bags which I cut in half. I gave the other half a hand-torn look. I just punched holes on one side using my blue Zutter and walaah! I have a journal! My idea is that with each page, I can actually store ephemera as keepsakes, say when travelling. I also decided to keep the embellies to a minimum because of possible wear and tear in travelling. Also, it makes a great gift to anyone, male or female alike! I actually left the journal on top of my pile of stuff on my desk and I saw one of my co-teachers admiring it. (Mmmm. Her birthday is coming up. Maybe I should give it to her.)

Chipboard, the one that comes with the papers and kits I buy, was used for the cover. I painted it white, then misted it with Glimmer Mist Dewdrop for a glittery effect, then stamped the journal text of Tim Holtz. I adhered Sugar-coated Doodlebug alphas in black, and added a big J grungeboard which I painted black and sugar-coated as well. Bright red ribbons give a final dramatic touch.

Altered Book Bag

Here's a thought. How can you use a book as a bag? Simple. Glue the sides, put straps and decorate.

I originally thought, "No way am I going to destroy a book!" It so happened that Artz de Scrap posed their July Challenge which is to alter a story book. I knew Galo is very territorial when it comes to his books so there's no way I can filch one out of his book shelf. I was contemplating on buying a second-hand book because I wanted to make it into a bag. Fortunately, I saw one book I took out from Galo's reading materials because I wasn't happy with the storyline nor with the moral of the story. It was "Eloise Makes Breakfast."

I covered the outer corners of the book with a Webster's Pages Magical Wishes Sticker, carefully cutting it so it only covered the areas I needed. Next, I painted the middle with Pebbles Olive Green, then embellished the rest of the cover with more stickers and pp flowers from Magical Wishes Line. I finished it off with Prima Hydrangea flowers, Tinkering Ink felt stickers for a latch, Maya Road metal flower hinges and a length of Carolina's metal chain, cut in half, for the handles.

At this time, I still couldn't make myself completely destroy the book so I decided that when I'm ready, I'll just stick the edges of the book to make pockets. As it is, it can only house a hankie at best. Still, once stuck together, one can also stuff a few papers, maybe even paper money inside it. Chances are, it will be a little girl who'll like to carry the book as a bag, just like mommy!

Do check out the new Artz de Scrap Team's takes on this project here.

Artz de Scrap's DT for July -Dec

I am very honored to be chosen as Artz de Scrap's Design Team again for the months of July-Dec.! This time, we have another Filipina scrapper in the team, Catherine Bautista. That makes three Filipinas with Nathalie "Cabbie" Jane Lopez, a Resident Designer in the group. Other team members are: Emily Zhang and Kim Faucher. You can check out the announcement here.

Watch out for the exciting projects and tutorials to come!

My ADS Tutorial is out!

I just found out that my tutorial is finally out. I made a tutorial for the mailboxes shown above. If you'd like to see how it's done, please head on to this site.

I'm so glad that the DTs did get to make their own version since everyone came up with such overwhelmingly GORGEOUS takes! Do check out their versions by scrolling down here. I swear, their takes really show the abundance of talent in the group. I'm hoping that others, esp. fellow Filipino scrappers, do take the chance and apply for DTs. Actually, I'm toying with reapplying but I'm just not sure if I have the time yet. I still have the next few days to think about it and to come up with a project to submit.

Sneak Peek: My Artz de Scrap June Tutorial

Yup, I've been given the task of making the June Tutorial for Artz de Scrap. It's quite an honor, considering that this is the last month I'll be DT for the site. I was told to make a tutorial of anything that would be easy enough to follow. If it is too difficult, not too many people would attempt to make their own version. I'm hoping Artz de Scrap afficionados will try it out.

Here's a sneak peek of the project.
I purposedly made sure that the tutorial, to be revealed soon in the Artz de Scrap site, is easy to follow. I had made photos of every step and had to cut down on it so that it wouldn't be overwhelming. I ended up doing 2 of the same project, since Galo, my son, wanted one himself!

Artz de Scrap Altered Envelopes

This time, we were challenged to alter envelopes. I used 2 different sized envelopes which I altered using stamps, stamp inks and different colored UTEE.

After opening the envelope at the seams and hand-tearing its edges, I rubbed ink all over, with tattered rose in the middle and black at the edges. Then I used 2 stamps, a Fancy Pants From the Garden flower vine stamp and a Prima Dreamer ledger stamp. By repeating the pattern, it started to look more and more like a hankie. I embossed the flower stamp in black and rose quartz. Then I rubbed Versamark, then sprinkled black and silver UTEE and embossed them in place. This gave the envelope-wrapper lots of texture.

The smaller envelope was made into a picture frame using similar techniques but different colors. I wrapped the picture frame with the bigger peach envelope and tied it with a ribbon. I loved playing with embossing powder and UTEE so much, I can hardly believe myself that the envelopes are not made of cloth! Really fun to do. This really means that I should get more UTEE to play with!

Do check out the Artz de Scrap blog here for more inspiration from the talented DTs and RDs.

Materials: 2 different sized white envelopes (smaller one should fit inside the bigger one), Versamark, StazOn black, Color Box mini peacock, Distress Ink weathered wood, tattered rose and black soot, PA Embossing Powder black, Ranger Antiquities Embossing Powder Rose Quartz, Whispers Embossing Powder blue, UTEE black, clear and platinum, Simple Joys mocha ribbon.

Techniques: stamping, hand-tearing, smudging stamp ink, embossing.

Artz de Scrap Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak of one of the projects in Artz de Scrap. I played with different colors of UTEE, stamps and ink to make this. I am now a certified UTEE addict!

Artz de Scrap Altered Birdhouse

These are the photos of my Artz de Scrap Birdhouse, inspired by Bree Tetz's tutorial. Hope you'd all try making one because it really is fun!