Monday, November 28, 2011

Little Somethings Workshop Sneak Peeks...AND...our Grand Finale WiNNeR!!

Make plans to hop aboard the
LBH Creative Express!!!

train
It's time once again for our

 Little Somethings Workshop!
Need that Little "Something" for a friend, co-worker, teacher, neighbor, etc. Then hop aboard and join us for Little Somethings Workshops!
Thursday Dec 1st 6pm-9pm
Friday Dec 2nd 10am-1pm
Saturday Dec 3rd 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Sunday Dec 4th 2pm-5pm
Cost : $35
We will create 10...that's right 10 "little somethings" that would make great gifts, party favors, stocking stuffers, and so much more!!  You will also receive a fabulous Goodie Bag filled with fun products from some of your favorite companies and a Jolly Page Kit courtesy of Miss Tracy and the LBH!!
All you need to bring is a pair of scissors and a smile :)
Everything else will be provided for you!

Oh...and make sure your on your best behavior because Santa Station is your final stop on this train ride! ...and he will have your goodie bag (at least for all of you on his "nice" list...hee hee). Bring your camera!! Santa would love to have his picture taken with YOU!
We have so many fun things in store for Little Somethings Workshops!! We hope you and your friends can join us for this magical Creative Event! Stop by or Call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to reserve your seat today!
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I want to thank everyone for participating in our 12 Days of Ornaments Feature!! We had so much fun designing the ornaments for you and we hope you enjoyed the tutorials!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful comments, traditions, and special moments and memories with us!! If you would like to see us return this feature next year...Leave us a comment and let us know!!

The Grand Finale WINNER is .....  Laura @ MissSmartyPants!Congratulations Laura!!
Please contact the LBH to claim your ornament.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Miss Tracy :) & Santa

P.S. Santa says to come see him at Little Somethings this week!
He's been working on some new jokes for you...LOL!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

LBH 12 Days of Ornaments: Day #12

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Elaine here today to present...The GRAND FINALE!!

Ta Daaa...The final day is here..we hope you have had fun creating all these beautiful ornaments...and yes we have a tree topper for you!!!  A beautiful Christmas angel made of metal and beautiful tulle ribbon.

Angel Topper
Designed by: Elaine Howell
I created two angels, one will be given away to a lucky winner.  I used two different color schemes to show you how versatile they can be.  I will share all the details on how you too can create these pretty ladies. Here are the supplies you will need.
All available at The Little Blue House
One sheet of Cardstock
One sheet of art metal - any color because we will use the silver side
2 yards of Maya Road Tulle Ribbon
Maya Road Pearl Embellishments
Helmar 450 Tacky glue
Ranger Rock Candy Distress Stickles
Tiny Attacher
Metal Sander
Ranger Gold Paint DAbber(White Angel)
Expresso Metallic Paint (Taupe Angel)
Craft Mat
Other supplies
2 inches of gold tinsel
Paint Brush
Antique White Craft Paint
Paper towel
Scissors& Pen
Okay lets get started.. First you will trace the angel template and wings onto the cardstock and art metal..(we will have copies of the template available at the LBH)  it is hard to see the tracing on the metal but both pieces will fit.
Now cut out the cardstock and the art metal.

We are now going to emboss the metal.  The angel wings will be done one side at a time.  Most folders will fit half the wings and then you can run the second side through.

Now for the angel body...she can be a little tricky.  Fold her head down and the you can fit her in the Cuttelbug or Big Shot, again you will have to do this in three parts.

You now have two beautifiul pieces of metal.

Now we are going to paint the metal. Dab the paint on the metal and before it dries take the paper towel and blot off the paint.  This will make it easier to sand later.

Let the paint dry or use a heat gun to speed up the process...be careful the metal will get hot.
Using your Helmar glue attach the cardstock to the metal pieces.  This will stabilize them and make them easier to handle.

We are going to sand off the paint to expose the silver metal on the embossing.

You will not notice a huge difference but it does brighten the piece  The angel below is sanded the wings are not.

Take your paint brush and lightly dry brush either the Expresso or gold paint over each of the metal pieces.  A really light hand is best.

Let dry or use heat gun to speed it up...I am impatient can you tell.  Now to Glitz and Glam her up.  Squirt (technical term) a blob of the Rock Candy Distress Stickles on each metal piece.  Smooth out with your finger.  Use heat gun and watch the SPARKLE happen.  I did the angel body even though it will be covered by the tulle ribbon because it peeks out and is really pretty when the lights hit it.


To form the angel bend the body into a cone and use your Tiny Attacher and place a staple at the bottom and then again at the top of the body.


This is how she looks when she is done

Ready for the ribbon...it is really easy.  Place a line of glue around the bottom of her dress and add ribbon.  Start and finish in the back- snip ribbon off.  Now place another line of glue about pinky finger width higher and do another row of the tulle ribbon.



Continue until you get up to her neck.

Attach beautil Maya Road pearl embellishment with Helmar 450.

Attach her wings by placing a line of the Helmar down the middle of the wings and press to her back. Give them a little bend so they are not so flat.

I then painted the back side of her wings in the color I used to dry brush-in this picture it was the Expresso Metallic.

Take the tinsel and form a small halo and glue to her head...sorry forgot this picture but you can see the finished ornament.


I am really happy with how they turned out.  Make sure you stop by the LBH for Black Friday..
a little elf told me there will be some great specials going on. 
The template for the angel will be available for you as well.

Now for your final Christmas Question ...
Since we are creating a tree topper..Share with us what tops your tree?!?!

I am so fortunate my dear husband Dan is the most amazing tree decorator ever..seriously he could do it professionally.  In fact he decorates several friends tree tops each year and they often ask for his help if they are chaging there overall look.  We put up several trees...my Texas tree has beutiful metal stars on top with branches and berries shooting out around it.  The family room tree has a huge amount of red berries and sparkly things coming out the top.  For several years we had little packages exploding out the top, but they started to fall apart.  I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and also hope your decorating is a happy time for you and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas
Elaine
The WINNER from Day #11 is............PATTI K!
Congratulations Patti!
Please contact the LBH to claim your ornament!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

LBH 12 Days of Ornaments: Day #11

Hello Everyone! 
Oh me oh my!! Can you believe we are already on Ornament #11 of the LBH 12 Days of Ornaments feature?!?! It's hard to believe...but time flies when you're having so much crafty fun!!
Miss Tracy here today to share a wonderful Paper-Crafting project with you!
If you attended our Scrapstasher Workshop last month...this will look familiar to you. Only this time you're seeing a miniature version...Take a looksie...
Falala Folded Tree Ornament
Designed by: Miss Tracy :)
Here's another look at a slight angle so you can see some of the folded dimension of the tree...
This folding technique is quite simple and I'm going to share it with you today!
To get started, you will need to gather up the following supplies:
(If you don't have everything on the list, you can find them at the LBH)
Flat Paper Mache Ornament (rectangle or oval work great!)
Music Paper for background
Glue-n-Seal
Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabber / Gold
Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists / Gold & Pearl
Scraps of pretty Christmas Printed Papers
(one square of each size: 3 in, 2 1/2 in, 2 in, 1 1/2in)
Ink for edges of Paper / Mocha Mama
Tacky Tape
Stickles / Diamond
Scissors
Tacky Glue
One Tree Topper
(I used a snowflake jewel but this could be a star, button, etc.)
Okay gals...Let's get started!
First, you will trace your ornament onto the music paper and cut it out. Then apply your Glue-n-Seal.
(Your gonna love this stuff!...has it's own brush in the lid...goes on so easy and adheres & seals your paper...comes in glossy & matte) Apply it to the back of the music paper and lay onto your ornament. Lightly rub over the top with your fingers to smooth out the paper.  I'm using the matte finish.
Now grab your Gold Paint Dabber (Love these too!...no mess, no brushes to clean!) and apply paint to the back and sides of your ornament. I also applied some paint lightly around the front edges of my music paper side of the ornament. 
Now it's time to add a little shimmer & shine with your Perfect Pearls Mist...
(by the way...LoVe, LoVe, LoVe these too!)
Unlike some other brands of mist, these are meant to be shaken. Take a look at the label... 
I thought that was funny! So you're going to ShaKe, ShaKe, ShaKe! Then spritz your ornaments...I used a little Pearl first and then a little Gold. Once spritzed, set aside to dry. If you happen to Over-Spritz, just dab with a paper towel. 
Now it's time to do some Falala fabulous Folding! For this ornament you will need to cut four squares.
3in, 2 1/2 in, 2 in, 1 1/2 in
Each section of the tree is in 1/2 in. increments. Your largest square will be the bottom section of the tree. Your smallest square will be the top section of the tree.
For the folding process, follow each of these steps:
1. Fold in half (I call this the Hot Dog fold) 
Now, open the square back up like so... 
2. Turn the opposite direction and fold in half again (Hot Dog)
This will create a + sign fold on your paper
3. Open square back up again and fold opposite corner to opposite corner (I call this the Taco Fold) 
4. Open your square back up again and turn paper and fold opposite corner to opposite corner (Taco Fold) When you open your square up the fold lines will look an * asterisk.

5. Next fold paper in half (Hot Dog) with the print on the outside. Have the fold facing up and push in the sides like so...
Once pushed in, burnish the folds well with your finger. 
Repeat this step to the other side like so... 
When you are completed it will look like a triangle...(I call this part the Football Fold) 
6. Final step...Take the the top corner layer and fold to the center seam of your Football...Triangle.  
Repeat this step with the other side...like so...and falala...
You have a completed folded section for your Tree! 
Isn't that easy! You will repeat these same steps with each square. Once folding is complete, add a little ink to the edges of your folded tree sections if you desire.
These creates great depth and a shadow effect! 
Now you have four little airplanes....oh, sorry, I mean Tree Sections! 
We are now ready to build our Falala Folded Tree! Apply small pieces of tacky tape to the back side of your folded pieces like so... 
Cut a small trunk for your tree and adhere it to the ornament first. I just used a scrap piece of brown cardstock. Peel off red film and position largest tree section...eyeball to center. 
Continue adding your sections right on top of each other...like so.... 
Keep building and when all sections are down...You can apply your Tree Topper!
I used a Snowflake Jewel but you could use a punched star, decorative brad or even a cute little button! 
One final step ladies! Grab your stickles and lightly trace around each section of the tree. This will add some beautiful sparkle. I used Diamond Stickles on mine. 
Let it dry for a bit and then proudly hang it on your Christmas Tree!!
This would be cute to hang off of a special gift bag for a special someone too!
Here is what it looks like on an oval ornament... 
Now if you are interested in taking this to a bigger scale, consider creating larger folded tree sections and building your tree on a Canvas! Here is a look at the Falala Folded Tree Canvas that we created last month in Scrapstashers.  
This is an 11x14 canvas (we used the reverse side) and the dimensions
for your printed paper squares are as follows:
4 1/2 in, 5 in, 5 1/2in, 6 in, 6 1/2in, 7in
You will follow the exact same folding process as you did for the ornament...your just working with larger size squares...It's so easy!! I hope you enjoyed my tutorial today and will try this technique.
 I promise you won't be dissappointed!!

My Christmas Question of the Day:
Share with us your favorite gift you rec'd as a child and what you would like Santa to bring you this year! Ho Ho Ho! One lucky commenter will be drawn and win today's Falala Folded Tree Ornament. Good luck...I hope it's YOU!

Merry Folding Gals!
Miss Tracy :)

The WINNER from Day #10 is....LINDA HAHN!
Congratulations Linda!
Please contact the LBH to claim your ornament!