There's a NEW tag set in town!!!

Happy Saturday my friends!

I'm feeling a little wicked today (in a good way!) and have decided to do an early release of our NEW Mini Tag Set for the Words for All Seasons Blocks & Base. It's Spooktacular!

Blocks & Pedestal Base: $30

Spooky Mini Tag Set: $15

 They are currently on display at the LBH so come on up and take a look....if you dare!!! We will begin sign up's today...kits are limited, while supplies last! Stop by and reserve yours today or give us a call at (817) 431-7930.  We will begin teaching these in our LBH Creative Buffets as of this Thursday, 9/15.

Here's a closer look...

 and YES...you will receive this eight legged little guy...(name to be determined) with your kit! I'm trying to decide what to call him...please leave your suggestions in the comments! If I choose your suggested name...YOU will win an LBH $15 gift certificate!!!!

So what are you waiting for?!?!?!  It's time to get your "SpooK On" at the Little Blue House!

Come shop, crop, and create with us!!

Have a SpooKtAcuLAr DaY!!!

Miss Tracy :)
P.S. Fall Mini Tags will be released next week!!
Stay tuned for the reveal!!

A Front Porch Kit Tutorial...Masculine Style!

Hi, this is Susan posting today to show you some fun techniques that I used when creating this card for the Inspiration Gallery for the current "Time To..." Front Porch Kit.  If you haven't seen the kit yet, you can order it online at http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to order while supplies last.  This kit is fantastic and my favorite to date!

The first technique I want to show you is for the background layer of the card.  The card is a regular A2 black card and the background is a piece of white cardstock cut slightly smaller than the front of the card (4" x 5 1/4").  For this tutorial I used the Sizzix Postcard Alterations embossing folder (although I used the collage folder for the sample above).  

First you need to open the embossing folder and ink the top piece (yes, the folder itself).  You can use any ink, but I like to use Distress Inks because they stay wet longer than other inks and give you more working time.

Then center the white cardstock inside the embossing folder and run through the Cuttlebug.

Your cardstock will now be embossed as well as colored!

Here's a quick tip for you:  you don't need a fancy "reverse corner punch" - just use a small circle punch!

Now on to the little kraft cardstsock gears that were included in the kit.  These are exclusive Front Porch Kutz!  (If you purchased a kit and would like more, or if you didn't get a kit and would just like some gears, you can purchase the SVG file on the website for a minimal fee and cut as many as you would like on your Cricut.)  Here is a closeup of all three gears.

The gears were not very grungy looking, so I used three different techniques to get them to look old and used.

I inked the first one with Versamark (embossing ink).  The easiest way to do a small piece like this is to place it face down on the ink pad and press it into the ink. (Don't mind my dirty pad - it's well-used!)

Then sprinkle with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder, completely covering the cardstock.  Tip: when using Distress Embossing Powder, be sure to shake it well before using to completely mix the release crystals in the powder.  Heat with a heat gun until set.  Cool, then gently wipe off the gear with your fingertips, removing the crystals that did not melt.  (Distress powder differs from regular embossing powder as it contains crystals that won't melt, thus giving the distresssed look.)

Use a blending tool to swipe Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the gear.

Your first gear should now look like this - nice and old and rusty.

I painted the second gear with black acrylic paint.  You could also just start with black cardstock and skip this step.

Once it is dry, ink it with Versamark ink by pressing it into the pad as shown above. Then sprinkle with regular silver embossing powder. (Tip: transfer those embossing powders you use often to a small plastic container for easier and faster application.)

Heat with the heat gun until "grainy" - not completely smooth, if possible.  While still hot, sprinkle with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) or place face down in UTEE in container.

Heat again with heat gun until it starts to melt, but not too smooth.  If it gets too smooth, you can blot it lightly with a paper towel to make texture. Cover with black acrylic paint, removing most of it before completely dry.  The gear will look something like tarnished metal. Remember, each will be totally unique!

I also painted the last gear, this time with dark brown acrylic paint. You could also cut the gear from brown cardstock to eliminate this step.

When dry, ink with Versamark ink as shown above.  Completely cover with Rust Embossing Powder.

Heat with heat gun until melted.  Then swipe over the gear with black Staz On ink, wiping any excess off if desired.

The gear should now look something like this - another rusty look.

Here are the three gears again. I think they look pretty cool and grungy!

I hope you will try some of these techniques to add some masculine flair to your projects.  Please share with us if you do! Our newest Front Porch Kit is still available for purchase! This kit is called Time To... and you can order online at http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or you can purchase at the LBH!

Thanks for reading!

Susan

NEW Mix & Match Cards & Embellies from Doodlebug Designs!

Looking for a fun & easy way to create Spooktacular Cards & Invitations?!?!

Check out our NEW Mix & Match Cards & Embellies from Doodlebug Designs...

They're Too Cute to Spook and you will love the fabulous variety of embellishments and wait till you see all the various stylish cards & coordinating envelopes!

Talk about Frightfully Delightful...Check out these adorable Monster Pops!
 I love their "boo"tiful Googly Eyes!

We will be carrying these throughout the Halloween season and soon, we will be

premiering our Christmas Mix & Match assortment.

Hope to see you in the House this week!
Come shop, crop, and create with us!

Keep Creating,
Miss Tracy :)

Hello,

Rhonda here today. 

Now that you have had "Time To" order your kit.  We are back to show you some of the amazing projects that the design team has made with their kits. If you would still like to purchase the Time To... kit go to http://www.frontporchkits.com/ or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 while supplies last. This kit is jammed packed full of crafting goodness. I was able to complete 5 different projects from the Time To kit, and still have enough paper to make another LO or two for my scrapbook.  (Plus lots of extra embellies.)

For now, I want to show you my Altered Frame.

At the Little Blue House we have had many classes for altering frames and I had yet to make one.  So I made my way to the craft store and they were nice enough to have a black frame similar to this one on the clearance rack for me.  I love when they do that!

I liked this frame for the wide area around the glass. It would allow me to show off the great patterns in the papers and made for a very quick and easy alteration too.  

All you do is measure the length of each side and divide by how many squares you want to run down the sides.  Mine were about 2-1/4x3-1/4. I picked 5 patterns to use: Basic Grey-Glicee, Tickets-Daily Junque by Pink Paislee(both sides), the pink side of the Basic Grey-Lithograph, and Cheerful Words from the Victoria Gardens by Echo Park.

I cut my squares(well, their really rectangles...anyway) and kept arranging them until I found a combination I liked. Attaching them to this frame I used the tacky tape because it sticks well on the smooth surface. 

For the large flower embellishment I used my new Sizzix Die, Flower Petal Power by Eileen Hull.

I cut about 9 large petals in the printed paper and 3 large in the solid pink cardstock. And 5 smaller petals from the printed paper and 3 small from the pink cardstock.

To give them their shape I used a skewer to pressure roll them.

Place petal in your hand laying flat.

Take skewer, and from the middle, start rolling skewer across the petals with moderate pressure.  (Use a sturdy skewer, too thin and the skewer might break. A dowel or pencil will work too.)

Curl all of your petals.

To arrange my flower, I punched out a 2 inch circle (from scraps) to give myself a base before placing on the frame.  This way I can move and make errors without damaging my framework.

Start with the large petals on the outer edge of your base circle and work inwards, staggering then as you go.  There should be two rings of the large petals and two rings of the small petals. 

I then embellished the middle of my flower.

That's it! Nice and easy, and gorgeous

Thank you for joining me today

and

Have a wonderful Labor Day. 

Rhonda

Blue House Art Group Meets Next Week!

It's time once again for our Art Group meetings!

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 6pm - 9pm

or Friday, Sept. 9, 10am - 1pm

Call the LBH today to reserve your spot.

This month we will be creating all sorts of fun embellishments to add to our art journals using

two Ranger products - 

Clearly for Art Molding Film

and

Shrink Plastic.

The list of supplies is short:

basic supplies, including scissors

Heat gun if you have one

Staz On ink pad - black or colors

few scraps of patterned papers

few favorite stamps (all-over patterns and some larger images - for shrinking)

see further information on Art Group Page

And don't forget the

ATC Summer Theme Swap

Create ten (10) ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) with a summer theme. You will keep one and swap nine.  The only rule is size:  3 1/2" HIGH by 2 1/2" WIDE (vertical orientation)

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please drop your ATCs by the store and we will swap them out for you.

See you next week!

New LBH Buffet Projects now available!

Hello LBH friends!!

The Blue House Gals and I are excited to share with you our NEW projects that have been designed for our LBH Creative Buffets! You can view the projects here on the blog by clicking the LBH Buffet tab above and scrolling down the page. We will begin seating for the majority of these projects this Thursday! So plug yourself in and get creative with us!! Remember to bring your basics to class each time you come...you can view the basic supply list on the Buffet tab also.

Here are a few peeks...

Stop by to see all of the NEW projects in person and check out all of our NEWest arrivals of papers & products! Plan a little "me" time and come crop, shop, and create at the LBH!!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Miss Tracy :)