Ain't She Crafty

Melissa Frances Chipboard Houses Tutorial

As I mentioned on my FB page a while back, I am OBSESSED with these houses.   As I also mentioned, I am so disorganized during the holiday season that I meant to post this how-to BEFORE Christmas, but here we are. So - apologies for the lateness, but to make up for it I am giving away a few of these kits  (post your New Year's resolution by December 31st on the aforementioned FB page to enter) and I FINALLY present to you step by step instructions so you can make some of these houses yourself!  These would make WONDERFUL wedding or housewarming gifts too...chipboard houses ain't just for Christmas any more!  :)

PS - I would also like to give a shout-out to my mom (who we will refer to as Crafty Sharron from now on) who is here visiting for Christmas and helped me with the photos and made some fabulous houses of her own while I was working on this tutorial.  Thanks Mom!

Supplies needed:
Melissa Frances ornament cottage kit
Three (3) coordinating patterned papers - I used MME Lost & Found Christmas
Xyron 510 with permanent adhesive refill
1/8" Scor-Tape
Liquid glue
Craft knife and self healing mat 
Two (2) coordinating misting sprays - I used Smooch Spritz Vanilla Shimmer and Perfect Pearls Bronze Mist
Coordinating acrylic paint and brush
Bazzill Basics textured vellum (optional)
Glitter
Melissa Frances mini bottle brush tree
White cardstock and printer
Distress Ink - I used Antique Linen
Two (2) coordinating mini brads
Foam tape 

Select the roof, house and base from your kit. Find the "top/front" of each piece (based on the way the pieces are scored).

Put the three pieces in the Xyron 510 with the top/front facing DOWN. 

Once you run them through the 510, peel off the clear film and then GENTLY peel the pieces from the backing.  Chipboard is created in layers so if you peel too fast the top layer of chipboard will come right off.

Place the adhesive side of your chipboard on the BACK of the patterned paper for each item (see photo of completed pieces below...for example - the yellow piece of paper that the roof chipboard is attached to has a red swirl pattern on the other side).

Use a craft knife to cut out each piece and sand if you want to.  :)

(photo of completed pieces)

Use your craft knife to gently cut along the score lines of the roof and house.  You don't want to cut too deep, but if you do over-cut don't worry - see my HELPFUL TIP at the very end of this post.

Apply misting spray to your base piece ONLY. Set aside to dry.

Apply misting spray to your window and door pieces. Set aside to dry.

Apply paint to your fence. Set aside to dry.

Take your house and roof pieces (NOT the base piece) and put them back in the Xyron 510 with the patterned paper side facing DOWN. Run through the machine, peel of the clear film, gently peel pieces off of the backing and lay with the patterned/adhesive side facing UP on your workspace.

Apply glitter to both pieces, rub with finger to cover and tap off excess.

   (photo of finished pieces)

Tip: If you are using patterned paper that already has glitter on it, you can use the tip of your craft knife to scrape off the top layer of glitter, revealing the pattern on your paper.

 On the back side of your house, place Scor-Tape around the edges of the door and window.

At this point I should stop, take a moment, and explain to you that I am usually not a crazy adhesive woman.  When I put a photo on a layout I use some adhesive on each corner, not adhesive all around the edges and then some in the middle for good measure.  I'm not stingy with my stickiness, but I am not going through five refills per project if you know what I mean.  HOWEVER - because this is a project that I want people to use and enjoy (and I know it will be put on a tree, taken down and put away, brought out again next Christmas, etc. year after year - not something that is going to sit on a shelf forever) I used A LOT of adhesive on this project.  A LOT. I recommend you do the same.  :)

Flip the house over, center your door and window, and press to adhere.

Flip the house back over and apply scor-tape to the back of the door and window.

Cut two small pieces of textured vellum (or use the red cellophane that came in your kit) and cover door and window openings.

Apply Scor-Tape to the bottom of your house*.  I do not use liquid glue until later in the project because I HATE to wait for liquid glue to dry.  Using Scor-Tape allows me to put the project together quickly and then go back and "shore-up" any parts of the project that need liquid glue. 

*Line up the edge of your Scor-Tape with the front of your house, so the rest of the Scor-Tape is "hanging off" the back edge of the chipboard.

Use your finger to "roll" the Scor-Tape on to itself, making a thinner strip. It won't look pretty - but it will hold fabulously!

Repeat on ONE end of the house.

Fold house in to shape and adhere to your base.  I adhered mine pretty close to the back of the base, but I have seen them put on kitty-cornered and centered, so the choice is yours!

Repeat the Scor-Tape process on the roof edges of your house.

Insert the ornament holder in to your roof and apply to your house.

(photo of house with roof)

Use liquid glue to adhere your tree and Scor-Tape to adhere the fence to your base.

If you are applying a "plaque" to your house, print out your phrase in several different sizes.

Use distress ink to apply color to your phrases, cut out and determine which size works best with your house.

Use your craft knife to poke a small hole on either side of your paper.  Insert brads.

Fold both ends of your brads towards the center of your paper.

Use a small piece of foam tape in the center of your paper and adhere to the front of the house.

***HELPFUL TIP*** These chipboard houses ARE fragile.  If during the process you tear your chipboard along one of the score lines or feel like the Scor-Tape isn't secure enough, once your house is COMPLETED you can easily go back and fill in the gaps with liquid glue.  Apply the liquid glue to the affected area then sprinkle some glitter on the glue and tap off the excess.  It will strengthen your project AND cover up any small errors.  Thank God for glitter!  :)

Wonderful Wednesday Surprise from Sharon Callis!

Sharon never ceases to amaze me with her creativity!  I opened up my inbox this morning and she has created ANOTHER fabulous Christmas project just for Xyron fans!  This could be just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  Make this with your kids for your own Christmas tree or as a special gift!

Pudding Surprise

Supplies:
large styrofoam ball
brown felt
kraft cardstock
white felt
Xyron Creatopia with Fabric Adhesive refill
Xyron Creative Station (5" or 9")
Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker (also known as the X)
3 coordinating ribbons
red pom poms
Xyron Creatopia Shapez component and holly-shaped die 
green glitter felt
straight pins
liquid fabric glue 
2 sheets coordinating patterned paper
assorted small embellishments 
die cut letters
photo 
Xyron Mega Runner 
self-adhesive velcro closure 

Cut a large styrofoam ball in half.

Stretch brown felt over the form to shape it.

Run felt through the Creatopia.

Rub the felt really well before removing the top film (tip: rub it back and forth over the edge of your table to ensure excellent adhesive coverage).

Wrap the felt around the foam, stretching it as you go.  It should be smooth and without any creases.

Trim the felt on the flat side of the styrofoam.

Repeat with other half of styrofoam ball.

Place one of the halves on to piece of folded kraft cardstock, making sure that the styrofoam hangs slightly off the folded edge of the paper. Draw around the form (it will not be a perfect circle).

Open the cut card flat and run through the Creatopia (use the fabric cartridge to ensure the card sticks to the felt).

Adhere to the halves one side at a time.

(both forms stuck to card)

To create the icing fold white felt in half.

Cut freehand to form a wavy half circle, then cut in half.

Run the felt through the Creatopia, rub thoroughly before removing the top film.

Mold around the top of the halves, overlapping the flat edge.

Cut slits on the overlapping felt, lift edge of cardstock and tuck felt in.

Add ribbon for hanging, using two pins and fabric glue to hold in place.  Press back the cardstock to hold it tight.

Cut coordinating ribbons and make two loops.

Glue in place with liquid fabric adhesive to one side of the opening.

Add a pin for extra security. Ribbon should fall on either side of the hanging ribbon.

(top view)

(side view - note how the ribbons cover the opening where the halves meet)

 

Using the Shapez component and a holly-shaped die, cut 10 holly leaves from green glitter felt and run through the X.

 Place in a circle around the top of the ball, covering the ribbon as shown.

Run some red pom poms throught the X and place around the hanging ribbon on the top.

To create the inside, use the leftover kraft cardstock as a template and draw two circles on coordinating paper.

Run both through your Creative Station.

Place on the inside of the halves.

Repeat using slightly smaller circles and apply to halves.

Run diecut letters through the X and adhere.

Cut around images in a photo - making sure that the photo stays in one piece.  Leave a tab at the bottom to attach to project.

Run through your Creative Station.

Place on coordinating patterned paper and cut around the image.

Fold back tab at bottom of the photo and apply adhesive with Mega Runner.  Apply to bottom half of project.

Use coordinating paper to make the rear tab.  Apply adhesive to each end using Mega Runner and attach as shown.

Run embellishments through your X and add to the inside of the project. Apply a self adhesive velcro closure to top and bottom half, and you have a Pudding Surprise!

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Advent Musings

Reposted from 2009 - just as true today as it was then.  So incredibly grateful to have Don home with me this Christmas.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Advent.  Two things you don't usually think about in the same sentence, but several years ago while Don was deployed during the holidays I was asked to write an Advent devotional for a booklet that was being created in the church where I grew up. 

Those of you who know me in real life know that I am quick with the sarcasm and comedy, but my faith is something I hold very close and sharing it publicly isn't one of my strengths.  Allowed to pick the date of my choosing I selected December 7th, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which that year also happened to be the second Sunday in Advent.  I figured with the military theme I was sure to be inspired, but what poured out on to the page surprised me.  I have kept that Advent Devotional with me through five moves and seven more deployments - and discovered it again this weekend as I was unpacking our Christmas decorations, so I share it with you here.

Thinking of all the military families who will have an empty seat at their table this season...

Beth

There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance.  Love will never come to an end. -I Corinthians 13:7-8

It is funny what it takes for some people to fully understand God's love.  I grew up in church, this church in fact.  I was confirmed at Grace, volunteered at Grace, worked at Grace, got married at Grace.  But once I moved away and Don and I got wrapped up in our everyday lives we didn't make the time to go to church, and - to be honest, I didn't think much about God.  I still said my prayers every night and came to church when I was visiting my folks, but that was it...until I sent Don off to war.  It has been hard.  I miss him, I'm scared for him, and there are many people in this world who don't believe in what he is doing.  But we love this country so much that he is willing to sacrifice everything for its people, and I am willing to give it my most precious gift - my husband.  God loves us SO MUCH that he gave his only begotten son to a world where many people STILL don't believe, in hopes that we might know forgiveness, eternal life, and the true love of Christ.  Does that make me like God or Don like Jesus?  Of course not.  But now I have a real, tangible idea of how much God loves me - loves all of us.  Now I understand how powerful that depth of love is - and I am awed by it, I am humbled by it, but most of all, I am blessed by it.  We all are!

Dear God, Help us to feel your love for us always.  In our joys let us feel your glory, in our sorrows let us feel your comfort.  Thank you for being our strength and our salvation.  Amen.

 

Sharon Callis Christmas Project Bonanza - last but not least - take six!

Christmas Cone Centerpiece

This has been SUCH an incredible week - Sharon has shared cards, home decor projects, techniques, and more with us.  I hope you have come away with some wonderful ideas and inspiration!  Sharon's last project is a gorgeous Christmas cone centerpiece that can be created to match any decor.  Set it on your table and enjoy it all season long!

Supplies:
tree shaped styrofoam cone
two sheets patterned paper
die cutting machine
Xyron Creative Station (any size) 
glue pen
glitter 
star die cut
Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker (also known as the X) 
star sequins 

Start with your cone and two sheets of patterned paper.

Use your die cutting machine to cut out approximately 100 2" trangles. Run them all through your Xyron (for this project Sharon used the Creatopia).

Before removing the triangles from the backing sheet, use a glue pen around the edges and sprinkle with glitter.

Starting at the base build up the triangle layers and curl up the tips.

Run the star die cut through your X and apply glitter to the adhesive side. Run through X again with the glittered side facing up and repeat.

Run the star sequins through the X.

Place one in the center of each triangle.

    

Remember that you can use any patterned paper to match your own decor!

 

Sharon Callis Christmas Project Bonanza - take five!

Happy Holidays Wall Hanging

Ok - you are NOT going to believe how easy this wall hanging is!  When Sharon sent me the photos I actually said out loud "well - this can't be everything." It is!  You can make this in just a few minutes.  Thanks so much Sharon!

Supplies:
K&CO Yuletide Specialty Paper Pad
Xyron Creatopia
green velvet ribbon
decorative bell
wall hanging holder 

From the K&Co Yuletide pad cut out the Happy Holidays greeting. Choose two additional patterned papers and from them cut and two matching tabs (to wrap over the bar), the base of the wall hanging (shown here using red paper), and another base slightly smaller than the first.

Place the tabs, greeting, smaller base and two pieces of velvet ribbon throught the Xyron Creatopia.

Layer the pieces together (sorry about the dark photo!) and attach the tabs to the top of the completed piece.

Wrap the top tabs around the bars of the wall hanging holder and on the bottom add a bell attatched with more of the velvet ribbon.

Sharon Callis Christmas Project Bonanza - take four!

Fun and Funky Christmas Tree Card

Love the hand created tree on this fabulous card!  Easy to make for everyone on your list!

Supplies:
A5 card
Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker (also known as the X)
Xyron 9" Creative Station or Xyron Creatopia
5 sheets of coordinating Christmas patterned paper (including one green) 
silver ink pad 
2 pieces coordinating ribbon
stamped image, die cut or sticker for inside card greeting 
coordinating tag
coordinating buttons
miniature clothespin 

Start with an A5 card. Trim a piece of patterned paper to fit inside the card and set aside. Use the Creatopia Cutz component or decorative scissors to trim the front right edge of the card. Cut two pieces of patterned paper - the first slightly smaller than the card, the second slightly smaller than the first. Decoratively trim the right edge of each piece, then ink the card and both sheets of patterned paper with a silver ink pad.

Run your ribbon through the X.

Run the large pieces of cut patterned paper through your larger Xyron machine and set aside.

Randomly cut five pieces from your green patterned paper and five slightly larger pieces from another sheet of patterned paper into trapezoids.

Run the pieces through your Xyron machine.

The pieces are now ready for layering!

Layer the pieces crookedly to form a Christmas tree.

Adhere your large patterned paper piece inside the card, then mat a stamped image, die cut, or sticker for your greeting.

Create the front of your card by layering your patterned papers, then adding the strips of ribbon, then applying the entire piece to the card. Place your Christmas tree on top.

Add a tag and buttons to the front for decoration using your Xyron machine, then add a clothespin for a special touch!

Sharon Callis Christmas Project Bonanza - take three!

Ho Ho Ho Tree Trim

If you love glitter - then you will love this ornament idea.  If you love glitter that is instantly dry when you apply it - then you will love your Xyron!  Thanks Sharon for another fun and easy Christmas craft project!

Supplies:
chipboard/wood ornament form
red pen
red and gold glitter
HO HO HO letter diecuts (can create with Cricut or other diecut machine)
Xyron machine (sizes vary from 2.5" - 12" depending on size of ornament)
Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker (also known as the X)
coordinating ribbon
assorted christmas embellishments - buttons, die cuts, etc 

Color the edge of the ornament form.

Run the ornament through your Xyron (Sharon used the Xyron Creatopia).

Dip the adhesive covered side in red glitter and tap off excess.

Place the ornament through your Xyron again with the glitter side facing up.

Repeat the dipping process on the other side so both sides of the ornament are covered.

Run your ribbons through the X and apply to ornament.

Run the diecut letters through the X.

Dip the adhesive covered side of the letters in gold glitter and run through the X again with the glitter side facing up.

Run your assorted embellishments through your Xyron.

Decorate your ornament!