DT Hiatus

Hi again folks!  It's Danielle a.k.a. FitterTwit here for this week's design team gold, however, the design team is on hiatus this week.  With CHA, sickness and our newest DT member Julie getting broken in, we gave the design team a little break to regroup (but don't get used to it because we are slave drivers and make them work, designing for you guys night and day... wait a minute... I'm on the design team too.  I'm gonna have to rethink that.  LOL).  Anyway.... today's theme was originally going to be "leather", but since we don't have any projects to show, I thought I'd share a SUPER quick tutorial to achieve that leather look for yourself!

Ok, so the background of this card started out as just a plain piece of off-white cardstock.  I then dabbed a few drops of three different colors of  Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks in warm colors mixed with a few drops of Ranger Alcohol Blending Solution on a piece of felt attached to the Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator (it doesn't take much) and covered the entire surface of the paper using a dabbing or pounding movement.  The effect that it gives the paper is that of marble.... and it looks cool!!!  The inks, blending solution and applicator with felt are available for purchase at the store.  I then spritzed the paper with about 5 sprays of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to give it a sheen.  While the paper was moist from the Glimmer Mist, I ran it through the Cuttlebug using a reptile-scale-looking Cuttlebug embossing folder and allowed it to dry.  Once the paper was completely dry, I then inked the edges using a ColorBox Chalk Cat Eye in Chestnut Roan to give it a distressed and weathered appearance.... that's it!  That's all there was to making this leathery background.  I finished off this card with a leather ribbon and some slide embellishments.

I hope you all give this one a try.... it's an easy way to achieve some leather-like results in a matter of minutes.  Feel free to pop in to the store anytime for an Alcohol Ink demo.  We are addicted to the Alcohol Inks there so there is a bottle to demo in every color!!!  Have a great week everyone and we'll see you all back here next week for more masterpieces from your beloved design team.

Acetate Goodie Box Tutorial

Hey everyone! Danielle a.k.a. FitterTwit here bringing you the acetate box tutorial as promised. It is REALLY easy, once you make the first one, the rest are a SNAP!!!
You will need:

• Super Sticky Tape (red tape can be found in 1/8th, 1/4 and 1/2" sizes, I used 1/2")
• Two 3" x 3" paper (I used patterned and solid papers, you all KNOW we have a ton of that!!! LOL!)
• Acetate measuring 3.5" x 8.25" scored every 2 and 7/8" (leaving a small section that will be secured with sticky tape)
• Hole punch (I used the Crop-o-dile)
• Ribbon
• Ultra fine tip marker (I used a Sharpie)

First, score both 3" x 3" papers 1/2" in on all sides of BOTH. On parallel sides, cut on score lines JUST TO the intersecting score line creating a tab. Fold up all sides and secure tabs to box sides using sticky tape. Do this for both and you now have a bottom and a lid to your goodie box.

Place a strip of sticky tape along the OUTSIDE, bottom edge of the scored acetate and along the OUTSIDE edge of the thin strip (see pic below). Fold acetate to create a box and adhere inside one of the folded 3" x 3" papers, or the base to your box. You now have the bottom and the body for your goodie box. Now to secure the lid.

Take your lid and punch a hole on two opposing sides. This hole will be used to thread your ribbon through... that is what will be securing the lid to your goodie box. There is no need to adhere the lid. Make sure that the hole is centered on both sides of the lid. Place the lid on top of the acetate and take an ultra thin marker (I used an ultra fine Sharpie) and place a dot on the acetate through each of the holes you just punched in the lid. Remove the lid and use your hole punch where you just marked on the acetate. All the holes should now line up perfectly.

Finally, fill your goodie box and thread your ribbon, first, through the acetate and then through the holes in the lid. Pull ribbon taut securing the lid and tie the end of the ribbon in a bow or a knot. This creates a nice handle if you want to hang a little goodie on a friend's door. Since the lid is not glued, it is easily removed to get to the goodies!!!

Have fun with this one!!! An easy little gift idea to help out with your holiday gift giving. And if anyone needs some extra help, I will be in the store on Saturday afternoon... feel free to drop by!!! :)

Have a great one, and I hope to see you soon.