Isaiah 66:13

 

Journal: Mixed Media Paper

Base: Newspaper Article

Medium: Acrylic Paints (Cream, Yellow, Orange, Pink)

Image: Cut from a Catholic gift catalog

Pen: Pilot Precise V7 Fine Tip

Ink: Inkadinkado Dye Ink - Black, Yellow marker (a child's marker)

Alpha: Rubber Stamp: Studio G Uppercase Typeset

1. I am still out of my art studio from my move to FL, so since I did not have glue or sealer, I used the cream Acrylic paint as an adhesive. I mixed the paint with a little water and dipped strips of the news article in the solution. Think paper mache`. 
2. After all the layering was finished, I smeared more cream paint (paint alone, no water) over on the right side & laid Mary on top. I used my fingers (again, no art studio = no brayer) to smoosh Her down.
3. I added dots of pink paint on opposite corners then swiped up and down with my fingers to create stripes.
4. I added a splash of yellow paint on the right side & wiped it up & down also - but using a paper towel.
5. I wanted to add orange, so I dipped my thumb in the paint & added my print to the right side on the bottom. The motive behind this was to symbolize that God, my Creator, has His fingerprints all over me - I am His. 
6. Once the paint dried, I hand wrote the verse with pen, stamped the verse reference, and added a halo to Mary, Jesus the Child, and Jesus the Lamb. 
7. I also outlined any of the religious words from the news article (I found one on the Passion from this weekend's Easter edition).

To see other Catholic Art Journal Entries click HERE. 

xo,

Paper Crafted Easter Tree & Video How-To

Hi Loves! 

I wanted to share with you an Easter Tree I decorated using dies. 

And that I did something courageous... I made a video of a project of mine for YouTube!! GAH!!!!

I know there are so many people out there (crafters are of course my favorite) who have been uploading videos for eons, but this a new adventure for me. Please enjoy the video & let me know what you think! Thanks to you PITA gals, you were my inspiration!!! 

and you can also see it on the 

SCRAPKRISTINANICOLE channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/scrapkristinanicole?feature=mhum

xo, 

Coffee Filter Roses by Amanda S.!!

Hello all!

I wanted to sing of the beautiful crafty work my dear friend Amanda S. made for your friend's wedding rehearsal. They are GORGEOUS!!!! Here's a little background from the email she sent me:

Hi, Kristina!

This is a brief story on these flowers (even though you know some of it already). 

I wanted to make a small bouquet for a friend's wedding rehearsal, but did not want to make the typical ribbon-through-plate bouquet. That is when I requested your help and suggestions. After searching for these flowers online, I found the site and directions on Martha Stewart's website. They looked amazing and I was a bit intimidated, but decided to give it a shot. 

It took a while to get the hang of what I was doing. After a couple of funky looking roses and some trial and error, I got them looking pretty decent. I used water colors to paint them with and I got help with the ribbons from Von's Floral Department. 

I think they turned out well! There were a few things I would look out for next time I do them, but overall, it was a fun experience. I was super happy that my friend liked them. That, of course, was most important to me. 

Thanks for your help!

<3

Amanda S. :D

xo, 

Spooky Halloween

Hi All!

Here's the last installment of the Halloween projects for the week. I have here a layout that I made a couple of years ago!! :D Enjoy!

Spooky Halloween 

a double page layout: (2) 5x7, (2) 4x6, (3) 3x3. 

the right side

 the left side

 zoom on triple matting (green Bazzill, black Bazzill, print - all inked on the edge) & three coordinating ribbons!

 here, I cut a 4"x12" border from the striped paper and stamped the edge with a "stitch" type border. then I layered the 3D tombstones & trees to make a cemetery scape. 

 zoom on title. I stamped the title on orange Bazzill with acrylic stamp alpha set. Then used an exact-o knife to cut them out. 

zoom on 3D cardstock stickers. 

***HOW TO MAKE STICKERS 3D****

1. Put stickers on scrap white smooth cardstock. 

2. Cut them out. (This takes away their "stickiness")

3. Put 3D double-sided foam adhesive on the back then glue in place. (My favorite are Pop-Dots from EK Success)

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Scenic Route "Salem" line

Stickers: Scenic Route "Salem" line

3D emb: EK Success

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Stamps: Inkadinkado, Autumn Leaves

Ink: Colorbox

Ribbon: May Arts, Creative Impressions, Bo Bunny

So, readers - I have a question: Would you like to see more of the How-Tos on this blog? Like the above post?? Please let me know! Thanks :D

xo,

Let's Go A Haunting!

This week Kristina-Nicole is featuring all Halloween inspired projects and layouts. I hope that you gain some inspiration to get those photos printed off your SD card and scrap a few.

Here's a single page layout featuring Cosmo Cricket's Haunted collection:

Let's Go A Haunting

two photo mats: (1) 4x6, (1) 5x7 made from two prints from the collection.

these skeletons were what sold me on the collection! Aren't they great? I placed them on white cardstock, cut them out, then popped them up with 3D foam squares.  

 two make the paper ruffle: cut (2) pieces of 2" x12" strips of patterned paper. glue the two ends together and fold the accordion. adhere to page (you'll have a little bit left over - just trim that off). 

a better view to see the 3D-ness of it all 

here's the page with photos on it! 

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" line

Stickers: Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" line

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics

Ink: Colorbox

xo,

Damask Card

Happy Sunday!

Today I'm taking it easy & just relaxing! I wanted to share one of the thank you cards I made for the Florida bridal shower we were given. It was a gold & damask 5x7 card. I was inspired by the house of the family throwing the party. Such a beautiful home. Creamy blues, golds, and whites filled their home. Between the damask flocked wall paper in the formal rooms and the flower arrangements everywhere - it was truly a beautiful location to have a bridal shower.

Supply List:

Printed Paper: Creative Imaginations flocked damask print

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, WorldWin Gold Shimmer
Sticker: Heidi Swapp Damask Sticker {in white}
Flowers: Prima Marketing {"Winter Roses"}
Ribbon: Misc - Gold Double-Faced Satin Ribbon {1.5"}, Gold Vintage Ribbon {about 3/8"}; May Arts - White Ribbon with gold piping {1/8"}
Pearls: Mark Richards

Ink: Colorbox

Happy Fall, Happy Feast Day of St. Margaret Mary, Happy Scrapping!!

xo,

{How To} Create a Facebook Fan Page

Long time no post..... HI EVERYONE :D

Things with the family are going back to normal & it's time to jump back into things....

Over the past couple of months, I've been attending many wedding vendor mixers and it always amazes me how many wonderful vendors are NOT on Facebook!! So, I've dedicated this to you my friends & colleagues, a new Kristina-Nicole feature all about setting up online networking programs, media sites, and little tidbits of information I've learned {did I say little, YES, little: I'll be the first to admit I know almost nothing in comparison to the wealth of knowledge to be had in this social media age we're in - but I'm happy to share the small amount I do know!!} And, you Etsy sellers, aspiring artists & aspiring - or already - business owners, this is all for you too!

So, HOW TO SET UP A FACEBOOK FAN PAGE:

1. Visit this Link. It will take you to a Facebook Fan Page creation platform. If you are a wedding vendor, you'll want to choose local business - even if you're a band, musician, or photographer. If you're the crafting type, you may want to choose artist. Here's how I look at it: if you have a business license: choose Local Business. If you are a severe hobbyist, choose Artist. If you click Local Business, you'll need to choose what type you are. They are very vague descriptions, so choose what is closest to your field. If you choose artist, you'll need to click which description fits you best as well!





2. Now, a name for your page..... that should be easy for you to fill in :)
3. Check the box underneath the "Page Name", because you are of course, the official representative of your fan page!
4. Click "Create Fan Page"!!


Now that you have a fan page, let's go over the different sections of the page itself.

• The top right corner is your profile picture. At first, it will appear as a blue box with a question mark. At any time, you can move your mouse over the image and click "change profile picture". You can upload your logo, product image, or a picture of yourself. This image is what people will see first & are drawn to when searching. So choose carefully!! *** Whenever Facebook asks you to "Publish" a setting - whether a photo or message - you'll want to say yes. This allows it to be seen by the public. If you're still editing, then do not publish - but remember to come back & finish!! 

• Under the profile picture box, is "Edit Page", "Promote with an Ad", "Add to My Page's Favorites", "Suggest to Friends". 

1. Edit Page: By clicking this, it takes you to a dashboard or sorts. A place where you can change settings, preferences, and applications. 
2. Promote with an Ad: Ever see those business ads on the side of your facebook profile? Well, this is how you too can advertise to other users & gear your ads towards certain demographics, ages, and interests. 
3. Add to My Page's Favorites: This is makes your fan page a favorite on your personal facebook page. You'll want to do this because - #1, you're your biggest fan, and #2 now on the left side of your personal FB page, you can easily get to your fan page by clicking on "Ads & Pages". 
4. Suggest to Friends: Tell all your friends, family, and clients who are on facebook about you!! You can also email non-facebook users about your new page!

• Below those 4 options, is a text box "Write something about....." This is where you can give a small description about you and your business. A motto or slogan can go great here!

• Then, "Insights". This is a statistical insight to your page. How many people are interacting with you, and how involved they are in your fan page. You can always click on "See All" to get more in depth to see graphs, number of followers, and much more. 

• Now the middle. There is a box called the "Like" Button. This is what others will click on to become your fan! 

• Then, "Wall", "Info", "Photos", "Discussions", "Reviews", "+". 

1. Wall: This is where you can write interesting things to your fan base. What events you'll be at, any sales they should know about, new products or packages..... They can also write to you through this message box. Both you and the fan can add links to other sites, post pictures, add events and videos! Make sure to click "Share"!!
2. Info: Click on the tab, and fill in all the blanks!! It's all ABOUT YOU! 
3. Photos: This is an online portfolio! Show off your stuff: what you do & where you've been. 
4. Discussions: This is where you can hold a sort of "Forum" with fans and others. Start conversations, ask questions...
5. Reviews: Others can leave reviews!!
6. +: You have the option to add more tabs to the navigation bar of your fan page. Add a quick tab to Links, Events, Notes, Videos, and any other applications {Etsy has it's own app by the way.... you can showcase your handmade items on your fan page!!}

Now, the last thing that you MUST do is find me "Kristina Beer" and suggest that I become a fan!! I'd love to see your brand new fan page!! Just send me a message to make sure that I get it!!

Good luck & email me or leave a comment if you need anything!!

xo,

p.s. more to come soon..... and really.... I wanna be a fan! Let me know when you're up & running! :D

I Got Published!!

I am SOO happy to announce that I am now a published artist!

:D

I few months ago, the Editor-In-Cheif of Scrapbooking.com Magazine emailed me:

WAHOOOO!!!! 

So I wanted to share the good news with you. Here's a sneak peak of the page:

The article written features the layout, what I do as an artist, and even has directions so you make make this page too! 

Click HERE to view a How-To Tutorial.

Click HERE to see all the photos & to go to the article! 

xo,

DIY Wedding & Wedding Tutorials

As you may have read, yesterday I spent my time doing some homework online - in pursuit of a jumping off point for my personal wedding invites.

Today, I wanted to post some of the fun things that I came across!

Remember to click the photos to go to the link.
Enjoy!

{DIY Vintage Cupcake Stands}

{Chalkboard Paint}  This tutorial has several different examples!

{Bridal Bouquet made of Coffee Filters}


Have fun putting your own creative twists on these!! When you make them, I'd love for you to share your pictures! I'll feature them on the blog!

xo,

{Q&A} Advice on Glue

Over at EtsyPaper Street Team, I answered a user's question:

"I've tried Scotch (liquid) Scrapbooker's Glue, as well as Adtech dot glue.  Both have their pros and cons. 

What kind do you use, where do you buy it, and what do you use it for?"

*********************************

Well I use several different types - but the investment in them are worth it (to me).

Paper to Paper Or Paper to Chipboard: Mono Aqua (Liquid Glue) by Tombo - Use sparingly because it's wet, but holds really, really well. Dries pretty fast. A $4 bottle lasts me about 3 weeks (but I'm working everyday with it).





Paper to Paper: Glue Glider Pro (double sided paper tape) by Glue Arts - a bit of an investment at $13 for the handle & cartridge , and $11 per refill. However, VERY easy to use, no peeling away a paper stripe to expose adhesive, VERY easy to refill & each cartidge comes with 40 feet of tape.







OR

Paper to Paper: E-Z Runner (double sided paper tape) - also very easy to use, comes in 28 feet. No refilling, just throw away entire thing & buy a new one. No paper to peel away either. About $4.





Ribbon/Fabric to Ribbon, Paper, or Chipboard: Fabric Tac by Beacon Adhesives - HOLDS REALLY WELL! and it's acid free! Goes a very long way. Various prices for various sizes. If ever it gets a little too thick, just add a dash of acetone. That red cap does nothing to keep the air out, use a push pin instead.





Embellishments to Anything (buttons, rhinestones, charms): Glue Dots - Many different types. Can be used for anything really. Instant hold so there's no waiting for it to dry. When using: Put the back of the item on the dot and THEN pull away. If you use your fingers or tweezers to put the dot on something, you'll end up with a non-usable booger like thing. : / Average price is 5.50 for 300 dots.





I use a lot of glues, but these are some of the best I have found. P.S. If you ever go to a Scrapbook Expo, they're about 30-50% cheaper. I usually stock up there because buying glue is like having to buy socks. You'd rather spend your money on something else more fun, but socks are a necessity.

:)

xo,

Kristina-Nicole