Design Team, Author at Ann Butler Designs

March 2, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Mixed Media Stenciled Stars

Hello, my dear crafty friends and welcome to my Mixed Media Stenciled Stars post.

This is a Mixed Media project I made. I hand cut a big star and filled it with Mixed Media and Ann Butler’s Designs products. It can be a wall ornament, a Christmas ornament or
maybe just a tag to add to a big present or just a small ” Wish you ” kind of a card.

First I covered the hand cut star with a mix of Ann Butler’s inks:

Ocean Breeze, Blueberry and Aquamarine and mixed them with a bit of water spray.

When it was dry I added texture paste stars using new Stars art screen and let it dry.

In the meantime I die cut this fancy star from a regular cardstock using Die Versions die, covered it with Ocean Breeze ink and then heat embossed with Clearsnap clear embossing powder.

Then I added a bit of Sunshine ink over the stars and sprinkled them with Clearsnap clear glitter. Then I added a couple of Ann’s new Earth Safe Finishes pigments over the whole piece.

The chipboard stars were heat embossed with Gold embossing powder and all stars were glued over the piece. I made the sentiment with old tiny letter stickers and added a few big rhinestone over my shiny star.

Enjoy your inky journey !

February 26, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Stenciled Rainbow Card

Hi everyone! Paula here with today’s project. I think many can relate to this statement, but “I am SO ready for spring!!” Living in the midwest, there’s quite a bit of white this time of year. I need some color. Today’s card is a bit of a bright rainbow, and a very simple one at that.

MATERIALS:

Colorbox Crafters by Ann Butler in Canyon, Tangelo, Berry, Sunshine, Ocean Breeze, Aquamarine, Evergreen, Limelight, Lilac
Colorbox Art Screens by Ann Butler in Lattice
Colorbox Embossing Powder in Clear
Sponges, Sentiment stamp, coordinating cardstock, scrap paper, tape

I started by putting a small amount of adhesive on the back of my card to secure it in place. I then placed the Colorbox Art Screen over my cardstock, and also taped that down to secure it.

Now the fun part–I started with each ink color, and sponging each color individually across the artscreen. Holding a piece of scrap paper over the art screen holes that I “am not” using, I sponged the color I wanted in the openings.

Before I removed the tape, I heat set it. Once removing the tape, the second photo is what it looked like. I then took the sponges for each color and blended across each diagonal, adding a little color to the edge as well.

Using a sentiment stamp, I sponged differing colors across it, in the same order that I used on the background. By the time I finished putting each color on the stamp, they are not as “wet” as when they were first inked. I huffed on it, then stamped onto a smaller piece of white cardstock. This will make the ink moist enough to have vivid colors. I then added embossing powder, and heat set that. I sponged each of the colors around the edge of this card, and double matted it with two coordinating colors. Mount to the background and that’s it!

I said it was simple! Hope you enjoy. Have a great day!

Paula

February 25, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Mixed Media Star ATC

Hello Crafters!

Zoey’s here today! Who said that to create some nice artwork you need tons and tons of supplies?
Well, definitely not me! LOL!
I love working with few products and using them in different ways to achieve something “big”!

For today’s project, we will be creating together an ATC based on a song I listened to this morning “Counting Stars” by One Republic. I almost always find inspiration for my projects by songs I have listened on the radio on the way to go to work…

Products I used are:

– ColorBox Crafter’s by Ann Butler ( Blueberry, Evergreen )

– ColorBox Art Screens by Ann Butler ( Stars )

– ColorBox Background Basics by Ann Butler ( Basket 2 )

I cut my white card stock into an ATC size card. To create the background I simply smudged the first ink pad ColorBox Crafter’s by Ann Butler Blueberry over the acrylic block. I added few sprays of water and let it sit for a couple of seconds — then I put my ATC size card over the small puddle and I moved it around making sure the whole surface was covered with color and I heat set it.
Since there were few drops of color still, I decided to keep adding texture by lightly punching the background to the acrylic block.
I repeated the same process for the other ink pad , ColorBox Crafter’s by Ann Butler Evergreen but this time I used less color since I wanted to cover a small amount of the background. Again I heat set it.

When the background was completely dry, I added the stamping part. Using the same ColorBox Crafter’s by Ann Butler Blueberry ink pad and ColorBox Background Basics by Ann Butler Basket 2 stamp I stamped the image on the top corner of the ATC card.
As you might notice, my stamped image does not have crisp borders, this was achieved by removing a bit of ink colors with a piece of clothing before stamping. I love the irregular stamp on my backgrounds!

Next I added more texture by adding modeling paste through ColorBox Art Screens by Ann Butler Stars.
I heat set the modeling paste trying to achieve a “puffy” effect by leaving the heat tool over the modeling paste for few seconds. This will make the stars pop up even more!

After that all was left to do was adding more shapes and texture. I added few strips of old book page i had laying around my desk, a die cut and few strings of cotton thread.
From another piece of old book page I cut out a star shape and I used the ColorBox Crafter’s by Ann Butler Blueberry ink pad to add some color to it. (I used the ink pad as watercolor)
Since the star was “blending” too much into my background I decided to also add few scribble around the sides of the star, I did the same thing by framing my whole background.

And the ATC is done! Here’s few photo of the completed project!

As you can see, you don’t often need tons of products….just the simple basic ones by Ann Butler.

I hope you had fun and got inspired , as always for any question or suggestion leave a comment!
Stay happy, stay creative…till next time!
Ciao, Zoey

February 23, 2015 By Design Team 3 Comments

Watercolored Background Basics

Hello it’s Graciellie and today I want to share a very cool technique with you. It’s an easy technique to give your stamped Background Basics patterns a watercolored look. Ann’s Crafter’s Inks are perfect for this technique because of their special formulation. I have a very easy to follow tutorial below so you can try this technique too!

1. Use sponge daubers to apply different colors of Ann’s Crafter’s Inks to a section of the stamp. I used the new Background Basic Checks 1 stamp that has different rows of squares which worked great with this technique.

2. Spray a moderate amount of water using a spritzer to wet the ink on the stamp.

3. Stamp on white cardstock. A white background is ideal to allow the colors to stand out, but you can try stamping on any cardstock color you wish for a different effect.

4. Allow to dry and use on any desired paper crafting project.

I used this technique to stamp two kinds of textured cardstocks, linen and leather textured. The texture shows through the stamping adding a very nice effect to the watercoloring look. When you do watercolor stamping you’ll notice some cardstocks absorb better than others. The more the cardstocks absorb the moisture of the stamp the better the colors will blend. Just so you know I didn’t even have to use watercolor cardstock to stamp… That’s how well Ann’s stamps and inks work with a bit of water!

I made a birthday and a friendship card with the resulting stamped pieces. I wanted them to have clean designs to let the background stand out! Can you imagine all the possibilities with this technique? I hope you are inspired to try it out. All supplies used are linked below!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Make sure you visit us again soon for another fun tutorial!

– Gracie

Supplies

February 20, 2015 By Design Team 1 Comment

Summer Iridescents Frame

Hey crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a little inspiration!

This project started in a different direction completely! I wanted to alter an old frame I had with Ann Butler’s iridescents. I started painting it and my mind started wondering to tropical beaches and summer breeze…

I started with painting the cover with three coats of the beautiful blue color. Being impatient I dried it with a heat tool and noticed the paint is bubbling with a really fun texture!

Then I wanted to add some more texture with Ann Butler Art Screens and I used the wave pattern. I mixed a little modeling paste with the blue iridescent paint and stenciled it on the frame. That was the exact moment I decided to continue with a beach theme because those waves looked like sea weed in the water 🙂

Then I added a little more color with Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Inks to create more depth. Finally I added little starfish with the Stars stencils and some orange ink. I finished the frame with some seashells stickers and a title.

Now all I need to do is wait for summer…

Have fun creating!

Einat

February 2, 2015 By Design Team 1 Comment

Mixed Media Embossed Card

Spring is pretty much around (at least here in Israel). So I begin to smell it and to think it and to craft it.

This stamped and heat embossed Spring card is a first one , but sure not the last. I made it with Ann Butler’s products and a lot of heat embossing.

I used a glossy cardstock (recycle, recycle, recycle those packages… ). Then I made kind of s grid, but pretty much random one and stamped with 2” and 1” Ann’s Unity Faux Quilting stamps using Clearsnap Night Crafter’s ink and Clearsnap Clear embossing powder over them. After all squares were stamped I added some double sided glue strips over the seams and added three colors of glitter with heat embossing.

The corners of those strips didn’t look nice after heat embossing, so I just added some lovely pastel buttons to cover those corners. Then the whole piece was inked with Ann Butler’s Sunshine Crafter’s ink and one single sticker sentiment was glued on the card.

I hope to make a bigger piece using Ann’s new Clearsnap big background stamps and to make a part of a big journal page with the same technique.

January 29, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Photo Cube With Ann Butler Designs

I had a GREAT time at CHA and am finally getting my mojo on! Hard to not be inspired by the FABULOUS new products by Ann Butler and brought to you by Clearsnap!

I love my family and friends. I enjoy having photos out and about rather than always having to get out an album I have made shadow box style “albums” to sit out so I can see my family. This inspired my thought for some photo cubes.

So here are the supplies used:

Ann Butler Designs – Crafter’s Ink and Stamps by Clearsnap/Ann Butler Designs – Earth Safe Finishes/Smoothfoam – Cubes/Connie Crystal – Crystal Sheets/Tombow – XTREME Tape Runner & Mono Multi Glue/Golden – Acrylic Paints.

I painted the Smoothfoam cubes with the paint and let dry. I then inked up the stamps and stamped all sides of the cubes. Because the ink stays wet longer I worked on a paper towel and as I rotated the cube to stamp each side, the ink blotted on the paper towel.

I then added the Earth Safe Finishes to the sides that had the square pattern. I then printed and cut down the photos I wanted to use. I made a Disney Cube, a CHA cube with my designer friends and a Highway Patrol Graduation cube. The EXTREME tape holds the photos to the cubes very well. I added a little black ink on the edges then added the rows of crystal! Photos and Bling!

I am so pleased with the way these came out! I love the way Ann’s Ink worked on the Smoothfoam! This is a wonderful project to make with your kiddos for vacation photos, school friends, pets and so much more. The pictures showing are of some of my favorite peeps including ANN BUTLER with her two co-owners of Bella Publishing, Lisa Rojas and Theresa Cifali! What a really fun and creative trip!

Happy Creating! Find me on Facebook!

January 26, 2015 By Design Team 1 Comment

Sewn Mixed Media Art Journal Canvas Page

Hello Crafters and happy monday!

Zoey’s here today with a quick and easy art journal canvas page! As you might have noticed my approach to mixed media is really easy peasy. I love to make my own background , add some texture here and there with stamping and modeling paste and add words on it…everyone can do it and I hope you will give it a try too!

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

To create this Art Journal Canvas Page I used:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler ( Berry , Tangelo , Sunshine )
ColorBox® Art Screens – By Ann Butler ( Lattice )
ColorBox® Background Basics by Ann Butler ( Checks 1 )

Additional items :

White Canvas Paper
Small Brayer
Modeling paste
Alpha stickers
Sewing Machine
Black watercolor pencil

I started by adding color to my background, to do this, I used a brayer. I rolled it over the ink pads and then I rolled over the white canvas paper. I used ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler to do this and of course I had to use my favorite color combo… Berry, Tangelo and Sunshine!

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

I helped the ink dry with my heat tool. I love how juicy these ink pads are, rolling the brayer was so easy!
When the ink was dry enough, I added some stamps. To do this I used the brand new ColorBox® Background Basics by Ann Butler that I love! I used the one called Checks 1 , it is big, sturdy and have a really nice texture. Of course I used it without the acrylic block.
As you can see in the image, my stamp is not really clear. To achieve this result (I didn’t want a bold stamp, just a hint of it) I swiped the ink pad over the stamp without too much pressure.

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

Once again, I used the heat tool to make sure the ink was dry and then I applied a bit of modeling paste through the ColorBox® Art Screens – By Ann Butler – Lattice. I rotated the stencil because I wanted the straight squares so it was matching with the stamp I used previously. I let the paste dry with the heat tool.

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

And then I just stitched the heart to the background and I sewed around the border to give a bit of movement and to add some interest to the whole page.

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

The quote is from Cindarella quote, of course! hehe

Crafter’s Ink Art Journal Canvas Page

And that is all for today! I hope you had fun and got inspired…stay happy stay creative, till next time!

Ciao, Zoey

January 23, 2015 By Design Team 1 Comment

DIY Crafted Rosettes and Stamped Treat Bags

Hello, it’s Graciellie and today I want to show you an easy and elegant way to customize pretty treat bags for Valentine’s. Ann’s stamps and Crafter’s inks were key during the process of making these projects I’m showing you today!

Main supplies
Colorbox Background Basics by Ann Butler
Colorbox Crafter’s Inks by Ann Butler in Sunshine
Colorbox Crafter’s Inks in Bark and Snow
Colorbox Background Basics by Ann Butler – Basket 1 and Picnic 1
Colorbox Color Blender
Other supplies
Velcro Mini Fasteners – Round 3/8″ Dots
Westcott Titanium Bonded Trimmer and Titatium Non-stick Scissors
Ad-Tech Crafter’s Tape
Enviromental Technologies Easy Cast Resin and Easy Mold Silicone Putty
Miscelaneous
Grip Liner
Leather textured cardstock
White tulle
Linen thread
Jute twine
Vintage button
Resin flower
staple
Mini tag

I absolutely love the final look of these pretty treat bags, but for them to look like this I had to create every single thing from scratch. That’s right! The embellishments, the bags themselves were all made from scratch! Let me start with how I made those vintage looking rosettes:

1. Get a roll of white Grip Liner and your choice of Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Inks. I made one yellow rosette and a vintage brown one (mixing Sunshine and Bark to create a lighter brown).

2. Color a section of the Grip Liner pressing the ink pad directly onto it.

3. Tap lightly the colored section with a clean cloth if needed. Since I wanted a weathered look, doing this made the hues softer.

4. Cut strips from the colored Grip Liner. The width of the rosettes is your choice, but remember that you can always trim them after they’re done if you want them smaller.

5. Use a wide piece of two sided tape as a base and start putting the rosette together. You won’t be able to stick completely the strip, but it will help you put the structure of the rosette together. In the end, add a generous amount of silicone glue to the center of the rosette so that it stays put.

6. Embellish the center of the rosettes as desired. I added a vintage gold button to the brown rosette and a clear resin rose to the yellow one. In the end, I decided I would darken the edges of the yellow rosette with a mix of Sunshine and Bark inks, and I also added a large tulle rosette to the back of the brown one.

I find this is a GREAT way to get the most out of everyday materials and upcycle them!

The treat boxes were made out of a digital template and a gift bag punch board. To make them unique I roughly stamped them (before putting them together) with the new Background Basics stamps by Ann Butler. They are large and made the job easy! To make the stamping uneven, after inking the stamp I cleaned parts of the block. That technique gives a nice worn, mixed media look to any project! I used Sunshine ink for the smaller box and snow on the large bag to heat emboss it in gold. I completed the treat bags with jute twine, linen thread and a “love” tag I sponged with a mix of Bark and Sunshine inks. To close the bags I simple stapled the smaller one and then on the large one I adhered a set of mini Velcro fasteners.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Thanks for stopping by!

January 14, 2015 By Design Team 3 Comments

Valentine Heart Card

Hey everyone. It’s Dana from Got Joy Creations back with you today. How’s everyone doing? Are you ready to spread some love? I’m working on Valentine’s Day projects and want to share a quick tip with you. So let’s get started.

When you don’t have any designer paper, it’s time to make your own. I am using the 2″ Diamonds & Plaid stamp from Ann Butler Designs and the Berry Colorbox Crafter’s ink pad. We are going to create our own designer look for our focal point of our card.

First we will stamp the image on some white card stock. The colorbox crafter’s ink is nice and juicy and will cover our stamp nicely. Make sure to press firmly as you get a good impression. Depending on the amount of pressure you use, you can change the way the print comes out which is awesome.

Isn’t this so pretty?!? I love this larger background stamp. If it is still a little bit too wet to work with just zap it with a heat gun to speed up drying.

Next I’m going to lay a heart shape die on the stamped image but I’m going to lay it sideways. This way I’m going to get a different look from the same stamp. You could just lay it down straight but let’s shake it up a little.

Look at our gorgeous designer heart. When you find yourself looking for that perfect pattern paper that you just can’t seem to find, think outside the paper pad and design your own.

And here is my final project.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. Make sure to swing back by and see what the other design team members have in store for you.

Hugs,
Dana

Checks 1 Background Basics	Tangelo Crafter’s Ink	Crafter’s Ink – Aquamarine	Crafter’s Ink – Limelight	Lilac Crafter’s Ink by AB	Berry Crafter’s Ink by AB
ColorBox Art Daubers	Crafter’s Tape Permanent Glue Runner-.31	Tacky Glue	Titanium Paper Trimmer	Titanium Non-stick Scissors