January 7, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Stamped Zipper Charger Pouch

Happy New Year everyone! It’s Carmen here today and I wanted to share with you a cute little zipper pouch that I made to hold my phone charger neatly in my purse. I made my own patterned fabric by stamping Ann Butler’s lovely stamps onto smooth white Roc-Lon fabric. Lucky me I just happened to have a polka dotted zipper in my stash – I knew I’d find the perfect project for it one day! This little pouch is super quick to make especially since I didn’t inset the zipper but instead just stitched it right on top with all the extra bits which you’d normally hide still showing.

Here’s how:

Materials:

Ann Butler’s Faux Quilting Stamps – 2″ Dots

Ann Butler’s Colorbox Background Basics Stamps by Clearsnap – 3″ Diamonds

Clearsnap Colorbox Crafter’s ® Ink Pad – Night

Roc-lon® Multi-Purpose Cloth™ – 12″ x 6″ piece

Coats & Clark Fashion Zipper – 7″ polka dot

Tools:

Acrylic stamping block, iron, sewing machine, thread, pins, Westcott Brand Scissors, paper towels

Instructions:

1. Use the 3″ diamonds stamp black ink on one side of the fabric. Stamp one row with the 2″ polka dots on each short end of the back of the fabric.

2. To heat set the ink, put a clean paper towel on the stamped fabric and iron the fabric using a high heat setting. Repeat for the back of the fabric. Place the fabric with the diamond pattern face up and fold over 1″ of each short end and press to flatten.

3. Fold over the short ends towards the center of the fabric rectangle leaving a 1/4″ gap. Pin in place. Stitch 1/4″ seam down each short end.

4. Trim the corners and turn the pouch inside out so that the diamond print is on the outside.

5. Pin the zipper onto the front of the pouch, aligning the teeth so that thye fall within the 1/4″ gap of the pouch.

6. Wrap the zipper around the back of the pouch and pin. Stitch the zipper in place. (This will be a little tricky but take your time and it’s ok to stop and adjust the fabric so that you can stitch all around the zipper.)

That’s it! Try making these with other Ann Butler inks and stamps for totally different looks. I’m already thinking one using Ann Butler Limelight and Berry inks. These also make cute little gift card holders! Enjoy!

January 5, 2015 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Fabulous Mixed Media Stenciled Canvas

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today using Ann Butler’s new inks and stencils to create a canvas.

Using Ann Butler’s hexagon stamps, I stamped a canvas panel, but I really didn’t like what I created. Because the inks stays moist for an extended period, I used a baby wipe to mix the colors and designs on the canvas.

Then I used the new Lattice Art Screen with Evergreen Crafter’s Ink to add a design on the bottom of the canvas.

Next, I covered the panel with tissue paper, creating dimension. Once the glue dried, I put several drops of Crafter’s Ink Reinkers into mini misters and spritzed about the canvas. I used Limelight, Berry and Tangelo Reinkers. Once dry, I inked the tissue with Sunshine Crafters Ink.

The flowers were stamped with Unity’s 2″ Stripes, Dots, Hearts stamps and Berry Ink. The chipboard dress form was also inked with Berry Ink and the flowers were used to dress the dress form with brads. The oval beneath the dress form was stamped with Unity’s 2″ Leaves All Over stamps and Sunshine Ink. This was then mounted on a scalloped oval that was also inked with Berry Ink.

Fabulous was die cut from beige and white cardstock. The white layer was stamped with 1″ Leaves All Over with Sunshine Ink.

Thanks for stopping by today.

January 3, 2015 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Christmas Cards- for the next year…

Holidays are over, but I still have a small tutorial made for Ann Butler’s blog with her new , just released products and there is always a new Christmas next year…

So here we go.

Make a basic card and then trim a matting a bit smaller than the basic card.

Use Ann Butler’s new Clearsnap Wave Art Screen vertically with light texture paste and make some lines over the card.

Add gold glitter over the wet paste and heat emboss with your heat gun.

Ink the wooden tree with Ann Butler’s Evergreen new Clearsnap Crafter’s ink; add Clearsnap Clear embossing powder and heat emboss the tree.

Cover the star and the bulbs with red glitter glue and let it dry.

Ink all card pieces with clear embossing ink and heat emboss with the same embossing gold glitter.

Arrange the card and be proud of your fast made Mixed Media card.

My second card was made with the same techniques, but with another new Ann Butler’s Art Screen from Clearsnap- Stars one.

On this card I used another non glitter gold embossing powder and made the same golden edges over each paper piece.

The wooden swirl was ink with Ann Butler’s new Canyon Clearsnap Crafter’s Ink and then all pieces were added together to this lovely golden Holidays card.

December 31, 2014 By Larissa Pittman 1 Comment

Simple Stenciled Card

Good morning friends. Larissa here with our last post of 2014. Wow was this an exciting year for Ann Butler Designs. Even though we had to say goodbye to a couple of our talented DT’s we gained 3 more talented ladies.
We have had fun teaming up with different companies and combining our creations using both products.
We just introduced 6 new gorgeous ink pad colors to go with our current 6 colors.
ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler

We now have stencils as well.

ColorBox® Art Screens – By Ann Butler

2015 is going to be a GREAT year with LOTS of new products coming. You will want to subscribe to Ann Butler Designs Blog as well as Like our FACEBOOK page because you do not want to miss what is coming.

As we say goodbye to 2014 we celebrate 2015.
I made this card for the wonderful celebration.

I started with a piece of 110 lb white cardstock and taped the NEW “Stars” Art Screen onto the top.

I sponged one of the new colors “Desert Sand” over the stars.

I peeled the art screen off and dried the top with my heating tool just to make sure it was dry and would not smudge. I then used a stamp I had from Unity Stamp Co that says Let’s Celebrate and stamped it off to the side of the card using another new ink color Blueberry.
To finish the card off I wrapped some twine around the card front and tied it in a bow.

So “LET’S CELEBRATE”!!!!! 2015 here we come.
I wish each and everyone of you YEAR full of good health and happiness and a lot of creativity.

Until next year……..

Larissa

December 29, 2014 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Layered Stamped and Stenciled Card

Hi everyone! Paula here with today’s post. The holiday season is quickly coming to a close, and if you’re like me, you will need to send a few Thank You cards. Today’s project is just that – a somewhat simple card.

This card was created using the following supplies:
-2 pieces of 8.5″x11″ cardstock – 1 black and 1 white
–Ann Butler Faux Quilting Stamps 2″ Stripes. Dots. Hearts.
–Colorbox SurfaceZ ink in Black
–ColorBox® Art Screens – By Ann Butler in Lattice
–AdTech Crafter’s Tape
–ColorBox® Art Daubers

I started with a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card base in white. This card is really just black stamped white cardstock, mounted on black cardstock, in layers. The first step was to use Ann Butler’s Art Screen in Lattice design to create a background. For me, it’s a bit easier to tape down the screen, as to not allow it to move around. Depending on the size of your piece that you’re stenciling, you can also put a small piece of tape under the cardstock, so that will not move either.
Using the ColorBox Art Daubers and a sponge, I inked Colorbox SurfaceZ black ink all over the art screen, onto the cardstock.

Next, I took various sizes of white cardstock and randomly stamped dots and stripes, again using black ink. After each piece was stamped, I used the ink pad and rubbed it around each edge. This will make the edges a bit more distinguished. Then I rub the ink pad across the cardstock, to give it a more distressed look.

The last steps are to mount the white stamped images onto black cardstock, then adhere each piece to the base.

The final step is to choose your sentiment, stamp onto white, then mat with black.
As I said, that’s it – pretty simple, but a classy card to show your appreciation and thanks for all those gifts!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

December 26, 2014 By Design Team 1 Comment

Mixed Media Stitched Layered Heart ATC

Hello Crafters!

We hope you all had an amazing Holiday time with your family and loved ones!

Zoey’s here today to show you a quick and easy way to add texture to your project without adding too much bulk or too much dimension! The post will be slightly long, so please grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!!

ATC made with Unity Stamp – Faux Quilted Stamp by Ann Butler

To create this ATC here’s what I used :

Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Inks by Clearsnap
Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps
Ann Butler’s Iridescents by Earth Safe Finishes
Beacon’s Premium Tacky Glue

So let’s see how I created it…
Remember, in this post where I told you I never used Ann Butler’s crafter’s Inks by Clearsnap as watercolor? well… I loved the result so much that I used again on this project!

I added some gesso over an ATC size cardstock and let it air dry.
Meanwhile, I smudged some Crafter’s Ink in the color Tangelo and Sunshine over my acrylic block and I added some water and let it sit for a couple of seconds. Then I grabbed another piece of white cardstock (non gessoed) and I put it over my two colors pressing it with my fingers to make sure the ink soaked into the paper.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step1)

I lifted the paper and heat set it quickly with my heat gun. I wanted to add a bit of texture to my background, so I grabbed one of 1″ Doily Picnic Faux Quilting stamps by Ann Butler and inked it well using again Ann Butler’s crafter’s Inks. Since I didn’t want to have square stamped image, I also took a piece of cloth and cleaned carefully the edge of the stamp.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step2)

I repeated the same process using the Tangelo color aswell. And here’s the result :

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step3)

From this background I created I cut off two heart shape. Then I decided to add more texture by adding some more color on the edge of the hearts. I smudged some ink over my Kraft Sheet added a bit of water and just let the shape “slide” into the colors.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step4)

I let the heart shape air dry and while waiting I grabbed the ATC cardstock that I gessoed at the beginning and again, I smudged some color on the Kraft sheet, added water and with a brush I started coloring my background. I used again Tangelo and Sunshine.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step5)

Then the background was way too similar to my heart shaped piece of cardstock, so I grabbed another Ann Butler’s crafter’s Inks in Bark color and added some brown to the background. I heat set the color then I grabbed a baby wipe and I removed some color from the Gesso. As you can see in the next image, the Gesso acted as resist for my color showing up a really cool (and textured!) background.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step6)

With the same Bark Ann Butler’s crafter’s Inks and the same 1 ″ Doily Picnic Faux Quilting stamps that I used on the heart shape. I added some stamping to the background. Please note that I inked the stamp then stamped it two times on a scrap paper — so the stamp you see in the image is actually a 3rd generation stamp. I repeated the process for a couple of times using also the Tangelo and Sunshine ink pads.

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step7)

I didn’t take photo of me decorating the whole ATC , but what I did next was sewing the hearts to the background and add some staples and the ATC sentiment. Then I thought my ATC was done, when accidentally I saw peeking from the garbage (LOL) a piece of an old cardboard box. Well…I had to take it and I glued it to the ATC!
I used Beacon’s Premium Tacky Glue to make sure the two pieces were going to be glued very well! Then I let it sit for a couple of minutes and…

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (step8)

…tada! The ATC is ready! Just a touch of Ann Butler’s Iridescents by Earth Safe Finishes for some shine! Here’s a couple of details…

ATC made with Unity Stamp -Faux Quilted stamp by Ann Butler (details)

The sentiment “Christmas Heart” is my wish for you all…that you keep your Christmas Heart all year around!
And that is all for today! I hope you had fun and got inspired…stay happy stay creative, till next time!

Ciao, Zoey

December 24, 2014 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Rustic Burlap Ornament Tag

First and foremost, merry Christmas! May you and your loved ones rejoice and enjoy each other’s company as you celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus. Since these dates are also about sharing and giving to others, I decided to make a very simple but elegant project, perfect for Christmas gift bags or wrapped presents. I made an ornament shaped tag, embellished with a big burlap bow stamped with polka dots.

Supplies:
Ann Butler’s 2″ Stripes. Dots. Hearts Faux Quilting Stamps
Clearsnap Crafter’s Ink in Snow
Colorbox embossing powder in white
Beacon’s Premium Tacky Glue
Large natural burlap bow
Rhinestones
Leather textured cardstock in white and light brown
Gold string

This an easy tag to make, and the result is great. Personalizing your embellishments definitely, makes a difference! To make my ornament tag I followed these steps:

1. Stamp the premade burlap bow with a 2″ polka dot rubber stamp from the Stripes, Dots, Hearts set using white Crafter’s Ink.
2. Add white embossing powder on top of the stamped image and heat set with a heat gun.
3. Put together any die cuts you desire to create an ornament shaped tag, adhering them with Tacky Glue.
4. Add a piece of gold string on top of the tag.
5. Attach the burlap bow on top of the tag with Tacky Glue.

I hope you like this idea! Though all your Christmas presents must be wrapped and ready by now, this tag would work nicely for other occasions too. Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy your day!

December 23, 2014 By Beth Watson Leave a Comment

Quick and Easy Faux Quilted Holiday Cards

Happy Holidays all!

Beth here with two cute, quick and easy cards that you can create in a matter of minutes! Great for all of those last minute gifts that are needed.

Materials:

Ann Butler {Faux Quilting} stamp sets – 1″ Leaves All Over and 1″ Doily Picnic

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink by Clearsnap – Bark and Limelight

Colorbox Art Daubers – Clearsnap
Westcott TrimAir Titanium Paper Trimmer with Ruler, 12″ and Westcott Craft Titanium Non-Stick Scissors, 8″ Bent
Tombow Xtreme Adhesive and Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs

Cardstock 8 1/2″ by 11″ – kraft, light green, dark green, bright green and brown; Buttons – 3 large red and 1 small red; acrylic stamp block; pencil;

Instructions:

1.) Cut sheet of kraft cardstock in half to create two pieces that are 5 1/2″ by 8 1/2″ then fold each in half. Place stamps from Leaves All Over and Doily Picnic on acrylic stamp block in a random pattern. Load with Bark ink and stamp on to front of card, let dry.

2.) Clean stamps with baby wipe, then load with limelight ink and stamp on each color of green cardstock, let dry. Draw 2 Holly Leaves in pencil on bright green cardstock and cut out. Select one Triangle pattern from each color of green cardstock and cut out.

3.) Distress edges of shapes with Bark Ink and Art Daubers to make them pop.

4.) Attach leaves to front of card with adhesive runner and button “berries” with dimensional adhesive tabs.

5.) Attach triangles and small rectangle for tree trunk to front of card with adhesive runner and button “tree topper” with dimensional adhesive tabs.

These cards would also make great gift tags as well!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! – Beth

December 22, 2014 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Makin’s Clay Stars Necklace

Hey, crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a fun project!

This time I decided to step out of my comfort zone and play with Makin’s Clay. The clay is versatile and is air dry so it is very easy to work with and you don’t need fancy tools. the only thing you do need is patience because it takes 24 hours to dry. This is a great project for girls and moms, for a birthday or for a friend. You can play with the colors and shapes and customize it anyway you like!

I started with Rolling out Makin’s Clay white clay to about 1/8″ thick on craft sheet using the roller tool. Don’t worry if your shape is not round because you will cut it later.

Then I used Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilted Stamps – 2″ Doily Picnic and Ann Butler Designs Crafters Ink by Clearsnap – aquamarine to stamp the clay. I pushed firmly to create a patterned texture but not too hard so it’ll not be distorted. Continue stamping, until the Clay is covered. I Cut three starts from the stamped clay with the Makin’s Clay Cutters Stars. I used two different sizes.

While working I decided to use only two stars. I added more color with a wet brush and the aquamarine ink.

I embedded some pearls in the clay and added glitter.

I also added some darker color to the edges with the Aruba ink.

Finally, I pierced the larger star both on the top edge and on the bottom edge, and the smaller star on the top. I let it dry overnight.

I inserted jump rings to connect the two stars to one medallion and thread blue velvet ribbon, circles ribbon and a chain to create the necklace.

Have fun creating!

Einat

December 13, 2014 By Ann Butler 43 Comments

Ann Butler Designs Blog Hopping with ETI

Welcome to the Ann Butler Designs/ETI Blog Hop I am sure you will find inspiration as you hop through to each blog! My inspiration for this project came from a set of coasters I created…

for the Summer issue of Bella Crafts Quarterly. These coasters make a wonderful gift so I thought I would take them one step farther and use ETI’s EnviroTex Lite® Pour-on High Gloss Finish to finish them off and give them a high gloss protective finish.

Supplies:

Ann Butler’s Fuax Quilting Stamps by Unity Stamp Company, assorted 1″ squares and triangles

Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s 2″ Flourish Alphabet

Ann Butler’s Iridescent’s by Earth Safe Finishes, berry, sky, lila

Ann Butler’s Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap, Evergreen

EnviroTex Lite® Pour-on High Gloss Finish

Earth Safe Finishes Gesso, white

Wood Coasters, 4″ x 4″

Tools:

Acrylic block

Disposable measuring cups (2)

Paintbrush

Heat gun

Painter’s tape

Wax Paper

Wooden stir stick

Scissor

Instructions:

Base coat the coaster with gesso. Let dry and repeat if needed.

Paint the coaster with Berry Iridescents. Let dry. Give the coaster a second coat. Let dry.

Stamp in the corner with one of the 1″ Faux Quilting Squares in Evergreen.

Place two 1″ triangle stamps onto the acrylic block to form a square and stamp right below the first square in Evergreen.

Continue stamping around the outer edge of the coaster to create a boarder. Heat set the ink.

Stamp desired initial in the center with Evergreen. Heat set.

Pictured above is another coaster with Iridescents in Sky.

Tape around the edges of the coaster (to prevent the resin from dripping). Lay out some wax paper, then place the coaster on something (I am using the Iridescents jar), to elevate it.

Mix EnviroTex Lite® as directed on the package. Measure equal parts resin and hardener in 2 separate cups. (I mixed 1 ounce resin with 1 ounce hardener which covered 3 coasters nicely).

Pour the hardener into the resin and mix thoroughly for 2 minutes.

Pour mixture into the second cup and stir for another minute.

Pour resin onto the coaster.

Use the stir stick to bring the resin to the edges, (the resin is self leveling). Watch for any bubbles to rise and blow lightly to disperse them. Let dry undistributed for 12 hours, and then peel the tape away.

Trim resin away from the edges if needed. Let cure for 72 hours.

You can see the beautiful shine….

And Enjoy!

Be sure to leave a comment and you will be entered to win our Prize Package…

which consist of products from Ann Butler Designs and ETI.

EasyCast

EnviroTex® Jewelry Resin

1 Resin Jewelry Mold

Resin Spray

2 Pigment Colors

1 of each of the following 1″ Faux Quilting Stamp Sets:

Leaves All Over

Doily Picnic

Stripe. Dots. Hearts

Diamond & Plaid

(Open to US Residents only)

Be sure to check out the rest of the Blog Hop and leave a comment on their blogs as well for additional chances to WIN!

Ann Butler (you are here)

Beth Watson

Carmen Flores Tanis

Cindi Bisson

Dana Kersey Joy

Graciela Chavez

Irit Shalom

Kristi Parker Van Doren

Larissa Collins Pittman

Lisa Rojas

Paula Weddle DeReamer

Roberta Birnbaum

Steph Ackerman

Vishu Reberholt

The WINNER of the Prize Package will be drawn on or about 11 pm CST December 20th, 2014 and will be announce after the winner has been notified the week of December 21st on the Ann Butler Designs Blog and the ETI Resin Blog.