Woodlands Accordion Candle Screen

Hello everyone! I used the Karen Burniston Accordian Album die in conjunction with the Frame & Label Bracket die to create a screen decor piece that you can put votive candles behind (I used battery operated ones!) Here's a look and I'll explain how I put it together.

"daylight" look

with lights behind it

In the first step, I cut the accordian panels out of clear plastic from the packaging of Sizzix dies. (Reuse, gotta love it!) Now this plastic cuts easily and can be bent and creased but it is a bit thick to fold easily. Therefore, this "card" does not fold flat. It's pretty much permanently this shape. Since this isn't really a card however, I'm fine with that. It's meant to sit there and look pretty anyway. I'd find a lighter weight plastic to make the base out of if you want to fold it up.

To make the "see through" panels, I stamped the image with archival ink onto plain white tissue paper. When it was nice and dry, I spread a layer of Glue 'n Seal over the back of the plastic center panels and then carefully adhered the tissue squares. I waited until everything was dry before I trimmed away the excess tissue paper. I also colored the back using reinkers and a watercolor brush. I didn't overly saturate it to keep the tissue intact. Use a light touch! I think Distress Pens or real watercolors would have worked just as well. On the front of the center panels I used the "cracked glass" technique to add some more texture. (Can't really see it in the photos but it's cool!) Brush on a layer of Glue 'n Seal over the front of the panel and let it dry. Then you can brush on a layer of Rock Candy Crackle Paint and it will stick. This works with all sorts of slick surfaces. You just have to put on the layer of Glue 'n Seal first or the crackle will flake right off.

The rest is pretty straight-forward. Die cutting, stamping and lots of Rock Candy and Picket Fence Stickles for some sparkle! I hope you've been inspired. You can find most of the supplies I used to create this project at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. Thanks!

Tim Holtz Collection - Santa's Wish	Tim Holtz Collection - Reindeer Flight	Heaven On Earth	Sizzix Bigz Die - Reindeer Flight	Sizzix - Bigz Die - Frame & Label, Bracket	Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Festive Greenery
Sizzix Bigz Die - Tattered Pinecone	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Broken China	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Brushed Corduroy	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Vintage Photo	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Evergreen Bough	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Pine Needles
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Stormy Sky	Distress Embossing Ink - Pad	Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder - Clear	Archival #0 Pad - Jet Black	Sizzix Little Sizzles - Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection Cardstock 2 1/2" x 12", 72 Sheets by	Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Grungeboard Basics
Inkssentials Glue N' Seal - 4 oz. Matte	Inkssentials Glue N' Seal - 4 oz. Gloss	Tim Holtz - Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Walnut Stain	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Antique Bronze	Mini Glossy Accents - .5 oz
Tim Holtz - Distress Stickles Glitter Glue - Picket Fence	Tim Holtz - Distress Stickles Glitter Glue - Rock Candy

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A friend loves at all times…

Hello! I am happy to be a guest designer on Scrapping Everyday Miracles this month. I created a card that centers on their main challenge for January - to create a project about "Friends Forever". The inspirational verse is Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times…" I am going to send this card to a friend and I hope it uplifts and encourages her.

The main background uses an interesting (although very hard to photograph, grr) technique that was shared by Tammy Tutterow on her blog. Using an adhesive backed mirrored sheet, you stick your patterned paper to the sticky side and then proceed to wet it and rub most of the paper off, leaving the design. (See here for her complete instructions.) You can see the shiny silvery surface peeking through and it looks really cool!

I also put my new Sizzix Magnetic Platform that I got for Christmas to the test. Oh my goodness I LOVE that thing. It makes it so easy to stamp an image and then precisely cut it out with a matching die. I have had such trouble with this in the past. The die always moves and I have to try to stick things down with washi tape (and then peel little bits of tape off the diecut). Anyway, this platform works great!! I'll have to put some more stamp/die sets on my wish list ha ha. I also used my Embossing Diffuser set for the first time (although I've had it for ages, shh, don't tell). This was really easy to use too and I was able to make a nice un-embossed area in the middle of the honeycomb panel for the frame and cameo diecut. I will definitely need to be using the diffusers more!

The flowers are metal and I painted them with Distress Paint. This paint sticks well to metal and blends wonderfully. I used two or more colors on each flower and lightly misted with water to help the blending. It makes them look vintage. I did find that wiping the bare flowers off with rubbing alcohol first helped the paint stay put. There was a slight film or something on the metal that was causing it to bead up a little.

I hope you head on over to SEM and check out their January challenges. There are three to choose from and if you link up your own projects you'll be entered into the prize drawings.

Most of the supplies I used to create this card can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Follow the links below and use my code JUICE to save 10% if you go shopping. Thanks!

Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Framelits Die Set - Framed Silhouettes	Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die - Baroque	Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Bubble & Honeycomb	Sizzix Accessory - Embossing Diffuser 3PK, Set #1	Sizzix Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die - Vintage Lace	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Pumice Stone
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Tattered Rose	Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Scattered Straw	Distress Embossing Ink - Pad	Archival Ink Pad Designer Series: Wendy Vecchi - Watering Can	Tim Holtz - Distress Paints - Scattered Straw	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Peeled Paint
Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Bundled Sage	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Victorian Velvet	Tim Holtz - Distress Paints - Dusty Concord	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Weathered Wood	Tim Holtz Distress Paints - Wild Honey	Sizzix Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies Accessory
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Mirrored	Ranger Embossing Powder - Clear	Aged Silver Embossing Enamel	Tim Holtz - Distress Stickles Glitter Glue - Rock Candy	Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Foliage	Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Tiny Attacher

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