Fun With Chalk

Hi all!  When I first found the Chalkboard paper from DCWV at Michaels, I was intrigued.  I was always interested in markers and inks that show up on dark paper. I bought the DCWV chalkboard cardstock but once I had it, I wasn't quite sure how I wanted to use it.  I had come across various forms of "chalk" and I started to research them.  I purchased regular chalkboard chalk, Chalkmarkers and even a package of Crayola's Dry eraseboard crayons for dark surfaces.

I let my granddaughters try the regular chalk, but that proved to wipe off almost immediately.  Kayla made a birthday card for my son and worried the images would be gone before she got the chance to give it to him.  I didn't have any fixative sprays (my Mom, the artist, uses this often on her art work), so I sprayed it with hair spray.  That seemed to keep the artwork on the chalk board paper without smearing.  I knew that I did not want to do this every time I wanted to use chalks, I had to spray it with hairspray!

My next experiment was using the dry erase crayons from Crayola.  I liked these immediately, as the colors were bright and strong.  They went on smoothly onto the paper.  I am not much of a free hand artist, so I found a design in my Cricut handbooks (Storybook) and cut it at the largest size that would fit a 12 x 12 sheet.  I set the blade at 3, so that it would only score the top of the paper, not cutting all the way through.  More like etching the paper.  Its pretty cool because this paper does have a white core.   Then I took the crayons and drew along the etched lines.    Now, these crayons do rub off, not as easily as the regular chalk, but will come off with more vigorous rubbing.  After outlining the cut lines, I took a soft cloth and used it as a blender, softening the color and rubbing it into the paper.    Once blended into the paper, it didn't seem like it would rub off.  This has been in a bin for awhile with other papers and it did not rub off onto the other papers.  I was very happy with the results.

Here is another example of using the Crayons on the chalkboard paper. This was a more floral design I cut with the Cricut.   I didn't color the center of the design, as I will most likely cover it with photos.

This next one, I etched another design onto the brighter colored chalk board paper.  I did use a little white chalk, just to rub into the etching so the design stands out more.  The first photo is a close up, and the second one is of the full sheet.  Nice for a subtle design in the background.

This is a layout I did with the Chalkboard paper.  I did a design in the corners of the paper.  I used a silver gel pen.  It looks great on the black chalkboard paper.

This last one I cut out a design using the Cricut, and used the silver pen to draw a line following the shape of the design (its not an outline, so would it be called an "inline"???)

I really like this paper and hope to use more of it in cards and layouts.

Thanks for stopping by!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Dance Themed Mini Book

Two of my granddaughters are very active in dance.  Both started before age 3 so I've already accumulated quite a few photos.  I've been working on books different style books that I display their photos.  I like the colors in this one (a bit busy, but colorful).  I told the girls they can choose the style they want and we can work on the books together.  

This one is in my Etsy shop (CatnKatKreations)

I used my Cricut Expression to cut chipboard, using Elegant Edges and the Book Special feature to cut the pages.  The paper is from the Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby's own line) stack called  So So Sweet.

I used Xyron 900 to adhere the cardstock to the chipboard.  Many of the shapes I used are from the Shall We Dance cartridge.

I used the Bind It All to bind the book and added lots of bling.

The book holds 12 - 4 x 6 photos, 2 wallet size and 2 5 x 7 photos.

I like to add pockets with tags to add more photos

Folders are another way to add more space for photos.  

Thanks for stopping by....have a great weekend.

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Wizard of Oz Mini Book

Happy Monday everyone!  Hoping you are enjoying the cooler temperatures!  I was nearly in shock when I opened my window Saturday afternoon to find the temperature had finally dropped.  It was actually cooler outside than it was in my apartment!!  Today is a bit warmer, but  enjoyable.

Today's feature is a mini book with Wizard of Oz themed paper by Graphic 45.  It was really a kit my daughter purchased from Archivers.

My granddaughters are very involved with dance.  One of the big production numbers this year was Wizard of Oz.  Both the girls were in this production.  Kerri played a scarecrow and Kerri (the 4 yr old) played Toto.  Both were adorable, but Kerri was a star as she stole the show with her cartwheel entrance and shaking her little Toto tail.

My daughter saw the kit and thought it would be a great gift for the girls' dance teacher.  Since Katie is quite busy with the girls, dance lessons, summer school, etc, I offered to make the book and all she had to do is add the photos!

Here are the pages of the book.  It measures 6 x 6 and has lots of fold out pages and pockets.

I really enjoyed making this book.  The paper is GORGEOUS!!!  I purchased the stack of the paper and hope to make one or two more....possibly one for my granddaughters with photos from their dance.

Oh, and I hope you don't mind, here's a photo of the Stars!....Kayla and Kerri!

Enjoy your Monday!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Celebrating the Twins' 2nd Birthday

In January 2011, when my son and his family moved to Japan, I never in my wildest dreams, think we would be celebrating the twins' second birthday here in the US! They arrived February 15 and their birthday is February 18. We actually had 2 celebrations for them! The first celebration was with my son and his family and my daughter and her family. The second celebration was with the rest of the family!

It was fun to make a scrapbook of the two celebrations.

I made the book 8 x 8 in size - easy for the little ones to handle if they want to look at the photos.

The paper is a stack by Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby's brand) called Birthday Extravaganza. I liked it because its colors are neither boy or girl specific.

I used my Cricut to cut titles and embellishments and tags. Phrases is a great cartridge for titles!

Juli seemed to enjoy the cake, if the frosting on her face is any indication!

Party #2. I made a couple pages with pockets and tags in them. Since the twins will be bilingual, I told my son that he and his wife could write messages to the twins on the tags - in English and in Japanese for them to read when they are older.
The happy family....so glad they are back!!!




It seems like forever that I was not making scrapbooks, and this year, I've done quite a bit and I can't wait to share my creations with you! Hope you enjoyed today's feature and you stop by again soon!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

One of My Favorites

Last summer, I got back into sewing. I spent several months making tote bags and did quite a bit of embroidery. This is one of my favorite bags that I made.

Two of my granddaughters are involved in dance and they are always toting shoes and dance clothes, regular clothes and needed big bags to carry it all in. This bag is perfect for the tiny dancer!

I embroidered the design on the front of the bag, made with purple twill cotton fabric. The ruffles and lining are made with an adorable cotton print with tiny ballerinas on it.
I have one left of this cute tote have listed in my Etsy shop.

Have a great day!!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

Changes In Progress

Slowly, I've been making changes to my blog. I've changed the background and template of the blog. I like the bright colors. I changed some of the fonts - hope they are readable! I've also added a few things...the blog is still Koala-t Kreations, but added another title. My daughter and I have been selling at craft fairs for the past several years under the name of Cat n Kat Kreations. Not only will I be showing sewing and paper crafting projects, I will feature items for sale in my Etsy shop (which is also an addition to the blog)

Hope you like the changes and stop by often to see what's new.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy

A Change is a Comin'!

Its been a long time! YEs, my blog has been sadly neglected but the time has come to make some changes and start sharing my work again. There will be some regular features and some new things to share. I hope you will come back and visit and see the changes. I hope you like them too!

So, stay tuned and watch for the changes here on Koala-t Kreations and will be combined with Cat 'n Kat Kreations!

See you soon!!

Cathy