All posts by chasenfratz

Experiments with rubber stamping on fabric

This past weekend I had a lot of fun taking out fabric scraps and rubber stamping on them. Some of the stamps I used are from my Carolyn’s Stamp Store collection and some are stamps that I’ve hand carved and haven’t turned into a commercial product yet. Some of the geometric shapes used came from a Memory Essentials Terrific Tool & Tips set.

To get interesting backgrounds to stamp on, I experimented with brushing and sponging on Dye-Na-Flow paint and Crafter’s pigment inks. I did some masking with tape and also rolled some background stripes using a Memory Essentials Get Rollin’ tool.

Collaged Valentine Candy Holder

I decorated this hanging candy holder for Valentine’s Day, but the
design is versatile and can be used for a number of occasions – just
change the collage piece inserted in the front of the holder!

Tutorial and free template here – http://carolynsstampstore.com/catalog/valentine_candy_holder.php

Decoupage Gift Box

Upcycled Decoupage Gift Box
Upcycled Decoupage Gift Box

I repurposed this gift box into a nice storage box by doing some decoupage work on the lid. First I glued down antique imagery. Next I rubber stamped harmonious images onto gold and white tissue paper with Staz On permanent rubber stamp ink and glued those pieces down. After that layer was dry, I brushed varnish over the whole box top for durability.

Check out my Pinterest board for sources of free images to download and print out – Free Graphics and Fonts.

Stoneware Petroglyph Tiles

Ceramic Tiles Impressed with Hand-Carved Rubber Stamps
Ceramic Tiles Impressed with Hand-Carved Rubber Stamps

These tiles were made by hand carving rubber stamps and pressing them into stoneware clay. They were glaze fired to Cone 10.

Here is a tutorial I wrote about carving rubber stamps:
http://www.limegreennews.com/howcarv.html

And here is another about making ceramic tiles from rubber stamps:
http://www.carolynsstampstore.com/catalog/mosaic_table_top_with_textured_clay_tiles.php

Valentine Faux Postage

I had some fun this weekend using stamps from the faux postage collection from Carolyn’s Stamp Store to make postal art for Valentine projects.

Valentine Faux Postage

Images with an all-over design like the one above work well for header
graphics because you can accommodate it to several different sizes and formats. I like to change headers on my various web accounts seasonally. Here are the image sizes you will need for some popular web sites:

Facebook – 646 x 220

Google + – 823 x 464

Etsy – 760 x 100

If you’d like to make your own Valentine Faux Postage, I designed a special rubber stamp set to make it easier – Valentine Faux Postage Helpers Unmounted.

Sleep Pillows

Hand sewn eye pillows filled with sleep-inducing herbs. Pillows are
constructed with flaps that snap in back to make them easily refillable.

Fabric squares on front are rubber stamped, then appliqued and embroidered. Made from recycled fabric by Carolyn Hasenfratz.

Oceanic Mosaic Box

Oceanic Mosaic Box with Sea Life Rubber Stamps

Upcycled wooden box from thrift store with faux sea glass on top backed by scrap papers with an oceanic theme. Rubber stamped around the edges and on the sides. By Carolyn Hasenfratz.

Learn how to make a similar box here – http://carolynsstampstore.com/catalog/mosaic_box.php

Get the oceanic rubber stamps here:

Sea Life Unmounted

Templates for Tent Cards

I’m planning on using tent cards when I exhibit my crafts in the upcoming year to highlight certain products or draw attention to deals and sales. I designed templates for two different sized tent cards to hold changeable inserts in two sizes – 3.5 x 3.75 inch and 5.25 x 4 inch. The latter is a good size for postcards. Tent cards can be used for other functions also, such as business events, parties, receptions and more.

One example of how you could use these at a business event is to put promotional messages with QR codes on the tent card inserts. Prospects with smartphones on their person can scan the codes and see mobile content that you have prepared for them.

To use these templates, first print out the four pages included in the PDF download. Cut out the two tent card templates and inserts and if you like laminate them for durability. Trace around the tent card templates on card stock and cut out. Cut four diagonal lines in the front of the tent card to make corners for holding the inserts. Score and fold tent card piece along dotted lines and tape the end tab to the back of the card to form a tent shape.

Create inserts and push them into the corners on the front of the tent cards to hold them in place. I’ve included sheets of inserts laid out so you can see how many fit on an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. If you want you can scan or import the insert sheets into the graphics software of your choice and use them as a guide to create content to print out.

Beneficial Insects in the Garden

Are you interested in making your garden more habitable to beneficial insects? Here is a list of invertebrates you might want in your garden, followed by a chart showing what plants are likely to attract them and what plants may repel pests.

Read more:

http://www.limegreennews.com/beneficial_insects.html