I used the Petal Pairs Set 1 to punch out flowers in two shades of pink (five of each for this card). Using my Cricut, I cut out a small pitcher and then punched out a small scalloped circle, to which I stamped “mom.”  I cut two pieces of paper to layer for the background and distressed the edges with the Tonic/ Tim Holtz Distress Tool. Using my Tim Holtz scissors, I hand cut an oval shape for the table and also five stems for the flowers. Using a black pen, I outlined the stems, pitcher, scalloped circle and doodled around the table.

Next, I used the Tonic/ Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Pick to poke two holes in the top of the scalloped circle. I wrapped a small piece of black twine around the pitcher and tied it in the middle of the circle. I then used a pop-dot to adhere the circle to the pitcher.

Now, we’re ready to adhere the rest! Using a tape-runner I adhered the table and stems. Then, I pop-dotted the pitcher and two of the flowers. Finally, I added five bright pink rhinestones that give the card a little extra sparkle. And there you have it, a bouquet of flowers guaranteed to last longer than fresh-cut ones!

~ by Amber

Amber Engelh{art}
Cheerful Mixed Media with a Modern Folk Art Flair.
Original Artwork. Custom Pieces Available.

Blog: www.amberengelhardt.blogspot.com

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/amberengelhART

To embellish the patterned paper’s already feminine feel, I used the Pick of the Bunch Punches, making both a small and large Pansy. (The large Pansy is layered with a second, smaller Pansy). I distressed the edges with Ranger Distress Ink and once I had the petals secured together, I bent them upward to help them stand out a bit. Finally, I added a resin flower embellishment and a button to the center of both flowers.

Next,  I used the Simplicity Doily Strip Punch as a border under my photo grouping and then two more, smaller pieces in place of leaves, next to the large Pansy. Before adhering everything down. I used the Tonic Paper Distresser to rough up the sides and give the page even more definition to it’s already layered look.

Tomorrow, I have a couple of Mother’s Day cards using the Petal Pairs Punches!

~Amber

Amber Engelh{art}
Cheerful Mixed Media with a Modern Folk Art Flair.
Original Artwork. Custom Pieces Available.

Blog: www.amberengelhardt.blogspot.com

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/amberengelhART

Thanks for sharing Amber!

~ Amber Engelh{art}
Cheerful Mixed Media with a Modern Folk Art Flair.
Original Artwork. Custom Pieces Available.
Blog: www.amberengelhardt.blogspot.com
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/amberengelhART

Welcome Amber!

—————————-

Hi there! My name is Amber Engelhardt. I’m a wife of 10 years and a very grateful stay-at-home mom of two kids: Ella (6) and Cohen (3). I became an artist the second my mom placed that first crayon in my hand! I even went to an art-focused Elementary school. In high-school I became interested in collage and loved cutting out pictures from magazines and adhered them to shoe boxes to make “memory boxes.” I started scrapbooking 13 years ago, when I was in college, and I’ve loved it ever since. Recently, I’ve found a way to combine both my love for collage and scrapbooking through mixed-media art. I’ve had a long-time admiration for folk art and it has been a goal of mine to make art inspired by folk artistry, but modernized with current color combinations and patterns. This dream led me to open my own shop on Etsy, called Amber EngelhART (http://www.etsy.com/shop/amberengelhART).

When I make a canvas or shadow box, I use a combination of hand-cut and die-cut designs. I also use punches, like these ones made by Tonic from the “Pick of the Bunch Floral Designs” collections. I start with scrapbook paper and then cut my designs, usually following a design from my sketchbook. After punching the Tonic flower petals and leaves, I used the “Pick of the Bunch” stamps, giving the flowers beautiful and instant detail.  For this project and any others where you use markers or watercolors to color the punched images, it is important to use a waterproof ink pad. (I use Ranger’s Archival ink in Jet Black). Once I have it arranged, I adhere it with Matte Mod Podge. When that is completely dry, I use a fine point Faber–Castell black pen (also waterproof) to outline the rest of the details. Next, I watercolor over the entire project using Distress Stains by Ranger and Tim Holtz. This intensifies the current colors of the scrapbook paper, often times making the patterns unrecognizable. Finally, I get to play with India Ink markers to provide shading and details (I use Faber-Castell PITT artist pens). I use my fingers to blend the colors, finishing with two shades of brown to give the piece an aged look. The dried finish of the Mod Podge is what allows me to blend the markers; otherwise the ink would simply soak into the paper. The very last step is to cover it with one coat of Mod Podge, sealing and waterproofing the artwork.

Click each image or a close-up. 

I love all of the steps I use to complete a canvas- but I know it’s time consuming….and not everyone’s cup of tea! You could still have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork without the water colors or the markers. Using the Tonic punches definitely gives you a great starting point! Thanks for letting me share a little bit about myself and my creative process. I’d love for you visit my blog: www.amberengelhardt.blogspot.com, where I share mixed media, scrapbooking, photography and crafts in general.

Happy creating, everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stop back over the next few weeks for oodles of inspiration featuring these fun new products! Thanks for stopping by and for supporting Tonic Studios!

The following punches were used on this set of cards and tags: Simplicty Dotty Border, Medium Holiday Tree and Contemporary Snowflake, Border Punch Snowfall.

This was a fun set to make the tags are all made out of scraps that were left over, so don’t throw those scraps away! I used the Border System to punch my snowflakes at the same increment along the page and then used the Dotty Border punch to finish it off. I then used some stickles inside of the ne

A huge thanks to Amy for sharing the fantastic holiday decor projects! Be sure to swing by Amy’s blog for holiday projects galore – you won’t be disappointed!

I have been waiting for the perfect project to use my October Afternoon, Very Merry Collection.  I found the cute vintage wire basket at Hobby Lobby and inspiration struck! I love when that happens!  All of the projects were very simple to do and when you put them all together they look stunning.

Gather your favorite holiday line of paper( a double sided paper works best) and find coordinating items for the rest: Ribbon, Brads, candy tubes, stickers, and of course your favorite Tonic Border punch and a holiday medium punch.

Pinwheel How To:

For the larger Pinwheels I cut my paper to 8×8. I then measured from corner to corner. I drew a pencil line from the corner down to 4.5 inches and then from the bottom corner up to 7 inches. (Smaller is 6×6 and I went from the corner down to 3 and from the bottom corner up to the 5.5 inches.) I then cut on the lines. Next I punched the holes. Please see diagram.  I then took a border punch and did the edges. Next take the brad and gather the corners and then put the brad through the center and close it.

The pinwheels are fun to use to dress up the candy containers for little visitors, or to decorate a table. They are also fun to use on a present as a bow to spiff up a special present for someone. You could also attach them to your garland for a fun window dressing. The options are endless and versatile for any occasion!

Garland How To:

For the garland again you’ll want double sided pattern paper, or cardstock since the color shows through. I cut strips of paper 2.5 x 12″. I then punched down both sides of the strips and cut them in half since I wanted a smaller looped garland. Then just take end to end and staple take the next strip and link it and staple…

Incredibly simple but oh so cute!!  There are so many fun variations you can do with this. You could alternate with cardstock or Kraft paper, you can make bigger loops to use on a mantle or for above a window or for a tree… you could stamp holiday sayings on them or you could take a punch and cut a pattern along it… I am sure this isn’t the last garland you will see. I just can’t believe it took me this long to think to use my punches on it.

Card How To:

Take a border punch and punch along the long edge of the card. Take a pattern strip of paper the same length and punch a border. The pattern strip is what is peeking out below the edge. Then find one of the many medium holiday punches of your choosing. Take a circle punch and voila you have your embellishment! I then used some word stickers as well with holiday sayings. The finished card is a 5×7 and I used scraps from my other projects.

I hope you enjoyed the vintage holiday projects and came away with a few ways to dress up a special present for someone, to add some unexpected charm to a table or display, or helped inspire a holiday card! Happy Holidays!!!

“happy CHRISTMAS” | featuring the Tonic Medium Snowflake
and the Tonic Snowflake Pop-Up MultiDetail Punch

“Merry CHRISTMAS” | featuring the Tonic MultiDetail Star
Tonic Medium Christmas Tree, and Tonic Medium Snowfall Punch

Hope you all have fun creating, and have the best of holidays!

“Ho Ho Ho” — Featuring Tonic Studios Sleigh and Reindeer Border Punches
Did you notice the little rhinestones on the reindeer? Just darling!

“a very merry Christmas to you”
Featuring Tonic Studios Christmas Tree Border Punch

“wishing you holiday CHEER”
Featuring Tonic Studios Holly Accent and Scallop Edger Border Punches

A big thanks to Jackie for these delightful holiday cards!

Thanks for stopping by! We’ll have more holiday inspiration for you soon!