Category Archives: Master Detective

Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album for Frilly Funkie Haunted Halloween Challenge

Hello, Friends! Are you ready to get your Halloween on? This G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album is filled with spook-tacular details. Created for the Haunted Halloween Challenge at The Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog, I’ve loaded this album up with loads of texture, interactive elements and mixed media techniques. We’ll take a look in a moment, but first, let’s see what Jenny, our gracious and talented hostess this go round, has to say about this frightfully fun challenge:

Challenge Theme: Haunted Halloween
It’s time to get your freak on and go all out for Halloween. We want to see your ghouls and ghosts and things that go bump in the night. It’s going to be spooktacular!!!

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: Elementary, My Dear Watson!

Master Detective is one of my all time favorite Halloween Collections. I love the color palette, the quirky characters and the incredible patterns. When I was growing up, “Clue” (the board game) filled many a leisure hour, so working with it brings back loads of happy memories. This “from scratch” mini album is made in the same way as the Communique album that I shared with you HERE. In fact, the tutorial video shows me using this collection. So I thought I would come back and share the finished album with you.

For this album, I decided to go in a faux rust direction. There are loads of ways to create faux rust, all of them wonderful and fun to work with. This time, I decided to use Tim’s Mechanical 3-D Texture Fade with Seth Apter’s Chunky Rust Baked texture.

After adding embossing ink to the album cover with an embossing dabber, I covered it with Chunky Rust and heat embossed. I tell you: watching that chunky rust baked texture do its thing when exposed to heat is a magical moment! Next, I pulled out my Prima Rust Pastes and a sponge to dab on even more texture and rusty goodness. No need to go into all of the details here, as I share them with you in the video tour at the bottom of this post.

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: The Pocket Watch

To create the focal image, I used Tim’s Pocket Watch Frame. It’s perfect for this Sherlock Holmes themed mini album. Here’s how I did it:

First, die cut 2 pocket watch frames from matboard.
Then paint both the frames and the back with black gesso.
Next, while the gesso is still wet, cover one frame with Seth Apter Ancient Amber Baked Texture. Heat Emboss.
Now use an embossing dabber randomly around the perimeter and stem of the pocket watch frame.
Then sprinkle on Patina Oxide Baked Texture to add an aged brass patina to the pocket watch frame.
Use the other frame as a template and trace around the focal image. Trim out and adhere to the back of the embossed frame.
Now, use the Embossing Dabber inside the frame, on the image. Be liberal! You want a nice thick layer of Embossing ink. If you don’t have a dabber, you can use an embossing ink pad or an embossing pen.
Then fill the frame with a layer of Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (UTEE). Heat emboss from the BOTTOM so that the UTEE does not blow all over your craft space. Repeat this step 2 or 3 times until the watch face has a glassy appearance.
Now, adhere the circular back behind the frame.
Next, use adhesive and foam tabs to add the 2nd frame behind the first one. This gives the pocket watch lots of dimension.
Dab on some Prima Rust Paste. Add some Prills. Done!

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: The Spine

This album measures 7 1/2″ x 6″ with a 3″ spine. The spine is dressed up with black satin ribbon, one of Tim’s Crypt Cameos, a little black crochet doily that I found in my stash, a Steampunk Key, and Halloween Tokens.

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: A Peek Inside

I’ve filled the inside pages with all kinds of interactive elements. You’ll see them all in the video, so I’ll just share photos here.

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini: The Video Tour

I hope I shared some tips, techniques and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. Creating interactive albums, cards and folios has really become an obsession for me. Hopefully, you are enjoying them as well.

Haunted Halloween: Now It’s Your Turn!

Why don’t you join in on this fun Haunted Halloween Challenge? It’s easy to do! Simply link up a new vintage or shabby chic Halloween Themed project over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog before 11:55PM EDT on Tuesday, October 23rd. You can find all the details and link up your project HERE.

The Frilly and Funkie team will visit your posts, leave you a lovely comment and select our favorite project as a Guest Designer on the Frilly and Funkie Blog. Our top 3 picks will each receive badges to display proudly. And everyone who plays along, following the theme and guidelines will be entered in a random drawing for a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Product Links to The Funkie Junkie Boutique

(MAY PRE-ORDER) Sizzix 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder – Mechanics	(MID-JANUARY PRE-ORDER) Seth Apter Baked Texture – Ancient Amber	(MID-JANUARY PRE-ORDER) Seth Apter Baked Texture – Chunky Rust	(MID-JANUARY PRE-ORDER) Seth Apter Baked Texture – Vintage Beeswax	(MID-JANUARY PRE-ORDER) Seth Apter Baked Texture – Patina Oxide
(MID-JANUARY PRE-ORDER) Seth Apter Baked Texture – Rocky Road	Ranger Adirondack Emboss It Dabber	Prima Art Basics – Heavy Gesso – Black 17 fl. oz. (March Pre-Order)	Prima Art Extravagance Rust Paste Set	Prima Art Basics – Clear Gesso 17 fl. oz. (March Pre-Order)
Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) 8 oz. Clear	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint – Rusty Hinge	NEW Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint – Scattered Straw	Ranger Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Distress Paint	Graphic 45 Staples Regular Tag and Gears Dies
Tim Holtz Pocket Watch Frame Sizzix Alterations Movers and Shapers Die	SizzixAlterations Movers & Shapers Base Die By Tim Holtz-Styled Labels	(LATE AUGUST PRE-ORDER) Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adornments, Halloween	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Halloween Typed Tokens	Charm Pendant – Set of 5 Silvertone Skeletons
4 Piece Antiqued Bronze Lion Faced Drawer Pulls	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Crypt Cameos	( Late May Pre – Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective 8×8 Paper Pad	( Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective 12×12 Paper Pad	( Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective Chipboard
( Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective Ephemera	( Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective Stickers	( Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective Tags & Pockets	(Late May Pre-Order) Graphic 45 – Master Detective 12×12 Patterns & Solids Pad	Ranger Heat It Craft Tool
Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Ink Pad	Ranger Tim Holtz Ranger Tim Holtz Ground Espresso Distress Stain	Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool – With 4 Blending Foams	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Mini Scissors	Tonic 5″ titanium snips
Tonic Guillotine Comfort Paper Trimmer 8.5″ By Tim Holtz 160E	Steampunk Gadget Charms	Steampunk Key – Antiqued Bronze Charm

Graphic 45 Master Detective Elementary Masculine Birthday Card

Graphic 45 Elementary Master Detective Masculine Birthday Card

Our eldest son grew up reading everything he could get his hands on. He especially enjoyed reading the Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. When it came time to make him his birthday card I immediately knew I wanted to make this Elementary Masculine Birthday card for him.

Since his favorite color is green, the wonderful plaid pattern on the B side of the signature page was the perfect choice as the base of his card. I kept the design very clean so that the wonderful patterned paper and focal image would really shine.

Go Long, My Dear Watson

Changing up the size and shape of a card base doesn’t have to be a major ordeal. It can be as simple as creating a long, skinny card like this 8.25” x 4.25” top fold card. Simply score an 8.5” x 11” sheet of black cardstock in half on the long side. Then fold in half and trim.

TIP: Layer it Up!

Layers of designer paper add loads of interest to a card composition. You can make quick work of this by die cutting the layers from patterned paper. I lay my dies on my card base to make sure they work well together. Then I die cut, add foam tabs or waste chipboard to the back of each layer and glue in place.

TIP: Change Direction

I cut two different patterned papers with the same die and matted both on black cardstock. To add interest to the card composition, one pattern is oriented vertically and the other horizontally. It’s a simple trick, but really draws the eye to the focal image.

TIP: Stick to it!

The focal image on this card is from the Master Detective Sticker sheet. I chose it because its long, skinny shape echoed the shape of my card base. After matting the sticker on black cardstock, I trimmed it out into a rectangular shape. Then I used a ticket stub punch to shape the corners and a small circle punch to shape the sides.

TIP: Glossy Accents is the best adhesive I’ve found for attaching metals to paper. I ran a thin bead around the perimeter and a dot in the center, then held in place for a minute. Let it dry completely for a really secure seal.

Elementary Masculine Birthday Card: Won’t you come in?

For the interior of the card, I added a border strip and small envelope to the top half of the card. I also cut down an ephemera card, rounded the corners and matted it on black paper.This is where I wrote my birthday greetings.

Our son loved the card. In fact, the first words out of his mouth were, “Look…it’s Sherlock Holmes! Cool!” I love it when a Master Detective plan has a happy ending!

I hope I shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

SUPPLY LIST

Graphic 45 Master Detective 8×8 Paper Collection

Master Detective B Side
Web of Lies
Dastardly Deeds
Sinister Secrets
Get a Clue

12 x 12 Collection
- Border Strip from Whoddunnit
Sticker Sheet
Ephemera Cards
Tags and Pockets
Staples Antique Brass Door Knockers
Staples Clock Key

Other Supplies

Spellbinders
- Curved Rectangles
- Labels 20 Dies
Black Cardstock
Black and White Houndstooth Plaid Ribbon
Small Metal Gears
Glossy Accents for attaching metal pieces
Scoring tool, Scissors, Adhesive of Choice

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial with Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hello, Ribbon Lovers! Get out your magnifying glass, your houndstooth coat, your deer stalker hat and pipe. The game is afoot! Join me as I share this Sherlock Holmes inspired Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial.

I’ve always loved Sherlock Holmes. Whether reading the original books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or watching Basil Rathbone, Jonny Lee Miller or Benedict Cumberbatch portray him on screen, you know you are in for a rollicking good time when Sherlock Holmes is on the case!

This tall and skinny 4.25″ x 8.5″ side fold card is all dressed up with Graphic 45’s Master Detective papers. And what, pray tell, is the perfect ribbon choice for a Sherlock Holmes Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card? It’s Elementary, my dear reader: Black and White Houndstooth Ribbon, of course!

Tips and Tricks

Here’s the inside scoop on how I made this whimsical card:

First, cut 4 1/8″ x 8 1/4″ panel of green plaid paper to cover your 4.25″ x 8.5″ kraft card base.
Next, cut 2 pieces of 1.5″ x 3.75″ black text paper from the 12×12 Patterns and Solids Pad. Mat on slightly larger black cardstock and glue in opposite corners.
Now, trim a chipboard filmstrip frame to fit the card. Paint with brown paint. Let it dry.
Then, swipe Jet Black Distress Oxide Ink on a craft mat. Spritz with water until beadlets form. Tap the film strip frame into the inky puddles to create a sort of corroded look.
Now, line the back side of the frame with 1/4″ Scor-tape.
Cut a piece of clear acetate to fit the back side of the film strip.
Then remove the liner on the Scor-Tape and press the acetate down.
Add Kool-Tak Clear Foam Tape over the acetate. Leave the top liner in place until later.
Fill the cavities with sequins and beads.
Now, cut a strip of black cardstock the same size as the film strip.
Then add images to the black paper, lining them up with the openings on the film strip.
Remove the liner tape and press the cardstock in place.

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial : Finishing Touches

First, fussy cut the image from the 8×8 paper pad signature page. Ink the edges.
Now, add small foam dots to the back side, cutting them to fit where necessary.
Press in place as seen in the photo.
Glue down the chipboard tag.
Then create the bow cluster with houndstooth ribbon, black burlap string and a black button.

Glue a brass monocle (I had this in my stash….go figure!) over the top filmstrip opening. Add ribbon/burlap string to finish.
Glue 3 tiny jet buttons along the side.
Finally, mat the sentiment sticker to black cardstock. Trim and glue in place.

It’s suitably sinister, isn’t it?

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial: A Peek Inside

Line the card interior with paper.
Then, score a 4″ x 6″ image from the cut apart page to fit the left hand side.
Now, mat a sticker and small border piece on primitive white cardstock.

Well, hello there!

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial: The Gift Card/Treat Wallet

Create a gift card/treat wallet with black cardstock and a small ephemera card from the collection.

First, cut a 4 1/8″ x 8″ strip of black cardstock.
Then Score at 3 1/8″ and again at 6 1/4″. Burnish and fold to create a sort of wallet.
Now, mat the small ephemera card on the wallet front.

Next, line the interior of the wallet with designer papers.
Then use a circle punch to create a thumb hole.
Add a small strip of green plaid paper to the pocket front and glue shut.

Trim another ephemera card to fit inside the pocket. And throw in some dark chocolate for good measure! No sinister secrets here….just good fun and sweet treats!

I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures! If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Graphic 45 Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial

Get a Clue: Graphic 45 Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial

Hello again, G45’ers! Do you know that Halloween is just 85 days away? Time to start creating a spot to preserve all those great photos of cute costumed kids. (big and little! ) To help you along the way, I’ve prepared a super fun Graphic 45 Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial for you today.

Master Detective is such a fabulous collection! Great colors, wonderful patterns, and whimsical images make it the right choice for this playful, interactive 4″ square mini album

The front cover sets the stage with lots of layers, a mini magnifying glass, buttons, bows, flowers and chipboard tags.

This stylish belly band holds the album closed. Simply slide it off, and the fun begins!

Just like a spooky old house, this little wallet is designed with hidden “rooms” and spooktacular interactive features.

I found an intriguing online tutorial for making tiny matchbox style folios and I liked the idea so much that I modified the design to create a much larger 4” x 4” Photo Wallet. This version holds a series of ATC Tags tucked into pockets throughout the album.

Enter if You Dare

I scored each set of Master Detective Playing Cards to create a mini booklet on each tag front.

Stickers matted on black cardstock make a great pocket!

Despite its small size, this album can hold loads of 4″ x 4″ photos!

Doesn’t this design make you think of the rooms in the old Clue Mystery Game?

And here is the line up of villainous villains and heroic heroes housed inside the album. These would make great place cards for a murder mystery party!

But enough chit chat! Let’s get down to business and get to work on this amazing Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial.

Get a Clue Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial on YouTube

SUPPLY LIST

Graphic 45 Master Detective

12×12 Patterns and Solids (2 sheets of the same pattern)
Stamps border from 12×12 Whodunnit page
8×8 collection
Chipboard Elements
Stickers
Staples Black ATC tags (6)

Other products

⅝’ wide houndstooth plaid ribbon
Baker’s twine, black cord
Black cardstock
⅛” Scor-Tape
Foam tape or waste chipboard for layering
Flower, button and die cuts from my stash
Scoring tool, hot glue gun, ruler, craft knife

I hope you found some fun tips and tricks in this Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

#G45Gentleman Challenge: Master Detective Bendi Card

#G45Gentleman Challenge: The Game is Afoot with Master Detective!

Hello, G45’ers! Today’s post is all about the fun #G45Gentleman Challenge at Graphic 45. As you can probably guess, the challenge is to create a masculine project using Graphic 45 papers. I got inspired by this fun challenge theme…and the new Master Detective Collection and set about making this deliciously diabolical Master Detective Bendi Card.

The Game is Afoot!

Our family has always been a game-playing family. From the time they were little, our 5 kids loved nothing better than spending an afternoon or evening rolling dice, spinning spinners, and moving game pieces around a board. We played countless games of Clue, and hosted more than one Murder Mystery Dinner. So this collection really spoke to memories of happy family times. To this day, whenever we get together, the boxes come out of the closet and as Sherlock Holmes says, “The game is afoot!”

This collection is just pure fun, so I had to create an extra special fun project with it. Bendi cards provide lots of opportunites to add layers of dimension to a card.

TIP:

Back fussy cut images with foam dimensionals or waste chipboard to lift them from the card base. I get lots of packages sent to me in Priority Mail boxes. Instead of throwing them in the recycle bin, I cut them up and use them instead of costly foam dimensionals.

Here’s the “view from the top” so you can get a good look at all the yummy layers in this whimsical card.

Sinister Secrets and Dastardly Deeds: Create a Secret Pocket

You can create a secret pocket in many different ways. For this project, I fussy cut a border from the 12×12 paper collection. Then, I cut a narrow strip of cardboard and glued it along the base of the strip. Next, I added 1/8″ Scor-Tape to the base of the cardboard and glued it to the base of the Master Detective Bendi Card.

Now, what did I put in the pocket?

This little gift card folio! I simply matted the image on a strip 8.5″ long cardstock that was slightly taller than the image. After gluing the image to the right hand side of the strip, I scored a line to the left and folded.

Next I trimmed down a Master Detective ephemera card, and glued it inside. This gives you room to write a personal message and a great spot to tuck in a gift card!

Cobwebbed Cabinets and Skeleton Keys

One of the elements that makes this card so much fun is the staggered layers. I knew I wanted to add some height to one side of the card, so I fussy cut the cobwebbed bookshelf from the 12×12 page. To create even more dimension, you can separate the layers. I actually made three separate tiers, each backed with cardboard to make this curio cabinet pop off the page.

TIP:

If you look closely at the top tier of the cabinet, you’ll see that the base of the top tier is folded to create even more dimension. To do this, I glued two strips of cardboard, one on top of the other, to the center of the base moulding. Then I glued the cardboard to the top of the curio cabinet. Once the glue had set, I came back and folded the sides down and glued them to the paper. It gives the top tier of the cabinet a very realistic look.

Elementary, My Dear Watson: Handmade Rosettes

Circle elements always add a playful feel to a project. To incorporate them here, I made some rosettes.

TIP:

No rosette die? No worries! I made these rosettes with the border strips from the 12×12 collection. Cut the borders to different widths, then score on the 12″ side every 1/4″. Accordion fold along the score lines. Glue the ends together, then clip with a small binder clip until the glue dries. Place a dime sized puddle of hot glue onto a non stick craft mat. Open the rosette and press the center down into the glue puddle, bringing all the center edges together. Hold in place for a few seconds, then top with a chipboard button or game piece from the Master Detective Decorative Chipboard.

Master Detective Tags & Pockets

This pocket provides another fun little hiding spot for tags and treats. Skeleton keys, skeleton hands, a spider webbed monocle and spider charm add even more mystery to the design.

The #G45Gentleman Challenge

So now it’s your turn to get out your scissors and glue and get your craft on. Join the #G45Gentleman Challenge!

Create a masculine project using Graphic 45 product.
Upload your project to the G45 Facebook page using #G45 Gentleman
BONUS! Use the new Master Detective Collection and your entry will count as two entries.
WIN a $150 prize pack. Graphic 45 will randomly select ONE entry as the winning project.
Deadline: June 30th 2017
You can enter multiple times!
Upload your projects HERE.

Thanks for joining me here today! I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album for Frilly Funkie Haunted Halloween Challenge

Challenge Theme: Haunted Halloween It’s time to get your freak on and go all out for Halloween. We want to see your ghouls and ghosts and things that go bump in the night. It’s going to be spooktacular!!!

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: Elementary, My Dear Watson!

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: The Pocket Watch

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: The Spine

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini Album: A Peek Inside

G45 Master Detective Faux Rust Mini: The Video Tour

Haunted Halloween: Now It’s Your Turn!

Cheerio,

kathy

Product Links to The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Share this:

Like this:

Graphic 45 Elementary Master Detective Masculine Birthday Card

Go Long, My Dear Watson

TIP: Layer it Up!

TIP: Change Direction

TIP: Stick to it!

Elementary Masculine Birthday Card: Won’t you come in?

Cheerio,

kathy

Share this:

Like this:

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial with Really Reasonable Ribbon

Tips and Tricks

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial : Finishing Touches

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial: A Peek Inside

Sinister Secrets Master Detective Shaker Card Tutorial: The Gift Card/Treat Wallet

Cheerio,

kathy

Share this:

Like this:

Get a Clue: Graphic 45 Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial

Enter if You Dare

Get a Clue Master Detective Photo Wallet Tutorial on YouTube

SUPPLY LIST

Cheerio,

kathy

Share this:

Like this:

#G45Gentleman Challenge: The Game is Afoot with Master Detective!

The Game is Afoot!

TIP:

Sinister Secrets and Dastardly Deeds: Create a Secret Pocket

Cobwebbed Cabinets and Skeleton Keys

TIP:

Elementary, My Dear Watson: Handmade Rosettes

TIP:

Master Detective Tags & Pockets

The #G45Gentleman Challenge

Cheerio,

kathy

Share this:

Like this:

Challenge Theme: Haunted Halloween
It’s time to get your freak on and go all out for Halloween. We want to see your ghouls and ghosts and things that go bump in the night. It’s going to be spooktacular!!!