Category Archives: Sun Kissed

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Window Shadow Box Home Decor

Hello, Friends! Do you have a happy place? My happy place is the beach. Nothing relaxes and renews better than a stroll in the sand with the waves nipping my toes and the salt air ruffling my hair. That’s the best! Sadly, I can’t be at the beach every day. So, I’ve decorated my home with lots of beach accents to remind me of my happy place at the shore. This Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Window Shadow Box Home Decor piece is one of my new favorites.

I absolutely love the size of this Graphic 45 Staples Window Box. Each recessed window is 4″ square, which gives you lots of room to create pretty scenes inside. The edges are already lightly distressed, so you can literally “glue and go” with this beauty! if you’ve never worked with a G45 Window box before, here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Window Shadow Box Home Decor: Tips and Tricks

TIPS:

It’s quick and easy to cut the signature page to fit the back of the Window Box. Measure your paper to 9.75” square, and it should pop right into the recessed area on the back of the frame.
Cut the pieces to line the interior of the box at the same time. I cut sixteen 1 ⅝” x 3 ⅞” rectangles of the striped paper. Then I inked the edges with G45 Decades Bon Voyage Blue Ink before gluing into the openings.
Cut a thin border strip to cover the cross pieces inside the Window Box.

Give your Window Box a beachy feel by stringing a little banner from corner to corner in one of the windows.

Fill individual frames with fussy cut images, real sea shells, sand, and a little glass vial.

More Tips and Tricks

To add extra dimension to your project, glue fussy cut images to the sides of the frame at staggered depths. Or, create a little pop up mechanism and attach the fussy cut turtles to the back of the window.

Turn a Shabby Chic Door Pull upside down and fill with seaweed (I picked mine up on the beach and dried it) and a miniature sand dollar.

Add depth, color and dimension to the sides of your window box with fussy cut flowers and images.
Back fussy cut items with waste chipboard to lend them strength and stability. The title is popped up on waste chipboard as well.
Create custom “feet” for your window shadow box by wrapping large wooden bingo chips with a border strip from the collection. Adding just that little bit of extra height to the design makes all the difference.

Sun Kissed is back in stock!

This long, dreary winter has certainly dragged on and on, but having this cheery beach decor reminds me that summer will be here soon. Now that Graphic 45 has the Sun Kissed Collection back in stock, I can make lots of cards, albums and home decor to tide me over until I can dig my toes into the sand and put some shells in my pocket!

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas 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 Sun Kissed Window Shadow Box Home Decor Supply List

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed 12×12 Collection
- Sun Kissed
- Floating Floral
- Splish Splash
- Kids at Play
- Turtle Time
- Sail Away
Graphic 45 Staples
- Ivory Window Shadow Box
- Shabby Chic Door Pull

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Beach Walk Flap Folio Tutorial

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Beach Walk Flap Folio Tutorial for Frilly Funkie

Hello, Friends! It’s time for a new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Blog. The incredibly talented and imaginative Suzz is our hostess this go round and the challenge theme is Knock on Wood. Before we dig into the Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Beach Walk Flap Folio Tutorial that I’ve prepared for you today, let’s see what Suzz has to say about this fun challenge.

Challenge Theme: Knock on Wood
For this challenge you need to dig through your crafty stash and look for some type of wood to incorporate into your art. This can be any kind of wooden object like a wood spool, a wood button, a mini ruler or even a branch. Create a vintage or shabby chic project that incorporates some type of wood content.

Beach Walk Flap Folio: First Look

It’s been such a cold, grey, miserable winter and it just seems to drag on and on. So I decided I had to make my own sunshine in the studio. Naturally, I turned to the sun drenched color and beachy images of Graphic 45’s Sun Kissed collection.

This 5″ x 7″ gatefold style card has been given an upgrade to folio status. By adding a few flaps to the basic design, I was able to create a really fun, interactive card folio. I’m telling you, my friends, I am addicted to making these mighty little minis! Each one I build is like it’s own puzzle, and I really have fun figuring it all out.

Beach Walk Flap Folio: Where’s the Wood?

In keeping with Suzz’s fun Knock on Wood theme, I created a wood life preserver to embellish the cover of this beach walk flap folio. This is a wooden curtain ring. I attached a thin rope with washi tape and voila! Instant life preserver. The interior is filled with tiny shells that I’ve picked up on my beach combing adventures on North Carolina’s beautiful coastline.

I’m a sucker for cute embellishments like this carved wooden sea gull. I’m not sure where I picked him up, but I’m so glad I found him in my stash of wooden embellies. There’s also a small glass vial filled with authentic North Carolina beach sand.

Beach Walk Flap Folio: A peek inside.

Gatefold cards are always fun to open. The flaps on either side transform a standard card base into a sort of mini adventure. And then, you get a glimpse of all the features tucked inside! It’s a dramatic moment, for sure.

TIP: Turn a border strip into a mini pocket! Just adhere the sides and bottom edge, leaving the top and body open for these cutie pie tags from the 8×8 collection.

TIP: Don’t forget to add designer paper to the back side of your focal image, as it will be visible when the gate opens wide.

TIP: The small ephemera cards are perfectly sized to use in a waterfall cascade. First, mat each card on complementary cardstock, leaving a 1/2″ overhang on the top edge. Then, score the flap, and you are good to go!

TIP: Next, line the folded edge of each card up with the bottom edge of the preceding card.

Finally, add a border strip to the base page to dress it up. There’s room for a photo here, too!

Beach Walk Flap Folio: Pockets and Such

Create a stylish pocket by folding a flap page back on itself.

Then fill the pocket with more ephemera cards, photos, tags…whatever suits your fancy!

Beach Walk Flap Folio: Flips and Flaps

TIP: Add interest to your flap folio by varying the size of the flaps. This shorter flap stands out from the crowd because it is shorter than the rest of the album. But you can still fit a 4×5 image on it!

TIP: Add a flap on both sides of a page for extra fun! To create these flap pages, do the following:

Cut all paper layers to size, but don’t glue in place!
Cut flaps so that they are a 1/2″ wider (or taller) than you want the page to be. Score that 1/2 overhang and adhere it to the folio base.
Then, once the flap pages are glued in place, you can add the top layer.

TIP: Policy envelopes make great flap pages! I simply added a side hinge to left hand side of this envelope and voila! Instant flap page!

The center panel of the card is also a flap page.

Beach Walk Flap Folio Video Tour and Tutorial

It’s almost hard to believe that you can fit all this into one standard 5″ x 7″ gatefold card base. But seeing is believing! Just watch this short YouTube video to see how all these flips and flaps work together. I’ll also share a very basic gatefold card tutorial in this video. Enjoy!

Now It’ s YOUR turn to Knock on Wood!

You’re invited to participate in this fun Knock on Wood Challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog. Simply create your own vintage or shabby chic project that incorporates wood in the design. Then link your project on the Frilly and Funkie blog before 11:59PM DST on Tuesday, March 28th. You can find all the information on that HERE.

The Frilly and Funkie team will choose four favorite projects from your entries. Our favorite artist will be invited to join us as a Guest Designer at Frilly and Funkie. The next three winners will receive Top 3 badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who links up and follows the ruleswill be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

Did I share some tips and tricks today 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

Product Links to The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Card Folio

Hello, Friends! How about a little trip to the beach? We can walk barefoot in the sand, search for shells and play in the waves all day! Sound good? While I might not be able to take you to a real beach, this Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Card Folio is almost as good as playing in the sun, surf and sand!

It’s impossible to feel gloomy in the presence of such vibrant colors and happy images. This is a 5″ x 7″ top fold card base. I’ve transformed it into a folio by adding a 1/2″ spine and some fun surprises inside.

If you are intimidated at the thought of making a mini album, you might want to think about creating a card folio instead. You can easily complete one in half a day, and for a fraction of the cost. Limited storage? Folios are perfect for that, too, as they take up so much less room. Need a unique gift? Folios are the perfect card/gift combo. So, yeah…I’m pretty much addicted to making them!

Rosettes make me think of beach umbrellas, so I had to make a few for this card using my Tim Holtz rosette dies. Then I used Tim’s Sand and Sea Bigz Die to cut images from patterned paper as well. The great thing about making your own paper embellishments is that they will always be a perfect color match!

To add extra dimension, die cut some chipboard or cardboard to back your seahorse die. This not only strengthens the die cut, but it really makes the image pop off the page.

Take a Peek Inside this Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Card Folio

The inside of a card folio is more fun than visiting the boardwalk at the beach!

This flap page was scored and folded to create a fun little pocket. Fill the pocket with journal tags and an ephemera card. You can also add extra photos here.

Flip the flap over, and what do you find? This fun waterfall gives you loads of room for photos.

Use another ephemera card underneath to write down your favorite vacation memories, names, dates and places.

Add a mini folio to the pocket and you’ve got room for more photos and journaling. The cover for this mini folio is the back side of one of the beautiful ephemera cards from the Sun Kissed collection. The large ephemera card on the top half of the card is the perfect spot to tell your story.

Decorate the inside with another image from the collection, and then fill the pocket with small ephemera cards and photos. You could even make this folio as a family craft activity while on vacation. There’s always a rainy day at the beach, and this would be such a fun way to take advantage of being together.

The great news is that Sun Kissed is now available for purchase! Oh the paper pretties you can make with this glorious collection!

I hope I’ve shared some ideas, 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 Sun Kissed Card Folio Supply List

Sun Kissed 12×12 Paper Collection
- Under the Sea
- Sand Dollars
- Turtle Time
- Sail Away
- Splish Splash
- Kids at Play
- Floating Floral
Sun Kissed Ephemera Cards
Graphic 45 Decades Ink – Bon Voyage

Other Supplies:

Sizzix Cutting Dies
- Rosettes and Mini Rosettes
- Sand and Sea Bigz Die

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag: It’s Sneak Peek Week!

Hello, G45’ers! Is all the snow and cold weather getting you down? How about a little beach therapy? I’m talking sun drenched colors and charming beachy images and all the things we love about the shore. Graphic 45’s new Sun Kissed Collection is all that and more. I spent a happy afternoon creating this Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag to warm up your winter. Grab your sunglasses and join me for a walk by the sea.

This ginormous tag measures 5.5″ across x 10″ tall. That gives you lots of room to play with these vibrant papers and charming images. I made the tag myself, from medium weight chipboard.

How to Make Your Own Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag

First, cut a 12×12 piece of medium weight cardstock into two rectangles measuring 5.5” wide x 10” tall.
Next, find the center point at the top of each tag, which is 2.75” and make a mark with your pencil.
Then, from this mark at the top of your tag, measure out 1.75” on both the right and the left hand sides and make another mark.
Now, from this mark, measure down 1” on each side of the tag.
Use a ruler to draw a diagonal line from the 1.75” mark on the top of the tag to the 1” mark on the side of the tag. This creates a beveled corner on the tag.
Cut along this diagonal line to create a beveled tag edge.
Next, punch a ½” hole about ½” down from the center mark at the top of the tag. This gives you a spot to run your ribbon or trim. If you don’t want to do that, you can skip this step.
Now you have two beautiful chipboard tags.
Finally glue the layers together to make a sturdy tag that will hold up to all the layers and embellishments your heart desires!

Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag: Preparing the Background

Since you are working with raw chipboard, you will want to prepare the background before you add papers.

First, paint a 1” border all the way around the tag. Don’t forget to paint the tag edges for a nice finished look. I used Ranger Mermaid Lagoon Distress Paint.
Then spritz the border with Dylusions White Linen Spray at random intervals to create the sense of white ocean spray against the blue paint.
This color combo is a near perfect match for the Sun Kissed papers, and adds a fun mixed media element to the tag.

Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag: A look at the details

You can create your own tag embellishments using dies and paper from the collection. This way, everything color matches perfectly. To make these festive paper rosettes, I die cut patterned paper with Tim Holtz Rosette and Mini Rosette Dies. They remind me of cheery beach umbrellas.

Banner flags cut with Tim Holtz Ribbon Banner strip die add a festive, nautical feel to the tag. I had this little silver turtle charm in my stash, and added him to a rosette. He fits in perfectly with the fussy cut sea turtles from the paper collection.

Sun Kissed Jumbo Tag: Borders and Ephemera Cards

I’m a huge fan of the beautiful border pieces that G45 always adds to a paper collection. I’ve used them on the top and the bottom of this tag to sort of frame the piece.

The ephemera cards in this collection are gorgeous, front AND back! I’ve matted this large 4″ x 6″ card and used it as the focal on my tag. The Post Card layer is trimmed from the back of another card and tucked it behind the tag focal. Now I can use the other portion on another project some day.

Cut a circle of striped paper to create a secondary focal image on the card. Then dress it up with fussy cut sea turtles and a tag from the cut apart page in the collection.

A Week of Sneak Peeks and Giveaways on the Graphic 45 Blog

It may be too cold and nasty outside for a visit to the beach, but inside, in our craft rooms, we can create a virtual summer. I plan to warm up my winter by making lots more paper pretties with this darling collection.

Sun Kissed should be available for purchase later this month. But, pop on over to the Graphic 45 blog today, and leave a comment because they are doing a whole week of sneak peeks and giveaways! You just might win this lovely collection before you can buy it! Hooray!

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!