Tombow Turns 100, Part 2!!!

Hi Everyone!  I wanted to share Part Two of my "Tombow Turns 100" series.  Tombow generously sent me some of their products to try out in celebration of their 100th birthday.  If you missed Part One, you can check it out here!

So, with this post, I am highlighting the Tombow Stamp Runner (tape) and the colored pencils.

Love the "index" for the colored pencils.

My daughter's school implemented an "Adopt A Teacher/Secret Parent" program this year.  Each teacher at the school had a secret parent for the entire year.  Our job, as the secret parents, was to shower the teacher with a gift each month.  So, for May I decided to give her a summertime gift, and I want to make a card that would tie into that theme.  But, I also wanted this to be a project that could be made by anyone with basic supplies...no special cutting or embossing machines needed.  So here we go!

I found this cute, inexpensive stencil set at Hobby Lobby and decided on using the circles because they reminded me of bubbles.  I chose the Tombow indigo colored pencil for shading.

Love how you can easily shade with these colored pencils, creating depth.

Now, I REALLY wanted to use sandpaper for that sandy beach feel, but when I went and dug up some sandpaper out of the garage, I discovered that the dark branding on the back showed through to the front. Bummer!  So, keep that in mind when you want to use sandpaper.  Find some with nothing printed on the back.  Soooo, plan B.  I cut some kraft colored scrapbook paper that I already had to the size of the card and tore the top part to give it dimension and interest.  Then, I used the Tombow Stamp Runner to add adhesive. I have tried several tape dispensers in my day, and I can honestly say I was impressed with how smooth the Tombow Stamp Runner rolled and applied the tape.  It was comfortable and easy to use too!

I then found some free flip flop clip art on the internet and printed it out.  I colored the flip flops using the Tombow mustard and bamboo colored pencils and then cut them out using my Cutterbee scissors which are great for small, detailed cutting.

I bought some cute purple flower gem embellishments in the scrapbooking section of Hobby Lobby and hot glued those to the flip flops.  As they say in the South, flip flops are our glass slippers (and personally the blingier the better)!  I chose an orange and purple color scheme for the flip flops because the teacher is a Clemson grad.

I also purchased some sea shells and starfish at Hobby Lobby.  After using the Tombow Stamp Runner to adhere the flip flops to the card, I then hot glued the shells.  I finished the card off with a  cute stamp by Pink By Design from her "Our Teachers" set using Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip ink.

And here's the card with the gift.

I hope you enjoyed this two-part feature for Tombow.  I wanted to wish Tombow a happy 100th birthday and many, many more years of success in the crafting industry.  And THANK YOU for the products and the donation to the Council for Arts Education in my name.  It's an honor!

It's also fitting that this blog post is for a teacher.  The teachers that protected the children in the Moore, OK schools during the tornado are heroes.  Please continue to remember Moore and Shawnee, OK as well as all the other tornado victims around the country in your thoughts and prayers, and thank your teachers for everything they do!

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

Pray for Oklahoma

Hello all.  I live about 45 minutes north of Moore, OK (for three more weeks).  The meteorologists told us that Monday would be a high risk for tornadoes.  They are incredibly good at predicting bad storms...ultimately saving thousands of lives.  My children's school district called before noon to tell parents we could come get our kids.  I did go get my girls.  Then a little after 2 pm, I watched in horror as the Moore tornado formed before my very eyes on TV.  I grew up in north Texas. Tornadoes are not at all unfamiliar to me, but this was...horrible.  Here are some pics I took of my TV from Channel 4 coverage to send to my husband as I was talking, and honestly crying, on the phone to him.  I knew it was really bad.

This grew in a matter of minutes and is being reported as one of the top two worst tornadoes ever.  

We have friends that live in Moore.  My husband and I were texting them trying to find out about their safety. Thankfully they are all ok.  But, when I heard that it hit schools...my heart just absolutely broke.  I think every parent understands.  When you hear reporters choking back tears, you know it's really bad.

But to quote Sheperd Smith from Fox News, Oklahoma is "heartland strong".  This is an amazing state with amazing people.  We will help each other get through this.  

So I just simply ask that you please pray for Moore, Oklahoma and the rest of the state as many got hit by tornadoes on Sunday.  Pray for more survivors to be found today.  Pray for the families that lost loved ones.

Tombow Turns 100, Part 1!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!

I was recently contacted by a company representing the well-known crafting company Tombow to see if I would be interested in showcasing some of their products and help them celebrate their 100 years in business!  What an honor!  Naturally, I said yes!  So, check out the swag they generously sent me to use:

Included in the kit:  dual brush pens, a tape runner, and colored pencils.

I wanted to make sure and use all the products, so I created two separate projects.  Check back tomorrow for Part 2.  For the first project, I decided to start with the Dual Brush Pens.  One end is a fine tip marker and the other is a brush tip marker.  They are acid free, water-based and blendable.

Other supplies needed:

8x10 thin artist canvas (purchased at Hobby Lobby)

Rub-Ons (Hobby Lobby)

picture frame (Hobby Lobby)

First, trace your family members' handprints, starting from the largest to the smallest, one inside the other.  I used the the fine tipped end of the light blue pen.

I was overdue for my nail appointment, obviously.

As you can see here, if you make my mistake of using the same color pen for each family member's hand, it can get very confusing.  Do yourself a favor and alternate colors with each family member.

I then went over the line with the brush tip to make the outline a little darker.

Here is where I decided to take out the gray pen and go over every other hand print to help define each person's hand.

I love the painted look the brush tip gives the lines. 

Now, time to pick a rub-on.

I chose the word "togetherness" and used the accompanying craft stick to rub on the word.  I did actually measure the sides of the canvas to make sure I had the word centered...because I am OCD like that!

Ta-Da!

And, because I like to date things, I wrote a tiny "2013" underneath the rub-on using a black fine tipped pen.

I bought this pretty turquoise frame at Hobby Lobby.  Always use your mobile coupon!  AND, if you don't keep pliers in your craft room, you should!  Those were some seriously stuck staples used for the frame wrapping, but they were no match for the pliers.

And here's the finished project!  My husband LOVED this.  And, wow, what a simple yet meaningful gift idea.  It took me less than an hour, and it gets the whole family involved.  So, I consider that a Win-Win!!

Remember to stop by tomorrow for "Tombow Turns 100, Part 2".  I would like to personally thank Tombow for the generous gift of products.  I thoroughly enjoyed using them.  And, I would also like to thank Tombow for donating to the Council for Arts Education in my honor.  Art is my passion, and I love helping others discover it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!