Waltzingmouse Monday Morning Make - Chalkboard

Did you see the "Monday Morning Make" Technique Challenge Claire posted over at Waltzingmouse?  It's a really fun one -  a trendy chalkboard look.  The last Waltzingmouse Blog Party there were a few cards that were made using this technique and it really caught my eye too!  I'm so glad for an excuse to give it a try.  I almost feel like I took a class reading Claire's blog.   It details step by step instructions - all you need is a little practice and patience.  The hardest part was deciding on what stamps to use.


Like most crafters I used what I had on hand.  I was miffed with stamping embossing ink on black paper because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see it.   The neat freak I can sometimes be wanted to line everything up perfectly (I used 5 stamps on this one).  My solution? White ink.    The only white ink I had on hand was chalk ink and the embossing powder  didn't stick so good to it.  Switch to Plan B - I went for the embossing pad and ran across an old one I bought that was tinted!  That helped loads!  I won't tell you how many sheets of black paper I went through before I was happy with it - but good news - in the end I was happy with it. Oh and another thing I learned - chalk ink is good for the over strike because you can erase it if you don't like it.

Chalkboards always remind me of school and kids - so I made this little colorful candy bag. I'm sure you can find directions on line somewhere but I just winged it. On a 12 x 12 sheet of heavy card stock I scored lines at 1/2", 5", 6", and 10 1/2 and 11" and then turned my paper sideways and scored 1" along the bottom. Cut on the scored lines to the 1" bottom line and fold the edges up for the bottom. I trimmed the top of the bag with deckle edge scissors. 

I like to use wired ribbon for bigger bows - they are easy to shape and always stay poofy.  I hot glued a big button with a gem in the center of the bow.  I think it looks like a big piece of candy! I  am addicted to bitty tags so of course I added on on the corner of the bag!

I hope you will give this fun technique a try and link up your project at the Waltzingmouse Makes blog.  You have until next Monday to link up!  

Jeanne

Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.5" x 1" x 6.25"
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Holiday Labels 14, Candy Wagon
Pattern Paper: October Afternoon, Cakewalk Collection "Paper Straws"
Card stock: Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst, True Black
Border Punch: Martha Stewart Double Scallop
Dies: Spellbinder Labels, Grand Labels
Extras: Button, Gem, Eyelet
Turquoise 1.5" Wired Ribbon Kirkland Costco
Ink: Embossing, Versamagic Cloud White
Twinery Strawberry Twine
Zing! Embossing Powder White