Saturday, October 1, 2011

BOING, BOING, BLOG HOP! Howdy Fiskateers!

Happy hopping to everyone who is here for the
Fiskateer Orange Blog Hop!  

If you hopped over from doverdi  at  http://www.craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/ ,
you are in the right place! This is the 10th stop on the Orange Blog Hop where members of Fiskateers, a community sponsored by Fiskars, is sharing their passion for crafting.  If you need to start from the beginning, go over to Fiskateers and hop on.

Yes, visiting all of the blogs on the Fiskateer blog hop is going to take some time.
No, you shouldn't watch the clock.
Yes, you will be so inspired you might fall off your chair.
No, it won't hurt.
Yes, we all are sharing Fiskateer love!
YES, I'm giving away some goodies if you leave a comment.
YES, I have more exciting news at the end of this post!

Autumn is my FAVORITE time of year. I love the smells, the colors, the cool temps, the crunch of the leaves.  I decided to bring some autumn into the house by creating my own tree! 

I punched out some leaves from yellow cardstock using my Fiskars Oakey Dokey squeeze punch.  In case you are not a regular follower of my blog (and why aren't you?), you may not know that I NAMED THIS PUNCH!!!  Isn't that cool?  Just one of the many reasons I love Fiskars!
 
To re-create the rainbow of fall colors on my leaves, I wiped inks on my splat mat and misted them with water.  Then I dragged the leaves through the colors to get that real-leaf effect.  While they were wet with ink, I squished and folded them and let them dry overnight.

When they dried, I punched tiny holes in the leaves using my Fiskars 1/16" hole punch.  I made the tree by cutting 25-30 pieces of different lengths (approximately 5-7 inches) of wire and twisting them together at the bottom.  I then wrapped the "trunk" with twine.  I stabilized the leaves onto the wire with Zots glue dots and curled the ends of some of the wires using a round nose pliers. 

I sanded and distress stained a 5x7 wood frame that I got from The Dollar Store.  I popped out the glass, and I placed my tree on some patterned paper (from Kaiser Craft) that I "swiss-dot" embossed with my Big Shot and a Cuttlebug folder, and then distress inked.  I added a Tim Holtz "autumn" sticker and I AM DONE!

This is the fastest and easiest way to grow your own tree!  Ok, you still need water, but no seeds!  And, you won't ever need to rake these leaves!

Now for EXCITEMENT!
Leave a comment and you will be entered for a chance to win some crafty goodies!  Make sure you check back on Monday to see if you are a winner!

Now for MORE EXCITEMENT!
Not only is today the Orange Fiskateer Blog Hop, it is my debut as a writer for Scrapstreet and GingerScrapsStreet magazine...  the  October issues of Scrapstreet and GingerScrapsStreet magazine come out TODAY!  If you have not gone to Scrapstreet yet, what are you waiting for?  It is free...did you hear me?  IT IS FREE.  After you are done hopping this weekend,  you will probably be tired.  By Monday, you might want to go take a relaxing walk on Scrapstreet.  
Become a Scrapstreet subscriber...make me smile!
I have a submission call out for some "Graffiti" for the January Scrapstreet issue...see if you can create what I am looking for!


Now for even MORE excitement...I don't know, can you handle anymore?  Keep hopping...your next stop is Connie's Crafty Goodies at http://www.craftygoodies.com/.  Sit back, relax, put springs on your your shoes, and keep HOPPING!

51 comments:

  1. I love your tree project. I'd like to try this one to bring some Autumn into the house. Thanks

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  2. What a great tree project! Love it!

    Sandyh 4165

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  3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. Seriously, I love it. I will be making those leaves in the very near future. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Congrats on Scrapstreet! I subscribe and read it yesterday and saw the announcement. So happy for you!

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  4. This bouquet or tree of leaves is just smashing!

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  5. Your project is so cool! Thanks for the how to on the leaves--they do look real.
    Congrats on Scrapstreet!

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  6. Very Cool project! Congrats on Scrapstreet! I will surely check it out!

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  7. really? how awesome is this project! and grats on scrapstreet!!!!!

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  8. I love this tree living in Arizona where I do we do not get to see fall leaves changing. With this project I could get my own tree to see. TFS
    I am a new follower.

    mjblahnik56@hotmail.com

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  9. THis is just Fab.& inspiring thanks for sharing & the chance to win & Congrats on scrapstreet

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  10. Beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  11. I love the leaves-they almost look real! What a great technique. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. You always have a great way to inspire all of us fiskateers. This project is amazing. Congrats on ScrapStreet. You'll be a full range of inspiration.

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  13. I am so in love with your autumn tree.. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Congratulations on your new writing adventure

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  14. Ooh, pretty project! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  15. What a great idea!! I love fall, too. My favorite season. I might have to make one of my own... sharon dot gullikson at gmail dot com

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  16. I'm having so much fun with this blog hop .. Love this tree, what a cool idea .. congrats on your new adventure!!!

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  17. Kelly - Awesome project - love it!! Thanks for inspiring us!

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  18. I just became a follower of your blog - yes I know that wasn't a requirement, but I fell in LOVE with your blog and don't want to miss anything you post! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your leaf picture you made! You are one talented woman. Congrats on your new adventure. I will check that on line magazine out some time soon!
    Kelly
    #6558

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  19. This is amazing and so very creative. I LOVE it!!

    Mary #6811

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  20. Oh, I love this so much!! FAll is my favorite season! I will have to give this a try, I have just the place for it to hang! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  21. Wow! That is absolutely gorgeous, Kelly! You did a beautiful job on making the leave look so nice!

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  22. Totally love this project! And congrats on your Scrapstreet news!

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  23. Beautiful project!

    http://victoria0611.blogspot.com/

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  24. Kelly, this is a fantabulous project! It is going straight to my pinterest!

    Congratulations on your Scrapstreet news! Well done!

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  25. Love your tree! Great projects!

    Barbara #7744

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  26. Terrific idea - I love the 3-d tree and you really made the leaves look fantastic with the different colors! Congrats on being a writer for Scrapstreet.

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  27. I really really love this! Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely be back for more.
    http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/

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  28. Congratulations writing for Scrapstreet! Great idea for the tree! I really like that you don't have to rake any leaves from it!

    Dot

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  29. very creative project!!! love how you coloured those leaves!! and congrats on the magazine!!!!!! wow!!! hope you have a blast! :)
    hugs, divinity 6688

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  30. Love your project AND that you named the punch AND Fall is your fave, it's mine too! Congrats on Your new scrappy role!
    Michelle #7586
    ScrapbookingSOS.blogspot.com

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  31. Beautiful project! I love those leaves. It's slowly starting to feel like fall here, especially today. Being the beginning of October I should hope so. Thanks for sharing, a great stop on this hop. Thanks also for a chance to win. Congrats on everything!

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  32. What a fabulous project idea Kelly....love it!

    I have just been hopping non stop around your Blog....love all your projects....need to get my hopping shoes on again and get off here onto the next Blog.....LOL!

    xoxo
    Lyn

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  33. Totally amazed at your leaves! This is the type of project I often try but it never come out that beautiful! I am going to have to try to make those leaves.....so excited. And congrats on the writing debut!

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  34. I love when papercraft becomes art. Such a pretty piece!

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  35. Congrats on Scrapstreet! Your autumn tree project is awesome. The leaves look so realistic. Great way to bring the fall into the house. TFS! See you on the hop.

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  36. This is really cool, love that you made the leaves too.

    Smiles Sher
    ShersL84bed@aol.com

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  37. How beautiful!! thanks also for a chance to win!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  38. Great project. TFS congrats on your news.
    Debbie
    http://craftywizard.blogspot.com
    debbie_craine at hot mail dot com

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  39. Love this! Love the 3d aspect of the art! Wonderful!

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  40. The tree pic is lovely! Great inspiration for fall projects.Thanks for the stop on the hop.:)
    Elaine-Fiskateers#7777

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  41. This is so cool. I thought you had taken actually taken branches and framed them. I am in awe that they are paper, I have never played with any sprays yet but this is soooo pretty! Love the Autumn in the corner too
    TFS
    Theresa
    tmdettloff@gmail.com

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  42. Wow!! What a fabulous project. Thanks for sharing how you created it!! I'm a new follower. Thank for offering the RAK!! ~ Blessings, Tracey #7938

    http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

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  43. I love your frame! Such a cute idea!!

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  44. Wow! What a fabulous project!! I love it! I'm your newest follower and I will definitely check out ScrapStreet!

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  45. Lovely project and congrats on being a writer!!

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  46. lovely project.
    I am a new follower and will check out new posts from you.
    Glad to have hop.

    Luanne
    myfootahead@gmail.com
    http://www.craftersreference.blogspot.com/

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  47. LOVE your project!
    {And congrats on ScrapStreet!}

    -Tifany
    http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/

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