Tracy's Creative Adventures

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #113 - Polka Dots and/or Stripes

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with

Challenge #113 - Polka Dots or Stripes

The sponsors for this challenge are:

My Besties
Etsy / Store

Prize: The following 3 images

Lemon Shortbread

Prize: 3 Digital Images

~~~*~~~*~~

Today I have used the Cell Phone Cindy digital stamp from My Besties ( Etsy / Store ), one of our generous sponsors this week.

My card has lots of dots, from Cindy's dress & shoes to the accent panel & black pearls. It has lots of stripes too, hidden in the patterned paper of the background, a combination of white & yellow stripes and groovy striped arrows.

I printed Cindy on X-Press It Blending card and coloured the image with Copic markers.

I trimmed the panel down, matted it with black cardstock and assembled my card with matted patterned paper and a matted sentiment. Each of the panels have a 1/16" black mat.

My card is 6 5/8" square.
Yes, I know it's an odd size but I really liked the patterned paper and decided to use it all. It is from the Kaisercraft 6 1/2" Shine Bright paper pad.

The odd size meant that I had to join two pieces of cardstock to make the base. I scored the back panel to make the top fold then adhered it to the front panel using strong book binding glue.

*** INGREDIENTS ***
My Besties Etsy / Store - digital stamp - Cell Phone Cindy
X-Press It - A5 blending card
Copic markers - skin - E0000 E000 E00
Copic markers - cheeks - E01 E02
Copic markers - lips - R83
Copic markers - hair - E30 E31 E34 E35 E37
Copic markers - clothes - B0000 B21 B23 B26 B28 Y26
Copic markers - cell phone - C00 C0 C1 R28
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Shine Bright
American Crafts - textured cardstock
Miss Daisy Stamps - digital stamp - Friends In You Heart Sentiment
Kaisercraft - pearls - black
Martha Stewart Scoreboard
Helmar 450 Quick Dry - to adhere the layers
Helmar Acid Free Professional - to adhere the top fold

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to My Besties ( Etsy / Store ) for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #113 with us at the Crafty Gals Corner.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

Color It! Create It! Show It Off! - Anything Goes, celebrating their 1st Birthday
Colour Crazy Challenge - Week 9 - Anything Goes
Hiding In My Craft Room - HIMCR #291 - Spring Colors
Inkspirational Challenges - Challenge #129 - Word Prompt "connect"

My Besties Art Spain - Challenge #10 - Anything Goes
Carnival + Packets of Chocolates or Candies
My Besties Aussie's Challenge Blog - Anything Goes + option "Easter"

My Besties Brazil - Challenge #20 - Carnival with Shine, Glitter & Bright + My Besties
My card is filled with bright yellow & blue, with shining pearls.
My Besties Dutch Girls - Anything Goes + option "Animals"
My Besties France - Challenge #61 - Anything Goes
My Besties International Challenge Blog - Anything Goes + option "Color of Green"
QKR Stampede - Challenge #233 - Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #111 - Anything Goes
Scrapper's Delights Challenge Blog - Blog Challenge #64 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: For a Special Lady/Girl
The Paper Shelter - Challenge #284 - Circles / Dots and/or Stripes
Time Out Challenges - Love and/or Friendship + optional twist of spotlight stamping

Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #112 - Use Ribbon

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with
Challenge #112 - Use Ribbon

The sponsors for this challenge are:

Scrap N Dipity

Prize: 3 Digital Images

Lacy Sunshine

Prize: 3 Digital Images

AMB Illustrations

Prize: TBA

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used an image from the super cute Christmas Bird Stamps, digital stamp set from AMB illustrations, one of our generous sponsors this week.

I placed the digital image on my Silhouette Cameo mat, traced it then added an offset to make a cut file that would give a border around the image. I made a little rectangle and welded it to the offset to make a fun shaped tag. I placed the image inside the tag and added some pretty AMB illustrations digital patterned paper, printed the sheets then cut them out for colouring. I cut a bundle of blank tag shapes to adhere to the coloured panels, so that the bleed from the colouring was well hidden.

I adhered the back panels using Helmar 450 Quick Dry Liquid Adhesive.

I die cut the sentiments and adhered them using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue.

It was fun rummaging through my ribbon stash getting different colours for each one.
Shock, horror, I even had to bring out the iron to smooth out the folds!

My tags are 6 1/2" wide and 3 1/2" tall.

PS - I have to confess that things did not go as smoothly as I made it sound. I originally printed the images on X-Press It Blending card and even with trying all the tricks I have learnt, I just could not get the Cameo to recognise the registration marks. My compromise was to print them on heavy cardstock, knowing that my Copics would not blend as well and that I needed to be extra careful to not saturate and have the colours bleed. I was surprised and quite pleased with how well this cardstock performed but a word of warning, it is very "thirsty".

*** INGREDIENTS ***
AMB illustrations - digital stamp - Christmas Bird Stamps
AMB illustrations - digital paper - Pink Whales Digital Papers
X-Press It - A4 blending card
Quill 200gsm A4 cardstock
Copic markers - feathers - Y11 Y13 Y15
Copic markers - beak - Y15 Y17
Copic markers - legs - YR21 Y17 YR23
Copic marker - eyes - B23
Copic markers - hats / ornaments
pink - R81 R83 R85
blue - B91 B93 B95
green - YG01 YG03 YG25 YG67
orange - YR61 YR65 YR68
Sizzix Big Shot
Paper Smooches - Christmas Words Dies
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Liquid Adhesive - to adhere tag layers
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue - to adhere the sentiments
assorted grosgrain ribbons

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to AMB illustrations for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #112 with us at the Crafty Gals Corner.

I do hope you get creative with your ribbons and join us.

PS - don't forget the 30 Day Coloring Challenge is happening now too.

I have linked my tags for day one.

Want to learn more? Read all about it HERE.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

As You Like It Challenge - What do you make other than cards (& why)
I like to make tags as they personalise gift giving and they're fun to make
CCC Digi Creations - Challenge #68 - Ribbon and/or Lace
Hiding In My Craft Room - HIMCR #290 - Any Holiday
Paper Smooches - March 2017 Challenge - Pantone 2017 Color

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Tag You're It
Time Out Challenges - Challenge #77 - Home Sweet Home Inspiration Image
I was inspired by the cheery colours of this image

It's time for the 7th 30 Day Coloring Challenge

with Kathy from The Daily Marker

#thedailymarker30day

You can read all about it HERE.

To link a project click HERE or on the logo above.

I know Kathy and her supporters will be sharing inspiration every day!

This time I plan to colour a little something every day,

I've even made space below to link my projects.

I hope you will take up the challenge too,

I promise you will have fun along the way.

~~~*~~~*~~~

1st March

Friday, 24 February 2017

Nature ... Southern Girls style!

It's time for another challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

This fortnight Team Lou have created projects to inspire you for the new challenge

Challenge #154 - Nature Inspired with Team Lou

Our awesome sponsors for this challenge are....

Polkadoodles

Krafters Cart

~~~*~~~*~~~

First up, I have to say Thank You and apologise to Polkadoodles.
My RA has not been very co-operative on the crafting front, so I was not able to colour the super cute Buzzy Bee Honey - Winnie Fruit Punch digital stamp that they provided me to use for this challenge. I look forward to colouring and creating with the image real soon.

Thanks to the amazing pre-coloured images available through Polkadoodles, I was still able to make a card to share and hopefully inspire you. The gorgeous images from the Darling Buds collection are a delightful mix of cuteness and flowers, perfect for the nature theme for our latest challenge.

It is with great pleasure I introduce you to "Primrose".

I designed the cards on my Silhouette Cameo mat.
I started with the Laced Frame 45d on my mat, using the outline to make two card bases for a top folding card and set up the bases and lacy top layer on one 12x12 sheet, cutting one set from Moss cardstock and one set from the lighter Splice cardstock. This enabled me to make two cards at once.
I took the Darling Buds "Primrose" image, sized her to fit inside the window, duplicated and set up two on an A4 page. I printed the images on heavy white cardstock then cut them using the Cameo.
I made a rounded rectangle for the sentiment panel inside the cards and used the sentiments from the Darling Buds Big Bundle ... there are so many lovely ones to choose from.
I added a dollop of Diamond Stickles to each pink polkadot of the backgrounds and added sparkle to her dress using Clear Wink Of Stella.

Once the image panels were dry, I adhered them to the frame, then adhered the lace frame layers to the "top" panel of each card.
I adhered the sentiment panels to the "back" panels, scored the top section of the "back" panels to make the "fold", adhered them to the front panels and two cards were made
The cards stand 6 1/4" tall.

*** INGREDIENTS ***

Polkadoodles - digital stamp - Darling Buds "Primrose"
Polkadoodles - digital stamps - Darling Buds Big Bundle
(sentiments inside the cards)
Polkadoodles - polkadot paper - FREE Tatty Twinkle Easter Digital Craft Download
smooth white cardstock

Kaisercraft - weave cardstock - Splice
Kaisercraft - weave cardstock - Moss

Silhouette Cameo electronic cutting machine
Monica's Creative Room - FREE cut file - Laced Frame 45d
Diamond Stickles - added to the polkadot background
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush - added to the dress
Martha Stewart Scoreboad
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue - to adhere the top "fold"

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue - to adhere the image panel to the leafy frame

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Polkadoodles and Krafter's Cart for sponsoring
Challenge #154 - Nature Inspired with Team Lou
with us at the Southern Girls.

I hope I have inspired you to create something nature-themed and look forward to seeing your project shared in the challenge gallery.

Remember we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

A Gem Of A Challenge - Challenge #188 - Your Favourite Colour Combo

My favourite combo is green & pink, love green & orange too

~~~*~~~*~~~

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge Blog - Spring Challenge

Spring means flowers, lots of flowers

~~~*~~~*~~~

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog - Challenge #125 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #466 - Florals

~~~*~~~*~~~
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Week 8 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Incy Wincy Designs - Leather and / or Lace

The lacy frame around my image is a cut file named "Laced Frames"

~~~*~~~*~~~

Lemon Shortbread Challenge - Challenge #35 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - Challenge #157 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Morgan's Artworld - Challenge #4 - For The Ladies

~~~*~~~*~~~

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Challenge #317 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

QKR Stampede - Challenge #232 - Anything Goes or Birthday Cards

My card is a birthday card

~~~*~~~*~~~

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Simon Says Stamp Blog - Work It Wednesday February 2017

The challenge is to make something with the word or color green in it

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The Paper Nest Dolls Challenges - Challenge #2 2017 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Through The Craft Room Door - New Challenge for the Week of February 21, 2017

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Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Crafty Gals Corner - Challenge #111 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with

Challenge #111 - Anything Goes

The sponsors for this challenge are:

Digital Delights

Prize: $5 Gift Certificate

Graciellie Designs

Prize: $13 Gift Certificate

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Bouquet Of Blessings digital stamp from Graciellie Design, one of our generous sponsors this week.

My top folding sympathy cards are 5" x 7".

I like how the buds align with the sentiment on the card you see on the right but I like the extra white space around the sentiment on the left one just that little bit more.

How about you, which one do you prefer?

I confess that these cards are not what I had planned for this week.
... I had started my project using vellum and foiling, with plans for Copic markers
but my RA had other ideas and wouldn't co-operate with my creative plans this week.
I'm ever-so-grateful for the wonders of digital stamping!

Can you see the Rose Gold foil on the vellum image?
Click on the image to see the enlarged version and see the subtle shimmer & shine.
I printed a toner sheet and "cooked" the "negative" piece of foil,
I think it will make a pretty background.
Can't wait to get creative with both shimmering panels real soon.
Looking forward to adding a touch of colour with my Copic markers too.

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Graciellie Design - digital stamp - Bouquet Of Blessings
Graciellie Design - digital stamp freebie - WITH Sympathy
X-Press It - A4 blending card
Martha Stewart Scoreboard - to score back panel to make top fold
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive - to adhere image panel
Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue - to adhere top & base to make top fold

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Graciellie Design for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #111 with us at the Crafty Gals Corner.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

~~~*~~~*~~~
Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #466 Florals
~~~*~~~*~~~

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Challenge #317 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says Anything Goes
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Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Crafty Gals Corner - Challenge #110 - Favorite Things

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with
Challenge #110 - Favorite Things

PS - you will see me use different spelling for favourite and it is intentional. The challenge is based in the US, so it is "favorite" for the challenge title and I am an Aussie, so it's "favourite" for my blog post :)

The sponsors for this challenge are:

Miss Daisy Stamps

prize: 4 Digital Images (1 from each artist)

Jennifer Nilsson Art ♥︎ Mari Digis ♥︎ Miss Daisy’s Collection ♥︎ We Are 3

Rick St Dennis

prize: 2 Digital Images

Oddball Stamps

prize: 3 Digital Images

~~~*~~~*~~~

My favourite things make for a long list including:
manual die cutting - Big Shot & dies
electronic file cutting - Silhouette Cameo
sparkle - glitter & Stickles
shine - embossing powder & Glossy Accents
colouring - Copic markers
fancy folds
dimension
interaction - Action Wobbler
Word of warning, I have used lots of favourite things, so there are lots of photos too!

Today I have used the Christmas Turtle digital stamp from Rick St Dennis, one of our generous sponsors this week and combined it with my favourite things.

I coloured my turtle using Copic markers (details below) then fussy cut him out and went around the edges with a Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip Marker.

To add the shine to the turtle's shell, toe nails and the ornaments on the tree, I went over them with a Versamarker Pen and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder. I gave everything two coats for a solid and smooth shiny finish.

I added sparkle to the trim on his hat by adding Stardust Stickles then smothering it with "snow" glitter. Some Clear Wink Of Stella added a pretty sparkle to the star on the top of the tree too.

To add gloss and dimension to his eye, I added a big dollop of Glossy Accents, using a piercing tool to drag it into the fine points.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the card base (file details listed below) and Distress Ink to ink up the edges of the patterned paper before adhering all the layers in place.

I cut bundles (and bundles) of holly berry sprigs using my Big Shot and adhered them in place to make dimensional accents across the bottom of the feature panel, along with some sprigs to decorate the side panels. I used a Copic marker (R27) to darken some bling to finish off the holly berry sprigs.

Open flat view

Almost closed flat, perfect for mailing.

Side views, so you can see the fancy folds.

Check out the cool wobbler action

This card is cool to look at from all angles.
The fancy folds give dimension when opened and it is stable standing up,
even while the turtle dances

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Rick St Dennis - digital stamp - Christmas Turtle
X-Press It - A4 blending card
Copic markers - shell - YR21 YR24 E08 E09 E47 E49
Copic markers - body - E41 E42 E43 E44
Copic markers - mouth - E93
Copic markers - eye - YG17 YG67
Copic markers - tree - YG03 YG25 YG17 YG67
Copic markers - star - Y15 Y17
Copic markers - wood - E55 E57 E59
Copic markers - hat, baubles, ribbon & bow - R22 R24 R27 R29
Copic markers - hat trim - N0 and "0"
Fiskars Micro Tip Scissors
Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip Marker
Stickles - Stardust
Wink Of Stella Brush - Clear
American Crafts - WOW! glitter - snow
Glossy Accents
Versamarker Dual Tip Pen
WOW! Embossing Powder - Clear Gloss Super Fine

American Crafts Heat Tool
Action Wobbler

Sizzix Big Shot

Couture Creations - Be Merry Collection - Holly Berry Sprigs Set die
Queen & Co - Red Twinkle Goosebumps

Silhouette Cameo

Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #63383 (enlarged)

A2 POP OUT CARD: CIRCLE byLori Whitlock

Kaisercraft 12x12 patterned paper - Mistletoe Collection - Paper Wreath
Distress Ink - mini - Barn Door
Mini Distress Ink Blending Tool

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Rick St Dennis for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #110 with us at the Crafty Gals Corner.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

ABC Christmas Challenge
Christmas Theme + C forCreature/s and D for Dimension
My creature is a turtle and I have dimension in my
fancy folds, holly berry sprigs and action wobbler