Fancy Folds and Mermaid Kisses

It's time for a new challenge with us on the

A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge Blog

Challenge 122

As always, the challenge is Anything Goes.
Three to five random winners are drawn and
each get to choose 3 set of papers from the Paper Pick Tab

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Today I have used the Droplets (Droplets 7) and the Fun (Fun 19) digital paper sets by Lozzy at A Bit More Time To Craft to make a pair of cheery birthday cards filled with fancy folds and mermaid kisses.




I opened the cut files for the cards (details below, I combined two) along with the Droplets (Droplets 7) and the Fun (Fun 19) digital papers in Silhouette Studio.  I sized the papers to fit the patterned paper layers of the cards, printed then cut with my Cameo.  I cut all elements for the mermaid and tropical island from smooth white cardstock and coloured them with Copic markers.  I created the sentiment panel (by editing the cut file linked below) and a used a digital font to make the mermaid sentiment, printed then cut with my Cameo.  I used assorted dies and punches to add detail to the layers of the scene, colouring each one with Copic markers.  I used liquid adhesive to to secure all the layers in place.  The fish leaping out of the waves was adhered to a strip of acetate with super strong glue dots.  I think these digital papers make the perfect sky and ocean elements for the scene on these cards.

I love these fancy folds and cute scene, so there are lots of photos to share ...

 

I hope the birthday girls like these as much as I do :)

~~~*~~~*~~~

NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for
Challenge 122
on the
A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge Blog

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
A Bit More Time To Craft - digital paper - Droplets (Droplets 7)
It's the 13th digital paper set in in the Paper Picks and had 10 lovely colours

A Bit More Time To Craft - digital paper - Fun (Fun 19)
It's the 10th from last digital paper set in the Paper Picks and has 56 designs
Copic markers - assorted combinations:
black - "100" + 0.3 Muli liner
blue - B02-04
brown - E31-33-35-37-39
green - YG03-25-67
orange - YR04-07-68
pink - RV00-02
purple - BV0000-01
red - R22-24-27
skintone - E0000-000
yellow - Y15-19

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #294358
Pop Up Box Card Mermaid by Lori Whitlock - used for main card elements
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #146387
Pop Up Box Card Mermaid by Lori Whitlock - used to make sentiment panel
font to create sentiment - Curlz MT - not sure where from
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft - decorative dies - School of Fish
Fiskars punches - small crab + tiny fish
Stardust Stickles - sparkle on mermaid tail
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the embellishments
Glue Dots - Strong Permanent - to adhere the acetate

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Lozzy from A Bit More Time To Craft
for supplying the digital paper I have used today.

    

~~~*~~~*~~~

2020 has been filled with lots of surprising challenges and sadly I have to announce that this is my last project with the talented team on the A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge Blog.  It has been a wonderful experience being part of this Design Team, I have appreciated the opportunity to create with you all and wish you all every happiness for the future.  Thank You for all the fun and creative adventures.

UN-masked

. . . Tracy's secrets for fabric mask making

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that we've been wearing masks when visiting the doctor and doing essential shopping for many months now.  We can only leave the house for one of four lawful reasons and masks are now mandatory when we leave the house.  The Stage 4 Lockdown introduced even stricter restrictions.  We're not permitted to go further than 5km from our home and we have an 8pm to 5am curfew.  Police and armed forces have checkpoints to ensure movement is limited between suburbs, between the Stage 4 to Stage 3 Lockdown zones and within the curfew hours.

The mandatory mask requirement has been expanded to include regional areas now, so we have even more family needing to mask up.  You might be needing to make masks too, so I thought I would share some tips I have learnt along the way.
I hope they help.

Here is one of my first masks, custom fitted for my husband.

Needless to say, I did a lot of homework before starting my mask adventures.
The design I decided on can be found HERE - scroll down to the 5th link, the personal fitted mask template.  It is a FREE design that has been generously shared with the world, along with video tutorials and handy tips.  The design comes in twenty-four, yes, that's right, 24, different sizes, so you are sure to find the perfect fit, or, if like I found, there are instructions on how to make adjustments to the pattern for a perfect fit for any dimensions that are not included.

I washed and ironed the 100% cotton fabric and washed the
non-woven polyester interfacing that would become the mask filters.
I printed and cut out the pattern.
Each mask has three layers and requires six pattern pieces,
two outer fabric, two filter and two inner panels.

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The first challenge was pins.
Pins should be avoided when making masks, as the holes they cause could damage the integrity of the filter layers and undermine any protection intended.  I'm not a quilter, so I don't have any of those nifty holding clips, so I raided my crafty stash and used repositionable glue dots to the back of the pattern.  They worked perfectly, holding the fabric securely while I cut each panel.



I started using my favourite fabric scissors but they need sharpening, so I pulled out my precious Fiskateer scissors from Fiskars.  Apart from cutting perfectly, they brought back bundles of wonderful memories too.  Can you see my number engraved on the blade? 

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The next challenge was fogging glasses.
We wear glasses and all the purchased masks we tried caused them to fog up with each breath.  The answer was another item from my crafty stash.  Not long before the pandemic I purchased a We R Memory Keepers Happy Jig.  With all the distractions I had not given it a workout but the wire is perfect for making no-fog nose wires.  I cut 4" lengths of wire and curled the ends to ensure no sharp ends, along with the added bonus of tiny "handles" to help adjust the wire around the nose for a perfect fit.

I made a little pocket for each wire, hand stitched the curled ends so that they would stay securely in place, not rolling or twisting around.  I machine stitched the nose wire (inside the pocket) to the inside of the filter-backing layers.

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The last challenge was elastic.
Not long after the world-famous toilet paper shortage, we faced an elastic shortage too.
No elastic, no worries!
My crafty stash came to the rescue again, this time in the form of grosgrain ribbon and pony beads.  I cut the lengths of ribbon and threaded two beads on to each, the end bead to hold while pulling the other bead, tightening the mask to fit the head comfortably and securely.  Having straps is more comfortable than ear loops, so the elastic shortage was a surprise bonus.



~~~*~~~*~~~

Here are some more photos showing the fitted shape of the mask.

   

Here are some that were custom made for family members
in the mandatory mask-wearing Stage 3 Lockdown Zone,
two masks each to see how they fit before I make more.

Happy Sewing!

Keep safe during these troubling times and don't forget to wear your mask.

HELLO Sunshine

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This month we are letting our creative juices flow with

Challenge #210 - Summer Fun

Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are monthly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

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The sponsors for this challenge are:

LeAnn's World 101

Prize ~ 2 Digital Images


Stamper's Delights

Prize ~ 3 Single Digital Images

Twinkle Lane Designs
Prize: Two Digital Images & Two Coordinating Digital Paper Sets 

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Sunflower Bouquet digital stamp and Honey Bees digital papers from Twinkle Lane Designs, one of our generous sponsors this month, to make a big, cheery, hello card.

I opened the Sunflower Bouquet digital stamp and Honey Bees digital papers in Silhouette Studio and sized the elements for my card design (design based on a sketch - details & link below).  I printed the image on X-Press It blending card, heat set, coloured with Copic markers and trimmed to size.  I printed the patterned paper panel on smooth cardstock and trimmed to size.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the pennant shaped panel (details & link below) used to mat the image panel.  I die cut the hello sentiment from the excess trimmed from printing the patterned paper panel and used a black Copic 100 marker to colour it.  I made a 6 3/8" square card base from heavy smooth white cardstock then started matting and assembling the layers.  I used Perfect Layers Rulers to trim the three layers under the honeycomb patterned paper, adhering all in place with liquid adhesive.  I adhered the matted image panel in place, topped it with the hello sentiment and finished off the card with black enamel dots.

   

~~~*~~~*~~~

NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for

Challenge #210 - Summer Fun

at the Crafty Gals Corner

Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are monthly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Twinkle Lane Designs - digital stamp - Sunflower Bouquet
Twinkle Lane Designs - digital paper - Honey Bees

X-Press It A4 Blending Card
Copic markers - sunflowers - Y11-15-19-38 + YR23-27-27-68 + YG03-25-67

Copic markers - other flowers - B000022 + RV00-02 + YG03-25
Copic markers - ladybug - R24-27-29
Kaisercraft weave cardstock - Snow + Canary + Mustard
Silhouette Cameo

Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #284437
Pennants Doodlebat by Lettering Delights
Sizzix Big Shot
Paper Smooches - hello word die
sadly the Paper Smooches store is now closed
black enamel dots
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the sentiment

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Twinkle Lane Designs for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #210 at the Crafty Gals Corner.

    

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges:

~~~*~~~*~~~

A Perfect Time To Craft - August Challenge #8 – Anything Goes
Carlin’s Challenge Blog - Challenge 25 – Anything Goes
Classic Design Challenge Blog - August Challenge #8 – Anything Goes

Colour Crazy Challenge - Week 30 – Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenges - Challenge 192 – Anything Goes optional Thank You
Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - August Challenge – Summer Fun
Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - August Challenge – Flowers

Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Week 31 – Anything Goes
Ike’s World Challenges - Challenge 135 – T is for Three Of A Kind or Anything Goes
I have coloured 3 x delicate blue flowers and added two sets of 3 x black pearls

Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenge Blog - Challenge #15 – August Anything Goes

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 - Sketch 188 & 189

The Paper Shelter - Summer Break – Anything Goes

The First Dance

It's time for a new challenge with us on the

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog

Penny's Challenge 477

As always, the challenge is Anything Goes.

~~~*~~~*~~~

The sponsors for this challenge are:

All Dressed Up

Bugaboo Stamps

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used The First Dance digital stamp from All Dressed Up,
one of our generous sponsors for this challenge.

I opened The First Dance digital stamp in Silhouette Studio and designed the layers for my card.  I printed the image on X-Press It blending card, heat set, cut with my Cameo then coloured the image and background with Copic markers.  The colours were chosen to suit some patterned paper and pearl flowers that had been put aside in my crafty stash as "too nice to use", funny how the perfect image comes along that inspires you to cut into the paper and open precious packets of treasures.  I cut the oval, circle and square matting layers from white cardstock and coloured with Copic markers to match the patterned paper layer.  I cut the square of patterned paper, made a card base then adhered all the layers in place with liquid adhesive.  I die cut several flourishes (details & link below), coloured with Copic markers and layered them together with the flowers.

~~~*~~~*~~~

NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for
Penny's Challenge 477
on the
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
All Dressed Up - digital stamp - The First Dance

X-Press It A4 Blending Card

Copic markers - image panel background - YR30 + "0"
Copic markers - skin - E0000-000-00-02
Copic markers - hair - girl - E30-31-33-35
Copic markers - hair - boy - E53-55-57-59
Copic markers - dress - C00-0 + "0"
Copic markers - dress bow, shoes & suit accents - RV91-93-97-99
Copic markers - suit - N1-2-3-4-7-9
Copic markers - shadows - T0-1-3
Copic markers - matting layer - silver - N3
Copic markers - matting layer & flourishes - gold - E84
Silhouette Cameo + own design ovals & circles
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft decorative dies - flourishes - 3D Flower
flowers - Blossoms by Vivaldi - Pearl Flower Soft Pink
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers & flowers

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the flourishes

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to All Dressed Up for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge 477 on Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog

    

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges

~~~*~~~*~~~

A Gem Of A Challenge - Wk 16 – Anything Goes
A Perfect Time To Craft - August Challenge #8 – Anything Goes
All Dressed Up Challenges - July Challenge #107 - Anything ADU Goes
Carlin’s Challenge Blog - Challenge 25 – Anything Goes
Classic Design Challenge Blog - August Challenge #8 – Anything Goes
Colour Crazy Challenge - Week 29 – Anything Goes
Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - August Challenge – Flowers
Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Week 30 – Anything Goes
Ike’s World Challenges - Challenge 135 – T is for Three Of A Kind or Anything Goes
I have added three flowers with pearls
Jan’s Digi Stamps Challenge Blog - Challenge #15 – August Anything Goes
LeAnn’s World 101 Challenges - Challenge 29 - Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Wk 30 – Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter - Summer Break – Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD Anything Goes 4th August
Time Out Challenges - Challenge #167 – Inspired By Words

Spotlight on Thank You

Earlier today I shared

The Final Encore From The Southern Girls

Sadly, the Southern Girls Challenge Blog has now closed.

The Design Team members, past and present have shared projects to say

farewell and thank you in The Final Encore.

These cards are my special Thank You to Lou and Trace, the blog co-owners.

~~~*~~~*~~~

This post is to focus on my card using the "Flower Bouquet 2" digital stamp

from the Floral Bouquet digital stamp set by Star Jam Lines.

I opened the "Flower Bouquet 2" digital stamp in Silhouette Studio and added a digital "Thank You" (details below).  I added a round "window" to cut in the middle of the image, printed on X-Press It blending card, heat set then cut the circle out with my Silhouette Cameo.  To make a matting layer for the floral circle, I added a 1/16" offset to the circle window shape and cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  I coloured around the edges and the outer 1/8" of the circle with a Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip marker so that the black matches the black printing of the image and sentiment.  I coloured the circle of the floral image with Copic markers, went around the edges with a Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip marker and adhered to the matting panel.  I made a card base and adhered the card front panel in place with liquid adhesive.  To finish off the card, I put liquid adhesive on the back of the matted spotlight panel and carefully aligned it with the image on the card front.

   

   

You can read all about my other card, using the "Flower Bouquet 1" digital stamp

from the Floral Bouquet digital stamp set from Star Jam Lines

by clicking

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*** INGREDIENTS ***

Star Jam Lines - Floral Bouquet digital stamp set

I have used the Floral Bouquet 2 image

X-Press It A4 Blending Card

Font Bundles - Dream of Spring - font used for sentiment

this is a FREE font

Copic markers - foliage - YG61-63-67 + YG61-03-17-67

Copic markers - pink flowers - R81-83-85 + YR68

Copic markers - yellow flowers - Y11-13-15-18 + YR61-65-68

Copic markers - background - B0000-000-00

Silhouette Cameo

Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip Marker

scoreboard and bone folder - to make the card base

Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Lou and Trace, my time with you and the Design Team at the  has been a wonderful, creative adventure!

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges

~~~*~~~*~~~

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge

Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD Anything Goes 21st July

The Final Encore from the Southern Girls

... they say that all good things must come to an end

and,

sadly,

today is . . .

The Final Encore

from the Southern Girls Challenge Blog

with past and present members sharing a project to say Thank You and Goodbye

~~~*~~~*~~~

I have had a wonderful time being a member of Team Lou

and I will miss seeing all the projects shared by the Design Team

and all the fabulous challenge entries submitted to the linky too.

I'm putting the spotlight on Lou and Trace,

the Co-Owners of the Southern Girls Challenge Blog

 by making cards using the new-to-me "spotlight technique".

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used two of the stamps from the 
from the Floral Bouquet digital stamp set by Star Jam Lines.

I opened the "Flower Bouquet 1" and "Flower Bouquet 2" digital stamps in Silhouette Studio and added a digital "Thank You" (details below).  I added a "window" to cut in the middle of the images, printed on X-Press It blending card, heat set then sent each one through my Silhouette Cameo.  The landscape card panels with the circle window over the Flower Bouquet 1 image cut perfectly.  It was a completely different story with the Flower Bouquet portrait card panels.  For some reason I could not get the page to register, I tried everything, from torches to printing again, with no luck, so I gave my trusty stainless steel ruler and craft knife a workout and manually cut the rectangle window.  I added a 1/16" offset to the windows and cut them to mat the spotlight panels.  (I coloured around the edges and the outer 1/8" of the matting panels with a Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip marker so that the black matches the black printing of the image and sentiment.)  I coloured the floral image panels with Copic markers, went around the edges with a Memento Tuxedo Black Dual Tip marker and adhered to their matting panels.  I made some card bases and adhered the card front panels in place with liquid adhesive.  Next came the challenging bit ... OK, I confess, it was a challenge for me to colour the partial images for the spotlight too ... I put liquid adhesive on the back of the matted spotlight panels and carefully aligned them with the images on the cards and the cards were done.

Here is Flower Bouquet 1

   

   

and here is Flower Bouquet 2

   

   

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***

Star Jam Lines - Floral Bouquet digital stamp set
I have used the Floral Bouquet 1 and Floral Bouquet 2 images
Font Bundles - Dream of Spring - font used for sentiment
this is a FREE font
X-Press It A4 Blending Card
Copic markers - foliage - YG61-63-67 + YG61-03-17-67

Copic markers - pink flowers - R81-83-85 + YR68
Copic markers - yellow flowers - Y11-13-15-18 + YR61-65-68
Copic markers - background - B0000-000-00

Silhouette Cameo
scoreboard and bone folder - to make the card bases
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to Lou and Trace, my time with you and the Design Team at the  has been a wonderful, creative adventure!

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges

~~~*~~~*~~~

A Gem Of A Challenge - Wk 15 – Anything Goes

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge