Friday, 11 September 2015

*** hugs ***

A very dimensional CAS card


This is my second time using burlap ribbon.
Love the texture it adds and it really helps me cope with the dreaded white space.
The flowers are Fiskars Flower lever punches, the biggest is 1"
The leaves are Fiskars Branching Out Squeeze Punch.

As I will be giving this card in person, I added lots of dimension with foam dots between the layers of the larger flowers and curled the petals downwards (using a fine paintbrush handle).  The smaller flowers have their petals curled upwards.

Here is a close-up to show the dimension of the flowers


All the large flowers have a foam dot between the layers and underneath them too.
The top flower has been given extra POP - it has a standard foam dot ( 1/8" thick) between the flower layers and a 1/4" foam dot under the bottom layer, so it stands higher than the other large flowers.  The small flowers are adhered directly onto the card, so there are three levels of dimension.

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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hosted by Darnell J. Knauss on her Blog djkardcreations.com

The theme is Anything Goes
Entries close 11:55pm PST Friday 18th September 2015

The NBUS items I used include:

- the "hugs" die { that I have had for a couple of months and can't believe that I haven't used it until today }

- the Martha Stewart THICK Foam Dots { I  confess that I have had these tucked away in my adhesives drawer for YEARS and while I was assembling the foam dots between the flower layers, I thought why not add even more pop to create another layer of dimension, thrilled that I did, the pics don't show it very well but it really does look pretty }


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This month there is no Gossip Column by Taheerah
(sadly due to her Mother's passing, sending deepest sympathy to Taheerah and her family)
but we have been invited to be inspired by the previous three Gossip Columns.

 

My card was inspired by Gossip Column #3 Jocelyn's Style!
It includes white space (which is always a challenge for me),
texture, layers and a pop of yellow.
I hope my hugs card brings comfort to the couple we will be giving it to.  And, having lost my Mother-In-Law a few months ago, I hope that the sentiment reaches across the miles and brings comfort to Taheerah too.

As mentioned earlier, this one is not a traditional challenge, rather, it is the opportunity to be inspired by the previous three Gossip Column articles & challenges.  If you would like to be inspired to create and share a card, the link closes in just over three days.

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          Here are the dimensions of my card          
card base 5 x 7"
burlap panel 4 1/4 x 3 1/4"
inner green mat - 4 3/4 x 6 3/4"
inner white mat - 4 1/2 x 6 1/2"

... thanks ...

Here is a card that I have been thinking about making since
the day I first saw the Roses Dies from Paper Smooches.

 I confess that the dies have been waiting since March this year to escape
the packaging and have a workout and boy did they have a workout.  I spent ages cutting the leaves in preparation for my mosaic and it was worth every second!!!

I used the largest rose from the set as the focal point.
I adhered the rose in place first using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive, then I placed the leaves around it, trying to get a fairly even space between them all, then started adhering them in place.  Things didn't go as smoothly as a I planned, with the leaves moving around in the breeze flowing through the house and from me knocking them as I worked.  My TOP TIP if you want to make one too, is to apply a small dollop of Tombow Mono Multi to the tip of each leaf and allow it to dry.  They then become repositionable, so that they can be moved around until you're happy with their placement and they stay in place until you adhere them permanently.  I will definitely be making more mosaic cards and it will be much easier and faster next time.

Here is a close-up of the layered sentiment tag.
 I used the Fiskars XXL Tag Lever Punch to cut the cardstock and vellum layers.
The "thanks" is a stamp from Paper Smooches
(a freebie that came with one of my orders, Thank You Kim)
I used Stazon Jet Black ink to stamp on the vellum.
The sequins are Sparkling Clear 4mm & 6mm from Pretty Pink Posh and they really do sparkle!!!
I adhered them in place using Ranger Multi Medium Matte.
I put a tiny dollop of Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive on the back of the vellum tag, under the top two sequins above the sentiment and the top two sequins from the cluster of three below it and secured it to the white tag, then spread some under the white tag to layer it to the black one.
I used foam dots to secure the tag to the card.
I am really pleased with my 1st use of the Ranger Multi Medium Matte, the sequins are securely in place.  You can't see any of the adhesive showing around or in the middle of the sequins.
On the Tombow front, you can't see any of the adhesive under the vellum either.

Here is a close-up pic of the rose and some of the leaves.
I LOVE this die set!!!

          I have entered my card in the following challenges:          

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Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Blog
The theme this week is Anything Goes featuring Paper Smooches product
I used the Paper Smooches Roses Dies and "thanks" stamp.
   
 
Entries close 11:59pm PST Saturday 12th September 2015

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NBUS Challenge #5
(Never-Before-Used-Schtuff)

hosted by Darnell J. Knauss on her Blog djkardcreations.com

The theme is Anything Goes
Entries close 11:55pm PST Friday 18th September 2015
The NBUS items I used include the PS Roses Dies that have been sitting unopened in my stash for too many months and the new-to-me Ranger Multi Medium Matte.

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The challenge is to use a stamp AND to complete their Blog Hop
My stamping is on the sentiment tag and yes, I completed the Blog Hop too,
it was filled with fabulous projects using new release SSS products.

Entries close 08:00 Ohio Wednesday 16th September 2015

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The challenge is to create TAGS, stand alone tags or tags on projects.
It must include sequins and can use the colours of the inspiration photo below.
I used Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and attached my layered tag to my card.

http://sparkleandshinechallenge.blogspot.com.au/
Entries close 11:55pm Friday 11th September 2015

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          Here are the dimensions of my card          
card base 5 x 7"
black mat 4 5/8 x 6 5/8"
white mat 4 1/2 x 6 1/2"
mosaic panel 4 x 6"

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Release Week at Neat and Tangled!

It's Release Week over at Neat and Tangled!

Head on over to their blog
check out their September release
BE INSPIRED
BE TEMPTED
and
have the chance to WIN too!!!


#neatandtangledrelease

Friday, 28 August 2015

Paper Smooches Design Team Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.
Kim and the DT will be sharing fun and fabulous projects using the
two new stamps and ten new dies from the September release,
available from 8pm Pacific Time August 31st.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION
CRAFTY TEMPTATION
AND the chance to WIN one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!
AWESOME!!!
Head on over to the Paper Smooches Blog and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

 http://papersmooches.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/ps-dt-blog-hop.html 
http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

CAS Birthday card

I have finally got some burlap ribbon and thoroughly enjoyed making this CAS birthday card ... I think this is the start of a new addiction.

  
The card is 5x7" made with American Crafts textured cardstock.
The "happy" is from Winnie & Walter In A Word: Happy Cutaway, the "birthday" is from the Sizzix Stephanie Barnard Regal Stand-Ups Framelits Card Die Set.
The flowers and leaves are Fiskars squeeze and lever punches with AC textured cardstock.
Because the front was quite heavy with the burlap panel at the top, I layered some co-ordinating cardstock inside and it is much more stable now.

  
                   I have entered my card in the following creative challenges                          

 The team at the Freshly Made Sketches blog are celebrating their
200th challenge this week and I am thrilled to be playing along with the
Freshly Made Sketches 200
http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/freshly-made-sketches-200-celebration.html
Don't forget to head on over to the Freshly Made Sketches Blog,
join the celebrations and have the chance to win too :)
Entries close noon, Monday 25th Aug PDT
http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com.au/

I'm also entering my card with the
http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/challenge-33-anything-goes.html
Come on over and join the creative fun with the Crafty Gals.
Entries close noon, Tuesday 25th August CST
There are two randomly selected prizes and you also have
the chance to be selected by the DT as one of the Top 3.
... I think I NEED to add another flower, so that it has an odd number and wondered whether one down on the bottom RHS of the burlap panel would "balance" everything.
I have placed one on the card to see what it looks like and would appreciate your feedback - what do you think, adhere it there, adhere it in a different position or not add it, sticking with the original design?
Looking forward to hearing what you think :)

Saturday, 22 August 2015

50 & fabulous

I love to make special cards to celebrate milestone birthdays for family and friends.
This month it is time to celebrate a fabulous 50th.

The glitter sheet is from American Crafts, as are the Thickers (the "50" is DIY Shoebox, the ampersand DIY Rockabye & the "fabulous" Amy Tangerine Scene) and the WOW silver glitter I coated them all with so that the silver matched perfectly.  The embossed panel is the large Peacock Fans embossing folder from Couture Creations and this time I included a sheet of vellum inside the folder with the cardstock (Canson) so that I had a crisp texture without any cracking or tearing when I put it through my Big Shot.  Instead of foam dots, I popped the layers with foam sheets adhered in place with Helmar 450 Quick Dry, the liquid adhesive allows me to get the layers aligned perfectly and it is great for securing the embossed and glittery textures firmly in place too.  Note to self - get some thinner foam sheets, these are a bit too thick, especially when there are four layers!  Needless to say, this card is a little too chunky and heavy to be posted, so we're looking forward to hand delivering some sparkle to the birthday girl.
Dimensions:
card base 5x7, glitter panel 4 3/4 x 6 3/4, embossed panel 4 1/2 x 6 1/2
sentiment - glitter panel 4 1/2 x 1, white panel 4 1/2 x 1 1/4
alpha - glitter panel 2 x 2 1/4, white panel 1 3/4 x 2
foam panels - 1/8" inset from the panels they're popping

                        I have entered my card in the following creative challenges                          

The team at the Freshly Made Sketches blog are celebrating their
200th challenge this week and I am thrilled to be playing along with the
Freshly Made Sketches 200
http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/freshly-made-sketches-200-celebration.html
Don't forget to head on over to the Freshly Made Sketches Blog,
join the celebrations and have the chance to win too :)
Entries close noon, Monday 25th Aug PDT
http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com.au/

I'm also entering my card with the

http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/challenge-33-anything-goes.html
Come on over and join the creative fun with the Crafty Gals.
Entries close noon, Tuesday 25th August CST
There are two randomly selected prizes and you also have
the chance to be selected by the DT as one of the Top 3.

... I always struggle deciding how to photograph my cards,
here is another shot, I think it shows the texture and sparkle better
... what do you think?

Thursday, 13 August 2015

Lil' Inker Designs - Monthly Meetup Challenge


 
 
 
Entries close 11.30pm EST 18th August
( 1.30pm AEST 19th August )

Looking forward to getting creative with my LID stamps & dies :)

Monday, 10 August 2015

FIRST Pop Up Challenge ... with Kathy Racoosin

 
Kathy Racoosin
from
will be hosting her
 
 
August 14th - 17th
FOUR days of FUN, videos and prizes!!!
PopUp_logofinalV3
 
It's only a few days to wait, so join me in getting ready to play along.

LINES - it's all about lines!!!

Check out the Pre-Pop-Up Challenge Post with details & videos.

Check out Day One of the Pop Up Challenge with more details, cards and a video.

Check out Day Two of the Pop Up Challenge with details about die cut and stitched lines.

Third 30 Day Coloring Challenge

Kathy Racoosin
has just announced that she will be hosting her
 
I will post more details closer to the start,
so that we can all get organised to do a little colouring every day
and challenge ourselves to stretch our creative limits.

Friday, 31 July 2015

Paper Smooches Design Team Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.
Kim and the DT will be sharing fun and fabulous projects using the
four new stamps and eight new dies from the August release,
available from 8pm Pacific Time July 31st.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION
CRAFTY TEMPTATION
AND the chance to WIN one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!
AWESOME!!!
Head on over to the Paper Smooches Blog and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

Click on the links below
http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/
http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/

Friday, 26 June 2015

Paper Smooches

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.
Kim and the DT will be sharing fun and fabulous projects using the
two new stamps and ten new dies from the July release,
available from June 30th.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION
CRAFTY TEMPTATION
AND the chance to WIN one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!
AWESOME!!!


http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/


http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/
Head on over to the Paper Smooches Blog and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

Saturday, 25 April 2015

Paper Smooches Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally Week on the Paper Smooches Blog.
Kim and the DT will be sharing fun and fabulous projects using the
two new stamps and ten new dies from the May release.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION
CRAFTY TEMPTATION
AND the chance to WIN one of FOUR $25 Paper Smooches gift certificates too!!!
AWESOME!!!

http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/

http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/
Head on over to the Paper Smooches Blog and get hopping now,
GOOD LUCK :)

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Get Well Soon

I made this card for a friend and I am hoping
the BIG & BEAUTIFUL
delivers the message loud & clear and brings
good cheer to help her along the road to recovery.
The sentiment is star of the show,
such a fabulous handwritten font and
an awesome 5 3/4" across - WOW!!!
... I don't like it when family and friends are ill but
I will enjoy using this sentiment die when they are.




The background was created using the Couture Creations "Peacock Pleasure" embossing folder in my Big Shot.  After some trial & error I found that I needed to cut the cardstock to the exact size I wanted because it was difficult to trim without it tearing.  I also had to include a sheet of vellum under the top layer to prevent the cardstock cracking too.  (Secure the vellum with a narrow strip of double-sided tape at each end, if you use Washi Tape it will emboss into your cardstock.)
The textured cardstock is Kaisercraft Peacock, American Crafts White & Powder.
I adhered my paper layers in place with Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.
The sentiment is actually 4 layers (3 peacock, topped with white), each one secured in place with Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive, applied with a fine tipped brush.
I lined the inside of the card with layers the same as the front and included the die cut sentiment again, this time in peacock.
Here is a close-up showing the deep & crisp embossing, the added contrast of the smooth rings on the textured cardstock and the dimension of the lovely long layered sentiment die.

* * * * *
I have entered my card in the
http://papersmoochessparks.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/april-19-25-anything-goes-wk3-challenge.html 
http://www.papersmoochesstamps.com/

This challenge closes 11:59pm PST Saturday 25th April 2015

* * * * *
I gave the a card a little "photo shoot" with a tiny crystal vase filled with geraniums.

 

Friday, 17 April 2015

PaperCrafter's Corner - Magazine Mondays Week #95

Update 21st April 2015

Yes, I've had another week of creative distraction from
the PaperCrafter's Corner Magazine Mondays Week #95 challenge.

PaperCrafter's Corner - Magazine Mondays Week #95

http://papercrafterscorner.com/  http://papercrafterscorner.com/blog/papercrafting-challenge-magazine-mondays-week-95/
This challenge closes midnight Central Sunday 19th April 2015

I had GREAT intentions with three projects in mind
but I confess that I am experiencing technical difficulties



=> MORE to come soon!!!

* * * * *  Update 21st April 2015  * * * * *

After lots of searching online
and lots of trial and error,
I am excited to say that I have had success!!!

 I adhered vellum to the top of the embossing folder with a narrow strip of double sided tape at the top & bottom ends (don't use Washi Tape - it leaves lines embossed on your card stock) and lightly spritzed both sides of the card stock with water then put the sandwich through my Sizzix Big Shot.


Check out the beautiful deep embossed design with lovely crisp edges.
The vellum came out a little worse for wear, so I will be looking for a heavier weight to see if that holds up better.  Some videos mentioned vellum card stock, so that sounds promising.

I didn't get to make the card I planned for the PCC challenge but I did use this panel to make a card and you can see it here.