Here is another Christmas card to add to my stash, and killing 2 birds with 1 stone I am entering it in the Sketch Challenge at Some Odd Girl. This is the Sketch –
The stamp is from Some Odd Girl and is “Mistletoe Kaylee” – what a cutie. The papers are from Jillibean paper pad “Christmas Eve Chowder”. I have paper pieced her jumper to match the background paper. The flourish is from Zva Creative.
The strip of design paper behind Kaylee has been accordion folded to give the image some lift. The sentiment is from PTI.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend – sure you are – we all love the weekend don’t we.
Bye for now,
Good morning. Yesterday I promised that I would tell you more about my tent card so here are the details.
- the stamp is from Crafty Individuals CI – 119
- Air Mail Envelope is from Vintage by Me – http://vintage-by-me.blogspot.com.au/
I made the standard size card, 15 cm x 10.5 cm, I then cut a matching piece of card 15 cm x 8 cm and scored it every 2 cm length-wise. Accordion fold this card starting with a mountain fold. When you have finished decorating your card attach the folded piece to the bottom inside of the card. Finished easy peasy. I am making another tent fold card and will show you soon.
Here is a photo I took on Wednesday evening just as the sun was going down and the moon was an early riser.
Here we are in the middle of a very cold winter when you wouldn’t expect to see the moon because of cloud cover. It was “full” or at least it appeared to be and so golden – beautiful. Of course photos can never do it justice but I still wanted to share.
I’d also like to share this photo of part of our pumpkin crop this year. It was taken a couple of months ago and by now I am looking for new recipes to use up some of the pumpkins – I am so over pumpkin soup and mashed, roasted and baked pumpkin. PLEASE does anyone have some interesting recipes?
Just looking at this photo – does the front of the quad bike looks evil – or is it just me? 😆
Bye for now,
I don’t know what I have been doing this week – nothing out of the ordinary I don’t think, but it has gone by in a snap of the fingers. It is only a few hours until Challenge 14 “Summertime” at Out of a Hat Creations closes (just made it).
For this challenge I have made a Tent Card. Because I am running out of time I’ll post the instructions and supplies tomorrow. Summertime always reminds me of the beach so I thought this vintage stamp was perfect.
The next photo shows the folds which make it a tent card.
When I first saw this challenge I thought I would make a small beach bag from card and papers with accessories such as sunglasses, lip gloss etc. but that idea went out the window because of time limits (perhaps another time). Even though this card is my second choice I still like it, hope you do as well.
I’ll be back tomorrow with more about this card.
Bye for now,
I’m late again with my ATC’s for June. A quick post so that I can drop the cards into The Imagination Factory.
The theme was WATER and I used a digi stamp from a set from Cuddly Buddly.
I created the water effect after I had finished colouring all 9 cards using Mod Podge and a spritz of Jazz Blue Glimmer Mist on a glass cutting board (from the kitchen). I spread a good helping of Mod Podge over the board then a tiny spritz of Glimmer Mist, mixed them together and then placed the cards face down on the board, lifting carefully. I was quite happy with the glossy result.
You might have to imagine the effect because the photo doesn’t really show it very well.
Bye for now,
I am still trying to make a Christmas Card each week. Might miss 1 or 2 or 3 weeks but I’m still trying. This week my card is for the Christmas Cards All Year ‘Round June Challenge “Twinkle-Twinkle Christmas Lights“. Here is my card –
The stamps and die cut are from Your Next Stamp “Light up the Holidays”. Cute hey? The card shape is a Spellbinder die “Label Ten”. The ovals are also from Spellbinders. I die cut the “fairy lights” twice, once in white card which I then coloured with Copics and once in black card to create a shadow effect.
The paper is from Echo Park paper pad “Dots & Stripes”.
In the photos you can’t see the shine on the light bulbs. I have used Dimensional Magic on them to make them shiny, a shame it doesn’t show up.
Well that is all for now, I am very tired and I’m off to bed.
Bye for now,
Before we start on the tutorial I would like to let Scrapunzel know that the little “button bag” is winging its way to her place. Thank you for your fun comment 😛 Congrats.
Here is my rather lengthy tutorial for such a tiny book –
- Cut 5 pieces of red card 5 x 9 cm ( 2″ x 3 ½”);
- Cut 5 pieces of green card 5 x 8.5 cm (2″ x 3¼”);
- Cut 5 pieces of cream card 5 x 8 cm (2″ x 3″);
- Cut 2 pieces red card 5 x 5 cm (2″ x 2″) – (these will be the covers);
- Cut 2 pieces patterned paper 7 x 7 cm (2¾” x 2¾”);
- Score and fold each piece of card (except cover pieces) exactly in half;
- At this stage add your wording, photos, stamps, embellishments to the cream card (smallest pieces);
- Run strong double-sided tape (or strong tacky glue) along the reverse side of both short ends of all the pieces of card;
- Starting with the cream card attach the outside edges exactly on top of the green card (mid size pieces);
- Next attach the green and cream card to the red card (large pieces of card);
- Attach each set of card pieces together with strong double-sided tape (or strong tacky glue) only at the outside edges leaving 2 pages open for the cover;
- Close the little book and run a strip of ribbon or lace around the centre (my ribbon measured 32 cm (13″) ), attach with strong double-sided tape (or strong tacky glue) but do NOT glue over the spine;
- Take the 2 pieces of red card for the covers and attach double-sided tape to all edges of one side;
- Centring each piece attach the patterned paper;
- Trim all corners of the patterned paper;
- Run double-sided tape around each side of the overlap of the patterned paper;
- Carefully fold the patterned paper over the card;
- Attach the covers with strong double-sided tape (or strong tacky glue);
- Decorate the cover, remembering that if you want the covers to meet when you fold them back you need to have flat embellishments – that’s not necessary but just something to keep in mind.
I hope you will try to make one of these cute little books and if you do I would love to see it. If you find any mistakes in the tutorial please let me know – not sure how exact the length conversions are.
Again for this book I have used sentiments from Verve Stamps and digital vintage images from The Graphics Fairy but of course you can decorate it in any way you like.
Well that is all for today.
Bye for now,
I have had a lovely weekend in my craft room making a tiny Star Book. When I began my journey with card making I went to a 3 or 4 classes and one of them was to make a star book. I displayed one of my dgs’s baby photos in it and gave it to his family.
Over at “Out of a hat creations” this week the challenge is to make a book so long as it doesn’t measure more than 3 x 3 inches. The star book I made was way to big but I thought I would try to make a mini version. Here is my tiny book –
I have put a ruler in front of the book to show you it’s “teenyness” 😛
and here it is open, now you can see why it is called a STAR book –
The little quotes are from several “Verve” stamp sets – I love these and have used them often on cards. I tried to match the quotes with vintage images which I found mostly on “The Graphic Fairy” site. I printed the images on glossy paper to make them look like old photos then distressed them.
You can click on the photos to enlarge them.
I have enjoyed myself making this cute book. Even my dh likes it and has suggested I make something similar for our family. If you enjoyed the photos and would like more information, let me know and I might be able to make a tutorial.
Here is a final look at the book –
Bye for now,
It has been a few days since I’ve posted and I’m feeling a bit guilty. I hope today’s card will make up for my tardiness. The style of card (if you haven’t already guessed from today’s title) is a “Side-step Card”. It is the first time I’ve attempted one and I think I’m going to love this style. I think these digi stamps are perfect for a side-step. Here is my card –
Cute hey?!? The digi stamps are from Pink Cat Studio “Lily as Rapunzel” and “Prince Billy”. The sentiment is from a set from Whiff of Joy. I have had these images for a long time and was just waiting for inspiration to hit.
Here is how I made the card base – the measurements are metric but there are lots of tutorials out there in imperial if you need it in feet & inches.
- Cut a piece of card 14 x 21 cm (an A5 card).
- On the short side mark 7.5 cm, at this mark cut making a slit from 2.5 to 16.5 cm
- On the wider side of the cut mark along the long side at 2.5, 5, 8, 11 and 16 cm.
- Score from the edge to the cut at the marks you have just made.
- Concertina fold these scored marks starting with a mountain fold (look at the next photos).
This is how your card should look after you have cut and scored.
This is after you have folded the card.
Here is a template which I hope is clear and might help you. (Click on the photo to see it more clearly)
So once you have constructed the card base the fun can start. Decorate in any way you like. I had great fun with these digi stamps but you can use any stamps or sentiments you like – use you imagination and see what you can come up with.
I guess my inspiration came from watching “Tangled” with my dgs’s. I bought 2 Disney CDs from the supermarket because they had a “buy 1 get 1 free” deal and I couldn’t resist. The other CD was Pinocchio – mmmmm what could I do?
I have used quite a few dies. The grass die is from La-la land crafts, The sentiment panel is a Spellbinders Ribbon Tag and the small trees in the background are a Memory Box die.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Bye for now,
Today I am entering a new (for me) challenge site. Out of a Hat Creations, their current challenge is to use BUTTONS. Why don’t you pop over and have a peek!
I have quite a few 😉 little tulle and calico bags which I have accumulated when I’ve bought little trinkets and I have been wanting to use some of them for quite a while. Well today is the day.
I have added a Creative Scrap from Crafty Secrets, lace, ribbon, and the all important BUTTONS to the front of the drawstring bag. I’ve also added a button to the drawstring.
While I was wandering around the WWW looking at buttons I found a plethora (?) of amazing button things out there. Shapes, sizes, colours and amazing ideas. I spotted some beautiful button earrings. Well that reminded me that a few years ago I went to a craft class where we made some fairly uninspiring button necklaces, bracelets and earrings 😕 I have recreated my “plain jane” earings but in colours to match the front of the bag.
While making these I thought “it could be a good idea to have a little “give-a-away” with this sweet bag and some goodies. If you are interested all you have to do is contact me either by email or by adding a comment below. If there happens to be more than 1 person wanting this gift I will randomly choose the winner.
Here are the contents of the bag – if you don’t want the earrings just think of them as pretty buttons to use on your projects.
I hope someone will want to take them to a good home. You only have until Friday 22 June at 12 noon Australian EST to leave me a comment or email.
Over the next couple of months I will be doing more of this, hoping to clear some of my stash. mmmmmm might take longer than that 😆
So once again this is what you will receive.
It’s not a very large gift but I’ll “test the water” and see what happens.
Bye for now,
One of the women who works at my dh’s business has been very busy this year with 3 new grandbabies. Recently 1 of the little fellas has been ill and I know she would be very concerned. She has taken some time off work to be with the family and I’m sure that would have helped heaps. I have made a card for her and grandson – there’s not much else you can do is there – hope it puts a smile on their faces anyway.
It’s a cute image from Mo’s Digital Pencil “I Forgot”. The card is a fancy fold “stand up” card.
The paper is from Kaisercraft “Party Animals”. The sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp from a Transparent Set.
Here is the card from a different angle to show how I have lifted some of the layers to add a bit more interest.
If you would like the instructions for a “stand up” card click here to go to one of my previous posts. Just in case you can’t be bothered clicking here is the template.
Here is one more photo showing the side and back of the card so you can see there is plenty of room for your message.
Bye for now,
I have had all things Celtic on my mind lately and the digi stamp “Little Irish Dancer” from Mo’s Digital Pencil was calling out to me. I’m hoping this might just fit in the challenge this week at DP2 “At the Park”. People dance in the Park, right? The band “Chicago” sing about dancing in the park in the song “Saturday at the Park”. Perhaps they didn’t mean the Irish Jig, but why not? When I think about it the dancers we saw last weekend were in the park. Admittedly they were in a marquee but the marquee was in a park. Close enough?
Isn’t she cute, full of suppressed joy. I was trying to make her hair look like a coppery halo but I think it looks more like she has had a shock 😆
It is one of the biggest cards I have made measuring 14 x 14 or 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″.
The sentiment is computer generated and is an Irish Blessing. The papers are from Teresa Collins “Spring Fling” Pad.
Well I’m off now to make a card for a tiny tot who has been ill.
Bye for now,
I found my camera – it was almost exactly where it should have been. I must have had my “man” eyes in when I was looking for it 😆
Quickly here are just a few photos from the Celtic Festival. Unfortunately due to the gloomy weather and the fact that everything had to be indoors because of the rain most of the photos are very poor quality.
This is the area which part of my father’s family originated from.
Lacemaking – what a wonderful craft. My dh’s family came from Nottinghamshire and were lacemakers.
My dgs not looking too happy about modelling a tam o’shanter.
One of the Irish Folk groups.
There were many groups of dancers but unfortunately only a few of the photos were successful.
Another great craft. Apart from the Celtic aspects of the weekend there were other stalls selling a variety of goods. This stall took everyone’s eyes. First glance cakes galore but on closer inspection handmade soaps. I have seen lots of handmade “cake” soaps before but this stall was the most impressive and realistic I have seen.
Bye for now,
Well Aloha. I’m back from a great long weekend, not to Hawaii but a beach much closer. I went to Portarlington were the Aust National Celtic Festive was held. Saturday and Sunday it rained but Monday was beautiful. What a boost to the small community this event is, especially during winter when things are very quite. I might have some photos for you if I can find my camera 😦
While away I was thinking about my new Hula Marci and what I could do to make the card a bit different. I’m going to add this card to the La-La Land Crafts gallery http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/ as soon as the June gallery is open. This is my card –
I can hear you saying “that’s not very different”. True, but what if the card rocked a bit – well it does – but still not too different. Have you guessed what else I have added? Yes a spring to the back of Marci so she does the hula.
Once again I wish I could put a video in here to show you how she jiggles (thanks S. for that word).
I printed 2 digital Hula Marcis. The second was a tiny bit smaller. I cut out the complete Marci and then cut out the smaller skirt and flowers in her hair (is that a lei?) I printed the second smaller so there would seem to be layers when I put it on top of the original Marci. I also printed a larger version of the flowers to add over the join in sand (yellow card) and sea (deep blue card). I made waves with the Die-namics waves die with deep blue card and velum. The light blue card was embossed with a Cuttlebug swirl folder. The sun is a La-la land sun die. “Aloha” comes with Marci and there is also a turtle with her which I didn’t use this time.
The spring is made (as in the lollipop post) by winding some jewelry wire around a pencil and attaching with ds tape to the back of Marci and the other end to the card.
The sentiment “Aloha” covers all sorts of occasions because it can mean “hello”, “goodbye” or even “I love you” depending on how you put the emphasis.
So Aloha to you,
I thought it was going to be just another day on Friday, ho-hum, but when I collected the mail I was in for a great surprise.
Almost 18 years ago (wow that can’t be right!) we had the pleasure of meeting a young exchange student from Brazil. Amazingly she still keeps in touch with us. Don’t you agree that is very special. She has sent us news of her marriage, babies and other news.
In Friday’s mail was this beautiful invitation to her daughter and son’s birthday party. I was thrilled.
It is a pocket card.
Vicka added a little translation for us (luckily for me because I’m afraid the only Portuguese word I remember is Obrigado).
Thank so much (muito obrigado) Vicka for thinking of us. It is very much appreciated.
Well I have just wasted hours making a little video for you to now find out that I can’t download it to my blog without BUYING a video program from WordPress. I used to be able to download videos when I first joined but not now. Grrrrrrrr. Is it the same on other free blog host sites?
Here are some photos but not as fun as a video.
I made some lollipop holder/covers with cute little punched out characters on the front. I will give some instructions at the end of the post. The characters “wobble” when you give them a gentle tap. (looked good on the short video I made – even had music with it :()
Here are the lollipops I bought “Allen’s” brand – (bad photos I’m afraid because of the glare from the plastic wrapping) –
They are flat not the ball type.
If you would like the very easy instructions read on –
Holder –
- Cut a piece of card 6 x 14 cm
- Score in the centre (7 cm) and fold in half;
- Stamp or add sentiment on the front;
- Hold the open ends together and punch 2 holes either side of the centre;
- Put the lollipop in the holder, thread ribbon through the holes and tie securely;
- Decorate.
Ladybird – (other characters are made similarly with punches and die cuts)
- Die cut or punch from black card an oval just big enough to fit on the front of the holder (mine is approx 4.5 cm);
- Die cut or punch from red card 2 x circles of a similar size to the oval;
- Cut away part of each circle to form the wings and attach to the body ;
- punch some black card with a hole punch to make dots to attach to the wings (or you could use rhinestone or half pearls);
- add 2 tiny black half pearls for eyes.
Spring – (you can buy commercial “wobblers” but this is a much cheaper alternative)
- Use some pliable jewellery wire to make the spring;
- Wind the wire around a pencil (approx 6 times);
- snip off;
- attach to the back of the ladybird with strong ds tape;
- attach to the front of the holder with strong ds tape.
Here is a photo of the spring –
Have fun making these. They were quite popular with 2 littlies I tested them on. 🙂 Would love to get your feedback.
Bye for now,
Cards & Co
Cards & Co 