Thursday, October 31, 2019

Magnolia Magnificence

Back to the theme of fancy fold cards, I decided to have a go at a Pop Up Front Step card - at least, I think that's what they're called, lol. I saw a few on Pinterest and managed to find some instructions - sadly they were in imperial measurements, so I had to adapt and adjust. Luckily not too steep a learning curve for this one! Once I sorted out measurements, it was very easy to construct and it doesn't take long to cut a few pieces of DSP to compliment this magnificent flower.



Materials used:
  • stamps - Good Morning Magnolia
  • card - basic black, whisper white, petal pink
  • other - magnolia dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Well Written thinlits, strong adhesive, Stampin' Blends

I don't have the mossy meadow Blends but as luck would have it, the medium and dark old olive Blendabilities pens (from when we had sets of three shades) gave me a close approximation. There are two layers to the 'thanks' sentiment, which makes it stand out much better than only one layer does.

It all folds flat, though I did have to cut off one leaf and place the flower so it didn't extend far past the outside of my base in order to ensure this would still fit into a regular C6 envelope.

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers
Kez

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The One Where I Get a Little Sidetracked...

I was doing some sorting/tidying in my craft room and came across a bundle of unused Graphic45 papers that I've had for some years time. A couple of them I have plenty of, so will be able to use for a class, but there was one where all I had was one 12x12" page. Not wishing to be wasteful - and because it was far too pretty to throw away - I cut up some of the elements and ending up designing a card.

Here tis:


Materials used:

  • stamps - Itty Bitty Greetings
  • card - basic black, Graphic45 'Place in Time' May cut-aparts
  • other - black chiffon ribbon, sponge dauber, Dimensionals, 1/4" circle punch

You never know - this might just inspire me to do something with other papers hoarded sitting in my stash!

Thanks for dropping in.

Cheers
Kez

Monday, October 28, 2019

Vintage Butterfly Hello

Our team's challenge this month is a fancy fold card and I immediately got it stuck in my head that I wanted to do a centre-step card. I had no idea what design to use until I was inspired by a card I saw ... guess where? Yes, you know me well. Pinterest, of course! Gosh, I remember the days I'd spend a small fortune on craft magazines for ideas, now all I have to do is sit in front of my computer for hours a short time.

Anywho, here's the card I made. I'm very happy with it (except for a small snaffoo drawing the antennae which hopefully nobody will notice lol) and suspect it may end up in my 'too nice to give away' pile.



A few speckles of gold in the background tie in with the gold embossing on the base piece, as does the sentiment panel.


I did three layers on my butterfly: the initial stamp on the background piece then two more coloured and cut and adhered with black mini dimensionals to give the wings some 'lift'.


Materials used:

  • stamps - Butterfly Gala, Climbing Roses, Gorgeous Grunge, Timeless Textures, Itty Bitty Greetings
  • card - crumb cake, very vanilla, basic black
  • other - gold embossing powder, heat tool, black Dimensionals, sponge dauber, black marker, butterfly punch, embossing buddy, post it note

Be sure to leave some comment love if this one turns your crank! Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers
Kez

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Let Your Buffalo Roam Free

Buffalo check, that is, lol. Here's a couple of Chrissy cards for you which feature said checks and have a homespun/rustic kind of feel.




Materials used:
  • stamps - Toile Christmas, Stylish Christmas
  • card - crumb cake, basic black, very vanilla, mossy meadow
  • other - poppy parade Stampin' Blends, Dimensionals, subtle embossing folder, Big Shot, heat tool, sponge dauber, aged ivory embossing powder (Stampendous), pretty pines thinlits, linen thread, buffalo check ribbon (non SU), stitched rectangle dies

For the next one I had a more bloke-y card in mind, though of course any gender can be into pick-ups. I love the real country vibe it evokes.


Materials used:
  • stamps - Hardwood, Merry Cafe
  • card - crumb cake, basic black, retired DSP, whisper white
  • other - corrugated embossing folder, stitched circles die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, twine, Stampin' Blends, computer and printer, digital image

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers
Kez

Monday, October 21, 2019

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Plaid

I'm sure you know the famous quote, 'I can resist anything but temptation.' I've no idea who said it originally but what I do know is that it suits me to a T. Recently when I saw the new Tim Holtz plaid stamps on sale (see this post), I ordered them immediately - something that came as no surprise to my BFF. She was shocked, however, to hear that I have only recently ordered the Wrapped in Plaid designer papers from the holiday catalogue! I kept telling myself I had more than enough Christmas stuff and didn't need them, even though I fell further in love every time I saw them used on a card. But, of course, I did eventually concede defeat and sent off an order (and have just ordered a second batch, lol) and I've been happily playing with them ever since. So, the word du jour is most definitely plaid...or tartan, or whichever you prefer to call it, lol.

The design for this was inspired by a Pinterest find:


Materials used:
  • stamps - More Merry Messages
  • card - cherry cobbler, whisper white, shaded spruce, Wrapped in Plaid DSP
  • other - layering ovals dies, Big Shot, poinsettia dies (non SU), gold pearls, Dimensionals, scoring tool, cardinal dies

And this one's a remaking of a previous card because I simply could not resist (refer to first paragraph) ;-P


Materials used:
  • stamps - none
  • card - shaded spruce, crumb cake, cherry cobbler, Wrapped in Plaid DSP
  • other - linen thread, layering stars dies, detailed deer thinlits, Big Shot, Dimensionals, sponge

Now it might seem strange (okay, hold back the sarcastic retort) but even though I've lived in Australia for more than 20 years, where Christmas is more often than not a sweltering day where we sit close to the air conditioning and eat cold salads, to me a card just looks more Christmassy with some tartan. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Go figure.

There's plenty more plaid cards ruminating in my brain, so hopefully they'll see the light of day shortly - in which case, I'll be back soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers
Kez

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Believe

As you all know, I like to challenge myself every now and then with a CAS (Clean and Simple) card. The folks over at CAS Sunday have a very intriguing challenge at the moment - to use a BIG sentiment. Whelp, before I knew it, an idea sprouted in my brain and wouldn't budge, so of course I eventually sat down with my tools and got to work.

Here's my entry:


Materials used:
  • stamps - Santa's Suit (SU), Believe (Simon Says Stamp)
  • card - whisper white, retired DSP
  • other - Santa builder die, Big Shot, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Stamparatus, mounting tape, real red marker and ink, Versamark ink, soft sky marker, gold thread

I stamped the sentiment twice then gave it two coats of clear embossing powder for extra depth and shine. Love how the pattern on the dsp gives added interest to the stamped letters. The way I've tied the gold thread is meant to look like gift wrapping, which is symbolic; believing in the magic of Christmas is the gift we give our children/ourselves. 


Thanks for dropping in.

Cheers
Kez

Friday, October 18, 2019

Joy

The two papers I used for today's project are non-SU and have been sitting on my desk for quite a while, waiting for me to come up with a card design to use them on, lol. I'm happy with how this turned out, even though it's a very simple style.



Materials used:
  • stamps - none
  • card - merry merlot, Sahara sand, designer papers by Kaisercraft and FarmHouse Paper Company
  • other - pinewood planks 3D embossing folder, Big Shot, large letters dies, white baker's twine, small bells, stitched rectangle die, mounting strips, Dimensionals, mini glue dot

I adore that holly and bells paper - well, I love both; you know me and tartans! Speaking of, back with more of those soon...

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers
Kez