Thursday, May 29, 2014

A Special Card

Each year, I strive to make an extra-special card for my daughter's birthday. I can't believe she turned 23 last week!

This year I came across a video showing how to make a Cascading Card. It was great, but I changed it up a bit and made it 6" tall (larger than the sample card) and strengthened the folds with tape so it wouldn't slide apart.

Daughter's favorite colour is turquoise, so the paper choice was easy; I used "Birds of a Feather" from Graphic 45's new line "Botanical Tea" set. I also used three matching chipboard cutouts and fussy cut a few bird images from the leftover paper.


When folded out, it stands on its own as a 3D card. I used Tim Holtz' "Weathered Wood" Distress Ink on all the edges of the paper (back and front) before assembly. The ribbon is from my stash and the front is decorated with a Wild Orchid Craft rose, stamens and some gauze.


I added a second layer of paper to the back for support, and that is where I wrote the sentiment and signed the card.


She loved it! And much to my surprise, it fit perfectly inside the gift box we placed her present inside too... totally unplanned.

I hope you enjoy seeing the video I used as inspiration and try this out for yourself! It was a lot of fun and so easy to create.




Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tim Holtz Tags of 2014 - May


Time again to do my monthly tag for Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2014!  This month Tim challenged us to get out some of those embellishments we have collected in a “creative composition” assignment. So I pulled together a bunch of supplies to chose from - some I used, some I didn't... and a couple were new goodies I got online just for this project. One of those is Tim's new ShadowPress Debossing Folder ("Authentic"). This set of six folders has a variety of sentiments that will be great to use on cards! I also finally got a proper set of Ink Blending Tools - the new round shape makes it so easy to apply inks; I got a set of 20 refills so I have a pad for each ink colour in my collection.


I started out by cutting out two tags using the Tag and Bookplates Bigz die (I make a duplicate tag each month for my local scrapbook store). Since they tend to warp after being wet, I glue them to chipboard that has also been cut with the same die.

I added both the Antique Linen and Barn Door Distress Paints to my craftsheet, added a spritz of water with the Mini Mister and ran the tags through it to marble the paper. Water was also shaken over the top for more "water stain" effect.


After drying, I inked the edges with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Ink and added reinforcements to the tag holes (also from the same die set). I used a Vintage Photo Distress Marker for the inside edge of the hole.

I ran some chipboard with the "Beautiful" folder through my Cuttlebug, cut it to size and inked the edges and lightly swiped the ink over the top, making the debossed word stand out more.


After choosing the elements to add, I cut out chipboard mats for each one and arranged them on the tag. Then I glued background paper from Tim's Crowded Attic pad, sanding and inking each one as Tim instructed.


The bird is from the Bird and Branch die, the oval and arrow are Industrious Stickers (Borders and Frames & Trims sets), Wishbone, Philosophy Tag and Tag Labels (the pen nib) were all added with Glossy Accents.


The final step was adding a strip of Red and Cream Trimmings ribbon through the tag hole.


I really love how the layers look; especially the ruler image - looks like a real vintage ruler piece!


Lots of fun as usual, to play along with Tim's artistic challenges. Can't wait to see what he has in store for us in June!


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Yikes!

It's been nearly a MONTH since I last posted!!!

April and May have historically been busy months for us with numerous birthdays and celebrations, but this year was exceptionally crazy nuts tiring "active". After 60 years in the same home, my Mom and Dad decided it was time to move to a retirement home. So we have all been occupied "de-stashing", moving and cleaning. It's sad to see my childhood home going up for sale, but I am so pleased they found a beautiful place that they deserve.

I wasn't totally craft-deprived during the past few weeks though. I did get a few projects done.

I knitted my very first pair of socks!


I made a cowl from super-chunky yarn:


A few cat blankets to keep my company comfy in the Studio:




Just today I completed my first triangular kerchief:


And I made a few cards (daughter's birthday card will be shown in my next post):



So.... what's new with you? Oh yeah... I need to do some blog visiting! That's next on my "To Do" list!


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