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Friday, August 26, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #84 - Daffodils in 3D!

Boy oh boy, you might just need a pair of sunnies for this week's Inkspirations Challenge colours, lol:-


Well, seeing as Spring is just around the corner, I thought I would "grow" some daffodils:-

A while ago I was making some paper roses, (the gorgeous ones created by Joanne Leddy - look HERE for Joanne's tute), & during the process I thought, hey with a bit of tweaking, this could be made into a daffodil, so here is what I did:-


Now IRL daffodils actually have six petals, so I have since made some more.  I will put up a tute with some step by step photos during the week if anyone is interested in making them.  :)

These blooms are very 3D! 


So I had to make a matching box to post the card in!


Hope you can join us in the challenge this week.  Please make sure you go check out what the rest of the Team has done with these rather LOUD colours, lol:-
The Challenge Site

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée





Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa



Card Components:  
I'll list them when I post the tute next week.  :)


Friday, August 19, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #83 - Embossed Circular Frame

Hi all, it's Inkspirations time again:-


This week I have rotated the sketch anti-clockwise by 90 degrees & here is the result:-


(If you are wondering, that is a real life fishing net, lol!  I couldn't help using this prop, seeing as it was on hand.)

My DT buddies, Renée  & Carrie, are experts when it comes to cool distressing techniques, & I have used some dainty rolled corners on my map, in their style.  Thanks for the inspiration ladies!  :)

Last week I promised you a rundown on how I created my circular embossed frames, so I have incorporated one in this week's design:-


BTW, I want to send out a huge "thank you" to the gorgeous Nikki Spencer, who stamped some Open Sea images for me, while I patiently waited for the set I purchased (via a popular on-line auction site) to arrive!  *waving madly Nikki!*

Now for the nitty gritty - I lightly coloured the compass image with a bashful blue marker & marina mist ink with a blender pen.  I punched this out using a 7/8" circle punch. 


I coloured the entire disk with my Versamark marker & then clear embossed it.  I then did this a second & third time, to get a nice generous, glass-like coating.  I punched a 1" black circle & layered my compass image onto it.


To make the embossed frame, I punched four 1.1/8" circles into a piece of cardstock, leaving a gap between each.  Then, lining up each 1.1/8" circle in the centre of the 1.3/8" punch, I punched again, giving me four rings.


I created a "chipboard" ring by layering the four rings in a stack, using the adhesive from the Sizzix adhesive sheets.  (You simply peel away one liner from your adhesive sheet, sit your punched shape on the adhesive sheet & then lift it off.  It should give you a nice coating of adhesive on it, so you can stick it to another ring.)


Next I punched a 1.1/2" circle from gold cardstock.  I centred the "chipboard" ring under the cardstock circle & added a tiny bit of masking tape to hold it in place.  Then I misted my gold circle with alcohol to help with the embossing.


This is the Big Shot sandwich I made, starting from the bottom:-
  • Multi purpose platform (open at Tab 1)
  • Gold cardstock circle (with "chipboard" ring underneath)
  • Silicone rubber embossing mat
  • Both clear plates
(Please note:  You may need to adjust this sandwich depending on your particular Big Shot, Cuttlebug or other embossing equipment.)


Now the cardstock circle will remain damp for a while, but you can very carefully remove the "chipboard" ring - just make sure you don't warp your circle.  Otherwise, you can wait until it's fully dry (blast it with a hairdryer if you like) & remove it then.


Flip it back over & adhere your compass face to the indentation in the centre & you are ready to attach your "compass" to your project.  :)


You could try this method with any shape, as long as you have enough concentric sizes.

Now the very talented ladies from the Inkspiration Team have some lovely projects to share with you, so go take a look at the Challenge site.


Card Components (all SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
DSP:  Newsprint
Stamps:  Open Sea, Word Play
Inks:  Marina Mist Pad & Marker, Basic Black, Bashful Blue Marker, Crumb Cake, Versamark marker
Other:  Marina striped grosgrain ribbon, gold brads, clear embossing powder, dimensionals, circle punches (1", 1.3/8", 1.1/2")
Non SU:  Circle punches (7/8", 1.1/8"), distressing tool

Friday, August 12, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #82 - Father's Day is looming!

Welcome to the Inkspirations Challenge for another week.  This week you have these gorgeous colours to play with:-


Father's Day is not all that far away for us Aussies, so I thought I would try & be a little bit organised, & make a card:-


I've made embossed frames to house the "d", "a" & "d", which were inked from the words "wonderful" & "favourite", using a marker.  I'll add details of how to make the frames in next week's post, but for now, here's another view:-


The background is a simple collage, using the Extreme Elements set, plus the key image from Artistic Etchings. A spot of die-cutting, embossing & sponging, & I'm all done.  :)

The rest of the Team have some wonderful creations to get you pulling out your stamps & cardstock - go take a peek:-
Card Components (all SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Inks:  Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake
Stamps:  Extreme Elements, Artistic Etchings & Wonderful Favourites
Other:  Lattice Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, Circle Punches, Marina Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Non SU:  Circle Punches

Friday, August 5, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #81 - Marg's Hedgie :)

Hello & welcome - it's Inkspirations time again!  The lovely Keesh has provided this nice, easy sketch to try this week:-


I haven't done any watercolouring for quite a while, so I thought I would take the opportunity here:-


This cute little hedgie is from my lovely friend Margaret's collection (*waving to you Marg*) & I have used SU inkpads & an aquapainter to colour the image:-


I've pushed myself out on a limb here & combined some patterned papers for the layering as I know the recipient likes prints (even though I find them really hard to put together).  :)

Here are the links for the rest of the team, please make sure you pop by to check out their fantastic work:-
PS  Sorry this is so short & sweet, I am still having computer issues.  You may have noticed that I haven't been leaving comments lately.  :(   Hopefully it will be all sorted soon.

Card Components
SU Cardstock, Papers, Ribbon & Buttons
PTI & Penny Black Stamps
Please drop me an email if you would like more info.  :)