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Friday, May 25, 2012

Dynamic Duos #3 & RetroSketches #12 - Just Because

I have been wanting to play along in both the RetroSketches & Dynamic Duos Challenges this week, ever since I saw the DT samples from Arielle & Kim, both who incorporated a bee in their design.

I finally found some time to get creating, so here's my card:-


& here are the Challenge details (click on the graphics to go straight to the Challenge sites):-



The Dynamic Duos challenge has a dessert option of dry embossing, which I have done to the daffodil panel, using a little something I have had in my stash for quite a while, but had not yet used.  I ended up using it in three ways on this card.  Firstly as a "texture mat" to create the dry embossing, secondly as a stencil, to sponge the faux honeycomb onto the white panel & thirdly as a stamp, to add a small versamark circle to the base card, at the bottom left hand corner of the white panel (you can see it a little better in the following photo).  I heat embossed the ink with black embossing powder.


My secret weapon - sequin waste - that I found in a haberdashery store last year, when my daughter was creating a tutu.  The texture in the yellow panel is fabulous, but I had difficulty capturing it in the photo.  I layered up three pieces of the sequin waste & sent it through the Big Shot with two silicone embossing mats, which nicely "squished" the cardstock into the holes.  I then sponged the raised outlines with daffodil ink to add some extra depth.  :)

The bee has been coloured with inkpads, blender pens & markers, & has an extra set of vellum wings which are all sparkly thanks to my spica glitter pen.

Card Components:  (all SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Confetti White
Inks:  Basic Black, Staz On Black, Daffodil Delight, Versamark, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Stamps:  Best Yet (retired), Nature Walk
Other:  Dimensionals, Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Black Embossing Powder, Circle Punch to create "stamp"
Non SU:  Spica Pen, Sequin Waste

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Paper Players #95 & Freshly Made Sketches #35 - A Double Challenge

This week I thought I might try combining two challenges to create this card:-


Here are the challenge requirements (click on each graphic to take you directly to the Challenge):-


This is a "bon voyage" card for my BIL, a keen cyclist, who is off to Europe to watch the 2012 Tour de France soon.  Hope he likes this cute little bike (sans the basket), which I've used with white embossing powder on the daffodil layer & self-stamped on the poppy card base.

I've added some interest to the baja panel with some scoring, & finished it all off with some white baker's twine & a daffodil button:-


Thank you to the Design Teams from Freshly Made Sketches & The Paper Players for the great challenges!  :)

ETA:  A big thank you to Heidi at the Paper Players for choosing my card as a Cut Above this week.  :)





Card Components:  (SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight
Inks:  Versamark, Poppy Parade
Stamps:  Pedal Presents (Hostess)
Other:  White Baker's Twine, Brights Buttons, White Embossing Powder, Scoring Tool
Non SU:  PTI Sentiment Stamp

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dynamic Duos Challenge #2 - Butterfly Frame

It's the second week of challenges at the new Dynamic Duos site, & the colours are soft & romantic.  Here's my card:-


& here are the Challenge colours (you can click on the graphic to go straight to the challenge):-


First I had the idea of an oval frame, but I found it much easier to get a nice even spacing in a circular shape.  I actually used a nestie die to butt the butterfly bottoms up to, to keep my frame nice & round.  Now I've made up the frame in colour, I would love to try one in all white.  Here's a close up so you can see the dimension of the cute little butterflies:-


I don't seem to have many large sentiments (might have to go shopping, lol), so this cling one from Kaiser had to do.

Please make sure you go & check out the awesome samples from the DT & all the gorgeous entries in the gallery!  

Card Components:  SU except as noted
Cardstock:  Whisper White Textured, Pool Party, So Saffron
Inks:  Pool Party
Other:  Beautiful Wings Sizzlet Die, Basic Jewels - Pearls, Mini Glue Dots
Non SU:  Kaiser sentiment stamp, Circular Nestibility Die (for butterfly placement)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Just Add Ink #117 - It's all Yellow!

Well, this week's challenge at Just Add Ink is very YELLOW!!!  As is my card:-


Here are the Challenge colours:-


These "sunshiney" colours suggested a big bunch of cheery blooms to me, so I made a basket full, for my Mum. ♥

I made the double sided basket from a top note die-cut, with a fold slightly in from the edge.  I then embossed it, to give a lovely wicker weave, which was further highlighted by sponging with daffodil ink.  The basket rim & handle were made from the dotted scallop ribbon border punch, which was also sponged & overlaid with grosgrain ribbon.

I wanted to make a doily to place the basket on, so I white embossed the medallion image, which had been stamped on vellum.  Here's a close up:-


To top it off, I added a magnet to the back of the basket, (& sandwiched another one between the layers of the card), so the basket can be removed & displayed on the fridge.


My Mum was very happy with her yellow card.  :)


ETA:  Thank you to the Team at Just Add Ink, who presented me with this:-


Card Components:  All SU (except magnets)
Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Whisper White
Inks:  Daffodil Delight, So Saffron
Stamps:  Medallion, Woodgrain, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Other:  Blossom Party Die, Top Note Die, Framelits Label Dies (flowers are attached to a die cut), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon, Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, Lattice Embossing Folder, DSP &  Buttons (retired)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dynamic Duos Challenge #1 - Masked Blooms

Ever since I heard about the new Dynamic Duos Challenge site on Bronwyn's blog (DT Member), I've been waiting patiently for the first challenge.  I was very excited to discover that the inaugural challenge requires two of my favourite colours - Pool Party & Lucky Limeade.  Here's a peek:-


I was inspired by my lovely bloggin' buddy, Andrea, to try some masked flowers, after seeing her beautiful tulip card. I wanted to keep the design crisp & clean, with the flowers taking all the attention, so the actual card & sentiment are very simple:-


To create the petals & leaves, I've used a stencil & masks, created with the "wing" section of SU's bird punch & sponged on the colour.

If you would like to play along in the Challenge, or simply check out the wonderful DT inspiration pieces, click on the Dynamic Duos logo:-


Looking forward to next week's colours!  :)

Card Components:  (all SU)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (smooth & textured), Pool Party
Inks:  Pool Party, Lucky Limeade
Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Other:  Bird Builder Punch, SAB Brads

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Just Add Ink #115 - A Challenge Notebook

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is a pretty sketch from Mae.  Here is my very literal interpretation, as well as the sketch:-




I find I am regularly jotting down details of challenges on little bits of paper & then drafting designs on other scraps of paper.  I thought I might get myself organised & create a little Challenge Book, to keep all the details together.  (Might negate having some of those last minute entries, lol!)

It is A6 in size (1/4 of a standard sheet).  The pages are simply photocopy paper & I printed the following details on each page before binding:-

  • Challenge Site
  • Challenge Name
  • Due Date
  • Details

I've kept the embellishment on the front very flat & covered both front & back covers with a sheet of acetate for protection.  

Thank you to the very lovely Christine Blain who showed me the baby wipe technique, which I have used on the fussy cut butterfly:-



I have room to draw in the challenge sketches/write in the colour combos, as well as scribble to my heart's content.



Once my notebook is full, I will have a handy little ready reference of sketches & colour combos = bonus!

Thanks for the fun challenge Ladies.

ETA:  Look what the lovely DT at JAI have awarded me with (Thank You!):-



Project Components  (all SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Inks:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Taken with Teal (retired)
Stamps:  Word Play, Creative Elements
Other:  Scoring Tool, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Framelit Dies
Non SU:  Cornelli Embossing Folder, Binding Wires, Acetate

The Paper Players #93 - Anything Goes - Tic Tac Toe - Mini Flower Pot & Centre Step Card

This is my entry for this week's challenge at the Paper Players:- 



Lesley has a fun Tic Tac Toe Challenge:-


You can probably guess from the first image that I chose the left hand column!

I have made several of these mini flower pots & couldn't resist making a blue version, attached to a centre step card.  You may not have picked it, but the DSP on the side panels is from the Nautical Expedition pack.  The centre panel is from the Cheerful Treat Hostess DSP.  Here are a couple of close-ups:-



I didn't have any matching brads, so I used plain white ones, covered them in Versamark ink & then embossed them with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  I re-inked them & embossed them a second time, to get a nice sparkly finish.  The butterfly had a dose of the same treatment!

The flower pot has a magnet on the back (as does the inside of the card), so the recipient can take the flower pot off the card to display it.  Here's what it looks like off the card:-


The fun part about the flower pot is that you can slide the flower section out of the pot & you have a little secret section to write on:-


ETA:  If you would like your own copy of the tute on how to make the flowerpot & centre step card, please go to this post for the links.  :)


There is still heaps of time to play along in the challenge (here), as well as check out the fabulous DT inspiration pieces & all the other entries.  :)

ETA:  A big thank you to Lesley at the Paper Players for making my card the Headliner for this week!  :)


Card Components:
All SU except for butterfly punch & white brads.
All the flowerpot components are listed in the tute (see above).