Vintage Mashup

When I submitted my entry for the Friday Mash Up challenge #38 I noticed that they were leaving the entries for challenge #37 open until next week!  I was a bit intrigued by this challenge which was to use chipboard or distressing techniques, or mash them up and make a card using both distressing and chipboard. I am also entering this card into the 4 Crafty Chics challenge to use something new - new DSP from the upcoming Sale-A-Bration event.

For this post I have taken a few photos to show off different aspects of this card., this first one shows the card completely closed. I knew I wanted to use some of the DSP that is going to be available as part of Sale-A-Bration 2012, there are so many colours in this paper stack but I chose to keep it fairly simple and use two that use Calypso Coral and Pool Party.  The smaller butterfly is cut from DSP adhered to chipboard and then put through the Big Shot, the larger butterfly has been cut using the same die but with DSP only.  I added the sentiment and Crochet Trim to keep with the vintage feel of the card.

I wanted to take a close up of the butterfly accent because it shows off the distressing that I did.  I have to say I struggled a bit with this because I don't usually use distressing techniques.  I decided to use two on this card, one was to crumple the big butterfly and then drag the Crumb Cake ink pad over the creases to highlight them - I was a bit nervous about this but was happy with how it turned out.  On both of the butterflies I sanded back the edges of the DSP to give it a worn look. 

Now to the card itself ...  This picture shows the card partially open.  This was such a fun card to make and was the tutorial by Patty Bombyk and is featured on Splitcoaststampers this week, I wanted to try something a bit different and this certainly fit the bill.  The top 2/3 of the card opens up and the bottom splits in half and opens sideways!  

Here is a picture of the inside to show both how it opens and the insert I made.  I don't usually make an insert for my cards, but this one just needed something on the inside.  I am not sure if it was the expanse of Calypso Coral, or the general vintage feel of the card, but it seemed bare, so I added a piece of Pool Party card stock sponged around the edges and used the image from Creative Elements to create a border at the top and bottom.

Happy Stamping

Paper Lovin' Mojo

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and for those of you who get the whole week off I hope you are relaxing and enjoying whatever you are doing.  I have spent a lovely few days with my husband and daughter, eating Christmas food, and enjoying the time away from work. 

One of the things I do to relax is to create, and this week at Paper Lovin' Gals there is a great inspirational picture to help the creativity flow.  I think this picture is a great break away from the Christmas theme we have had for a few weeks, and a reminder that 2012 is just a few short days away.  The inspiration I have taken from this picture is the rosette and the colours - what will inspire you?  The layout, colours, theme ... it doesn't matter really because you can join in by creating anything that was inspired by this picture, a scrap page, card, 3D item or even something not paper craft related! So pop over and join in this week.

I also took inspiration from the Mojo Monday sketch this week.

I just love making rosettes, and this was no exception, this one is made using 2 pieces of 6" x 1" card stock which I scored at 1/8" and then fan-folded and joined.  The next part is a bit fiddly, you need to adhere the ends together to form one loop then wiggle it until you lay it flat.  I adhere mine to a 1" circle at the back to help me keep it in shape while the glue dries.  I added a Calypso Coral flower using the Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet.  Can you spot the two new products that will be part of the Sale-A-Bration rewards in January? The little brad and the Lucky Limeade Organdy ribbon that I have layered over some Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon and a small strip of white card stock.  I am loving the effect this gives.

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy Stamping

Another Challenge Card

I have had some fun today, but I have to say my creative mojo is a bit lacking and I seem to have slowed down in the speed at which I create things - a day to make 2 cards isn't very speedy lol.  But I enjoyed making them and that is the important thing.

I made this card with three challenges in mind - The Friday Mash Up, CAS-ual Friday, and Less Is More.  I struggle with the Less is More challenges, I don't often like leaving large spaces unfilled in my cards, but with the sketch at the Mash Up I thought I might be able to pull it off ... let me know what you think.

The Friday Mash Up this week was to use the sketch and/or use water painting. Now while I didn't actually use water colouring with the card, the DSP I chose for the top note does look like a water colour, so I guess that sort of counts!  To attach the Cherry Cobbler bakers twine I wrapped it around the card and through a small hole punched in the spine of the card, it did have a little bow but I accidentally cut it off when trimming the ends lol.

Added for clarification:  The Less Is More challenge was to use a single word sentiment, in this card I chose the 'create' that comes from the Creative Elements stamp set, and paired it with the frame stamp from the same set.

Happy Stamping

Black and White and Red All Over

When I was younger I used to love the riddle "What is black and white and red all over?"  the answer was "A newspaper" (read instead of red)!  The colour challenge at Colour Q reminded me of this so I just had to add Red as my additional colour this week.  I was also intrigued by the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches as well so used that as my basis for this card.  I am also entering this card in the SUO Challenge "Feeling a bit Punchy" I have added butterflies from the Beautiful Wings die for this part.

I have been itching to use some of the flocked DSP in the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP, and this seemed just the right time to do so.  I love the black, red and white together and knew I wanted to use the stamp from Just Believe as a silhouette image with butterflies to add a splash of colour. It was all a bit dark so I added some Real Red mats to the DSP and I am really happy with the outcome.

It is so nice to have time and energy to be creative and play along with some challenges again.  I am hoping to get a few more done in the next day or so before I have to go back to work, so pop back and check them out.

Happy Stamping