Getting Fresh on the Farm

I saw the farm fresh apples and 'earthiness' on the Lawnscaping inspiration photo and put this little number together.

Background, pig, wheelbarrow and farm girl from GinaK Designs "Funny Farm". Little heart from all Occasion Tags.

Gift card holder

This week's Mix it up Monday challenge at stamptv.com is to create a gift card holder. I love this idea and it is really easy. Just follow Gina's video instructions:
http://stamptv.ning.com/video/gift-card-holder-part-1
http://stamptv.ning.com/video/gift-card-holder-part-2

Sentiment and it's frame from Fanciful Tags (see "Stamps I use" for link to the GinaK Designs shop)
I would also like to enter this project in:
http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-86-sponsored-by-simply-betty.html (Holiday or Winter related)
http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-5-other-than-card-something.html (anything but a card)
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2011/11/make-it-monday-65-with-cupcake-cards.html (anything goes ...)
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/2011/11/hop-ch-61-say-it-with-sentiments.html (say it with sentiments)
http://www.creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com/2011/11/ci-paints-inspired-by-anything-but-card.html (anything but a card)
http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-34-sentiments.html
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/11/delightfuls-red-and-green-challenge.html
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2011/11/anything-goes-at-pcj.html
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/shellys-images-would-like-to-wish-you.html (Red & Green)

I found Paper & Such

I was a lucky blog winner over at Inkstazonme's website (http://inkstazonme.blogspot.com/) and I received a voucher to spend at http://www.paperandsuchonline.com/. I was so happy because I could get some paper I haven't found in South Africa AND some Twinery's twine! Thank you Sheila!

Blog Candy Winner!!!

We put all the names in a bowl ....

And the WINNER IS ....

NANCY!!!

Nancy, just please e-mail me again your postal address to redgasser@gmail.com

Have a great weekend everyone!

Simply Fabulous 2

(Sorry for the repeat for those who read Part 1 already)
My sister is a member of The Dahlings (she's the tall one :D) and she asked me to make her friends each a card for well wishes for opening night of their new show (this weekend!). I followed the sketch on the Lily Pad Cards sketch challenge again and since I quite liked how my previous shabby vintage card turned out, I tried it again. .

This paper is also from a very old scrapbook paper sheet from Graphic45. See Part 1 for link to instructions for the flower.
Sentiment: Fanciful Tags (GinaK Designs)

If you check out The Dahlings' website you'll see that these vintage images are a perfect fit for them.

Simply Fabulous 1

My sister is a member of The Dahlings (she's the tall one :D) and she asked me to make her friends each a card for well wishes for opening night of their new show (this weekend!).  I followed the sketch on the Lily Pad Cards sketch challenge again and since I quite liked how my previous shabby vintage card turned out, I tried it again. I did turn the sketch upside down.

The paper is a part of some very old 12"x12" scrapbook paper from Graphic45 that was passed on to me (by my other sister).
The sentiment is from Fanciful Tags (GinaK Designs). The flower I made myself by layering thinner white organza ribbon over wider brown and using THIS technique >> http://lisapace.com/2007/04/ribbon-flower-tutorial/
Lots of glue from my glue gun :D

If you check out The Dahlings' website you'll see that these vintage images are a perfect fit for them.

Sweeten the candy

I'm loving seeing the entries for the blog candy and can not agree more on the "small sharp scissors"! So I decided to add a pair of the same scissors I use to the blog candy!

Remember entries close on Friday evening (25th) :D

Featured designer at Lily Pad Cards!

It is such an honor to be featured at Lily Pad Cards today. I love their How-To videos (posted on Sundays) and watch them over and over :D They also have wonderful challenges so check them out!
Here is a little sneek peak of my cards being featured at Lily Pad Cards:

So get over to Lily Pad Cards today! I hope you'll like them!

For those visiting from over there - WELCOME!! I would love to get to know more of my visitors so invite you to join my blog and then as a bonus enter my little give-away HERE (it ends on Friday 25th).

Lily Pad Sketch Challenge

The current Lily Pad Card Sketch Challenge is sponsored by Craft's Meow!

Here is my take on the sketch:

Those who know me a little bit know that I'm uncomfortable with shabby/distressed style cards but I thought I would give it a go!
Sentiment: GinaK Designs All Occasion Tags

Here's the sketch

Reminders:
I have a blog candy competition running until Friday (25th) so PLEASE follow and enter! There is link to it at the top right hand corner of my blog.
Links to Stamps I Use can be found in the menu list on the top left.

Anchored Birthday

This card was created using the anchor and sailboat from GinaK Designs' Enjoy the Sunshine set.

The background panel was created by stamping the anchor randomly with first Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz) followed by Broken China (TH).
The edges and sligthly the central area was then shaded using a foam applicator using Tumbled Glass again.
The edges were then darkened using Broken China.
For the focal image, I took a piece of white cardstock (GinaK Designs pure luxury 80lb) and dragged the Tumbled Glass and Broken China ink pads directly over it.
I then stamped the sailboat in Memento Tuxedo Black over it.
The sails were paper pieced before the image was cut out using Spellbinders Circle die.
The sailboat circle was glued to a larger dark blue cardstock circle.
A thin line of glue was applied around the larger circle before string was glued onto it.
The sentiment (GKD, Garden Silhouettes) was stamped on plain white cardstock and then cut out.
The sentiment piece was glued to the back of the circle panel before the circle panel was glued to the background panel.
The edge of the sentiment piece was slightly lifted up and the right-hand edge glued down using a glue dot.
The whole panel was glued to a dark cardstock panel before being glued to the card base.

This card is an entry for:
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/11/water-water-everywhere.html
http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/fabulous-friday-challenge-die-cuts.html
http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspire-me-fridays-33-linky-party.html
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2011/11/break-out-scissors-this-week.html

Elegant sparkle card

I created this card for a friend's sister-in-law. She asked for a card that wasn't too flowery so I stuck to a slightly leafy theme.

How I made this:
*  On a piece of white cardstock place the oval die that you will use to cut out your focal panel. With a pencil, ligthly draw along the inside of it to mark more or less where the die cut will cut the oval.
*  I used one of the small branches from GinaK Designs' The Vine set to stamp inside the penciled oval. I used one of the olive-colored inks from my Colorbox (Coffee House).
*  The sentiment (GKD, Whimsical Wishes) was stamped in a slightly darker colour from the same stack.
*  The branches' leaves were traced over with Sakura Stardust pen (you can see this slightly on the left-hand side branches, but they all have it).
*  Cut out the oval area and emboss the edge. Shade with Antique Linen (Tim Holtz) while still in the die so you get the nice white border.
*  Stamp the dragonfly with the darker green olive colour on white cardstock. Cut it out and then line it with gold Stickles. Let dry thoroughly!
*  Cut the scalloped oval from dark green cardstock and mount your focal oval on to it.
*  The DP in the background is from Basic Grey (I think - I'll check :D)
*  Glue the DP to a mat panel the same colour as the scalloped oval.
*  Add a neutral ribbon around this panel.
*  Glue the oval panel in place, slightly to the right.
*  Tie a small piece of the ribbon to the right of the panel.
*  Glue the whole completed panel to the front of your card base.
*  Now finish by glueing the body part of the dragonfly in place, slightly lifting the wings up.

This card is an entry for:
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-66-let-it-sparkle.html
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/2nd-birthday.html (Happy Birthday Sweet Stampin'!)

Sail Scene with Shady Waves

The inside scene panel was created as follows:
*  Cut a piece of white cardstock (I used GinaK Designs pure luxury since it works very well with blending distress inks). This piece must be smaller than your outside white panel (see picture).
*  From a piece of scratch cardstock, cut the edge into a wave.
*  Holding it upside down over your white cardstock with the wavy end at the bottom, leave about 1/2 " open. Start shading with Broken China distress ink.
*  Move the curve slightly up and a bit to the left or right (your scratch cardstock must be wider than your focal panel).  Shade with Tumbled Glass distress ink.
*  Repeat one or two more times, alternating between Broken China & Tumbled Glass. Try not to cover the lower layer too much with the next colour otherwise you will lose the wave effect.
*  For the sky:  I used Versamagic chalk dew drop inks (they are quite dry already) and just rubbed directly onto the cardstock with them. Light blue at the top, light pink in the middle and light yellow just above the wave. I tried to leave a slight white space between the yellow and first blue wave.
*  The boat (GinaK Designs "Enjoy the Sunshine") was stamped on seperate white cardstock and onto patterned paper with Memento Tuxedo Black.
*  The black and white image was carefully cut out. The boat colored using Memento marker.
*  The sails were cut out of the patterned paper and glue to the black and white cardstock image.
*  After the sails were paper pieced, some of the 'open' areas were cut out with a craft knife so that the background will show through.
*  Before you glue it onto the waves, create your open frame by cutting an oval from another piece of cardstock. Leaving the outside paper in the die as well, emboss it so that you can get the embossed edge around the edge of the oval. Remove the oval inside piece.
* Stamp sentiment (GinaK Designs Bold and Beautiful set) in place.
*  Apply glue around the back side of the oval and position over your wave panel.
* Now glue the boat in place.
*  Adhere front panel to plain cardstock (Tim Holtz distress paper) and then onto your cardbase.

This card is an entry for:
http://ellephantasticchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/novembers-challenge.html (Weather: Here in South Africa we are heading for the height of summer and I grew up near Cape Town where you would often see sail boats leaving the harbor.)
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/2nd-birthday.html (Happy Birthday Sweet Stampin'!!)
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/11/water-water-everywhere.html
http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/fabulous-friday-challenge-die-cuts.html (I guess this is a reverse die-cut card!)
http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspire-me-fridays-33-linky-party.html
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2011/11/break-out-scissors-this-week.html

Almost at 30!

I'm so excited to see 28 followers! Happy you guys are exploring papercrafting with me. Remember to enter for some blog candy HERE > http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html
But you have to be a follower to qualify :D

Remember that the competition closes on 25 November and I might throw in something else based on what some of the answers have been thus far :D

Snowy Christmas

I made this card for the Make it Monday challenge this week at www.stamptv.com .
http://stamptv.ning.com/forum/topics/mix-it-up-monday-let-it-snow-1

Using Tree Silhouettes and sentiment from Fanciful Tags (Ginak Designs)

The trees were first stamped with Martha Stewart embossing ink, then used Clear Embossing Powder. I masked off the bottom part of the white paper and applied Tumbled Glass over the top part with a foam applicator. I then added some Broken China to the edges.

It's not too clear on the picture but the bottom coppery ribbon lies between two score lines. While the top on is nestled on top of a score line.

The 'stars' were added using Sakura Stardust pen. There's also some Stardust Stickles on the tree branches.

Touch Twin Challenge: In the garden

(Remember to join my blog and play for some little blog candy: http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html)

This is my Touch Twin Markers challenge: In the Garden

Only the body of the wheel barrow is paper pieced. The rest is colored with "other brand" markers & some chalk pencils.

The "gardener" and wheel barrow is from "Funny Farm" (GinaK Designs) and the leaves from "The Vine".

>> See "Stamps I Use" for links to these stamp sets <<

Less is More Leaves

This is my entry for Less is More: Leaves

Leaves & Sentiment: Whimsical Wishes (GinaK Designs - see "Stamps I use" link on the left menu)
(Remember to join my blog and play for some little blog candy: http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html)

Organising a reference library

(Remember to Follow my Blog and play for some Blog Candy : http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html)
So often I've wanted to re-order a specific type of patterned paper or TimHoltz cardstock but the images on the web is not always clear enough to show me which one it is I need. So I just recently started a type of reference 'library' in an A5 hardcover book (which I covered with DP of course :D)

It works like this:

 For my Tim Holtz distress cardstock, I cut a piece that has the sticker at the back with the name of the color. I glue one side down so I can see the front but lift it up to view the name at the back.

I had these strips left over from some Fabscraps paper (SOOOOO Beautiful) and I've glued them the same way. In this case the name is on the white strips. Because these are double sided, I've kept the edge unglued to lift up again. If you only have a small piece left, you can just glue it in and write underneath the brand and range name.

I think it will also be nice to look back later to see what papers I used because as we know they get discontinued regularly.

Farm Wishes

(Remember to Follow my Blog and play for some Blog Candy : http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html)

Used Funny Farm from GinaK Designs and the sentiment is from All Occasion Tags (GKD too).

Second Entry for:

• http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-65-anything-goes.html
• http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/11/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_12.html
• http://glittergeeks.blogspot.com/2011/11/week-23-humorous.html
• http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspire-me-fridays-32-linky-party.html
• http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/craft-challenge-128-cute.html
• http://sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-53-use-more-than-two-images.html
• http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-98.html

Herd it's your Birthday

(Remember to Follow my Blog and play for some Blog Candy : http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-candy.html)
 This is such a fun set and I love using it.  My little girl uses it now all the time!

The three animals were stamped on patterned paper (the cow and sheep's paper is a grey'ish smudgy paper not too clear on the photo).
The barn, field and trees were paper pieced with little scraps of paper I had stashed away.
Stamp set used: Ginak Designs' "Funny Farm"

Entry for:

• http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-65-anything-goes.html
• http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/11/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_12.html
• http://glittergeeks.blogspot.com/2011/11/week-23-humorous.html
• http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspire-me-fridays-32-linky-party.html
• http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/craft-challenge-128-cute.html
• http://sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-53-use-more-than-two-images.html
• http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-98.html

Blessings Frame

This is what the full frame looks like that I made for my husband.

See http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/birthday-gift.html for links to stamps & the blog where I saw this idea first time.

Blog candy!!

(See update below)
I am so happy to see 23 followers!! So, I thought it's time for a proper give-away.
The first requirement is that I should get to 30 followers - so invite your friends to join!
Secondly, if you are a follower (or once you've joined), comment ON THIS POST and tell me what is your favorite craft tool that can fit in a handbag. So this excludes your Cuttlebugs, Spellbinders, etc. :D
Everyone has until 25 NOVEMBER 17:00 EST (Eastern Seaboard Time) to join and comment.
Remember - this will only be effective if I hit at least 30 followers because I would love to get to know more of my visitors!
It's just a little something and I'll add a specially made card with the package. So what will I send your way if you win?
Cuttlebug Fleur de Lis embossing folder and a packet of Fabscraps 'flat-back' cream pearls:

UPDATE: 23 November 2011

I reached 34 followers!! Thank you everyone! AND to sweeten the candy I'm adding a pair of the same scissors I use:

A birthday gift

I have been so busy working on the calendars for the family's Christmas gifts that I haven't had much time for card making. I'm using Tami Mayberry's Calendar grid and the Calendar Bits & Pieces (see "Stamps I use" link on the left for a link to GinaK Designs shop). It's a big job and since I have to make 10 of them it's taking some time. As I'm going along I am figuring out ways to do it quicker next year! But they're going to be great!

I have also worked on a birthday gift for hubby (turning 40 tomorrow!). I got the idea (and not a moment too soon) from here: http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2010/10/blessings-board.html

Here's a sneak-view of the page that will go inside the frame:

I created the type in Microsoft Powerpoint and then stamped with "The Vine" set from GinaK Designs. The leaves and flowers are paper pieced (I figured it was easier than coloring). The page turned out to look very vintage which I'm happy about. It will look like it's been in the family for years! Now to just quickly get a frame today.

Christmas Blue

Background created by using the snowflake image from Calendar Bits & Pieces (available from GinaK Designs). Sentiment from Fanciful Tags (GDK). Scoring done with my Scor-Pal.

Card entry for:
http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/non-traditional-christmas-colors.html

Sentimental encouragement

Sentiment is my own and available for free download. See my "Sentiments" page on the left menu. Flower (from GinaK Designs "The Vine") was paper pieced with some of the same pattered paper as in the background.

Card entry for:
http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/2011/11/say-it-with-sentiments.html
http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-32-cut-it-out.html
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/craftycatz-challenge-107anything-goes.html

Faber-Castell give-away at Lawnscaping!

http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/2011/11/lawnscaping-giveaway-faber-castell.html

Check it out quick!

A flowery birthday

This card is for my niece who just turned 17! I nearly had a heart attack when I saw how old she was! Boy how time flies and you feel old when you see the 'little ones' turn into young men and women.

 The way of popping up one part of the paper piecing and glueing down the other I saw on Lily Pad Cards' website. It really makes it pop! The smaller flowers are hand-colored with Derwent artist pencils and Colleen pencils (they really blend together nicely on GinaK pure luxury cardstock).

Flower stamps from GinaK Designs "The Vine". Sentiment from "Whimsical Wishes".

Card entry for:
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-99-paper-piecing.html
http://bowsnberries-bosenberries.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-13-clean-and-simple.html
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2011/10/make-it-monday-61.html

Funny Farm!!

I was so excited yesterday! I got my Funny Farm stamp set from GinaK Designs in the post. It was a set I won and now I'm so glad that I picked it! It is really fun to use and the farm image just begged to be paper pieced.

I made this card for my nephew who is turning 4!

See the link on the menu on the left for "Stamps I use" where you'll find a link to it.

Card entry for:

• http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-44-cutesy-2-week-challenge.html
• http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-99-paper-piecing.html
• http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-31-can-you-hear-music.html (Old McDonald Had A Farm in my case!!)
• http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/gc125-chestnut-theme-challenge-farm.html
• http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/2011/11/smile.html

About Lily Pad Cards

I recently came across Lily Pad Cards website. They have stunning "how-to" videos that are truly inspirational. Not only that, but there are lovely challenges too!

Check them out at: http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/