Song inspired: My Boy Lollipop!

When I saw the CAS-ual Fridays challenge: Inspired by a song or song title, for some mysterious reason this song popped into my head - My Boy Lollipop by Millie Small. I've been eyeing the lollipop stamp in my Unity stamps' "Mix up of Cuteness" since I got it and I guess it's been lodged somewhere in my brain :D

I used lots of Glossy Accents on the lollipop - it almost looks real!
Background DP is from Basic Grey.

You can see the Youtube video of the 70's version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgxNgVMcYNY
And it seems to have been very popular by the looks of Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Boy_Lollipop

I also want to enter this into the Simon Says Stamp ANYTHING GOES challenge for this month!

CAS-ual Friday: Pastels & Black

It's been such a hectic day with lots of interruptions. Sometimes I can make a card like this in half an hour and other days it takes place over a couple of hours :D. I guess that's life!
CAS-usal Friday's challenge is to make a card using pastels and black. Here's my card (finally!):

 The flowers (UNITY's Best Wishes & Blooms) were stamped twice. Once on the card stock to cut out and a second time on another piece of white card stock to shade with distress inks before being cut out and popped on the main image with foam tape.
The background paper was made by first shading my white card stock with Spun Sugar (Tim Holtz) and then stamping in black with two of the images from Papertrey Ink's Spiral Bouquet.

Close-up showing Glossy Accents

For links to stamp sets: http://redcardcorner.blogspot.com/p/my-stamps.html

I also want to enter this into the Simon Says Stamp ANYTHING GOES challenge AND
http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2012/03/23/simon-says-stamp-presents-a-flower-challenge/

Inspired by Vicky from Lily Pad Cards

The guys at Lawnscaping Challenges have a great one this time - Inspired by...!
My card making has changed a little - it's still mostly CAS but I'm doing more pop ups with paper piecing because I'm so inspired by Vicky from Lily Pad Cards and her great how-to videos.
Here's Lily Pad Cards' site: http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/
Vicky's Blog: http://www.clips-n-cuts.com/
Vicky's Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/vickypgr

Here's my card:

I've also started to use Ranger's Glossy Accents which she introduced me to (as seen on the rainbow). I love the way she uses Distress Inks to shade her areas of the stamp before cutting out (done here on the clouds before covered with Stickles) and the shading of the edges and / or of the whole panel.
I loved this ribbon I found and it pares great with the rainbow.

And as it's fitting, I'm adding this to the Lily Pad Virginia's View inspiration photo challenge too!!

So here's to Vicky!!

Stamps from:
 UNITY: Could I be any Cuter: http://www.unitystampco.com/product/100-could-i-be-any-cuter.aspx

Simon Says Stamp has their monthly ANYTHING GOES challenge too which I'm entering here.

Open the window (Unity)

This is my entry for the Unity March 2012 "Doors & Windows" challenge:

I used one of the sentiments from my Unity grab bag I received with my first Unity order.

The die is from PTI (Movers & Shakers: SLIDERS)

Flowers for Granny

This is another card I made for a commission from friends whose Granny is turning 95!

I'm entering this in Lily pad Card's FLOWERS challenge: http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2012/03/23/simon-says-stamp-presents-a-flower-challenge/

Stamps used:
PTI's 3rd anniversary Round & Round set
PTI's Spiral Bouquet (background)

In case of emergency ... pull the rope!

This card has a bit of a story so pardon me if I enlighten you :D
We recently spent our first camping trip with 3 other families who are very good friends. On the first evening one of our friends (a MASTER story teller) was trying to scare one of my girlfriends with snake stories. And so the Story of the Rope started. We joked that at night, we must take a long piece of rope and tie it to the big toe of each man. (Every family had heir own tent.) If anyone hears a snake, he must pull on the rope. Every day the Rope Story grew. By the end of the camping holiday you had to pull the rope once for a lion, twice for a snake, three times for rain and so it went.
So I made these cards as a thank you to them all for giving us such a blessed time in the bush.

Closed

Open

I wanted to tie a couple of knots in the rope on the back panel that is revealed when you pull the tab, but wasn't sure if the panel would close again properly. They all got the joke though :D
(Desi - if you're reading this before tomorrow - yours is on its way!)
I used the technique showed in this week's Make It Monday on Papertrey Ink's page - http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/03/make-it-monday-59-computer-generated-sentiments-on-die-cuts.html. Because the PTI dies are solid (not open like Spellbinders) you can't always see where you're cutting. Check out the video - it's really easy to get around.
I used PTI's "Movers & Shakers die - Sliders" - These are SO much fun to use.

PTI Make it Monday #58

For the PTI video on how to do graduated backgrounds using Copics and ink droppers see http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/03/make-it-monday-58-graduated-backgrounds.html

I don't have Copics and only two ink pad refiller colors that might not have worked together (I'll still try that) but I decided to use my foam applicator and 4 Tim Holtz Distress Ink colors:

I first shaded along the middle with Antique Linen. Then on both sides of that with Crushed Olive, moving on both sides to Peeled Paint and then finally along the top and bottom edges with Pine Needles.

The sentiment, swirls and "butterfly" are from Spiral Boutique. The "butterfly" is actually one of the solid images turned upside down. I stamped it on the background and then stamped it again on scratch paper to cut out.

PTI's March 2012 Blog Hop

I'm very excited to take part in my first Papertrey Ink Blog hop (http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/03/march-2012-blog-hop-.html)
Here is the inspiration picture for this hop:

How amazing is the teal and yellow together!

I used PTI's Mini Sunflowers set (See "Stamps I use" on the left-hand menu for links) and the sentiment from the 3rd anniversary Round & Round set.

I'm also entering this into Lily Pad Cards' FLOWERS challenge http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2012/03/23/simon-says-stamp-presents-a-flower-challenge/

Go for a ride (spinner card)

(Remember my 1 year anniversary give-away! See badge on the right >>>>>>>)

I am SO excited about this card. This is my first "spinner" card - although it's more of a "riding" card.

I used my new Papertrey Ink "spinners" dies to create the path. (Find them HERE http://papertreyink.com/Item.aspx?ID=PTD-0234). These are so awesome and also come in a straight path die in the same set. But what boy want to take the easy road, right?

Stamps I used:
Bicycle: Enjoy the Sunshine, GinaK Designs
Happy Birthday: Unity stamps
Leaves & Butterflies: Papertrey Ink 3rd anniversary "Round & Round" set

Entering into:
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-7-anything-goes-with-crafty.html
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
http://craftingwhenwecanchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-14-one-for-boys.html  (C5)
http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/we-are-relaunchingearly-come-and-meet.html
http://thepoodlesparlour.blogspot.com/2012/03/anything-goes-challenge.html

Liquid Pearl Birthday

For this card (challenge at www.stamptv.com) we had to use Liquid Pearls on our project:

I paper pieced the flowers and used Liquid Pearls on the centers. To finish off the images I used my Sakura Stardust pen to add stitching on the leaves and around the edges of the flowers. The middle flower is popped up with foam tape.

Stamps used:

Whimsical Wishes (GinaK)

Bold and Beautiful (GinaK)

Inks used:

Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint

Memento Tuxedo Black

Letterpress birthday

This card was made for the www.stamptv.com anniversary as well.

For this one we had to use the Letterpress technique: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/letterpress-with
I used one of the my Spellbinders Impressabilities for the background and one of the fancy tags for the background of the sentiment. The sentiment's frame I cut by hand (the grommet tag dies are on my wishlist :D)

Stamps used:
All Occasion Tags (GinaK Designs)
The Vine (GKD)

Inks used:
Tim Holtz: Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint
Memento Tuxedo Black
Papetrey Ink "Spring Moss" (Sentiment frame and leaves)

Popping flowers

I made this card for a www.stamptv.com 3rd anniversary challenge. The technique makes use of stamping with embossing ink over a printed background (script / lines / pattern) and then using clear or white embossing over it. When you apply your distress ink the images 'popped' out:

Here's Gina's original video: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/emerging-leaves

Stamps used:
Whimsical Wishes
Faithful Florals

Re-organizing

I've done some tidying up and I thought I'd share it because who knows how long it will last:

 I craft on a buffet (sideboard) in the dining room. This is the right-hand drawer. The other drawer has my Tonic paper trimmer and Scor-Pal in.

 This is a box with all my Spellbinders dies, PTI dies and stamps from Unity, Docrafts Creativity (V&A edition) and Papertrey Ink. It also has my cutting plates for my Cuttlebug.

 I've put my Unity stamps in clear dvd boxes and cut out the packaging and taped it inside to show what they look like.

I received a grab bag of sentiments from Unity with an order. I stamped them on a scratch piece of card stock and taped it inside the box. There were 10 (so the other 3 are stamped on the inside.)

"Cracked glass"

To see the StampTV video for this technique go here: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/cracked-glass-1

 Here's a close-up of the cracked effect:

Stamp used:
GinaK Designs "Garden Silhouettes"

Unity Birthday Chic!

I am SO happy to have made my first Unity stamp card! I used Birthday Chic (See http://www.redcardcorner.blogspot.com/p/my-stamps.html):

(The "teal" background is looking a tad blue ... )
I first stamped the sentiment and one of the gift images with embossing ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder. I shaded the card stock with Tim Holtz Mustard Seed & Spiced Marmalade. I stamped the main gift image twice. Once on a grey-ish piece of scrap and once on a piece of check scrap paper (love using my scraps!). Both were then cut out. The top image is popped over the bottom one with dimensional foam tape.
I didn't cut out the ribbon on top of the dimensional image but twisted some baker's twine from The Twinery (Honeydew and Butterscotch). I made a separate bow for the top. I love how this came out and the bold and clear image from Unity!

Liebster Award!

I've been so honored to be awarded the Liebster Award by two darling ladies! Thank you Hannelie (from  http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.com/2012/03/award-time.html) and Karen (from http://wideeyedstamper.blogspot.com/2012/03/liebster-blog-award.html).

Liebster is German for Dearest, but can also mean Beloved or Favourite.
Apparently to receive this award there are a few 'rules'... so here goes!
1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog ... check!
2. Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you ... check!
3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog ... check!
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed ... check
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog ... will of course do this!

So here is paying it forward to:

*  Madeleen at http://madeleenscraftcorner.blogspot.com/

*  http://bloomingpink.blogspot.com/ (I finally got my first Unity stamps!)

*  Ella at http://ellascraftcreations.blogspot.com/ (This is for the most brilliant embroidery stitching I've seen!!)

*  Kathryn at http://klm55.blogspot.com/

*  Will update with nr 5 still!
Thank you everyone for sharing your great gifts.

Lawnscaping #29: Sketch

Here's a relatively quick card I made following the sketch for the Lawnscaping Challenge #29.

 I used some scrap paper from my stash for the panels (some Basic Grey, Prima).

Stamps I used:
Papertrey Ink: Round & Round
GinaK Designs: All Occasion Tags

Make It Monday #57: Colored Kissing

This is the first time I'm trying out the Kissing technique and it came out nice I think!
See the video for this technique here: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/03/make-it-monday-57-colored-kissing.html

I made a postcard with the front Slider mounted on a flat piece of white card stock, layered with card stock in Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink). This image shows the slider moved up. I made this card as a thank you for my Ear-Nose-Throat specialist so his message will go in the white area next to the inside image.

Here's the slider closed:

I stamped the leaf image from Spiral Bouquet (see Stamps I use) with Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink) first and then kissed it by stamping with the inside of the Mini Sunflower set (PTI) with Rich Cocoa (Memento) before stamping over the Aqua Mist image. For the inside image I used the same ink but used one of the other images from the Spiral Bouquet set.
The sentiment is from Spiral Bouquet as well.
Here's a link to the Sliders die-set: http://papertreyink.com/Item.aspx?ID=PTD-0237

I would also like play along with:
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/03/simon-says-bit-o-green.html
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2012/03/make-it-monday-80-with-meljens-designs.html
http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/paper-pretties-wednesday-challenge_14.html
http://scrapalicioususa.blogspot.com/2012/03/cut-above-challengeand-winner.html
http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2012/02/24/5639/  (Kissing)

Birdie with emboss resist (PTI & Docraft)

I made this card as a 'blank' to be used for any occasion. I keep getting into yellow (just like my card friend Hannelie from http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.com)!

 The background was stamped with my set from Docraft's Creativity magazine (2010) with embossing ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I then rubbed it with Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz).

The central image was stamped with Papertrey Ink's Round & Round (3rd anniversary) set and cut out with a "2-die-4" circle die. The yellow circle was cut with Spellbinders Circles small. The frame was created by cutting two of the Fancy Tags and cutting them both in half. The edges were glued behind the yellow circle. The border at the bottom was punched with a Letarck Craft Border & Corner punch.
To brighten up the silhouette image I colored the leaves with Sakura Stardust pen and added Ranger Glossy Accents to the bird.

For those reading my blog, THANK YOU. I truly appreciate it. On a personal note: Just to let you know I'm going in for a sinus operation tomorrow (12 March) and will probably be out of commission for a couple of days.

God bless.
Red

A quick one-layer card

*** Don't forget to join my 1 year anniversary give-away *** 


I made this card for a stamp-tv challenge to make a sponged layer. Now I've made a couple with a horizontal layer using torn pieces of card stock but this time I wanted to try something different.
I took a piece of card stock and cut two different sized circles into it with Spellbinders Circles Small dies. I used the piece with the holes to sponge through:

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Crushed Olive, Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed.
I stamped the dragon flies and highlighted the wings with Stardust Stickles. The sentiment was stamped in black as well. (NOTE: It's easier to stamp your sentiment FIRST so that you have the right spacing for it unless you want it to overlap a sponged area.)


Stamps used:
Whimsical Wishes (GinaK Designs)

Amaryllis card (CPS#117)

I was asked to make a birthday card for a friend's Gran who is turning 95!! And she likes Amaryllis and pink. (The previous post shows the other option)

 Here's a close-up of the glossy accents on the flower:

 And a view of how the flower part is popped up with 3D dots. The bottom and left-hand leaf is glued to the bottom picture.

 I used CPS Sketch #117 below:

For the flower I went to my handy stand-by source of COLORING pictures! Here's the source: http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-flower-amaryllis-i18828.html
I printed two out, one to cut out for the base and the other to color for the top layer. The bottom one is colored as well but just along the edges that will peek out underneath.

Stamps used:
Whimsical Wishes (GinaK Designs)

Inks used:
Memento Tuxedo Black
Tim Holtz Spun Sugar

Other materials & tools:
Colleen and Stabilo coloring pencils
Spellbinders Circles small and Scalloped Circles small
Designer paper: Me & My Big Ideas
Pink matting paper: Tim Holtz
Letack Craft Corner & Border Punch
Ranger Glossy Accents
Ribbons: http://www.redcardcorner.blogspot.com/p/my-stamps.html (I layered a organza type ribbon over a cotton one)
Fabscraps Bow maker
Cuttlebug
Tonic paper cutter
Scor-Pal
Glue dots
3D dots

I would like to enter this card into:

• http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/03/simon-says-mothers-dayspecial-girl.html (How special is reaching 95!)
• http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/2012/03/time-for-new-challenge.html (Anything goes)

Birthday wishes with CPS #255

I was asked to make a birthday card for an elderly lady (95!) and this is one of the options. I usually provide 2 to 3 cards for a client to choose from for commissioned cards.

 This is also my entry for CPS Sketch #255 (see below).

Stamps used:
Faithful Florals (GinaK Designs)
Fanciful Tags (GKD)

Inks used:
Tsukineko Brilliance "Pearlescent Poppy"
Tim Holtz "Peeled Paint"
Memento Tuxedo Black

Other materials & tools:
Spellbinders Rose Creations die
Letack Craft Punch (corner & border punch)
We R Memory Keepers brads
Designer paper: Docraft Creativity magazine (V&A museum edition 2010)
Tim Holtz Kraft-core (dark burgundy color)
DP for flowers: Me & My Big Ideas (one of my favorite papers and just started cutting into my last sheet ):)
GinaK Designs 80lb pure luxury white card stock (for stamping panel)
Ribbon: The Ribbon Collection ( http://www.ribboncollection.co.za/products.asp?Cat=33&Sub=101 )
Cuttlebug
Scor-Pal
Tonic paper cutter

I'd like to play along with:
http://cceestampers.blogspot.com/2012/03/ccee1210.html
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-49-inspiration.html

Sunflowers for you (Shelly's Images)

I made this card with an image from Shelly's (http://www.shellysimages.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=33)  I think it's quite suited for Mother's Day. And since I left out a sentiment on the front it can be used for a number of occasions.

The flowers are popped off the page and below you can see how I colored in the can in detail but just colored the flowers lightly for whatever areas would be seen from the side. The image was printed out a second time and the flowers and leaves colored and cut out:

These were popped up with 3D dots and I added some glossy accents to the flowers.
I want to point everyone in the direction of http://craftersreference.blogspot.com/p/my-giveaway.html who is having a stunning and very generous giveaway! Check it out.

*** Don't forget to join my 1 year anniversary give-away *** 

PTI Make it Monday #56: Die Cutting Partial Images

*** Don't forget to join my 1 year anniversary give-away ***

This was tricky and I had to improvise. But I'm definitely putting the foam and other materials on my to-get-list!
To see the very fascinating video on partial cutting with PTI dies see here: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2012/03/make-it-monday-56-die-cutting-partial-images.html

Here's my card entry:

My short-cut to partially cut out the central image was to make vertical cuts along the card stock to the edge of the stamped circle. I did this on all four sides. I then placed my circle die inside with the part I didn't want cut on the outside. Like this:

The background paper was made by stamping the little butterfly from the Papertrey Ink (PTI) Round & Round anniversary set with embossing ink and then clear embossing it. I shaded over it with Tumbled Glass and Broken China (Tim Holtz). The edges of the central image panel was also shaded a bit.
The central image was stamped with Peeled Paint (TH). There was a little ink left over from a previous stamping session and that blended in on the butterfly. Quite nice I think. I love these little 'accidents' that work out great.
Because the cutting of the vertical strips had to go to the edge of the circle, and the circle die doesn't cut into the same area I had tiny little slits cut into the edge of the circle. I hid it with some Liquid Pearls and then to balance it out added a couple of other accents with it.
I'm starting to LOVE PTI's video and challenges since it's pushing my creativity further. Can't WAIT to get my new set (it's on its way over the waters).

I'm also entering this card in:
 PPP-MIM linky party
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/03/our-100th-challenge-celebration.html (Congrats to you!)

CPS #254 with my new favorite fairy

*** Don't forget to join my 1 year anniversary give-away ***
This sketch from CPS (#254) was an inspiration to go for something really girly with my new fairy from  Nellie Snellen (see Stamps I use for links).

 (Click for clearer picture - Blogger blurs the thumbnail)

The patterned papers are from We R Memory Keepers. The horizontal strip behind the green ribbon is Echo Park (the back of a butterfly sheet).

There's a new fairy in the house

*** Don't forget to join my 1 year anniversary give-away ***
I went to our annual Hobby expo this weekend and what a pleasure! Wish I had the wallet to go with it though. Saw SO many gorgeous tools and materials, papers etc. My Mom treated me to this stamp from Nellie Snellen (see Stamps I use for links).

I used techniques I often see on Lily Pad Cards and was inspired by this one http://www.lilypad.inlinkz.com/2011/09/04/how-to-video-fairy-birthday-card/.
Some pieces are paper pieced (skirt, flower), some are popped up (flower, fairy's head, body, skirt and wings) and other areas are on the white base only (legs, flower stem).
The fairy's wings and shoes were just shaded with a silver Colleen coloring pencil and then covered with Stardust Stickles. The flowers on her waist, hair and the big one was covered with Ranger Glossy Accents. I had a little bottle of the Accents but went and got the big one yesterday. It just makes SUCH a big change to your cards!
The sky and grass were shaded with Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters).
For the corners and the border I found this fantastic punch called "Corner & Border" punch from Letack Craft. When you have the corner guide slid in, you punch the corners, when you remove the corner guide you can punch a border! Love it!


I'm entering this card into:

• http://creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com/2012/02/ci-paints-inspired-by-paper-piecing.html
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-99-paper-piecing.html
• http://paperandsuchonline.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenging-paper-piecing.html
• http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-28-paper-piecing.html
• http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/simon-saysanything-goes.html
• http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/clearly-inspired-challenge-47-cic47.html
• http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-122-punches-and-dies.html
• http://fairytale-challengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-36-paper-piecing.html
• http://thepoodlesparlour.blogspot.com/2012/03/birthday-challenge.html
• http://stempelsonne.blogspot.com/2012/02/57-vom-2402-080312.html (Flowers)

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVE-AWAY

This month of March 2012 marks the ONE YEAR anniversary of my card making journey! To celebrate I'm giving away a $10 gift certificate to GinaK Designs' store! It might help stocking up on inks or refills or go towards the purchase of a set. (NOTE: There's a new release coming 8 March!)

To enter:
1.  Like my page (if you don't already :D)
2.  Comment on this post and in the comment leave a link to one of YOUR own favorite cards (direct link to the card, not your whole blog please). Tell us why you like that one in particular. Maybe it's the first time you used a new technique that you love. If you don't have a card blog you can leave a link to one of my cards that you like (and say why).

CLOSING:  Midnight April 8th (on my clock :D, i.e. GMT+2). Winner will be announced on April 9th.

Sunflowery birthday wishes (PTI)

I like making my own "DP" and this came out so nice. I used the Papertrey Ink "Round & Round" set.

Inks used:
Memento: Rich Cocoa, Dandelion, Tuxedo Black
Tim Holtz: Crushed Olive, Pine Needles (edges of sentiment die-cut)

Other materials used:
The Twinery Twine: Honeydew
GinaK Designs 80lb Pure Luxury card stock
Tim Holtz distress paper (brown matting layer)
Spellbinders: Labels

I'm entering this card into:

• http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/simon-saysanything-goes.html
• http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/2012/02/pixie-cottage-challenge-110-anything.html (anything goes = "ag")
• http://scrapalicioususa.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-to-our-new-design-team-and.html (ag)
• http://perfectsentimentschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/02/psc21-anything-goes-with-die-cut.html (sentiment on the front and use a die-cut)