Three Challenge, one card.

Three challenges with this card - Stamp Something, (a recipe - Designer paper, buttons and ribbon) Mo's Digital Challenge (a sketch) and Quixotic Challenge (one for the boy's)

I used Mo's image Monday's Child - love that cute 'But I was only helping!' look on his face. I've coloured him in Copics and cut him out with a Nellie Snellon die. The papers are Basic Grey's vintage  'Aged and Confused'  (a bit like me really). I used the NS die to cut the corners, the buttons are Basic Grey and the ribbon and thread are from my stash.

Copics used

Jeans - B0000, B00, B23, B93, 95 & 97

Top   - W00, W1, E00, E31 & E71

Skin   - YR0000, E00, R01 & R02

Hair   -  W00, W1, W3, E31, E71 & E77

I always list Copics used, then either lose the list or forget to post it - I'm turning over a new leaf (maybe!!!)

Now I'm off to catch up on some hopping and commenting, which I am disgustingly behind on and hoping that 'Life' doesn't interfere again this week.

MDU, Everybody Art Challenge and Just Magnolia

I've managed a challenge card at last. I started this last Sunday (it's been another one of those week's) and am just about in time to post it before it's too late for Magnolia Down Under who want an easel card, so this week do Everybody Art Challenge. One blessing about being so late is I'm now early for Just Magnolia who have a Birthday card as their challenge. I made this card for my daughter who's birthday is the beginning of March.

I coloured Tilda with Copics, used distress inks around the edges and cut it with a Spellbinders labels die. The papers are a download, the leaves cut with the Sizzix leaf and branch die, the sentiment from WOJ is in a SU frame, the pearl brads and lace from Quixotic paperie and the rest from stash. Is there anything about this card that makes you think I love my lace and pearls? 

I made one of my enveloboxes (see link in sidebar) for this card and had mountains of stuff to decorate it, then thought - don't be stupid, if I put all that on, I'll have to make a box to put the box in!!!  So - I've kept it pretty simple, it looks a little bare to me and I think I will do some stamping or inking around the edges next time.

The rear of the envelobox

The font of the box

Now a final photograph entitled "Look who's sulking!!" I shouted at him for sitting in front of the TV screen so he went and sat on my sofa, face to the corner. I suspect his sulking won't last beyond the next meal time - tee-hee!!.

Colour Create DT

It's Colour Create time again!!

Firstly I'll announce the winner of my candy and it is...................

number 46 which is Cheryl

Email me huni (link on my profile) with your details and address.

I used Random Org to generate the number, but can't show you as it wouldn't let me copy and paste.

This week's colours are red, black and off white, and chosen by the fabulous Janny. Check out the other DT's work - there are some real stunners this week.

I struggled with papers for this one - none in my stash and little available locally, so my red is a little rusty and my off white a little creamy. I had to use this Tilda for red and black didn't I? She is coloured in Copics, cut out with the Spellbinders octagonal dies and the edges inked with Weathered wood distress inks.  The gorgeous paper is Graphic 45, the border cut with an MS deep punch and the Hearts with Spellbinders. The lace and flowers are all from my stash.

Envelope/box Tutorial

By popular demand I've tried to make this tutorial 'Idiot proof' and have tried to think of every little detail. If anyone has any problems or can see away in which I could improve on it - please let me know.

1. To make sure you set off in the center of the 12"x12" card, first cut a piece of card 15.5 cm (6 1/8") square.

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2. Draw two lines from the centres of the 12"x12" sheet of card.

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3. Place your 15.5cm (6 1/8") square so that each corner touches the two disecting lines.

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4. Mark each of the points, then draw a square from each of those points.

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5. Measure 1.3cm (1/2 ") from the first square and draw another.

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6. Join the lines at the corner to make small squares

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This is probably the most complicated part of this tutuorial

7.  Decide at this point which is to be the top/bottom and which is to be the sides. Measure up 1.5 cm (1/2 ") from the inner square and draw a line.  Measure out to the side 1cm (3/8 ") and again draw a line.

Top & Bottom Measure up from the center of the outer square 9.5 cm (3 1/2 ") and draw lines from the previous short one to reach a point.

Sides  Do the same at the side but only measuring out 8 cm (3 1/8" )

 

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8. The following two diagrams are your completed drawings (not to scale as I did them on the computer and had to fit them on A4 paper)  The cut lines are in black, the score lines are in red.

Centimeters

 

Inches

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9. Once you've cut this out you have your template. I don't mark the score lines as it's pretty obvious once the template is cut out.

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10. Cut up one edge of the bottom square as this is tucked in to give neater and stronger finish.

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 11.Cut off the top two small squares. I've used a corner rounder on the top and bottom points and shape the sides slightly and the bottom edges of the flap. I also put a 6"x6" pad in the box so that I can press it together more firmly.

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Tips

Most of you probably know this one - if you're using double sided tape to stick the box together, run a glue stick along the tape as it makes it repositionable for a while until you get it together neatly.

If you're going to decorate your box by stamping remember to stamp before fastening the box together (don't stick it first and then think about stamping as I tend to do)

I've been asked about the card I use to make the boxes - just ordinary bazzill cardstock works fine for me.

If you want to make a deeper box, just extend the second square a little.

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Sadly I ran out of time and didn't have time to decorate a box for you, but I will add one when I do.

All I ask of you is to spread the 'word' and if you show one of these on you blog would you kindly link back to the link I am putting in the sidebar.

Also, please let me know when you've made a envelobox (Marcea's name for them - great one Marcea!!) I would love to pop along and have a look.

Basic Grey DT

At Basic Grey we have a colour combination for you this week.

For this weeks challenge we would like you to use this colour combo for your creations, feel free to use any other bits of colour too for example, hair colours, grass, sky, skin, white card, small bits of colour in paper patterns etc etc, just as long as the main 3 colours are the most noticeable then you are good to go

 

I chose this little Manga girl from Funky Kits as I really thing they suit wacky colouring. I coloured her in Copics and used Basic Grey's Lemonade papers. The sketch is from Everybody Art Challenge , lots of lovely layering, and I used a SU metal frame and brads - the requirements for Cute Card Thursday this week. I cut the border with an MS punch, the leaves from Sizzix leaf and branch die set and the stamens are from a Woodware punch.  The silk flower is the last one of my stash and the sentiment is Stamps Away.

Now I'm off to get some Copic paper before I run out altogether, just wish it wasn't nearly two hours drive away, or that the shop sold lots of other lovely crafting stash. Hope you all have a brilliant weekend.

Simon Says

Simon Says have a recipe for us this week.

3 TYPES OF EMBELLISHMENTS

2 PATTERNED PAPERS you can also use coordinating cardstock :-)

1 IMAGE

and if we have any Stampabilities stamps they would love to see us use them. They are also having a blog hop and just check out the prize on offer, the DT's also have individual candy.

I decided to do another easel card and I chose thie adorable Gruffie called 'Bedtime Story' coloured him with Copics and cut him out with a MS around the page punch. I slit through three of the holes, top and bottom and threaded the ribbon through. The two patterned dp papers are Kay&Co Classic K Bailey and the bc bazzill. My three types of embellishments are flowers, ribbon and brads and are all from my stash.

I also decided to make one of my envelope/boxes to match. I decorated lightly, I don't think HM & Friends call for much embellishment. I'm looking forward to doing  a Tilda and going mad with embellishments etc. on the envelobox.

I'm posting a tutorial (inc. measurements) for these on Sunday, so I'd better crack on and get it finished as I'm only about half way through - and if I don't get a move on you'll be getting it in installments, lol.

Happy Birthday Truly Scrumptious DT

I can hardly believe a year has passed since the Truly Scrumptious challenge blog first started......doesn't time fly when you're having fun???

Our sponsor this week is Digital Designs by Louby Loo and Wendy has a provided us with a $20 gift voucher for the winner. Sharon will provide the three runners up with a mystery from her Truly Scrumptious Crafts online store.

I rotated the sketch and used Tilda, hanging from the ribbon, coloured her with Copics and cut her out with the Spellbinders curved rectangles die. The papers are from Basic Grey's Wisteria collection, and the cute little sentiment tag is by Stamps Away. I've gone a little overboard on the Stardust stickles on the flowers, the larger ones are from my stash, the cherry blossom, small roses and pearl sprays from Wild Orchid and the leaves from my local supermarket. The gorgeous, clear flower button used to anchor the tag is the last of my collection and sadly I can't remember where I got it from, if anyone knows where I could get more would you please let me know.

The other DT's have yet again come up with some fabulous cards, take a little time to check them out. 

Right, now it's back to work on my card envelope/box tutorial which I aim to post on Sunday.

House Mouse DT - Christine's choice

It's the fabulous Christine's choice over at House Mouse Monday challenge this week and it's a multi fold card.

I've used this multi-fold from a tutorial on the fantastic Stamparctic blog. I've used the image 'Throwing Daisy Petals' coloured it with Copics, distress inked the edges and mounted it on a frame cut with a Nellie Snellon nestie. The flourish stamps are from the Stempelglede grunge set and the papers are a download from - eek - somewhere!! The border is cut with Spellbinders borderabilites In Spades, the leaves with a Carla Craft punch and the rest is from stash.

Take a look at the fabulous prize on offer, a Basic Grey Nook and Pantry pad and one gorgeous Gruffie stamp 'All warm and Furry' and whilst you're there check out the awesome creations by the other DT's.

Whoohoo - I've cracked it at last!!!

I've spent some time trying to develop a 6"x6" card envelope/box from one sheet of 12"x12" sheet of paper and I cracked it at last. Making boxes bases and lids I find tedious, often they are not the snug it I want and often I stupidly end up with two lids or two bases. I knew exactly what I wanted when I started this but it has taken me some time to get it just right, and I was so thrilled I just had to share it with you.

This is how it's placed on the paper.

I did think about doing it as a download, but that would be a little pointless unless you had a printer that printed 12"x12"

I could do a tutorial on the measurements if anyone is interested let me know.

I did two versions, one a deeper box, one slimmer.

This is the wider one, you will notice that most of the cards I used for display are Magnolia, these are the ones that tend to have the most embellishments on them.

This is the wider and narrower together. I think I will probably use the narrower one mostly but occasionally I go over the top with embellies and will need the thicker one.

This one has a Tilda which has thickish  details, but fits easily together with a double layer of bubble wrap.

This is one with an easel card in, so extra layers of cardstock plus embellishments there. 

This second box took me approxemately 5 mins to makes (a lot less than lids and bases) and most of that was the drawing  from template to paper.

 Excuse the poor photographs, very little light and very much snow here again today and I can't find bulbs for my light tent.

I will probably decorate the box to match the card in future, but meanwhile I'm need to stock up on my plain 12"x12" card as so much ended up in the bin. 

If any of you would like me to provide detailed measurements, please just let me know. I can send them to you individually of do a tutorial if you wish.

Hope you're all having a great weekend, with better weather than we're having here.

EDITED - 16/2/2010
I am now definitely  doing a tutorial for this and intend to post in this coming Sunday 221/2

The Sugar Bowl

This one is for a fabulous sketch by Tiets (lots of lovely layering) over at the Sugar Bowl and we are asked also to use 3 flowers, two brads and one button.

 I used the delightful Raven and coloured her with distress inks. The papers are from the MME Ooh La La range, the sentiment is Lily of the Valley and the flowers, brads, buttons and thread are all fom stash.

That was short and sweet, wasn't it?  I've been trying to develop a deeper box/envelope for a 6"x6" card using just the one sheet of paper/cardstock for ages. The 'ages' was trying to work out how to do it with a piece of 12"x12" cardstock. I think I've cracked it at last, so I can't wait to see if it works. I'll show you tomorrow  - if it does that is!!

Just Magnolia

 Talk about last minute, this is my effort for Just Magnolia which closes at 9pm tonight. I've had the strangest of weeks, on the go, running round all week and yet have achieved almost nothing. This has been on the make since Saturday last week. I'm afraid my basket has nothing in it as we've had snow storms all day so going out to fill the basket was a No No!!

 

  

View of the paper weaving.

 

The cs is Paper Adventures, Tilda is coloured with Copics and cut with a Nellie Snellon die and everything else is from stash. The gorgeous silver lace ribbon I rescued from a Christmas present.

Right I shall rush off now and get this posted before it really is too late.

Colour Create's 1st Birthday and Lots of lovely birthday candy

 

It is difficult to believe that it is a whole year since my lovliest of friends Tara first started the Colour Create challenge blog. It was her brainchild what a success it has become - I was priviledged to be invited to join  the team from the very start.Tara herself is our special GDT this week.

CANDY

To celebrate we have lots of lovely candy and each of the DT's are offering candy also. My stash is severely depleted (can't wait to get back to the UK in March and have a serious stock up) and I could find little suitable for candy so I went with a Gift Voucher for £15 from the fabulous Elaine at Quixotic Paperie. The card also will accompany the candy.

 

This candy will be open until the start of the next challenge 25th February so just leave a comment below to enter and don't forget to go and check out each of the other DT members blogs and sign up for thier candy also!!!

The colours (red, pink, white/off white and chocolate) this week are chosen by the fabulous Di and the optional extra is hearts and silver.

On to the card, I used the gorgeous Unwrapped Tilda (I just love this one, actually I love 'em all, Tilda just gets prettier and prettier). I coloured her with distress inks. The papers are Basic Grey's Eva pad, the border cut with one of the MS deep punches, the butterfly with the MS monarch butterfly punch and the leaves with the Sizzix die from the branch and leaves set. I decided I wanted the flowers to be very soft and gentle and decided to try making them with mulberry paper, using the EK Success Retro flower punches. Mulberry paper doesn't like punches so it took me a while to work out if I put some copier paper underneath it would cut OK. I spritzed them with Shimmerz, let them dry, fastened them together then scrunched them up. At this point I hit the next problem, I struggled to ink the edges as the papers soaked up too much ink so I settled for giving them a light touch of stickles. The pearls and ribbon are from my stash as is the charm, see photograph below, which I found on my desk late last night as I forgot to add it to the card. Just a small oopsie!!

I would have phtotgraphed the whole card but we're in the middle of yet another snowstorm and there is no light to be had anywhere.

Edited

Another oops - I'd forgotten I followed the sketch at Friday Sketchers so I'll enter into that challenge, albeit somewhat late in the day.

Hanna's sketch for Valentine Tilda

I managed several challenges with this card - which is hardly suprising as it's Valentines day before long.

I decided, rather than go with the usual pink or red combination for a Valentine card I'd give purple/mauve a whirl - I think it works. I followed one of the amazingly talented Hanna's sketches. The image, Magnolia's Cupid Tilda, is coloured with Copics and edged with distress ink and the hearts are from Magnolia's winter collection. The DP is is by Rico designs and I use Basic Grey's flourish stamps around the edge, stamped and heat embossed using white powder. The pearl swirls are by Prima and the butterfly, flowers and lace are from my stash.

This is the fabulous sketch I used

The challenges this qualifies for are

Crafty Calendar Challenge

Double Dutch

Creative Card Crew

Stamping for the Weekend

Stamp Something

Basic Grey DT

Where are the week's going? It's time for another challenge at Basic Grey. 

This time we have a fantastic sketch by the lovely Martine whose sketches are an absolute dream to follow. Check out the other DT's creations there are some real beauties.

I've used this adorable 'Wrapped Tilda' (she has to be one of my favourites - I just love her) and coloured her with distress inks. I inked around the edge then stamped with a stamp from the Stempelglede grunge collection. The dp are from the luxurious BG Origins range with the exception of the orange one which is SU. The bling swirl is Prima and the rest is from my stash.

Well that's it - work over for now, although my son has decided I can run the office whilst he's out on business. Not until the weather is better, no way Jose!!  The side roads and pavements are a sheet of ice,  the heating had gone off in the office, and his silly computer wouldn't let me publish this post so I locked up and came home. I did have a little explosion in the kitchen whilst he was away that he doesn't know about so hopefully when he's sees the damage I'll be sacked (lol) I won't go into details, I feel such and idiot.

Copic Creations, Sketch and Stash and a bit of Exciting news

Copic Creations has feathering as their theme this time. The only problem I have with Copic Creations is finding the right image with which to fulfil the requirements. I decided this poor little neglected Manga girl from Funky Kits fit the bill as I could give her some a really funky hair colours. I also followed the sketch at Sketch & Stash and my neglected stash is the Manga image, the downloaded papers and the flowes.

A close up of the hair

 

I coloured the image with Copics (naturally) and cut her 'out of the box' with circular nesties. The papers are an ancient download, the swirls cut with a BossKut die, the flowers were bought at my local haberdashery stall back in the UK, the sentiment is Lily of the Valley I think (correct me if I'm wrong) and the rest is from stash. I find it strange that I took this photograph using a daylight lamp. the background is actually white yet the blue of the card as made it look pink/mauve.

Now a little bit of news:- I was chosen as one of the top three at Stamping for the Weekend, not only that I have been asked to be GDT for the month of March.

I'm thrilled to bits and highly honoured to be chosen and can't wait to work with the fabulous team of DT's.

I am now officially 'Fed Up'

I took these photographs on my way to work. Much as I love snow enough is enough!!

I want to look out of my window in a morning and see a colour other than white/grey. A little green grass would be good, blue sky even better, golden yellow sun - ooooh what a lovely though. Apparently according to weather reports we're going to have snow until March - yeughhh!!

This believe it or not is the main road between Hannover and Hamburg, there is a motorway but because there is a toll lorries don't use it.

These are the cars I'm supposed to be selling - at least you can see them today, but I'm tired of shovelling snow.

 Hopefully I will be back later with a card, that is if my Mojo has thawed out.