Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The Ocean Is Calling

     Here is yet another project that is the result of the paper crafting cruise I just returned from. One of the activities we participated in, was a layout and card contest. We were given a package of Echo Park's "Let's Be Mermaids" card stock. There was almost no solid card stock to be had. I was able to get my hands on 3 sheets of My Colors - Poolside. We made the mermaid on the first night on the ship. We were supposed to put it on our doors, but I added it to my layout. 


      The "Turtle Crossing" sign was originally on a post card. I can't remember if I purchased it in Cozumel or Grand Cayman. 


     There were two tags in the package that were cut from My Colors - Tropical Splash. I cut them down to banners: one for the title and a small one on the right page. I also cut 2 thin strips between the stripes on the second page.


     I don't know if you have ever been to Cozumel, but there are a ton a jewelry stores and every single one of them lures tourists into their shops by promising a charm for just walking in. I collected 8 charms that day: a palm tree, a cross, a sea turtle, a heart w/rose, a latticed heart, 2 mermaids, and a cruise ship. I added the turtle to the layout.


     I made this little replica of a turtle beach. The turtles were fussy cut from the paper and the fish were from the sticker sheet. The turtle banner is cut from one of the journaling cards. I used a white gel pen to draw in a little handmade border. 
     I visited a Turtle Center in Grand Cayman. I have always had a particular interest in Sea Turtles since reading "Turtle Bay" with my 3rd graders. We had a ton of fun with that unit. I added a picture of me holding a sea turtle and a couple of them swimming in the tanks. 
     We received 5 tickets towards door prize drawings for participating. We could make a layout and/or a card. I spent so much time on the layout that I didn't have much time to put into the card, but another 5 tickets was a huge incentive. Here is the card I quickly put together: 

front of card

inside of card
     Epilogue: I did not win anything with my 10 tickets, but my layout was voted Best of Show and I received a free die of my choice from Karen Burniston. WooHoo!!!

Materials List: 
     
     Patterned Paper: Echo Park - Let's Be Mermaids:
                                                  Stars of the Sea
                                                  Fish Friends
                                                  Whale of a Tale
                                                  Happy Sun Rays
                                                  Journaling Cards
                                                  Stickers
     Card Stock: My Colors - Poolside
                                        Kraft
                                        Tropical Splash
     Embellies: White Pearls
                     Sea Turtle Charm
                     Lime Embroidery Floss
                     Postcard - "Turtle Crossing"
                     White Gel Pen
               

Challenges

Bimini Moose Scrapbook Challenge - Anything Goes - #5 - Winner!!!



Saturday, October 20, 2018

Lean On Me

     It's going to be difficult sharing a specific supply list for this card. The paper is from three pieces that were handed to me -- two pieces of patterned paper and a piece of solid.



     These two girls and sentiment are from a Stampingbella stamp set called "Lean On Me". I colored this image using copics. 

Skin: E50, 51, 53, 93
Blonde Hair: Y21, TR23, Y26, Y21
Shirt: YR14, 16, 18, 20, 21

Skin: E11, 13, 15, R22
Hair: E49, 74, 77, 79
Shirt: BG45, 49

Sketch #132 by Lisa Hidy
     I used this Sketch N Scrap sketch to add some interest to the papers I was given.
     These hair colors are some new ones we used in my Copics class. I love blonde hair. This combo was most unusual when I was told we would be using it, but I am very happy with the way it turned out. I liked it so much that I have already used it twice more since the class.
     The dragonfly is supposed to be an ornament to put on a hair barrette. I was selling an envelope full of these as well as some butterflies at my garage sale a couple of years ago. My daughter said, "Mom can't you use some of these on cards." I ended up taking them back into the house. I have used two of them so far.
     This stamp set has a coordinating "Polaroid: Cut It Out" die.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Autumn Scarecrow










          I tied the bow with twine, leaving the ends of twine hanging down. They looked like birdy feet. I found this Elizabeth Craft Designs die instead of fussy cutting birds and feathers. I needed 30 kits of these for the class I was teaching, I made the first hat and brim. I then traced the pieces onto black paper and fussy cut. I placed them on the Pixscan Mat (Silhouette), took a picture, and uploaded it into the Silhouette program. I got a perfect outline of it and cut 12 x 12 pages full of them on the Silhouette. 
Inside of card

     I made a collage of elements from the front of the card. Just being my picky self, I placed yellow leaves behind the leaves with holes in them. There is a penny under the lady bug for weight and 2 more behind the scarecrow cheeks to hold the card behind the ladybug. I covered the back of the scarecrow's head to cover the pennies, nose threads, and brad that holds the bow.

     I will be making 16 cards and 4 calendars with this Graphic 45 Seasons Paper. All of these SEASON cards can be made using:

  • one sheet of each of the patterned paper 
  • one sheet of each of  Prints and Solids
In order to make All Seasons cards and calendars, you only need purchase the following items once:
  • Tags and Pockets
  • Chip Board
  • Ephemera
  • Stickers
  • Season's Patterns and Solids 
Stay tuned for more cards this year.
Spring

Summer

Winter
Winter Birdhouse
Winter Cozy Snow Day
Winter Pop Up Gift Card Holder
Winter Box on Card
Winter Calendar 

Materials:     
     Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 - Seasons (Autumn)
     Card Stock: My Colors - Kraft
                                        Golden Rod
                                        Tuscan Sun
                                        Mint Julep
                                        Brown Eyes
                                        Ecru
                                        Harvest Orange
     Ink: Distress - Frayed Burlap
            Momento - Rich Cocoa
     Die: Graphic 45 - Large Tag, ATC & Flower
            Quick Cutz - Nesting Frame 3
            Elizabeth Craft Designs - Birds
                                                 Lady Bugs
                                                 Rectangle Pull Card
           Burniston - Word Set 1 - Greetings
     Punches: My Jewelry Shoppe - 1 x 3/4 oval
                   Emagination - 1/2" sun
     Stamp - "A Little Hello"
     Marker - Sharpie
     Embellies: Brown Embroidery Thread - 3 strands
                     Burlap - 1 1/2 x 3 1/2
                     Pearl - Gold
                     Googly Eyes - 1/4"
                     Orange, Red, Green Raffia
                     Brad - Under bird to hold bow onto card
                     3 pennies for weight


Challenges

Brown Sugar Challenge - Autumn - #92 - *
Cards 4 Galz - Fancy Fold - #3 - Winner!!!


Crafty Catz - Not Square - #32 - *
Crafty Friends - More Than 1 Die - #65 - *
Double D Challenges - Mood Board - #75 - *
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Anything Goes - #13 - *
Send A Smile 4 Kids - Celebrations - #15 - *
My Time to Craft - Kraft Card Stock - #21 - *

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Destin Sand Box

     It's ironic that I had this post marked to go live this morning - as Hurricane Michael bares down on Destin's coast. We have vacationed in Destin every year for the past 27 years. I remember Hurricane Opal, also a cat 4, that devastated the area in 1995. They had to rebuild everything after Opal.

     About 8 years ago Huey and I decided to bring back a bag of Destin sand with residue of the BP oil spill. Huey wanted to show it to friends at work. We ended up sifting the oil out of the sand and keeping it. I decided to use it as filler for this shaker card.

     I just returned from a Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas. We visited Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. It was a scrapbooking cruise. One of the planned activities was a card swap. Of the 40 scrapbookers, 17 participated. The only qualification was that we had to use one of Karen Burniston's dies somewhere on the card. Here is my swap:


     My first thought, when I prepared to design this card, was that I wanted the card to be something unique -- something that no one had seen before. I had the idea to put a shaker in the bottom of a box card. I actually searched Google and Pinterest to see if I could find any other card that had this and was unable to find one. I wouldn't be surprised if someone was to tell me that they were able to locate one.

     In the interest of time, I decided that it would be too much die cutting to use dies for the card base and the waves. Silhouette didn't not have a rectangular box card, so I designed my own Silhouette file -- including the window in the front and the scalloped edge on the top. I made the wave inserts and the waves that bordered the back and sides to the exact size I needed. This was a huge time-saver. 
  

     I was up in Fort Worth at my daughter's house for Labor Day weekend. We die cut, assembled, and inked the suns, flamingoes, palm trees, crabs, sharks, turtles, and shells. It took the the two of us 6 hours.


     I constructed the shakers independent of the card. I cut acetate to the desired size. I edged each side with "Black Double Coated Window Glazing Tape: 1/8 in. thick x 3/8 in. wide" which I purchased on Amazon (75 feet for ~$14). I filled the cavity with 100% pure white Destin sand, blue/turquoise sequins, die cut shells, and attached a red anchor from the top, I sealed it with a rectangle of Seafoam card stock.


     I used a Silhouette file to make the flamingo on the back of the card. I originally designed the card for my father-in-law's 80th birthday with a Elizabeth Craft lighthouse on the back. I needed to get girlie for the cruise - so I changed the lighthouse to a flamingo.


     Here is a pic of all 21 that I ended up making.



Materials: 
     Patterned Paper: My Colors - Mosaic Blue
                                                Seafoam
                                                Firecracker
                                                Snowbound
                                                Tuscan Sun
                                                Cafe Ole
                                                Parrot 
                                                Sweetie Pie
                                                Cosmos
                                                Cloak Gray
                                                Rose Heather
                                                Black Magic
                                                Sandy Beach
                              Metallic Brown
     Stamp: Gina K - Hello Sunshine
     Ink: Momento - Potter's Clay
                             Lady Bug
                             Tuxedo Black
            Gina K - Cherry Red
                         Moonlit Fog
     Die: Burniston - Beach Charms
                             Sea Animals
                             Tropical Scene
            Elizabeth Craft Designs - Shells Small
     Silhouette File: Doodlebug Designs - Flamingo-Fun in the Sun
                            Higgledy Piggledy Crafts - Rectangular Box Card
                                                                  Wave Inserts
     Embellies: White/Black Twine
                     Blue/Turquoise Sequins
                     Destin Sand
                     Acetate
                     

Challenges

Crafty Gals Corner - Fancy Fold - #3 - Winner!!!



Creative Friday - Shaker Card - #6 - *
Dies R Us - Die sold by Dies R Us - #55 - *
Scrapy Land Challenge - Die sold by Scrapy Land - #23 - Winner!!!

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com/2018/10/winner-winner-challenge-99.html

Simply Create Too - Shaker Card - #3 - Winner!!!


Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes - #12 - *

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Caribbean Cruise Name Plates

     Just got back from the Scrappn' Savvy "Mermazing Cruise". We had soooo much fun. We sailed on the "Liberty of the Seas" out of Galveston to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. 
     We made a mini album in a suitcase with Karrie Allen, we used Copics to color with Becky Morehead, and made pop up cards with Karen Burniston. Other activities were a PJ party and mermaid making party. We had a layout and/or card challenge (which I will be posting later). We were given a bag of goodies to create whatever we imagined. There was a card swap. There were door prizes, a craft store for shopping, and of course, the cruise activities as well.
     A couple of weeks before leaving on the cruise, we received a package in snail mail. It contained a lanyard, a luggage tag, and Karen Burniston's "Princess and Mermaid" die. We were asked to make a tri-fold name plate for our work space on the cruise. The only requirement was that we had to use the Burniston die somewhere on it.
     I made matching name plates for my roommate and me. I used My Colors card stock (Poolside) for the bases. The background paper was a pre-cut sheet that I purchased at Tuesday Morning years ago.



     
     The shell is a Silhouette file called "Mermaid Card" by Daniela Moscone. The mats are cut from metallic brown paper. The lining of the shell is super unique textured paper I found on the clearance rack at Joann's long ago. I die cut one of Burniston's mermaids and added a pearl. There are two punched holes at the bottom with white ribbon threaded through and tied into a bow.
     I found this FUN font from Silhouette. It is "zp Mermaid Tails" by ScrapNfonts. You may choose which letters have mermaid tails by using lower case. I repeated the orange paper for the mermaid tail and let it hang over the edge of the name plate. The palm tree islands above the letters are leftover die cuts from the swap card. It's always fun to find a handy scrap like that just waiting for a place needing embellishment.



Challenges

4 Crafty Chicks - Something Old & New - #40 - *
(New Die / Old Papers)
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes - #35 - *
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes - #43 - *
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Snippets #336 - #35 - *
Scrapy Land Challenge - Die sold by Scrapy Land - #22 - *



Saturday, October 6, 2018

Anniversary

     My sister called and said that she couldn't find any 50th anniversary cards at the Hallmark store. Really? Hard to believe. I had already made my card for the occasion (my brother's 50th). To see my card go here. I decided to use the same paper and repeat some of the elements. The two cards look like they came out of the same box of cards. 


     For this card I started with a sketch by Lisa Hidy. As I compare the sketch to the card, I have to say that I certainly expanded on the one small daisy in the sketch. Getting carried away on cards is my specialty!!! 


     I punched 7 holes in a piece of patterned paper and laced ribbon through. This is matted and placed onto the card with crocheted lace on the bottom edge.
     I die cut a tag from a piece of Ephemera and embossed "Happy Anniversary" using Stampendous "Aged Scarlet" embossing powder. 

  

   The collage of flowers is from 49 Market. I love the way they package their blooms. They are packaged by size and with 2 or 3 coordinating colors in each package. I happened to have this package on hand when making this card. They were actually marked for another project, but you know how that goes. I'll just have to get some more.


     I can't believe I forgot to take a pic of the inside of this card. It was truly lovely - just a teaser. I had even included a pocket to hold a gift card.


     The corner of the envelope is stamped with Gina K's "Stippled Flowers" - love these!!! The leaves are a 2-part stamp which I did directly onto the envelope. The flowers are a 3-step process. I die cut this and pop-dotted it onto the envelope. The die cut on the flap is just a little something I found on the sale rack at Hobby Lobby. The pic on the packaging showed it as a roof on a house -- I saw an envelope flap. And look -- it fit perfectly. Surely this is what it was intended for. 

     I apologize for some parts of this blog entry being cut-and-paste from the last one. it is hard to find something new to say about the exact same thing. 

Materials
   Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny - Bella Rosa - Reflections
                                                                       Amore
   Cardstock: Bo Bunny - Double Dot - Wine
   Die:  Graphic 45 - Large Tag, ATC, & Flower (leaves)
            Gina K - Stippled Flowers
   Stamp: Gina K - Sending Love
                              Stippled Flowers
   Ink: Distress - Frayed Burlap
   Embellies: Ribbon - 1/4" wine organza
                     Eyelets - 8 mini
                     Stampendous - Aged Scarlet embossing powder
                     Crochet Lace
                     49 Market - Floral Mixology - Blood Orange

Challenges

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes / Tag - #32 - *
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes - #197 - *
Little Miss Muffet - Anything Goes - #45 - *

Friday, October 5, 2018

Anniversary Blessings

     If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been working on a 50th wedding anniversary mini book for my brother and his wife. When it came time to make them a card, I decided to use the same paper -- Bo Bunny's Bella Rosa. I started with a wide band of paper down the front. I used a hole punch to make holes for lacing. There is crocheted lace just under this band. 


     I used a piece of silver Foil Vellum with a pic of a shuttered window. I placed this over patterned paper with small font dictionary print. The sentiment "Blessings on Your Special Day" is embossed onto the vellum with Rose Gold Embossing powder by Gina K.


     The collage of flowers is from 49 Market. I love the way they package their blooms. They are packaged by size and with 2 or 3 coordinating colors in each package. I happened to have this package on hand when making this card. They were actually marked for another project, but you know how that goes. I'll just have to get some more.
     I also made a card using the same materials for my sister to give the happy couple. They looked like they came out of the same box. To see that card go here

Card with Envelope
Inside of Card
     The inside of the card contains one of my fave stickers. I usually see something similar to this in the Graphic 45 paper lines, but here it is in Bo Bunny. The "50" is from the sticker sheet. I added a couple of matted banners and a paper flower like those on the front of the card.
Envelope
     The corner of the envelope is stamped with Gina K's "Stippled Flowers" - love these!!! The leaves are a 2-part stamp which I did directly onto the envelope. The flowers are a 3-step process. I die cut this and pop-dotted it onto the envelope. The die cut on the flap is just a little something I found on the sale rack at Hobby Lobby. The pic on the packaging showed it as a roof on a house -- I saw an envelope flap. And look -- it fit perfectly. Surely this is what it was intended for. 

Materials
   Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny - Bella Rosa - Reflections
                                                                       Amore
                                                                       Foil Vellum
                                                                       Sticker Sheet
   Cardstock: Bo Bunny - Double Dot - Wine
   Die:  Graphic 45 - Large Tag, ATC, & Flower (leaves)
            Gina K - Stippled Flowers
   Stamp: Gina K - Sending Love
                              Stippled Flowers
   Ink: Distress - Frayed Burlap
   Embellies: Ribbon - 1/4" wine organza
                     Brads - 4 mini copper
                     Eyelets - 10 mini
                     Gina K Rose Gold Embossing Powder
                     Crochet Lace
                     49 Market - Floral Mixology - Blood Orange

Challenges

Craft-Dee BowZ - Handmade Bow - #24 - Winner!!!



Creative Knockouts - Lots of Layers - #32 - *
Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes - #75 - *


Monday, October 1, 2018

Shakespeare Gardens - 1968

     Here is a step back in time to my brother's honeymoon in1968. They traveled to Quebec. The pocket watch in the corner is a symbol of this look at the past. This is a page from a mini book that I completed for their 50th wedding anniversary. 
     
     These pictures were taken in a Shakespeare Garden. A Shakespeare Garden is a themed garden that cultivates plants mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare. Signs near the plants provide relevant quotations. Other plants typically of the Elizabethan period, but not mentioned in Shakespeare's works, may also be grown there. I tried to find more information about the garden they visited, but wasn't able to find reference to the one in Quebec. I am wondering if it is still there.


     My favorite part of this layout is the striped paper I found, which I cut on the diagonal. I added a couple of pieces of Ephemera and of course a Bible quote (There is one on every page of the book.) 

     A fun little addition to the page is an arrow with "peek" written on it. The flap is held down with a magnet. When you flip it open, there is a secret message: "Un autocollant de voiture, s'il vous plait." I was only 11 when they returned from this trip, but I remember the story of them trying to get a bumper sticker for the car. Evelyn's high school French did not include the words "bumper sticker", so alas, they were unable to get one. In case they should repeat their trip to Quebec, I have provided them with the translation.
   I made the adjacent page to coordinate with this page, so I will included it here.



     This page shows the couple with their first child and first grandchild. I repeated my fave striped paper as well as the same Ephemera, more arrows and a Bible verse.


the two pages side-by-side


Materials:
   Patterned Paper: BoBunny - Bella Rosa (Shutters, Rustic, Stickers)
   Cardstock: Bo Bunny - Double Dot (Wine, Dusty Rose, Island Mist, Shadow)
   Dies: Sizzix - Ornate Labels
            Papercrafter Magazine - Nesting Dies
   Embellies: Tim Holtz - Foliage
                     Silver Wire
                     Bo Bunny - Timepiece
                     Gems - Gray
Challenges

Bimini Moose Scrapbook Challenge - Anything Goes - #2 - *