Friday, April 29, 2011

Tim Holtz Ornate "On The Edge Die" by Sizzix Card

Recently I saw a video that was made by Stacy of Scrapbooking Made Simple in Santa Clarita, California where she used this Tim Holtz, ornate "On The Edge" die and I just loved it.  Click here to see Stacy's video.  I needed to make a card with somthing that flies on it for a swap so using Stacy's card as inspiration this is what I came up with.  I was pleased with the results.  Of course the pretty paper and Elizabeth Craft glitter helps too.  Thank you Stacy.

JR

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Quick and Easy with Cuttlebug and Flowers


Time has been getting away from me lately so quick and easy cards are the way to go.  I've been playing with embossing folders and so far I find that Cuttlebug folders work the best for me in my Cuttlebug machine.  A friend has that very cute Sizzix Texture Boutique machine that looks like a purse and she has great luck using all embossing folders evern on thin papers like vellum - no breaks or tears.  I just might have to make a little investment in one of those for myself.

This card was made for a friend who loves green.  I pressed way too much when adding ink and so added a big flower to try and take attention away from all that ink.  If there was more time in my day I would have just started over, but have not figured out how to add more time to my day.

JR

Monday, April 25, 2011

10 Minute Card - Swap

Many of us like fast and easy cards, but it seems that I typicallly take a lot of time purusing my stash and thinking about what I might do so that the fast part it long forgotten before I ever even start actually making the card.  The only way this card actually slipped in under the 10 minute time limit, which was the parameter for this swap, is that I used some paper that was sitting on my work table and some flowers that I had just brought home.  I did not allow myself to think too much.

JR

Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Easter Cards

Easter is almost here whether I am ready or not - and I am not.  I am quite behind this month but I found a photo of some Easter cards that I made last year for an Easter swap and I thought I would share.  Hope everyone has a very happy Easter. 

JR

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Birthday Greetings

This card was made for a female friend who really is not into flowers and lace and foo foo (as my dad would call anything quite feminine) so this is what I came up with for her birthday.  She seemed to like the card so I guess it was a success.  I used chalk to color which is my favorite coloring medium.  Chalk is just so forgiving and I need that. 

Friday, April 15, 2011

Trek to Africa with Shrink Plastic

This bookmark was made for a swap that required the use of shrink plastic as an element to an African themed bookmark.  I had so many problems with my shrink plastic.  I started by using my heat gun to shrink the giraffe and all I got was a balled up mess so my husband offered to bake it for me.  He baked then flattened it out with a pan to get this result.  I have seen some beautiful jewelry made with shrinky dink, but I  I need more practice.  What are your secrets to using shrink plastic?

The giraffe and papers were cut out with Cricut Expression - Destinations cartridge

JR

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Around the World

This ATC was made for an Around the World swap with my local stamp club.  I found the mini compasses and thought they made the perfect embellishment.  One of my other hobbies is traveling.  I have not done much traveling lately, but I still dream about the next trip and hope it will happen soon.  So many places to go and so little time.  I would like to go to Asia next.  I have never been anywhere in the far east so Japan, China, Thailand... - are on my list of places I want to see.  Where would you like to go?

JR

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Flowers or Gears

This card was made for a sketch card swap for my local stamp club.  I took the easy way out by getting out my silk flowers; however, much to my surprise my husband made a card for this swap.  This is the only time my husband ever showed even a hint of interest in paper crafting.  When he saw the sketch he immediately saw gears and began carving some gears out of foam core.  The gears actually work and a little frog pops out of the side of the card.
Kudos to Jack!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Twinkling H2O's

This card was made for a "by the seashore" swap for my local stamp club.  I wanted to practice water color painting and used twinkling H2O's for this card.  The stamp is by Stampin Up.  The picture does not do the twinkling H2O's justice, I do like the way they shimmer.

JR

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Velvet Stickers and Glitter


Hooray for velvety stickers.  Could not resist adding some glitter to the card, but I sure do like these nifty stickers.  I made it by taking some double stick tape and placing the stickers on the tape first then adding the glitter.  Added the ribbon above and below, used an edge punch and glued a piece of matching paper to the bottom of the card.  Quick and easy.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Glittered Peacock Card

This card is a reminder that I struggle with placing layers straight on the page.  What is that about?  I must develop a technique for this as I find that it is really a struggle for me.  I suspect that part of the problem is getting the paper cut perfectly straight.  Sounds like a good excuse for a new paper cutter to me.  When I first started crafting I didn't care as much about such minor trifles, after all it is just a craft; however, I then watched a friend as she was looking at a hand made card that she had received.  She looked closely at the card moving it into several angles and even inspecting it from the side to see if she could figure out what type of adhesive was used.  She really took her time with this inspection running her hands across the image to see if it was embossed and guessing how heavy the cards stock might be discussing the amount of white space on the card - OH MY!  I immediately starting paying more attention to the little details on my cards,  so my layers are still crooked, but now I am aware of it and wish I could correct it. 

This card was made with some clip art copied on to a transparancy.  Art Institute glitter was sprinkled on each area after coloring in glue from a Quickie blue pen.  The paper was from DCWV.

JR

Friday, April 1, 2011

Glitter Lace


When I first learned the technique of making glitter lace I was so excited.  Luckily my husband like cards with flowers, lace and glitter.  He does not get many "manly cards" from me.  This card was made as a sample for a glitter demo.  I used Martha Stewart glitter.