And another one!

Oh yes, another make. This time, my Father's day card (18th June in the UK) It isn't nearly as adventurous as the last one, but I still like it, just the same:

The image tag is from a collage book I've had forever, as is the backing paper. The text tag is from a scanned image of the backing paper, which I faded, and added the text to. Fading isn't too hard using standard image manipulation techniques - you can either change the opacity of the scanned image, or as I have done, create a white layer in front of the scan, and reduce the opacity of that. The first method literally makes the image more see through, adding a white layer lightens it.

The text reads:

"For a Dad who's just like an elephant;

Strong, with a long memory ..."

I don't often include info on inserts, but you need to see this to get the joke! 

The insert was made using My Craft Studio's Simply Sentiments CD - for reference, this was Bonus Square number 72. I couldn't believe my luck to find an insert with elephants on! It hasn't photographed well, but the right hand side has a faded mirror image of the left. I digital punched an oval from it to put the text in. 

The text here reads:

"... not to mention grey and wrinkly!

Happy Father's Day!"

I should mention, my dad has a great sense of humour. At least I hope he does - if my blog stops rather abruptly on the 17th June, you know why!

Been a long time coming

Yes, yes, I know, I haven't blogged nearly as much lately. I apologise, but I've been up to my eyes in cards and recovery (still off work with my poorly back). I have 2 offerings for now, but I may have another to add a bit later today.

First up, Mother's Day (18th March here in the UK). As my mum makes cards too, I always like to try something a little bit different for her cards. So, here it is ...

 I know what you're thinking ... no, really I do. That's not so spectacular. And I'd agree, if it wasn't for 2 more photos ...

Oh yes, it's a double slider card! It took me so much time to get this to look just the way I wanted it to. The tutorial came from Card Making Magic but I can't find it there now. As I type, googling " Card Making Magic double slider " brings up the tutorial as the first result, and it can be accessed in a cached form. The only issue I had was that when scoring the card (step 2) the written instructions and the picture give 2 different sets of dimensions - I used the ones in the instructions, but ended up having to trim down the sticking flap of card at the end of it. I think following the picture dimensions might be better.

The designs are edited sections of some free papers from Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, Issue 85 here (you must be registered with the website to download them, but registration is free).

The only bit you can't see in the photos is the stand at the back - I used the section I trimmed off to create a small stand so it doesn't have to be leaned against anything.

This card was beyond stressful, exasperating, and frustrating - although that was mainly down to my printer refusing to print off high quality images for me! Once I sorted that, I had a ball!

Designing is fun!

So, I said last post I've been playing with digital manipulation with some of my own photographs, and I've come up with my own decoupage sheets. There is only the one sheet at the moment, but I am so pleased with the results that there may be more forthcoming.

Here is the finished product!

This is the whole page, with 5 layers, put together with 2mm tape, but I did discover that from one page, I could make 2 toppers, as long as I print out the top layer twice!









OK, so the layering up isn't great, some of the bits aren't quite where they should be. I'll admit, I haven't decided how I want to make it into a card, so I haven't taken the back off the 3d foam yet, but I think it gives a pretty good idea of what I've achieved.







I must give credit where credit's due - it was watching Create and Craft that I decided to give this a go. Presenter Dean Wilson has been suggesting that we crafters make this the year that we manufacture our ideas, so I did! I must say it's been a fab way to spend some sick time off work.

Watch this space for more designs and ideas - although they might have to wait until the flowers are up in the garden again!

In praise of Super Smooth and digi-crafting

Oh my goodness! I have just gotten my order of super smooth paper through from Create and Craft (UKs dedicated craft channel). I will admit, I was sceptical at first - paper's paper, right?

WRONG! This is amazing stuff, so unbelievably smooth. it makes my standard printer paper feel like fine grade sandpaper. Honestly, it is a glass-like finish, I'm pretty much in shock at the difference.

I only wish I'd ordered more! I only ordered the paper as a trial to see what it was like, and now I need to have the card as well, especially as I'm just getting into CD crafting and digital manipulation.

Speaking of digital manipulation, I have been going through my photograph collection, and noticed I have loads that I could use as card toppers, backgrounds etc. I've started looking through to see what I can do with them, and I've begun making them into some pretty nifty stuff. I already have a decoupage sheet created from a beautiful carnation picture I took in the garden.

I would love to be able to distribute them, but I have no idea where to start. I have heard about www.craftrabbit.com for selling your own designs, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience of using the site and can give me an idea of how it works?

Another one done

I'm seeing the upside to sick leave. I'm further ahead on my cardmaking than I've ever been. I just finished my dad's birthday card, and I've started a Father's day card for him - both for June.
Piccy goodness as ever

This was similar to a card I made last year for my brother's birthday, but I modified it a bit to spice things up ... you know you're bored when adding acetate to a design is exciting!

Anyway, the topper is from a Create and Craft kit, no title as far as I know.
I created a stepped card design, cut out the centre panel and replaced it with acetate - which folds really well on my Crafters Companion Ultimate board! The (slightly wonky) sentiment is stamped by hand - hence the wonky! - on mirror board. The rivets are just spare middles from some corner peel offs.

As I say, it was a twist on a card I'd already done, but I'm pretty pleased with myself over this one. I don't often use acetate so prominently on a card, and I've never used it to create a floating topper effect. All in all, I'm chuffed with myself!

The longest make ever?

So, about a week after I started it, here it is ... *drumroll*

My card of unknown destination! It started life as my Grandma's Birthday card, but now I'm not so sure. Relieved it came together in the end - the topper is PVA'd and obviously the corner leaf spray is on with an eyelet, which meant I had to eyelet another 2 corners for some symmetry! The fourth corner is left blank for a sentiment, once I decide what it's for.

Success!

Finally! After days of exasperated experimentation with about every adhesive I own, PVA and eyelets have come to my card's rescue. I hope anyway - it's all still stuck down at the minute, but time will tell. If it is still in one piece at the end of the morning, I'll post pics.

I'm starting on a new card type for me - a double slider card. So far, it's not going badly, except the written instructions from the tutorial I printed don't match the pictures included with the (same) tutorial, so I'm having to wing it a bit. Hope fully when it's done it will be my Mother's Day card.

So, hopefully pics of the longest make in history will appear shortly, and my Mother's day card will be done in slightly less time than that took!