Easter Challenge

This week, our challenge at Card Crafter's Circle, is to make an Easter card. Our sponsor, Dearie Dolls (http://www.deariedollsdigistamps.com/), provided the DT membrers such adorable images with which to work, and our inspiration cards definitely reflect what fun we had with the images. So, we'd like to see what you come up with to celebrate this joyous season.  You do not have to use a Dearie Dolls image although we'd love for you to.  At Dearie Dolls, you will find both coloured and uncoloured images, and they are delightful for every occasion!  So go visit the store, and spoil yourself with something fabulous! The winner of this challenge, randomly picked by Mr. Linky, will receive 3 digital images of their choice!

My inspiration card is an egg easel card. I cannot take credit for the idea (sadly), as I was searching the web and found a lovely card created by Frances Rodriquez. I thought it would be a perfect background for the adorable little Dearie Dolls chick image (isn't she a cutie?). I used Spellbinder's grand oval dies to create my card, but I've since seen a tutorial where the parts were hand cut. I also think that the parts could be cut using a Cricut (or other) cutting machine.

The base for the card is made using two equal size ovals. The bottom one is folded in half and then the top half is folded in half to provide the easel. The second oval is cut in half and one half is adhered to the folds of the base to create the easel. The rest of the card is just smaller ovals, punched borders, decorations of your choice, and of course, image of your choice.

I apologize for not copying down the URLs for Frances's blog and the other blogs where I saw the card made to share with you. Maybe if you Google "egg easel card" you will be able to find a tutorial if you are interested in giving this a try.

There are only about 10-11 more days until Easter Sunday, so get busy making those cards -- and remember to share one of them in our challenge at Card Crafter's Circle (http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/2012/03/challenge-16-easter.html).

Entering this card in the following challenges:
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/ - Easter
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ - Easter
http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/ - Easter
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/ - Easter

Tic-Tac-Toe

This week the challenge at our Card Crafter's Circle challenge blog is to use the tic-tac-toe board shown above. You may pick any of the items to use on your card as long as they are in a row. You may go horizontal, vertical or from corner to corner. Any direction you want, as long as you use the three items that are next to each other. For my card, I used the first box, the middle box and the last box (upper left corner, middle, bottom right corner).

We are happy to welcome back Whoopsie Daisy as our sponsor for this week's challenge! Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of 2 sheets of Whoopsie Daisy images... which is 8 images! These are adorable images (check out more by seeing what the other DT members used at http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/).

My card base is green card by Bazzill. On top of that, I layered solid pink card and a DP. I actually got the piece of DP out of my scrap stash. I was thrilled that it matched everything so perfectly, and I didn't have to cut into a new piece of paper. It is always nice to be able to "use up" some of the lovely papers we tend to collect in our crafting. I cut the butterfly, the doily circle behind my image and the small decorative circle behind my sentiment from the solid pink using my Spellbinder dies and a hand punch (the butterfly).

I printed my little image onto Xpress-It card and coloured with my Copic markers. I also added some 3-D Crystal Lacquer by Sukura to some of the bubbles the little girl has blown, giving them some depth and gloss. I ran pink satin ribbon over the DP and under the die cuts and tied the bow to the side. The flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts, and the little pearls on the butterfly's body are by Recollection.

I hope you will be inspired to try your hand at our Tic-Tac-Toe board and enter your creation in the challenge this week at Card Crafter's Circle.

Challenges:
http://cachallenge.blogspot.com/ - Spring
http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/ - Spring
http://littledarlingschallenges.blogspot.com/ - Spring is in the Air
http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes with a Butterfly/Angel/Fairy
http://7kidschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes

Pretty in Pink (and Green)

I have not been in a creative mood lately. The weather has been so beautiful (and warm) that I've just wanted to spend the time outside (despite the bazillion pollen count). We had a really mild winter, so the warmer temps shouldn't be such a treat. However, add in the lengthening daylight, and the body/mind is thinking spring and outside. This would be all fine and good EXCEPT that I have some DT projects that need to be done! Can't exactly take them outside which is a total bummer!

So, knowing the DT assignments are hanging heavily over my head, what do I do instead? Yuppers, the little card above. This charming Saturated Canary image was already coloured up and was calling my name. Afterall, if I'm going to try to entice my Muses back to a work schedule, shouldn't I do it slowly (grin).

For this little card, I started with pink Bazzill card as my base. I rounded the two right side corners and then added the green stripe paper on top. I also rounded the edges. I then cut a square of cream paper that has green circles and pink butterflies, which I matted with the same pink as the card base. The green stripy paper and the other DP are both by Close to My Heart. I've had it for a number of years, so it isn't available any longer.

I printed my digital image onto Xpress-It card and coloured it with my Copic markers. I then cut it down and matted it on green card. I cut a strip of white and punched it using a Fiskar's border punch. I then topped that with that pretty pink and white dotty ribbon. Lastly, I added three green gems to the upper left. Easy peasy, but I really like the effect. Those Saturated Canary images with their big eyes and long, flowing hair are stunners, eh? I have several others all coloured up and waiting to be put on a card or project - AFTER I complete my DT projects, though (sigh).

Maybe my independent, wayward Muses will quickly learn that they can play all they want once their chores are finished -- humph, my children had a hard time with that concept, and these Muses can be just as stubborn!

I'm going to enter this little Lass in the following challenges:

http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.com/ - Use some green
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/ - Chicks Rule
http://thepoodlesparlour.blogspot.com/ - Anything Goes
http://sweetnsassydigis.blogspot.com/ - Use a Digi Image, Green
http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/ - Girly

Gold

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from the Latin aurum); yet, legend, myth and history have countless tales about the search for this elusive substance. Countries have based their economy system on the gold standard. Fine jewelry is made from this element. Buildings and shrines are encased with it. Gold is a symbol of great wealth and beauty. This week at Card Crafter's Circle, we'd like to see what you do with gold.

This week we are excited to introduce a new sponsor to our challenges, Milk Coffee! Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of 3 Milk Coffee images. But wait.... there's more!
The awesome designers at Milk Coffee, will also provide one image to each of our chosen Top 3! How generous is that?

My card this week uses the Milk Coffee image "Tiffany Diva." Tiffany is a beautiful little lady all decked out for a formal affair. I printed the image onto Cryogen card and coloured her with my Copic markers. I picked up the red from the roses in Tiffany's hair and on her dress as my background colour. I first used black card as my base and placed the red on top of that. I then used Cheery Lynn die B159 and cut a black and a gold border. The gold is a beautiful matte gold paper. I adhered the gold border to the top of the black so the black peeked out ever so slightly, giving a shadow effect and making the gold stand out against the red better. I matted my image with both black and red. I printed my sentiment, "You've Got Style" onto a piece of scrap Cryogen and cut it into a circle. I then used a Spellbinder die (sorry, it doesn't have a name or product number) to cut the design from gold to hold the sentiment and added two red gems. Lastly, I adhered a gold metal corner piece to the upper right hand corner.

This image is so pretty that I tried to keep it the main focus of this card while still getting the gold for my challenge onto the card. I hope you will be inspired to add a little gold to your crafting this week and enter your art in the challenge at Card Crafter's Circl (http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/).

May all your crafting experiences be golden!

A Tisket, A Tasket, Here's Another Basket

When I first saw this little Marianne Craftable die (CR1209), I thought, "What in the world can I do with this?" It is a small die (only about 2" from handle to bottom and only about 2 1/4" wide). However, when I got started making this card, the little die turned out to be one of my favorites of the Marianne Craftables basket dies. The size makes it a perfect addition to a little tag (I used Marianne LR0154), and I already owned a tiny hand held flower punch that proved to be just perfect (although the die does contain "flat"  flowers and folage inside the basket, I like a 3-D effect more).

For this card, I started with a pink card base. I then placed a layer of designer paper on top. I topped the DP with a layer of solid pink card which I matted with the same card as the base card. I then cut the lacy background using my Cricut and the Paper Lace cartridge. Before placing the paper lace layer, I added pink satin ribbon but placed the bow atop the lace panel. Lastly, I added a butterfly that I cut using Marianne Creatable die LR0153, and the birthday sentiment which I matted with both the pink colours. I cut the basket out twice -- once from green card and once from brown. I cut the handle and basket from the brown and adhered it over the green cut. This allowed the green folage to show through. I then punched the tiny flowers using my hand punch. I took my ball flower tool and pressed into the center of each little flower so that it would cup. To the center of the flowers, I added tiny pearls.

I have enjoyed using the Marianne basket dies. There are four different styles in the set (you can get them from Dutch Paper Crafts), and each one makes lovely and versatile shapes. This was a fun assignment to do.

Butterflies Flutterby

Who among us doesn't like butterflies? The delicate beauty of these little creatures and their carefree spirit as they flit among the flowers leaves those of us who are firmly bound to the earth wistful and longing. However, in truth, the little beauties lead a rather difficult and short life as they are easy prey for the weather, birds and other creatures. Ah well, enough of reality, let's get back to the sheer beauty and joy of the lovely little butterfly.

Butterflies seem to be a favorite embellishment among card makers, and I am no exception, so I was totally delighted when I received this butterfly die in the set of Marianne's Craftable dies that was my latest DT assignment for Dutch Paper Crafts. This die (CR1205) is absolutely beautiful with details!

For this first card, I combined kraft brown, yellow and purple to create a stunning Easter card. Starting with a white card base, I added a layer of kraft and then a layer of a deep yellow dotty paper. On top of the yellow paper, I added a kraft die that I cut using my Spellbinder beaded oval die. The sentiment is typed and printed off onto white card. It reads, "Glad wishes wing their way to greet you on this Easter day." I cut it out using a Spellbinder plain oval die.

I cut the butterfly twice. Once from a dark lavendar and once from a lighter lavendar card. I glued the two butterflies together in the middle (body) area only, leaving their wings separate. I added some small lavendar pearls to the body, then attached the butterfly to my card at the right of the sentiment. I then gently folded the top wings upward to give the butterfly dimension. I added the lavendar ribbon and bow and some Wild Orchid Crafts flowers. Stunning little card.

One of the lovely things about butterflies is they appeal both to women and men. I decided to make a second card and try to capture a more masculine feel using the same die. This time, I used the kraft card as my base card. On top of that, I layered a darker, chocolate brown. Then on top of that, I added a layer of DP paper from a little 6"x6" pad by Bo Bunny called the et cetera collection. Using another piece from the same pad, I matted that with the dark brown.

I selected a piece from the same little pad that was a deeper golden color. The sheet had subtle brown wording on it, but I thought that added to the interest of the butterfly shape and gave it more dimension. Again, I cut two butterflies, layering them on top of each other and gluing the bodies together.

Lastly, I added ribbon, two amber colored gems and the sentiment. I think the overall look is quite nice and achieves the masculine look that I was after. I think you can see from my two samples that despite the delecate cuts and embossed details of this Marianne die, it is quite a versatile shape. I'm thrilled to have it in my collection. If you, too, would like this little die, visit Dutch Paper Crafts (link in sidebar)/

A Basket and a Parasol

Stick with me today, as this entry may be a little long. Since I've been a bit remiss about posting lately, I am going to try to give you two for one (grin). I am going to be sharing two cards that I made for Darlene at Dutch Paper Crafts using dies she released just this morning.

This first card is a little "thank you" card using CR1206 and also CR1210. CR1206 is the beautiful basket, and CR1210 is a little die that gives you five tiny flower shapes and five little leaf shapes. Both dies cut and emboss, giving lovely details. I used white card as my base and layered that with red card and a piece of blue DP. I used a Fiskar's border die and a strip of red grosgrain ribbon. Now the little basket took a bit of time and patience, but the outcome was well worth the effort. I ran the flower die through my Cuttlebug enough times to get a number of those tiny roses. This requires running the die through once for the cutting and then again for the embossing. I also ran the leaf die through a number of times. I found that using my Cuttlebug rather than my Spellbinder Grand Caliber worked better with these tiny dies. The extra pressure of the Grand Caliber caused the dies to stick into the cutting surface and made the dies hard to get out. (I almost lost one as it went flying across my table after finally releasing from the cutting surface!)

After cutting the basket, I backed the lower portion with a small piece of dotty DP and wove ribbon through the top portion of the basket. I then started layering the roses and leaves "inside" the basket. Once I used all the roses, I felt I needed a few little "filler" flowers, so I used a small Marvy hand punch to punch the tiny white flowers. I used my ball shaper to cup the little flowers and then dotted the inside with a yellow Copic marker. Lastly, I added the thank you sentiment which I stamped and matted onto red card.

The embossed details on the basket and the flowers are quite amazing considering the small size of the dies. While working with this die, my daughter and granddaughter stopped by for a visit. They both looked at the shape of the basket and "saw" different things. My daughter saw a parasol. My granddaughter saw a lamp shade and a dress. With that many different ideas, I had to use the die again, so made the card below.

For this card, I went with the parasol idea. I cut the die and then cut off the handles. I cut one side of the handle into a U shape such as one generally finds on a parasol. I then glued the handle back onto the basket in the center. I backed the entire basket shape with a pink pearl sheen paper, and added that tiny bow to the top.

Again, I started with a white card base which I layered with green card and then pink DP. I placed a strip of white lace and above that a strip of white satin ribbon and bow.  I then placed a green circle cut from Marianne die CR1201. I added small pink pearls to the right side of the die and a two-tone pink rose (from Wild Orchid Crafts) under the bow.

I used the sentiment "Wishing you Sunshine" on this card (which I layered onto the pink and then the green), but after I'd finished, I got to thinking how pretty this would be for a Wedding or Baby shower card or even for the invitations.

I hope you enjoy the cards, and I hope you will hop over to Dutch Paper Crafts (link in my side-bar) and have a look at these beautiful Marianne dies that Darlene is selling. There are four different shaped baskets in this set, and even if you don't feel you need all four, they are all so lovely that I know you are going to find at least one or two are going to "have" to find their way into your craft stash (grin).

Little Bit Irish

There is a saying, which I used on my card, that goes, "Once a year, everyone is a little bit Irish." In my case, I have Irish ancestors on both my Father's side and my Mother's side. This week's challenge at Card Crafter's Circle (http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/) lends itself to the upcoming Saint Patrick's Day. The theme is green and orange, and your creation can follow a St Patrick's Day theme, or it can follow the colour theme of Orange and Green. You can mix both if you wish. We are excited to introduce a new sponsor to our challenges,  KPM DOODLES.  Our randomly drawn challenge winner will receive their choice of TWO SETS of images from the KPM DOODLES collection.

For my card, I used this little girl holding a tin of lucky 4-leaf clovers. I printed her onto X-Press It card and colored her using my Copic markers. I then paper pieced her little dress, hair-bow and shoes. I used a classic oval Spellbinder die to cut out the completed image, adjusting for the pail so that it went "outside" the oval. I then used the scallop oval die and cut an orange scallop for the matting. I used a white card base and put a layer of orange patterned paper on top of it. I then cut a solid green piece and used a Fiskar's border punch along the bottom. On top of that, I placed a green dotty paper. To complete my card, I added a piece of gold ribbon, two small green buttons, some green Stickle on the Shamrocks (clover) and my sentiment (which I matted with the green).

This was a quick little card, but a fun way to celebrate the "little bit of Irish" in all of us. Hope you will join us this week at Card Crafter's Circle and share your design.

Challenges:
http://www.papercraftstar.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/challenge-87-lucky-st-patricks-day.html - Lucky St. Patrick's Day
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/dysu-62-go-green.html - Go Green
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/ - St. Patrick's Day
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/ - Cute as a Button
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/ - Show Us Your Irish

Button, Button, I Forgot the Button

Here it is half way through Friday, and I completely forgot to post my DT card for this week. Don't know where my mind is today -- sheeze!

Many of you can remember sitting at your Mother's or Grandmother's feet as they sewed and playing with their button boxes. While I do have memories of sitting on the floor playing as my Grandmother worked her wonders with her trusty Singer trundle sewing machine, I don't particularly remember playing with buttons. I tend to be a sorter and catagorizer type, so I'm sure that all the buttons would have been separated by color or style -- but as I said, I can't recall doing anything like that. Never mind, though, as I know buttons are a favorite embellishment for a lot of you card makers, and this week at Card Crafter's Circle (http://cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com/), we'd like to see what you do with buttons.

Our sponsor this week is the uber-fabulous... Bugaboo Stamps!  Not only does Bugaboo have a plethera of adorable images, but they are always so very generous with their prizes. Our randomly chosen winner for the Button challenge will receive SEVEN Bugaboo images. Now how fun is that?

My little image comes from the Sun Bonnet collection and can be found at http://www.bugaboostamps.com/Sewing-SB-button_p_153.html. I figured this little charmer was perfect for the button theme. I printed her off on X-Press It card and coloured her with my Copic markers. I cut the image out using a Spellbinders circle die and backed it with another Spellbinder scalloped circle die. My card base is white card layered with blue and then yellow. On top of that, I added a smaller layer of blue with pattered paper from Daisy D. I added a strip of ecru lace and a strip of ribbon. The X-es on the ribbon reminded me of cross-stitching and kept with the sewing theme (yes, I know the theme is buttons, but that's all part of sewing, isn't it?). I adhered four tiny buttons, one in each corner, and three larger buttons under the bow. I used ecru crochet thread to tie small knots in the holes of the buttons, and I adhered them with sticky glue dots so that they would "stand up" against the bow knot rather than lie flat.

Even if you don't decide to join us this week in the challenge at Card Crafter's Circle, take a few minutes to drop by and have a look at the lovely cards the DT did this week. As our wonderfully spunky and talented DT member from the UK put it, "I'm gobsmacked at how good all our creations look." I think you will be gobsmacked, too!