Winter Deer

Christmas 2018 is coming up so fast and I don't really have time to blog as well as create, but I thought I'd make an exception for this card as it fits with the current theme of my favourite challenges  Double D Challenges - Run Run Rudolph.  Here's the photo inspiration! 

I softened the background by overlaying vellum on white card stock.  To really make the Birch Trees stand out I double layered them.  For "stretchy" die cuts like these I find that makes them more stable. 

Die and Stamps : Impression Obsession Birch Trees (also includes the bird), Tim Holtz Deer (Movers and Shapers), Simon Says Stamp Wavy Scallop Stitches

WMS Flurries (sentiment)

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Kate

Just the Ticket

I was inspired by the current Global Design Project to make this all-purpose card for an upcoming market.  The colours and the "wonderful" scripty sentiment are what caught my eye, as well as that bold border (for which I used some photo corners instead)

Stamps and Dies : WMS Old Country Roses Stamp Set and Matching cut files (many WMS products were re-released under the Gina K label when it closed its doors);

WMS Pretty Panel;

Quickutz Photo Corners

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Kate

A Quilted Card

My lovely niece and God-daughter is expecting her first child in December and I was recently selling some of my cards at a local market, when I saw this funky modern baby quilt at a neighbouring stand.  As is usually the case (and I don't think I'm alone in this)  I spent everything I had made (plus my considerable float) to buy it.

This card really was a labour of love - not just for my soon-to-be new great-nephew but also for the quilter and her gorgeous creation.  I went though all my stamps, selected patterns which represented the patterns on the quilt and embossed them with many different coloured embossing powders, ink colours and card stock until I was happy with the mix.  I then used the second smallest Spellbinders Postage Stamp Square die to create the swatches.  I also found a punch in my collection (which I had forgotten I had - sound familiar) to create some smaller swatches and superimposed them on the larger swatches.

The stitch lines around the swatches were made using a Paper Smooches die set.  I used another die from the same set to create a row of cross-stitches on the envelope.  I had plenty of swatches left over so will use one of them as an envelope seal.  

The border of the quilt is a grey polka dot, so I matted the panel on grey polka dotted paper and used the same paper for this Welcome sentiment from Lil' Inkers Designs.  As it was sitting astride swatches, I  layered up 3 grey card-stock die-cuts under it to give support and height.  

There are striped and spotted papers and patterns used in the card, so I thought I would enter it in the current Double D Challenge Stripes and Dots

I just noticed that the current challenge for Time Out is Colourful.  So I'm linking up there as well

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Kate

The Right Shoes

I just saw a fun challenge over at Double D Challenges - If the Shoes Fits.  

I've had the idea for this card in my head since buying this Marianne D Ballet Slippers Die early this year, so this challenge gave me the perfect excuse to make it up.

I came across the quote on the internet and made it up using WordArt in the Word Processor.  I'm not sure to whom it should be attributed.  I believe Marilyn Monroe said something similar as did Bette Midler.  In any case I think it's even more appropriate for Ballet Shoes - the dedication and drive needed for ballet will definitely help a young girl conquer the world!

My husband's niece is a principal dancer with the Australian Ballet and I have watched her determination to excel in ballet with awe for over 2 decades.  When she gained entry to the prestigious Australian Ballet School, when she was given a position in the chorus, then a solo role and more recently when she has danced the principal role.  She has danced danced all over the world - Paris, London, New York, Japan, San Francisco and Los Angeles and we're extremely proud of her!  

Here's a photo of her taken recently in a principal role - gorgeous isn't she.  

Supplies : Marianne D Ballet Slippers, Spellbinders Doily Accents (Border lace), Marianne D Ballerina 2 (used to create a funky foam stamp used on envelope).

Thanks for stopping by - especially if you take the time to leave some feedback.  I can't tell you how much your kind words brighten my day!

Kate

Spectacular You

It's been a while since I've posted anything but hopefully the creative drought I have been experiencing lately has broken.  I certainly hope so!  I have a market coming up this weekend and I have a half empty carousel to fill!!!

I created this eye chart using Wordart within Microsoft Word.  It took a while until I was happy with the graphic but now that it's done, I can easily reproduce it.  

The spectacles are from a SugarPea Designs set called Brainy Bookmarks.  I layered 4 of them up for dimension and coated them with glossy accents.  The matching stamp I used on the envelope (also on the inside) are from the coordinating set Read Between the Lines.  

The panel was cut with a WMS Stitched Rectangle and is matted with the coordinating Scalloped Rectangle.  

Two challenges lined up beautifully.  Less is More Challenge #379 was to use Black and White + one other colour.

while CAS-ual Fridays CFC207 was to use Mint with Neutral Colours (IRL it is more minty green than it appears under the artificial light I've used to photograph it).

Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit and feedback mean the world to me!

Kate

Caps Off

My eldest son graduates from the University of Aberdeen with first class honours next Monday.  I thought the occasion merited a special graduation card.

There seems to be a lot of talk in the news recently about mortarboard throwing being banned.  Not sure what Aberdeen University's policy on this is but I thought it would be fun to make a card on which Gavin can toss a mortarboard cap as much as he likes!  

Alcohol inks was the challenge for "Just Us Girls" this week which inspired me to make the background from various alcohol inks - Pool, Sandal, Willow, Lemonade and a touch of Silver.  I do love making these backgrounds, they look like polished marble to me.  Stamping on them is very tricky however.   I thought I'd use my Tim Holtz stamping platform in case I had to repeat the stamping (which I did).  Unfortunately the glossy paper still slipped, and I ended up with a slight double image.

Here's a close up of the stamped image and the background.  I stacked the Mini Mortarboard up 4 times to get a nice substantial thickness.  I glued a mini magnet to a circular piece of acetate and another magnet to the back of the mortar board (making sure the polarities were correct).   The spin channel was cut with two Spellbinders Petite Ovals using the partial cut method.

Supplies :

Impression Obsession Mini Mortarboard; Katzelkraft Mini Capitals

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to leave a comment.  

Kate