Learning new techniques

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=hHCFve0f5H4  I have a goal to watch a video a week and try something new.  I had fun with this one and since the Blog Challenge for the Fly Babies at Split Coast Stampers this month is to make a card for a youngster.  Well, this image just fit perfectly.  I will give this to Fonnie.  Well, by the time this is posted it should be in her hands.  I have a stamp that says “When I want to see love defined, I look at you”  I don’t think she would understand that quote but it sure defines her.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a lovable, huggable, happy little girl as Fonnie. 

  

Happy Father’s Day

This card could have many faces.  It could be a Birthday Card for Dad, a Father’s Day card or a retirement card.   The inside sentiment would personalize it for the occasion.  This is a one of a kind card that I will use as a retirement card for a good friend.  I say it’s one of a kind because the “die cut” is actually a piece I cut off some packaging of some embellishments I purchased.  I told you, I am a “GREEN” stamper and scraps inspire me.  I loved the curve of this and the shiny embossed look edging.  Using my tiny attacher by Tim Holtz, my new MFT die for the sentiment banner and a very old penguin from Stampin Up.  Still love that set.  I thought I saw a blog challenge for Simon Says Stamps that was for Father’s Day cards but I couldn’t find it again so guess I shall just post this for the fun of it.    and for your perusing pleasure.  Thanks for stopping by.

Just Under the Wire

This is a first for me to play in the FlourishesTimeless Tuesday Challenge; Black Accents.  Whew, Just under the wire.  The challenge time for uploading is just a couple of hours away.  Some of the gals over at SCS Flybaby group were talking about this and posted a link so I went and checked it out.   I have been making cards for three days and I had to MAKE myself use black.  I didn’t realize how often I don’t use this versatile staple color. I used black scallop borders around the main image and added a touch to the bottom of the card.  I outlined the letters with a black marker too.  That really made them stand out.  It was kind of ho-hum before I added that touch. 
I am entering this in Mark’s Finest Papers challenge #159  for Glitter also.  They have a cool stamp set I’d like to win.  Join in and your name could be drawn.  You never know unless you upload.  I cut my own letters with Cuttle Bug Tag Sale dies and then used a glue pad to get them sticky before adding my own glitter.  oops…I almost used embossing powder.  Gotta remember to check that stuff out before sprinkling it on. 
I was trying my hand at shading with using Staedler Watercolor markers and a blending pen.  It went pretty quick.  I’ll be using that technique some more. The paper flower and button are from Creative Memories.  The image is House Mouse Designs.

Making it work

My good friend Angie just told me she used a card I had sent her as inspiration for one she needed to make for a blog hop.  The wonderful  thing with stamping is what we are inspired with and what comes out our hands is two entirely different “animals”.  That prompted me to show you this video from Paper Trey inks that inspired me to make a card.  Now I have NO supplies whatsoever from Paper Trey Inks….so how to create something similar.   Here’s the video I watched.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O55tjid8bo8

This is my list:

Instead of an impression plate I used a cuttlebug folder

Instead of a stamp made for a die cut, I made my dies from spellbinders and stamped lightly on the raised part. 

Instead of twine I used raffia

Instead of putting all my embellishments where she did I rearranged

Instead of making a top folded card, I made a side fold (reason for placing the embellys in a different location)  

Instead of the colors she chose, I chose, guy kind of colors.

Instead of THANKS I chose Congrats to get a head start on the graduating seniors that always surprise me in my mailbox with an announcement

Instead of a felt butterfly I doubled stamped one and cut it out of opposite colors.  Green on white for the bottom layer and white on green for the top.

Voila`  We have a starting point from the video idea but we make it our own.  Happy Stamping.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Taken from an angle so you can see the butterfly underneath.  I did use some raffia for his antennae.  Thought that was a really cute idea.