Wednesday, August 29, 2012

TFGSC 28


Lately my cards have been simple and clean, so now I wanted to bring the whole arsenal. Behold the result!


I love this set by TGF and I looked a good deal before I found someone who would ship to Sweden. I used it right away to make cards in which I enclosed a couple of tea bags and some chocolate to all my girls out there. Great happy mail during fall when it's dark and rainy, it was well appreciated. I'll think about doing it again this year...
 
Anyhow, I've got inspired by the TGFSC 28 sketch and I coloured the face and hair with promarkers and copics. For once I actually remember (meaning wrote down - LOL!) which colours I used.

Hair: E51, E53
Face: Ivory, E50, Blush, Dusky pink
Hairband: V000
Bathtub: Lindy stamp gang creme brulee cream
Legs of bathtub and frame of diecut: R000
Bubbles: Glossy accent




All the flowers are from I am roses and there are 2 flowers I've made myself of polymer clay using flexible molds from Kawaii. The flowers are coloured with LSG salt water taffy spray and magical, to add the same colour but still different intensity. I like the depth it made. There is also a skeleton leaf and some rose leaves coloured with LSG sea grass green, as they take the spray differently the looks of them also varies. Both of the sprays comes from LSG nantucket pearls set.

To top it of I made two stick pins I've added some pearls to and some prima bling of course.

The flowers are: R2-15, R5-15, R8-15, S3-310, ZQLO-151 and a small natural skeleton leaf.


For the boarder in background I used a punch from ek success and layered some pink trim I had in my stash. On top of that I glued some mini iridescent pearl trim also from my stash, so I don't remember where I got it from. For the rosette that was part of the sketch I used some pink satin ribbon, which I (after a lot of fiddling) managed to thread a heart on each end and tie a knot. I'm very please by the result as I never manage to tie a knot where both ends hangs down. Somehow one always keeps sticking up?!

My sentiment "me time" is stamped on paper with memento ink and I used a tim holtz framgent charm with some pink satin ribbon and bling on. The paper is from Bo Bunny Gabrielle collection and DCWV Mariposa paperpad and I distressed to edges good.


I've uploaded this card to:
Anyone for Anya - Inspired by time
Whimsy stamps - lots of layers
House of Gilli - Favourite colour combination
Craft your days away - anything goes
Simon say stamp challenge blog - anything goes
Splitcoaststampers - MsScrapmess gallery
Facebook - Pi Scrapmess


If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thanks for visiting!!!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Back to school challenge


You might have read in my earlier blog post that I've been sitting some back to school challenges out, since I don't have any school themed products... Meaning i have no G45 abc primer paper - LOL! 
The card's size is 5 3/4 x 4½ inches and I have used the sketch from Anyone for Anya.


As I found out, it's not in the paper! (Or yes it it, but not in the way I imagined) I found some yellow paper in a collection pack which combined with black and that red cardstock that's been sitting in my christmas stash made just the perfect colour combination for school themed projects. Therefore, I'm particulary glad simon say stamp once again host a back to school challenge. I will also enter the card for simon say stamp vintage blog no rules - I hope my dress makes it vintage enough...


I knew right a way that I wanted to paperpiece her dress and bow as I've coloured a lot of my latest projects with alcohol pens and wanted to try something new. So it was perfect that TGF FFF also was paper piecing. I'm quite pleased that I managed to incorporte the pattern from a scrap piece of Teresa Collings "giving thanks" into her dress construction.

I didn't want to make this card to similar to my back to school mini book and I used Jill from the creeper crew as she has a bit of rebellish attitude. But I stayed away from the letters a b c as I thought it would be just to close to the mini book, although I wanted them...

In order to follow the sketch I finally got to use some left over ribbon from a scrapbook magazine in yellow. I had brads in mind, but in comparsion to the ribbon they were to small. So I used them to fasten my image instead and coloured I am roses R2-15 with a promarker tulip yellow instead.

Also entered in:
craft your days away - anything goes
whimsy stamps - lots of layers

This challenge has been beyond great for me as I "learned" how to destash - LOL! I hope I'm not the only one who might be shopping in a higher rate then I use it - although I need all those product to create, don't I? I love Rachel's (rach0113) it started with a shoe box, because that's exactly that happend for me. My scrapbook embellishment was literally just ephemera from tickets, reciets and postcards where I'd been. Armed with scissors, pens and glue I went to town - LOL! Then I started making some card with some stamps and coloured paper I bought cheap and stored it in a shoe box. Soon I treated myself with some scrapbook and paper craft magazines... I started to find actual scrapbook stores, but it was so expensive I could not possibly afford all of it. But now my stash had grown to an IKEA box underneath the bed and some drawers. Then one happy day, I got intruduced to you tube and now I need my daily kick of inspiration - LOL! Thanks to Arlene and friends, I have discovered Lindy stamp gang sprays, i am roses flowers and my favourite things dies. I have discovered how much cheaper everything is online and it's even worth the shipping to Sweden which provides me with a healthy supply with Tim Holtz and The greeting farm stamps. You can not believe how fast my stash has grown and it's like an explosion as I nowadays more or less has taken over the entire appartment. My poor man don't know what hit him - LOL! I'm so lucky as he supports my hobby so wholeheartedly, but I'm sure he will appreciate the day we get a larger home where I can store all of my supply in one room and where he can shut the door to the mess - I won't argue, I promise -LOL!!!

I'm sorry if you find me blabbering along here, what I meant to say was that I'm so proud of myself that I managed to control my instinct to run to my LSS and buy school themed products (meaning G45 abc primer paper), which I'm sure would have had a few extra in the bag as well before I reach back home. Instead I actually decreased my stash with a fraction. 

If you've reached the end - congrats!
It's finally over, I thank you from my heart for taking the time to read it all!!!


Monday, August 20, 2012

Back to school mini book - Aug IARCC


...Or more like start of school... I got inspired by Arlene's (butterflykisseswithlove) project where she altered a "box" to keep her son's kindergarten memorabilia in. Here is the rest of the mini book, as promised - I even made a video presenting it.


There has been a number of "back to school" challenges that I've thought to myself "I probably should sit this one out since I don't have anything school themed"... I've been looking on Graphic 45's ABC for quite some time now... But my monthly challenge is to use my supply rather then to increase it, due to space... and budget - LOL!

But what do you know?! Turns out I have plenty in my stash to make school themed project - don't I feel like a bag of nuts? The base is red cardstock from my christmas stash layered with black, yellow and orange paper. The orange paper is from Maja design "skärgårdsliv" and the yellow is from a collection pack from Simple stories summer fresh.



The numbers and letters in red are from Tim Holtz wordplay - love that die! I waited for months before it arrived, but totally worth the wait.
The stamped images are from the greeting farm, penny black and disney's clear stamp set winnie the pooh set 3. All are coloured with alcohol pens and fussy cut.


The flowers are from I am roses, which I've coloured with Lindy stamp gang Marigold yellow orange. The flowers I've used are T1-147, R2-15 and S3-151. I've also added some bling I bought a long time ago, i like that glass look to them, don't they look like dew drops.


I left a lot of layered black cardstock. I wanted to make it similar to an old classic blackboard. You could journal with a white pen to enhance the effect - put photos on them for photo mats - whatever you want.

I wanted it to look like he is throwing numbers in the air

The hedgehogs are actually carring a gift box, but here I've had them carring
letters - LOL!


More of the IAR, these are coloured with distressed with mustard seed and just a touch of LSG marigold yellow orange.



Challenges I've participated in:
I am roses - yellow (back to school)
Simon says stamp - animal antics
Simon says stamp - no rules
Whimsy Stamps - lots of layers
craft your days away - anything goes



Thank you for taking the time to visit, I hope I've inspired somewhat
'til next time!!



Sunday, August 19, 2012

Card for TGFSC 27


I've finished the kindergarten mini album, I will post it shortly, I just have to get the video to work. Me and technology - LOL!

During the weekend I have also managed to make a card from the greeting farm's weekly sketch. Here is the result, I wanted to make a card without any "extra" from the sketch, which is why it may look a bit naked compared to my other cards. For me it would be natural to embellish it more with some bling and flowers - but I like the way it makes my image really pop.


I didn't have any twine in black thin enough to give me the impression I wanted with Tim Holtz word band in metal, so I used a thin slice of paper.


Instead of a heart, I used the clock face and game spinners to represent both limits and endless time. This is the only thing I changed from the sketch.


The paper is from Authentique paper, 6x6, Journey - A lovely patterned paper in blue tones. I've layered it, one of my favourite techniques, on black cardstock and the background is just some grey print paper I had in my stash.


The size of the card is 4,5x6 and I will enter the card in Simon says stamp vintage challenge and Whimsy stamps challenge as well. The stamped image is TGF cheeky geeky, my newest addition to my collection. You may recognize the image as it is my first try with the stamp and I've used it as my profile pic for both my blog and my facebook account.

If you have any questions, please let my know.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


Thursday, August 16, 2012

TGF - FFF


When the challenge back for school this week came up I almost decided not to enter.
I merely have no school themed products to work with?!
But as I saw Arlene's project for her son who's about to start kindergarten, it just so happens my one and only nephew starts kindergarten next Monday as well. So full of inspiration, I decided to make him a little mini mini album to remember the first day of kindergarten. So here I am... Turns out I do have something to work with?!



I'm a bit ashamed that it is a bit in the middle of the project and not an entirely finished book. But I hope I will qualify anyway - if not please tell me, since I really pushed it just to be able to enter. I've only finished the cover of the book. It closes with some magnet and there are three pages in there, which I will embellish later.

For my image I used the dad from the mom and dad set and coloured him as my little nephew - he's 1,5 years old. I wrote "Viktor's first day of kindergarten" in Swedish with stickers and die cut the letters from Tim Holtz "word play" - LOVE that die, so versatile!

I will show you more of the finished book later in the weekend, when I have a chance to finish it. I'm super pleased with the cute result so far, there have been a few disasters on the way - LOL!

But if it's not ok to enter a unfinished project, please tell me and I will just accept the fact that there is in fact not time for every thing in life and just go to bed next time - LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Talk to you soon!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Simon says "BINGO"


Super great challenge, but as always I'm cutting it close - LOL!
Seriously! I've been looking forward at making this project for a whole week, but something always keep getting in the way. Maybe one should take a day off from work, just to be able to participate - LOL!

It took me awhile to realize that you didn't actually needed to use all the embellishments in the grid. But as a newbie, I racked my brain thoroughly to be able to match the grip pattern. Now I get it watching the awesome DT projects, you can pick the row which looks most appealing to you - but I'm not sure, so I stick with my conception. Else it wouldn't be a challenge for me any more as I spent so much time figuring out how to fit everything on one card. It would sort of feel like cheating on myself...

The sketch I followed
Here is the card I made - I believe I managed a full house! If you look closely you'll find that I scored and edged the grid pattern on my card as well and I tried to copy the sketch positions. My "Free" is a stamped pic of Anya from the Hats Off set, which I coloured with Promarkers. I will enter this card for the TGF's retro fresh challenge, which this month is to use the colour yellow, orange and baby blue - there was a hint of autumn feeling to it so I used the image with her wellies - LOL!


I used Maja design skärgårdsliv 6x6 and layered it on black cardstock as well as orange cardstock. I will also enter this card for Simon says stamp vintage challenge as I have used several of my favourite techniques - layering and colour cordination.

I have used Lindy stamp gang Marigold yellow orange to colour the lace and the flowers. Here I was racking my brain for orange embellishments - LOL! I also made the tag by colouring a scrap piece with adirondack color wash in sunset orange. I also found some left overs of trim from some magazine in orange and some bling as well.


Ribbon, die-cut and gems
Gems, punched butterfly, glitter (stickles)

Blomms, glitter (stickles) and lace

As it happens, I also had Tim Holtz dried marigold in distress ink and stickles, which were well used. The stickles is my glitter, there are also glimmer and shimmer from the LSG.



Lace, buttons and blooms

I had so much fun, just thinking of this challenge and how to incorporate more challenges in one project as I'm having a bit of a time issue. It all comes down to priorities I suppose... Yes, I'm a scrapoholic! I'm taking the first step and admitting to myself - LOL!




Thanks for stopping by!
Be sure to check out the blog of SSS and TGF, they have weekly challenges with awesome prices and DT for inspiration! 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Simon says "Paint it up!"


Simon says stamp vintage challenge is "Paint it up!"
Luckly enough I had just bought some frames from IKEA and had already in mind to paint it.

I've mixed some adirondack dabber paint in sandal and espresso and brushed the frame. Not only did I get the colour I had pictured, but some pattern since the paint didn't blend a 100% with each other. So it looks a bit like wood, which I was extra pleased with.
I then brushed Distress crackle paint rock candy in different layer of thickness, depending on thickness, you can get different looks in your crackles. After the paint had dried and crackled I also added some stickles in antique linen.






To embellish the frame I used some I am roses flowers, these are quite large and i painted them from white with Lindy Stamp gang sprays in Clam bake beige and a bit o'bubbly. I also added dimension by highlight some parts with dark chocolate truffle. The roses I used are R21-1, R40-15 and R77-15. The rosebuds are T25-152 and T26-151.

A bit of bling and some Tim Holtz to top it of. I also added a key and lock charm as well as a heart charm.


Easy peasy project. 
Thanks for stopping by, let me know if you have any questions!!!


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Core Cards Creative Frenzy


Oboy!  

"Calling all Cardmakers … Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock is looking for Card Designers!"

I just found out about this yesterday?! But one have to give it a go - right?
I now wonder if I bit of more than I can chew...

I've just about managed to get three cards done. Which I had superfun making, since I had to pull out all my dies and punches. Thanks to IAR I rarely make any flowers anymore and thanks to ebay, I get my hands on cheaper bling as well - LOL!


My first card I made of a fun folding technic, I think it's called tri-fold. I'm not very familiar with the cordinations collection to be honest, again thanks to youtube I only buy patterned paper now a days. But I've tried the core'dination's paper just for the fun fact that you can emboss it, tear it, sand it without getting any white edges. So I had the tiniest scrap piece left in blue. The collection I have used is the DCWV performance mat stack. I used this both in order to save time and to show "same, but different".

Punches and dies I've used are:
A scalloped edge punch by Martha Stewart
A butterfly punch by McGill
A small flower punch by Tonic Studios
Large leafy flourish die by My Favourite Things



The sentiment is stamped with Adirondack expresso and LAUGHTER is highlighted with ranger glossy accent


My second card is an easel card. Here I used the core'dination paper with an embossing folder and layered with spellbinders die cuts.
The flowers are just a flower punch, this is one of my first punches and I don't remember who it's from. But I layered 8 flowers on top of each other, to give it dimension and glued a flat back in the center.
I used a Martha Stewart ribbon slot edge punch and thread some matching blue organza ribbon through and made a knot.
The large butterfly is from Spellbinders "Fancy flight". Inside the card is a sentiment layered on one of MFT's layered sets. I can't find the name of it, but if you want to know. Leave a comment and I will look for it for you. The card stand on a Martha Stewart butterfly edge.



For my last card, you can tell I ran out of core'dination paper as well as time. But here I wanted to use the paper itself, how can you cover this beautiful ballerina?! So I used the mini flourish from MFT and fussy cut a ticket I stamped with a tim holtz sentiment from the odds and ends stamp set. Then I went crazy with lace, IAR and bling. For the inside I made a bouquet for when the curtains fall - LOL!






So that's my crazy frenzy for the core'dination's cardstock design team call.
I very much doubt that I will get on the team, but I had the best time making these cards - LOL!!

If you have any questions, please don't be shy!!

Thanks for stopping by!


Saturday, August 4, 2012

What do you say challenge with a personal twist

I've bought simple stories mix & match album and recently I did a little "artpiece" to go in one of the 4x6 page protectors. I entered that piece in simon says stamp vintage challenge what do you say and as a personal challenge I decided to make another one to match. I used the same paper from simple stories, but the other side from the first piece.
For the first piece I had a quote in mind, but never used it as I didn't want to cover the background. I went a bit overload with the stamps - LOL! So for this piece, I tried to keep it simle. I used the same stamp sets, but didn't want to use exactly the same stamps. Although, I can't not use the birds - love that stamp! I put them more in the background though, as they were more in focus the last time. My goal was then to make the new piece the opposite from the first on. So the tissue tape is put vertical as suppose to more horisontal, it's on the right side compared to the stamped journey definition on the left at the first piece. Then I sort of lost the concept I believe, but I didn't notice until I compared the two and by then it was to late.


What's bothering me is that the flowers and the left side of the sentiments are almost identically positioned?! I later added the flowers as an element to the first as well, because I really wanted them on my second piece and since I wanted the same products on both of them... what's a girl to do:)

As there was still time on SSS challenge left, I entered this piece as well. The quote is a tag from G45 paper pad kraft reflections.

Thanks for hanging on to my ramblings - LOL!
Have a great day and may inspiration come to all of you!!!

Friday, August 3, 2012

What do you say challenge

Simon says stamp vintage challenge for this week was to use a sentiment. I had a qoute in mind, but as you can see I went mad with Tim Holtz stamps on the background so I needed something "lighter" as my focus.

The card is a 4x6 of simple stories "documented", but I'm not sure you can see the damasks in the picture. I' ve distressed the cut edge lightly with brushed corduroy. Then I stamped the images in crushed olive, Archival russet and coffe. The tissue tape is distressed with the brown and green to melt in with the paper better.

There are quite a number of text elements on this piece. Besides the tissue tape, there are a definition of "journey" stamped to the left in crushed olive. The script and the post stamp, the numbers on the man with the umbrella. "Artist" is also stamped to the left in archival russet. But the focus is the tag, which is stamped and distressed with brushed corduroy. 

It's not what I had in mind when I started my project, so I'll see if I like it more after I get used to it...

Thanks for stopping by!