stampin-up

lavenderhousecreations

Christmas in space

The latest challenge at CYHTP is: Anything Goes Embossing with a Twist of WINTER FUN. I guess the twist isn’t taken with this creation as although its a fun card it isn’t strictly winter fun. As some of you are aware, occasionally I do a commissioned card for a friend and this is one of those times. This is for her step dad who loves anything scientific. I thought space and robots were perfect and turning it into a Christmas theme card was fun. After my recent Colorhues pink and aqua card I wanted to do another using the same layout and style. It took a few days of thinking before I had the idea to use rockets as the side panels and I got these from an Adobe graphic and photo program. I used my computer to get the images sized correctly and then added them to a dark gray CS to give a border. The center panel was using CS and some Rub On images along with a stamp from the Robot set by Brutus Monroe. The Christmas sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts. Puffy Sticker’s are from a sheet I got at the local market. For the embossed panel I used a Sequin folder from StampinUp, on a metallic silver CS and I backed it with a dark gray for the border. I know sequins aren’t really a Christmas theme, but I don’t have a folder with stars and I thought these at least gave a space look to the background. I stamped the robots onto a scrap piece of heavy CS as fussy cutting is easier on a heavier weight. Once stamped I also heat embossed clear and then I fussy cut each one before adding a bit of sparkle to them. The bottom robot needed to look more Christmassy so I added a Rub on hand bell that I also fussy cut. Before I actually glued the panels onto the background I sprayed them with shimmer spray so they twinkle and also it has the look of snow in real life. Messed up the spacing slightly putting on the panels but I don’t think it is something that a non crafter would notice.

This was such fun to make even though fussy cutting was a challenge for my achy hands and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. I’m blowing my own trumpet, but hubby loves it and I’ve shown it to one or two friends who also think its a great card. Once in a while I think I’m truly inspired. LOL!

Thanks for spending time with me today, I really appreciate it.

lavenderhousecreations

leaf print thank you

For a while now, I have been wanting to try using a real leaf to get a print onto card stock. This morning the perfect leaf was in my driveway – damp from rain – but intact and pretty. I brought it inside and before it had a chance to dry I placed it onto a scrap piece of CS added another piece on top and ran it through my Sizzix making sure it was pressed down quite hard. The result was quite a surprise and while the piece didn’t show the entire leaf, I still liked it. Using a StampinUP die I cut it as a rectangle. At the time I wasn’t sure what my intentions were, but checking some challenges I realized that it would fit at least 3 if I used it. What I came up with is this card. I took a Kokorosa die and cut the Maple leaf. I added some ink but kept it very soft as it was a background piece. Then I found the copper sparkle CS and cut the panel before adding it to my card front. From there I added the Maple leaf and then the leaf print layer. The pumpkin is stamped with a GKD stamp and fussy cut before popping it up as you see. The sentiment is from a set for which I have lost the brand information but I suspect it is either MFT or Spellbinders. I’m not sure if the sparkle layer is a bit strong but nevertheless I like the card. You can be sure I shall be looking for other leaves to try this technique with and my hubby loved it.

Challenges I shall be entering: https://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ fall/leaves, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Who’s Got the Pumpkin, Challenge #327 – Seasonal

Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your time and any comments you may leave me.

lavenderhousecreations

Vortex

Seize The Birthday #293-Dots as the current challenge. Having just received this new unbranded stamp set, it couldn’t have been more timely. The stamps include various patterns and I chose 2 of them for this card. The background reminds me of a vortex, hence the title. I used Faded Jeans ink and repeat stamped the design until I was happy. On a scrap piece, using the 2nd stamp, I stamped the compass and heat set it clear. The sentiment stamp is from Joy Clair and this was also heat embossed after which I added it to the background giving it a small border.

The compass was coloured using various pencils and some water. I added some silver sparkle as well as some gold and then using a Hero Arts Infinity die I cut it out. After adding a smaller foam circle to the back I adhered it to the background layer. I cut this layer down a little before adding it to the navy card front. Hubby loves this card. His comment was, ‘simple but effective’. I’m quite happy with the end result and one of our boating friends will receive it for his birthday when the time comes.

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your time and any comments you may leave for me.

lavenderhousecreations

sorry for your loss

One of my yoga and coffee group ladies, lost her mother last week so I made this card for her. I used a Taylored Expression tree die for the focal layer and a StampinUp EF for the background section. After cutting my trees I added some lost shadow ink and before it was dry sprinkled a little silver embossing on top so it has more texture and a little shine. After adding some foam tape I set it aside so I could emboss the background on some StampinUp PP. This was then added this to the entire card front. The die cut was added and using a small piece of scrap card along with using a transfer from some rub-ons I have, I did the little bird. Then I fussy cut before popping it up on foam tape. I cut my circle with another StampinUp set and added the sentiment in Blueprint sketch ink. I also sponged the edges with the same ink.

I’m quite happy with the end result. It has a soft and subtle look that works for a sympathy card.

I’m adding this card to the current challenge at CYHTP although the option of adding fall colours hasn’t been taken.