Glitter galore!

G'day,

This is my second post for today, so scroll down to see the first, if you're interested.

This card is about as girlie as I can get, I think. I  L-O-V-E girlie cards, the pinker and sparklier the better, but I don't know ANYONE amongst my friends and family who has such sugary taste, so I rarely get to indulge it. But with this card I pulled out all the stops and added lots and lots of shine and sparkle and bling. It's still pretty subtle, though, because of the muted colours I've used. A lot of the sparkle isn't showing up in the photos (of course - it's insanely difficult to photograph sparkle, in my opinion). I probably should have chosen a different backdrop for the photo, too, as I think the busy-ness of the script in the background is stealing some of the card's thunder. In case you're interested, I've used an irridescent sparkle embossing powder over the dark brown stamp on the left, Rock Candy Stickles on the holly sprigs and angel wings, mica flakes on the angel's dress hem, rhinestones and shiny tapestry thread.

My inspiration is the general style of Melissa Phillips (click on her name to see her blog) - I adore her cards but wanted to try here to emulate her style rather than case a particular card. I still haven't quite captured it, but I'm sure it's artistically better to be developing my own style, anyway! I've also used the card sketch from Day 6 of the Holiday Card Boot Camp - I've never done a curved edge on a card before, so this is another first attempt for me.


Here's another photo of the card (specifically for the HCBC gallery link).

Details (this will be a long list):

Stamps: Inkadinkado Large Flourishes, PTI Love Lives Here: Holiday

Ink: Versacolor Pinecone, Burgundy & Petal Pink, Versamagic Hint of Pesto

Paper: My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Madison Avenue & Christmas 6x6 packs, Collections (an Australian company) Vintage Rose 6x6 collection, Basic Grey Capella 6x6 pack, Creative Imaginations Beach Cottage 6x6 pack

Cardstock: SU! Kraft & Pink Pirouette, vanilla

Other: Tim Holtz Distress Stickles - Rock Candy, Derivan Matisse Mica Flakes, Stamp World Irridescent Sparkle embossing powder, Kaiser Rhinestones in wine & antique rose, DMC matallic tapestry thread, dimensional stickers

Tools: Carl holly sprig punch, Spellbinder Labels 18 die, PTI Love Lives Here: Holiday angel die, 3/4" circle punch

I had planned on using a similar (but less sparkly) version of this card as my 2011 Christmas card to mass produce, but it took AGES to make so I'm rethinking that idea - it would take weeks to make enough of these cards and I have other glittery Christmas plans to fulfill!
Thanks for looking.
-Kerri

Gate fold card

Hi there,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

This week, as part of Holiday Card Boot Camp, I have continued my attempts to push myself into card-making areas I haven't tried before - although it does mean that every card is taking twice as long as usual to make, as I keep changing my mind about the final layout and look. On Day 8, Jennifer McGuire made a card using a gate fold which I thought was gorgeous, so as I hadn't tried a gate-fold before, that was my challenge. Like Jennifer, I used a panel on the left hand side which, when the card is closed, is centred over the middle of the card, covering some of where the left and right hand sides of the card meet up:

When the card is opened, some of the embossed stamping which the panel covers is revealed - I quite like that aspect of this card, but I'm not entirely happy with how the card looks when it is standing up. Oh well, I guess that's all part of the learning, huh? The photos aren't really showing up the true color of the background paper - in RL it's a smoky, muted pink. The Inkadinkado stamp with snoflakes in it is delicious - and so are all the others in the set. I cna't wait to find more uses for them!

Details:

Paper: a subtle red with a rose print in it - can't remember the brand or name as it's quite old

Cardstock: thick watercolour paper, vanilla

Stamps: "Peace on Earth" from Stampa Rosa (several years ago), Inkadinkado Large Flourishes

Ink: Versacolor black, Tim Hltz Distress Inks in Aged Mahogany and Victorian Velvet

Other: Moon Glow Two Toned embossing powder in Midnight RUby (brand unknown)

Tools: Spellbinder Labels 2 die

I hope your own card-making is going well!
-Kerri

A Round Christmas

Hello!

I am participating in the Holiday Card Boot Camp - we're halfway through already! It's gone so quickly but I am having a ball. I don't think I've ever been so productive in my craft room.

Today's (...oops, I mean yesterday's - it's jsut ticked over past midnight) card was made in response to the round circle sketch, but it is only a loose interpretation. I rarely make cards that are not the standard size & shape, but I managed it this time, again pushing myself a little outside my comfort zone. Not sure I'd do this shape again, th0ugh...I also cut the circle card base freehand after using a CD as a template, as Jennifer suggested - another tiny step into the uncomfortable for me! I was going for a vintage look in traditional colours, as an antidote for all of the aqua I've used lately. I've resisted adding glitter so far, but I might yet....if you can't use glitter at CHristmas, when can you????

Details:

Stamps: PTI Tree Trimming Trio, Hero Arts Tiny Snowflakes, Hero Arts Classic Fabric Design Cling stamp

Ink: Versacolor black & gold, Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Frayed Burlap and Old Paper

Paper: Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas 6x6 pad, Graphic 45 Wallflower (front & back designs), vintage kraft scrap (for the banner)

Cardstock: buttery cream from my stash

Other: clear embossing powder, buttons, gold tapestry thred, SU! Library Clip, dimensional stickers, craft glue

Tools: Spellbinder circle dies, Tim Holtz blending tool

Thanks for visiting!
-Kerri

Photo time

Hi there,

I have 2 more cards to show today. One was finished late last night, but after midnight seemed far too late to create a post - despite the promises I made yesterday - but here it is!

I've been struggling for the past few days with the idea of creating a photo card for Christmas. It's not at all the kind of thing I'd ever consider normally, but I'm using Boot Camp as an opportunity to force myself into new and sometimes uncomfortable card-making territory. After several false starts and printer challenges, I have actually finished a photo card - although it might be the only one ever! For the purpose I've borrowed my nephew as the card subject as I had a few photos of him playing in a park with his mum on a recent holiday. 

The photos aren't particularly Christmassy (is that even a word?) but the colours converted OK, I think, to a kind of Nordic scheme. (Although I would barely recognise Nordic if I fell over it, so please forgive me if I'm totally off-base with that comment.) The white snowflakes have a very fine layer of glitter on them which doesn't show up well in the photo. I still need to find a sentiment for the inside, which says something inspiring about reaching new heights to suit the photo series - there was much excitement when the kid actually managed to climb to the top of the play equipment (mostly) on his own!

Details:

Stamps: PTI Holiday Photo Finishers, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Grunge Flakes, Hero Arts Tiny Snowflakes (from many years ago when I first started stamping!)

Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Versamark

Cardstock: all random pieces from my stash

Paper: Bo Bunny Unforgettable Dream (under the sentiment)

Other: red embroidery floss, Martha Stweart glitter, white embossing powder, fine tip glue pen, dimensional stickers

I've been so busy creating Christmas cards that I'm falling behind on other cards I need, so this second card was an attempt to redress that. It was inspired by one I saw and admired many months ago on Michelle Wooderson's blog. If you haven't seen it follow this link - she has a wonderfully relaxed and cheerful style and her cards are always quirky and fresh. I'm pretty happy with this card, although in retrospect I should have left the stickles off the flower centres - it looked better without them!

Details:

Stamps: PTI Friendship Jar SUmmer Fillers, Spiral Bouquet

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versacolor Pinecone, Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Evergreen Bough, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord, Aged Mahogany, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Milled Lavender (all used to paint the image)

Cardstock: SU! Blush Blossom, Kraft, thick watercolour paper, some lavender scrap

 Paper: Basic Grey Kioshi 6x6 collection

Other: stitching, ribbon, button, dimensional stickers, Frosted Lace Stickles, Perfect Pearls, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Creme de Chocolat



Thanks for visiting!

-Kerri

Snow Flurries - part 2

Here's a copy of the second card from the previous post, here only so I can link it to the HCBC gallery. Sorry for the repetition. Please look at the previous post for the card details.

-Kerri

Snow flurries

Hi there! I have two cards to show for my day so far but I'm hoping to make another tonight if my mojo doesn't disappear in the meantime.

I seem to be fixated on aqua at the moment - here are two MORE monochrome cards in that colour. The fixation has only gotten worse since I received my latest Simon Says Stamp order, which included the Christmas holiday distress inks from Tim Holtz. The new shade Evergreen Bough is EXACTLY what I am loving at the moment. I have all kinds of DP, ribbons, buttons, other inks, cardstock in various similar shades all over my desk. I LOVE it!

Part of the irony is that it's making me think of & create snowflakes and snow - hence the title of this post - despite the fact that I live in Australia and Christmas is in the height of our usually very hot summers! There's definitely no snow at Christmas anywhere near here, but it does look pretty on cards. And I detest the stamps you can buy to more truly reflect an Australian Christmas...like Santa surfing. Ugh.

Anyway, here are the cards. The first is an almost identical replica to one of those shown on HCBC by Jennifer McGuire. I usually try to avoid making replicas but her card was so beautiful I couldn't resist. I have made some small adjustments as I didn't have exactly the same supplies, but the result is pretty pleasing in RL. So thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us all, Jennifer!



Details:

Paper: Basic Grey Hello Luscious Succulent (reverse)

Cardstock: thick watercolour paper, white

Ink: Distress Inks in Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce, Broken China

Other: Tim Holtz Grungeboard letters, Adirondack acrylic paint dabber in Pearl, white tissue paper (snowflake), silver tapestry thread, button, dimensional stickers, Perfect Pearls

Tools: Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen die, MFT snowflake die

Details:

Paper: Kaisercraft Party Animals Woo-hoo, My Mind's Eye Hazel "Fancy" - Lots of Dots (reverse side shwing)

Cardstock: Bazzil Basics olive shade, white, SU! Baja Breeze

Stamps: Waltzing Mouse Compliments of the Season

Ink: Versacolor Turquoise, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Evergreen Bough

Other: white buttons, embroidery floss, perfect pearls, Kaisercraft Adhesive Pearl, dimensional stickers

Tools: PTI Christmas Tree die (from 2010), Uni-ball white Signo gel pen

That's it for now. More later tonight....maybe!
Thanks for looking.

-Kerri

Snowflake sparkle

Hi again,

This is my second post for today - it's just a few minutes before midnight as I'm typing. Here is another snowflake tree ornament card, inspired by Dawn McVey's second photo card in today's HCBC post. I am still trying to find a photo to use for a card - I suspect it might take me a while. Mostly my photos are of cards I've made, and although the idea of a card featuring a photo of a card kind of amuses me, I'm not so far gone that I'd actually make one! (Or am I? Hmm...) The photo here doesn't really show up the glitter that is stuck around the edges of the snowflake or on the heart, but you get the idea. If I made something like this again, I would make the snowflake thicker by sticking the manuscript onto some cardstock first. I was trying to make it seem delicate but in RL it seems a little too feeble.

Details:

Stamps: PTI Love Lives Here - Holidays

Ink: Versacolor black, Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and a very old unlabelled pink dye ink (on the heart)

Paper: old music, My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 2 - Blush 6x6 pack

Cardstock: SU! Kraft

Other: Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber Snow Cap (on the heart), Tim Holtz idea-ology Grunge Paper (for the heart), gold tapestry thread, ribbon, dimensional adhesive, gloss spray varnish (on the heart), Martha Stewart Crystal Coarse Glitter, PTI Snowflake die

Thanks for looking. I hope your Boot Camp card making is going well, if you are involved.

-Kerri