Office Worker Leaving Card, Shirt + Tie, Personalised

One of my husband's work colleagues is leaving next week after a fair few years of service...  considering how quickly some of them leave by comparison, in any case!

He will be missed as he's worked closely with Hubby for years, so I wanted to make a very 'individual', personalised leaving card that included some of those elements that would have been part of his daily work life.

Whether this is inspired or insane, it's currently making its way 'round the office.

They seem to like it, at least!

Want to see?

It's an 8x8 huge beastie of a card...  

8x8's use to scare the pants off me, but now I'm less intimidated by them than I used to be.

You see, I'm a fan of Sheri Gilson's work...

Sheri is a woman who seems to instinctively know what colours, patterns, textures, embellishments and layers will work together and if you look at her work you will often see 'finished' panels that stand their own ground as fully finished pieces.

She somehow knits these panels into a bigger and always perfectly balanced design that's a real feast for the eyes...  and unbeknown to me, I think her influence in making these panels is beginning to rub off a little.

I will never hold a candle to her work, but that's ok.

I'm still grateful for the inspiration...

That's not to say that I enjoy making 8x8's yet though as I often hit a 'sticking point' towards the end and lament the fact that I should have chosen a CAS design!

(Yeah, like they're so easy...  

...  That's irony - just in case you weren't sure!)

Now before I forget I should also thank Marybeth for sharing a link on her blog a while back about these dollar bill 'folding shirts'.

Of course, being in the UK meant that an actual dollar bill wouldn't work for this design, but as Hubby has a stash I 'borrowed' one for dimensions and cut some thin paper to use instead.

(...  and I've kept the dollar bill for future craft use - obviously)!

So what 'work elements' can you see on this card?

The answer should be two business cards and two spreadsheet tables of sorts.

I've torn, inked over, partially covered and even butchered down to just a teeny tiny logo in one case, then covered one with Distress Collage Medium 'Crazing', one with the same Medium in 'Vintage' and one in 'Matt'.

These 'print offs' were not on the best quality paper (hence the Collage Medium treatment) so one was spray mounted onto a second piece of paper and the other onto thin card.  

(And if you're wondering why the butchered logo got the 'Vintage' treatment it's because the colour of the business card didn't work with the rest of my design).

A stamped image of a laptop would have been perfect for this, but alas I don't have one and had to make do with the pencil pot instead.

I'm thinking I should email Mr Holtz with a plea for a 'techie' line of this style stamps.

I need a laptop stamp, you see!

So what else have I used on this card?

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Marianne Design Collectables 'Tab With Text'

Taylored Expressions 'Little Bits - Neckties'

Poppystamps 'Classic Ribbons'

Holtz/Distress Inks:

 Stormy Sky

Black Soot

Pumice Stone

Spiced Marmalade

Vintage Photo

Other Ink:

Memento/Tsukineko 'Tuxedo Black'

Ranger Perfect Medium

Embossing Folders:

Sizzix Texture Fades 'Notebook'

Spellbinders 'Fabric Weave'

Stencils:

Holtz 'Splatters'

The Crafter's Workshop 'Coffee Splotch'

Memory Box 'Texture Line Up'

Stamp:
Stampers Anonymous/Holtz 'Schoolhouse Blueprint'

Distress Collage Mediums:

Crazing

Vintage 

Matt

Other:

Staple

Paperclips

Patterned Paper

Challenges I'm Entering...

Simon Says/Monday Challenge

(We've Got Your Number)
The numbers might be oh so very tiny, but they are there!

SimonSays/Wednesday Challenge

(Anything Goes)

Allsorts Challenge
(Week #142 - I Spy...  'B')
'B' is for Business Card, 'B' is for Brown

Mix It Up
(Just For Fun)

Make My Monday
(Challenge #44 - Embossing: Heat or Dry)

Thank you so much for brightening my day...

Donna. x

Engagement Card, Photography Enthusiast, Congratulations

I haven't posted for a while, have I?

There is a reason why, and for those of you that have been on my Facebook page today you may have already seen and clicked on the link...  so you will know.

But for those of you that may not use Facebook, you can click 'here' if you want.

At least then you'll understand why I disappear from time to time...

Anyhow...

I wasn't planning on making anything for a few days yet, but on Tuesday of this week at around midday my husband messaged me to ask if I had an engagement card to hand for one of his work colleagues.

I did not, but being a 'crafter' meant that the need to make one couldn't be dismissed - even if time constraints meant it would be dark in a matter of four hours max.

And I can't craft in the dark.

Believe me, I've tried...

Even with decent 'daylight' bulbs and lamps I can't get past the fact that I'm not seeing colours in their 'true' form.

So this was a quick 'make' for me that took about three hours - 

at least half an hour of which was used just on trying to get this card blank 'square'.

I still haven't figured out why I can't manage this feat which is why I'm not even attempting to cut and score my cards from scratch as yet - except for the odd exception when I have no choice, of course!

Here's the card...

It's not my best work, but it's ok...  especially as the main recipient was for a man and a suck at making cards for men!
(Should I 'say' that out loud?  Oh well, I just did)!

At least it's not overtly girly!

As this photograph was taken in the dark (it went straight off to work with my husband the following morning), the colours may look a little 'off', but I've messed around with the White Balance (thankfully my editing app now supports this), so hopefully you will see that you are looking at a white, black, red and grey colour combination.







Supplies Used:

Dies:
Simon Says Stamp! 'Sketch Heart'
Marianne Designs 'Filmstrip'
Memory Box 'Heart Delights'

Embossing Folder:
Sizzix Texture Fades 'Notebook'

Ink:
Tim Holtz Distress 'Black Soot'
Ranger 'Perfect Medium'
Memento/Tsukineko 'Tuxedo Black'

Embossing Powder:
WOW 'clear'

Other:
Tonic/Holtz 'Paper Distresser'
Stamp from stash
Padded fabric heart from stash






Challenges I'm Entering...

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
A card made entirely from scraps/snippets

Simon Says/Wednesday
'Something New'
(Hopefully an engagement counts)!

Now that November and December are finally over with (I completely ignored Christmas just to be able to cope with it - but I did at least make a batch of last minute Christmas cards that hopefully made their way to those of you whose address I have),  I'm hoping to get back into the swing of craft making.
I haven't wasted my time away from Blogland, though...
Sometimes tidying and sorting is just as therapeutic as 'making'.


Thanks for stopping by...

Donna. x

Large Christmas Tag, 'Do Not Open Until Dec 25th', Envelopes Design

I was officially stumped choosing a design to make for Day 21 of 

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

This was one of those designs that go so far and then it was left for a few days whilst I pondered how to finish it.

Of course, it doesn't help when I'm making something way, way out of my comfort zone.

Take a look...

I do not like this tag at all, but I'm slowly learning that just because it's not my 'cup of tea' doesn't mean somebody else won't like it.

That's a hard lesson for me.

Here's the cute duo of tags I chose to base my tag design on.

I knew the colour scheme would stump me, but I worked with it anyway and hoped for the best!

Supplies Used:

Dies:

Mama Elephant 'Tags A Lot'

Waltzing Mouse 'Envelope'  

Waltzing Mouse 'Mini Envelope'

Spellbinders 'Deckled Rectangles'

Impression Obsession 'Fir Trees'

Memory Box 'Snow Burst'

Sizzix/Holtz 'Tattered Pinecone'

Ink:

Memento/Tsukineko  'Tuxedo Black'

Ranger Perfect Medium

Embossing Powder:

Stampendous 'Crystal'

Other:

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen - Clear Overlay

Star Shaped Buttons - Red

Twine - Green

I hope that today has been kind to you...

Donna. x

Filmstrip Card, Thank You, Male/Female

Hello.

Now...  try not to faint...

I'm posting a card today that has nothing to do with Christmas!

This card was made as a favour for my husband and he specifically asked for my Marianne Designs Filmstrip die to be used again...  so he can showcase some of his photo's whilst saying 'thanks' to a fellow photography friend.

On the plus side, this gave me a chance to CASE my own design that I had used quite recently but wasn't quite sure I was happy with.  

There had been a few glitches along the way that I knew I needed to avoid this time around  (TOP TIP...  Using Core Dinations worked ok for the Filmstrip until the glue was added for the photo's...  then it started curling...  so go for thicker cardstock than that and you should be okay). 

I also wanted to try and add to the somewhat 'bare' feel that the card had had before.

So this time I've paired up my Kaisercraft Film Edges stamp along with some of the stamps included with the Filmstrip die, used a Darice 'Tattered Page' embossing folder, added three clear Morning Dew Drops and gone for three, rather than two filmstrips.  

More matt silver cardstock (Core Dinations 'Metallics'), less Kraft card, a 'thank you' punched sentiment from Martha Stewart...  and a shiny silver card base.  

Makes this card gender neutral, I think...  except for possibly some of the photo's!!!

For those of you who may be wondering about the slight curve you can see...  don't worry, the card's not bent at all.  

A pet peeve of mine is cards that open up with a top spine that then go 'splat' when on display.  

My remedy for this is to use a scoreboard to create an inverted 'v' shape at the bottom of the card that acts as a glued plinth for the card to sit on.  

Yes, it's more time consuming...  but the final result is worth it...  I hope!!!

I'm adding this card to the following two challenges...

Cuttlebug Mania 'Anything Goes'

and

Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge

This card will have to be weighed and sent off to America.  I wonder how long it will take to arrive?

Take care...

Donna

Dragonfly (Metallic), Happy Birthday, Male/Female

Hello.  

I wonder how you are doing today?  

Do you get the balance right between working hard and playing hard?  I wish I did...

When I saw the latest challenge by House of Cards with the cue word 'Metallics', I was very happy.  You see, I've been working on several projects at once recently as I'm trying to finish some designs, so I already had some metallic die cut leaves ready to go.  It was simply a case of coming up with an idea that worked...

Why am I working on so many projects at once?

Because there's this theory that I have a craft table somewhere...  but right now that's sounding more like an urban legend as it's buried away, hidden somewhere underneath too many half finished designs!  Come on...  confess.  I can't be the only one!

Here's my card...

I had a lot of fun with this design as I used some 'upcycled' elements - packaging from an embossing folder and from a disposable shower cap (of all things).  I don't know who came up with the idea but I've never seen something in a hotel packaged so beautifully!

Here's a quick rundown of the dies used:

Marianne Design Creatables 'Maple Leaves'

Elizabeth Craft Designs 'Dragonfly Silhouette'

Tattered Lace 'Retro Alphabet'

This is a simple card to put together, but I love the effect of the different textures combined with my trusty Walnut Stain Distress Ink and Paper Distresser Tool.  Giving the whole design some added dimension by targeting areas to glue and lifting edges just adds something 'extra' to this, I think.

As Seize the Birthday have an Embossing challenge 'Topper' to go with their 'Anything Goes' challenge this month, I did a two for one design special.  (In other words, I purposefully designed this card around both challenges).  Doesn't always work...  but I'm glad when it does :)

Other challenge being entered into:
Simply Create Too  (Challenge #91)  Anything Goes

I originally thought that this design might be suitable for men as well as women, but looking at it now I'm not so sure.  What do you think? 

If you have the time, I always value your comments.

Take care...

Donna

Filmstrip (Personalised), Birthday, Male

Hello everyone.  

Looks like I've been a little slow on posting lately.  My daughter's been having a bit of a rough time, which generally means less time and less sleep than normal for me.

Anyhow...  Seize the Birthday have kicked off their latest challenge with another 'Anything Goes' birthday theme which means I've got this card to share with you, using a 'Filmstrip' Die and Stamp set by Marianne Designs.

I just love this little set. 

Why?

Because my husband's hobby is photography...  and now I can use his photo's on my card designs as well as those oh so useful clipart pictures. Yay :)

This makes those difficult 'personalised' cards so much easier to put together.  After all...  how else would I make a card for a cat loving, MG loving, beer loving person?

I also like the fact that other than the Happy Birthday stamp, the whole of this card comes courtesy of just this one little set...

I've mounted the Filmstrips on foam pads for added dimension.  Not sure if you can tell from the photo or not but the lens part of the camera has been cut and layered up, too.

Do you like the look of the metallic backing card I've distressed slightly around the edges?  It's from the new Core' dinations, Tim Holtz range.  Metallic colours over a Kraft core.  Yummy!

This card's been made for my Mother-In-Law's second husband.

Hope he likes it :)

I may try something more adventurous with this set next time.  It looks quite CAS, but gluing those little photo's into place is a tricky job! 

I've got a second card to share with you for this challenge tomorrow...

See you then, if you have the time :)

Donna

Christmas Tag, Dog, Tiny Tree

It's just gone 8am here in the UK.  My daughter's off sick from school again today so I've taken the opportunity to quickly photograph this tag that I made yesterday morning.  At least that's one Christmas tag taken care of!

You may be wondering why I've suddenly gone on a tag blitz...  

Well firstly, I genuinely do love the colour combination of Tracey's featured tag over on the 

Tag You're It challenge blog.  Secondly, seeing her featured tag and reading her original post reminded me that I should be making some of my own tags for my daughter's teachers, and thirdly...  

Tag You're It are having a Design Team Call.  Even though my tags may not be what they are looking for, I need to know that I've done my best.  Yes...  I may have gone a little O.T.T. but in fairness, Tracey's tag is so beautifully CAS that my mind has gone in loads of different creative directions!!!   

Anyhow...  Here's a very quick 'how to'...

Stamp image using Stazon Ink as this stamp, although lovely, does not give a clean crisp image.  (This stamp was a 'freebie' from a craft magazine but a similar one exists in the Daisy and Dandelion clear stamp range).  Once dry, cut out with sharp scissors.

Make a small hole either side of the neck, thread a thin piece of raffia and a small bell into place and secure at the back.  (Top Tip...  I thread a pair of scissors between the raffia and the tag before turning the whole thing over and tying the knot that secures the bell into place.  This gives me enough slack so that the bell hangs away from the neck). 

Attach stamped image to tag using foam pads.

Using a Tonic punch, cut out a Small Christmas tree from thick, green mulberry paper.  Glue a tiny white star into place at the top.  (My star's from the Aspen Flurry, All Over the Page punch by Martha Stewart).

Next, cut out a Small Flower Pot from a Carla Craft punch.  

To add the piece of tied raffia to the Plant Pot, add a small drop of glue to the back of the pot and attach the raffia to the glue spot so that you have an equal amount handing free off either end.   Once this is dry it's much easier to tie off at the front and trim to size.

Glue the pot and the tree into place on the tag.

Add three tiny red glitter stars, (mine are from the Aspen Flurry punch I mentioned earlier in the post).

 Tie on some white glitter ribbon (Dovecraft) to the top of the tag.

Finished :)

My final entry for the current Tag You're It challenge...

I can't wait to find out if they do a Christmas themed tag challenge :)

'Bye...