Shaker Tag, Apples, Thanks

This is my first ever attempt at a 'shaker' of any sort...  and my thanks goes to Jeanne Jachna for her easy to understand tutorial on A Kept Life  :)

I'd also like to thank Tracey McNeely, Owner/Designer of Tag You're It among many other things.  She very kindly answered my query in detail and I appreciate her kindness in doing that - especially as I've just been on her blog (In My Creative Opinion) and read about how much she has going on right now.  Thank you  :)

So...  How did I make my Shaker Tag?

I've used the largest tag from the PaperSmooches Tags 2 set and cut it three times (one for the top, two glued together for the base).  I bought this set specifically for making shaker tags as my other tag dies are much smaller by comparison.

The aperture was cut from my Spellbinders (Small) Deckled Rectangle set, the 'Thanks' (I cut four of these and glued them together) is by Papertrey Ink (Wet Paint Cuts) and the apples are all from An Apple a Day (Poppystamps).  Before I forget, the highlight on the big apple was done using my Stampin' Up Chalk Marker  :)

Can you see the tiny apples inside the shaker tag with the green leaves on?  I must confess that the smallest leaves from the Poppystamps die were just too big for these, so instead I cut and 'pruned' some Ieaves from the Impression Obsession 'Leaf Cluster'.

I used a re sealable bag for my shaker...  and an acetate front sheet, securing it all together with double sided tape and mini foam pads.

As much as I love making tags, I really do struggle with the finishing bow/string/ribbon piece that threads through the hole at the top :(  In the end, I settled on a luggage tag ribbon look and threaded the red peg through.

Take a look at the design inspiration...  So CAS and so pretty...

Can a shaker card truly be CAS?  I'm guessing probably not, but I honestly don't know.

If you can spare the time I would really love to know what you think.  I've done my best to keep a minimalistic feel to it, either way!

Thanks for stopping by...

Donna

Christmas, Stag, Muted Colour Tones

A completely new Christmas Card challenge site began running a short while ago and today I've decided to take the plunge by playing along.  After all, we're almost half way through the year people!

I have to say I'm quite pleased that this card would suit a man or a woman equally well.

I would love to say that that was my intention all along, but I would be lying.  Cards for men are not my strong suit at all :(

To begin with, I used my Memory Box 'Drop Ornament' as I wanted to echo the fact that a strong main shape was a huge feature of the design inspiration post.

Next, I echoed the snow with my Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder.  Rather than cut my snow slope freehand I used the Drop Ornament again.  I don't really know why from from the word 'go' I knew that my design would focus around the Drop Ornament rather than in it.

I just love the stag from my Taylored Expressions, Birch tree Accessory Set.  I've paired it with the Fir Tree set from Impression Obsession, Star of Wonder (Memory Box), Christmas Baubles (Poppystamps) and some additional snowflakes from my Martha Stewart/All Over The Page 'Aspen Flurry'.

I don't know if you can tell from the picture but the stag and the medium sized fir tree have been mounted on foam pads for added dimension.  I should probably also mention (as the picture does not capture it at all) that other than the snowflake embossed background, the top of the ornament and the white snowflakes, everything else (including the card base) has been cut from Centura card.  I'm slowly growing fond of it's subtle shimmery effect :)

Do you like the embossing on my fir trees?  I used my Sizzix/Alterations Pine Branch folder for this. I haven't used this folder before today but I like the effect :)

Some grass from a very hard to get hold of (not to mention very expensive) Martha Stewart/Edge Punch (again procured from the USA)...

And that's one card ready for Christmas:)

Here's the design that was used as inspiration...

As you can see, I digressed from a purely white on white card.  I still haven't tried one of those as yet!

Why don't you try playing along with the next MUSE: Christmas Visions challenge?

'Bye for now...

Donna.

Thank You Card, Aperture, Butterfly + Branches

The Card Concept have a lovely challenge going on right now...  and I've got my card finished just in time to show it  :)

The part I always struggle with most is that The Card Concept asks that you make a card in a particular style - and I never know which of their categories I best fit into.

Some people just 'know' that they have certain fixed styles that suit them..  I'm not sure I ever will if I'm totally honest!

Anyhow...  I think 'Classy and Elegant' is the best fit for this design.  Or is it Freestyle/CAS?  What do you think?

I've used two 10 x 10 cm cards, cut an aperture out of the one using my Memory Box, Large Snow Globe die and then glued them together.  Once the extra panel pieces are glued on this looks really effective and it's a lot less work than cutting a big piece of card to size.  Plus it adds extra strength to the whole design, which is always a bonus in my book  :)

The 'Splatters' stencil has been added using one of my favourite colour Distress Inks (Walnut Stain).  I've also used another of Tim Holtz's stencils (Blossom) on one of the inner panels.

I cut the large butterfly (Memory Box, Blissful Butterfly Border) from Centura card for some subtle shimmer effect, added a dew drop embellishment and then, to echo the shimmer already on the card I used Crackle Accents on the 'Thanks' sentiment.  I have to confess I bit the bullet on this die and ordered it in from America!  It's by Papertrey Ink and is called 'Wet Paint Cuts' in case anyone wants to know :)

The small butterflies are from my Martha Stewart, Pop Up Butterfly Punch.  This is one of my 'go to' punches that I use time and time again...

... and the branches are cut up sections from my Memory Box, Woodland Branch die.

As for the leaves...  they are from one of my newest die sets, called Tiny Tattered Florals (Sizzix/Holtz).  This set has the cutest rolled flowers.  I suspect I'll be playing with those shortly so you're bound to see them on my blog quite soon :)

Here's the reference picture for The Card Concept Challenge.  As you can see I took my inspiration from the colour palette.

Summer has finally arrived here in the UK this weekend!

Wherever you are, I hope you have a good week ahead...

Donna