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

Acetate Layer Tag, One Kind Word, Female

Hello.  

We're in the middle of a mini heatwave here in the UK, and whilst I refuse to complain about how warm it is I've enjoyed taking refuge in the cool of the house!  It's also given me ample time to work on my first submission as a DT member for the latest Tag You're It challenge.  Yay!

Here's my tag...

...and here's Erin's stunningly beautiful tag that was posted for inspiration.  

It really is gorgeous, isn't it?

I always find it helpful to read how others have come up with their design ideas, so here's a quick explanation of how I came up with mine...

I noted Erin's colour scheme, what looked like two layers with a frame around the outside edge, the script running across in lines, the obvious red flower focal point and the sequins.  Then I decided that I wanted to stay true to this design but completely turn it on it's head!

So...  I've substituted gold for a brown with warm overtones (Distress Ink/Walnut Stain) as my main colour, chosen the script as my focal point and still included the red flower (Elizabeth Crafts/Bunch of Flowers) and some sequins.  I just love this 'One Kind Word Can Change Someone's Entire day' sentiment.  It's by Riley & Company if anyone wants to know :)

This is the first time I've used my tag background stamp (it's an old stamp by Memory Box that I managed to find online), but it seemed just perfect as it gave me a frame of sorts and the line pattern I had noted from Erin's design.  

I did include the two layers.  Can you tell that from the photo?   My top layer is acetate, stamped on and heat embossed.  Haven't done that before.  A few well hidden glue dots behind the sequins and the flowers helped hold it in place. 

Is it cheating to add on the two extra flowers in blue?  Tell me what you think...

All I know is I had to balance out the design and echo the blue ribbon somehow!

Wherever you are, I hope you are having a good day today.

Oh...  and if you have the time, why not join us and have a go at making one yourself?

See you soon, I hope :)

Donna...

Tag You're It design team announcement...

Today's the day...

I'm officially a part of the Design Team for Tag You're It!

Yay!!!

I've only known for a few short days - five to be exact, but I already know that this team has some of the friendliest, most welcoming people...

... and now I get to play along with them, too.  

Can you tell that this news has made me very happy?

Now...  where to put my badge...

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I'm also quickly sharing a Christmas card with you today...  and yes, it does have a tag on it :)

Do you recognize the design at all?  It's the original version of a card I remade and use as my blog header on my web page.  Can you see the similarities?

Now here's the thing...

About two years ago I decided that I needed a hobby for my own sanity.  My husband thought the same (for him, not me...  although he does say that it's 'too late for me' from time to time)!  

So I started collecting cardstock, paper, embellishments, craft punches, dies, etc...  but I had no die cutting machine.  It took time for me to research which one I wanted and storage space was a real factor.

I eventually decided on a Cuttlebug...  but chose to keep it in the cupboard ready as a gift from my husband for Christmas day.  

This Christmas card was made whilst my Cuttlebug was in the cupboard.  No die cuts whatsoever!!!

(I have to confess that although I love this design and colour scheme I would simplify it just a little.  The background's a little too fussy.   Funny how our tastes change)...

I 'dabbled' from time to time during most of that two year period whilst I 'collected' my supplies and only seriously started blogging and entering challenges as of February, 2015.  

Anyhow...  What I'm trying to say is BE ENCOURAGED to play along with us at 

Tag You're It, because if I can make this with no die cutting machine, just think what you can do. 

 Be inventive with the supplies you have rather than feeling you must rush out and 'buy'.  

Try to be CAS and explain how you interpreted the inspiration tag...

Did I mention that CAS is a great discipline when it comes to design and we all need tags from time to time?

Speaking of which...  should I put my tag here?

  

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Before I go, I just wanted to leave you with this idea...

Have you ever considered using a charity pin as an embellishment or main feature on your card or tag?   It's a great way to give a small gift as well as giving to a worthwhile cause.  

Here's just a small collection of charity pins I have put to one side. 

  I've not seen this done anywhere before but that doesn't mean others haven't thought of it.  Either way, I would love to know what you think...  or better still send me a link to a picture if you've had a go :)

I'm hoping to share some of my charity pin tags during the countdown to Christmas.

Whether you love it or hate it, it's coming either way! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today...

Donna