3D Tag, Happy Birthday Bunny, Male/Female

It's going to be a beautiful, hot sunny day here in the UK...  maybe!

  We've already had a few false starts here where first thing it looks like it's going to be a lovely day... but within the space of a few short hours the clouds loom and the rain falls down.

Anyhow...

Tag You're It are starting their new challenge today...  and I do so love making tags, you know.  I think it's got something to do with creating on such a small space as I love making mini cards just as much.

Here's my tag... 

I'm still trying to decide if this suits all age groups or just children.  

What do you think? 

This is the first time Bunny (retired Stampin' Up 'Forest Friends' set) has come out to play since I acquired him, but as you may know...  my stamps stay hidden a lot of the time!!!

None of this tells you how I came up with this design though, does it?

Well, let me confess...  Anja's design stumped me for a while initially.  

Just because I'm honoured enough to be on a DT does not mean my brain doesn't need time to stop and think for a while first, you know!  

Here's Anja's tag... 

What I noticed first was the way that the tortoise was stamped with half it's body on one tag and half on the other.  I also noted the size difference between the tags, that their shapes did not match, two sets of different masking/stencilling techniques (if I count the design on the card rather than the tag itself), two sets of twine and a red hat that I knew would have to feature in my design somewhere...   Oh yes, and some text.  That's a lot to pack into one tag!

So what did I do?

I used a birch tree stencil (Creative Expressions) with some Memento (Tsukineko) Olive Grove ink on the biggest of the two tags and dry embossed my smaller oval tag (Crafter's Companion) with the Memory Box stencil 'Rings and Puddles'.

After giving it some thought I decided that my little bunny could be stamped as a 'whole', cut out and then glued on to the small tag whilst overlapping the bigger tag a little.  

But my bunny had no hat...  and I NEEDED something red.  

No problem :)

Anja's tag says 'let's party', so I decided that a 'Happy Birthday' theme would suit and substituted a red balloon instead.  After all, the balloon's string nicely echoes the second set of twine I needed to stay true to Anja's design.

A completely different colour palette, a very different look...  I wonder what you will come up with if you decide to come and play?

As Simon Says Stamp and Simply Create Too (Challenge #91) are both hosting an 'anything goes' challenge this week, I figured I would include this little tag.  Might 'meet' some new people along the way, you never know :)

Thanks for stopping by...

Donna 

Cherries on Branch, Aperture, Female

Poppystamps have a challenge running right now that's just coming to an end...  and I've chosen to take a little 'artistic license' with my design this time around :)

Can you see the elements I've used to put this card together that all tie in with 'A Day In The Park'?

The bird, flowers and tree bark 'look' are obvious choices, I know...  but I've also included a brick wall stamp and some cherries. 

Why?  

Because in my head I had this idea of one of those gorgeous, stately park gardens that you can walk around from time to time...  and I pictured cherries growing in the trees, architectural brick work...  Get the idea?

Here's a quick peek at the inside...

This is a teeny, tiny 'mini make' that would make for a lovely Notelet or Thank You card.

How did I do it?

Cut four 8cm x 8cm squares out of white cardstock.  Place two to one side.

Cut an aperture out of the two remaining squares using the Memory Box 'Snow Globe' circle, then emboss one square using the Crafter's Companion 'Textures' Woodgrain embossing folder.

Distress the edges of the embossed square with a Paper Distressing Tool, then use Memento (Tsukineko) 'Rich Cocoa' to ink up the edges.

Take a 9cm x 9cm card blank and cut a hole slightly larger than the aperture out of the front panel.

Glue the embossed aperture square to the front of the card and attach the other aperture square to the back of the front panel.

Using the Bo Bunny Wall To Wall Textures Clear Stamp with Memento (Tsukineko) Rich Cocoa, print a partial brick wall image onto the third 8cm x 8cm square.  

(To print a partial image, use a piece of scrap card to cover the section of stamp you don't want to see printed before inking up).  

Once dry, glue to the inside of the card. 

Then glue the fourth blank square to the back.  (This is just to add a little extra stability to the card as well as it being the space to write your short message on).

Once the card base is all set, arrange the dies as shown in the pictures above.  (For the list of dies used, see below)...

Poppystamps - A Cherry on Top

Memory Box - Woodland Branch

Marianne Design Collectables - Birds

Elizabeth Crafts - Bunch of Flowers

Add jewel embellishments to the centres of the flowers and you are all done :)

I don't normally make cards where you are supposed to write on the back of them, but in this case I made an exception...  and snuck on an extra jewelled flower and bird :)

Other challenges I'm entering this card into...

House of Cards
July Challenge...  Food &/or Colour Inspiration

As always, if you have the time, I would love to know what you think of it.

Take care...

Donna

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PS...  I've FINALLY got my Google Friend Connect site up and running.  (You would not believe the aggravation this has caused me).

 BIG APOLOGIES to those of you I've only just been able to add my name to.  

Butterflies on Wall (CAS), Thanks, Female

I'm squeezing in a last minute entry today for a colour challenge over at
CAS Colours & Sketches.

Here's my quick make...

Using a piece of white Hammer Card for my base I've stamped off a 'Bo Bunny' Wall To Wall Textures Clear Stamp for the background, using Memento (Tsukineko) Rich Cocoa.

I've also used Memento (Tsukineko) Rich Cocoa for the Designer Butterfly Stamp (Hero Arts) and the Thanks sentiment.  I used a piece of plain white card to stamp the second butterfly onto as I like to include different textures - even in a CAS design.  Once the ink was dry, I simply fussy cut and glued into place.

One flower stamped in Memento (Tsukineko) Rose Bud and two stamped in Memento (Tsukineko) Teal Zeal, and the stamping was finished.  As you can see, I also stamped off for one of the Teal Zeal flowers.

All that was left to do was to mount on to a piece of brown card a little larger in size (I've used a Paper Distressing Tool on the edges for a smidge of extra texture), glue into place on a card blank and add three jewel embellishments as centres for the flowers.

Here are the details of the CAS Colours & Sketches current challenge...

It's my first time playing along here...

It's always nice to discover new challenges, don't you think?

'Bye for now.

Donna

Panda with Branches, Baby, Female

Good morning.  

I'm sharing a baby card with you today, but as you can see it's not your traditional pale pink or pale blue!

I've had this design in my head for a very long time, but it's still nothing like I expected it to be...  Funny how it works out like that.

Here's a quick 'how to' guide...

Stamp edges of Kraft card with Kaisercraft Film Edges Texture Clear Stamp in black ink.

Cut a piece of white card a little smaller in size than the card base, distress around the edges with a Paper Distresser Tool and glue into place.

Cut a green piece of card smaller than the white one and emboss using a Darice Bamboo Embossing Folder.  Glue at an angle.

Cut the largest tag from the PaperSmooches Gift Tag 2 set, using Watercolour Card.

Stamp on 'Baby Bamboo' from the Crafter's Companion rubber stamp set using Stazon ink.  Once dry, use Distress Inks to watercolour.

Mount tag at an angle using Foam Pads.

Cut out two branches using the Memory Box 'Grove Branch' die and glue into place.

Cut three flowers from the Elizabeth Crafts 'Bunch of Flowers' set, mold into shape and glue into place.

Cut three stamens from the Memory Box 'Fabulous Phlox' die , shape and glue into place.

Add the sentiment, three Morning Dew Drops and one black peg...


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I love the slightly grunge feel to this card.  When I have the time I plan on making a blue version - I wonder how that one will turn out?

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Cuttlebug Mania, who are doing a Tic Tac Toe challenge...
(I've gone for Baby Theme, Emboss, Lots of Layers)

Simply Create Too (Challenge #90) 'For A Precious Child'...

 Time Out challenges (Challenge #35) 'Nature with the Optional Twist of Animals'

... and CAS-UAL chic

Hope you have a good week :)

Donna...

Happy Birthday, 'Lemon Drop', Female

Hi.  Meet Lemon Drop.  The cutest baby pony you ever did see...

You won't find her anywhere else.  Why?  Because my 13yr old daughter created her recently.

I know I'm biased, but isn't she so talented?

This is a 'one of a kind' card for a 'one of a kind' woman who will be turning 30 in the next few weeks.  Yes...  I did say 30!  She works with my husband and likes ThunderCats and My Little Pony among other things.

So...  as my daughter has recently given her a ThunderCat picture as a 'thank you', I opted for the My Little Pony option.  Hope she likes it!

My daughter draws using her finger and an iPad.  I simply printed onto glossy photo paper, backed onto card and mounted using foam pads.  Not completely sure off the top of my head but I think the stamps used are all by Inkadinkado...

I mentioned in a previous post my idea of using charity shop pins as part of a design.  I created a little acetate window for this one as I wanted the design to look 'complete' once the pin was removed.  It was a personal decision but I decided not to include the backing card that specifies the charity with this...  some people are more sensitive than others and I didn't want to upset the birthday girl! 

The 3D butterflies are a firm favourite of mine from my Martha Stewart's, Pop Up Butterfly Punch.  I punched these out of a remnant of the glossy photo paper so they tied in to the overall design.

Some of you will know that my daughter's Autistic.  

I've thought long and hard about whether to include anecdotes from time to time about her and her struggles and I still haven't reached a decision...  would people find it too bothersome to know what it can really be like when, for instance, she attempts to go to her maths class alone and gets lost because they've changed the doors whilst she's been off sick for a week? 

I don't know...  but would value some honest input.  I know that there are those of us who craft for 'therapeutic' reasons and want to 'get away from it all'...  yet I also know that Autism is not as understood as it should be.  If you ever have the time to read my 'About Me' section you will know that I write that statement from personal experience... 

I'm entering this card into the latest Seize the Birthday challenge - mainly because I want others to see just how talented my daughter really is :)

I keep trying to encourage her to start her own blog to showcase her work.  Maybe one day...

Hope you have a good weekend, everyone.

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

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