Just For You

31st January 2012

This card is the result of my stuffing up some Pergomano work. I refuse to throw all that work away, so had to come up with some sort of rescue.

The centre of the Circle is what I rescued from a  12cm x 14cm piece of ruined parchment. I had messed up the cutting of my crosses, I was not very happy but, as I've often said, there are no disasters, only design opportunities. As you can see, I think my design opportunity on this occasion has turned out rather well. I'm pleased with it.

I scored a white A4 Dimple card to create a gate fold card, then used a Martha Stewart border punch called Floral Lace to punch each inside edge.
I layered some Stampin Up DSP from Urban Garden onto Baja Breeze card and attached to the fronts, I wrapped 5/8" white satin ribbon from Stampin up around the right hand side panel before sticking in place with double sided tape.

I cut my parchment with a Spellbinder circle, and used my Zyron to add adhesive to the reverse, then adhered it to a scalloped circle again cut with a Spellbinders die, both of which are available from Blue Edge Crafts.
I decorated my circle with a narrow border sticker and Green Tara Roses and leaves.
The Just for you birthday stamp is by Stamp It No 4338D and I got it from Paper Flourish.
I stamped onto plain white card in Stampin Ups Baja Breeze ink and them used 2mm foam squares to mount onto a Spellbinder cut scalloped circle which is mounted onto the front with Stampin Up Dimensionals.

The butterfly's are punched with a Martha Stewart punch, and cut out of parchment, I used 4 of each size to create one dimensional butterfly.
I Layered the same pattern paper inside the card with a die cut plain white circle to write on.
The roses have a smear of Stickles to add a little glitter. I didn't want much, so I just added a little to a finger tip and swiped it over the roses.
I finished with a Pearl Flourish from Blue Edge crafts and some size graduated pearls at the bottom.

I like pretty, and this is certainly that. (in my humble opinion anyway, lol)

Hope you like this card as much as I do.

Happy crafting,

Hugs,
Beth

Flower on Pergomano

30th January 2012

Took me a while to do this one.
The pergomano part wasn't that hard, and while it did take a bit more time to actually do than a normal card would, it was deciding what to do with it once it was done that's taken the time.

I wanted pretty (of course) I wanted beautiful (of course) what I didn't want was to cover up all the pergomano work, after all, I did take nearly a whole day just to do that part. (I'm no expert)
then all of a sudden this afternoon, this came to me and just flowed.

The pergomano has been put through my Zyron machine to add an even layer of adhesive to the back, then stuck onto Stampin Up Lucky Limeade cardstock which I've trimmed around the pergomano work.

I layered this onto Stampin Up Cherry Cobbler cardstock, and trimmed it with border and corner peel off's.

This was then layered onto my A5 base card in Stampin Up Old Olive.

The Flower image is made up of a creamy flower from Prima, the stem is hand cut from Lucky Limeade, and the leaves are puched with a Carl punch from the same colour, these were then coloured with a Sakura Glaze pen #830.

Since I didn't have a vase punch, and didn't even cross my mind to use my e-Craft to cut one, I made my vase with two Paper Shaper punches. I used the dress and an oval for the stand. the top part of the vase is 3 dresses trimmed and layered to create the shape. Decorated with peel off scraps and some Stampin Up pearls. I've shaped the vase, and stuck it in place with a Stampin Up Dimensional in the centre, and strong double sided tape along each side.

I'm really happy with this finished result. Of course my Pergomano skills could do with improving, but that is a matter of time and practice. (I'm really happy that I managed to cut my cross' right)

I like it, hope you do too.

Happy Crafting everyone.

Hugs,

Beth

Australia Day Crafting with Heather

January 26th 2012

Today, being Thursday was crafting with Heather. Australia Day public holiday does not change that.

As always, we had lots of chatter, laughs and a relaxed and very enjoyable day quilling., Heather showed me how to make a different hand made rose, some of which I've used on this card, the other roses on the card are also hand made by me, but made using  punched pieces..

My base card is my preferred card of choice when using a white base card, it's a beautiful weight and has a ribbed effect. the folded card size is 17.5 x 12.5cm. you can get these from Blue Edge Crafts.

The pink card is Stampin Up Melon Mambo. and the silver card is Moonlight Silver A4 Metallic card available from Blue Edge Crafts for $1 per sheet. It's a lovely weight and embosses beautifully. I've embossed the background with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.
The die used to cut both the pink and the Silver layers is Fleur De Lis rectangles. Also available from Blue Edge Crafts.
I've used Stampin Up white Satin ribbon for the ribbon detail.

All the flowers have been brushed with clear nail polish and dipped in very fine glitter, and yes! I now have glitter all over me and my crafting table. I don't know anyone who can work with loose glitter and NOT end up with it everywhere. I now show those around me my 'Sparkling' personality lol.

Hope you like this card, I certainly do. You can see Heathers beautiful card on her facebook page.

Happy Crafting everyone!

Hugs

Beth

The Entertainer

24th January 2012

I was asked to make a card for the 30th birthday of someone who is in the entertainment industry, hence the name of my post today.

For this card, I used a white ribbed card (you can buy these in packs from Blue Edge Crafts, the card I used for the matting is Stampin up in  Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso and Pumpkin Pie, I chose these colours as thy marry up with the colours in my pattern paper which is printed from a Klever Konstruction CD vol 2.
The piano is from a Studio Light Die Cut sheet which I got from Blue Edge Crafts. (Easy SL 250)

The whole effect is I think bright, cheerful and certainly 'Musical'

The Birthday sentiment I added using wordart before printing out the image which I then resized to make the topper.

My sincerest thanks to Sherry, and she will know what the thanks are for! you rock girl.

Happy Crafting

Hugs,
Beth :-)

Wedding Day Wishes

21st January 2012

After recently seeing a similar card for a 21st birthday, I thought it could so easily lend itself to a Wedding card.

So that's what I've made.

The base card is a gatefold card made with a lovely dimple cardstock  which I got from Blue Edge Crafts, it's a good weight for a base card, wish I could tell you what it is, but I can't remember, (if I ever knew) it's good though lol.

The beautiful pearl embossed paper is from Mixit which I bought at Office Works comes in a pack of 5, it's hand made paper and is really lovely. the self adhesive Pearl flourish is from ZvaCreative.com.
The die I used to cut the sign is a Tim Holtz / Sizzex Bigz die called Hanging Sign, I extended the leg of the sign by using a die from the Spellbinders Shapeabilities set called Elegant Posts which I got from Blue Edge Crafts.

I computer generated the sentiment, and printed it onto pale pink pearl paper from Crafters Companion in my laser printer as I found that when I used the ink jet printer, the ink smudged. :-(

The flowers are from Green Tara and I've adhered them with my hot glue gun, and just touched the edges of the petals with Stickles. 'Diamond'

I inked the edges of the white pearl card I used to cut the hanging sign with Stampin Up 'Bride' which is a very pale pink to match the pale pink matting of the embossed paper.

I will be making a presentation box for this card as the roses add too much dimension for a regular envelope.

I'm happy to make these for sale should anyone wish to buy one. The price of the card is AUD$25. Postage to be calculated depending on where you live. Payment by either direct deposit or Paypal.

Just editing to add in the picture of the card in the box I made. I used a spellbinders Fleur De Lise Rectangle die to cut out the centre, then embosses acetate with a Cuttlebug heart embossing folder. If you look really closely, you'll see that in the photo i have the lid upside down, easily fixed, I just turned the lid up the other way lol.
The card used is  a pearlised card from Blue Edge Crafts.

I'm really pleased with the way this card turned out.


Happy Crafting
Hugs

Beth

Crafting Day with Heather

19th January 2012

Thursdays is crafting day with Heather, of course we craft on other days as well, but Thursdays are reserved for us to get together at my place and simply do whatever.

This week is the first get together of the new year, we decided to do some of Heather's Kaszazz cards. Heather is a Kaszazz consultant and they have the most beautiful products, and they are an Australian company.

Anyway, there are two sets of cards that we made and other than the fact that the sentiment on the pink and blue cards is Stampin Up, )Heather forgot to bring the Kaszazz stamp) and I've added some little butterflies using a Martha Stewart Classic Butterfly punch, everything used is sold by Kaszazz, so if you're interested, contact me for Heather's details.
(oh nearly forgot, the smaller gemstones are Stampin Up, those gorgeous big ones are Kaszazz)

First set.

Second Set

I'm really happy with our days crafting. Stunning cards, unbeatable company.
And the sausage rolls were perfect too! what more could I ask for?


Happy Crafting
Hugs
Beth

Quilling

18th January 2012

Todays card is also in the group of 'Getting ahead of myself'

This time the requirements were for Flowers with Quilling technique.
I've not done a great deal with quilling, but I have done some.

This card is simple in the extreme, but I think it's simplicity really works. Of course there had to be some bling, so of course there is.

This type of card is (in my humble opinion) for hand giving. The stem of the flower is simply a very narrow strip of paper glued in place on it's very edge. Can you imagine that going through the post office sorting and delivery system and arriving at it's destination intact? I seriously doubt that would happen, even bubble wrapping would squash the stem. So hand giving it is. There is no sentiment as this is in my 'Don't know yet' folder. when the occasion arises for it's giving, then I'll add in the necessary sentiment.

If you've been following my posts, you will be able to see that I've certainly been having some fun with the variety of techniques available.

Card making is so much fun and soooo addictive.

Hope you like my card.

Happy Crafting,

Hugs,
Beth

Pergomano Cricketer

17 January 2012

This card is another of the 'Getting Ahead of myself' cards.

The requirements said Red with Pergomano technique.

I outlined my cricketer in Pergomano Tinta white ink, then did all the embossing. The perforation down each side is minimal as the cricketer is the central focus.

Using Pergomano Tinta in Leaf Green, I coloured the reverse of the centre section behind the cricketer, to get that cricket pitch feel.

The red is simply a plain red paper used as the insert.

I haven't done a lot of pergomano in recent years, and after having done this card, can't for the life of me think why. It's fun and it's not that difficult to do. Just a little patience is needed.

Hope you like the card.



I've been asked for some tips when starting out with Pergomano. I'm no expert, but I can say that when you first start, focus on the drawing with the Tinta inks, these are used with the old map pens, those awful pens I had to use when I was at school, you know the kind, dip them into the ink and if you weren't very careful, the load of ink would dump itself all over your page. I was never any good with them back then.
Print out your design, and use removable tape to tape your parchment paper over the design, then draw over all the required outlines.
There are a great many different kinds of Pergomano tools, there are fine, medium, and bold, I have most (not all) of them, as well as the perforation mats. Most of the embossing on the cricketer was done with a stylus, and is repeated lines to get the outline and I only used a larger ball of varying sizes for the larger white embossed areas.

Keep your actual perforations to a minimum  until you are more proficient, success breeds confidence, so start slowly. Select the easier patterns first. Like the old saying learn to walk before you try to run. I consider myself to be still learning to walk. The running is a bit too far ahead of me yet.
Keep your scraps of parchment, and use them to practice.
When doing a new perforation pattern, practice it first on scrap, some you will find easy, others are deceptively difficult.
But give it a go! nothing ventured, nothing gained. :-)

Happy Crafting,

Hugs,
Beth

Recipe 1 2 3

16th January2012

Recently I was getting ahead of myself. Thought I knew what projects I needed for the next few months so pressed on and got started. Well, I was wrong, BUT, the cards I made will most certainly not go to waste. Here is one of them.

The description of what was required said, Recipe (1 x button, 2 x ribbons, 3 x diecuts with fancy fold technique, I took that to the literal limit. My card has a Recipe (my shortbread biscuits as background paper it has 3 die cuts, one scalloped round and two scalloped squares. it has 1 button tied with narrow ribbon over a ribbon bow (2 ribbons) the card shape is the Double Dutch Fold card by Patty Bombyk over at Splitcoast Stampers, here is the link. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/doubledutchfold/

I added a Prima flower and lots of bling to mine. This is a simple but very effective fold.

There is no sentiment as this is in my "Don't know yet' folder, which means I can use it for quite a few different occasions simply by adding the sentiment as needed.

I certainly enjoyed the getting ahead of myself part of making this card. there are another 3 I made which also fall into this category, which I'll post over the coming days.

I believe that old saying that there are no mistakes, only design opportunities. lol

Happy Crafting,

Hugs,
Beth

Take 2 on Sweet Gardener

15 January 2012

I know yesterdays card used this image, but since I'd printed out two of them, I didn't want to waste the second image.
I spent a bit of time on you tube watching video's of how to colour hair with copics, and I think there is a little improvement in my technique.
I like the card anyway, and am happy with my improvement.

Here is the Second Sweet Gardener.

This is an unusual colour combination for me, but I'm happy with the result.

There is a wide variety of learning tools on the Internet, and you tube is great for being able to actually see how something is done. So I say hats off to You Tube. Excellent work, most gratefully received.

Happy Crafting.

Hugs,
Beth

Sweet Gardiner

14 January 2012

I've loved making this card. It has turned out so pretty and feminine, all the things I love.


The other day I got an email inviting me to consider entering for a new Design Team call over at the Paper Shelter.

 <http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-time-for-design-team-call.html>

so of course I had to check out The Paper Shelter's images and papers etc. They are just beautiful. So after I bought some, I started working on this image.

I don't think I'll submit the link for their DT call, because after looking at all the truly beautiful entries, I seriously doubt I have a snowballs hope in hell. My colouring is amateurish to say the least, those who have entered are of professional standard.

Despite all that, I still love my card, colouring imperfections and all.

I will just have to keep on practicing and who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to produce something good enough to consider entering, should I ever be asked again.

Here is my card anyway.

The Digi image is called the sweet gardiner, and the pattern paper I've used is from two of their sets called Let's make a picnic, and  Sweet Gardiner.

The Spellbinders die is called Fleur De Lis Squares. and the Pearl Flourish is from Say it in Crystals. (Prima) The flowers are from Green Tara.

I think my photography might just be improving slightly as well lol.

Happy Crafting.

Hugs,

Beth.

Another CASE card, plus my own variation

11 January 2012

Once again I've been browsing both blog spots and SplitCoast Stampers. Came across some really beautiful work by a lady by the name of Rita Wright. Here is a link to her blog http://ritascreations.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

Ideas for the Men folk in our lives are often difficult to come by, and I for one am happy to openly admire another persons excellent work in that difficult area.

Anyway, I have both the stamp set and the DSP that Rita used for this card so I've CASE'd it. Minor variations, but all the colours are the same. This card is an A5 card (A4 folded in half giving a finished card measuring 15 x21cm.
The colours used are: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, the Inks used are Early Espresso, and Island Indigo. The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is Nautical Expedition and the stamp set is The Open Sea. All are Stampin Up products and available from me.

Then I did a tent fold card, using the same sets, but made a smaller card in a tent fold. minor variation on the colour layers.

This card uses the same products, but the size is only 10.5 x 15cm and the base card is in Crumb Cake not Early Espresso as is the larger card.

May seem strange copying someone Else's work, but why try and improve on perfection? I really like what Rita did with these products and while I'll eventually get around to using them in different ways, I felt a strong urge to mimic something I really admire.

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Crafting,

Hugs,  Beth.



Some new Shapes

9/January 2012

As mentioned a while back, I've been playing around with some new card shapes. It's always nice to do something a little different, The cards I'm posting here today are not going to have the usual instructions with them, but I'm happy to share if anyone is interested. Just get in touch with me.

The first Shape is a Double easel card, which folds flat to approximately 15cm x 7.5cm
Yes I know two of them are Christmas cards, and Christmas is now over, but I'm already getting ready for next Christmas. I hate having to rush at the last minute, so I prepare all year round.

The next card is a variation on a card I developed several years ago, smaller in size it folds flat to 4" square.

The last card and the blue card above are for a Swap at Craft Mad, http://www.craftmad.com.au these are for my swap partner, so Shhhh! dont' tell her, other wise they won't be a surprise.
The swap was to use something from around the house or left over from Christmas. In the blue card, I've used a section of a left over Christmas paper napkin. Carrying on the theme of napkins, the second card (for the swap), the yellow one also uses a napkin, I had to adhere the napkin to cardstock before cutting it out. this quite easy card took me several hours to make because of the fiddly bits I put myself through, but the most important thing is I had FUN doing it.
I have drawn up a diagram for this card should anyone be interested in it. Again just contact me.

Be Mine

I have this lovely digi image from Lili of the Valley and had to use it.

I used Copics to colour in the image.

There are three separate die's used to construct this card, I used Fleur De Lis Rectangles, Fleur De Lis Squares, and Deckle Edge Classic Ovals. I get all my Spellbinder dies from Blue Edge Crafts, See link to the right.

I sort of gave myself free rein with this card, it wasn't planned, it developed really by it's self, I really like the end result. I think my greatest inspiration for this card has been the wonderful work of Beate Johns. You can see a lot of her work over at Splitcoast Stampers.
This card is not based on another card that I've seen, well not consciously anyway. Since I look at an awful lot of cards, there is probably similarities to others work. But as I said previously, this card developed with a life of it's own.

Happy Crafting.

Hugs,

Beth

Been CASE'ing again....

5 January 2012

Saw this really lovely card at Splitcoast Stampers this is the link to the original card, http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2112931

And here is my card.

I have used Bazzil white linen for my base card which has a finished size of 14cm x 14cm.
the dark layer is Stampin Up 'Night of Navy' and the floral layer is from Stampin Up DSP pack Pasley Petals
the doily is 10cm in circumference. and the die is Spellbinders Fleur De Lise Squares, the largest die, I cut Coredinations card and sanded it to get a slightly distressed look. (The text is a digi image from Crafting Cottage which you can get to via the link on the original card)  I used a zig pen around the edges, and on the word BIG then coated with Martha Steward fine glitter. the stick pin is from Stampin Up's Pretty's Kit. The rhinestone flourish is from Porta Crafts. the organdy ribbon is from my stash and is just common 1" wide organdy. the rose is from Green Tara. I used a Martha Stewart Classic butterfly punch to punch the butterflys then embossed them with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, then sanded to distress them. Kaiser Rhinestones were used to finish.

Sometimes Words are enough.

Happy Crafting,

Beth  :-)



January Challenge at Unstampabelles Blog

2nd January 2011

The January Challenge over at Unstampabelles Blog (see my link) is Anything goes. (other than stamps of course)
January is also my first month as a Design Team member and here is my design for that challenge.
I decided to make a Calendar card as I thought it very appropriate for the first month of the year, and I've been making a few of these lately, as I did last year, and they have always been very well received. In fact I've been asked by one recipient of a calendar from me last year if it was possible to have another calendar for her card, she loves it so much and the colours are perfect for her bedroom (she keeps in on her dressing table) of course I said yes, I do have spare 2012 calendars, so she's really happy about that.
One lady always asked me in January for a new calendar for the new year, so they seem to be a popular choice of card to receive.

There is a prize for the best entry to the challenge, and this month we are sponsored by Merry Made Store http://www.craftmad.com.au/cmforum/content.php/221-Merry-Made-Store
Here is the prize for the January 2012 Challenge

Purple patterned washi tape, 15 origami papers and patterns, 3 Copic Pens YR07, Y06, R27, a roll of Sellotape - double sided tape 12mm x 10m.

Anyway, here is the one I've made for the Challenge.
For this one I used a white base card, onto which I mounted FabScraps Heritage small floral C38-00314 floral paper. The Cheery Lyn doily die DL101 "English Tea Party' was cut out of Stampin Up Certainly Celery card and inked with Stampin Up Old Olive ink. the Tea Bag medallion is Tea Bag Folding squares No. 003 (5cm x 5cm) the centre is finished with a Prima 'Say it with Studs' embellishment and small self adhesive 1/2 pearls.

This next calendar is also one I've made recently, but as it has a digital stamped image, it doesn't meet the criteria for the Unstampabelles challenge. The image is another Lili of the Valley image and is coloured as usual with Copics.

Here are two of the calendars I made for 2011.

Thank you for looking,
I hope you have all had a truly Merry Christmas, and I wish you all a safe, and Happy New Year.

Happy Crafting,

Beth :-)

Flippin' Men

2nd January 2012

I've had this La Pashe Flippin' Men image set for about 2 years, Finally got around to using it.
This one is called 'Have a Wheelie Good Day!

As with all Flippin images, there is a reverse to this, which I've not photographed, and I've now given the card to the Birthday Boy recipient.

The image is adhered to acetate so you can see both sides. The acetate is like a second front of the card,and swings so you can see the reverse of the image, the background is the inside front, this means any stamping, and written messages inside cannot be seen from the outside.

The background image is from Crafts U Print, it's CUP247716-874, I trimmed it to size so only the centre section is used here.

Other than cutting out and mounting the 3D elements with foam squares, this image is so easy to use, and the card is quick and easy to make.

Thank you for looking.

Happy Crafting

Beth.

C.A.S.E card

1st January 2012

Happy New Year everyone. Isn't it great to think we have a whole new year of crafting ahead of us? well I certainly think so any way.

Earlier today, I was browsing through Split Coast Stampers, http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ What a fantastic place that is for inspiration.

I found this really lovely card by Kim Teasdale. So I decided to CASE it. Here is the link to the original card  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/673789?cat=7225

I used all Stampin Up products for my card.

Products used are: Rich Razzleberry card, Basic Black card, Baja Breeze card, Very Vanilla card. The Pattern paper is from is from Paisley Petals DSP set. The stamp set used is Sweet Summer. Inks are Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade & Certainly Celery. The ribbon is 1/4" Rich Razzleberry grosgrain, and I used Vintage Trinkets brads on the flower panel, and a brad from Antique Brads on the ribbon panel.

I did some paper piercing around the edge of the Paisley Petals patterned paper.

The Flower stem and leaves are stamped, but I cut out one of the flowers from the Paisley Petals and stuck it at the top of the stem.

Thank you for looking.

Happy Crafting,

Beth