Music in the Garden

The brief:
A card for a lady who sings, so music is a must, and loves her garden.

An this was the result:

The flower cluster included:
Kaisercraft: Paper Leaves
Die-namics: Leaf-Filled Flourish which was gold embossed
Various paper flowers from my stash including some from Prima

The label was made with Stampin' Up: Framelits: Apothecary Accents, the sentiment stamped with Lawn Fawn: Violet's ABC's and the numbers cut with Die-namics: Little Numbers.

Both the Music Paper (unknown) and gold edged and red organza ribbons were from my stash.

The red and cream colour scheme were perfect for the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Richmond Tigers inspired 21st

Hi there, I apologise for not posting anything recently (a number of months in fact), but I was busy preparing for Christmas and my mum's 90th birthday high tea for 60+ family and friends.  I also forgot to take photos of her card, but hope to get some soon so I can share with you.

This was an order for a 21st birthday card for a Richmond Football Club supporter.  With short notice, and a quick search on internet, I found this photo for inspiration:

 

 And here is the card:

The yellow stripe was created with Zing Embossing Powder: Mustard Opaque and Versamark ink on black card stock.

This panel was adhered to a layer of black fun foam before attaching to the yellow layer of card  This wall all to a card base, the finished size being 21 x 14.8 cm.

The letters and number were die cut from yellow and black card using (the no longer available) Die-namics High-Rise Numbers and High-Rise Alpha, upper and lower case dies and attached with thin pieces of foam tape for added dimension.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Watercolour Dart Board

The brief:

A birthday card for my customers brother, who is turning 60.  He likes darts.

My thoughts go to our dart board, which is not as loved as it should be.  Red, black and silver pop into my head.

He is a Bombers fan, perfect.

After a quick Google search for pictures of dart boards, I realise there is also green on the standard board.  Watercolour using Distress Inks was the solution.

I review my small collection of distress inks, I have some reds, but only bright greens, and no black.

The solution, a quick trip to my local craft store, Little Bits.  I leave with three new mini Distress Inks, Hickory Smoke Distress Stain (they did not have any Black Soot ink, so this was the closest I could get), and a new stamp set, Tim Holtz: Crazy Cats (which has absolutely nothing to do with this card, but it was there and I have wanted it for some time).

I traced an enlarged dart board onto watercolour paper, and painted the lines and numbers with masking fluid.  The Distress Inks were used to paint each section.

Once dry, the masking fluid was removed, and the pencil lines erased.  I flicked water onto the painted panel, let sit, and then blotted with a paper towel.  Distress Inks are great for this, as some of the colour is lifted away, leaving a cool effect.

More splatters with Hickory Smoke Distress stain and black paint from my Gansai Tambi watercolour set completed the distressed look.

The sentiment was stamped with Lawn Fawn: Milo's ABCs in Archival: Jet Black ink on vellum, and stitched to the card with red embroidery thread.

Although the Bomber's red and black did not quite make the representation I was initially hoping for, I was pleased with the result, and another satisfied customer (despite the fact I spelt her name incorrectly on the inside of the card, sorry again Maureen).

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Winter Wonderland

There is so much inspiration in Kaisercraft's September Blog Challenge, and I think this card suits the wintery theme.

This was the inspiration.

Lots sparkle with die cut snowflakes from Kaisercraft: Glitter Cardstock and vellum. The larger is from the Kaisercraft: Snowflake set, and the smaller from the Kaisercraft: Snowflake Card Flip.

The background was created using the wonderful KAISERmists on watercolour paper and then stamped with snowflakes from various stamp sets including Kaisercraft: Holly Jolly. 

The sentiment is also from the Kaisercraft: Holly Jolly stamp set.  Star sequins add even more bling.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Alice in Wonderland Journal featured in Made It

One of my wire bound journals is featured in this week's 'Journals' gallery in Made It's community newsletter.

A handmade wire bound journal, created from the remains of a timeworn book.
The covers and internal pages have been combined with fresh pages, honoring the soul of the original book.

Truly one-of-a-kind.

Details of the original book:
Title: Alice in Wonderland
Author: Lewis Carroll - a new version of the classic tale by Archie Oliver
Date of publication: 2004

30 new pages (smooth white 120gsm) have been added to the book, and 30 of the original pages remain, many containing illustrations as shown in the photos (page numbers are approximate).

Dimensions: 19.5cm high, 11.5cm wide, and 1.5cm thick (approximately)

Can be used as a journal, notebook, sketch-book or for mixed media.

This wire bound journal is handmade from an original book and both the original and new pages have been manually trimmed.
As such, there may be slight imperfections to the original covers and pages (scuffs or dings, spots, or perhaps remnants of a previous owner). This adds to the charm of each one-of-a-kind book.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Magical Unicorn

I have been absent from the blogging world recently, busy with life and studying for an exam.  Thankfully I passed, but in the process of studying for this exam, I have discovered I need to sit another to gain the qualification. Such is life.

To get back into the swing of crafting again, I decided some colouring was in order.

The adorable unicorn is from The Greeting: Farm Magical Day stamp set.

She was coloured in Copics, the mane and tail topped with Clear Wink of Stella, and cut out using the matching die.

 

 

The sentiment, from the same stamp set, was stamped in Archival: Jet Black ink on vellum.  I find this ink gives the best, sharpest image on vellum (from the selection of blacks inks I currently own).

She is foam mounted onto white card stock cut with the larger of the Die-namics: Oval Open Scallop Doily Duo dies.

This is all layered on paper from Kaisercraft: Hey Birdie Collection (a very old collection, but I do love the mix of pink, green and brown.

A few pink sequins were added for a touch more bling.

And while I was at it, I made a few more.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah

Patchwork garden card for Kath

One of my Mum's good friends is turning 80 in a couple of weeks, and she asked me to make a card for her.  She loves her garden, her chickens, and general crafting.  The Cosmo Cricket: Garden Variety 6" and 12" papers seemed a suitable choice.

The patchwork idea came from Michaela Laurie's Paper Quilt Creations where I have previously purchased a few kits, but I wanted to make this card specifically for the recipient.  Rather than focusing on the milestone birthday, I highlighted her name.

The stitches are made with a variegated Gutermann metallic thread which add a nice sparkle to the card.

The "K" is a close up of the letter, which in theory goes beyond the edges of the card.  Although I don't think I quite pulled that off, I am happy with the result.

The letters are Dye-namics: High-Rise Alpha lower case, red card on top of yellow foam sheet.

The hand made matching envelope also has the same letters.

Happy Birthday Kath, I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by
Sarah