Thursday 5 April 2018

Creative Circle April Blog Hop - Birds


Hello and welcome to the Creative Circle design team blog hop. The theme for this month is Birds and we all have made a wonderful 3D bird feeder project designed by Liz Holloway. The bird house has been designed to house cards and envelopes and makes a stunning home deco that can also be suspended. 

Here is mine... A monochromatic design taking cue from the patterned paper mainly Olive Green, white and black and coordinated throughout. I have used a retired dsp left over from last year's holiday season hehe to decorate. The bird feeder has been constructed with the white cardboard that comes in the dsp packaging so it was a good way to recycle materials on hand.

The sets used are Best Birds stamp set for the sentiments and the coordinating Birds and Blooms dies. The two bold bird dies are just the right proportions to the bird feeder. I have also used the flourish thinlits dies as it compliments the die cut birds.  


Here are the cards... I have kept the design similar with the bold striping using a Mama Elephant die frame and placing it over the Olive Green Color Theory dsp. The sentiments has been black heat embossed over the die cut circle vellum. Glitter enamel dots used as an embellishment to dress up the clean and simple layout. These glitter enamel dots have also been used in place of the dowels for the bird house in keeping with the gradation of colour. 


I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration. This was a fun project and would make a great gift for a bird lover. You too can create your own bird house using an electronic cutter. Comment below and use #LHDContest for a chance to win. Three giveaways will be announced on May 3 and the winners will receive a copy of the files / tutorial from Liz. Click on the banner below to continue to hop around and see all the creative projects. Thank you so much for stopping by, until next time - Happy Crafting! :)





Wednesday 4 April 2018

Papercraft Business Challenge #5 - Birthday theme

Hello and welcome to the Papercraft Business Challenge #5. Time flies when you're having fun! I was blown away by all the amazing entries last month and it was the most we've had so far. Love seeing everyone's creations. The theme for the challenges is usually, 'Anything Goes' with the option of a Birthday theme this month. Creating a birthday themed card will get an extra entry to win the prize of the month which is the cute Duh-Nuh set from Lawn Fawn. 


Here is the link to join in the challenge and once there just click on the blue button to submit your creation. I can't wait to see what you create. :) 


I went with a Magical Birthday theme using a few new sets from Hero Arts and created two cards showing the two genies. Hero Arts have such an amazing range of stamps and just love the variety and cultural influences. Aladdin was a great inspiration for these cards and here they are. 
  
Hero Arts: Make A Wish and Mandala Bold Print stamps.
Lawn Fawn: Puffy cloud border dies.

The background has been ink blended using Ranger distress inks and created a galaxy background. I focused the different colours in the centre to coincide with the mandala design. To further add to the galaxy background I have splattered some random Kuretake Starry Colors in gold and silver over the top. The Mandala Bold print images was then stamped in Versamark and white heat embossed. As a tip: It's best to wait till the inked background is completely dry before attempting this so as not to have all the embossing powders sticking all over it and have a big mess, there were a few strays but not as bad lol. 

The sentiment has also been white heat embossed on vellum which is slightly longer that the front panel, and has been die cut using Lawn Fawn's Puffy Cloud border die. It has then been tucked underneath the front panel and is a great way to neatly place it in without seeing the double sided tape or adhesive. It really adds to the overall feel of the genie's coming out of their bottle and lamp. 

The images has been stamped in Lawn Fawn Jet black in and coloured in with Copic markers. I have used my Scan 'n' Cut machine to cut out the images, though there are matching dies for this set. The images have been mounted on with foam dimensionals to make them pop of the page and stand adding further depth.  As a finishing touch to this card, a few silver confetti that is flat without adding too much bulk has been added. 

Here is inside the card, showing the birthday sentiments from the set. Mandala Bold Print has been stamp with Versamark ink and adds a subtle tone on tone effect. Clear glossy accents has been applied to the lamp for extra shine. 

The same ink blending and white heat embossing applications applied to the second card. To step up  the design, I have added a window frame, revealing the inside of the card.

Hero Arts: Make A Wish and Floral Tile Bold Print stamps.
The window frame die is from Hero Arts December 2017 Monthly Kit with the Far East designs. 
Lawn Fawn: Puffy cloud border dies.

The window frame has been die cut and inlaid over the top. It is similar to creating a window shaker card but just creating the front panel achieved with using clear acetate window sheet to hold the frame in place. 
Here is how the card looks from the back. It's essential to die cut both window frames in the same spot so that they line up on the back and covers up the acetate window sheet. 

The negative die cut image of the window has been used and ink blended making sure it lines up with the front. Eclipse masking paper has been used though any low tact paper can be used. The sentiment has been stamped in Versafine Onyx ink and clear heat embossed to not only set but gives a nice embossed raise. 

I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration. These will make a special birthday cards for both masculine and feminine cards that are fun and unique. The list of supplies are below if you would like to make these cards. I look forward to seeing your wonderful creations in the Papercraft Business Challenge #5. Thank you so much for stopping by, until next time - Happy Crafting! :) 

Supplies Used: