I've been a fan of the shabby chic style that seems to be the trend now. I love all the stitching, lace, big ribbons and vintage feel to them. But, my problem is I can't do a collage as I'm pretty obsessed with things to be straight. I can't do layers either, since I rarely spend more than 30 minutes on a card. So, I decided to call my style clean and shabby or what about quasi-shabby? :-) Maybe, when I "grow up," I'll learn to do the shabby chic properly.
I used images from my soon to be released set, Lord of the Seasons, from GinaK for these cards. It will be available for purchase after the release party at 10pm CST at GinaK Designs store.
Card #1 follows the 2Sketches4You sketch. I inked the background stamp (Old lace from Stampin' Up) with several colors to get the gradient effect for Moxie Fab's Gradient is Radiant challenge.
Paper: Pumpkin Spice, PL Ivory, Soft Sand, Old Olive textured Ink: Old Olive, Really Rust, Only Orange, Ruby Red, Memento Rich Cocoa Others: ribbon, buttons and lace from my stash, pearl from Michael's, Fiskars pinking scissors and border punch
Card #2 follows the Get Sketchy layout and is more my typical clean and simple style. I embossed the image using 4 different colors of powders to get the gradient effect, for the Moxie Fab's current challenge.
Come back tomorrow as I have more cards to show you using Lord of the Seasons. And don't forget the release party will be on Thursday, October 1st ,over on SCS starting at 7:00 pm CST. There will be games, prizes and more previews.
And my friend, Crystal, agreed to be my Guest DT this month using Lord of the Seasons. Go check out her blog to see why I asked her to be one. She does amazing work with coloring and has an overall elegant style I just love.
To see my post for the MoxieFab World Blog Tour, please click HERE.GinaK previews follow. I am so thrilled to share some cards today using my newest GinaK Designs set, Lord of the Seasons. I've always loved topiaries and as I started drawing one, I just couldn't stop there. I had to include one for every season. And because all seasons are covered, it's a good all-occasion set you can use all year.
If you visited my blog yesterday, you saw samples using this set already. On that post, I showed you quick, clean and simple note cards you can easily make to give away. Because the images are very detailed, they are good stamped as they are, as shown here (Click on the photos for a larger view):
I stamped the sentiments on PL Ivory and trimmed them. Using a craft knife, I then cut slits on each side of the stamped image and inserted the sentiment panel through. Easy peesy! :-)
For today's cards, I will show you how these same images are so fun to color, too. This set comes with two sayings that are appropriate for any season. I used the same layout for all 4 cards. I stamped the image on PL Ivory and colored them with Copics. I then sponged the panel. I distressed the edges of the patterned papers, then stitched them.
Fall card Supplies Papers: Pumpkin Spice, In the Navy, SEI patterned papers Embellishments: buttons, twine
Dobro došli i sretan dan za izrade čestitke! Welcome and happy world cardmaking day! (On Oct 3, that is.)
One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that Lord is good...." And God has truly shown His goodness to me in countless ways everyday. I'm excited to share two of them with you today. First, I have been blessed to live in Croatia, my beloved adopted country for the past 11 years. It's known for its coast, but I love living in the northwestern part surrounded by God's beautiful creation. I am so excited to participate in Moxie Fab World's blog tour and especially because I get to represent Croatia. Though I am originally from the Philippines, I have come to love what I now call home. Isn't it gorgeous?
(Click on the picture for a larger view.)
The other way God has shown goodness to me is by bringing so many instrumental ladies in my life who introduced me to the wonderful world of CARDMAKING. I have been blessed many times over by this craft and I want to bless others with it. I have introduced many of my Croatian and Bosnian friends to this great hobby and they love it, too. That makes me happy :-).
For today's World Cardmaking Day Moxie Fab celebration, I decided to show you a set of cards designed to be given as a gift. Not only do I love cardmaking, but I also love card-sending and card-giving! I still take pleasure in sending messages the old fashioned way, through hand-written notes and cards. My family sends about 300 per year. And because I enjoy it so much, I want to encourage friends and family to do the same. And what better way to do that than giving them their own handmade cards to send to others?
(Please click on the picture to see a larger view. Supplies are listed at the end of this post)
These detailed images are my own illustrations (to be released Oct 1 by GinaK Designs), look great stamped as they are and allow me to make quick, elegant cards. The sentiments were stamped on ivory CS strips. I then cut a slit on each side of the stamped image and inserted the strip through. And here's the packaging for them using a clear plastic box decorated simply with a bow and a tag.
I plan to celebrate WCMD by making more of these note cards with some friends, so I can share my love of cardmaking, card-sending and card-giving with others. So what about you? Here are some ideas:
Stop by the WCMD website where you can get lots of ideas to celebrate.
Visit Moxie Fab World blog everyday this week to get more ideas from cardmakers from all over the world. There are prizes awarded everyday.
Grab a 25% off coupon code for your entire purchase found in the blogs listed HERE and go shopping in the PaperCrafts online store.
Finally, LEAVE A COMMENT on my blog, on Moxie Fab World and the other participants' blogs today (and everyday for the rest of the week) to be eligible to win some amazing products. International commenters are welcome. Limit one comment per blog please. Comments will close on Oct 4 at midnight and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Thank you for visiting Croatia and I hope you will experience the beauty of this country in person someday.
------------------------------- All supplies are from GinaK Designs, unless otherwise noted.
When I first read Cath's new Moxie Fab challenge, Gradient is Radiant, I was honestly stumped. I have always loved gradients in design, but I didn't know how to do it on cards outside of brayering, which I'm not good at. Then, I remembered this blog post of a very talented graphic artist and I knew right away that's what I wanted to do for the challenge.
This first one is a straight copy of what Patricia did. I just filled every cut with a color. The colors I used (if I remember correctly) are Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, Ruby Red, Really Red, GinaK Pumpkin Spice, More Mustard, Summer Sun, So Saffron and Cream. The card base is GinaK's Chocolate Kiss and the sentiment is from my stamp set, Lord of the Seasons. It's perfect for this autumn themed card.
For the second card, I decided to not only use different shades of red, but also add texture and patterns. The colors used are Bravo Burgundy, GinaK Rocket Red (which comes with the striped texture), Ruby Red, Rose Red, Rose Romance, and a printout of GinaK's Rich & Shabby digipaper. The cardbase is Pink Pirouette and the sentiment is from my Elegant Post set. I just love this technique. I will play some more and see what I can come up with. It's a good way to use up those little scraps of paper I've been keeping in my box.
Two more days until Moxie Fab's World Card Making Day Blog Tour begins. Woohoo! I can't wait!
Another Friday, another Friends with Flair with Unity! Go to Unity's blog to see the list of participants. Find the Flair and be entered to win some free stamps!
Here are my cards. I made this for my girls' friend who's having a birthday this weekend. The cupcake stamp is from the Aug 09 KOTM and I colored it with Copics. The cardbase is Pink Pirouette and the DPs I've had in my stash forever. The sentiment and ribbon are by PTI.
For the second card, I decided to create a scene using stamps from July09 and Aug09 KOTMs. I used the cloud stamp for a tree, the trunk was hand cut. The cardbase is Bashful Blue, the sun is Summer Sun, tree is Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. I stamped the bike with Ruby Red. The sentiment was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa on GinaK Soft Sand, then sponged it.
If you want to see another "scene" card using Unity stamps, go HERE. AND make sure you stop by on Monday as I celebrate the World Cardmaking Day with card makers from all over the world. There will be some yummy giveaways that you wouldn't want to miss! Check out Cath's post on Moxie Fab World for more info.
Remember you have until Sunday 8 pm, CST to submit your card on StampTV with the tag STVCC31 to be eligible for the random drawing. The winner gets to pick a GinaK Designs stamp set valued at $24.95 or less.
Have you been to Gina's blog? Not only is she giving a snippet of one of the new releases, but she's also showing the new products soon to be available at the store. If you love ribbons and buttons and pretty coordinated papers and inks, then go check them out HERE. She's giving the Holiday Assortment Pack away to one random commenter. I can't wait to get my hands on these yummy goodies.
And, thank you for your kind words after I won the Moxie Fab Around the House challenge. I'm still blown away that I won after seeing all the beautiful cards there. Thanks, Cath, for another great challenge.
Since the November/December issue of PaperCrafts magazine is out, I can finally show you the very first card I have ever published (it's on page 23). It was the only one I submitted for this particular issue and I was so thrilled when I received the acceptance email.
I made this card using gifts from my generous friends and finds from my travels. The patterned paper was sent by my friend, Doris (Thanks, Doris). The crocheted flower was a gift form Lisa (Thanks, my dear friend). The smaller pearls were from my mom (I can't thank you enough, Mom). I found the pearls in Israel last year, the button I bought here in Croatia, and the lace is from my home country, the Philippines.
On another note, have you read Gina's blog today? She just announced her newest illustrator. It's the lovely Tami Mayberry of the CPS sketch blog fame. I can't tell you how honored I am to be designing alongside her. And she's starting with a bang with her first release next week. You can see a snippet at Gina's blog.
...I'm now a Sr. DT for GinaK Designs! Woohoo! I'm super excited and intimidated as well. :-) Gina has very talented designers in her team. Oh, but they are all so very sweet and I've been blessed to get to know them these last few months. Now, I can't wait to get started and show you some projects.
Have you seen the snippets that Gina's showing on her blog? Can you guess which one is my new release this month? GinaK Designs is going to have a fabulous release in just a week. And tomorrow, Gina is introducing her new illustrator. It's somebody many of us already know and love. Stay tuned :-)
This is another one for Cath's fun Around the House challenge to use household items as the focal point on your project. You can find more details on the Moxie Fab Blog.
I am hosting the StampTV's color challenge this week. I mentioned before how much I am loving the Soft Sand/Kraft CS at the moment. And red is my all-time favorite color, so here is the color combo I picked:
I printed Emily's Rich & Shabby digipapers on Kraft CS, distressed the edges and stitched it onto Chocolate Kiss. The clock is from my first GKD set, Special Fathers, and colored with Copics (E53, E57). I sponged a little bit of cream pigment ink on the clock to give it more depth. I just love that sentiment. Isn't that what card-giving is all about - to celebrate the recipient of your labor of love? :-)
A quick card that I made today after church. This follows the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge to use the colors of fall. Their verse this week is: Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (NIV) I love this verse. Be watching for it to show in one of my stamp designs someday ;-). The whole book of Ecclesiastes is a good life lesson for us all. In summary, the book teaches us that in this life where there are many unanswered questions and it sometimes leaves us unsatisfied, we can always trust the sovereign, good, and righteous God. In light of this, I chose the verse on my card, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord."
This also follows the 2 Sketches for You sketch, and A Passion For Papertrey to use your favorite color. I love using Kraft/Sand cardstock right now, and fall is my favorite season.
I have three multi-challenge projects to show you today. I put in bold large letters the challenge names for each card, so you can see them easily and check them out.
Stamps: Many Wishes (GKD), Scripture (Clear Dollar Stamps) Ink: Summer Sun, Old Olive Papers: Really Rust, Old Olive, Wild Saffron from K&Co. Others: button by PTI, ribbon from stash, Nesties
Project #2 uses the CardPatterns sketch for this week. I'm sponsoring it this week, so make sure you come and join us. This also follows the StampTV Potluck Friday and Pile It On challenges. The papers are Emily's beautiful Rich and Shabby digipaper pack that I printed on pink cardstock. The paper on the left was printed as black and white, while the other was printed as a washout. These are options on your Word document.
Project #3 is actually not a card, but an Altered Notebook. This follows the StampTV Sept 3D challenge amd the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday's Mix it Up challenge to use " stamps, dp, textures, or a combination of all three to mix different patterns". I used 2 different patterned papers.
Stamps: Take Flight, (GKD), verse (Unity) Paper: PL Ivory, My Mind's Eye PP Ink: Memento Tux Blk, Copic markers Others: ribbon by PTI, Martha stewart punch, pearls, Labels 4 Nesties
If you're looking for the Elegant Verses Blog Hop winner, look HERE. Unity friends, continue on... :-)
I can't believe it's Friday again, which means...it's Friends with Flair Friday at Unity. Make sure you check out Angela's blog for the list of participants. And Unity has so many new fun things coming up. I can't wait to see all that these fun peeps are up to. :-)
Here are my projects for this week. This one is a mini-card. It measures 2.75" x 4.25 (quarter of a page folded in half). I add these mini cards to plain gift bags just hanging on the side, without an envelope, as part of the decoration.
This next one follows a Clean and Simple style, using two stamps from the Sept 08 KOTM, Friendship, Love, Miracles. I just love that saying and that row of houses is so cute.
Paper: GinaK Soft Sand and Green Apple Ink: Copics, Memento Tux Blk Other: button by PTI, twine, sewing machine
Finally, I made a tag. I had planned to make a bookmark for myself, but I just had to pop one of these adorable butterflies from the Bevy of Butterflies set and add the bling :-). Oh, and that Bible verse from the Something Within set is one of my favorites to use on cards.
Paper: GKD Green Apple Ink: Old Olive, Pink Passion Others: Spellbinders Labels 4 die, ribbon by PTI
Please email me your mailing address, Jenny, and I will have the stamps set out to you. Thanks to all who participated. It was such a fun hop.
Join the fabulous GinaK Designs DT starting tonight (10pm, CST) for another blog hop featuring Asela's Fruitful Harvest set. And Melanie had one with her fun School, Sports, Spirithop on Wednesday. You need to check out all the beautiful projects everybody created. You can begin with Melanie's post HERE. Now, go hoppin'! :-)
Welcome to my very first tutorial. I call it the 15-minute box because that's about how long it takes to make. I made this for the Elegant Post blog hop awhile back and I finally found my way to writing my first tutorial.
strong adhesive (Scor tape is the best, unfortunately I didn't have it when I made the tutorial, where I used plain glue)
decorative punches or scissors (optional)
24" ribbon
Take a letter size cardstock paper and cut 2.5 inches lengthwise. Score at 4.5" and then at 6.5" marks as shown below.
While still flat, cut the clear box in half, then assemble.
This step is optional, but it adds a nice touch to the box. Using a border punch or decorative scissors, decorate and cut 2 strips of cardstock and attach on each side of the box body.
Align and adhere the clear boxes, one each side as shown below.
And here's the box upright, ready to be decorated. I attach the ribbon on the back with a couple of Glue Dots to keep it in place.
And here's the finished project. I can fit 10 embellished cards (they're not flat) comfortably in this box with envelopes. You can see the individual cards in this box HERE.
I've made several boxes this summer. It's just an easy, elegant way to box a set of handmade cards. Here are some samples I made. Click on the picture for a closer view.
