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Friday, December 16, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #100 - The Final Challenge!

Yes folks, you did read correctly - this is the final Inkspirations Challenge!  After wowing us with her beautiful creations & running an amazing challenge site over recent years, Makeesha has decided it's time to move on to different things her in life. 

I feel so privileged to have been part of the Inkspirations Team over the past 15 months & would like to take this opportunity to say a big "THANK YOU" - first & foremost to Keesh (you are one amazing lady!), to Renee (our techno guru), all the Design Team Members (both past & present), all the Guest Designers, all the Challenge players & all the lovely people who have taken the time to leave comments.  You are an awesome group of crafters!  :)

So to end it all, we have a Christmas Challenge for you & here is my project:-


One of my lovely crafting buddies (Hi Kim!) had asked if I could design a Santa with a sweet treat cup belly & this is what I came up with.  (If you would like to try one for yourself, I have listed the tools used at the end of the post.)


I decided to create a little scene for him & made a tree & presents, all presented on an easel base with a slider behind Santa to get the M&Ms out. Here are another couple of views:-



We would love it if you could join us in this final Inkspirations Challenge & share a Christmas project with us. My fabulous team members have got some wonderful inspiration pieces for you to enjoy, so please visit & leave them some love:-
The Challenge Site

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Treat Cup Santa:
Body = 1.3/4" Circle Punch
Head = 1" Circle Punch
Beard = Cupcake Punch (frosting)
Nose = Owl Punch (medium circle)
Hat = Pennant Builder Punch
Pompom = Itty Bitty Flower Punch
Belt = Word Window Punch
Buckle = Owl Punch (smallest & largest circle)
Arms = Word Window Punch
Legs = Modern Label Punch
Hands = Boho Blossom Punch (smallest flower)
Boots = Scallop Square Punch
Fur Trim = Deckle Edge Scissors

Tree:
Greenery = Petal Cone Die & Tasteful Trim Die
Trunk = Modern Label Punch

Card Components:
All SU except for JAC paper & deckle edge scissors (used on fur trim) & the M&Ms, lol.  :)

Friday, December 9, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #99 - Sparkling Snowflake

Hi all, how are your festive preparations coming along?  Christmas will be here before we know it!  :)

This week Keesh & the Inkspirations Team have another great sketch for you to try out:-


Here is what I have done with it:-


I love the combination of pale blue & white for Christmas cards - it's so serene.  Here I've teamed some texture different textures with the embossing, vellum & dazzling diamond encrusted die-cut.  I've added some interest to the sentiment panel by matting & raising it on dimensionals.

If you would like to play along in the Challenge with us, or see what the rest of the Team have created with this great sketch, here are the links:-
The Challenge Site

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Card Components:  
Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Shimmery White, Vellum
Stamps:  Four the Holidays
Ink:  Bashful Blue
Other:  Finial Press Embossing Folder, Petal Cone Die, 1.1/4" Square Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewel, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals
Non SU:  MFT Snowflake Die, JAC Paper

Friday, December 2, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #98 - Masked Frame

Well another week has flown by & the countdown to Christmas is really on!

This week's challenge at Inkspirations has some pretty colours for you to play with:-


 I was inspired by the lovely, & very talented, Andrea over at Enchantink to create this card:-

Click on the phototo see it larger.

This is a really simple but effective technique where you mask the centre of the panel & build up layers of stamping around the perimeter of the mask.  Once you remove the mask you have a nice crisp frame for your sentiment.  I've utilised first, second & even third generation stamping, to get some graduation in the challenge colours.  I've added a die-cut daisy & ribbon to finish it off.

If you would like to play along in the Challenge with us, or just check out the awesome inspiration from the rest of the Inkspirations Team, check out these links:-
The Challenge Site



Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Card Components:  
Cardstock:  Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments & Well Scripted (retired), Autumn Days
Inks:  So Saffron, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Other:  Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Subtle Button, White Baker's Twine
Non SU:  Corner Rounder Punch, Sizzix Daisy Die

Friday, November 25, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #97 - School's Out.......FOREVER!

Welcome to another Inkspirations Challenge.  This week Keesh has another fab sketch for you to try & the possibilities with this one are endless:-


As for my blog title, last night our DD had her Year 12 Graduation, so it's the end of an era for our family - no more secondary school!

Here's the card I made her, using a cute digi image by Dustin Pike, which I thought summed things up pretty well:-

Simply click on the picture to see it larger.  :)

The Inkspirations Team would love for you to be able to join us in the challenge this week & have provided you with lots of wonderful inspiration pieces.  You can check things out here:-
The Challenge Site

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Card Components:  (SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Retired
Inks:  Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Stamps:  Party Time
Other:  Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals
Non SU:  Digi image by Dustin Pike, Prismacolor Pencils & Gamsol, CM Oval Patterns, ? Embossing Folder, Kaiser Teal Pearls, Glaze Pen

Friday, November 18, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #96 - Thinking of You ....


Hi all, this is my card for this week's Inkspirations Challenge, using these colours:-


I recently made a card similar to this & liked it so much I thought I would make a version in the challenge colours.  I just love the armchair, which has been given some texture by kissing the chair stamp with the Texture wheel.  Then the chair has been fussy cut & popped up on dimensionals. 


The border print has been created by combining the Parlor Prints background stamp with the Texture wheel - makes for a fabulous pattern.  The floor was created by masking, stamping & sponging.


As usual, the Design Team have a great mix of inspirational pieces for you to enjoy, so check them out at the links below:-
The Challenge Site


Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Card Components:  (SU except as noted)
Cardstock:  Real Red, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla 
Inks:  Real Read, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
Stamps:  Little Additions, Parlor Prints BG, Woodgrain BG, Texture Wheel, Greeting from PTI
Other:  Scallop Oval Punch, Square Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Friday, November 11, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #95 - A Little Bit Layered!

Happy Friday!  This week at the Inkspirations challenge, Keesh has a great sketch for you to try:-


Now there are lots of layers here (which was a little scary at first) but I have embraced the challenge & added some fine black mats to incorporate more layers!  I have even used a bold print & a kinda loud red, black & white palette:-


Hope you can join us & play along in the Challenge this week.  The DT have lots of fabulous creations to inspire you, so pop on by:-
The Challenge Site

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

For anyone who has been waiting on the 3D sunflower tute, you can now find it here & the 3D poppy tute is here.  Enjoy!

Card Components:
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red
DSP:  Retired
Inks:  Basic Black, Real Red
Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes
Other: Black Brads, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

3D Sunflower Tutorial

Hithere, recently a posted this card featuring a little sunflower I made using what I term "the mist & scrunch technique".  I've made some more sunflowers now & have put together a tute for you on how I created them.

Here's my newest crop of sunflowers:-


They really are quite quick & easy to make.  Here's what you need:-

  • 5 Petal Flower Punch
  • Yellow Cardstock (I used Daffodil Delight)
  • Lattice Embossing Folder
  • 1/2" Circle Punch
  • Brown Cardstock (I used Early Espresso)
  • 1 x Dimensional
  • 1 x Brad (any colour)
  • Piercing Tool & Mat
  • Post It Notes
  • Misting Bottle of Alcohol
  • Paper Towel
  • Hair Dryer with Cool Setting (optional)

Punch four of the 5 Petal Flowers in yellow.  Stick one flower to the tacky edge of the Post It Note & using this as a "handle", slide it back into your upturned punch, offsetting the petals & punch:-


Your flowers will now look like this:-


Repeat for all four flowers & then pierce a hole in the centre of each one:-


Layer all four flowers together, staggering the points of the petals & secure with the brad.  Then mist & scrunch the petals of each layer up around the brad, misting both sides of each flower as you go, to make them easier to scrunch.  Once all the layers have been scrunched, gently uncurl one layer at a time.  This is how this process looks, step by step:-


Set your flower aside to dry or give it a blast with a "no heat" hair dryer.

Emboss your piece of brown cardstock with the lattice embossing folder:-


Punch out some flower centres from this piece, using the 1/2" circle punch.  You will be using the "cross" side facing up.  Try & centre a full cross right in the middle of your circle:-


Turn the centre over, so the "waffle" side is up & sit it on a wad of paper towel.  Give it a mist with alcohol & use either your finger tip or a rounded end pen to indent your circle & make the surface curved:-


Once the centre is dry, attach it to your flower using a trimmed down dimensional:-


Now it's ready to add to your project!

Here's mine again:-


If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Also, if you post any projects using these flowers, could you please include a link back to my tute.  Thank you.  :)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Inkspirations Challenge #94 - Socks on the Line

Hope everyone has had a great week & is ready for another Inkspirations Challenge.  This week we have these fun colours to play with:-


When I first saw the new stitched stocking set, my initial thought was of socks on the washing line, so that's what I've done:-


To get the pair of socks I stamped them on white tissue paper.  I glued one sock to a piece of white cardstock & then, when it was dry, punched it out.  With the other sock, I punched the tissue with a piece of white cardstock at the same time, so the tissue didn't get caught in the punch.  Then I flipped it over so it faced in the opposite direction to the first sock & then glued it to the white cardstock sock.

The socks have been popped up on dimensionals & "pegged" to the baker's twine line with heart "pegs" from the owl punch.


I wish I had a sentiment that said something like "a perfect pair", but sadly I don't, so I inked up portions of the Short & Sweet sentiments & made my own equation.


Hope my wonderful hubby likes it - our anniversary is coming up soon.

The rest of the Team have some fantastic projects to share with you & we would love it if you could join us in the Challenge.  Here are the links:-

The Challenge Site


Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée


Brandi
Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

Card Components:
Cardstock:  Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Inks:  Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Short & Sweet
Other:  Silver Brads, Stocking Builder Punch, Owl Punch, Dimensionals
Non SU:  Baker's Twine

BTW, there were no paper flowers in sight in this post, but I just had to share this one:-


This was made by my DS (a 20yo engineering student) who usually gives me a hard time over my papercrafting, with comments such as "are you doing paper again Mum?"

He pestered me to help him make a card for his girlfriend's birthday.  He wanted a flower, so I explained to him how to make a slider card & he made this (all by himself).  He was pretty chuffed with how it turned out & I was pretty chuffed that he wanted to make it.  Young love!  Happy Birthday Cassy!  :)

Monday, October 31, 2011

3D Poppy Tutorial

Recently I designed a paper poppy (you can see samples here & here) & received some lovely comments, as well as requests on how I created it.  So here is a tutorial on how to put it together.

Grab yourself a cuppa, this is a BIG post.  :)

Here are the supplies you need to make the poppy (you can click on any of the photos for a larger view.):-


  • Scraps of cardstock in Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black & a third colour for the stamens (I'm using Basic Gray)
  • Alcohol misting spray
  • Paper towel
  • Dark colour inkpad & sponge (I'm using Basic Gray on this sample)
  • 1" Circle Punch (optional)
  • Boho Blossoms Punch
  • Ornament Punch
  • Owl Punch
  • Piercing Tool & Mat
  • Brad (any colour as it won't be seen)
  • 1 Dimensional
  • Scissors
  • Post It Notes
  • Marker (any colour - it's being used with the lid on for shaping)
  • Gloves (the most important thing & I forgot to put them in the photo!  Doh!!!)
  • Hairdryer for drying (if you can use it on a "no heat" setting)

Firstly, put on your gloves.  I've found the dye in Cherry Cobbler cardstock runs a bit once it's wet & you don't want to end up with stained fingers.  :(

Punch 4 ornaments in Cherry Cobbler, then use a 1" circle punchie as a guide to round off the point of each ornament.  Trim the hanger section of each ornament to create a "tab" as shown in the photo.


(Oops, forgot to trim the point off that last one before I snapped the photo!)

Sponge each petal with Basic Grey in an arc shape, starting from the tab at the base of the petal, with the greatest concentration of colour through the middle section of each petal.  Use your piercing tool to poke a hole through the centre of each tab.


Thread each petal onto your brad, making two pairs of petals.  Mist your flower with alcohol.


To make the lengthways creases in the petals, first fold each individual petal in an accordian style across the petal, then gently scrunch it with you fingers & curl the petal towards the centre of the flower.


Very carefully, unfurl your petals & lightly mould them into shape.  At this point I use a hairdryer to remove the moisture.  Either cup your hand to hold the flower while you dry it or pinch it between your thumb & fingers.


If you don't have a dryer, set it aside on some paper towel to dry naturally.


To make the stamen, punch the 12 point (largest) flower from the Boho Blossoms punch in Basic Grey.  Attach your punchie to the sticky corner of a post it note & place it back in your punch.  Offset the petals by lining up the centres of the paper petals with the dips between the petals on the punch. 


 Punch to create a 24 point flower.


Pierce a hole in the centre of your multi-pointed flower, leaving it on the piercing tool.  Mist with alcohol.


Scrunch the flower over the tool & then remove.  At this point you can even roll it into a ball, then gently unfurl the flower.  Sit the flower on your paper towel &, using the a marker with the cap on (or the other end of your piercing tool), put some pressure on the centre of the flower & curl up the edges around your marker. 


Leave to dry.


Remove the brad from your petals.


Place the dry multi-pointed flower on the brad & then reassemble the petals in pairs.  Close the brad.


If you look at the edges of your multi-pointed flower (stamen) you may see that the cardstock layers have separated.  Using the point of your piercing tool, gently coax the layers of cardstock apart to give you a lovely fuzzy stamen effect.


(Just thought I'd add a little note here - I chose to make the petals & the stamen sections of the poppy in seperate steps to avoid staining the stamen with Cherry Cobbler dye caused by the misting & scrunching.  If you were using black cardstock for both your stamen & centre, you could assemble the petals & multipoint flower (stamen) together, thereby missing a step or two.)

Punch one of the largest circles from the owl punch.  Place on a soft surface (eg., a wad of paper towel), mist with alcohol & then rub your fingernail in a circular motion in the centre of the circle to make a "dished" shape.


When the circle is dry attach it to the centre of your poppy, using a trimmed down dimensional.

Voila!


Here are all three poppies together:-


Hope you enjoyed this tute.  Drop me a line if you have any queries.  :)

I'll be back later in the week with the sunflower tute.

BTW, when I first started thinking about making a poppy, I discovered some interesting facts:-

  • Poppies come in orange, pink, yellow, blue, purple & white, not just the well known red.
  • Poppies have 4 to 6 petals.
  • Some poppies have blue pollen (hence the Not Quite Navy stamen on my first poppy).
Bye  :)