Mosaic Cards/OWH Second Million Challenge

I'm busily working on getting my cards packed up to mail off to Dixie, my shipper before the deadline of June 30.  However, I keep coming up with "one more card" I want to make - does that happen to anyone else?
My good friend, Cheryl, owner of Inspired Designs, my LSS had a class on Thursday morning to make mosaic cards.  I came in at the end, loved what I saw and decided to try it.
I first made a mother board for the background, I used Stampin Up glossy cardstock and Adirondack Earthtone Inks by Ranger.  I sponged on 4 different colors trying to blend them together.  I learned I tend to make my color splotches a little too large as you can see in the large Stream colored area.  Still and all, didn't ruin the finished project.

I stamped my card focals in the corner of my paper and then used HOTP swirl stamps on the rest of the page using Versamark and black Zing embossing powder for all the images.  I cut out the focals and then cut up the remainder of the paper any which way.  I then tried the next step 2 ways: for one card I used a sheet of Humongo sticky paper and the other I used 1 1/2" Scor Tape.  I found no difference in the finished product and by my figuring the Scor Tape is less expensive to use.  I cut one of the focals into 3 pieces and reassembled on the sticky tape.  I then added the cut up pieces to the rest of the sticky paper leaving space between pieces for the "grout".  One thing is to be careful not to handle the stickiness if at all possible to make sure you get good adhesion.  I sprinkled Neon Purple Zing Embossing Powder over the whole design and made sure (as much as possible) there was no powder on my mosaic pieces.  Hit it with the heat gun and presto! - a beautiful card topper.

I left the flower whole on the second card and popped a smaller one on top for dimension.  I finished off both cards with white grosgrain ribbon and a sentiment stamp (both HOTP).  As I've mentioned before, my photography leaves much to be desired - the embossing and, really, the whole card is vibrantly colored.

Both are going in my OWH box which will, probably (LOL) get mailed on Monday.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend and taking time to be creative!

PaperCutz Challenge #97 and BLOG HOP alert!

Happy Friday everyone!  It is raining again here in Maine and yesterday was a balmy 63 degrees.  Definitely not our average summer.  However, this week's PaperCutz Challenge should make things a little brighter.  The challenge is to make a project using pink, orange, white and a little black.  Interesting combination isn't it?  I took some liberties with "a little black" to make this card:

My photography, as always, doesn't do justice to the vibrancy of the colors.  The pink and orange in the focal are microbeads which I coated with glossy accents so they wouldn't rub off.  It changed their look a bit, but since this card is destined for Operation Write Home, I figured it needed it.  I love these papers from My Mind's Eye; part of the "Dusk" portion of the Meadow Lark by Carina Gardner.  They are available here (don't let her blog throw you off - she is open for business and you can contact her through the blog).

I have a confession, I have a lot of difficulty cutting into paper I love - cause then it is gone and I can't look at it any more.  I'm a clinical social worker, so I officially know this is a problem!  LOL  So, to save myself the angst the paper I actually used came from the cover piece to the paper pack.  This is what I'm talking about:

Problem solved:  beautiful card and intact paper - brilliant!  You definitely need to look into this line, the tag sheet shown at top is just wonderful for scrapping or card making.  I'm trying to look at all of my stash differently and use what I have, including packaging which sometimes is as beautiful as the product.  

BLOG HOP ALERT!!!!

Next week, PaperCutz Challenge is having our first ever blog hop.  We are very excited to be doing this and hoping everyone will stop by each of the design team's blogs and leave some love.  The PCC site will be offering blog candy and I am looking to create a package of blog candy here - perhaps if I can make it to 50 followers during the hop.

As always, have a great week and please leave a comment, I love to read them and will come visit your blog as well.

Father's Day and PaperCutz Challenge 96

Happy Friday everyone!  Last week I thought I'd be able to make a post each day showing masculine and/or Father's Day cards.  However, real life was secretly laughing at me.  So, I have several cards to show you today.  These are cards I designed and taught at my local LSS.  This was the first class that was all me so to speak and it was a lot of fun.  I forgot one step in one card, but hey, its paper.  First is the card for PaperCutz Challenge #96. 

The challenge is a Father's Day card using a tag and any colors.  I made this pocket card.  It is a standard A2 card.  The pocket stamp is from Heartfelt Creations, the 2 sentiments are HOTP and the dad comes from a $1 stamp from Michaels.  I used textured white paper and denim Adirondack ink to make the jeans material.  All embossing used pewter Zing embossing powder.  I couldn't find any pewter brads so the rivets in the pocket are copper Stickles.  Quick, easy and fun.  The pocket can also hold a gift card.  If you are a sewer, you could probably make this card out of a real pair of jeans!

The next card is a regular pyramid card with a masculine focal.  I really enjoy using these LaPashe focals.They don't need to be cut out and they have many different varieties.  They can be purchased here.  

 


These are easily made for any masculine card needs.  You can just change the greeting inside.







The last group of cards were done using stencils for theorem painting.  All 3 come from Jean Hansen Publications.  Generally, these stencils are used with paint sticks, but I used Adirondack and Distress inks. The wolf and moose are pullout cards, using the tab to "open" the card for the greeting.  This is very simple to do; using an A2 card place it with the fold on the bottom cut a second piece of cardstock slightly smaller, decorate both as desired and put the smaller panel inside the card (this piece must be inserted upside down or the greeting will be upside down) aligning with the bottom and right corners and use a brad to put them together.  I made small pull tabs from circles to make it easier to open the card.

This is an interesting twist on a traditional card.  The stencils are very easy to use and produce "wow" effects.  After a little practice (not shown LOL), I can do one of these stencils in about 10 minutes using inks.

The bear was finished the same way.  Only this card is a traditional 5x7.  I used wood that is sold in sheets for papercrafting.  I'm hooked on using this, it makes a wonderful look with various shading, but can also be altered.





That's it for this week.  With 5 boys, a husband and 2 grandsons I need to have many different options for masculine cards.  I hope these ideas help you as well.

Have a great weekend and Happy Father's Day!

Please, leave comments - I'd love to hear from you.

PaperCutz Challenge #95

Happy Friday everyone!  Here in Maine we finally have sunshine and close to 90 degree weather.  Summer finally decided to arrive.

This week at PaperCutz Challenge we're having an anything goes with a twist week.  Make any project you would like using pink, white and black only.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team made, they are gorgeous.  I decided it was finally time to use my pink and black flocked paper - I've had it forever but couldn't make myself cut into it.

The entire card is made from HOTP supplies and I used 3 of their "specialty papers" - flocked, glimmer and "shine design" which is a glossy paper.  I used the Scandinavian Heart template for the focal and a punch for the flowers - you simply fold them and add a brad!  I really like HOTP templates, I use them over and over again which makes them a great value for my scrapping dollars.  I offset the heart with a white one I had glittered up (can't tell in the picture).  This card is destined for my Operation Write Home box, so I am going to have to swap out the glitter backing for plain white.

As always, I hope you play along with us and have a great week!  I am teaching a Father's Day card class at my LSS and am hoping to post one of the cards each day next week.  Please stop by!

PaperCutz Challenge #94

It's Friday again and I am off to camp for the weekend.  Not my favorite place but my husband LOVES it and I love him...you know how it goes.

This week the PaperCutz Challenge is to make a project with a beach or travel theme using any colors you  would like.  I chose to use this wonderful stamp - she certainly has character to make a card for Operation Write Home.  At the moment I can't remember which company the stamp is from, but if anyone is interested, I'll dig it out when I get home.  I colored her with Copics (I'm getting better, but still learning) and papers are from DCWV, finally, the flip-flops are from Joanne's (bought years ago when I made calendars for sisters-in-law).

 Be sure to check out the other design team  member's projects - they are terrific and full of inspiration!

l also wanted to share another card using my Heartfelt Creations stamp.  The flower center is Prima and the wonderful border is Spellbinder's.  The papers and greeting are HOTP.  Hard to see in the photo but the inside bottom is lined with shiny silver paper to match the silver tinsel EP from Stampendous.





I'm really working at using what I have, especially when it comes to paper!  It is hard though - there is always something I "have to have" because it is "ooh, so pretty".  Problem is I already have enough paper to last the rest of my life (and I'm not really that old :).  I've made an exception though for the Heartfelt Creations stamps and dies.  But that's it...I'll keep you posted.

Have a great weekend, spend some time being creative - it is the most relaxing thing I know!