Thursday, September 30, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 51


Altered Coasters

This is Paola's last week as our hostess, and she asked for altered projects. I really had to rack my brain for this one! I couldn't get to town to buy anything to use, and then I remembered I had bought some square coasters quite some time ago...all I had to do was remember where I'd put them! After tearing things apart, I found them in a drawer right next to my work desk!



This is a little accordion photo album. I thought it would be fun for our granddaughter to use to put small school pictures in. There are eight pages for photos inside.


( I apologize.... these photos aren't the best quality. It's just been too gloomy here  recently to take photographs in natural light.)

The album  was made by cutting out ovals in two 4" square coasters, one for the front and one for the back. I covered both with the patterned paper, first marking the oval openings and snipping the insides, then gluing it to the coasters and folding and gluing the tabs to the inside. Next I glued the colored images in each of the openings. My next step was to adhere a length of grosgrain ribbon to the back of the front coaster, making sure to leave the left hand tail longer than the right, and then glue another uncut coaster to cover all the 'ugly'!. I did the same to the back, but no ribbon this time.
I cut two pieces of craft card stock 11 1/2" x  3 3/4". These were scored every 3 3/4", folded, and the two middle panels were over-lapped and glued together. The end panels were then glued to the inside of both the front and back covers. I stamped a few swirls and appropriate words on each inside page. 
The front and back were decorated, and it was done!
This could be done using any theme. Wouldn't it make a great grandma brag book, or a small remembrance for a special occasion?!
Don't be afraid to ask any questions if I haven't made these directions clear enough!

Images: Trinity and Harvard from Mo's Digital Pencil

 Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Chipboard coasters, Glue Dots, Tacky Tape

Papers:  SU! Only Orange, Neena smooth white, Unknown plaid DP

Embellishments: Pearl cabochons, Copper metallic cord, Grosgrain ribbon, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts


Enter your creation in Mo's Challenge for a chance to win one of Mo's  fantastic images!
I'm anxious to see what you all come up with!
So glad you stopped in!
Elaine

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Mo's Challenge #50



Bling's the Thing!

The challenge Paola has for us this week is to use anything that sparkles and shines! This is a stretch for me as I'm not one that goes for glitz and glitter. I don't even wear a wedding band! 
 It's just so messy, too! By the time I'm done, I sparkle more than the card!



I need more Christmas cards, so I used Mo's "Sika & Shiya" image and some non-traditional colors taken from the Basic Grey paper. I used some of the snowflakes that were punched out of the border design as decoration. The image was cut out using my favorite 'Out-of-the-Box' technique and raised up with mounting tape. I applied a bit of glitter along the label edges.
I've had this image for over a year, and I think this may be the first time I've used it! I think I'll make another card but do it in the usual reds and greens for a completely different look. 

Images: "Sika & Shiya" from Mo's Digital Pencil, SU! Sentiment (a very old set called "Great Greetings")

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, White gel pen, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Snowflake set, Cuttlebug with Nestie label, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, VersaMark ink, Silver EP, Heat gun

Paper: SU! Rose Red, Cool Caribbean, Neena smooth white, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses DP

Embellishments: Glitter, Silver ribbon, Tiny rhinestones, Rhinestone brad

So get out your glitziest stash and join us in Mo's Challenge this week for a chance to win a wonderful image from Mo! We're waiting!

Elaine

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sympathy Cards


Lovely Scenery


Unfortunately, it's a fact of life that we all have the need for sympathy cards on occasion. They are my least favorite cards to make, but I've found some pretty scenic images that I've really enjoyed coloring, and they make wonderful cards for expressing condolences.



This first card uses a beautiful free image from Digital Two for Tuesday. They have a lovely image of an old mill with a waterwheel as well.  I really love this homey scene! It's very versatile and could be used for other happier occasions, too. It would be perfect for Mother's Day, birthdays or for someone moving into a new home, to name a few.

Images: Scene from  Digital Two for Tuesday, Sentiment from Paper Garden Projects

Paper: SU! Blush Blossom , Sage Shadow,  Dusty Durango, Wlid Wasabi, Neena smooth white

 Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencil, Martha Stewart border punch, Creative Menories oval-cutting system, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Glue Dots

Embellishments: Prima Rose, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, Pearl  cabochons, Heart charm, Narrow satin ribbon
 



This pretty bridge scene is from Imag-e-nation. They have a few more scenic digital images that are equally as nice.
This card is going to a family friend who lost his father very recently.

Images: Scene from Imag-e-nation, SU! Canvas BG stamo, Sentiment from Paper Garden Project

Tools: Copics, White gel pen, Prismacolor pencil, Cuttlebug with Spellbinder Large Label die and Quikcutz Swirl die, Mounting tape

Paper: SU! Going Gray and Buckaroo Blue card stock, Neena smooth white, Metallic gold CS

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Pearl cabochons

I hope you don't have any sad occassions to use these images, but they would certainly do for happier times, too.

Thanks for dropping by!
Elaine

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mo's Challenge #49


Bright White

Paola's challenge for us this week is a bright white card with a colored image. I chose to use "Clara", Mo's image of the little girl from the Nutcracker ballet. I think it will make a lovely Christmas card.
 


Images: "Clara" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from SU! Warm Words set

Papers: PTI and Neena white, Gold metalic

Tools: Cuttlebug with embossing folders and Nestie Snowflakes die, Martha Stewart Snowflake and Snowflake Border punches, SU! small oval punch, Mounting tape, Glue Dots, VersaMark ink, Gold embosssing powder

Embellishments: Lace from Wild Orchid Crafts, Satin Ribbon, Tiny pearl cabochons, Satin ribbon


Now it's your turn! Show us your white card or project and enter Mo's Challenge for a chance to win a great image from Mo!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Guys and Dolls

First...for the Guys!



This image is from the site Leaves of Time, a place to get some really beautiful images for your personal use. This is for the father of a friend for his 90th birthday. I've combined two images for this scene...the lighthouse in the background and the row boat in the foreground.The word, "memories" was cut out with my Slice and the Vintage Findings design card.
Inside: "With best wishes on your ninety years of wonderful memories."

Images: Light House and Boat from Gathering Leaves, SU! Canvas BG stamp and  Short & Sweet sentiment.

Papers: SU! Basic Black, Buckaroo Blue, and Wild Wasabi, Bazzill off-white textured, Neena Smooth white, Basic Grey DP

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, White gel pen, Creative Memories circle-cutting system, Slice with Vintage Findings design card, Mounting tape.

Embellishments: Twill tape, SU! Vanilla Hardware


Now for the Dolls!




This image was free from Digital Two for Tuesday. I just love the vintage look of it and her sweet face. 
The inside says, " ...even if just for a day! Happy Birthday!"

Image: Digital Two for Tuesday, Computer-generated sentiment.

Papers: SU! Real Red, Neena and GP white.

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebug with embossing folder, Martha Stewart heart border punch, Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Mounting tape.

Embellishments: Satin ribbon, Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Pearl cabochons.




This is another free image. This time from Anne Bodil. She has several versions of this little girl, all of them just as cute as this little sweetie!
This is for one of our SIL's in California who's recovering from surgery.  
The inside says, " Sending you a bunch of get well wishes!"

Images: Little girl from Anne Bodil, PrintWorks sentiment.

Papers: K & Company DP, SU! Real Red and Barely Banana card stock, Neena smooth white.

Tools: Copics, White gel pen, Cuttlebug with Nesties, Martha Stewart Doily border and Hydrangea punches, Double slot ribbon punch, Nellie Snellen embossing flower punch set, Glue Dots.

Embellishments: Satin ribbon, Pearl cabochons, Silk ribbon leaves, Mini brads

Thanks for stopping by...I always love the company!
Elaine

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 48



Fancy Folds & Flowers

Paola has asked that we make cards using unusual folds for Mo's Challenge this week. I tend to stick with the regular A7 card that either folds at the top or the side, so I was excited to have a reason to try something new!

I've had the instructions for this style of stand alone card for over a year, but the tutorial is for a card that will fit an A2  envelope. I don't make small cards any longer, so I had to adapt the instructions to make my 5" x 7" example.


The base was done in two pieces, a left and a right side, each cut 7" x 12"  from 12" x 12" card stock. Each piece was scored at 2 1/2" and 5". I then made a pencil mark on the edge at 3" from the bottom of the 2 1/2" score and cut off a triangle from that mark to the top of the 5"score on each piece.

 The large 5" x 7" rectangles were overlapped and adhered together, and that finished the base.

I hope these directions make sense. I'm hoping that the pictures will give you a better idea of the procedure.

Here's a picture of the back side. I'll be adhering paper with a printed greeting on the large middle panel.




Here's a view from the side.



Images: "Nelly" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Sentiment from TLC.

Papers: Bazzill Textured Amethyst, SU! Orchid Opulence and Mauve Mist CS and Kaleidoscope (orange stripe) DP (all retired), Neena Smooth white, Basic Grey DP.
 
Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Crimper, ScorPal, Glue Dots, Tacky Tape

Embellishments: Flowers and leaves from Wild Orchid Crafts

So try a new and different fold and enter it in Mo's Challenge this week for a chance to win a sweet image from Mo! Check out all the fabulous inspiration from the rest of the design team, too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Elaine

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Mo's Challenge # 47


Browns and Cream 

           

Paola is our hostess for the month of September, and she's asked us to use shades of brown on our projects this week. I'm not all that fond of browns, so this was a difficult challenge for me! I love bright colors and really had to fight the urge to use other colors along with the shades of brown. With that said, this is my DT card for this week. I was a good girl and did as I was told. LOL!
I used Mo's image, "Missed You". I just love the look on the mama bear's face.....I think any mother can relate to what she's feeling!
This time, for a change, I colored the main image entirely with Prismacolor pencils. The Stamped mushrooms are colored with Copics, though.
Inside it says," Sending you hugs on your birthday!"

Images: "Missed You" from Mo's Digital Pencil, Mushrooms from Magnolia, Computer-generated sentiment.

Tools: Prismacolor pencils, Copics, Martha Stewart Branch border punch, SU! slot punch, Mounting tape
  
Papers: Bazzill Dark brown textured paper, SU! Creamy Caramel, Digital paw print DP, PTI White

Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Heart Charm

Hop on over to Mo's Challenge Blog and check out the other DT members' cards, then enter a card or project for a chance to win one og Mo's wonderful images.!


Waitin' on the Dock!



This is a merge of two of Mo's images: the little sister from Bethy's Wagon set and the barrels from her Pirate Accessories set. I took some artistic license and 'erased' the X's on the big barrel. I didn't want it to look as if she were sitting on a barrel of rum!

Images: Barrel and little sister from Mo's Digital Pencil

Tools: Copics, White gel pen, Cuttlebug with embossing folder and Nesties, Circle punch (for roses), Nellie Snellen embossing leaf punch set, Flower Soft, Glue Dots, Mounting tape

Papers: SU! Dusty Durango, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Going Gray, Always Artichoke, PTI white, Basic Grey DP

Embellishments: Grosgrain ribbon, Hand-made roses and daisies