Memory Book finished

At last I have finished my memory book and I love it.
I've made a few ricks along the way but nothing that's made me want to rip it up. And of course, I'll know better in future.

And to finish it off I made a box to put it in.
The dimensions were such that just one sheet of card was not big enough, not even A3 and even making in two parts wasn't big enough.

So the box base and lid of course was made in four parts. I confess I sought help on Jodies making memories facebook group and found it in the shape of a young lady called Kandis.
The bow on the top I made from oval dies and really pleased with them. I chose a metal oval frame to put in the centre and I shall add a picture to it of a special friend I aim to give this to. Will definitely do this again.
I hope you like it as much as I do.

A friend saw it on my facebook page and asked if I would make one for her sister's birthday in June. So watch this space. The next one is to be in pink and green pastel.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen

Thank you

Some work colleagues and myself converged on a local community centre elderly action group and volunteered for the day.
It was manic, cooking, washing up, making teas and peace at last, calling bingo!
However busy it was and on our feet all day, it was definitely worth while and I loved it.

How these lovely ladies who do it all the time, manage it I will never know.
Here is me having fun calling bingo.

And this is a card I have made for them to thank them for having us and also to say thank you for doing such a great job so well day in and day out. The lovely Moroccan style trellis is by Card Making Magic from Craftstash. The thanks is a Tonic die and the daisies are a die set I have had a very long time but love using time and again.

Hope you like it
Karen

Flippn' Men

This is a brilliantly funny range from Splash (used to be La Pashe). They can be purchased on single sheets die cut or to cut yourself. Or the whole range on DVD where you'll be spoilt for choice. They have Flippin' Women, Flippin' Teenagers and they are really good.

I decided on this tin bath scene. Youngsters won't remember this necessity of years gone by.

Open the card up and you will find the image from the back.

The verse is also from Splash. They come as inserts or in this case on clear sticky back.

Another range from this company is Wrinklies at the movies. Watch this space because one of these will be coming up soon.

Hope you like it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Karen

Stationery Box

I found oodles of videos on You Tube showing how to make these. Each of them with a difference and that's what I decided to do too.

I love making things in 3D. The main box is made with a sheet of 12" x 12" white card. I strengthened it by matting it externally with some mustard coloured card layered with some lovely patterned paper. I had two sheets of this in a pad from the Works and thought it was just perfect.
The lid uses a sheet of A4 card cut down to size and also matted and layered.

A second A4 sheet was sufficient to create the internal pockets and pen holder decorated with the same patterned paper.

When it got to the notepad I didn't have sufficient patterned paper left so used the scraps to decorate the cover. I think it looks really effective and I'll definitely do this again.

Most of the videos I saw secured the pen on the drop down section but I preferred it at the base of the box in front of the pockets.
The lid I decorated with some paper leaves and flowers with a butterfly and dragonfly.

I think it looks so summery.
I haven't decided what to put in the lower pockets yet, maybe stamps and tags but in the top pocket where the notepad currently is I want to create some stationery paper and matching envelopes. I'll then secure the notepad to the drop front.

I do hope you like it.
Thanks from stopping by and please come again.
Karen :-)

Stamperama Update

Well I said I had a project in mind for some of the bargain card I picked up at Stamperama Harrogate and this is one of them.
I just love blue and white together, it looks so classic.

Note to self: Next time I photograph a white card choose a dark background, this doesn't really do it justice. Ah well, live and learn.

The card is a shutter card. They can be made plain or round or oval or diamond like this one.
I chose to decorate the left hand panel with some gorgeous flowers by Card Making Magic that I inked with some blue Distress Oxide to match. I opted for silver mirror card to die cut happy birthday and the edge of leaves for the right hand panel.
The central diamond I haven't made my mind up yet.
I have a friend with a big 60 this year but I usually like to make her a card that represents whichever theatre production we've been to. I also thought about adding a photograph to the diamond of my friend who I holiday with in the Lakes every year. And then my grandson's partner's birthday is later this month and she's a lovely girl so she may well get it with a 25 in the centre.

I have some time to make my mind up. Meanwhile I shall enjoy looking at it and hope it provides me with inspiration.
Hope you like it and thank you for stopping by
Karen xx

Stamperama

Had a lovely day out at Stamperama at Harrogate with my friend. Wow it was manic.
Managed to grab some really lovely card which of course I need desperately. I love the different textured finishes to these and will be using them shortly in a couple of projects I have in mind. Of course, these purchases came hard won. With all the crowds and jostling for bargains I'm sure I've a bruise or two lurking somewhere.
Some marvellous demonstrations too with some tips picked up along the way. Worth its weight in gold watching the experts at work. And never be afraid to ask that question in your mind. Chances are someone else is thinking it too but feels too silly to ask. There is no such thing as a silly question.

Over at the Hochanda space we watched Leoni Pujoli of TV fame doing her stuff with ink and stencils. Got some really great tips from her and this is what I decided to blog.

The butterfly just looks like it's going to fly off the page and is really only highlighted because it has been surrounded by black ink. A trick of the eye but what a lovely effect.
I'm thinking of making this into a card.
It was really therapeutic and I shall definitely do more.
Hope you like it as much as I do.
Thanks for stopping by
Karen xx

A host of golden daffodils

This months Simply Cards and Papercraft issue 188 magazine has a particularly lovely free gift. With Spring hovering ever nearer the daffodil die was very welcome and very pretty.

I decided to make a pop-up box for this die so it looked liked Wordsworth's host of golden daffodils, or as near to a host as I could get it.

There seem to be so many different ways of making these boxes just lately but I make mine:
Card measuring 26 cm x 14 cm scored on the long edge at 6, 12, 18 and 24 cm. That leaves a 2 cm flap to join with. On the short edge I score (from the 2 cm end) at 8 cm up to the last score line only. I like to keep the back straight and therefore don't score through it. Hope that makes sense.
 Cut off the top section from the 24 cm score line down to the 8 cm score line. This will leave the tab to join the box. Do the matting and layering before joining the box together but leave the inside back section until after it has been joined.
Insert two or three plinths to attach your embellishments to, whether directly or on acetate as I have done here.

I was really pleased and decided to make another using butterflies from Card Making Magic, only available from Craft Stash.

Incidentally, for online craft goods Craft Stash is an excellent, well priced store where you can earn points when you buy that can be used to reduce the price of future purchases.
I cut most of the butterflies out in white card and then coloured them with Cosmic Shimmer Opal Polish and then covered them in Glitter Kiss. It doesn't show very well in the picture but the sparkle is heavenly. A veritable flutter of butterflies.

I do hope you like them both
Thank you for stopping by

Karen