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Wednesday 29 May 2013

Happy Birthday Ardyth!

Hello Everyone,
Today's card is for a Blog Hop Darnell Knauss has organised for Ardyth's Birthday.  Hope you have a wonderful Birthday Ardyth celebrating with Family and Friends.  Sorry Ardyth I cased a card by Arielle Gordon that I had been wanting to try for ages, love how she split the Die Shape to add extra dimension to her lovely card here. I kept to the original design and changed it up using a different embossing folder, stamps, pearls and adding the Bakers Twine and sentiment.  Enjoy!


Supplies:
Stamps:  S/U's Serene Silhouettes, Ciao Baby
Card and Papers: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
Ink: Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals, Old Olive, Raspberry Ripple
Finishing Touches: Raspberry Ripple Satin Stitched Ribbon, Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, Pearls, Gelly Roll Pen
Cool Tools:  Big Shot, Spellbinders Labels Three Nestabilities, Sizzix Fancy Fan E/Folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Petite Curly Label Punch
Thanks for popping in today.
Hugs,

Monday 27 May 2013

Merry Monday #64 - Birch Trees in the Snow


Hello Stampers,
Today's post is for this weeks Merry Monday Sketch Challenge.  I have used die cuts and embossing to create my card, sponging the tree trunks and finished of with a bit of Dazzling Diamonds on the snow. The sentiment is the only stamping.

Supplies:
Stamps: S/U's Come to Bethlehem
Card and Papers: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey
Finishing Touches: Dazzling Diamonds, Gelly Roll Pen
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Memory Box Birch Tree Die, Papertrey Ink Woodlands Die, Sponges, Sizzix Snowflake E/Folder, Sizzix Polka Dot E/Folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals
Thanks for dropping in today.
Hugs,

Cat's Ink Siggy

Monday 20 May 2013

Merry Monday #63 - Star of Wonder

Hi Stamping Friends,
It's Monday, time for a new sketch from Lesley for the Merry Monday Sketch Challenge.  I have gone for a Black, Basic Grey and White colour combination this week with a touch of silver. Hope you like it.  
What do you think of my blog makeover, I had been wanting a change for so long. I still want to add a few things and clean up a few other things, but I just have to figure out how to do it.



Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Star of Wonder, S/U's 25 and Counting
Card and Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, S/U's Patterns Pack II (R)
Ink: Stazon Black, Basic Grey
Finishing Touches:  Star Brads
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Pinking Circles Nestabilities, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Sponge, S/U's Paper Cutter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals
Thanks for visiting today.
Hugs,
Cat's Ink Siggy

Flower Garden Pop-Up Box Tutorial

Hello Stamping Friends,
To celebrate my Blog Makeover, I have a tutorial for you on how to make the Flower Garden Pop-Up Box.  Unfortunately I don't have a camera that I can do a Video, so it's a picture tutorial that I hope you will be able to follow.
You will need:
 1 x 9" x 8 1/2" Designer Series Paper or Plain Card
2 x 1" x 2 1/2" Designer Series Paper or Plain Card
1 x 1" x 3 1/2" Designer Series Paper or Plain Card
1 x On Board Sheet 1 3/4" x 2 3/4"
10" piece of Hat Elastic
I found the thin DSP to be a little fragile and easily damaged. I preferred to use the thicker sheets or thicker Plain card. Lay the 9" x 8 1/2" DSP  on your Simply Scoring Tool with the side you want to be inside facing up.   With the 9" side at the top score at 1", 3", 5" and 7".  Rotate the DSP to the left so the 1" Score line is at the Bottom and Score along the 8 1/2" side at 2", 4" and 6".
Fold all the score lines and sharpen with a bone folder. With the 9" edge facing you and the 1" strip running down the left side of you DSP, pencil the word 'TOP' in the left hand corner.  This helps to keep the project the right way up.  Use a Border Punch to punch across the 9" bottom edge.
 With project folded up along the 6" line (punched border trim is now above the 4" score line) lay a 1" ruler on the bottom edge with the inch marks at the top.  Starting from the right hand side of your DSP mark at 1/8", 3 7/8", 4 1/8", 7 7/8" and 8 1/8". Use your Crop-a-dile and the 1/16th Circle Punch to punch holes at these marks.  Be careful you don't make the 1/8" one too close to the edge.  I have reinforced the hole with some tape to make it a little stronger.
To prepare the On Board piece measure a 1" line from the bottom on the long edge.  On this line mark at 1/2" and 1" in from each end, punch the holes with your Crop-a-dile and then number them from 1 to 4.
Looking at the place where you wrote TOP cut away the top two sections  and bottom section on the 1" score line. 
Then cut from the top at the 3" fold line down to the 2" fold line.
Then cut from the top at the 5" fold line down to the 4" fold line.
Then cut from the top at the 7" fold line down to the 4" fold line.
To prepare the Tabs score and fold the 31/2" paper strip at 3/4", 1 1/4", 2 1/4" and 2 3/4". Then fold the strip in half lengthways so it is now 1/2" wide.  Tape the ends with Sticky Strip up to the first fold.
Score and fold the 2 1/2" paper strips at 1/2", 1". 1 1/2" and 2".  Then fold the strips in half lengthways so they are now 1/2" wide.  Tape ends with Sticky Strip up to the first fold.
 
With strips folded in at first and last folds, adhere the longest strip 1'' up from the folded base of the project, just above the punched holes, centred across the 3" vertical fold line. Place one of the 2 1/2" strips 1" up from the folded base across the 7" vertical fold line just above the punched holes.
 
Adhere the second 21/2" strip inside the 3 1/2" strip, you might need tweezers to put it in place.
It's about now that you need to decide if you are going to remove the two front flaps or leave them on.  I removed them on my box.
This is how your box will look if you leave the flaps on to post your card.
To make the spring mechanism thread the Hat Elastic through the holes each side of the 5" fold line.
Feed the piece of hat elastic coming up on the right hand side, down through the 4th hole and up through the 2nd hole on the On Board piece, leave this end of the elastic hanging. 
Feed the piece of hat elastic coming up on the left hand side up through the 3rd hole and down through the 1st hole.
 
The piece that went through the #1 hole now goes through the card base hole to the left.
 
You now need to place the 1" Tab Piece that is left inside the front fold. The Hat Eleastic now wraps back around to close the box  and is threaded through the front part of the box and meets up with the end that is hanging inside the box.
You now need to pull it firmly so it will spring back into shape, be careful you don't rip into the base edge and tie with a reef knot. I just tied two knots.  Trim the elastic ends. View from the base.
View from above. 
Now your box is made, you just need to fill it up adhering your bits and pieces to the tabs, sides of the box and spring mechanism. I found it easiest to prepare your bits and pieces, flowers leaves, numbers and sentiments and start attaching them at the back of the box and come to the front.  I used long handled tweezers and a paint brush to help put everything in place.   Check out my previous post here for some ideas.
I would love for you to become a Follower of my blog if you aren't already. Please leave a link in my Comments section if you make a  Flower Garden Pop-Up Box, I would love to see your creations. 
Hugs,

 

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Dynamic Duos #52 - One Year Anniversary Celebration - Happy 90th Birthday Aunty Dulcie

Hi Stampers,
Today's post is for a very special person in my life, my God Mother and Aunt who is turning 90 on  the 17th May. Happy 90th Birthday Aunty Dulcie! This is my first attempt at this Flower Garden Pop-Up Box since my dear friend Pat Carr showed me how to make it at her Stamp Camp this year.  I did post a Pop-Up box card here that Odette Kermode made last year, but at that time it was still in it's early stages and Odette wasn't ready to do a tutorial.  Since then the instructions have been perfected by another stamping friend Carolyn King  who has passed it onto Pat and my other very good friend Jenny Chilton.  Jenny has posted a Pop Up box card that she made here.  I will show Pat's card in a post soon. The card can be closed and posted in the mail flat.
For my card I stamped the Pleasant Poppies image three times to get enough flowers to fill the box. I left some of the flowers connected together as I cut them out, some are supported with a thin strip of acetate and others are attached in their little groups. I attached the numbers and bee using the acetate also. I coloured the Silver Glimmer with a paint brush and the Basic Grey Re-Inker. I also cut the flaps off at the front for a different look.
Thank's to Lesley and the Design Team this card received the Diva Dynamo Award this week from Dynamic Duos.
 
 I am also entering this card into the Dynamic Duos #52 One Year Anniversary Celebration this week.  I was very honoured to be in the first Dynamic Duos Design Team when it started a year ago.


Supplies:
Stamps: S/U's Pleasant Poppies, Nature Walk, Vintage Labels (R), Tiny Tags
Card and Papers: Love Letter DSP (R), Silver Glimmer Card, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, On Board Thin Strong Cardboard, Clear Acetate
Ink: Stazon Black, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Basic Grey Re-Inker
Finishing Touches:  Real Red Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread
Cool Tools: S/U's Trimmer, Scoring Board Tool, Crop-A-Dile, Hat Elastic, Paint Brush, Aqua Painter,  Big Shot, Sizzix Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies, Papertrey Ink Tags Die, Sponges, Scallop Border Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dble Sided Tape, Sticky Strip, 2 Way Glue Pen
Thanks for stopping by today. 
Hugs,
Cat's Ink Siggy

Monday 13 May 2013

Merry Monday #62 - Greeting's of the Season

Hi Friends,
Today's post is for this weeks Merry Monday Sketch Challenge.  I decided on a Monochromatic colour scheme this week and started with the print designer paper.  I embossed the Chocolate Chip base and stamped the sentiment on Crumb Cake.  I stamped the mittens on Very Vanilla and finished off with some Chocolate Pearls and Crochet Cotton.
 


Supplies:
Stamps: S/U's Greeting's of the Season, Make a Mitten
Card and Papers: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Kaisercraft 'Tis The Season Collection DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Finishing Touches: Crochet Thread, Pearls
Cool Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sponge, Big Shot, Sizzix Polka Dot E/Folder , Fiskars Trimmer and Scoring Tool, Mitten Punch, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals
Thanks for popping in today.
Hugs,
Cat's Ink Siggy

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Seize the Birthday #16 - Painted Bird

Hello Stampers,
Today's post is for this fortnight's Seize the Birthday Challenge.  I ended up with a vintage card, I had no intention of doing one, it was going to be CAS.  LOL.  I loved the sketch so I might try a CAS card too.  To create the card I sponged the edges and punched out a few elements and the only stamping is the sentiment.  I enjoyed creating the card so I hope you like it.



Supplies:
Stamps: S/U's Sassy Salutations
Card and Papers: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Everyday Enchantment DSP (R)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Peach Parfait
Finishing Touches: Pearls, Calypso Coral Bakers Twine
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Sizzix Delicate Doilies Die, Sizzix Edgelits - Adorning Accents, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sponge, Bird Builder Punch, Martha Stewart Frond Punch, Dble Sided Tape, Bow Easy, Dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dot
Thanks for dropping by today.
Hugs,

Cat's Ink Siggy

Monday 6 May 2013

Merry Monday #61 - Elegant Snowflake

Hello Crafty Friends,
Today's post is for this week's Merry Monday Sketch Challenge. I die cut the Snowflake on the black and matted it onto the white with Dimensionals.  Then I added the Silver Glimmer card and Black centre piece and finished off with the fancy brad and pearls.  The sentiment was embossed with Silver embossing powder.  I love how elegant it turned out, hope you like it to.   


Stamps:  S/U's Many Merry Messages (R), Snowflakes (R)
Card and Papers: Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer Card
Ink: Versamark, Silver Metallic
Finishing Touches: Crystals, Brad
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Sizzix Snow Flurry Die, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Embossing Buddy, Silver E/Powder, Heat Tool,  Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen
Thanks for dropping by today.  Happy Stamping!
Hugs,
Cat's Ink Siggy

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Pat Carr's Stamp Camp April 2013 - Very Vintage #2

Hi Everyone,
As promised here is the other card I made in different colours that I presented as an alternative Workshop project at the Stamp Camp last weekend.  Check out my previous post to find the tutorial by Carolyn King.
 
 
Supplies:
Stamps: French Foliage, Established Elegance, Creative Elements, Papillion Potpourri, Delicate Dollies, Vintage Verses, Bring on the Cake
Card and Papers: Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Confetti Cream
Ink: Always Artichoke, Summer Star Fruit, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Champagne Mist All Purpose Ink
Finishing Touches: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon
Cool Tools: Big Shot, Sizzix Large Doily Die, Embossing Buddy, Clear E/Powder, Heat Tool, Sponges, Mini Mister, Mister Box, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Dble Sided Tape, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots


Thanks for stopping by today.  Love to hear from you.
Hugs,
Cat's Ink Siggy