Origami gift...

There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Nov 6th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: "Scrap Your Stash".  You have the month of Nov. to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions - click HERE!





















I like to send money in my cards to the Grandkids... LOL, encourages them to call me!  I've started folding the bills into Origami that is specific to the person.  This one is a guitar because my granddaughter plays lead guitar in a band - I find videos on YouTube with tutorials on how to fold them.  I used an image [sent as a gift by my dear Canadian friend, Corina.  No source info available.] that appears to have her hand extended to hold the instrument.
The A2 Z-fold card base was decorated with scraps of DP from my stash to meet the optional twist of this challenge.             

Create wildly and color with abandon!

~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Gem of a Challenge - #21 – ATG Always
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments – Fancy Folds TOP 3
Penny's Challenge #454 – ATG Always
Simon Says Stamp Wed - ATG
AYLI: As You Like It – Fave DP & Why [I am drawn to Primary Colors & Bold designs - if I need something subtle I tend to make my own background so the color is spot on and the design is non-descriptive]
Sweet Stampin' - Celebrations
Catch the Bug - Bugaboo – ATG
Aud Sentiments - #238 – ATG + Sentiment
Crafty Creations - #401 – ATG Always
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #117 – ATG Always

Boo-frickity-hoo...

 This is without a doubt a favorite mummy image of mine from Mostly Animals.
It was stamped, shaded with a Copic grey & fussy-cut & then sculpted with a large ball tool. The image was mounted on the two layers of mats with foam tape to maintain the dimension.  The cat on the inside is from Stampendous.

Create wildly and color with abandon!
~ginny







CHALLENGES:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #116 – ATG Always
Sweet Stampin' - a Creature
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments – ATG
Aud Sentiments - #238 – For a Child + Sentiment
SheepSki Designs #31 –Autumn / Halloween
Get Creative Challenges – #85 – ATG
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Crafty Creations - #401 – ATG Always
Shopping our Stash L:13 – SOS #407 – Halloween

Broomzelda...

This one is for a friend who's birthday is on Halloween and who LOves witches!  It sure makes the theme easy for me every year!



Process:

View of sculpted image

• The background was created using Distress Ink Oxides blended through a punched hole in a sheet of paper for the moon.  When I was happy with the moon I removed my "stencil" and changed colors to the blues, purples and just a tinge of black to get my sky the color I wanted.  The edge of that panel was distressed using the Tim Holtz distresser tool and then it was mounted on a black mat.

• The image of the witch, from Uptown Rubber Stamps, was stamped three times - once on the background overlapping the moon and twice more on 80 lb. Neenah - Classic Crest - Solar White for the paper sculpted image.  I used Copics to color the witches and then fussy cut them.  These were then "sculpted" [dry embossed with a large ball tool on the back of the individual parts of the image to round them & give them dimension.]  With these parts of both witches I then constructed the final image directly over the original stamped witch on the image panel.  I used glue and foam tape to help create or maintain the shape.

• The inside consists of the sentiment by Inkadinkadoo, a scary black cat from Stampendous [hand-lettered "Yikes!"] also stamped on the envelope and a hand-drawn border with faux stitching.

Create wildly and color with abandon!
~ginny









CHALLENGES:
Incy Wincy Designs – Fall Colors

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #115 – ATG Always
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always

Crafty Sentiments – ATG
Gem of a Challenge - #20 - ATG
Crafty Creations - #400 – ATG Always
Fab n Funky #453 – Feature a Creature Winner
Simon Says Stamp Wed - Halloween
Penny's Challenge #452 – ATG Always
AYLI: As You Like It – Fave Stitching Style [Faux or Real] & Why [I don't own a sewing machine so if I stitch it, is by hand - & that is my fave - love the texture & dimension it gives. TOP 3
Papercraft Challenge #48 – Fall TOP 3
SheepSki Designs #31 –Autumn / Halloween
Creative Playground – #10 – ATG

Retirement is a B...

I have a friend who recently retired, as we did years ago.  He and his wife moved out of the city and up to a mountain home faaarrr away from family & friends and the life he has known for years now.  [As we have.]  His birthday card gave me a chance to chide him!

The sentiments were all created on my computer and then die cut with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles die.   

The front panel of the Kraft base card was embossed with a Tim Holtz alterations/Sizzix Embossing Folder.  I then used a Distress Ink pad to lightly rub ink across the surface to make the wood grain pop.  The bear, as well as the hat and tie accessories, are by Heather.  These three items were colored with Copics, fussy cut, sculpted and assembled then mounted with foam tape for dimension. 

INSIDE

CHALLENGES:
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #115 – ATG Always
Everybody Art Challenge #454 – Dies
Crafty Sentiments – ATG
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Gem of a Challenge - #19 - ATG
Crafty Creations - #399 – ATG Always
Shopping our Stash L:13 – SOS #405 – Embossing Top Three
Penny's Challenge #450 – ATG Always WINNER
AYLI: As You Like It – Fave: FAF & Why [CAS never feels like I have put enough work into the project]
Sweet Stampin' –Animals


The Male Room #121 – Stay CAS

Creative Playground – #10 – ATG

And the Spotlight is on...

 There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Oct 6th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: "Spotlight Technique".  You have the month of Oct. to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions - click HERE!

Spotlight Technique is a good option when the image is extremely busy, or, when you are - [not as much to color!]  

You can see the elevated die cut better from this angle.

DIRECTIONS for this card:

• Stamp the main image twice. This image: "Santas Everywhere" is a 2002 rubber stamp from Brother Sister Design Studio
• Choose your preference for defining the "spotlight" area.  One option is to choose a specific shape to define the spotlight- circle, square, oval, freeform, whatever.  You can die-cut the area, stamp [a circle, square, etc.] to define the area - or, just create the perimeter with the color alone.  In this case, I chose to die cut my spotlighted area with a stitched circle die from Lawn Fawn. 
• That die-cut "Spotlight" is then aligned perfectly with the exact portion of the image on the 2nd copy and elevated above it with foam tape.
• I used a black card base with a white mat leaving a 1/16th-inch border. The image panel was prepared with a black mat, again leaving a 1/16" border.  
• A bow was tied in the middle of a length of red ribbon  - the bow was stuck down on the image panel with a glue dot.  The "tails" of the bow were wrapped around to the back of that panel and taped down.
• The sentiment [Tis the Season] has no markings to identify the source.  It was stamped on a snippet of black paper & heat embossed with white EP.   An oval word punch from SU was used and that punched item was mounted on the lower-left corner of the image panel.

Inside is another sentiment stamped & heat
embossed, punched with a circle punch
 & elevated on foam tape.

CHALLENGES:
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #115 – ATG Always
Everybody Art Challenge #454 – Dies
Crafty Sentiments – ATG
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Gem of a Challenge - #19 - ATG
Crafty Creations - #399 – ATG Always
Penny's Challenge #450 – ATG Always
AYLI: As You Like It – Fave: FAF & Why [CAS never feels like I have put enough work into the project - LOL]
Creative Playground – #10 – ATG
Winter Wonderland – X-mas: Merry & Bright

There's Gnome time like Christmas...

 There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Aug 4th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: "Create an Exploding Box".  You have the month of Sept. to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions - click HERE!
It is interesting to see that even among the DT on 613, we had two different definitions of an "Exploding Box".   You can see the other version that card makers think of by checking out the Design Team's Inspiration pieces on 613 Ave C 's website.  At least two of us thought it was this version... we decided either is correct!
The measuring and cutting of these types of projects is something I don't really enjoy - I seem to lack spatial concept skills and it takes me forever to get everything to fit exactly.  So when dies became available to make these boxes I jumped on the bandwagon!  These make a spectacular gift/card at any Holiday when people like to decorate.  The fact that it folds flat is a bonus for storage.




**The box and all the layer dies to decorate it are from a die set named  "A2 Card in a Box" by the Stamp Doctor.  The owner/designer, 
Mechele Monet, creates beautifully done written instructions and for those of you who are more visual learners like me, there are videos showing the process start to finish.  What I like best about Mechele's instructions is she almost always has the most efficient and easiest ways to connect all the parts without measuring!  [Ginny likes that!]
**The Pine trees are actually all from one die - just cut from 3 different paper scraps from my stash [a dark green, a grey-green and the DP with the stars on it.  Wink of Stella has been applied to the stars.]   This pine tree die is one of several in a set from Stampin' Up called "In the Woods Framelets".  It even cuts the front of the tree so you can lift the boughs and make it 3-D.  Love this set!  Stampin Up changes availability and "current" catalogs so often - I don't know if this is still available or not.  I could not find this die with a search of the website.  I have used 5 trees on this project - 3 are cut shorter by just cutting off the top of the trees to the length I need.  The 5th tree is on the back - see picture below.

**The very tall grass is a die is by Stephanie Barnard from The StampsofLife.com

The box folds flat for mailing - it easily pops open to the display mode.

Create wildly and color with abandon!

~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Penny's Challenge #445 – ATG Always
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
CHNC-X-mas #453 – ATG X-mas/Option: Something beginning with an 'S' [Song]
Gem of a Challenge - #17 - ATG
Crafty Creations - #397 – ATG Always Top 3
Simon Says Wed – ATG
Sweet Stampin' Christmas – ATG X-mas/optional: Snow People
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #113 – ATG Always
SheepSki Designs #30 – Die Cuts or Punches TOP THREE
Get Creative Challenges – #84 – ATG / No Twist WINNER
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
A Place to Start – ATG

Create a Container [Re-cycled]

There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Aug 4th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: "Create a Container".  You have the month of Aug. to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions - click HERE!

Below is a box I made in a recently attended Stampin' Up class.  The design is the instructor's, Dana Wurster.  The pillow box itself, made from a polka-dotted Kraft CS, is sold by SU!

When I came home I made my own pillow box using an empty toilet paper cardboard roll.  Instead of a belly-band, I used a ribbon to tie and hold the ends together to secure candy for a birthday.

If you are interested in the complete details of making your own - directions for this container is linked below on my blog post called Re-think, Re-use, Recycle!

Create wildly and color with abandon!
~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Penny's Challenge #441 – ATG Always
Simon Says Wed – ATG
Crafty Creations - #395 – ATG Always
AYLI: As You Like It – Fave: Flower & Why [Gardenia - the Fragrance, the very pale and subtle colors]
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Gem of a Challenge - #15 - ATG
Get Creative Challenges – #83 – ATG / No Twist

Red, White & Blue...

#1: Here's to the Red, White, and Blue!

There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting July 7th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: Use your countries flag colors".  You have the month of July to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions -  click HERE!



Trying to make a few Christmas cards a month - and this one will also be with the colors of the USA flag.  I recently fell in love with this technique/ construction and I am now reviewing my stamp collection for ones that will lend themselves to this design.
Below are the steps to create this unique design:

#2: Image aligned with center of card.

1. Start by choosing an image that is symmetrical right to the left side.  This is important because that will allow the whole image to be displayed as part of the card front when the card is closed. [See #1 ]
2. I started with a 5.5" x 8" CS base card.  Locate the center at 4.5" and mark with a pencil.  [Do NOT yet score the fold!!]  Stamp the image centered on that line.
3. Now the score along that center line can be created from the top of the image [in this case his hat] to the top edge of the CS.  Do NOT score thru the image.
4. With this image, I used an Exacto Knife to cut around the image on the LEFT side only.  You could use a Die if it has one or if you have a Brother's Scan and Cut or a Silhouette, you can cut only the left half of the image by covering the right side with paper during the scanning.
5. Now when you fold the card the entire image should be visible at the spine.
6. At this point, I measured from the far left edge of the Nutcracker to the 4.25" width of an A2 card and cut off the right edge so it would fit in an A2 size envelope.  Once you have the final size of your card, you can finish decorating the inside and front.

Closing the card allows the entire image
to be viewed on the front.

1.  

Image was colored with Copics and the added bling consists of gold embossed sentiment, gold foil added to the uniform and a metallic snowflake glued to the front of his hat.

Create wildly and color with abandon!
~ginny


CHALLENGES:
Sisterhood of Crafters – Any Occasion
Crafty Sentiments –Bright Colors
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Aud Sentiments - #230 – ATG + Sentiment
Crafty Creations - #393 – ATG Always
Penny's Challenge #437 – ATG Always
The Male Room #114 – Multiple Layers for a Male
Sweet Stampin' Christmas – ATG X-mas
CHNC- Christmas #445 – ATG X-mas/Option:  For a Male
Gem of a Challenge - #13 - ATG [WINNER]
Tuesday Throwdown #435 – ATG
SheepSki Designs #28 – Early Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Winter Wonderland – Christmas

More than one fold...

There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting June 2nd:  "ATG or the optional Twist: More than one fold".  You have the month of June to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions -  click HERE!

So, when my friend Suzanne saw a card on the Net with folds that she really liked, she tried to describe it to me.  I came home and tried to make what I thought she was saying... you know that game of telephone?  LOL - it is nowhere near what she saw - but we both liked it anyway.


PROCESS:

• I took CS cut at 4.25'' x 11'' and scored it at [oops!  reviewing measurements again - will get back to you!] 3.5, 4, 7.25, & 9.25'' from the top.  
• It was then folded from the top with valley, mountain, valley, mountain folds.  In spite of the lighting, I think you can see that in this pic to the right.
• The flowers were cut in each of the 3 little panels using a die called ''Cut Out Blossoms'' from Tim Holtz/ Sizzix.
• The different papers behind each of the cut-outs was a fun challenge for me - I went thru my scraps pile and collection of backgrounds I have hoarded over the years.  I have an entire shoebox full of 1/4 sheet samples from background techniques I have tried or found or papers that I liked.  I ended up using [from top down] a favorite DP, a paper created with a Shaving cream & Ink technique, and finally, a repurposed waxy paper drinking cup rescued because I loved the colors on it.  I needed the three to be of similar intensity and complementary to each other and the base CS.  
• Each of the backgrounds has yellow in them so, as the only embellishment, I added a yellow ribbon behind the first fold & made a small bow.
• Even though the folded green CS itself was created to be A2 size - I felt it needed the black frame so I made a base card approx. 1/4'' larger all the way around and mounted my finished piece on it.
• Inside is a birthday sentiment using a Penny Black die.

Create wildly and color with abandon!  

~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Incy Wincy Designs – Embellishment
SheepSki Designs #26 – Flower Power
Penny's Challenge #432 – ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments –Summer
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Simon Says Wed – ATG
Fab & Funky #442 – Recycling [JFF]  Won a TOP THREE
AYLI: As You Like It – His or Hers & Why [Hers: sooo much easier, more natural for me to create ideas]
Crafting From the Heart - #244 ATG Always
Aud Sentiments - #228 – Nature + Sentiment
Crafty Creations - #391 – ATG Always
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Oddball Art – ATG / Option: Powdered Peach Scones
Get Creative Challenges – #81 – ATG – Fave Color Combo [greens w/ blues]

Retirement...

This is a combined retirement and birthday card for a sailing buddy of mine.  Sitting on a bench and feeding the birds is the last thing she would consider doing in retirement - she will more likely be skiing, snowmobiling, and sky jumping for all I know!  But I love this Mo Manning image [I think it is called "Feed the Soul"] & I opted to use it with an apology on the inside.

  PROCESS:  I sketched in the wooden fence in the background - I pictured her on the beach near the Cliff House in San Francisco, thus the sandy area around her.  In my mind, the ocean is crashing on the beach just over that retaining wall.  I colored this with Copics [listed below], Prismacolor Pencils and blended Distress Inks off a handmade stencil for the sky and clouds.  The image panel was matted on black linen CS & layered on a favorite designer paper that has been hoarded in my stash for far too long.  A short piece of matching blue satin ribbon, folded and given a fishtail cut on the ends, was tucked under the mat.  The final layer is a 6.5'' x 5.5'' black linen base card.

Copics used: 
E33, 34, 35, 37, 39, 41, 42, 43, 50, 53
W 00, 1, 3
N 0,1, 5
C 0, 1, 3, 5
YG 0000, 25, 67
YR 18
BG 0000, 000, 01, 02, 05

Create wildly and color with abandon!  

~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Crafting From the Heart - #243 ATG Always
Penny's Challenge #431 – ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments – ATG
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Papercraft Challenge #37 – Ribbons
Simon Says Wed – Bright Colors
Mo's Digital Pencil #279 – ATG w/ Mo's /Optional: for the Girls
Get Creative Challenges – #80 – ATG – no twist
A Place to Start – Fave Technique – [Coloring with Copics & Prismacolor Pencils]
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Oddball Art – ATG
Incy Wincy Designs – Embellishment [Ribbon]
SheepSki Designs #26 – Flower Power
Tuesday Throwdown #432 – Stenciling [handmade Cloud stencil]
Creative Playground [Imagine That ] Challenge #5: ATG
Crafty Creations - #391 – ATG Always

Underwater Shaker...

There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting May 5th:  "ATG/ optional Twist: "Shaker Card."  You have the month of May to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions -  click HERE!

 Not sure why - but my brain went into a state of panic over this challenge... I definitely put in more hours thinking about it, looking up techniques on the net and talking to fellow makers than the actual construction took.  I guess the moral of the story is for me to put more thinking in during construction - there was a major oops... I hope you can learn from my mistake!  If you just want the mistakes... skip the "Process" and scroll down to the RED Heading.
So, here is my process:

• Create an A2 base card: [Cut 8.5 x 11" CS to 5.5 x 8.5", score and fold to an A2 size of 4.25 x 5.5"]
• From remaining CS cut a 4 x 5.25" layer to fit on top
• Two layers of "Fun Foam" [Dollar Store]  cut to 3.75 x 5" with both sides of each having Double Sticky Tape [Roll from Elizabeth Craft Designs]  
• Used a 2.5" circle die ["Stitched Circle Stackables by Lawn Fawn] to cut a hole in the top layer, taking into consideration where my design elements will fit.
• Determined exactly where my foam will fit and penciled in a circle thru the hole in the top layer.  Die cut a 2.5" hole in each of the 2 foam layers so that they match the hole in the top layer.
• Removed the release paper from one side each of the two foam pieces and attached them to each other - making a thicker spacer.
• I decorated using the following: Dies "Oceana Corner" and "Delicate Sea Fan" - both from Memory Box.  Rubber stamps and matching Dies for the porthole frame & the fish scene [colored with Prismacolor Pencils] from "Coral Reef Collage" by Heartfelt Creations.
• Assembly: Placing the top layer where I wanted it over the base card, I was able to simply place the fish scene thru the window & stick it down in exactly the right spot.
• Next Acetate was taped down on the back side of the Top Layer.

OK - here is where I went wrong. 

• I intended to stick the foam layers around the Fish Scene on the Base Card.  I wanted a wall to surround the Fish Scene to hold all of my beads for the Shaker.  I stuck the foam on the bottom of the top layer instead - Dam_!  
• I did use an Embossing Buddy to apply powder to the inside of the well of foam... this was to prevent beads from sticking to the inside walls.  But, now I have powder all over the acetate window.  Dam_!
• Now used a Swiffer pad to wipe it clean so as not to scratch it.
• Next, it is time to add the beads, 7 blue-green iridescent sequins & 3 tiny fish.  Have you ever tried to pile round beads in the center of a flat piece of paper??!  Dam_!
• I carefully place the Top Layer with the foam on it down over the beads - success! 
• I took it to show to hubby and grinning, he eagerly shook it vigorously!
• I looked at it and found all 7 of the sequins are missing as are about half the beads and 2.5 fish.  Looking carefully I see the beads all stuck to the sides of the foam, no sequins to be seen.  Dam_!   Did the Swiffer remove the powder from the adhesive too?  Or not enough powder used?

Next time the foam will go on the base, baby powder will be sprinkled liberally, and more beads will be used.  Heavy sigh... I photographed it anyway!

Create wildly and color with abandon!  
~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Crafty Creations - #389 – ATG Always
Penny's Challenge #428 – ATG Always
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Crafting with Friends #3 – ATG
Sweet Stampin' – ATG or Spaced Out
Crafting From the Heart - #240 ATG Always
Get Creative Challenges – #80 – ATG – no twist

Spring has Sprung...

I saw versions of this Ladybug in several places on Pinterest - so I can't really identify an original source.  It was easy to figure out once you saw the action of the wings - this is my take on the concept.   

I used three different punches for the ladybug and one punch on the flowers/ leaves.  

• A 2.5'' scalloped circle punch [Marvy Uchida] was used for the black body and a 3'' version for the wings. The wings were cut from DP with black dots on a red background.  
• A 1.5" circle punch was used to cut white CS for the layer holding the sentiment.  
• A 1.5'' [Fiskars] circle punch created the head.
• The flowers and leaves [Martha Stewart] are punched from leftover scrap paper and the metallic HeroHues [Hero Arts] create the center of each.   
• A eureka moment led to a black bobby- pin spread apart as the feelers.  It was secured around a piece of foam tape that elevates the entire image.
• Finished with Googly eyes glued to the head. 
• The sentiment is from the "You Got This" set by Simon Says Stamp 

The wings will spread apart to reveal the stamped sentiment.  They rotate around the black brad used as a fulcrum at the top of the wings.

Create wildly and color with abandon!  ~ginny

CHALLENGES: Yellow highlights means no Linky available.
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments – Just for the Boys
Crafty Creations - #388 – ATG Always
Tuesday Throwdown #429 – ATG
Simon Says Wed – Spring Mood Board [Colors]
Sweet Stampin' – ATG or Recycled Elements [All punched elements are from re-cycled scraps]
Get Creative Challenges – #79 – ATG
SheepSki Designs #25 – Wings
Oddball Art – ATG / Option: Puffy Pastel Polka Dots
Creative Playground Challenge #4: ATG
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
Pile it On #153 – Lots of Layers