Birthday Butterfly Card Part Two

As most card makers do, I constantly get praises for making lovely cards, as well as comments that I should really start a card-selling business of my own.   For the past year I have been commissioned to make a few cards, but they were made unique and took too much time with design and execution.  And because I don't need to work or make income for my family, and therefore I find it's just not worth of my time.  I keep do it simply because I love making cards.

However, my daughter's new school term gives me a second thought.  The school's gonna hold a Christmas fayre, and one of the mum talked to me (she makes fashion accessories) and said we should rent a stall together.  Well now I thought I might be able to make it - if I can make enough crafts for sale in time.  

So below are the very first batch of several similar Birthday cards, followed by this particular Birthday card I made previously for Ashley's classmate.

Aren't they cute?  I'm happy with them too.  

Note that for the first time I've put on my first watermark in this picture for copyright concerns. All my works are original and please do not copy them.  

Next I should really start making Christmas cards.  Time to look for some inspirations and get started. 

Birthday Butterflies Card for Little Girls

Ever since Ashley starts school there're so many parties and events to go. And although preparing gifts is always a bit of a headache I do enjoy making cute and fun cards suitable for the age.

For example, I saw an inspiration from Pinterest and found a lovely butterfly card with four different colours of butterflies, and decided to make one that's similar.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/96921989/birthday-card-happy-birthday-kids


And here's my take on the sketch.

I'm very happy with it and think I might produce more.  Lovely!

Doily Card with Butterflies - Thank You

Several weeks ago I ordered some Cheery Lynn dies (which I've been drooling on for quite a while) from its official website.   And I must say for an international order they did an amazing job - my parcel was received within less than 10 days - faster than Amazon.com which usually takes about 14-25 days!

Besides the speedy delivery, I'm also quite happy with the quality. After a few adjustments I found out that it needs just one more piece of card stock paper with the cutting plates, the die can cut perfectly with Cuttlebug.  Here's the thing, different brands of dies have different ridge depth, therefore you'll have try out different thickness of sandwich boards/plates before finding a perfect one.  In the case of Cheery Lynn with 'my' Cuttlebug, just add one piece of paper to the A plate, two B plates and one C plate and it'll do the job nicely.

PS: Even with the same machine sometimes people have different results. So always test and see first.

So here it is, my result of the cheery Lynn doily on a Thank You card.  I also use Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch for the big butterfly, as well as my Silhouette Cameo for the smaller butterfly. (I have only one butterfly punch. Note to self: need to get some more. )

I hand draw the line on the Thank You label but it's not perfect. Always tell yourself : if it's perfect it's not handmade LOL

The colour of the doily in this picture is closer to reality, which is similar to the one of white coffee.

  

Distressing a Feminine Greeting Card Using a Nail File

First of all, I have to say...  I'm officially sick of staying at hotels or serviced apartments. 

I have, since moving out of my old house, stayed at a hotel followed by a serviced apartment for more than three weeks.  And it's really not good for my health. It's all about eating too much, meaningless window shopping, being claustrophobic in the room and the the constant need to get out for some fresh air. (but still have to return to the small space)  And the bloody white sheets, how can they make them so bleachy white?!   And don't get me started with intro every time I turn the TV on.  I just can't wait to move into our new home on Feb. 10, which is 10 days away.  YES! Just 10 days!  Maybe I should make an advent calendar to remind myself of it, and tear off every day, one by one.  Or should I make a mini album to record all this. But why should I record this when I'm NOT enjoying it all?  

So, while I still retain some senses, I made a card using what I had at hand this morning.  Still no distressing or embossing tools.  But fortunately I used the free background inserts in this magazine to do some trimming and cutting.  As my article subject says, I've used a nail file to trim up the edges a little bit to make it look scuffled. But not too much. 

And it just happens that the latest challenge on Simon Says Wednesday Challenge is anything that goes with twines or strings, 

ANYTHING GOES WITH TWINE OR STRING

so I came up with this card

  

How does it looks?  Here's the close-up.

 I hope the soft and feminine tones appeal to some judges. But then again they probably have seen thousands of more beautiful and creative projects.  I'm happy to join anyway to keep my mojo coming.  Happy stamping!

Soft and Feminine Birthday Card

I probably say this too much, but the friends I met here are such an important part of my happy Singapore life. I can't say enough of the thanks and gratitude toward them.  And therefore I made this card for a friend, who's married to a Japanese husband (I can't imagine how exhausting it is to be the wife to a Japanese), has two young kids and have to work full time.  I wish all the best for her for the days to come.

This card is, except for the embellishments and card base, is made only from one same 6 by 6 inch paper pad from Kaisercraft.  I chose this layout also for this challenge:


Fusion Card Challenge
http://fusioncardchallenge.blogspot.sg/2014/01/fusion-2.html

And I love the beautiful shine on both panels. I also line some pearls on the sentiment.  See below

Live Life to the Fullest - A CAS monochromatic card (almost) -

Now, after days making cards and a mini album for my beloved friends in Singapore, yesterday I finally have time to sit down and actually do what I want to do - playing with challenges.  The great thing about challenges is that you get to stretch your creativity by different topics/style/techniques given by the challenge, and to finish projects that give you lots of FUN!  I'm not fussed with prizes as there are numerous more creative crafters than myself that deserve to win, and I get to see their projects as well.   (Once would be good though hahaha.)


So here it goes, my favorite CAS challenge -

CAS-ual Fridays  -  They are always popular!
http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.sg/2014/01/cfc125.html



CAS(E) this Sketch #59 - this is the first time I joined their challenge and as long as it's CAS then I like it! http://casethissketch.blogspot.sg/2014/01/case-this-sketch-59.html


And giving that I'm at a hotel and don't have a lot of tools I think I did a good job too.  It's the good old cut and paste, but looks pretty cool. :-)

From the side -

Black is not always popular, but it's always COOL~ 

Faux Air-brushing technique using a kitchen sponge and circle cut-out scrap paper!

One day when I was at Nathalie Durand's I came across a page on the Craft Stamper Magazine and saw this beautiful sponging technique to create faux air-brushing effects, and I love it!  Straight away that aftertoon I experimented with the tools I had and did this.

I found that anyone can do it without having proper tools such as a sponge dauber or circle stencil. The easiest way is to get a piece of kitchen sponge, and cut out circles on scrap paper (as stencil),

Inspired by Joanne Allison @ Craft Stamper Magazine! (Mar. 2013 issue)

As photo you can see the magazine sample is on the bottom and my version is the standing one. (And pretend you didn't see the mess!)

1. Make square card from card stock.

2. Cut out three circles from a card stock and use it as a stencil.  Make sure the circles are of equal distance from one another and that they fit on the card. Place it on the area where you want it on the card.  Use tape to fix it if you can.

3. Apply a flat sponge surface with ink (I use distress ink "Worn Lipstick" from Ranger), and lightly tap on the card through the stencil. Make sure the right upper corner has the least pressure and therefore the lightest ink touch on it.

4. Stamp butterfly(-ies) , colour, cut out and affix with double-sided sponge tape.  Stamp sentiment.