Papercraft Challenge #32...

Hi! Welcome back to the October challenge at the Papercraft Challenge blog. I hope you are all doing well.

The theme for October is Interactive Cards. If you want some inspiration, do visit us at the Papercraft Challenge blog where the DT has a great array of fabulous creations for you. You can also visit the Papercraft Business site for some great tools that can help you take your papercraft business to the next level. Like the awesome Papercraft Business Planner that helps you keep track of your favorite challenges!

Don't forget the great prizes we have for the winner every month. October Challenge Prize is the cute Winter Alpaca Stamp by Lawn Fawn.

Here is my inspiration card.

This card is very special because I made it for my mom's 75th birthday. I wanted to make something intricate for her and this Inside Tunnel card fit the bill perfectly! The original card and tutorial are by the queen of techniques, Jennifer Mcguire. You can check out her blog post and video here.

The card fits into a regular A2 sized envelope. 

I used the Layered Cake die by Spellbinders to create the card. The windows were die-cut using the oval dies by Itsy Bitsy. The colored cardstock is from Paperum by Mudra Craft Stamps. I also used the Lanthenay stencil by Memory Box.

The sentiment is from the Floral Banner stamp set by Mudra Craft Stamps.

Here is a final look at the card.

I hope you liked my card and are inspired to create something beautiful. I look forward to your entries in our gallery.

You can get more information about Papercraft Challenge Planner here. It is an invaluable tool for all crafters who love taking part in challenges. The Papercraft Business site also has tools that can help you take your business to the next level.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Casology Week 375:

Simon Says Wednesday: Anything Goes:

Cut It Up Challenge #209:

Watercooler Wednesday - WWC291:

NBUS Challenge #19:

The Spellbinders Layered Cake die set is around 3 years old. And this is the first time I am using it.

Edited – 10-06-2021

Creative Creases Challenge #8

Love,
Nandini

Happy Little Stampers May Challenge...

Hi! The current challenge at Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies is up. We have a new challenge each month. You can link any projects that include a die-cut. I have a set of three cards for you today.

I made the three cards using the same supplies. I took white card bases and put them into my stamp positioner. The stamp is from the Interlocking Backdrops set by Lawn Fawn. I placed it horizontally across the card base and started stamping with Altenew Crisp dye inks. Each time I moved the card base up. By varying the distance I moved each time, I got three beautiful backgrounds. Once my backgrounds were stamped I put together the cards with a variety of sentiments. Here are the individual cards.

I wanted a warm color combo for this card. So I used shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red. The sentiment is from the Enjoy Sentiments by Jillibean Soup. I stamped it and then die-cut it with the matching die. I also added a layer of vellum under the sentiment to highlight it a bit.

To finish, I added some clear gems from my stash.

I went with rainbow colors for my second and third cards. 

The sentiment is from Leaf Canopy set by Altenew. I die-cut the hearts out of black paper with nesting dies and heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder.

The last card was the most complicated. I decided to create a shaker element to put on the card.

I used the Labeled And Stitched Frame dies by Sizzix to die-cut white cardstock. I also cut a circular window at the center of the label. I added some white sequins inside the shaker and added translucent paper over the window. The sentiment is from the Sentiments of Hello stamp set by Poppy stamps. I did some double stamping on the translucent paper to create a shadow effect.

To finish, I added a butterfly made by layering a few die-cut butterflies that I cut with the Isabella Butterfly die by Memory Box. I also added two half pearls. Here is the completed card.

Here are the three cards again.

I hope my cards inspire you to create something beautiful. You can visit the Happy Little Stampers challenge blog for more inspiration and link your creations. I look forward to visiting you in our gallery.

Love,
Nandini

Rainbow Card Challenge - Vivaciously Violet...

Hi! Welcome back to the Rainbow Card Challenge. I am here with my inspiration for the May challenge –Vivaciously Violet.

Don't you just love this gorgeous photo inspiration! I was really inspired by all the beautiful shades of violet and wanted to recreate that in my background. The card design was inspired by Gayatri Murali of Handmade by G3. You can find her original cards here. And here is the card I made.

I started with a sheet of Yupo paper and alcohol inks by Shilpi Crafts. I used Lobelia, Razzmatazz, and Salmon Berry inks to create the background. Once the inks were dry, I die-cut the Gorgeous Gardenia outline die by Memory Box out of white cardstock and adhered it directly to the background. Here is a closeup of the card.

The sentiment is from the Carnations stamp set by Mudra Craft Stamps. 

Here is another look at the completed card.

I just love the way the white die-cuts pop against the vibrant background! 

I hope you are inspired by my card and create something beautiful. You can visit the Rainbow Card Challenge blog for more inspiration from the DT and link your creations. I look forward to seeing you in our gallery!

Love,

Nandini

Triangle Corner Pop-up Card...

Hi! I am here today with a rather unusual card. When I saw this card in my Pinterest feed, I was intrigued. I found an excellent tutorial by Vicki of Stamped Smiles that helped me put this card together very quickly. The card folds flat, though it is rather bulky due to all the layers.

When assembled, it is a beautiful 3-dimensional card with a small easel element included.

I used ivory card stock, purple paper and the Floral Corsage paper pack by Craft Gully. The stamps are from Craftyscrappers and Mudra Craft Stamps. I used the Chloe Stem die by Memory Box and the Fancy Butterfly die by Impression Obsession. Here is a closer look at the easel element.

I stamped a birthday message with purple ink.

Some half pearls from my stash were the final touch.

It opens up like this.

The blank panel at the bottom left gives ample space for writing a personal message. 

I am very happy with the way this card turned out. It definitely has the surprise factor. It will also be fun to play with interactive elements.

I am entering this card in the following challenges.

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Spring Moodboard:

Watercooler Wednesday WWC266:

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge Blog - Crafter's Choice:

Edited – 10-06-2021

Creative Creases Challenge #8

Love,
Nandini

Art Journal #1...

Hi! The major advantage of the lockdown is the amount of time at hand to try new things. I have always wanted to try my hand at art journaling. Inspired by the great videos made by Shari Carroll and Vicky Papaioannou I decided to take the plunge.

I used the MFT Geometric Grid background stamp to heat emboss on a piece of watercolor paper. I used white embossing powder.  I wet the paper and added some watercolors in shades of blue, yellow, pink and green. Since I wanted a very diffused background, I used lots of water. Once the paper was completely dry I used the Tiger Lily stencil by Craftreat and Warm Grey mini ink cubes by Altenew to create the blooms in the background. I also added a hint of pink to the center of the flowers.

I am in love with these stencils. They are so easy to use! Here is a look at the three flowers that I inked.

I inked the edges of the panel with some brown distress oxide ink. The words are from the Floral Art stamp set by Altenew. I stamped them with black ink. I used distress oxide inks to ink the sentiment panels and used foam tape to pop them up on the panel.

I took some pattern paper and inked it with pink, purple and blue distress oxide inks. I die-cut the inked pattern paper and some translucent paper with the Isabella Butterfly die by Memory Box and added them to the page. To finish, I added tiny white half pearls to the butterflies.

Here is another look at the completed layout.

I am very happy with the way this page turned out. I have adhered it to a sheet of black paper. My plan is to add more pages to this journal.
I hope you are also getting a chance to try new things. I would love to hear more about how you are spending this time.

I am entering this page in the following challenges.

Color Throwdown #587:

The Studio Challenges:
5 - Butterflies, 4 - Colors, 3 - Flowers, 2 - Alphas, 1 - Stencil

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Spring Mood Board:

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge:

Love,
Nandini

Papercraft Challenge #24...

Hi! Welcome to the November challenge at the Papercraft Challenge blog. We have a new challenge starting on the first of every month. I am here today bringing you some mid-month inspiration. Do visit the Papercraft Business site for some great tools that can help you take your papercraft business to the next level. Like the awesome Papercraft Business Planner that helps you keep track of your favorite challenges!

The theme for November is – To Give as a Gift (Not just a card)

I love making tags, they are just so cute! So I made some tags and a gift box to put them in as my inspiration.

• Take a bunch of colored paper and die cut circles.
• Die-cut circles and hearts from ivory paper.
• Stamp the small cupcake images from the Sweet Cakes stamp set by Simon Says Stamp on the hearts and color with alcohol markers.
• Assemble the tags, punch holes towards the top and tie some ribbons. Here is a look at the tags.

• I used my new We R Memory Keepers Gift Box Punch Board to create my box out of kraft cardstock.
• Cut a band out of pattern paper and create a cuff that fits around the box.
• Die-cut a circle of ivory paper and a butterfly out of the pattern paper. I used the Isabella Butterfly die by Memory Box.
• Adhere the circle to the band and add the butterfly to the top left. Add a clear gem as a finishing touch.

A view of the box with the tags.

I hope my project inspires you to create something beautiful. Do remember to check out the Papercraft Challenge blog for inspiration from the rest of the design team. There are lots of creative creations that you will love! 

The winning prize: Magnolia - Magnolia – Edwin with Sack

You can get more information about Papercraft Challenge Planner here. It is an invaluable tool for all crafters who love taking part in challenges. The Papercraft Business site also has tools that can help you take your business to the next level. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love,

Nandini

Bold card with Partial Die Cutting...

Hi! Today's card uses a technique that I have wanted to try for a long time. The original post and video are by Jennifer Mcguire and you can find them here.

I had tried this once before, with disastrous results. This time around, though my first try ended in the bin, I persisted and managed to master it. Here is the card I created.

I started with a piece of black cardstock and the Gorgeous Gardenia die by Memory Box. After running the paper through the Big-Shot with the die, I carefully trimmed away the excess. One thing that really helped me was scoring a fold at the line where the die-cutting ended. Here is a closer look at the die-cutting.

I die-cut more pieces out of black cardstock and stacked them to make the partially die-cut flowers more stable. For the background, I took some watercolour paper and Camlin Artist Watercolours. I recently bought this set and I really love the gorgeous, bright colours. I wet the paper and then applied yellow and crimson colours with a large flat brush to get an ombre look. I also added some splatters of gold paint. After drying I adhered the watercoloured paper to a card base. 

The sentiment is from the Birthday Greetings stamp set by Altenew. I stamped and heat embossed with Ranger's Gold Tinsel embossing powder. I added some foam tape to pop up the sentiment strip. Here is another look at the card.

I am entering this card in the following challenges.

Memory Box STAMPtember 2019 Exclusive Collaboration:

Just Us Girls Challenge #505:

Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge:

Love,
Nandini

Fun with Cover Dies...

Hi! I am a big fan of die cutting, especially with cover dies. Though these dies are more expensive due to their larger size, they also make card making a snap. I recently taught a class with cover dies. We made 3 cards with three different dies. The first card was with the Flower die by Gina Marie Designs. You can find it here.

For the second card, I dug out an old Spellbinders die that I have had for a long time. Here is the card I made.

I used is the Trapezoid motif Kaleidoscope die. This is an older Spellbinders die. I had bought it a long time ago as I loved the intricate pattern. The die does not cover the full card. So I trimmed a panel of black cardstock slightly smaller than my A2 card base and die cut. I also cut out another piece from black cardstock and adhered both together. I adhered a piece of pattern paper behind the mat and then popped the die cut panel back into place. Here is a closer look at the panel.

I popped up the panel with some foam tape and mounted it on a black card base.

The sentiment is from the Birthday Greetings stamp set by Altenew. I stamped it and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. I added some foam tape under the strip and adhered to the top of my card over a strip of vellum.

To finish, I die-cut the Isabella Butterfly from vellum. I also coloured a scrap of vellum with gold Sharpie and cut the Pippi Butterfly from it. Both the butterfly dies are by Memory Box. I adhered the layers together and added the butterfly below the sentiment. Here is a closer look at the sentiment strip.

Here is another look at the completed card.

I am very happy with the way this card turned out. It is different from my usual style. And I like it more for that reason.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Cut It Up Challenge #172 - Butterflies & Bugs:

CUTplorations April Challenge:
The pattern paper has stripes like Jello eggs.

HLS April Anything Goes With Dies Challenge:

April Show & Share by Virginia:

Love,
Nandini