Make My Monday Challenge #36...

Hi! The new challenge is up on the Make My Monday Challenge blog and this time around we want to see some snowmen on your cards.

I was quite stumped when I sat down to make this card. I went through my entire stash and couldn't find a single snowman stamp or die! Easiest thing would be to buy one, especially since there are so many crafty sales happening. But I am seriously trying to curb my spending and decided to challenge myself to use the existing supplies. There is no lack of inspiration as the blogland is full of gorgeous creations with approaching Christmas. I pulled out my stash of basic dies and here is what I made.

I started with a panel of white card stock. I blended Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch and Faded Jeans for an ombré effect. I added some texture by sprinkling water and blotting it. I used a circle from my WRMK-Lifestyle Nesting dies set. This is a great buy since it has 21 dies ranging from ¼" to 5½" with ¼" increments. Since I don't have any oval dies, I did a bit of jugad and used the Ornate Mirror die by Crafters Companion. This is a frame die with an oval center. The arms are two branches from the Seasonal Tree die by Paper Smooches. I added the details with a black microtip pen and dressed him up with odds and ends from my scrap box. Here is a closer look:

The snowdrift was created using the MFT's Stitched Basic Edges and the panel was cut using the Stitched Rectangle dies by Diecuts & More. The sentiment is from Craftyscrappers, heat embossed with Ranger's Silver EP. I popped the panel on some double sided tape and mounted it on a plain white card base.

I hope you like my snowman card and are inspired to create something beautiful. Please link up your cards to the Make My Monday Challenge blog and don't forget to check out the awesome inspiration by my other teamies. Looking forward to seeing your creations in our gallery.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

CAS Mix Up December Challenge:
I have used sponging, distressing, die cutting, paper piecing, stamping and heat embossing.

Twelve Days of Christmas Cards Challenge:

Dies R Us Challenge #62 - Christmas

Love,

Nandini

Craftyscrappers Craft Challenge #9...

Hi! The Craftyscrappers Crafty Challenge #9 is back with a new challenge. This is a easy one - Anything Goes. So you can create anything you wish - only the sky and your creativity is the limit!

Our sponsor for this challenge is 

Craftyscrappers is a great e-shop selling high quality die cuts, stamps and embellishments at very pocket friendly rates.

You could be the lucky winner to win amazing prizes from our CRAFTYSCRAPPERS SHOP

FIRST WINNER: a clear stamp set along with craft goodies.

SECOND WINNER: assorted die cuts.

THIRD WINNER: assorted embossed cards pack.

I made a birthday card using loads of die cuts for this challenge.

My starting point was the beautiful die cut window frame that was a part of my DT kit. Here are the supplies that I started with. 

I used the Tulips die set by Impression Obsession to get a bunch of flowers out of white card stock and the Sizzix Floral Wreath set to get some foliage. I then colored them with sketch pens. I also traced the die cut window onto a kraft card stock and cut it out with a craft knife. The stamp set is also from Craftyscrappers. It has loads of beautiful sentiments perfect for every occasion.

I changed the color of the die cut by applying Versamark and then heat embossing it with Ranger's Sea Foam White EP. I applied several coats to get a sturdy die cut with a lovely texture. Here is the die cut after heat embossing.

After I had finished my flowers and the window, it was time to assemble my card.

I used some red tacky tape that Shalini Mittal of Crafters Corner was kind enough to send to adhere a piece of acetate to my aperture panel. This tape is super strong and perfect for this kind of work. I then adhered the die cut window to the front of the card. I added some dark brown paper behind the die cut on the card base and added the aperture panel mounted on foam tape. 

I added the flowers and foliage die cuts and finally added the window box which also doubles as the sentiment panel. Here is a close up.

For the window box I cut a scrap piece of kraft card stock and shaped it. I then stamped and heat embossed the sentiment. I also added some texture by simply laying down my Tim Holtz Wood Grain stencil and tracing through it with my embossing pen.

I hope you like my card and are inspired to create something lovely. Please link up your to our challenge and maybe you will be one of the lucky winners! Looking forward to seeing you in our gallery.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Penny Black and More September Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - What's That You Say?

The Card Concept #57 - Rainbow Connection
I made a Clean and Layered card. The hanging baskets remind me of the multicolored tulips that I have used on the card.

Love,

Nandini

Thank you card...

Hi! Recently a good friend got a whole bunch of crafty goodies for me and I decided to make a card for her using some of them.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper that I had colored. I stamped the outline flower from the LJD Circle Scribble Flowers set by My Favorite Things in Versamark and heat embossed in white. I trimmed it to size and mounted it on a dark brown card base.

The sentiment is from the Agapanthus Thank You set by Stampendous and heat embossed in white.

Before mounting the stamped piece, I wrapped shaded brown embroidery floss towards the top a few times. I fussy cut a single flower and two green leaves and placed them over the floss for some added interest.

I also decorated the inside of my card with some simple stamping.

Entering it in the following challenges:

The Paper Players Clean & Simple Challenge #245 - Girly Thanks

Can You Case It Challenge #70 - May Flowers Edition

Love,
Nan

Ornate tags swap...

Hi! Last month I participated in the Swap Central India's Swap #13: Ornate Tags. It was a fairly easy swap as we were required to make only three tags.

I was very keen on trying my hand at the more layered look. I do love looking at all the beautiful vintage style creations that people keep posting. But ultimately I made only one tag in that style. You can see the post here. By the time I finished that tag, I was mentally exhausted! Also, I realized that the tag fulfilled the requirements of some of the current challenges, and decided to enter it.

P.S. Good decision to enter as my tag won the Beyond Grey Challenge #37 - Latte Love!

For the swap I decided to stick to my fav style, CAS.

The first tag is probably the simplest.

Supplies used are cream cardstock and printer paper in red, orange and yellow.

I really love the clean, simple lines of this tag. The tutorial for the technique is available on Splitcoaststampers. It also gave me a chance to use my new Chloe Stem die by Memory Box which I recently purchased from Die Cuts & More.

For the second tag, I wanted the lovely texture and colour of matty canvas to be the focal point.



Supplies used are hand made paper in red and cream, matty canvas and scraps of light green printer paper.



I used a bit of embossing on one layer and made the flower using the tea bag folding technique. A white half pearl, some stitching lines and hand cut leaves and stem from light green paper completed the tag.

The last tag is probably my favourite. I went back to a kiddie theme, which I seem to use a lot. Might be because I design so many craft projects for pre-schoolers!



The original inspiration for this came from this great project by Snap.Scrap.Blog.Tweet. I gave it my own twist and made it into a tag that will brighten anybody's day.



Supplies used are hand made paper in white, blue and yellow and a bunch of satin ribbons in rainbow colours.



The sun and clouds are sketched,  hand cut and pieced together. The sentiment is from Micia stamps - Happy Days, stamped using a light blue sketch pen. The stitching lines are done with glitter pens.

Here are all three tags together.



I had a lot of fun making these tags. Hope my partner likes them as well. Looking forward to hearing your reactions now.

Love,
Nan

CAS cards swap...

Hi! This is one post I have been waiting a while to upload! In July, I participated in Swap #12 - Clean & Simple cards (CAS cards) by Swap Central India. Each participant had to make 10 CAS note cards. I was very excited as CAS has always been my style. I decided to use this as an opportunity to experiment with as many different techniques as possible.

For my first card I used stamping and crayon masking techniques.

Supplies used are handmade paper in white and purple. Here is a close up.

I used white crayon as a mask and watercolour pencils by Faber Castell to create the background. The basic tutorial for crayon masking is available at Splitcoaststampers. There is another excellent tutorial available at Stamp TV by Gina K. The stamping was done using a Micia stamp set and purple ink by Faber Castell. I used the same ink to stamp a sentiment.

For the second card, I again used stamping.

Supplies used are handmade paper in white and green. Stamping is with Micia stamp set and black Faber Castell ink pad.

Once again I used the crayon resist technique and combined it with die cutting.

My third card was the last one I used stamping on.

Supplies used are red handmade paper and cream cardstock. The red DP is from Chimanlals. 

The stamp set is Micia and I used red Faber Castell ink pad. A length of off white satin ribbon from my stash completed the card.

Since I had already done three cards with stamping, I decided to take a break and use a different technique. So I tried my hand at paper cutting. This is something I have been wanting to try for a long time.

Supplies used are cream cardstock, handmade paper in orange and golden yellow.

I traced the rose from an old Hobby Ideas stencil and cut it with my craft knife. Then I die cut the circle and layered it with a scalloped circle cut from orange paper. A length of golden yellow satin ribbon completed the card.

For the fifth card I used my old Cut 'n Tuc stencil.

Supplies used are handmade paper in pale pink and brown.

For added interest, I die cut a circle after mounting the cut medallion and stamped the sentiment inside the card.

Since I didn't have a coordinating ribbon in my stash, I cut a thin strip of the brown paper and added it at the bottom. Some pretty rhinestones in pink completed the card.

For the sixth card, I decided to go for a radical change. Normally CAS cards are associated with a white or light base. I used black and gold instead. And I used a technique with sequins that I have used extensively when I used to make gift envelopes and tags for sale.

Supplies used are cardstock in black and gold and a scrap of the red DP. I drew vertical lines on a piece of gold paper with an orange glitter pen. Then I stuck red and green sequins for a festive touch.

The red DP was punched with a border punch and placed below the gold panel. I used the Faber Castell red ink pad to stamp the sentiment. The final touch was rounding the corners.

Since I was happy with the look of sequins, I decided to use it on my seventh card as well. But this time I wanted a more subtle look.

Supplies used are handmade paper in red and antique gold. This time I alternated scored lines with red glitter pen. The sequins are almost the same shade as the paper and give a lovely look.

Some quilled flowers and punched leaves placed atop a green satin ribbon completed the card.

For my eighth card I decided to go back to my old favourite, teabag folding. I had used a similar design previously in this card.


You can find that post here.

This time round I used a more subdued palette.

Supplies used are handmade paper in cream and red. The red DP is, of course, from Chimanlals.

I used the arrow fold and six squares of paper to construct the fan. Half pearls in gold and a bit of cord completed the fan.

The sentiment was stamped with Faber Castell's red ink pad.

The idea for my ninth card came from this beautiful card by Angela Maine that I saw on Pinterest.

My take on it is this.

Supplies used are handmade paper in white and blue.

Luckily I had the same Cuttlebug die. To make the card pop a bit more, I used blue rhinestones from my stash. I drew the stems with a green gel pen. The sentiment was stamped with a green sketch pen.

The tenth and final card is my favourite. I cased another fabulous card. The original is by Brigit, who does really amazing work!

Isn't it gorgeous? You can find her blog here.

My take on it is this

Supplies used are orange handmade paper and cardstock in green and cream.

I used my Itsy Bitsy embossing folder on the orange paper. I cut away the cream paper to reveal the green paper underneath. The flowers were punched out of cream cardstock  I outlined them with an orange sketch pen for more definition. The white half pearls were the final touch.

I used a green sketch pen to ink and stamp the sentiment.

With that I come to the end of this loooong post! Here is a pic of all my cards


I had a lot of fun making these cards. It was great trying out new techniques as well as revisiting some old ones.

Hope all of you liked the cards as much as I did. Looking forward to listening from you.

Love,
Nan

Teabag Folding

Hi! I have become quite obsessed with teabag folding recently. Initially I was reluctant to try my hand at it. All those little pieces of paper seemed too intimidating! But now I find it very interesting.

When I saw the sketch challenge by Beyond Grey, I was very excited.

 I decided to combine it with the colour challenge by Catchy Challenges.

So here is my entry for BGC #27 - Fetch That Sketch by Beyond Grey Challenges and Catchy Challenges, March Season IV - Make a Congratulations Card in Blue and Brown.

The card size is 5 x 6 inches. I have used handmade paper in dark blue and white, both sourced locally. The pattern paper is from Itsy Bitsy.

I embossed the dark blue paper with the embossing folder Leaves, from Itsy Bitsy. I sketched the stem on the white paper and cut it with a craft knife and also rounded the corners with a corner rounder.

After layering the papers, I added the flower which was made using 8 circles cut from double sided paper. The fold I used is the classic Dahlia fold. Some small pearls made up the flower center (my daughter's recommendation). 

One of the things I like about teabag folding is how 3 dimensional the end result is.

Finally, the sentiment was hand written by my husband with a brown sketch pen. I refused to use my own handwriting; it is quite terrible.

I think this was one of the quickest cards I made in a long time. And I am quite happy with the end result.

Love,
Nan

P.S.   Also entering the following challenges:

Inspired By...#67
Crafty Boots Challenge