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

Craftyscrappers Challenge #14 Inspiration...

Hi! The theme for the Craftyscrappers Challenge #14 is new technique. Here is the set of cards that I made with inlaid die cutting. Though I have tried this technique with shapes, this is the first time I made it with a sentiment die.

I started with three pieces of white panels cut with the Stitched Rectangle dies by Die Cuts and More. I stamped the images with a mix of Altenew and Memento dewdrops inks. The stamp set is from Craftyscrappers called Gratitude. It is a beautiful set with lovely images and some great sentiments. I stamped the top layer with Versamark and heat embossed with gold, silver and copper EPs by Ranger and Wow!.

After my stamped panels were finished, I used the Hand-lettered Hello die by Wplus9 to die cut the sentiment out from two of the panels. I also cut 5 out of white card stock. I adhered the white sentiments and then topped them with the sentiments cut from the stamped panel. I also cut three sentiments out of silver and gold metallic paper. Here are close ups of the cards with details on how I made the card bases.

I ran the kraft card base through my Big Shot with the Woven Next Level embossing folder by WRMK. I love the amazing texture that this embossing folder creates. Here is a closeup of the stamped panel.

I mounted the panel on the card base and added a sentiment in gold metallic paper.

Entering this card in to the following challenges:
CAS(E) this Sketch #204

CAS-ual Fridays - CFC165

I kept the next card very simple.

I used some handmade paper on the card base and adhered the stamped panel on it. Here is a closer look at the panel.

The sentiment is cut from some textured silver paper.

The last card is made with Altenew inks. I wanted to create an ombre effect.

I used a white card base and colored it with direct to paper technique. The sentiment is cut from silver metallic paper.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

CASology Week 232: Cut

AAA Cards: CAS Game #81 - Hello

The Card Concept: CC#65
I was inspired by the combo of the pink band on white.

So here are my three cards and I hope they inspire you to create something beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your entries in our gallery. There are some fab prizes for the winners.

Love,
Nandini

Addicted To Stamps & More #225...

Hi! Addicted To Stamps & More challenges are back after a lovely break for the holidays. We have some fabulous challenges lined up for 2017. I hope I will see all of you often in our gallery. The first challenge of 2017 is this beautiful photo.

Two things struck me the first time I say this lovely bloom - the bright colors and the radial arrangement of petals. I decided to go with one of my favorite techniques - teabag folding. This is a great technique for creating quick cards and using up your stash. Here is my card.

I used 16 squares cut from four different handmade papers. I used the arrow fold to create the units and glued them together to create a medallion. I embossed the circle on my black card base with a die from the Lifestyle Crafts nested circles die set. The sentiment is from the Painted Greetings set by Altenew. I stamped it with Versamark and heat embossed with Ranger's Gold EP.

I finished the card by adhering a wooden button from my stash to the center of the medallion.

I hope my card inspires you to create something beautiful. Please link your cards here and be sure to visit the ATSM blog for additional inspiration by my super talented teamies.

Entering this card in the following challenge:

CAS(E) This Sketch #204

Love,
Nandini

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 Challenge #10...

Hi! The new Craftyscrappers challenge is on and theme is Women Power. Today is the first day of Navratri, a festival celebrating the goddess Durga and her victory over evil. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, we want you to make feminine cards for the women in your life.

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 card for a dear friend whose birthday falls in October. Since she loves bright colors, I chose a vivid card base combined with pretty flowers.

I started with a pre-stamped die cut from Craftyscrappers. It is very handy to have these on hand, especially if you are not a confident stamper or don't have a lot of stamps. Since the image is precut there is no bother of fussy cutting. I used distress inks to color the image.

I chose a bright blue card base and embossed it with the WRMK Next Level embossing folder. I cut a frame out of the same paper with DCAM's Double Stitched Rectangles dies. These dies are great since they have stitching on both sides of the cutting line. And the quality is amazing. Here is a close up.

The sentiment is from the Lotus Delight stamp set by Peek-a-boo Designs. I stamped it with Versamark and heat embossed with WOW! white EP. To assemble, I popped up the frame and the image with some double sided tape. 

I hope you like my card. Please be sure stop by the Craftyscrappers blog and check out the amazing inspiration by my super talented teamies.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches #256

Color Throwdown #412

Love,

Nandini

Exciting announcement...

Hi! I am here today with a very exciting announcement that I have been sitting on for some time. I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be joining the super talented Design Team at Addicted to Stamps and More! 

The challenge this week is very easy and a great favourite of mine...

You can create anything for this challenge, so go crazy and make sure that you link up your creations to Challenge #201.

This challenge is being sponsored by

Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for every day crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from everyday to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

Shop: Happy Little Stampers

Prize: $15 gift certificate

My first DT card for ATSM is very special to me because I made this card for my closest friend for her birthday this year.

I started with plain white cardstock and stamped the blooms from MFT's Mini Modern Blooms set with an assortment of Memento dewdrop ink pads. I used the matching dies to cut them. The circles were cut with the Gina Marie X stitched circle dies. The sentiment is from the Folk Sentiments set by Docrafts. I stamped it with Versamark ink and heat embossed with some WOW! Fluorescent Tickled Pink embossing powder. I used the beautiful Woven - Next Level Embossing Folder by WRMK to add some texture to the card. Here is a close up of the blooms. 

I am very happy with the way this card turned out. I hope it inspires you to create something wonderful for the ATSM Challenge #201. You can link up your creations here. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love,
Nandini