Die cut inlay technique...

Hi! A quick post today, with a new technique.

I was fascinated when I saw the die cut inlay technique that Jennifer McGuire demonstrated on her blog, Jennifer McGuire Ink. You can find the fantastic tutorial here. 

I have only one die which fits the bill - Cheery Lynn's Canadian Kaleidoscope Tiny Doily, with which I first die cut a piece of black card stock. Then I cut several other papers in assorted colours. Instead of the sticker paper used in the tut, I used a scrap sheet of printer paper and fabric glue by Hobby Ideas.

Here is a close up of the final medallion.

The whole thing went surprisingly fast, once I got the hang of it. Rest of the card was easy. I cut a piece of bright golden yellow card stock and mounted the medallion. The sentiment is from the Wonderful Words stamp set by CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Here is a pic of the medallion with the die.

I am entering this card in the CAS(E) this Sketch #63.

I am now thinking of all the different ways in which I can use this technique. So expect more die cut inlays from me in the future!

Love,
Nan

Trying my hand at typography...

Hi! My second post of the day! I think I am a bit impressed with myself!

I made this card for my brother-in-law's wedding anniversary. The sketch is from Retro Sketches #100.

The colour palette is from Dynamic Duo's DD#88 - Red & Teal.

And my take on this is...

Supplies used are handmade paper in white, red and teal blue. The embossing folder is Daisy and Swirls from Itsy Bitsy. 

I embossed the white handmade paper and then dry brushed with Hobby Ideas pearl colours in shades of blue. The tiny red sequins add a pop of colour.

Here is a close up of the embossing.

For the word art panel, I typed out a list and then applied various fonts till I got a good mix of styles. The names of the recipients are coloured with red sketch pen.

Some red grosgrain ribbon and stitching lines with a white gel pen complete the card.

Here is a close up...

Entering this in the following challenges:

Retro Sketches - #100
I used their lovely sketch

Dynamic Duo's DD#88 - Red & Teal

Used the colour palette

Lawnscaping Challenge 75: Dots and Hearts

I think my card qualifies since the embossing has both dots and tiny hearts.

That is all from me for now.

Love,

Nan

A birthday card...

Hi! I am back with a card which I made for a very dear friend. After a very long time, I actually made a card at one go. Normally my projects take couple of days, since I have to craft around a very active toddler.

I used the sketch from Retro Sketches #100.

The theme and colour palette is from Beyond Grey Challenges' BGC #45 - Colour Palette + Sweet tooth.

 

I decided to make a Center Step Card, the tutorial is available at Splitcoaststampers.



Supplies used are white handmade paper, yellow card stock and various scraps of pattern papers from my stash.

The cake is a digital stamp from Paperprintables and the sentiment is from Create with TLC. Both are free downloads.



I coloured the image using Faber Castell sketch pens. The stars were done with a gold glitter pen. I also used glitter pens in pink, gold, blue and orange to accentuate the sentiment.



The sentiment inside is again a freebie from Create with TLC and I continued with the banner theme inside.

I also decorated the envelope quickly, with some left over triangles.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Retro Sketches - #100
I used their lovely sketch

Beyond Grey Challenges - BGC #45 - Colour Palette + Sweet Tooth
I used the image of a cake and the all the colours in the palette.

Paper Players - PP#181 - Anne Marie's Theme Challenge
I used the image of a cake.

Love,
Nan

Back to my old love...

Hi! I came across the Crazy Little Projects site some time back. What really caught my eye was the Sew Crazy Monthly Challenge, a sewing series which will have a monthly theme and a challenge.

I was very excited since I have been wanting to get back to sewing for some time now. I learnt to sew as a child from my mother who used to teach sewing, embroidery etc. Since I did Home Science, I did 3 more years of sewing in college. Though I have stopped making garments, I do enjoy making stuff like bags, cushion covers etc.

I was even more excited when I saw that one of the projects was a zippered pouch with pin tucks. Though pin tucks are not a problem, I have never been too comfortable with zippers. So this was my project of choice.

For the outer fabric, I recycled an old trouser. The print is from my stash. There is a great tutorial at Simple Simon & Co which I followed.

The pouch turned out a bit bigger that the tutorial since I could only get a 10 inch zipper. I embellished the pouch with some fabric flowers, embroidery and yellow wooden buttons.



Here is a close up of the pin tucks...



and the flowers.



The pouch now goes to my daughter to hold the million and half things that she needs to carry to school everyday.



I really had fun making this pouch. And the best part? Took me only around an hour to finish! I am definitely making more!

Love,
Nan

Stretching my horizons...

Hi! This colour combo from Dynamic Duos DD#85 really caught my eye.

I love the bright colours and that became the starting point of my card here:



Supplies used are hand made paper in white and green and bright yellow card stock. I used the sketch from Retro Sketches rs#97.

I used the current challenge at Technique Time Tuesday - Triple Time Stamping to stamp the leaves with Camlin Drawing Inks in Yellow and Green. Though I followed the excellent video tutorial, I decided to inverse the layers.



The sentiment was stamped on acetate and heat embossed, since the green paper is textured. I finished off with some punched yellow flowers and white half pearls.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Dynamic Duos #85
Hope my card is accepted, since my rich, golden yellow is looking more orange!

Retro Sketches rs#97
Thanx for the great sketch, guys!

Technique Time Tuesday - Triple Time Stamping
Been following this blog for some time. But am entering a card for the first time.

Robyn's Fetish Challenge #194 - No pattern paper

Thats all from me for now.

Love,
Nan

A cute little card...

Hi! My second post today!

A cute little card to celebrate the new year.

The base is white hand made paper. I glued the light blue hand made paper at the bottom. The octopus, the hat and the wine glass are all hand cut. The banner is punched from assorted paper scraps.

The sentiment is from Micia and stamped with Faber Castell ink pad in red. The gold sequins and pearls finish my New Year's card.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge #44 - Animal Friends

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #55 - New Beginnings

Craftyhands Challenge #5 - Anything Goes

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C217
I was inspired by the banner and the sentiment

Verve Stamps Inspiration Challenge - Shimmer & Shine
The shiny gold sequins and the subtle shimmer of pearls

Love,
Nandini

Rainbow on my mind...

Hi! A quick post today.

I was very inspired by the Freshly Made Sketches #117.

I used one of my all time favourites, a rainbow, and came up with this card.

The supplies used are very simple, white handmade paper and ¼ inch wide satin ribbons in the colours of the rainbow.

The sentiment is stamped using a Micia stamp and violet ink pad by Faber Castell. I used the same ink on the edge of the cloud to make it pop and mounted it on double sided tape for some volume. I finished the card with stitching lines with a glitter pen. Then my daughter said that the card was looking a bit too plain. So I added some blue sequins randomly.

I am also entering this card in the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Smitten

I am definitely smitten by the CAS style and Rainbows!

I am entering it in the Keep It Simple kis! #30 - Anything Goes as well.

Love,

Nan