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  • Big Hug



    I have a special technique to show today. So there are a few more pictures than usual. Sometimes I like to shorten or lengthen a particular die cut to fit  what I’m doing. I used this technique to adjust the length of the cut made with this Victorian Lattice inset die. It’s a handy trick you may find useful!


    For the Inspiration Challenge IC1049 we are visiting Factory Direct & their Pinterest Boards. THIS picture was my inspiration.

    To make my card, I stamped the flowers on part of a background I made ages ago. It was made w/ dye reinkers on semi gloss card. The ink was spritzed on a teflon sheet then the card was applied face down. Here is a before picture showing what it looked like. I used the lighter piece just to the left of the white lattice. I tested different inks on this before I stamped the flowers. Memento did not work. I knew pigment inks would not work since it’s a coated surface. Ancient Page & Archival inks DO work equally well. I just picked the Ancient Page. To make certain it didn’t smear, I also heat set it. As I said, if you don’t have or can’t find Ancient Page, the Archival works equally well.

    For the partial lattice panel, I used an inset die that normally measures 5 3/8″ long. So I made it shorter. Here is how I did that.  I cut the card stock w/ a rectangle stitch die. It measures approximately 4″ x 5.25″. The die would not fit this size, so I measured the repeat of the pattern which is 7/8″, which means I’ll have to shorten the cut by 7/8″, making the total cut length 4.5″ (it normally cuts 5 3/8″ long). I marked the center of my card then used a centering ruler to make a mark 2.25″ on either side of the center mark. I placed one end of the die on the mark of one end. Placed a small top plate over it & cut it about 2/3 of the way. Where the plate doesn’t extend over the die, it won’t cut. 


    This is what it looks like after the first cut.

    Then I turned the cut around, placed the other end on the mark, & made sure it lined up. You can feel when the die “clicks” into the already cut part & see it is in the correct position. Again, I placed the top plate, just over the part I wanted to cut & ran it thru again.

    This is how it looks when finished. Perfect! You can see the shortened cut on the left & a full cut on the right.

    I placed the background behind it & cut it slightly larger than the white lattice topper. The greeting was stamped on the lower right & the stamped & die cut flowers were popped up and added to the left. I cut a small tag out of more of the background & wrapped it around the right side & added a black pearl on top.

    Thanks so
    much for stopping by!

    ( You can go directly to the items by clicking the name under the pictures below.)


    Supplies:

    Stamps: Brass & Bliss:  Fields of Blooms set, Sympathy #2
    Paper:  Staples 110# white, semi gloss white
    Ink: Versaclair nocturne (greeting), Ancient Page coal  (image)
    Accessories:  Brass & Bliss: Fields of Blooms, Stitched Rectangles, Nested Tags, Victorian Lattice Half Panel  dies,   Misti


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  • Old Jokes



    Today I have a bright and colorful birthday card. This Snarky Guy set is perfect for that man you know or dad you love. Paired with a color blended and die cut background, it has happy written all over it. Add a tasty cupcake and your card is ready to go.


    It’s my turn to host the Inspiration Challenge & we are visiting Urban Wear Outsiders & their Pinterest Board where I found THIS jacket that inspired my card. I loved the bright color dipped look of it.

    To make my card, I color blended a piece of white card stock w/ yellow and 3 shades of red, getting darker toward the bottom. After letting it dry a few minutes, I die cut it w/ the Circle Cover die & backed it w/ a piece of bright yellow. The same yellow was used for the greeting & cupcake icing. I wanted some contrast so I used a bright blue behind the greeting & on the cupcake wrapper. I took a large piece of the same blue & cut out the center of it w/ the largest plain rectangle to make a narrow frame. To me, it needed this addition of the blue to tie it all together. The candle is from another die set & I added a little glitter glue to the flame & a little on the icing highlights.

    Thanks
    so much for stopping by!


    Supplies:  (click the names below the pictures to take you to the products)

    Stamps: Brass & Bliss: Snarky Guy Sayings set
     Paper: Staples 110# white, bright yellow, yellow, bright blue, lt blue
    Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Brass & Bliss: Color Fuse inks set #1, set #4
    Accessories:  Brass & Bliss: Circle Cover, Rectangles, Dot Dash Rectangles, Sweet Treats, Slice of Cake dies, Lg Blending Brushes,  Misti, stickles


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  • Out of My Gourd


    X4!
    This is anything BUT a card today. If you can’t tell, this is actually a gourd that I carved, painted & varnished. For the Inspiration Challenge IC1046, we are visiting Lucuma Gallery & their Pinterest Boards. Since they are all about gourds, I had to use this one. It reminded me of so many but THIS one in particular.  I made several of these & two I still have but I am unable to locate the other one. These were all different & the third one was gifted to a relative. Since it is a round, 3D object, it’s a little trickier to photograph. This is one view showing a pair of cardinals. To make this, I penciled in the scene, then used a Dremmel tool to carve the lines. The lines were accented with black then the insides were painted. Apparently, the paint I used was a little fugitive as they have faded a bit, even with the varnish coating.

    Another side showing a single cardinal & a cherry blossom branch. I will mention, carving a round, slightly slick surface is a bit tricky, even with the Dremmel.

    Third side with a hummingbird. I also would like to mention that the gourd was thoroughly washed & scrubbed, then allowed to dry before I started.

    Top view with wisteria surrounding the stem. After I finished drawing the wisteria, I cut it open & cleaned out the inside. Then the carving, painting & coating took place. Since the top is cut around the wisteria, it only goes back on in the corresponding spot.

    This is a view with the top off. I padded the inside a bit & covered it with fabric. Next time, I’ll be sure to use better paint so it won’t fade. The gourd is about 6 inches high & 7 inches across at the widest point.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!