Double Celebrations!!

Hubby and I have just got back from a night at the Sunshine Coast where we celebrated his twin sisters' birthdays.  This is one of the cards that I made.  I was so happy with how it came out I just had to share.  I was having a play with a couple of new techniques and some stamps that I have not had chance to play with yet.

I am seeing the Bokeh Technique popping up all over the place and decided I wanted to create a background in this style.  I used the distress inkpads in Worn Lipstick, Broken China and Scattered Straw which has given it a very feminine look.  Most of the cards I have seen with this technique are very simply decorated but my card just grew and grew.

Next, I used my new "Kinda Eclectic" Stampin' Up set of stamps and stamped the leaves using Peeled Paint and Iced Spruced Distress inks.  I also used the boarder stamp in this set to add some dimension to the card front.

I drew inspiration from one of my ladies that comes to workshop for the flowers.  She has been making flowers these stunning flowers and we discussed using Organza to get the same effect.  You need a fabric that has a low melting point as you hold the fabric close (but not in) a flame and this melts the fibres.  I used a scallop circle to cut the layers and then snipped in the between every 2nd scallop so that the fabric would curl nicely. As the fabric gently warms, the fibres melt down and curl the petals.  If you try this at home, please be very cautious that you do not set your fabric on fire.  At first they don't look like much, but once layered with a brad, the flowers are gorgeous and very delicate. 

I finished of the card by using the Butterfly embosslit from Stampin' Up to add a big spray of butterflies.

I think this would have to be one of my favourite cards that I have made.  .....and I think my sister-in-law was very impressed with it too.  I forgot to take photos of the other card which was very different to this one.


Till next time

Happy Crafting

January Card Swap

A couple of years ago I joined a card swap group.  I love being a part of this group and look forward to get a different card each month.  There are currently 12 of us in the group scattered along the eastern side of Australia. 

This month our change was to make a beach or boat inspired card.  When I think beach I think clean and natural.  I had a quick scan through the internet, and was inspired to come up with this design.

I used Distress inks to make the sky and Ocean background.  I used Weathered wood for the sky and Broken china for the ocean.  The sand is some Core'dinations card stock that has been torn to create the rough look. 

The stamp sets used are Technique Tuesday "One of a Kind" and the Hobby Art Coast Scene-it set.

Till next time

Happy Crafting

Card Swap

I am so excited, I have finally found a card Swap to be in and this is my first card.  This months theme (and there were several to choose from) was Swirl, Beach or domestic Goddess. 

I decided to mix the Beach and Swirl themes together and this is what I came up with.  The background has been made using a resist technique with Waxed paper and Distress inkpads.  For more information on this check out my YouTube video here

The gorgeous lady is the Loralie Design Beach Bum stamp.  I have stamped with London Fog Memento Ink and then coloured her skin, hair, bag and Hat with alcohol markers.

The image was then stamped again onto some patterned paper and the swimsuit, bow and bag were cut out and adhered onto the first image.  This was then cut out and attached to the card front.

I can't wait to start creating my next card which has a Harvest or Thanks Giving theme.


Till next time

Happy Crafting

Waxed paper Resist Technique

Oh my goodness!  The months have certainly been flying by. I've been super busy as The Happy Crafter has grown tremendously in the last 12 months since moving to Brisbane.  I am now running card classes as well as going to markets.  I can see retirement just around the corner :o)  or so I am hoping! 

In our July class, we worked with waxed paper and distress inks to create textured backgrounds.  We took a piece of waxed lunch wrap and simply screwed it up into a ball and then flattened out.  Then taking a piece of white background card, lay your waxed paper over the card with the wax facing down on the card, cover with a heatproof craft sheet and apply a warm (not Hot) iron without steam to the surface.  This transfers the wax to the card and then you use the distress inks to colour the background and wax creates a resist leaving a pattern. 

Another way of creating a textured background is to run the waxed paper through an embossing folder as shown in this Christmas card.  As our August class used Vellum, I decided to incorporate the vellum into this card as I love the soft effect it gives

This resist technique is really quick and simple and is fantastic for those crafting on a budget as you don't need the embossing folders as shown in the first card.  I have made a video tutorial on how I have made this Christmas which gives a couple of extra little tips.

Till next time

Happy Crafting

Sneek Peek

Today has been a rather productive day.  Last week I got a delivery of goodies including a new Zutter machine.  I have been playing with that and have a work in progress.  Also in my box of goodies was a complete set of Distress Markers.  I have got individual colours available for sale at The Happy Crafter and hope to have the full range of colours in coming months. Today I decided the Project of the Month would be a technique class (as the last few have been off-the-page projects) to show how I have used the fantastic markers.   Here is a sneak peek of the card I have created.  This will be posted to YouTube hopefully tomorrow so keep watch on the tab at the top of this page. 

This is a very masculine, but the technique works well on feminine cards too.

Till next time
Happy Crafting
Keeley

Stepping out the comfort zone.....

I've been seeing a lot of "steampunk" images and it had me intrigued. So when I was on my favourite digital craft site (see link at top of page) and saw a cutting file for "Steampunk" I decided now was as good a time as ever and so I brought it.  I did a bit of research on the net to see what steampunk was all about and then set about making a card that I wouldn't usual do.

The file (Click here for direct link) cuts a series of cogs and gears and I used Tim Holtz Grunge Paper to cut them out using my Silhouette Cameo.  I then used distress inks and a blending tool to colour the grunge paper.  Some I applied a lot of ink to get a dark colour and others were lightly covered.   I used Vintage photo and Aged Mahogany.  I also sprayed some of the gears with Copper Perfect Pearls mist.  Two of the cogs and one of the stamped clock images were also covered with Distress Crackle Paint

Behind the flowers and stamped image is a piece of backing paper I made myself.   I embossed a piece of white card using the Cuttlebug Time embossing folder.  I then used Vintage Photo, Dusty Concord and Aged Mahogany Distress inks and a colour blending tool to colour.  A light spray of Copper Perfect Pearls Mist was applied.   Lots of Paper flowers were added to this card to add depth.  The stamped image was found at http://karla-chan.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-Free-Bird-Cleanlines-192634659 

I really enjoyed making this project and know just who this card is going to.  Never be afraid to step out side the square and try a new technique or a different style!  I might just get hooked on "Steampunk"

Till next time....

Happy Crafting

Keeley

Recycling!

Today we went to the Craft Markets held at the Cairns Show Grounds which helps to raise funds for Leukeamia.  For a gold coin donation, you get to enter the Pavillion and check out all the wonderful crafty people and their wares.  We got a number of things this year and I got a friend a beautiful piece of jewellery that had been made with a drink can.   The lady on the stall was quick to point out how easy they were to make so one I got home I gave it a go.

Her Idea was to make large flowers and turn them into pendants to hang around your neck.  As I didn't have a large enough punch but was desperate to give it a go, I made some small flowers using a Sunkist Drink can.  The vibrant Oranges and Blues give an interesting look and each flower is different.  I ended up with Three and decided they'd make a unique card.

I cut a card measure 12.5cm x 16cm once folded and used some Chipped Sapphire Distress ink to soften the edges.  The background paper was from Craftsuprint and is called Sepia Salt Spatter.  I also added some Vintage photo and a touch of the Chipped Sapphire Distress inks to the edge of the patterned paper to blend.  I used one of the Kaisercraft Florishes and then added my little flowers. The tag was made using a Zip'e cut name plate die cut.  This was cut using white card and then had Vintage Photo Distress ink and water applied. 

I am sure I am going to make make lots more cards using the drink cans.  You can use your punches or die cuts and don't be concerned aout cutting the tin.  This will actually shapen you punches.

The Possibilities are endless.

Happy Crafting

Keeley

Lots of lovely new goodies

Years ago, I brought myself a Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink pad - mainly because I liked the colour but also, I liked the look of the picture on the package.  I got the ink pad home and started to read the instructions on the back. I commenced to scrunch my bit of paper and then wipe the ink pad across before ironing flat.  It looked nothing like the picture and decided I didn't like it so it sat in the drawer.

Last month, the inkpad popped out from where it had been hidding and I was intrigued. These days I am a little more internet savvy and started searching "youtube". If only I read those instructions properly all those years ago - I would have realised I needed to add water to make it work!!!!  I then fell in love with the technique and watched all sorts of videos to see what else I could do.   I then preceeded to stock the shop with all these love items and more will come! 

And here are a couple of cards!

I've had a lot of fun creating interesting backgrounds and love the fact that no two cards will ever be the same.  For this card, I used Dusty Concord, Wild Honey & Fired Brick and using the blending tool by Ranger, I have gently added colours randomly to the card.  For the water, I used Perfect Pearls Mist - Sunflower sparkle which has a beautiful gold shimmer.  I then used the Walnut Stain to stamp the butterfly and flowers.    The sentiment tag uses a resist technique and Wild Honey inkpad.  On the butterfly I have used Rock Candy Crackle paint.  Now it is just trying to get the video camera to work so I can show you how I made this card.

The Fired Brick and Peeled Paint Distress inks make great Christmas backgrounds and using the Perfect Pearls Mist, you add that extra sparkle. I just love the resist technique for stamping.

This gorgeous digital stamp was from the

craftuprint website.  Click here to see stamp!

Well that's all for now.  

Happy Crafting.

Keeley