Welcome to the Masquerade Ball!

Today I have been working on something special.  A certain young lady that I have known since a baby, turns 21 in a weeks time. (My goodness - that does make me feel old). To celebrate, she is having a masquerade party.  I decided to make a card to fit in with the party theme and colours.


Being a 21st, it needed to be a special card so I went for a box card.  As my mum did the invitations with card I stock, it was easy for me to match the colours of the invite.






I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut the masks and then went all out with rhinestones, pearls and feathers.

I have also made some very special candles for on the night.  All are filled with Fresh Pear and have been purposely half filled.  This is so that the light will shine through the sticker and show off the masks.  For more information on my candles, please visit www.candlesforyoursenses.com.au



Oh and I just couldn't resist.  I went to get my nails done this week and as I was flicking through the "stamp" book, I found a mask.  Now all I need to do is decorate mine & hubby's masks, then find a dress to wear.

Till next time

Happy Crafting

Birthday celebrations

One of my ladies that comes to workshop and has become a good family friend celebrated her birthday this week (as did my wonderful husband).  Here is the card and gift pack I made for her. 

Her favourite colours are Red, Orange, Yellow & Black, so keeping that in mind, I made a simple tri-shutter card using Core'dinations Poinsettia card as the base and decorated with Prima Marketing "one-up" paper.  

To make the flowers, I have used two different tones of Mulberry Paper which are layered together and then cut with either a scallop circle die or a flower die depending on the look you want to achieve.  Attach all the layers together with a brad through the centre and then scrunch each of that layers to create a fluffy flower.

 

This would have to be one of my favourite quote stamps I own.  Produced by Stampendous, it stamps beautifully every time in all different ink mediums.  The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die and the flourish is by Die-namics.

For those that don't know, I also own Candles For Your Senses.  I make soy candles, melts and other home fragrance items.   So to finish off the gift basket, I added a special candle and a new addition to my product range - some Room Spray.  I say this candle is special as it is a one off piece.  The words have been cut in vinyl using the Silhouette Cameo and adhered to the jar once the candle was set and cool.





I am very pleased to say she was super excited when she opened the box to all here goodies.



Till next time

Happy Crafting

Playing with My Silhouette

For the last few days I have had this urge to learn how to make my own cutting files using the Silhouette Studio Software.  I can make basic shapes like squares, rectangles etc and this came in handy when I need 280 squares of card all cut to 4.5cm. But I wanted to do more.....  So I got the product key to upgrade to the Designer Edition, watched some videos and got to playing. 

....and this is my first attempt! (well actually its my second if you include the file I did for Easter which I can now improve up).  The file cuts a full sized card, with the front half featuring a floral lace mat.  There are also some layers and Birthday Sentiments.  I know this card looks quite plain compared to my usual work, but I did not want to mislead by putting lots of embellishments on it.

So once I got the pattern done, I forwarded to my mum and asked for her take on the card. As you can see she has added brads, extra flowers and made the tags a little longer.

If you like this file then pop over to the Happy Crafter where it will be available for free for a short time and then at a small fee.

Till next time.
Happy Crafting
Keeley

With Sympathy

Its been busy busy busy for the last few weeks and I didn't realise how much time had passed since my last update. It not that I haven't done anything, in fact its quite the opposite.  There is just not enough hours in the day right now for me to do everything I want to do!

On a sad note, my hubby asked me to make a card this week which isn't unusual but he wanted a "with Sympathy" card.   I remember the first time I was asked to make one and I panicked.  I love making fun birthday cards, Christmas cards and Thank you cards.  What are you meant to do for "With Sympathy"?  I know most patterns and bought cards you see have crosses on them and are all white etc.  Being not particularly religious myself, I didn't want to offend by putting Crosses etc on a card.   So I came up with a simple card which I copy each time.  It is simple to make and can look different each time depending on the flowers.

For this card I have used my cutting machine and a pattern from Craftsuprint to cut the backing of this card. You could use any patterned paper if you don't have a cutting machine that uses a soft delicate pattern on a like coloured background.  The cutting file I used is by Clive Couter and can be found by click here.  I then proceed to decorate the lower left hand corner of the card.   For this card, I started by using the Fanciful Florish die from Cheery Lynn  to create a vine like background for my flowers.  I then pack the corner of the card with stunning paper flowers.

When out shopping the other day, I came across these beautiful Prima Paper Flowers.  They hold their shape well and have a crystal glitter on them.  (Now I really want some in my own shop.  They look so much better in person thatn they do online). I also a used some paper roses  (similar to those I stock) as a filler.

Although this card is for a sad occasion, I do hope you brings a little relief to the receive and that they know they have friends thinking of them.

Till next time

Happy Crafting

Keeley

The first Christmas card of 2012

Last Christmas, I really struggled to get into the spirit of making Christmas cards, so I promised I would start early this year.  So here is my first Christmas card for the year and I am very pleased with the end result.

The digital stamp was found on http://www.weestamps.com/

and the mat behind the image was electronically cut using a design by Clive Couter

I am only hoping I can keep up the promise I made myself to get in early this year!

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

My New Toy!

I love Electronic Cutting Machines.  I had a Craft Robo a couple of years ago which I got second hand to see if I liked it and would use it.  I did like and I did use it, so I upgraded to a Pazzles.  I hated it!  It wouldn't cut properly, it wrecked my projects, the mats were to sticky and it didn't get used.  I'm not sure if this was because its previous owner hadn't cared for it or if it was just a Friday job as others I know who have one love it.   I got rid of it about 6mths ago and this month, after much deliberation, I got myself the Silhouette Cameo.

And I've fallen in love with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It cuts perfectly everytime.  So I dug out some of my old files that were for the Craft Robo and thus in GSD format and discovered to my delight that they cut.   If you like the lattice pattern in this card, the pattern can be bought from craftsuprint.  Click here for direct link.  The card was then decorated with Green Tara flowers and the green swirls is the Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die that has been segmented into bits.

This design was also off craftsuprint and I was amazed at how well the machine cut the delicate work of this pattern.  I then used the Forever Friends Black & Gold collection of Character stamps to embellish the design.  The sentiments came from the same collection but called Phrases.  For this swirl pattern Click here for the direct link.

Then I really decided to test the machine and found this super delicate design.  I was so pleased when it cut perfectly first time.  Of all the electronic Cutting Machines, the Silhouette Cameo would have to be the one I recommend.

Well I'm off to cut some more wonderful cards!

Till next time,

Happy Crafting.

Keeley