Harvest Card Swap

This months challenge came round fast and I must admit I was a little stumped on this months theme.  The card had to be based on Harvest or Thanksgiving.  These are not huge celebrations in Australia and as such I found it hard to find the products and inspiration (especially as we're in Spring!)  But I persevered and I am super happy with the end result.

I embossed the back ground using the script Cuttlebug embossing folder and with core'dinations card stock.  I love using this cardstock as a simple sand adds another layer of dimension to your project.

I used purchased some autumn leaves via the Silhouette online shop and cut on white cardstock.  I stamped with a script background stamp by Darkroom Door and I then used Spiced marmalade, Crushed olive and Vintage photo distress ink to colour the leaves.  To add the sheen, I used some glossy accents to give the leaves a 3D shiny effect.

 To finish the design, I cut a medallion in blue and a layer in white.  I then stamped a pumpkin from the Happy Haunting Graphic 45 stamp set.  and coloured with distress markers.  To add that final touch, I tied a bow with some brown twine and adhered a brad. 

Then I did something I very rarely do - I decorated the envelope with two of the pumpkins from the stamp set.  I also did an insert for the card with a quote on harvest as I found out my swap loves quotes.

Looking forward to next months challenge which is 12 Christmas cards.

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

Christmas Crackers

 As its our first Christmas back down in Brisbane - and because we're the ones with the pool - we will be having Christmas Lunch / Dinner at our place. 

Its been a long time since I've had a Christmas get together and for the past 10yrs have tagged along at Orphan Parties as we have lived so far from Family.

So I decided to get into the spirit of things and finally decorate the Christmas Cracker Kits I bought about 12yrs ago.

That's right!  12yrs ago I got some Cracker kits from Lincraft when they were having their Clearance sales.  These ones are just plain white card and come with hats, crackers, the ribbon and some very very bad jokes.

I went to PrintBlocks yesterday and picked up a paper pack that was on special and proceeded to cover the crackers.  Not very traditional colours but fun and merry.

I decided to test out the new Tim Holtz Rosette Dies (will be loaded on website soon) and the Cuttlebug Rosette Die that I received last week. So quick and simple to do and look amazing.





With the snowflake decorate strip, it cuts two different types of snowflake rosettes. The bes thing with these rosettes are that they are not to big and chunky but still add that bit of depth to your project.

I also had to try out the Cuttlebug Rosette.  This pack is good as you get a total of 3 Rosettes all in different sizes and decorative edges.  I chose to use the largest.  This is fine for a big project but not recommend for smaller projects that need to go in the post.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Till next time

Happy Crafting

Keeley

Spooky treats

Usually I don't get into Halloween as I think true meaning of this pagan celebration has been forgotten and its now all about the lollies (not even any decent tricks today).   However, I couldn't resist making some treat boxes for the niece and nephews as this is the first year we get to see them for all the big events. 

I used the Oriental box from of the My Time Made easy site as well as some digital papers and cutting files from the Silhouette studio shop.

Then I stuffed them full of sugary lollies and then left the kids with their Mums (hehehe)

Pretty in Pink!

Today is my niece's birthday!   Like most young ladies, she is very much into Princesses and all things pink and pretty. I managed to find this pack of funky lip balms in all shapes and sizes.  I wanted a really nice & different way of wrapping them (other than in the box they came in) and something she could keep.

So while surfing around the net this morning looking for inspiration, I came across this gorgeous backpack cutting file on My Tme Made Easy.  And as the site suggests, the cutting file is simple to use, easy to make up and took very little time.  

 I took the opportunity to use the new magnetic clasps that I have just had delivered - soon to be loaded on the shop.

I used to use Velcro dots as closures for boxes & tabs, but I came across some magnetic discs designed for paper crafters.  I found I need to add some extra glue dot to them as they sticky they come with is not tacky enough for how strong the magnetic field is.  Though it does have to be said that they finish a project off much better than velcro dots. 

Till next time
Happy Crafting
Keeley 

Christmas Card Class - September

So here it is, my first card class.  This Christmas themed class will run on Saturday 22nd September from 10am to lunch time. 

For $20 per person, you will get

• A sheet of Teresa collins Cottage Christmas punch outs
• Teresa Collins precut flower dies
• All card to make 2 cards and boxes
• Acetate for box and car
• Embellishments - brads & ribbon
• And don't forget tea & coffee

I will be providing stamps for use at class.  All stamps used are available for sale.

 

 So what will we learn?

 

• How to make a 2-4-6-8 box and different ways of assembling
• How to make a distressed flower
• Using new mediums including core'dination papers and acetate
• Stamping on acetate
• How to make use of a precut die 12x12 sheets

If you are interested in coming along to the class please contact me using the contact me page on www.thehappycrafter.com.au or by clicking here.

 

Once you have contacted me I will send you the address details.  I live in Redland Bay, Queensland.

 

I can take a maxium of 8 people so get in early if you would like to come along.

Don't forget to brink your basic kits including adhesive, cutting tools, scoring tools etc.

 

Happy Crafting

Keeley