Club Scrap: Team challenge Blog Hop for December

Good morning!  It is the after Christmas just before New Years.  I bet you are relaxing and wondering what 2017 will bring.  Well for me it was a wonderful 2016.  We moved to Texas in 2014 so that my daughter Roxie could train and hopefully compete at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.  Goal was accomplished.  As we turn to 2017, she will continue riding with a goal to continue to compete in the International Arena.  What will I do.  Well Santa brought me a new Spinning Wheel and I am in love with Popup Cards.  And of course Club Scrap provides monthly anticipation as I wait for my box to arrive.  Well this month, I got caught up in the After Thanksgiving and Before the Insurance Changes (again), I work in health care, and after 60+ hour work weeks am ready to sit and spin and craft. 
So my participatin has been sparse.  On that note, my first card is a KNOCK Out!!!
But first:  You should have arrived from: Cheryl and If you want to start at theBeginning, click here.

So lets start with the first card:

This is a pop up and one of the most remarkable mechanisms.  I did not think this up.   Instructions can be found Here, I used the measurements and made the base card exactly as Karen's instructions.  The embellishments are different however.  There is another tutorial on Split Coast Stampers that also make a card in this style.  Here is the link: Twisted Pop Up Card

  Inside of card:

Some tips:

For the inlay.  I did not use the same die as in the video.  I had 2 separate words.

 Started out by using my grid mat to tape them in what I thought was right.

Cut them out of scrap paper and clearly the alignment was off, adjusted and recut.

I kept the dies taped together and removed the white paper from the die.  Then recut with the blue paper.  following the instructions in the video, placed the die in the opening and glued the blue letters into the openings.  Then I went back and cut the white paper again, removed the words and placed all the bits into the opening by pushing through the holes in the die.

Took very little time as is perfect and flat, which is needed for the mechanism to move properly.

Here a few photos of the process.

Mechanism in place

Pop up added.

All that was left was to embellish the pop up, add the sentiment and finish the front.

Closing.  Amazing, lays flat (albeit bulky) but flat enough to go through the mail.

Finished!

Well after that one, I decided to focus on simple and quick but elegant.

The champagne sparkle paper was my inspiration, and what can be better than champagne and the beach.

Using the embossed paper that was in the kit, I added ink with a blending tool.

first photo is a close up and the second a comparison of the non inked paper.  I used a clean paper towel to remove the inking from the embossing.  

Tools of the Trade!!  I used Hero Arts Soft Pool for the ink. 

Sentiment was stamped and embossed in Ranger Platinum embossing powder and versamark ink on cream paper.  The inspiration paper became the mat, and I used the darker tan paper for the cardstock.  To balance everything, I added a ribbon and embellishment.  Easy but impressive.

This was photographed with softer light, to try and capture the softness of the overall effect.  I am thinking if I got this in the mail, I would feel better fast!!

Ok, now for Card 3:

This one is my go to card when I am wanting simple and generic.

Using the tan card stock, left over from Card 2, I stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed with Ranger Holographic embossing powder.  Then I cut it up so that the snowflakes look random.  By stamping a larger piece and then cutting, you avoid that "placed look".  Some will fall off the edges.  

A white card base, a silver ribbon, and an embalmments grounds the image.  The sentiment in Versafine black Onyx and heat embossed in clear, turns the sentiment into the focal image.  

I don't think they are bad for an afternoon of crafting.  Your next stop is:  Jennifer

Until next time,

Happy Crafting,

Josette

Links:

Club Scrap

Shades of Winter

Club Scrap Team Challenge for December

This month we are to create our projects for a challenge on the Club Scrap Forum.  This was a real challenge for me, I must say.  In Part, I start with the design and then build the card around the focal image.  To successfully follow the challenge, the cards must be created with the end point in mind.
Oh my!!  So, I just closed my eyes and pick one and figured I would just make it work.  Surprise, I worked and I have 3 beautiful card for my co-workers.  But before we launch into the cards, some housekeeping:  You should have arrived here from Jennifer.  You can also Click Here to start at the beginning.

My cards:

DECEMBER 2016 CHALLENGE:
For the last challenge of 2016, I’m choosing the ACE of HEARTS this month.  I used Idea Deck 5

I followed the directions, believe me that was the Hardest Part.  I picked out 3 papers from the current kit and cut according to the directions.  The only change I made, was that I like a mat so, I cut cards from one of the beige 12 X 12 sheets for 2 of the cards and made one as indicated in the directions.  

My little pile of cut papers.  One is a print and the other 2 were sparkle paper, a beige and blue.  

I decided to make all the card and then figure out how to add the embellishments and sentiments.  

I started by glueing mats down and adding ribbon.  I mention this as I always forget the ribbon and end up trying to stuff my ribbon under the already glued mat, Geez, 

Now I needed to get all those little boxes down.  This could be tricky, I they are off, or not straight it might show up.  So, I came up with an idea.

I used a glass cutting mat.  

Lined them up, using the grid on the glass mat for spacing.  And then stuck them together with a piece of Washi Tape.

Flipped them over, added foam dimensional 

Lined them up and stuck them down, carefully removed the Washi tape. Done.

And repeated for the other 2, just changed the spacing around a bit.  

Ok 3 card bases done.  Now what!!!  Turned off the lights, that was enough thinking for one day.  Over the next few days I contemplated those blank cards, what to do.  Well I need Christmas Cards for the nursing staff, there are 3 of them, so perfect, Christmas Cards they will be.

One of the Ma's is cold all the time.  I know which one for her!!

Finishing these up (once I knew what they wanted to be) was a piece of cake.  Stamped and heat embossed the saying in Silver, Die cut and made a matching label.  Added snowflake stickers, perfect.  Inside will be the Happy Holiday Greeting. 

Card2:

Jenny and I had a conversation, not too long about this very topic!!!  Perfect, she will smile remembering my conversation about "grow your own Sweater!!, advise to  Cheri ,who is cold all the time!!.  

This simple embellishment and the snowflakes balance out the card, giving the sentiment center stage.

Card 3:

Well it is boring, but more of a classic Christmas Card.  This one is for the new addition to our team.  Don't want to push over the edge with my humor, so safe is best, and it elegant.

The sentiment is from Watercolour Christmas, 2015 (CS)

The stamp is in this format.  It would have worked if I had made it a top folding card.  Which I  could have done, but the ribbon was in the wrong place.  Oh what to do?

Cut up the Stamp!!!

This is how I spaced it.  First cut the stamp apart, used a plastic grid sheet to get my placement right, stamped in VersaMark, embossed in silver, die cut it and a mat. Popped up on dimensional tape.  A few snowflakes balance out the design, Finished!!

Not bad.  Visit the forum at Club Scrap and check out all the other creations, there is good stuff over there!!!

Now time for you to hop along, you next stop is:  Cheryl

Until Next time.  

Happy Crafting,

Josette

Link:  Club Scrap

Shades of Winter Paper Pack (Printed)

Club Scrap: Blog Hop in Paradise and More Pop Ups.

Time for another Monthly Blog Hop over at Club Scrap.  This month's kit is Paradise and it is a beauty.  But first, a few housekeeping items. You should have arrived here from:  Cheryl, or you can start at the beginning by clicking Here.

Let us do something different and show a short video clip of this months cards!

Card Preview on Youtube or Watch it here.

So lets look at these cards.  They look more complicated than they are.  But lets start with basic information.

For these cards I did use dies.  I am a fan of Karen Burniston and followed her as she moved from Sizzix to Elizabeth Craft.  For these cards I used two dies.  The circle Twist by Elizabeth craft and the label die from Sizzix which is now discontinued.  Her new Lorna Labels is similar and works the same way.  Here are the links:  Twist Circle Pop Up and Lorna Label.  If you have the original die, it is the one that fits into the Moves & Shapers platform.  I could not find a link or picture of just the die.  But I will direct you to some videos by Karen that show the die clearly.  Any Platform die is easily adapted to this project.

Ok:  Let us start.  I did all the coloring and creating of the platforms before starting.

Card 1:

Video inspiration:  This is a card by Karen that demonstrates the technique.  I will show you a few of the details.

This is the platform.  Straight forward.  Just followed the direction on the package insert.  The card base follows the video instructions for creating the magnetic closure.  I did alter the size of the card.

I stamped all the images on a single sheet, colored them with copics and then used my Brother Scan n Cut to cut them out.  Thank you Tina for leading me to this product, made my life much easier with all these images!!

The hardest part of this card was getting that Parrot to not look like he had been drinking.  The rotation of the platform makes adjustment difficult at times.  I use scotch tape and paperclips to check the position of the images and then permanently adhere.  It is important to check every addition to make sure it does not interfere with the mechanism.  After finishing it looked bare, so I added the arm in the back.  This is demonstrated in this video:  Arms for Circle Twist Cards.  If you pull down the menu there is a link to her blog and more photos of the cards and techniques.

Card 2:

This one is the most challenging, partly because there are so many moveable parts.  The inspiration for this card is a direct copy of a card that Karen posted 4 years ago.  I have used this technique on many cards, but the Jalopy is still my favorite.  The Paradise papers lent itself to this theme as well.
Jalopy video.  This one is helpful to go to the Web site and get a closer look at the spinner.

Once the platform was complete, time for the Jalopy.
I love this die from Sizzix.  Mine is nearly wore out, but I just use an xacto knife in the areas it no longer cuts.

The bumpers are made by multiple layers of embossing powder.  I wanted a Woodie, so used wood veneer for the sides.  Carefully scored, unfortunately, the wood popped up and left a wrinkle.  Oh well it is a jalopy.

The challenge here is to keep all the parts moving.  With every addition I had to readjust.  Finally had everything working, finished the card.  Went back in an added "Bliss to the platform, and boom stopped working!!

Ended up cutting away part of the platform behind the car and putting the word below the mechanism.  Added a message, inside done!

Next needed to add to backing card.  Do not put any glue or tape anywhere near the pop out or mechanism,  Baby powder helps to keep all the extra stickiness at bay.
When I make the backing card, I score in the center and then 1/8th inch away, this gives a bit more room over that edge.

This is not for any of these cards, but if you double click you can see the double scoring.

On the home stretch.  All that was left was to finish the front and add the clear panel.  Finished.

Not bad, Love this card, but wait,

 Card  3.

I love this card.  It is bright and happy.  My Son-in Law is Hawaiian and this will make a hit at their house for Christmas.  Although, come to think of it, I think parrots are from South America, and Flamingos are from Florida?.  Well the pineapple definitely is from Hawaii.

Again I used the platform technique from the first card with the arms.  This mechanism turns but predictably so.  Just had to make sure everything fit inside the card when closed.

Once the platform was built it was just a matter of adding the images and the tags.
Of course after I had the inside finished, I needed to go to the outside.  Note:  Do any stamping on the outside before finishing the inside!!

Now what!!  Well I was not going to make another one, especially since the inside was fine.

So I decided to make a tag to cover it.  This leads me to a great technique.

Cut out the label, stamp the sentiment on a scrap paper underneath.  Position the negative over the words until centered perfectly.

Pop the label back in and stamp.  Perfect.  Then I heat embossed it and of course did not clean off my tweezers after making the number from the previous card.  I ended up with a silver line across the tag.  Oh well, covered that up with a sequin.  But darn you could still see it.  So I made another tag and glued it over the pick one.  A fix!!

You can see the pink peaking out.  Bet you thought I meant to do that, now you know!!!

Thank you for stopping by. Your next stop is: Jennifer

Until next time,
Happy crafting,
Josette

Links:  http://clubscrap.com
Paradise, November 2016 Kit
Stamps from Paradise Kit