Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Summer Card Camp Homework Day 2

I am taking a card class and once again I had homework. I was to use a technique that they taught us to make a card. There were four techniques shown and I used three of them.



My first card I created using a watercolor technique. Since I don't own any gelato pastels, I had to improvise to get the look that the instructor created on her card. I used ink on an acrylic stamp, spritzed it with some shimmer Smooch Spray and dragged it down my water color paper. It did not flow as easily as when you use the gelato but I am happy with it. (I apologize for the photo. I am just learning how to use the new version of Photoshop after having used Elements for years. I cannot get the hang of fixing the color correctly in this version)



I used Jennifer McGuire's technique of inking up a word stamp in different colors for the sentiment I used on the card. Again I had to improvise because I do not own a stamp positioner. That was another thing I gave away long ago when I converted to clear stamps!!


I just wanted to give you a little different view of the card because you can see the shimmer from the clear shimmer spray. I love using clear shimmer spray instead of spritzing with water because I like the effect it gives on the card. This view also gives a better representation of the card. May be because I didn't use any auto on Photoshop to fix it!!

On my second card, I used the technique of drawing a line in the middle of strips of paper and stamping. This card looked better BEFORE I put it through my die cut machine to emboss. However, I finished the darn thing at 11 pm last night and just didn't have the energy to fix it.


Instead of using just sentiments on the card, I chose to use some pattern stamps. I used and arrow on the orange strip and hearts on the pink. The hearts would have showed up better had I not embossed the darn thing. Ugg!!


In the middle of the embossed circle, I put dots of crystal glitter glue to give the card a little bit of shine. I only applied it to the white part. It is hard to tell but I think you can see a little shine in this close up photo. 


I think this last view shows it off a little better.

Things I have learned from Day 2 of this card class:
  • *First and foremost, practice makes perfect. For the masking technique, I made mistakes like not making sure the ink didn't get on the line before or after what I was stamping. I had to start over at least three times before I got it right. 

  • *If you don't have the right supplies, it is OK to improvise. I really, really wanted gelatos. I almost bought a set yesterday but I didn't have a coupon so I decided I would purchase them another time. I was regretting that last night when I watched the video!! However, I made do with what I had and I think the card came out really nice.

  • *When I do the strip card again I won't a) emboss the whole front like I did and b) I would use slightly bigger shape stamps. The hearts are too small to see on the pink and that bums me out.

Well that is all for today!! I will see you again tomorrow!!

Nora

Supplies



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Homework for Card Class Day1-Sketch and Color Challenge

I am taking an online card class and yesterday was the first day. If you every see this class again, take it!! I have been stamping for YEARS and some of the techniques and the way they do them are even new to me. Really sparked my creativity.



The first homework assignment was to create a card using one of the techniques or using their weekly sketch or color challenge in a card. I chose to do all three, though I had to tweak the "technique" because I gave away all my vellum. Who knew it would come back in style!


I chose sketch number three but chose to flip the sketch so the card would be vertical rather then horizontal. I also thought the design would be cool as a shaker card.


I cut a rectangle out of the front of the card front using a rectangle nestabilities die and then made a shaker box. I filled it with different glitters, some die cut stars, and various color sequins. I like the effect but if I had to do it again I would not use fine glitter. It sticks to the transparency.


One of the techniques shown was the embossing of vellum. That wasn't the main technique but it was one shown. Since I didn't have vellum, I chose to emboss some transparency I had and used it as the front of the shaker box. You can see it in this view. Isn't it cool?


Here is a a close up view. The colors I had to use were orange, a yellow, an aqua blue, a white and a magenta. I could also use any other neutral colors I needed. I used all, though you cannot see the pink in these photos. I put some pink sequins in the mix!!


You can kind of see the pink at the bottom left of the box!!


I only stamped a simple design for the center of the card because I didn't want any of it to peek out the front. I am really happy with the way it came out, though it took me forever how to figure out what I wanted to do. I think I could repeat the process using a lot less time if I choose to create another one!!

I also am going to to include the card that I created for one of the pre-class challenges. My lap top was giving me problems so I wasn't able to upload it in time. I now have my husband's nice Mac and he is going to put more memory in my lap top so I won out on the deal!!

Anyway, this pre-class challenge was a color challenge. You had to use 4 out of 5 colors that they have you. Here is the card that I created for this:


I am so sad because I LOVE how this car came out and really wanted to enter this challenge! I will be repeating this design again because it was so fun to make and I can make more in a record amount of time.


Here is a close up of the details.



That is all for today!! I will hopefully have time to do the homework I have tonight for this class so I can post it tomorrow!!

Thank you for looking!!

Nora




Tuesday, July 2, 2013

New Challenges posted at ScrapJazz.com!!

Hey everyone!! I just wanted you to know that there are some new challenges that I posted today over at Scrapjazz.com. This is my home away from  home!! If you like to scrapbook or make cards, come on over and play with us!! You do have to sign up to be a member but it is free. A random prize is drawn for each challenge if you choose to enter. Here is the direct link: Scrapjazz.com July 2013 Challenges. I hope to see you there!!

Nora

Sunday, June 30, 2013

It's a Bake Sale!!

I wanted to share how proud I am of my nephew, Kyle. This is the third year in a row he did a bake sale to raise money for Share Our Strength, an organization that uses funds end hunger in America through education, partnerships with schools and national business, as well as . According to the web site, 16.2 million children in the USA lack the means to get nutritious food on a regular basis. I guess the campaign a few years ago was to have kids raise money by having a bake sale so that is what he has been doing for the last three years. He raised over $1100 this year. This is only being open two days after masses at church!!

The thing that impresses me the most is that Kyle solicits donations himself. He went to local business to ask for donations of gift cards and even wrote letters to national chains, like Stop & Shop and Target.  All the baking was done by family and friends, including all natural pet snacks, and every year he has had a raffle of some sort. This year it was 5 sets of two tickets to RAVE cinemas. I think this kid will be owning his own business one day!!




I hope that you all have a wonderful day!!

Nora