Bear Diorama Card

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Our November hostess is Joanne Grzelak and this is her challenge:  Last week, on the 17th, it was Take a Hike Day. Be inspired by a hiking theme. You could create a scenic card or have one with hiking boots. Use your imagination to create a card related to hiking.

I decided to use a new die set, the Diorama die by Our Daily Bread Designs. I included a bear because when you are hiking around where we live, you need to be prepared in case you see a bear. In fact, last year there was a little black bear roaming around our neighbourhood, climbing up on people's front steps and peering in their windows. There was a whole pile of foot and nose prints around to prove it, ha ha.

I added a panel on the back side as a place to write a note to a friend.

The card folds down completely flat for mailing in an A6 envelope. I do have an issue with this Diorama die set though. I have done Diorama cards before without dies, and they always fold flat in both directions. This one has the right side edge facing up and it folds flat. However if I try to fold it so the left side is facing up, it buckles. Forcing it pops off the interior tabs. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube of other people making Diorama cards using either Lawn Fawn dies or doing them on their own and theirs all folded both ways.

Hmmmm.  I got out my dies and measured them, and it would appear that the inner strip die that comes with the Diorama die set is a smidge shorter than it should be. While frustrating, I think I can work around it by added my own score line on one tab, over a little from the one that embosses when you die cut the panel.  Below you can see how the card folds flat for mailing.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C462.

Supplies:

Diorama and layers - Our Daily Bread Designs

Patterned paper - My Minds Eye

Brown and white card stocks

Stickers - Echo Park (using them up!!)

Sakura black glaze pen

1052 Word Set 6 Summer - Karen Burniston

Stitched fishtail banners - MFT Stamps

Sequins

Thanks for stopping by today

C4C 461 Sketch Holiday Card

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Our November hostess is Joanne Grzelak and since it's the third Saturday of the month Joanne has a sketch for us this week:

I picked up a new 6 x 6" Paper pad, so used it for my holiday card today. I don't often purchase 6 x 6" pads as I prefer the full 12 x 12" ones. You should have seen me at Michaels, trying to decide which size of this patterned stack to buy - I had them both in and out of my shopping cart several times. Finally decided that I really only loved about half of the patterns, so went with the 6 x 6" version.

This is the first time I used my new Scalloped Card Drop-Ins die set by Stephanie Barnard for Sizzix, and of course I didn't use it as intended. The die set comes with a smaller scalloped portion for the card front but I really wanted a full A2 sized scalloped card. I folded my white card stock in half then placed the scalloped card back die at the fold line and ran it through my Big Shot. That gave me an A2 scalloped card base and the scallops line up perfectly when the card is closed. YAY - I'm going to get a lot of use out of this die set as it's quite versatile!

The patterned paper has lovely coppery foiled bits so I added metallic sequins for some additional holiday bling. The wreath was fussy cut from one of the cut-parts in the paper stack and that gave me my circle for the sketch.

Since the borders are a full 6" wide, I trimmed the greeting one down as close to the words as I could, then popped it up on another border from the sheet. It is wider than the card though, so this will have to go into a slightly larger envelope than an A2.

I added another printed panel inside the card along with another foiled border strip, and a stamped panel for the greeting.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C461.

Supplies:

Patterned paper - Recollections

Scalloped Card Drop Ins - Stephanie Barnard (Sizzix)

Blueprints #29 (stitched rectangle) - MFT Stamps

Dashing rectangles - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Stamps, Merry Christmas to All - Stampin 'Up

Sequins

Thanks for stopping by today

C4C-460 One Layer Clean And Simple Card, That Also Pops-Up!

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. It's also a new month, and our November hostess is Joanne Grzelak. Here is Joanne's challenge for this week: 

"November 15 is Use Less Stuff Day. In its honor I would like you to make a true One Layer CAS Card. The theme is up to you.....Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday.....any theme."

Oh, the dreaded One Layer Card (OLC), ha ha. There are people who can do amazing one layer cards but I am not one of them. However, I didn't want to not participate just because I don't like making them. So I made the challenge my own, by creating a true OLC Clean and Simple card on the front, with a Pop-Up inside.

The entire scene was stamped on the card front using Distress Oxide Inks. I think this Waterfront stamp set from Stampin' Up is one of my very favourite stamps sets and one I will use for many years.  I was happy to pull it out for my challenge card today.

Inside I used the Katherine Label Pop-Up by Karen Burniston and more stamps from the same stamp set.

The words on the label come from a different SU set - Perennial Birthday and it's one I've wanted for a long time.

I love dimension on my cards, so layered the labels with foam tape inside.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C460.

Supplies:
White card stock
Patterned paper - Jen Long, Sizzix
1011 Katherine Label Pop-Up - Karen Burniston
Waterfront Stamp Set - Stampin' Up
Happy Birthday stamp, Perennial Birthday - Stampin' Up
1054 Rectangles Crosshatch - Karen Burniston
Distress Oxide inks

Thanks for stopping by today

Gold and Copper Autumn Spinner Square Pop-Up

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. It's also a new month, and our November hostess is Joanne Grzelak. Here is Joanne's challenge for this week: 

"During the fall and spring seasons, leaves are all around us. In the fall they are falling, colorful, and becoming a carpet on the ground. In the spring, the new leaves are sprouting from the trees. Make a card in which the only images are leaves. It does not have to be in autumn colors."

I had just received this leaf background die and of course I had to do a test cut so grabbed this patterned paper that was close by. The die cut beautifully, and I set the piece aside for a week or so. Finally, I had an idea as to how to use it and this is the card I made.

I have said it before and I'm sure I will say it again and again, but I love Karen Burniston's new Autumn Elements! I die cut the maple leaf, sprig and acorn from gold and brown card stocks and adhered them to a black circle. I have this pretty copper trim from Stampin' Up, so pulled at it until it was open and airy, then adhered it behind the acorn for a little more shimmer and shine. The patterned paper has gold foiled bits on it as well so this is one shiny card!

Inside, I used the Spinner Square Pop-Up and some patterned paper/journal cards from my stash as well as some gold foil accented stickers.

The corn hides behind the Be Thankful rectangle and spins down and into view as the card is opened.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C459.

Supplies:

Black, brown and white card stocks

Gold foil card stock - Stampin' Up

1060 Word Set 7 Autumn - Karen Burniston

1059 Autumn Elements - Karen Burniston

Copper trim - Stampin' Up

Stardust pen - Sakura

Leaf background die - Tutti Designs

Patterned paper on front - Recollections

Nuvo Crystal Drops

Copic Marker

1042 Spinner Square Pop-Up - Karen Burniston

Stickers - Paper Studio

1062 Evergreen Pop-Up (bow) - Karen Burniston

Journal card and inside patterned paper - Prima

1055 Ovals Crosshatch - Karen Burniston

1011 Katherine Label Pop-Up (label and hearts) - Karen Burniston

Sakura gel pens

Thanks for stopping by today

C4C457 Thanksgiving Sketch Card

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Our October Hostess is Kathleen Adams and since it's the third Saturday of the month it's a Sketch Challenge. Here is Kathleen's sketch: 

This is another fun sketch and I think it will come in handy when making several cards at once. I'm always looking for different layouts I can use for the Birthday cards I donate to my Mom's nursing home. 

For my card this week I made a Pop-Up Thanksgiving card, using the Pop-Up die included with the Explosion Card die set by Karen Burniston. The sketch is on the front of the card ...

... and on the inside too!

I picked up these cute turkey stamps by Pink and Main at the Mesa Rubber Stamp Show back in March. I'm such a sucker for cute Thanksgiving images! The sweet patterned paper is also by Pink and Main - it's the first and only pad I have but  I will be ordering more for sure. They come in 6 x 6" pads which is different for me as I usually go for the 12 x 12". Oh, and the large Fishtail Banner on the card front is also by Pink and Main. Can you tell I'm a fan?

YEAH for Taylored Expressions stamp set that actually has verses you can put inside your Thanksgiving cards. So many company's have words for the card front but nothing for the inside. I also love the sentiment on this stamp so added it to my card along with some glittered stickers.

Finally, for those that like to pin group shots to their Pinterest boards ... here you go!

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C457.

Supplies:
Brown and white card stocks
Patterned paper - Pink and Main
Large Fishtail Banner dies - Pink and Main
Derwent Water Colour Pencils
Water Brush
Prismacolour Pencils
Wink of Stella
Copic Marker
Sakura Glaze Pen
Stamps - Turkey Day, Pink and Main
1069 Explosion Pop-Up - Karen Burniston
Nuvo Shimmer Pen, gold
Stickers - Paper Studio
Word stamp inside - Taylored Expressions

Thanks for stopping by today

Pop-Up Pet Sympathy Card

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. It's also a new month! Our October Hostess is Kathleen Adams, and our Guest Designer is Joseph Nguyen. You will enjoy seeing Joseph's creations this month!

Here is Kathleen's challenge for this week:  "Today is World Card Making Day! So make a card! It can be any shape and any theme you want to make."

Of course I made a Pop-Up card using dies by Karen Burniston, but unfortunately not a happy card to have to make.

Friends of ours said goodbye to their sweet furry boy, and I wanted to let them know we were thinking of them. Elvis was such a good dog, and one of the few dogs that our Mr. Cooper liked to hang out with. I used a journal card for the card front, penning the sentiment with a black marker then going over the lines with a brown marker.

Inside, I used the House Pivot Panel die, turned upside down with hearts die cut from the centre of three panels.

I had the patterned paper and dog stickers in my stash, and pulled out the (retired) Pet Accessory dies for some elements too. Because Elvis was black with a white chest, I also used the cute dog from the Cat and Dog die set, cutting it from black and white card stock.

I backed the centre heart opening with red card stock, and added die cut hearts above and below the other heart openings.

Below is a 'front and inside' shot for those that like them for their Pinterest boards.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C455.

Supplies:

White, tan, black and red card stocks

1011 Katherine Label Pop-Up (hearts) - Karen Burniston

Larger heart die - stash

1063 House Pivot Panel - Karen Burniston

Paw print and bone - Pets Accessories (retired) - Karen Burniston

1024 Cat and Dog  - Karen Burniston

White gel pen and black glaze pen - Sakura

1054 Rectangles Crosshatch - Karen Burniston

Patterned paper, stickers and journal card - Echo Park

Thanks for stopping by today

Lotsa Birthday Cards!

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Our September hostess is Raquel Mason, and our guest designer is the amazing Fran Sabad. You can see Fran's blog HERE. Raquel's challenge this week is: Make a birthday card and put numbers on it. For example -the recipients age, use background paper with numbers on it, or even a numbered candle die cut if you have one.

If you follow my blog, you will know that I am now donating Birthday cards to the nursing home where my Mom is and it works out to be 20 - 25 cards a month. While I want them to be special for the recipients, I also have to streamline somewhat. I haven't done 'assembly line' creating for many years and I forgot how much I enjoy it! For the C4C challenge this week I knew I had the perfect piece of 12 x 12" patterned paper somewhere in my stash and I had just seen this cool layout on several different Pinterest cards. Eureka!

One of my favourite card layouts uses a 4 x 4" square of patterned paper with a 2 x 4" strip below or above it. It's a great way to use 12 x 12" patterned paper efficiently. This layout though, could be my next favourite one and uses only a 4 x 4" square with a diagonal slash! You adhere one piece to the upper left and the other to the bottom right, leaving a diagonal area in between for your sentiment. So many variations on what you can add to the centre area too. 

You get NINE cards from a single piece of 12 x 12" paper! If you are counting, yes there are only eight in this photo because I was cutting the diagonal slash two pieces at a time and one of them was sideways. In hindsight I could have made a top fold card, but at the time I just growled at myself and the pieces went into the trash. 

The patterned paper has some glossy embossed areas, which catch the light - love that.

I used up some old pre-cut card bases in a couple of colours as well as white ones to round them out. Some of the cards have the greeting stamped right on the front card base while others have a raised stitched fishtail banner. A couple have a decoration in the centre with no greeting on the front at all. The insides are all the same, as shown below.

When I pulled out the patterned paper with the numbers on it, this sunburst sheet was behind it. So I decided to do all my cutting two at a time so ended up with seventeen cards! (Remember that one that ended up in the trash, or I would have had eighteen).

I used old punches to create the party hat - the Pennant Parade punch is many years old, and then I found these two sunburst type small punches in the drawer to use as well. I loved getting out an older punch for these cards and I will be using it often while I make the cards for donating. 

When I'm doing the cards, I'm trying to include a feminine one, a generic one, and a more masculine one. There are a lot of men at the nursing home too, and the recreational coordinator was happy that I was doing some masculine cards for them. I think this cute owl and the party hats would fall under the 'generic' card category.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C453.

For the most part, I'm not keeping track of the supplies I'm using for my nursing home donation cards. The goal is to use up items that have been hanging around my craft room for ages and ages and there isn't always packaging with the single leftover sticker etc. Plus, I can work faster if I'm not also making notes about everything I use. 

Thanks for stopping by today

C4C452 Birthday Cards!

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Our September hostess is Raquel Mason, and our guest designer is the amazing Fran Sabad. You can see Fran's blog HERE.

It's the third Saturday of the month so that means Raquel's challenge this week is a sketch challenge. Since I'm making 20+ Birthday cards each month for a nursing home, I'm finding sketches really helpful these days and this one is going to be a 'go to' sketch for sure! Below is the  sketch:

And I used it to make six birthday cards to donate! Last year I participated in a Stampin' Up Paper Share so I have a nice stack of 6 x 6" papers that I'd like to use up. One sheet had sweet birthday cakes printed on it and I was able to fussy cut six birthday cakes to use for embellishments. I used four on these cards as well as two felt cake embellishments from my stash. I will share the cards made with the other two fussy cut cakes another day.

I did adapt the sketch a little so my patterned paper panels reach from the top to the bottom of the card, but that's the fun thing about sketches - they are adaptable!

I've had these felt cake stickers for several years, and now I only have one turquoise one left then I will have used them up as well. If you follow my blog, you know how much I love to use things up!
There were pink ones in the package as well that are already on cards that have been donated but I haven't shared those photos yet.

I added some glitter to the fussy cut cakes for a little Birthday 'bling'.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C452.

Note - I'm not keeping track of the supplies for my donation cards as I need to streamline and save time where I can.

Thanks for stopping by today!

C4C450 Kraft and Copper Pop-Up Card

Good morning friends

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy4Challenges Blog. Since it's a new month we also have a new Hostess and Guest Designer! Our September hostess is Raquel Mason, and our guest designer is the amazing Fran Sabad. You can see Fran's blog HERE.

Raquel's challenge this week is:  "Make a card using any technique – can be any technique that you always wanted to try, an oldie but a goodie or even a technique that you saw on Pinterest.."

Wow - can you believe it's September already?? I think I just blinked and August disappeared. Since I love to make interactive cards, that is the technique I chose for my card today. As usual, I kept the front nice and simple since all the fun is on the inside.

I chose to work with this beautiful copper foil card stock for my card - look how beautiful the Crosshatch Rectangles look with this paper! The patterned paper has glittery bits in it and I added a copper acorn from the coming soon Autumn Elements. Since it's obviously a fall card, I didn't also add a greeting to the front.

I'm so happy with how this turned out! This was actually the first card I made with the new Evergreen Pivot Panel, not as intended and I didn't use a single Evergreen decorator die on it. I love getting more use from my dies!

Al the leaves, vines, acorns and words were die cut from the same copper card stock. The veining that  comes with the dies shows up beautifully! This Autumn Elements die set is one that will get a lot of use - I just love leaves and these are a nice size to work with. And that acorn!

The copper frame was die cut using the new Frame Pull Pop-Up and we can write our message on the white area.

While it's hard to see in the photos, the oak leaf patterned paper has all kinds of glittered bits as well - it looks downright frosty! I used the new Word Set 7 Autumn to cut the 'Thanksgiving Blessings" and Word Set 2 to cut the 'to you'. I added double sided adhesive to the back of the copper strip to make the words easier to adhere.

Karen Burniston's new release will be shipping mid September, but the website should be open today for pre-orders. Remember you can ask your local retailer to bring in what you would like and show them some support!

Both the new Evergreen Pivot Panel and the House Pivot Panel work really well inside regular cards, as you can see. BUT - they are designed to work perfectly with the Twist Panel Pop-Up AND the Tag Book Pop-Up! Brilliant, just brilliant. I can see these flying off the shelves.

Check out the C4C blog to see how the Crazies have been inspired by the challenge. We'd  love to see your take on it, so be sure to stop by the Crazy 4 Challenges blog and link up your creations. If you are uploading to an online gallery, please use the keyword C4C450.

Supplies:

1054 Rectangle Crosshatch - Karen Burniston

Patterned paper - Recollections

1059 Autumn Elements - Shipping September 2018

Kraft card stock

Copper card stock - Stampin' Up

1003 Word Set 2 (to you) - Karen Burniston

1062 Evergreen Pivot Panels - Karen Burniston - Shipping September 2018

1070 Frame Pull Pop-Up (frames) - Karen Burniston - Shipping September 2018
1060 Word Set 7 Autumn - Karen Burniston - Shipping September 2018

Thanks for stopping by today