Thursday, February 26

Scrap Card #8

I printed out some old freebies from my blog... I'm not really sure if they're sunflowers or gerberas, but they worked great against my scrappy yellow background.  After fussy cutting around them, I used a combination of glue and foam tape to adhere them along the edge of my card.
 

Monday, February 23

Scrap Card #7

I started with a green and brown scrap base today, which led me to think of trees, forests and scenery... the perfect foundation for some gorgeous Stampscapes stamps!  I finished off my card with some little Tim Holtz alphas and a double knot of hemp twine.
 
 

Saturday, February 21

Tutorial - Bendy Cards


Bendy cards are fabulous display cards that are perfect for creating three dimensional scenes.  The sides of the card bend inwards allowing it to stand up on it's own and creating tiers that can be individually decorated.   The finished card can also fold down flat for normal postage!  There are hundreds of beautiful examples on the internet, so when you get the chance, I thoroughly recommend doing a Google or Pinterest search to get some ideas and inspiration.
 
 
1. Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 12" x 6".  Score and fold at 4" and again at 8" to create a trifold card. 
 

2.  Measure and mark 3" from the bottom of the left hand panel.  Use scissors or a craft knife to cut away the top section as shown in the photo below.  Measure and mark 11/2" from the bottom of the right hand panel, and again, cut away the top section.
 
 
3. Flip the card over.  Use a pencil to draw a 1/4" border beside the outer edge of both the left and right panels (see photo below).  Now measure and mark a 1" reserve in the centre of each border - these reserves will become the tabs that hold the panels in place.

 
4.  Use a small pair of scissors to trim away the excess cardstock leaving just the 1" tabs.

 
5.  Flip your card back over again.  It should now resemble the photo shown below.
 
 
6.  Use a pencil to draw a vertical line on the centre panel, 1/2" from the right hand side.

 
7.  Now bend the left hand panel so that the tab edge is flush with the vertical line you just drew on the centre panel.  Make sure the bottom edges of both the left and centre panels are flush.  Use your pencil to mark the position of the tab, as shown below.

 
8.  Use a craft knife to cut a slit along the vertical line, between the two tab marks you added in the previous step.  (I removed a thin piece of cardstock by cutting two parallel slits very close together).

 
9.  The tab on the left hand panel should fit nicely into the slit you just cut.  As you can see below, the panel now has a bend in it.

 
10.  Open out the card again and flip it over.  Use a pencil to draw a vertical line on larger panel (which is now on the right hand side), 1" from the fold line.  See the photos below.

 
11.  Flip the card back over again.  Fold the larger panel, which is again on the left hand side, into the middle.  You should be able to see the vertical line you drew in the previous step.

 
12.  Now bend the smaller right hand panel so that the tab edge is flush with the vertical line.  Make sure the bottom edges of the panels are flush.  Use your pencil to mark the position of the tab, as shown below.
 
 
13.  Use a craft knife to cut a slit in the same manner as you did in step eight.

 
14.  Starting with the left hand side, place the tabs into the slits.  You have just created a bendy card!

 
15.  Now it's time to decorate.  Here's what I did...

I used the card blank as a template to mark the centre slit on a piece of X-Press It cardstock measuring 6" x 4".  (To make this piece of card fit comfortably in the centre of my bendy card I removed a sliver from one side).

Next, I stamped and coloured some flowers and a sentiment on the X-Press It cardstock.  I also stamped, coloured and fussy cut some butterflies.

I adhered my decorated cardstock to the centre panel of the card blank, making sure I lined up the slits carefully.

Using some small, sharp scissors, I fussy cut around the top edge of the image leaving a small white border.

I drew some wavy lines along the tops of the two panels...

... then cut along each line for a softer effect.

I added another sentiment to the smaller panel and then adhered my butterflies with some strong glue.  Done!

All is Well

Thank you all so much for your lovely messages of concern.  Cyclone Marcia has been downgraded to a low now having lost her intensity over land.  What's left of the system will arrive here tonight, but I expect it will only be a few puffs of wind and some rain.  There's been no flooding around us yet, and we still have our power on!  Yay!

Thursday, February 19

Some Wild Weather Ahead...

Thank you to all my blogging friends for your concern for us as cyclone Marcia works its way down the Queensland coast tonight, I really appreciate the emails.  I live a little south of Brisbane (at the bottom of the map) and so we're not really in any danger from the cyclone itself.  Our only concern will be flooding, and although our town will probably be cut off, our house is in no danger at all from the rising water.
 
I do want to let you know that I may be offline for a day or two if our power goes out.  The flood waters make it virtually impossible for any line work to be carried out until it recedes.  In the meantime, please rest assured knowing we'll be nestled safely in our house with good books and plenty of canned beans and bottled water!
 

To my friends in the north of the state, please stay safe and follow all the warnings being given out by emergency services.  We're thinking of you all and hoping the night passes swiftly and safely.

Tuesday, February 17

New Release: Iris Garden

I love seeing irises blooming in the garden.  It always surprises me how such a magnificent, colourful flower can bloom from a rather ordinary looking plant... but I think the contrast is what I love most about them.
 
Iris Garden Set
If you're not after a full set, the flowers are all available for individual sale.
 
Christine's Card
 
Two cards from Gail
 
Ilaria's Card
 
Renee's Card
 
Susan's Card

Friday, February 13

Scrap Card #6

I am still enjoying the challenge of putting these scrap cards together - having the pre-constructed base is an interesting way to get started and can be surprisingly inspiring.  Today's predominately green background made me think of gardens and things that grow, so it wasn't difficult choosing an image to work with.
 
 
 
Stamp: Strawberry Circle from Beccy's Place

Tuesday, February 10

New Release: Valentine Stanley

My favourite little bear is back with an armload of goodies for someone special!
 
Valentine Stanley

Ilaria's Card
 
Susan's Card
 
Gail's Card
 
Christine's Card
 
Renee's Card