The Stars Are Out

 After seeing a card which used a star border die  I decided to make my own star border in Studio. Only thing is that once I made the border I was totally clueless with how I was going to use it. So for a month now the cut out border has been sitting around waiting. I had ideas but none of them really looked good to me.

LOL! Then while soaking in the tub inspiration hit. I could cut a panel with a star cutout and place an image behind it and use the star border as a border. The smaller star cutouts could be used on the panel. The inspiration for making the file used the cutouts as part of the layout so why not.

 I just love seeing how people do things. Most of all though I love my Studio software and Cameo as I'm not limited to size like I would be with a die. Also I have more money to buy crafting goodies as I can make my own files. :-)

OK I'll show you the card. I know you are holding your breath just waiting to see it. Here is my bath tub inspiration. (Click to enlarge)

Originally I was going to use my blue glitter card stock for the panel with the cut out star. However, Cameron my cutting machine was doing weird things. The next best thing was cutting it out of pale blue card stock which I happened to have. I just had to try out my new metallic chalks so I added chalk. The sheen is really subtle.

 I have no idea where I got the graphic nor where the original one is.  This graphic I added the butterflies in a program which is no longer available online. It allowed you to add animated shapes to your static image.

The gold star frame was an after thought. After I had glued my image behind the cutout I realized that something was needed. I ungrouped my panel in Studio and took the star and did an external offset. It ended up being a little larger than the panel but I think I like the two edges hanging over.

The star border was easy to make using the star in the library. Resizing and offsetting the star and then duplicating and welding the stars together. Originally I was going to heat emboss with gold both the cut out stars and the border. I decided instead to use my Twinkle glitter paint. I really like the contrast it gives.

Where do you find inspiration? If you have a cutting machine do you see a file or even a commercial die and think I can make my own file? OK last question. Should I put this card in my generic stash or my holiday stash? It really could go either way.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving comments.I have more Holiday/Christmas cards in the works. Ideas were coming fast and furious while soaking in the tub. I really need to have in the tub area a waterproof notepad and pen. LOL!

Wishing you Happy Frugal Crafting till we meet again!

A Winter Tale Challenge Card

I must confess I do not remember reading Shakespeare's The Winter Tale nor A Winter Tale by Mark Helprin. Nor have I seen the movie that came out in 2007 where a bullet meant for a local drug dealer kills a child. There appears to be a couple of different songs with the title A Winter Tale. Who knows there may be more. Anyway I took these lyrics as my inspiration from the song "A Winter Tale" by Queen.
So quiet and peaceful
Tranquil and blissful
There's a kind of magic in the air
What a truly magnificent view
A breathtaking scene
With the dreams of the world
In the palm of your hand
Here is my card for entry in A Winter Tale Card Challenge over at Silhouette Plus.(click image to enlarge)

The background panel was embossed using the Polka Daisies texture plate. It was as close as I could come to snowflakes and snow. I then rubbed white crayon over the embossed parts. I thought I had rubbed the crayons well over the embossing but perhaps the cheap crayons weren't waxy enough. I then painted over the panel with blue pearl water color. Taking a paper towel I rubbed the blue paint off the embossed parts. The snow flake was in the Studio library. I sprayed adhesive on it and then sprinkled Martha Stewart coarse crystal glitter on it. Originally I was going to use an image of a village and children playing in the snow but in the small size all the detail was lost. I found this cardinal image and thought it would be perfect. I did use a clear glitter gel pen on the jewels.

Thank you for stopping by. I will be playing more with crayons and my pearl water colors. I am a loving these water colors. Also I should get my metallic chalks tomorrow. So hopefully I'll have some cards using those soon to post.

Wishing you Happy Frugal Crafting till we meet again.

Fun With Glue And Foil Butterfly Card

On Sizzix's blog there was a tutorial for making glue sheets using an embossing folder or texture plate so I decided to play with the technique. My first attempt came out good but alas when I spritzed homemade glimmer mist after I had removed it from the folder it stuck to the paper I had it on. Second attempt I squirted glue on the folder and then a few drops of  Wild Plum Ink. I used a plastic pan scraper to spread the glue evenly on the folder but an old credit card or foam brush would work. The color mixed in while I spread. It looked pastel pink until it dried.  Here is the card I made. (click to enlarge to see the beautiful detail of the embossing folder)

 I played with different things underneath the glue sheet and finally decided to go with crumpled foil which I glued to the front of the card base.  Then I used the white school glue I had used for the glue sheet and brushed it on the sheet. I goofed and put the glue on the wrong side but I think I like the debossed better.

The butterfly image is a print and cut. I have no idea where I got it from. I did take it into Photoshop to extract as much as I could of just the butterfly. I will confess that near the top of the butterfly I had to do a little hand cutting after Cameron cut it out. It is attached on top of the graphic with a 3d foam dot. I think it gives the illusion of being in motion.

There you have my glue sheet experiment. I do have a folder with words which is too large for the size cards I make and I am going to make a glue sheet with it and then cut the words apart to use. The glue sheet cuts nicely with scissors but I think my trimmer blade is dull as I've noticed lately that even card stock is not being cut cleanly.

If you don't mind having an embossing folder out of commission for a few hours I encourage you to try making a glue sheet. I used Elmer's glue but any non-tacky glue which dries clear would work. Hint: Spread the glue just thick enough to cover the embossing. If you start to gently peel it off and it is not easily coming off wait awhile longer. I found it was easiest to start peeling near the fold if using a folder.

Thank you for stopping by and do come back. I was going to make a card using a graphic that I will chalk with metallic chalk but alas my order of chalk arrived with the chalk broken. So that is on hold until my replacement chalk comes. In the meantime I do have some pearl water colors to play with. As well as I'm working on a card for the Silhouette Plus Card Challenge.

Wishing you Happy Frugal Crafting till we meet again.