My Current Favorite Card

I keep this card on display on my printer when not using it. It just makes me smile.

While preparing to be a CARDtober host, I played around with different types of cards that I could use for a challenge. One of those was the oval step card that I posted previously. I didn't like how it turned out, and not just because it was pretty much just decorated with die cuts. The problem was that it didn't fold as cleanly as I expected, so I used my Silhouette software to create my own version of an oval step card from scratch. It closes much better, and the steps are a bit deeper.

I used the Heartfelt Creations fairy stamps from their Wildwood Cottage collection to make the fairies, but the paper was Simple Stories Great Escape. I liked the fern pattern, and the mix of green colors, especially since it seemed perfect for fairies. I added some Silhouette print and cut mushrooms, the Fairy Garden sign (a Silhouette cut file that I turned into a print and cut), and I stamped the phrases with stamps from my stamp hoard, from two different sets which are probably long since retired. The stamp I used for the top of the card was probably from Graphic 45, and the one below was from Hero Arts. Both sets included medieval images. We love Renaissance Fairs, so I bought the stamps for helping me scrapbook those photos, which still hasn't happened, but they were perfect for this card.

By the time I had finished making it, I felt that it was one of the nicest cards that I had ever made. It's my current favorite. I don't know that I will ever give it away, unless I make a duplicate, which I might. I definitely need to stamp and color more fairies. Unfortunately, I really don't like to color, an odd confession from a stamp addict. However, I am happy with the coloring that I did for the fairies.

The open card:

The front, when closed:

 And the back, where it can be signed and a personal note added:

 

I realized before CARDtober that I couldn't use this as a challenge, since I didn't really feel I had the right to share the cutting file. And considering how few card makers seemed to like my "Outside the Box" challenges, maybe it was a good thing.

CARDtober 31 Birthday

This last challenge for CARDtober was to make a birthday card, and the twist was to include something on it that you got for free.

I needed to make a birthday card for a very special little girl who loves cats and dogs, but can't have a either one due to allergies. So she and her brother have pet rats.

On the front, it says, Oh, RATS!!! and the phrase inside continues...."We missed your birthday!" It also says in parentheses, "(But we hope it was a great one!" and our names.

I used pink and yellow because those are her favorite colors. The cat, shaker box, rats and phrase banner are from Queen & Co., and the paw print border die was part of a pet die set that I found at the Tall Mouse booth at GASC or one of the other scrapbook/stamp conventions two or three (or more) years ago.

CARDtober 30 Sets with Flap Closure

This was a fun and easy challenge, except for picking the papers. I finally gave up late last night, and this morning, I chose print & cut papers for the inside patterned strip, and the flap.

The only problem is how to keep the flap closed. I know a lot of people like to use thin button magnets, or velcro dots, but I don't have any velcro handy, and the button magnets are a danger to any child that might pull them off and swallow them.

They stay closed in an envelope, of course, but for the photo, I just rolled a piece of removable tape and stuck it under the flap. It works in a pinch.

CARtober 29 Vellum Easel Card

This challenge was to create an easel card with a vellum window. The twist was to make it an easel card with a battery operated "candle" to make it shine. I think this is one of my favorites of all the challenges.

I adapted a Silhouette cutting file that was an easel card, then adapted it. There is a white panel that is hidden but shows when the card is fully opened. I have tried to show 4 different views that help display the construction. I also added a sentiment panel, which was supposed to hold the card open for display, but wasn't quite tall enough, so I added pearl stops/anchors to hold the card open properly for the electric "candle" to fit and shine through the vellum.

These first two photos show the card open, with the fake candle (obviously, you would never want to use a real candle).

In these next two photos, the light has been removed, and you can see a little of the easel construction. The white panel helps to support the open easel, as well as providing a place to write a Christmas greeting. However, I would write only on the bottom part of the white panel, to avoid the writing showing through to the Nativity scene.

The card does remain open somewhat, even when folded in the closed position, but it will fold flat enough to get it into an envelope. However, due to the thickness of the card, the Post Office would consider it a package, so I would give it to the recipient personally rather than mail it.

CARDtober 28 Stencils

I have very few stencils of the type used by card makers today, so I wasn't sure I would be able to do this challenge. However, I decided to look through my dies to see if I could create a stencil with dies. Instead, I found a die with stencil/embossing properties. It was a pain to mask for the inking, but it worked. I used an embossing folder for the background. The twist was to add gems or pearls.

CARDtober 27 Outside the Box

This will be my last Outside the Box Challenge. I know my challenges have not appealed to everyone, and some may have even found them difficult and discouraging. 

I've been card making for nearly 40 years. I've seen a lot of different cards that were a basic A2, A7, or other rectangle. Perhaps because I have seen a huge number of cards over the years, I came to like cards that are different in some way, whether they are shaped, are dimensional like box cards, or can slide, move, or whatever.

This last card is very different, but it's made with simple, basic tools. It does stand upright. First, I will post a link to the video where I learned to make it:

6x6 Double Tucked Corner Fold Card

Below is my version, which I made using the Graphic 45 St. Nicolas papers & stickers, and a few Silhouette print and cut designs.

Closed view:

Fully open front view:

 

And, because you need someplace to write a note or at least sign it, here is the back:

Note, the green behind the card is just to make the card show up better, since my card base is white, and a white edge on a white background can be hard to see the outside edge of the card.

This challenge is to make the fairly easy card shown above using whatever papers and ephemera you have OR if this is too overwhelming, not to your taste, or you need something really easy due to being behind on all the challenges, you have another option: to make a card that opens downward instead of from the side or from the bottom (which is how most cards open). Here is an example of a card that I made using a Silhouette design, which opens at the bottom:

 

The flip flops are Queen & Co. shakers.The stamped phrase, in case it's hard to read, says, "Flip Flops: the glass slipper of the South."

Either way, I hope one of the above options will be a challenge that you can enjoy.

CARDtober 26 Two for One Ink Blending s/Silhouette

I was trying to create the hint of a sea at sunset scene when I did this. I'm not thrilled with the stamp, since it had more of a grunge look, although it isn't as obvious in the photo. I hadn't noticed that when I bought the stamp. I liked the scene, though. It seemed right for the card.