First of all, a big thank you to those of you who stop by here, take a look and leave a message. I read them all and really appreciate them...as I also love to visit and comment on your blogs too! The craft world is so caring and sharing, you are all lovely people and it's so nice to have connected with you this way.
Thanks to those of you who left messages about my boxes yesterday, Christine Emberson is so inspiring for us crafters isn't she? To those who hopped over from Christine's blog, left a message and started following me...welcome! I hope you will visit often, I post almost every day and I think I have quite a varied mix of work...except I am a bit of a Spellbinders, Stamping and Promarker addict!
A few days ago, I did say that when I reach 50 followers I will be sending out some Candy..it's still probably a way off though! But I'm almost at 20!
Today's card is a commission: for new followers, a little information: I go out to work three days a week for a local charity, leaving me not enough crafting time! I have started teaching card making workshops with my friend Amy, who co-owns a local gift and craft shop, I make cards by commission, do the very occasional craft fair and am on the design team for Emergency Crafters. This last month I have also been guest designer for House Mouse and Friends and absolutely loved it!
I like to mix things up a bit with my crafting, it keeps me on my toes! Taking commissions helps me with 'stash' money and makes me design cards 'around' my comfort zone and sometimes totally out of it..this card is 'around' it! Many people who order personalised cards from me, I have never met - some of my customers have been commissioning cards for several years and we have never even spoken! I must be doing something right though as they keep coming back!
This card was requested by a friend of my brother-in-law and I didn't really have a lot to go on...sometimes this is easier: a blank canvas so to speak, but I have to remember that I need to keep these cards 'mainstream' and not go off on one of my steampunk or arty tangents!
I love rubber stamping: I find it gets my creative juices flowing and it is also relaxing. However I do also use digital stamps and some CDs and I also use two digital craft programmes: DoCraft digital designer and Serif Craft Artist. The latter is helpful with scrapbooking. But mostly they are a good source of papers and creating papers. My one bugbear with Serif and some CD's is that they aren't iMac friendly in an interactive way, so rather than using them on my desktop, I have to use my Windows laptop. Digital Designer though is Mac friendly, which is great!
Back to the card (I don't usually waffle this much!)....It's an 8x8, as are most of my commissioned cards and I printed the backing paper and the parcel and flower topper from the Designer, Tatty Teddy package. I also printed Teddy himself, but I had to get my Promarkers out just once on this card, so he is a digital stamp!
The die-cuts are Spellbinders Labels 23 and the bunting was cut from the Designer Portobello Road programme. I cut the 'Mum' and '60' with my Cricut. I have the 'baby' Cricut, which is just called the cutting machine - no fancy name for mine, so I gave it the rather un-original name of 'Jiminy' ! At the moment it's only cutting Mirror Board, as the blade needs replacing :(
To finish off I added some gorgeous stripey ribbon and tried a new technique in tying it, so that it still remains quite flat for posting or putting in an envelope (I usually present commissions in expandable envelopes or boxes). To check this out - and it really is super cool - take a look at Kirsty Wiseman's video on - it's a goodie!
http://fantasticribbons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/first-of-our-ribbon-video-tutorials.html
I am sorry today's post has been so long, I will be back in the next day or so...the problem at the moment is that I have been spending a lot of time on Christmas designs and don't want to bombard you with them just yet!
Happy Sunday and Happy Crafting!
Carole X
Gosh his Mum is going to adore this card, its beautiful I love the bunting too and that ribbon is fabulous. well done Carole, great work Hugs Elaine
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely my type of crafter Carole. My favourites are stamping, Promarkers and Spellbinders - in that order. I don't use many CDs - although I do like PolkaDoodles - mainly because I like the digistamps. As long as I can do a little colouring - I'm a happy bunny! I do some commissioned cards and my favourite size is 8 x 8!
ReplyDeleteBack to your card - I love this as it has all the elements! The colours go brilliantly together and I am certain that the Mum in question will be thrilled with this.
Love your card... I like the bunting but without the red, white and blue for a change. Now a follower so will def pop back soon. scrappyjen x
ReplyDeleteHi Carole,
ReplyDeleteWhat a smashing card; the colours and layout are just lovely. I saw Kirsty's ribbon technique and it is great isn't it and it doesn't take long to do either.
Have a good week and I hope you find lots of crafting time.
Hugs Linda x
Great card Carole. Some mum is going to be very happy. I will pop over and look at the bow video now.
ReplyDeletelove from Christinex