Little people, big birthday

I thought I would share some of the cards I made at the end of last year but didn't manage to post them on the blog. My friend commissioned me to make these cards for 4 little girls and boys all aged 4. As I have not used my Sizzix die cutting machine for a while I decided to make all these cards by using die cuts and gave my stamps a rest! So here they are:

I have used a simple sketch layout for this card - A main image, a quarter circle at the corner with text on top.
I have made a ballerina girl by using the Sizzix large doll. Dressed her up and used a short piece of feathery ribbon for her tutu. The beige background paper is a wallpaper sample from Laura Ashley which I highlighted with glitter glue on the flower pattern . The card was then decorated with pink liquid pearl, around the text, on the ballerina and the 3 gem stones on the top right hand corner.

The second card is very similar to the first one. I stuck to the same sketch layout but moved the quarter circle to the left bottom corner. Instead of an oval shaped text, I have used a round scalloped shape.
Again, I used a Laura Ashley wallpaper for the background. This time I used the Sizzix large doll to make a fairy by raising the doll on top of the butterfly die cut with foam pads. Then I made a fairy wand by using pink wire and a star button. The doll has also been decorated with white liquid pearl and 3 gem stones attached on top right hand corner.

Out of the 4 cards I am showing today, the next one has to be my favorite. I still used the same sketch layout but this time the quarter circle was moved to the top right hand corner. I embossed the quarter circle to give texture to the moon. I drew, hand cut and layered the rocket together. White liquid pearl was used around the rocket so that they would look like metal bolts.
Instead of using the Sizzix large doll this time, I used the Sizzix Bitty doll (smaller in size). The astronaut's helmet was cut out from acetate and then white gel pen was used to outline the helmet. Little gem stones have also been applied around the rocket window. I think this is quite a nice card for a little boy!

Last but not least, a choo-choo train. I didn't have a die for a train, so I hand drew, cut and assembled the train myself. Then I filled the train with a present, teddy bear and balloon made using die cuts.
Again, white liquid pearl was used to decorate around the train and glitter glue was applied to the balloon.

So, what do you think of all these cards? I do like to personalise each individual card with the recipient's name to make them feel just that extra special. Have a good day and I will talk to you soon.

What time is it....... Party Time!

Well, we certainly had a very busy weekend!

Friday the 5th was our daughter's 7th birthday and here is the card I made for her. She was very excited when she received the card.


Since I had the experience of making the birthday cake with beads and wire last time, I thought I would try to create my own bead design this time. So I came up with this cup cake design. It even has a cherry on the top! I am quite happy with the result. Here is a close up picture of the beaded cup cake.


If you are interested in trying beads and wire on cards, have a look at this book called 'Step-by-Step Bead Cards' by Kate MacFadyen. It is a good place to start. There are lots of projects in the book and the clear instructions make them easy to produce.

I actually took Friday off to prepare my daughter's birthday. I spent most of my time baking cakes and making up party bags for her birthday party on Saturday. On Friday night we had a home made chocolate lemon cake with poppy seeds to celebrate her birthday. (I have to say the cake was yummy!) Then on Saturday, we took her and her friends to a Wacky warehouse for an hours play and then McDonald's for lunch. This year she decided to have a "Cup cake and High School Musical" theme birthday. So I decided to make this birthday party a bit different by making my own cup cakes and party bags.


Each cup cake was decorated with High School Musical (HSM) images and sugar stars. Then they were wrapped individually with clear cellophane bags and red/ gold ribbons. Not only do these cup cakes look good but also they are a lot easier to hand out for people to take home.


For the party bags, I also used clear cellophane bags to fill with lots of sweeties, chocolates, HSM stickers, balloons and party toys. I quite like the fact that you can see what you will get in your party bag. Apart from the contents, the actual party bag costs next to nothing!! The bag was sealed by stapling a folded thick card to the opening. The folded cards were cut out from cereal boxes which were then covered with free Laura Ashley wall paper samples. I decorated the card with HSM images which were cut from various gift boxes and packages. A sentiment "Just for you" has also been stamped on white card, cut into circular scalloped shape and attached to the card. Before stapling the card to the bag, I fastened a gold piece of ribbon onto the card to make a handle. This is simply done by cutting two small slits located at the fold. Then I threaded the ribbon through the slits and tied a knot at each end of the ribbon. Here is a closer look at the party bag.


When my daughter handed out those cup cakes and party bags, people were impressed. You could hear "WOW" from everywhere!! It was a success!! Even one of the parents asked "Which shop did you buy these party bags from?" Ha! I then responded proudly "These are not shop bought. I made them!!" I was so chuffed!!

I hope you like my cup cakes and party bags as much as I do. I certainly will make these again, especially as they had turned out so good and that they were completely different to the usual cakes and party bags.

STAMPS: 1) Magnolia unmounted stamp- CC09 Chasing Tilda from Chasing Butterflies Collection 2009.
2) Papermania clear stamp- Just for You from Exclusive FREE Clear Stamps.
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black and Whispers permanent-waterproof black ink.
PAPER: Pink with green squared pattern paper is from Paperchase Scrapbook Pad- Pack 25 Paper Stack Pastels. Rest of the papers/ cards are from my own stash. Red flowery and black and white wall papers, used on party bags, are from Laura Ashley.
DIE CUT: Quickutz- RS-0017 Balloon
Others: Copic markers, seeded beads, wire, gems, clear glitter glue, decorative scalloped scissors, card candy and ribbons have also been used.

It's your DAY!

Have I heard you saying "Back so quick?!" Yes, this will be my second post of the month and it is only the 4th!! I am trying to keep up with my new year resolution - update blog more often! Hee hee!

First I'd like to say "Happy Birthday" to my crafty pal Erin. Hope you have a great day. Enjoy and be happy! I made this card for her.


It's an easel card which uses a new card folding technique I have learnt. There are a lot of step by step video tutorials on YouTube. Just search by easel card or making an easel card, you will find clear instructions on how to make one. It is just a simple fold but I love the fact that your card is free standing and can be displayed easily. So no more excuses for putting hand made cards in the drawer. I think they deserve to be displayed! Here is a picture from the side.


And here is a closer look at the main card front.


The main stamped image is from Wild Rose Studio. It has been decoupaged to give the 3D effect. I used seed beads and wire to create the birthday cake which replaces the original 3 tiers birthday cake image on the stamp. I think my beaded birthday cake has added some texture to the card and I love it! Of course, the card cannot be completed without adding some glitter and gems to make it shine.

I punched both sides of the paper and attached it to the inside or base of the card. I added a monthly calendar and circled my friend's birthday. (I know, I know I had to start from February. But we still have 11 months to go through for the year!! ) This calendar not only acts as a stopper for the easel card but also provides functionality for the card. Then two little gems have been added to each side of the calendar. These should prevent the front of the card from slipping down after most of the calender sheets have been taken off.


I hope you like the card as I am quite impressed with it. Thanks for reading.

Hugs,

STAMPS: Wild Rose Studio- Girl with Cake.
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black.
PAPER: Purple pattern paper inside the card is from Daisy & Dandelion (docrafts)- Picnic Patch A5 Paper Collection. Rest of the papers/ cards are from my own stash.
DIE CUT: Swirl, Decorative #2 die from Sizzix Sizzlits Die Set 3PK- Decorative Swirls Set 656323.
Others: Copic markers, paper punch, seeded beads, wire, gems, clear glitter glue and pink liquid pearls have also been used.

You are invited...

Hi all! Sorry for the lack of movement on this blog. Have been busy over the Christmas period and new year. Now everything is settling down, hope you will see me blogging more often.

Today I would like to share the birthday invitation cards which my daughter and I made together. Actually she designed the invitation! She came up with the layout, she chose the colours, she stamped, she coloured... she did most things. Then with mummy's little help and finishing touches, I think the invitation turned out really good.


All her friends who received the invitation were quite impressed with the card. We used the cute owl, flower and sentiment clear stamps, from the latest Papermania Honey & hugs set, for this card. I have only just discovered the flexibility of these clear stamps! I realised that stamps which are long and thin can easily be bent to create a curved or even a waved image. This is exactly what I have done here with "Fun Fun Fun!" and "Let's Party" sentiments. They create different looks which make it feel like you have a completely new set of stamps. I suggest you have a go with your existing clear stamps and try it out. You will love the new look!

Here is a closer look at the card.


The owl is stamped, coloured on white card and cut out. Then use eyelet, brad and string to attach the owl onto the card so it dangles, like it is flying! Underneath the owl is a yellow circular shaped card which has a cup cake stamped in the middle and the words "You are invited" hand written all around the circle. The cup cake has been coloured and decorated with glitter and pink liquid pearls. Oops... yes! Silly me who forgot to take a photo of that part to show you. So I guess you will just have to use your imagination for that.

Well, I hope you like the cards. We certainly had great fun making them.

Have a great day,