ECD September 2014 Designer Challenge

Good morning friends, and welcome to the September 2014 Elizabeth Craft Designs Designer Challenge. This month the theme is "Fall, Harvest and Halloween".

Since we were packing up my studio for our move, I was trying to work ahead and only had minimal supplies to choose from.  I decided to go with the Katie Label Accordion die set and the fun new Halloween Peel-Off's that coordinate. I love that you can get coordinating Peel-Offs to work with several of the Pop-It Up die sets.

Instead of creating sparkly embellishments from the Peel-Offs, I went with a different approach to adding colour.  I used this technique on my Asian Vase card for last month's challenge (see HERE), and loved it so kept out a sheet of vellum to play with.

First, I added the Gold Peel-Off's to the vellum.

I coloured the back of the vellum with Copic Markers ...

... And when you turn over the vellum, you see how bright the colours look! It's also a good way to use alcohol markers with the gold Peel-Off's. Because these markers are permanent, they will colour the Peel-Off if you accidentally colour outside the line. Ha - which I do frequently!

The vellum was then attached to Double Sided Adhesive, with white card stock attached to the other side. Then the Peel-Offs were fussy cut and ready to attach to the Katie Label Accordion card base. I like to use Fun Foam cut slightly smaller than the embellishment to attach larger pieces like these.

I added this pretty black Peel-off border sticker, as it resembles spider webs to me when used with themed paper like this.

Here is a look at the back side of the card.

I have a little tip for you. The patterned paper I used is quite stiff, and the accordion tabs split apart as I was assembling the card.  To remedy this, I added two small strips of a Peel-Off border to each tab, front and back. Because the Peel-Offs are vinyl, they are flexible and make wonderful HINGES! Saved having to trash the card and start again.

Supplies:
903 Katie Label Accordion,
913 Katie Stars Frame Edges,
2585 Halloween in Frame (Gold),
503 Double Sided Adhesive,
1278 Lace Fan 2Border Peel Off (Black),
1134 Lines Dots Border Peel Off (Black) (for hinges),
7018 Glitter Dots,
Vellum
Black card stock
Patterned paper - Recollections
Copics
White Gel pen
Black Sharpie - fine
Fun Foam (for attaching the large Katie Label Peel-Off embellishments).

I hope you will check out the Elizabeth Craft Designs BLOG today (HERE) to see all the fun creations from the Design Team!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wine Bottle Hangers - Songbird Cheers

Good morning friends.

I hardly know where to start. The day the movers arrived, our 3 year old Granddaughter was admitted into ICU at the Calgary Children's Hospital with a life threatening disease we didn't know she had.  Pulmonary Hypertension - rare in adults, even more rare in children. Especially a 3 year old. The disease has no cure, but we are hoping they can manage it with medication. She has now been moved into the cardiac unit at the Children's hospital where a team of cardiologists, as well as the ICU team can keep an eye on her. 

They are trying to get a bed at the hospital in Edmonton, as she will need a specialized test that they do there, but for now it's a waiting game. 

Our other daughter has in-laws visiting from Israel, and they all came to the new house yesterday afternoon. I am barely functioning, and certainly not able to make a decision as to where anything should go. They took over the kitchen and got all the stacked boxes unpacked with everything put away. Not where it maybe should go, or where it will end up. But done;  the boxes are in the garage and I'm so grateful to have a set up kitchen. 

I haven't made anything new, but had some posts scheduled so I will continue with them. ...

Today's share is an older project ... I made these last Fall, but haven't shared them yet. I love having Wine Bottle Hangers on hand to decorate a wine bottle we are bringing to friends when invited to dinner. They also make nice hostess gifts, when packaged up in cellophane ... maybe WITH a bottle of wine.  Just sayin'

Supplies used:
Wine Bottle Hanger die - My Favorite Things
Patterned paper - Songbird stack (DCWV?)
Red pearlized card stock - Star Dream
Sassy and Circle Labels, Pop 'n Cut - Karen Burniston (Sizzix)
Cheers! and Wine Glass stamps - Stampin' Up
Ribbon - from my stash
Self Adhesive Rhinestones - stash
Bakers twine

Thanks for stopping by today

C4C255 - Fall Leaves Accordion Card.

Good morning friends!

I have this post scheduled, as we have just moved and I didn't know if I'd have internet for a few days. The moving truck delivered our belongings yesterday, so this weekend will be spent unpacking. Ha - MOST people would start in the kitchen, but I figure once I have a pan and the coffee maker unpacked I can go into my studio and get that at least functioning. I feel 'off' when I cannot create, and it's been too long since I've had any playtime. Once I have a basic handle on that room- even just to have my dies out, a flat surface to cut on, my Cross-Over machine and some papers/card stock, I will be able to concentrate on the rest of the house. Even though my new studio is BEAUTIFUL and I will want to spend lots and lots of time in there. Ha!

It's Saturday and that means a new challenge at the Crazy 4 Challenges blog.  Danielle is our September Hostess, and she challenged us 'to incorporate a leaf or leaves into our project'.

I went in a different direction than you would think, ha ha.  But there are leaves printed on the patterned paper, so that counts.

I used the Katie Label Accordion die and created a two page card. The shape of this die mimics the Katie Label Pivot card (also by Karen Burniston for Elizabeth Craft Designs) so you can easily mix and match the layers.

The words were stamped on the vellum with Momento ink then heat set, and I outlined them on the back side of the vellum with a Copic Marker.

Love that ECD 'sprig' die so it was fun to use it on this card. The flourish die comes with the Katie Label Accordion and the Designer Challenge Team continues to come up with all kinds of ideas using it.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Crazies come up with for the challenge, and link up your leafy projects too. We love to see what you create!

Supplies used:
Katie Label Accordion, Pop it Ups, Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)
Sprig With Berries die- Elizabeth Craft Designs
White card stock
Teal card stock - Bazzill
Patterned paper - Happy Camper by Echo Park
Enamel dots
Vellum
Word stamps - Hero Arts

Thanks for stopping by today!

Strawberry Flip-It Cards

Good morning Friends!

This is our moving weekend, so I have a couple of posts scheduled. I'm not entirely sure when we will have internet again. Yikes!  Since it's Flip-It Friday here on my blog … today's share is a Flip-It card! Actually - TWO Flip-It cards.

When I received my July Stamps of the Month from the Stamps of Life, I was just tickled with the strawberries. With stamps and matching dies, I knew I had some strawberry printed paper in my stash so I got right to work.

Love the little banner punch, and I use it a lot. Thankfully, on cards all going to different people.

These Flip-It cards are so fun and easy to use. They come with the layering pieces which is probably my favourite feature.

These cards went to Seniors Secret Service.

Card Size: Standard A2
Supplies used:
Circle Flip-It #2 - Stephanie Barnard (Sizzix)
Strawberry stamps and dies - The Stamps of Life (Stephanie Barnard)
Red card stock
White card stock
Green print paper - DCWV
Strawberry Printed paper - g.c.d.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Puffy Sticker Tags

Good morning friends!

It's MOVING DAY and today's post was scheduled. Not sure how long it will be until I have internet again - Yikes!  I have a couple of posts scheduled, just in case. Today's share uses fun puffy stickers to create Christmas Tags.

Those were easy to make, but I think they turned out so cute.  The tags were cut from sturdy white card stock using a Sizzix die, then I added strips of Washi Tape* across the bottom for some colour. I stamped the 'to & from' on the back side before attaching the puffy stickers, then added some red Bakers Twine.  And done!

*Washi Tape. I have not been a fan.

THEN I bought my Erin Condren Life Planner (a daytimer) and started seeing how everyone else was using Washi Tape to decorate their EC Planners. I picked up a couple of rolls and now I am really REALLY liking it. Ha!  Had to decorate a gift sack really quickly this weekend and with a few strips of colourful Washi Tape it was done in less than a minute.

Washi Tape ... I'm sold!


Supplies used:
Tag die - Sizzix
Washi tape - Martha Stewart
Puffy stickers - Dollar Store
Bakers Twine
To & From - MFT

Thanks for stopping by today!

Pop up Thank You and Gift Card Holders (#10)

Good morning friends!

Wow - yesterday was a busy day, starting with a conference with all the department heads at the Care Center where my Dad is. It was a really good meeting, and we were so happy to hear how well he is doing there (despite what he tell us). They gave us good tips on handling his increasing wishes to come home for a few days etc etc. We are so lucky that he is in a facility with such good care and even better management team!

In the afternoon was our newest Grandson's Brit Milah. It was a nice ceremony (except for the wailing baby getting circumcised - but it was over quickly). The Rabbi made a point of explaining the traditions of the ceremony to Gregg and I which made it even more meaningful. He has been given his name ... Ilai (Eli). Works in both Hebrew and English, so his non Jewish family won't have trouble pronouncing it. Ha - spelling it is another matter!

Today's post is scheduled, as things are about to get crazy around here. The moving truck arrives bright and early tomorrow morning, and will load up all our belongings. It will be a two day move, with the truck delivering our stuff the next day. The next time we move, I'm hoping the only things we take with us are our clothes and my craft supplies. Ha!

This is the final card I made for our neighbour, who ordered 10 'Thank You Gift Card Holder' cards for his office. He wanted them to be Pop Ups and he asked that the Gift Card Holders be attached inside the cards as well.

I used the Pop n Cuts base for the card fronts, and fun papers from my stash ...

This card actually uses the Sassy Label Pop 'n Cuts insert, layered with a Katie Label and the stamped Thank You. The Gift Card Holder was cut from white card stock and attached to the card base with the adhesive avoiding the corners so the gift card can be slid in easily.

He was really happy with his cards!

Supplies:
A2 Pop 'n Cut base - Karen Burniston - Sizzix
Sassy Label Insert - Karen Burniston - Sizzix
Gift Card Holder - Karen Burniston - Sizzix
Katie Label Pivot (Label), Pop it Ups - Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)
Thank you stamp - Michaels
Patterned Paper - DCWV

Thanks for stopping by today

"You're In My Thoughts" Accordion Card.

Good morning friends!

Thank you to my friend Debbie, who helped me pack up a bunch more boxes in my studio yesterday. That room is almost finished, and even though I have a crazy busy day today I will have it finished by bedtime for sure. :-)  I was able to separate the items I NEED to have IMMEDIATELY (like my ECD/KB dies, my Cross-Over machine and cutting pads, adhesive, scissors etc) and they all going to be easy to identify and get to after the move.

In packing up the card stock - the boxes and boxes and boxes of card stock - it has become clear that I have a problem. I would bet the stack of card stock is taller than I am, and same for the patterned paper. I won't have to buy more of either for many years, ha ha.

I have a card to share today, made using the Katie Label Pivot die by Karen Burniston for Elizabeth Craft Designs.  The stitched label and the corner flourish dies come with the Katie Label Pivot to give you lots of options.

The chipboard bird I've had in my stash for awhile, and the colours were perfect for this card.

The right panel features a stamped label from the Katie Label Pivot, which coordinates perfectly with the Katie Label Accordion. Love that!

While I still want to cut the Holly Frame Edges out of green glittery paper or Green Velvet Adhesive Sheets, I think it looks nice and earthy when cut from kraft card stock.

Supplies:
903 Katie Label Accordion, Pop it Ups - Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)
768 Katie Label Pivot (label), Pop it Ups - Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)t
905 Holly Frame Edges, Pop it Ups - Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)
Patterned paper - Heidi Grace (?) I'm guessing, as my notebook is packed.
Chipboard Bird - Michaels
Word stamp - Verve
Kraft card stock

Thanks for stopping by today!

Masculine Birthday Card Pair

Good morning friends!

So I had my first dose of the chemo medication Saturday - it's once a week - and yesterday was the Folic Acid which should help prevent or reduce the severity of mouth sores. Yikes. The good news, is that I seem to be tolerating it fairly well. Wasn't sure how it would go last night with how I was beginning to feel, and I took a bucket to keep at our bedside. But I was fine! The cortisone is working as well, and as of yesterday morning I could straighten out my left leg.

The packing is going much better with improved mobility and I actually have the upstairs almost completely done. I would be done, except hubby is holding out thinking it can all be done the day the movers arrive. I'll be packing his stuff up on him before that, ha ha.

It's Masculine Card Monday here on my blog, and I have 2 masculine birthday cards to share today. I'm still rooting through my older card pictures, as with the upcoming move I don't have much in the way of playtime. In just a few days we will be in our new house!!!

I had made these to donate to Seniors Secret Service back in the Spring.

Supplies:
Journal card die - Technique Tuesday
Patterned paper - The Paper Studio
White card stock
Kraft card stock
Border stamp - Avery Elle
Birthday stamp on the front - Hero Arts
Birthday stamp on the inside - The Stamps Of Life
Button twine - PTI
Card size - standard A2

Thanks for stopping by today!

Gold Snowflake Christmas Cad

Good morning friends!

I had a good (although really, really LONG) appointment with the Rheumatologist on Friday. My diagnosis is pretty much confirmed as a Seronegative Arthritis which is presenting like Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She has started me on some immune suppressing medication, and I should see results in anywhere from 6 weeks - 3 months. The drug cocktail may have to be adjusted after 3 months if the disease isn't in remission by then, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. She also gave me a cortisone shot in both knees so I will be feeling good for the move - which is just days away! I had X-rays of my chest, hands, hips, knees and ankles as the disease is showing up in all those areas. Now we have a baseline to work with. I'm feeling very hopeful now!

I am still sharing some older photos today, as I've been packing like crazy and there is just no playtime!

I layered printed acetate snowflakes with punched ones, onto a die cut panel. Then I added a narrow strip of the Stampin' Up Glimmer Paper for seasonal shimmer and shine.

Inside there is another die cut panel, a stamped greeting and acetate snowflake.

Supplies:
Kraft card stock - Recollections
Gold acetate snowflake and patterned paper - K & Co
Red snowflake punch - Martha Stewart
Champagne Glimmer paper and inside word stamp - Stampin' Up

Card size - standard A2

Thanks for stopping by today!

C4C254 Sketch Challenge Card

Good morning friends!

It's Saturday, so that means a new challenge at the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog. This week our hostess Danielle has a sketch for us.

I used the sketch for the front of my card ...

Before I packed away the vellum, I cut a panel of this leaf printed vellum. The adhesive is hidden under the fishtail banner and other elements.

I wanted to make it a Pop Up card, so turned to the Pop it Ups Lorna Label (yes AGAIN) for the inside.

 The felt and glittered leaves I've had in my stash for a couple of years. They worked so nicely on these cards!

The Crazies would love to see what you come up with using this sketch, so be sure to link up your creation on the blog. Please use C4C254 if you are uploading to an on-line gallery.

Card size: 4-1/2 x 6"
Supplies:
Patterned paper - K & Co
Felt and Glitter leaves - K & Co
Lorna Label Pop Up, Pop it Ups - Karen Burniston (Elizabeth Craft Designs)
All other dies - MFT Blueprints #13
Word stamps - Hero Arts
Printed vellum from my stash

Thanks for stopping by today!

Leaves Flip-It card

Good morning friends!

Yesterday there were no contractors in the house, and no barking dogs. It was so nice and peaceful! Except for the fact that there were no contractor because they didn't order all the cabinets so he will have to come back when they come in and get that all done. The house may even be listed by then, but I will put a folded card on the counter stating that this company IS coming to fix the mistake. AARRGGHH.

There is good news today though. I get to see the specialist today! After 8 months of getting worse every week, lots of pain and not much mobility, there is hope for learning about recovery today. At any rate, I know I will be under the specialists care now and that is HUGE!

It's Flip-It Friday here on my blog, and today I have a couple of Flip-It Cards that I donated to Seniors Secret Service.

I added the punched label as a place for them to sign, and used a couple of different dies to make the leaves etc.

These plastic leaves I've had in my stash for a couple of years, so I thought it was time to actually USE a couple of them. :-)

Supplies used:
Circle Flip-It - Sizzix (Stephanie Barnard)
Patterned paper - K&Co
Circle dies - Spellbinders
Words & Banners, stamps & dies - Sizzix (Banners 2 die)
Leaf and acorn die - Stampin' Up
Plastic leaf - my stash
Words - Stampin' Up
Custom background stamp (on leaf dies)

Thanks for stopping by today!