Now, lets see if I can remember how to do this. After starting these challenges last summer, as soon as I got back to university I didn't have time and eventually completely forgot about them. So it's high time that I got back to doing them!
This week's challenge was to create a card which featured a number. Funnily enough, I had only this morning found out it was one of my friend's birthday today and not only that but his 21st. I always like to highlight important birthdays - making sure that an 18 or 21 etc features on the card somewhere. Therefore, I decided to make a 21st Birthday card although I have no idea when we're going to meet up next and I have no idea how to get it to him - in this case it's the thought that counts!
I am also at that age of 21st birthdays - with my own coming up in October (scary scary!) so it's probably about time that I started to get some ideas together for special cards.
With my aim to make a male card, I used my 'Masculine' papers from Dovecraft.
My first card was a bit of an accident. I cut numbers out of patterned paper to use on my 21st card but I saw how I could also use the inverse for another card. Unfortunately(?) I had the numbers the other way around so instead of 21, it's a 12 but I think it still makes for an effective birthday card. I then finished it off with some chipboard shapes (from the same range) and a stamped sentiment.
My second card (the one I actually planned to make) used the cut out numbers from the spotty paper. I then finished it off with patterned paper strips, another chipboard circle and a stamped sentiment.
I really like how I could very easily re make this card for a different age and use different paper to make a completely different card - using floral paper and and flower instead of the circle for a girlie card.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I've just created my first layout!
On a slightly different note, following on from my last post, my new craft box (still needing a name by the way!) was put through it's paces. Well, it hasn't fallen apart yet although I've decided that it needs wheels or a lazy Susan (or even both!) underneath just to finish it off. Not only was I able to reach everything easily, it also makes tidying up easy as I can just close the drawers or put the stamp back in it's box and slot it into space as soon as I am done with it which therefore means, despite just making a couple of cards, my desk is as clear (if not clearer) as it was before I started. *insert victory dance here*
We'll see how long it takes for the novelty to wear off!
I think I am still recovering from the last two weeks, although I think it's more the lack of sport than having had to make and post a card everyday, from Wimbledon to le Tour de France to the Olympics, I've been watching sport for the last two months!
Anyway.
Recently, I decided on my target market, although I won't stop with all my other cards! Whilst I was at the Kanzi Kibera concert in July, one of my customers (that sound good!) was commenting that we didn't have many cards for teenage boys - luckily I had a couple of my silhouette guitar cards with me.
That got me thinking a bit. Most of the handmade cards that I have seen are quite fancy and grown up, or brightly coloured and childish and mainly aimed at the female market.
So, bearing this in mind, I set up an album on my Facebook page dedicated especially to those cards aimed at young people. These designs range from Batman to Disney to guitars and over the last couple of years this collection has grown quite a bit. I guess it helps that I am off that age group where all my friends fit into this category. I hope to expand this and I was able to add some more to the album today.
Last month, my brother requested a meme card for his friend's birthday. This proved to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of reasons. 1, his friend had already seen my first meme card - 'Like a Sir' (posted in April) so I couldn't give him that one and 2, I don't know that much about memes so I had to come up with a design that used the right meme in the right way (or else I would be in BIG trouble!).
I finally came up with my design:
This 'rage comic' as they are called comes with the caption 'Challenge Accepted' and of course, he is referring to the giant paper pieced birthday cake next to him. I believe it went down well and I think my reputation precedes me now. Whenever it's one of my brother's friend's birthdays (and he asks for one of my cards) as soon as he gives it to them, they say - before even opening it might I add - 'this is one of Emma's cards isn't it?'
The other cards added to the album were hot off the cutting mat today. I have been reading a manga called Death Note. I began reading it last year but put it down and have only begun to read it again. It's quite thought provoking but is so, so good although you do have to pay close attention in order to follow the logic of the characters.
The two main characters, Raito and 'L' (he doesn't share his real name in the book) work together in order to solve a huge mass murdering mystery. However, we know from the beginning that Raito is the one that has been causing the deaths and wants rid of L.
And this is where the inspiration came from. The main themes in the book are a bit of a Ying and Yang. The obvious one is good vs evil.
The design on these cards are silhouettes of Raito and L face to face. Those who are familiar with the manga, anime or film can (hopefully) see who is who and the significance of the apple in the middle (I don't want to go into too much detail about the story). The apple was made with red card and finished with black pen and white pencil to add detail such as shine and shadow.
I am really happy with these card, and I will probably end up making a template from the two silhouettes to make more of these cards (if needed). Once I had drawn the profiles - using the manga as reference - it was simply a case of cutting them out and sticking them in place and because I cut them out carefully, I was able to use the negatives to create a second card.
My first entry into this crafting challenge. I've only recently found this myself. I have been reading it on another crafter's blog but only this morning found out what it stands for: Clean And Simple.
So, this week's challenge is Clear as Day: create a Clean and Simple project using vellum or acetate.
This card was made for my animal-loving Great Aunt's 80th birthday a few years back. I used acetate at the bottom of the card to make my hand written message stand out. I used My Mind's Eye Spring papers for the elephants and finished it with some pink organza ribbon to hide the join between card and acetate. The beads were a final finishing touch and kind of give it a Moroccan/African flavour.
While on the subject of acetate, after this project was a success, I had a go at creating cards for male friends using acetate. The first, I made this week for a friend at university but this inspiration came from the other one I made a last year. They were so simple to make. Using black card and papers and ribbons of different shades of blue (although any other colour would work as well) creates a bold design. Especially, as is the case with the second card, when a white card blank was used. The white shows through the acetate to give a bold contrast.
The one thing I had to keep in mind, however, was where I wrote on the inside!
A while ago, when reading the latest issue of my card making magazine, I came across a letter from a fellow crafter. She was writing about how she had mixed two things which aren't generally put on the same card: men and flowers. But, as the picture that accompanied the letter showed, she pulled it off.
So, I set myself a small challenge, to do as she had done and add a floral flourish to my male cards, whether that be a small flower embellishment or a strip of flowery paper. I get it isn't exactly a massive bunch of flowers on the front of the card but it's something.
The first card was for a school friend. I had actually used some wrapping paper down the side and found some matching paper to make the present. I then added the little blue flower just to be a bit different (instead of the typical bow). I still am quite pleased with how that one came out.
The other card was for a family friend who is very much into his photography.n I've used the silhouette camera on other cards and come up with some other designs as well but that's for next time . . . .
Last night I spend the evening with a friend and fellow crafter doing what we do best. If I'm honest, it has been such a long time since I just sat down and made cards for no particular reason; normally there is a friend's birthday coming up or Christmas is around the corner, or in recent history, there has been a fundraiser to craft for. I never really realised how quickly time flew when I was sat with my stash of paper and embellishments and before I knew it the evening was gone and it was time to go home.
Last night allowed me to use some of my new papers and experiment with new ideas. I recently bought myself some papers and chipboard shapes to make male cards. I seem to very rarely make cards for guys as, lets face it, they're kind of boring (the cards, not the guys!). Its always much more fun -not to mention easier- to make a really girly card with a gorgeous dress or beautiful flower bouquets on in. With guys, there seem to be very few things that you can do. With this in mind I treated myself to some new supplies and I have to say, the results were good, even if I say so myself. The typical male theme of course is sports and the papers I got allowed me to mix and match to create three sport related cards (not to mention all the others that can, and will, be made in the near future); rugby, football and cricket. The pack included toppers, backing papers and boarders and the matching box of chipboard pieces widened my choice for design. All that was left to do was add a greeting.
I must try to make time to sit down and make cards again for the sheer enjoyment of it, rather than finding time to make one for a special occasion.
