Kristin 31 years

This is the fantastic Prima 6x6" Fairy Flora paper stack in action! Absolutely all the papers used are from that stack. And wow, they are gorgeous. I've used no less than - wait for it - nine sheets! Oh my... Only the best for my friend Kristin. ;) But when all sides are decorated with several layers, that's what happens! Not a bad thing really - I've got more than enough design papers and there's no need to be cheap. :P
I've paper pieced the dress, added Glossy Accents to the flower and Stickles to her wings. Then I just piled on the flowers! It's a little tribute to Kristins favourite general layout, done in my own way...-
-

The inside has the same basic design as the front, but simpler. The lovely "Happy birthday" stamp is from Stempelglede. The last side looks just like this, but with my personal stamp.

DIY knife display

My dad has a few nice knives, some of them inherited and really old, and he would like to put them on display somehow. The idea of using an old pair of denim trousers and a belt was something he had come across somewhere, so I have noone to credit, unfortunately. He trusted me to find a way to execute this idea and I must admit I struggled with it for a long time... But one day I remembered a deep-edged canvas I bought on sale a long time ago (with something completely different in mind) and in three days the whole thing came together in a flash. And it was a big hit!
-

I ripped out the seams holding the belt straps and relocated them close to the back on each side and one in the center for added stability. I looks more like actual denim trousers with that one belt strap in the front too. The single knife doing the modeling here is actually one I've made myself. It's not the most amazing piece of craftmanship, but considering that I was only twelve when I made it, it's not bad at all! In fact, I really love it - and it's not a part of his gift, no way. :)
-

The denim fabric is stretched over the canvas and nailed to the wood frame. The corners were tricky, as there is a little bit of stretch in these trousers and they stretch more one way than the other... As a result, they are slightly bulky, but because of the thick belt there was little point in getting them completely flat anyway. I settled for the best I could do.
-

Here's a side view showing how the belt is buckled behind the frame. I stitched a piece of trouser leg fabric to the top of the trousers so I had something to cover the top edge of the canvas with - that allowed the waist line to line up with the top of the canvas front. As an unexpected bonus, it made finishing the top corners really neat and easy.
-

This piece of jewlery wire passes through the belt buckle and is attatched to the inside of the wood frame at the top and bottom. This pulls the buckle forward, "into" the frame, thereby preventing it from pushing the canvas away from the wall.

-

I'm linking up to the Strut Your Stuff link party over at Somewhat Simple! (Button in side bar.)

31/52: Go slow!

I pass this speed camera every day -

and as much as I detest reckless drivers,

I still can't help but smile at that sticker...

;)

-

Click here for more info on my Project 52.

Happy birthday dad!

"Happy birthday and thanks for being who you are!" I made this card the same day as mom's card, so they match very well. That wasn't really intended, it just happened... BG papers again, I always bring a few of their 6x6" paper pads when crafting away from home. Those stylised trees are just awesome!
-

Clean and simple inside too! The stamp is from Tim Holtz and is so perfect for the occation.

Autumnal biscornu pincushion

Having celebrated the birthdays of both my parents this weekend, I can finally show you some of the stuff I've been working on lately! This bicornu pincushion was a gift for my mother and should suit the colours of her new sewing room (which used to be my room actually - no going back now!).
-
This is the smaller cousin of my first biscornu pincushion (follow link for fully illustrated tutorial!), made from two 3,5" squares of fabric. I just love how the simple squares come together to form this fascinating shape...
- Not sure which side I like best! Perhaps I should have made some custom-made pins to go with it...?

Happy birthday mom!

I've gone with a simpler style lately, and it feels fresh and light! The simple cards tend to follow the over-embellished ones, and vice versa - but lately my work has leaned in this direction for longer. The papers here are all Basic Grey again, because I made it at a friend's house and the BG 6x6 pads are compulsory elements in my bag on those occations. Some ribbon, ric rac and lace and one Papirloftet flower are clustered in the corner to complete the asymmetrical look.
-

"Happy birthday" stamp by Stempelglede - these are so lovely!

30/52: Guerrilla yarn bombing

The street outside my local yarn shop

is a construction zone - and a complete mess - right now.

But they sure know how to compensate!

-

Click here for more info on my Project 52.

You are unique!

My signature colours these days... Green and orange. Green is one of those colours that seem to sneak into nearly every card I make, and orange/yellow colours have been a bit of an obsession of mine these last months. The papers are Basic Grey (again!) and the leaves are Prima. Check out that large leaf with the veins, isn't it gorgeous? It's impossible to show the amazing texture in just a picture, but trust me, those leaves are wonderful. I had to buy another box just in case they would be hard to get a hold of later!

29/52: Warped

"Making stuff makes me happy,

so I try to make something everyday,

even if it is just a mess."

-Margaret Oomen of Resurrection Fern-
-

Click here for more info on my Project 52.

Life is a picture

Hi everybody - miss me? :P I'm still here, still making stuff. It's just all very hush-hush for now. Ssshhh! ;) Cards and gifts will be posted as and when they are delivered. But I did manage to whip up this card just for fun today. It was a bit of a relief to make something random, with no names, occations or colour requests attatched. I think that's why it came together so quickly! Well, that, and the fact that it's a really simple card made from leftover paper scraps already on my desk. Almost a CAS card if it wasn't for the torn edges on the corrugated cardstock...?

28/52: Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

It never ceases to amaze me how
even the most mundane household chores
become so much more enjoyable when done
in the bright sunlight!
-
Click here for more info on my Project 52.

Best wishes

Having a card making evening at someone else's house is something I really enjoy, despite the troublesome packing and unpacking of stash... ;) Being restricted to using only the stuff I've brought with me is both a challenge and a blessing. It limits my choices, which sometimes makes it easier to choose, but at the same time forces me to be more creative with the stuff I have. There's the social aspect as well - this is a wonderful way to enjoy your friends' way of working. There are always tips and tricks to learn!
-
The first thing I grab when packing is a few of my Basic Grey 6x6 paper pads. And I have loads of those... ;) That way I have lots of pattern papers in matching colours and it doesn't fill up my bag. Everything else is chosen to match those colours. I think most of the papers in this card came from the Pyrus stack. They have bold, graphic shapes and lend themselves easily to clean and simple cards. The sentiment stamp is from Penny Black of course! I wrapped the large ric rac ribbon with some twine and decided that would be it! Wait, no flowers? Or brads? Or lace? Not even a decorative little rub-on? Imagine that... And I still like it, that's the craziest thing. :P Going to check my temperature now. See you again soon!

A little hello

Trying something new... I've taken some inspiration from the work of Dawn McVey and blended it with my own, and it became a look I really enjoy! You can be sure to find more of this coming over the next few days. :) It was simple enough to layer the various Spellbinder shapes cut from Basic Grey papers, but harder to add just the right amount of stash in just the right place... I messed up the background a bit, so a sheet of BG Origins came to my rescue and covered it all up. ;)

Baby blue, times two

After the card drought of last fall, I'm trying to build up a decent amount of cards to bring to the beauty salon where I sell them. One technique is to make duplicate cards, although I must admit that I often find it difficult. The cards go through so many alterations along the way that I usually don't save any time making two at a time. These two came together reasonably quickly, so one went to a colleague and the other to the beauty salon box!
-
The papers are Basic Grey (Pyrus and Basics) and kraft cardstock. The edges are inked with DistressInk Vintage Photo. I've forgotten the origins of the stamps unfortunately - the center of the sentiment stamp says 100% BOY! :) Magic Mesh, Prima Hydrangeas and Bazzill brads are the only other embellishments. Trying to keep the cards uncluttered these days.
-

27/52: Girls' night in

Paper - scissors - glue

Chocolate - chips - coke

Cutting - stamping - creating

Chatting - laughing - sharing

- Smile, enjoy and repeat -

-

Click here for more info on my Project 52.