Friday, November 29, 2013

Let there be Light.


The 2nd challenge this month  over at Dreamtime Designs is to create a working light box. The challenge is in 4 parts and each part must be tackled. Now that might seem a daunting task but it really is quite simple if you take it step by step.

Part A.
Do some on line research about creating a handmade light box and  decide which design will better suit you and your needs. Give credit to design in your challenge post.
I had already been thinking about a light box for taking better photos with but had the constraint of storage for a shop bought one so this challenge was ideal. My criteria was simple  it had to dismantle and be put together in seconds and need to fold completely flat for storage under a chest of drawers. Whilst I was mulling this over my friend Di spotted a tutorial on the web and pointed me in the right direction. Here. I liked the look of this so after modifying to my own specifications  this is what I made.

Part B.
Create Light box taking step by step photos .explain each step with how you are putting it together until your project  is complete.  Give/show list of supplies.
I had no idea what foam core was but again my friend Di came to the rescue and told me I could purchase it from Hobby Craft. Thanks Di.

I bought a 5 sheet pack in A3 size. (11¾x 16 ¼).


I used the width of the steel ruler as my guide for making the interlocking tabs and masking tape for marking which sections to cut away. I double checked my  markings before cutting  and used a craft knife which sliced through the foam board with ease.
  

 
Here you can see 3 sides slotted together to make sure that it fitted before cutting the last  sheets.

Once they had all been cut I marked the back of each piece with the position they needed to be in to make the box up (they will only fit one way). Here they are piled in the order of contstruction.

The back is laid out first and then the sides are slotted into the base on the  left and right.

The back is slotted in place and finally the sides are folded up to complete the box.

 
The finished light box which I had decided to make the other way up as I wanted my lights to be shining down into the box and not from the front. This also eliminated the need for a separate back drop.

Part C.
 Take a photo of one of your designs without the light box as you would normally have done. This is  your before photo.
 This is my perpetual calendar that  is always on my desk and was handy to use for the experiment. Taken as I normally do using a green cloth background on a table beside my desk. Desk lights are on and to the side of the table.

Take another photo of the same design but this time inside your light box. This is your after photo.
I then put  the calendar inside the light box which I stood on my desk and had the floor white/daylight lamp  and the desk white/ daylight lamp on overhead.

Part D.
Explain  your experience including
1. Has the light box helped you ? if so How?  As you can see from the photos the light box has eliminated the dark shadows cast by the calendars sides  Image  is also more defined.
2. Are you using the light box inside or outside of the house?  Inside as above.
3. Are you using lights? if so which kind? Yes. As explained above.
4.Tell 2 tips or tricks about creating or using the light box.
 
Tips and tricks.
Buy 1 more piece of the foam than you need in case of errors. My pack came with 5 and I only needed 4. (I very nearly cut the wrong tab off of one piece whilst contructing and only just spotted in time!)
Make longer tabs( as I have ) if you will be taking apart each time  as this will save wear and tear on the joints. If the box is to be made up permanently then dovetail smaller so that it fits together snugly.
Use only  light pencil marks  as these are  easier to erase off and use masking tape  for writing on.
Store in a plastic cover as the whiteboard marks very easily.
 
And finally my most important criteria. Yes it fits under the chest of drawers!! It also makes up in under 1 minute. (I timed myself.)

 
Entering into the following challenge:
Dreamtime Designs challenge #2: Construct a light box.



 






Tuesday, November 26, 2013

All that.

This is one of the cards I sent off to Australia for a swap I did back  in October. It is safely delivered now so I can show it to you. We had to make two cards with glitter on.
 
The card design is one that I saw being demonstrated on Create and Craft and this is my version as it is quite hard to watch and write the instructions down at the same time.( No multi tasking for me!)
This is the front  of the card.
The snowman topper and stripy strips (try saying that when you have drunk a few)
is by Kanban and called 'Snowman Scenes - Blue '.
Blue Glitter card snippets in my stash.
(I have two uncut sheets left which I am keeping for a rainy day!!)
Pale blue cardstock also from my snippets stash.
Silver snowflakes are Peel Offs by  Woodware.
Inside of card.

The front flips over to reveal a space for the sentiment or message.
As this is a swap it has been left blank.

 Side ways view.
You can just see the front flipped over to the back.
The card actually does stand up ok on its own with the side flaps tilted out at an angle.
 
Entering into the following challenges:
Stamping For Pleasure #11: Rudolph Day. Make something festive.
A Gem Of A Challenge: #107: Sparkles.
All Sorts #234: Bring on the bling.
Pile It On #47: Non- traditional Christmas colours. No reds or greens.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #100: Use up your snippets. Yes Miss.
Creative Craft #24: Non- traditional colours .No red or greens.
 
 



Saturday, November 23, 2013

Q is for Quote

The next letter over at the Craft Barn for their Alpha challenge is Q and I have used the word Quote as I am famous within the family circle for coming out with miss quotes or quotes which make no sense. It seemed quite appropriate for this challenge  then  to use one of my most famous ones that the family have never let me live down.

Page has been given a wash of tester pot in 'Tuscan Terracotta'
Stamp was a freebie from Craft Stamper mag. 'Apr 2013'
Letter created using Sizzix Alphabet die 656133.
Snail made from Shrink plastic and painted using a tester pot of white.
 
 
What I had intended to say has long since been lost in history!
 
 
Entering into the following challenge:
The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge: Use the letter Q.
 
 
p.s. I won the Craft Barn challenge for the Letter N last week.

 



Snow Lady.

This is the 2nd card for the challenge this month at Lady Anne's using the digi image provided by Fred She Said.

I printed the image out 3 times and on the base layer coloured in using Graph' it pens,  white pearlescent chalk on her face with  a dusting over her hat, gloves , scarf   and  silver gel pen to highlight round the edges  then pale blue pearlescent chalk on the background. Second image I cut the snow lady's body out and stuck to a sheet of  double side sticky paper. Trimmed round the edges and then peeled the other side of sheet off and covered with micro beads. The third image I coloured in the fairy lights (on the body) and the scarf and then cut these out and added on top of the micro beaded body. You do get a slight 3d effect.  Backing paper is from the Back to Basics Christmas pack that I used on the card from yesterday. The plain navy is two sided pearl paper (Anna Marie Designs) and has a  lovely sheen to it. I layered these up and then added the image on top. Edge on blue  and surrounding edge  on image have faux stitching in the silver gel pen.



Snowflakes and the picot edging are peel offs  by Woodware. I got slightly carried away sticking them round the image and then realised I had no room to add a sentiment but I think everyone can see it is a Christmas card!!

Entering into the following challenges:
Lady Anne's  Progressive challenge #10. Use images provided by Fred She Said.
Sweet Stamps challenge: Micro Beads.
Imagination Crafts #5: Glitter and sparkle.
The Crafty Bloggers Network #17: Christmas.
Chalk N Stock: Anything goes + must use chalk and say where.
Ooh-La-La creations: Stitching real or faux.
Crafting for all Seasons #65: Stitching real or faux.
4 Crafty Chicks #169: Anything goes.
Brown Sugar #69: Anything goes.
Sister Act #31: Anything goes.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Santa's on his way.

Here is my 1st card for the challenge this month at Lady Anne's using the digi image provided by Fred She Said.

I have coloured up Santa using Graph'it pens (which I inherited from Fluff last weekend. Suffice to say I will never need to buy any pens again as they entirely filled a shoe box up!! Thankyou kindly!!) and a smidgeon of grey pearlescent chalk on his hair. I did 4 images and then cut and layered them using  round 3d foam pads to create depth.

The boots are covered in Glossy accents which doesn't really show up in the photo. His beard is sprinkled with Glamour Dust (which Miss Di insisted I buy on our outing out to the NEC. Teacher always knows best!) The trim on Santa's coat, hat and bobble are Micro beads. stuck on using doubled sided sticky tape. I finally bit the bullet and took the lid off the jar that Di had given me  to try out and glad I did as they turned out to be a doddle to use.
Dotty backing paper is from a Back to basics Christmas pack by Dovercraft (star buy at the NEC for £1 and already used loads of the 72sheets of 12 designs.) The paper behind Santa is a digi called getting ready for Santa from The Paper Shelter. Sentiment is a chipboard cut out coloured using the pens above and was another £1 buy from NEC (16 sentiments again by Dovercraft. 
 

I tried getting down really low, level with the card to get a side ways photo showing the layers and then spent 5 minutes getting back up off the floor again!! Good job I have a back appointment tomorrow.
 
Entering into the following challenges:
Lady Anne's Progressive challenge #10: Use images by Fred She Said.
Make My Monday: Santa the big guy.
Created with love #67: Anything goes.
Twisted Tuesday #63: Pop dots and polka dots.
Stamp 'n' Doodle #38: Christmas friends.
Rhedd and Rosie's #20: Christmas is coming.
Penny's Paper - Crafty #154: Anything goes.
Charisma Cardz #46: Christmas.
A Little Bit Crafty #7: Sparkle and shine.
 
 
 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Hazel's Guest Spot 4th Card.

This is the 4th card I made as Guest Designer for November at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge Extra.
There are seven soldiers that bugaboo have in their range and I love them all so went back and purchased the other six to use on this Joy fold card.



Backing paper is a freebie from Crafts Beautiful Magazine  (2012)
Snippet of red glitter paper and bakers twine from stash.
 
 
First fold opened to show next four soldiers.
Digi's have ben coloured using Promarkers and gold gel pen
 
Last fold opened to show seventh solider done as a tag.
This is for the recipients name and message on reverse.
 
 Card is held closed with a faux button in glitter card raised on 3D pads.
 
Thank you again Hazel for asking me to be your Guest Designer for November.
You still have till the end of the month to enter the challenge so hope to see you all there.
 
Entering into the following challenges:
Crafty Catz #207: Not square.
Sweet Stampin: Use tags.
Scribble and Scrap #5: Anything goes.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #99 Use up your snippets (red glitter card).
Challenges 4 Everybody #33: Anything goes.
Glitter 'n' Sparkle #59: Add or make a tag.
One Crazy Stamper: Christmas challenge.
Flat Friends #14: Christmas cards.
Scrapper's Delights #11: Anything goes.
 
 

 
 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Hazel's Guest Spot 3rd card.

This is the 3rd card  I made as  Guest Designer for November at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge Extra.

As soon as I spotted this  digi by Bugaboo I knew that I just had to use it. The expression say's it all. I coloured him up with Promarkers and  pearlescent chalks,  then popped him onto an easel card. The backing papers are by Alison Butler and came free in  a magazine.

 
The sentiment comes as part of the digi set. I was having such fun I fussy cut a further 3 smaller ones to go inside  the card.

 
Entering into the following challenges:
Crafting By Designs: Anything goes with a twist of Christmas.
Scrapper's Delights #11: Anything goes.
I love Promarkers #194: Red & Green.
Penny's Paper- Crafty: Add a sentiment.
4 Krafty Girlz Challenges #6: Anything goes.
Sister Act #33: Anything goes.
Jo's Scrap Shack #26: Anything goes.
One Stitch at a Time #190: Anything goes.
The  Glory of Christmas Challenge #20: Special card form.
 


Saturday, November 16, 2013

What I've been up to!!

This is what I have been busy on for the past fortnight. 3 commissions which needed to be completed by this Weekend in order to be sent  on their way for eventual delivery to Yorkshire .  The first two are material advent calendars for a brother and sister. Both slightly different  as I never make two items exactly the same. 

The pockets have been made from Christmas material charm packs  which ended up being a story in itself to  get them in time. Because I needed 48pockets I bought from several suppliers in order to get a nice selection  to use. 2 packets arrived safely but the 3rd failed to turn up and time was getting on. Added to that the supplier was on holiday in Australia so couldn't send a replacement. Eventually the packet did turn up in the post 2 weeks after being posted. It had been addressed to the wrong number and my neighbour had simply put it back in the post !!  Talk about panic stations as I couldn't  make the decision of which pockets went in which order until I had them all.
The last item is an Elf on the shelf for a brother  and sister (but not the same as above)
He will be causing mayhem no doubt  when he arrives. He is made all from scraps except for his trousers which I needed to cut into a fat qtr for.  Red material left over from calendars and felt , buttons, bell, ribbon bow and acrylic paint from my stash.  I had 
forgotten to write down the instructions from last time  on how I made the neck plate to attach head to torso so had to create one on a  bit of a wing and a prayer and make it fit. 



As soon as the gates reopen I shall be entering him into rather appropriately
Pixies Crafty Workshop #99. Use your  snippets. 
Add into the above mix the saga of the eBay seller from hell and I  have been rather a busy little bee.Hopefully relative  calm has now been restored and normal  services can  be resumed. Phew!!
Last two cards for my Guest Designer spot for November at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Extra coming right up. 







Saturday, November 09, 2013

Netting

The latest letter over at the Craft Barn for their Alpha challenge is N and I have chosen to use the word Netting to illustrate.
The background has been given  a wash of diluted tester pot paint " dusted Fondant". I have stamped the page using a stamp by Visible Image "Ripped Fishnet". I have used this stamp a couple of times now and love it. There are so many uses that it can be put to.
The plastic netting overlay is from a net bag used on bottles of booze. (Kindly donated by The Doc after consumption of course!. The letter N is from a Free Calligraphy site and can  be found here.

Entering into the following challenge:
The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge: Use the letter N.


The 'Net'  is closing in now as there are just 4 letters left to choose. I,Q,S & X.
I wonder which one it will be next!!

Monday, November 04, 2013

Halloween Wall Hanging.

It's time for the midway reminder for the Craft My Life Oct/Nov challenge.
The sponsors for the current challenge are:




The Theme is as usual Anything Goes.....but no cards. The challenge still has all of November to run so there is still plenty of time to get your entries in. We would be delighted to see you  so  come join in the fun.
We had Bugaboo images to choose from and I chose Happy Halloween Cat Silhouette to make my Wall  Hanging with.
 
 
Frame made  using orange card stock and inked round edges with black ink pad.
 I made it incorporating the instructions that you can find  here and changing size to 8"x8"
I found it very easy to slot together.
Digi was printed off onto purple cardstock and resized to fit frame.
I printed out again onto white card and fussy cut the cat and the bats and adhered on 3D pads.
The bats and spider were given a coating of glue and covered with Crafty Sparkles
Moon and bats (on frame) were cut from a scrap of Halloween paper I had recieved in a swap
I coloured the bats black and covered in Glossy Accents.
Haunted house by Creative Memories again received in a swap.
The netting stamp is by Visible Image and called  'ripped fishnet'
Ribbon was coloured with a black marker pen and came from my stash.
Entering into the following challenges:
That Craft Place: Halloween.
Creative Belli #181: Halloween.
Creative Moments  #29: Anything goes/ Halloween.
Fab 'n' Funky #191: Halloween.
Scrappers Delights #10: Halloween.
Stamp 'N' Doodle #35: Halloween.
4 Crafty Chicks #106: Halloween.
Happy Campers #23: Halloween.
Simply Create Too #49: Bingo ( line B. purple, ribbon, no patterned papers, inked edges, squares).
Stampin For The Weekend : Something Spooky.
Sweet Pea Stampers: Halloween.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop  #97: Use your snippets. (Bats from scrap of paper)
Make It Monday  #165: Paper crafts.
 
 

 


Friday, November 01, 2013

Guest Designer for CHCC Extra.

I felt very honoured when Hazel at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra asked me to be her Guest Designer for November. I have had a hard time keeping it under my hat and not spoiling the surprise.
The challenge is sponsored by Bugaboo stamps which for me was an added bonus as I love using their digi's. Hazel allowed me to select 4 images from their vast range and these are the first two cards that I have made.
It is always Anything goes as long as it is Christmas so do please hop on over and link up your cards. You will be in with a chance to win $21 of Bugaboo digital stamps if you do.
I will be back later in the month to showcase the last two cards that I have made.

1st up though today is this easel card made using  Fancy Sunbonnet - Christmas Stuff.

I have coloured the image using Promarkers and Pearlescent chalks.
Added glossy accents to the baubles and berries.
Both digi  papers are from  Bearly Mine's Christmas Fun and Christmas Sparkle packs.
I have used the Xcut square Parenthesis die but elongated to fit the card and image.
The hard board  baubles are by Tando Creative which I have coloured in with a Promarker pen ,
 added silver peel offs by Woodware and then  covered in Glossy accents.
finally I threaded black embroidery thread through  the loops and added to the card using
3d foam pads to mimic the chain of baubles on the image.
 
Side view of card.

Inside view of card.

 
I would like to enter into the following challenges:
Creative Craft World #11: Beat the Christmas rush.
I Love Promarkers #192: Anything goes.
Tammy's Scrappin #86: anything goes.
Lacy Sunshine #20: Anything goes.
4 Krafty Girlz #5: Anything goes.


My 2nd card uses the bugaboo image Make it Snappy - Reindeer Trio.

I have coloured using Promarkers and used Glossy accents on their eyes.
I coloured in two images and then fussy cut the middle reindeer out along with the hoofs and added to the  other image placing them up on 3D foam pads to give dimension.
I have added coloured gems for the Christmas lights.
Backing paper is by  Raspberry Road and came free with Quick cards Magazine.
I cut the front card aperture free hand and the fabric Reindeer  and ribbon from my stash.
 
I  just love the expression on their faces!!


 
I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Created With Love #64: Anything goes.
Art Impressions #122: Holly Jolly Christmas.
Crafty Ribbons #68: Anything goes with ribbon.
Jingle Belles: Not a creature was stirring.
Quirky Crafts challenges #22: Make us laugh.
ABC Christmas Challenge: V  is for Vixen.