Handicrafts by Kate Perry and other ramblings

Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Shaped Card

A shaped card is what Bah! Humbug! challenged us to make this week, so my mind immediately thought of lots of ideas, but because I am trying to keep my challenge cards more simple, to leave me time for other crafting as well, I settled on a circle. I know there are several lacy circle die sets available, but somehow they are never just the size I want, so I decided a while back to try designing my own using Design Master for CraftRobo. That way I can resize them as needed. So I made a template for a scalloped lace circle using a large circle and the letter 'O' from a fairly heavy font (I can't remember which one worked best).So when I came to make this card I decided to use that template and I added a plain circle to the back to make a folding card. It actually took me several attempts and several spoilt sheets of card before I managed to cut the base card out as I wanted it, but more of that later. Next I used the same basic circle and a smaller one to make a ring of blue pearlescent paper to go behind the edge. I could have just used a whole large circle but this way I have still got a fair size circle of my precious royal blue paper to use as a mount another time! For the stamp I chose one by Creative expressions, which, although not quite circular, I felt would fit into my circle frame quite well. I actually made a whole run of cards with this stamp when I bought it a good few years ago, but I don't think it has had an airing since then! I used Versafine majestic blue ink and a stamping mat which together gave me a good image. I also stamped a small greeting at the base of the trees in the same ink.

I added some sparkle to the snowy trees with stickles, and added a tiny gem to the largest stars. Hopefully that makes my card eligible for Crafty Hazelnuts challenge to use stars, though I may manage a better one later in the week. I trimmed a tiny sliver off the scallops at the base of the card to help it to stand, and added a bow to the fold at the side. Inside I stamped a simple sentiment (There was no writing on the wood block so it's origin is unknown.)

I am entering this card in:
Bah!Humbug! Christmas Challenge 28: Make a shaped card.
Celebrate the Occasion Challenge 22: Christmas; Must be a shaped card.

As I said above, I spoiled some card cutting it, so rather than waste it I used some to make another card. I had used one lacy circle as a trial run to see how the stamp fitted, and as it was a good print I used that. I had to hand cut a couple of scallops that had missed in the craftrobo, and this time it wasn't attached to a plain back. So I cut a circle of silver holographic paper to go behind it so it only showed though the lace, and not around the edge, and then mounted it onto a deep blue 15cm square card. I embellished the image as for the one above, and added three matching gems to the lower right hand corner, balancing them with a bow in the top left corner.If I am honest, I think I prefer the square card, but it wouldn't have fitted the challenges above. However, I am entering both cards in:
Christmas inspirations Challenge 29; Free Christmas project.
Digistamps 4 Joy Challenge 23: Christmas in July, with snow and ice.
Stamp Something Challenge: Christmas in July Somethings.
Simply Create Challenge 48: Christmas time.
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge 29: Seeing Stars.
And I am linking them both to Shirley-Anne's blog,
Stamping for Joy, towards my target of 50 cards.

31 comments:

CARLA PREDIGER said...

Well done! It is a really nice card and I have to say that I love Christmas cards on blue. Thanks for playing with us and hope to see you again on aour next challenges at Christmas Inspirations.

Jean said...

Lovely cards Kate,I love the blue and the sparkle. I think I was the recipient of one of your original cards with this stamp and I remember that was beautiful too. Jean x

Adrian said...

very pretty, love the colors! Thanks for playing @ Celebrate the Occasion!

Di said...

Fabulous cards Kate - you have more patience than I do. Love the blues. Di xx

Unknown said...

Love all the details in your card. You did a wonderful job. thanks for playing at CTO this week.

Sandy said...

Twp wonderful Christmas cards, love the image and well done creating your own shape too.
Sandy

DIANA L. said...

You did a great job on this card. It is very pretty
Thank you for joining us this week at Celebrate the Occasion.
DIANA L.
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

veronica said...

lovely cards Kate - and you are very clever to use the craft robo as you do! think i prefer the second one too, but only just, they are both really nice cards

Saskia said...

Wonderful cards, Kate. I do prefer the first one, it's just a little bit more eyecatching. You did a great job on the Robo again, very clever to make your own dies like that.

Melissa said...

Wow, your card is very eye catching, those trees are just beautiful and love the color choice! Thanks for joining CTO!

Márcia Mattos said...

Hi Kate

I also love Blue Christmas cards!and your card is beautiful!
Thanks for joining us at Christmas Inspirations.
Hugs

Adriana Melges Q. Weingart said...

Amazing! I love your card! Great job. The colors are beautiful!
Thanks for playing with us at xMas Inspirations.
Xoxo
Adriana

girlia said...

Gorgeous and in my in favorite color. --blue. thanks for helping us Celebrate the Occasion

Charlene said...

Your cards are beautiful, you did a wonderful job not only with the shape but with the overall look of the cards. I love the way you added the stickles to the trees and the small gem to the largest star. Thank you for joining us at Digistamps4Joy Christmas in July challenge ~ Charlene DS4J DT

Aquarius said...

Well done for designing your own circular template and I like what you've done with it for this challenge.

GiGi said...

What a beautiful card! I love the colors and sparkley snow. Thanks for playing at CTO!

Lynne in NI said...

Oh what a pretty card! Love your colour theme and sparkly trees too!

José said...

Lovely Cards Kate, love your shaped card, with the stamped images of the trees.
José

Glenda Atkins said...

Love your shaped blue Christmas card, wonderfully done!!

Aim said...

Beautiful card!! Love your color combination... Great take on the challenge!! :)

Thanks so much for sharing your talent at Celebrate The Occasion!! :)

Amy :) at www.lovetocrop.com
Celebrate The Occasion DTM

Shirley-Anne said...

Hi there .Two beautiful Christmas cards .I'll add them to your tally . Thank you for sharing them on my challenge . Love the blue colour and the circle shape .
hugs Shirley-Anne

Janice said...

The scene is just beautiful! Thanks for playing Simply Created with us this week!

camcraft said...

Simply beautiul in every way.
Carole x

Christine B. said...

A beautiful christmas card with a pretty scene and beautiful colours. Hugs x ChrisB

Lucianna Dilsaver said...

Really pretty card, love the glistening trees! Thanks for joining us this week @ CTO :)

Denise Sebold Esteves said...

So beautiful!!
Thanks for joining us at Christmas Inspirations challenges.
Hugs
Denise

fatmonica said...

It's beautiful.Love all the shimmers!Thanks for your comments on my fairy card-I agree the skin needs colouring but I seldom do it because it scares me!

Angy B said...

Lovely cards. I think I pefer the square one too.
I especially like the stamp.
For some unknown reason I have visions of it stamped in silver on prurple. Angy x

Annie said...

Hi Kate
I am so struggling to visit everyone's blogs at the moment. Just back from holiday, washing - ironing - work - eeeeeeeeeek just can't fit it all in. So glad I've got a little blog hopping time though or I would have missed this fab card. Love it.
Ann xxx
Bah! Humbug! DT

An Occasional Genius said...

Oh my goodness, this is beautiful (I prefer the circle one). The stamp is perfect for the circle. Thanks for playing along with Bah Humbug! x

Chris said...

What a lovely Card but christmas challenges in July you must be joking.