Crazy Birds for Card Chain Challenge for January 2024

 

I am a little late today - work has been crazy and we are just getting back into routine after the kids, well teenagers have gone back to school this week. My eldest is in year 12 this year and my youngest in year 9.

Anyway, I signed up again for the Card Chain Challenge! Essentially you sign up and make a card that you send to the person before you in the sign up and the person that signed up after you, sends you a card!

For January 2024, I made a card to send to one of our awesome Card Chain Challenge organisers, Gail in Norway - this is what I sent her:

Here are the options that we had to make the card:

Colour Palette Option:

Sketch Option:

Theme Options: Mythical Creatures / Birds / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Paint or Ink / Splatters

I have used the theme options of Birds and Friendship and sort of the sketch. I have also used ink - both Copics Alcohol markers and Distress inks. Unless indicated all the products are from La-La Land Crafts.

I already had stamped the bird images from Birds of a Feather Clear Stamp Set on to X-Press It Blending card with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, I coloured two of the four images and fussy cut them!

Apparently this is one of Irina's favourite stamp sets and she decided to showcase them in a card for the her most recent Birthday Colour & Create Workshop. I started colouring the toucan beaks using some colours from the wonderful La-La Land Crafts DT, but then used the colours that Irina used in the workshop!

So, I have coloured the images with the following Copics markers:

• cockatoo - C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, BG15, YR23, YR18, white gel pen
• toucan beak - Y11, Y15, Y23, YR23, YR24, YR18, C7, C9, white gel pen

I fussy cut the birds, then die cut the Tropical Sunset Circle from the July 2023 Kit of The Month and coloured it with the following Copics markers:

• trees - YG00, YG03, YG23, G28, E23, E25, E27
• sand - E50, E53, E55
• sun - Y11, Y13, Y15, Y18
• sunlight in the middle of the water - Y11, Y13, Y15
• sunlight on the side - Y11, BG32
• water - BG45, BG57
• sky - BG000, BG11, BG15

I die cut a circle the same size from either Double Stitched Circles Die or Stitched Nested Circles Die, (I can't remember which!) then adhered all the coloured parts of the Tropical Sunset Circle.

I die cut the Tropical Leaves Die with green checked paper from Colour Me Happy Paper Pack. I also die cut the second smallest rectangle from the Double Stitched Rectangles Die in white card stock twice. 

I then used Pine Needle and Crushed Olives Distress Ink and stamped the two leaves from Birds of a Feather Clear Stamp Set on to the two rectangles. 

I stamped the two sentiments from Birds of a Feather Clear Stamp Set using my MISTI and Versafine Onyx Black ink on to the die cut and stamped rectangles.

To put my card together:

I cut the rainbow paper from Colour Me Happy Paper Pack and adhered it to the front of a white card from Envelope Solutions. I then adhered the coloured Tropical Sunset Circle with silicon puffy tape. I adhered the leaves with glue, stamped rectangle with foam tape and the cockatoo with glue to the front of the card. For the inside, I glued the leaves, stamped rectangle and toucan to the inside.

Here is a photo of the front before the leaves, rectangle and cockatoo were added, showing the beautiful rainbow paper:

Here is a photo of the inside of the card:

Here are some photos of the images before fussy cutting:

Here are also some photos of the card flat:

As usual, I found inspiration for the colouring from the wonderful Alyce at Kit and Clowder and her fantastic monthly classes, as well as the awesome Irina and the La-La Land Crafts DT.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge #01-2024 Jan/Feb - Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Blue and White

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #2-2024 - Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge MIUCB #69 - Anything Goes + optional Mixed Media

The Creative Crafters Challenge #72 - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers Challenge #270 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge #308 - 2 or More Papers - I used one on the front and then another for the leaves!

Critter Crazy Challenge #83 - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter - I have two birds!

I hope that Gail likes her card, I was wanting to do an interactive pop up on the inside, but the die did not arrive in time, however I have sent Gail some extras! :)

Thanks for looking!

This Little Piggie is Totally Out of Control! Card Chain Challenge for November 2023

I signed up again for the Card Chain Challenge! Essentially you sign up and make a card that you send to the person before you in the sign up and the person that signed up after you, sends you a card!

For November 2023, I made a card to send to Pat in Texas - this is what I sent her:

Here are the options that we had to make the card:

Colour Palette Option:

Sketch Option:

Theme Options: Winter / Indian / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Scraps / Quilling

I have used the theme options of Winter and Friendship. I have made another simple slider card, but used a die to create the slider. Unless indicated all the products are from La-La Land Crafts.

I already had stamped the piggie images from Dashing Through Clear Stamp Set on to X-Press It Blending card with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, I coloured the four images and fussy cut them!

I have coloured all the images with the following Copics markers:

• piggies - R000, R00, R20, R21, R02, black, white gel pen
• red - R22, R24, R27, R59
• green - G02, G05, G17, G29
• blue - B12, B14 B16, B18, B000, B00
• grey - C0, C1, C3, C5
• glittery/sparkly - clear Wink of Stella, White Blizzard Nuvo Glitter Drops

I then used blue cardstock from my stash for the mountains that were die cut from the Mountains Die, white cardstock for the snow on top and green cardstock for the trees. This die was originally part of the October 2019 Club La-La Land Crafts kit.

I used the Snowbanks Die (originally part of the November 2020 Club La-La Land Crafts kit) with white cardstock for the snow, both under the tree line and at the bottom. I die cut the slot originally with one of the Long Stitched Slots Dies, but then realised the slot was not wide enough to fit the Spin & Slide disc, so I used one of the dies in Spinner Card Dies, a set of dies that I bought years ago from Nellie Snellen (I have been wanting to use it for ages! I couldn't actually find it on the Nellie Snellen page, but there are a few YouTube videos using it!) But then I thought that the slot was too wide! So I narrowed it a bit with the inside of the slot!

I also die cut a couple of circles using the Double Stitched Circles Dies as the slider part and I have used a MFT Spin & Slide disc behind the piggie in the tobogganing disc.

Behind the mountains, I used Distress Oxide inks: Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers.

I stamped the sentiment using my MISTI and Versafine Onyx Black ink on to white cardstock die cut with one of the Long Flags Die.

I used foam tape behind the "snow" so that the slider could move freely and adhered the snowboarding and skiing piggies with glue.

I adhered my interactive base to a white square card from Envelope Solutions.

Here is a photo before I adhered the interactive base to the card:

Inside the card, I used one of the other sides of the Snowbanks Die and stamped one of the sentiments from October 2019 Club La-La Land Crafts kit in Bahama Blue Memento ink and the snowman in Versafine Onyx Black ink. Then adhered the fourth piggie.

Here are some photos of the inside:

Here are some photos of the images before fussy cutting:

As usual, I found inspiration for the colouring from the wonderful Alyce at Kit and Clowder and her fantastic monthly classes.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge November #11 - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #12-2023 - Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge MIUCB #68 - Anything Goes + optional Stamping

The Creative Crafters Challenge #70 - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers Challenge #267 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge #306 - Anything Goes

Critter Crazy Challenge #81 - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter - I have four!

I hope that Pat likes the card, again, it is that time of year when work is just taking over! I was stuck in Sydney in the middle of the week because of weather and have not really recovered yet.

Thanks for looking!

October 2023 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

I signed up again for the Card Chain Challenge! Essentially you sign up and make a card that you send to the person before you in the sign up and the person that signed up after you, sends you a card!

For October 2023, I made a card to send to Jill in West Virginia - this is what I sent her:

Here are the options that we had to make the card:

Theme Options: Bears / Balloons / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Something Fluffy / Spotlight Stamping

I have used the theme options of bears, balloons and friendship, then also "something fluffy", although my version is not fluffy on the card, but is in real life! I have used a tutorial by Jennifer McGuire of a simple slider card, which you can find here! Unless indicated all the products are from La-La Land Crafts.

I stamped the bear images from December 2016 Club La-La Land Crafts kit on X-Press It Blending card with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, I coloured the three images and fussy cut them!

I have coloured all the images with the following Copics markers:

• bears - E00, E11, E13, E15, E18, R20
• basket - E71, E74, E77
• balloon - BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18, Y17
• blue on earth - BG53, BG57, BG49
• green on earth - G40, G43, G46

I then followed the tutorial from Jennifer McGuire Ink - Simple Mirror Stamping + DIY Slider Card using the Long Stitched Slots Die to make the slider part. I also used the Three Clouds Die plus Distress Oxide inks: Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn.

I followed Jennifer's instructions in the video and used a "Pull" sentiment from Studio Light Essentials Collection Clear Stamps #276 - I think I bought it from Simon Says Stamp, but it doesn't seem to be available from there anymore. I stamped all three sentiments - "pull" and one from the December 2016 Club La-La Land Crafts kit and then one from May 2023 KOTM - all in Elderberry Memento ink.

I learnt from my last interactive card and doubled the pull tab, so that it easily slides back and forth and has some stability!

I adhered my interactive base to a white card from Envelope Solutions.

Here is a photo before I adhered the interactive base to the card and also before I stamped the sentiment on the pull tab:

Here is a photo of the images after fussy cutting:

Here is a photo of the card before, during and after pulling the slider:

As usual, I found inspiration for the colouring from the wonderful Alyce at Kit and Clowder and her fantastic monthly classes.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge October #10 - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #11-2023 - Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge MIUCB #68 - Anything Goes + optional Stamping

The Creative Crafters Challenge #69 - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers Challenge #264 - Anything Goes

Corrosive Challenge #10 - Anything Goes (I won this challenge last month!)

Critter Crazy Challenge #80 - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter - I have three!

I hope that Jill likes the card, again, I was a little late organising myself and posting it as I was away in Perth for work and then have been at a conference in the Adelaide Hills.

Thanks for looking!

September 2023 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 

I signed up again for the Card Chain Challenge! Essentially you sign up and make a card that you send to the person before you in the sign up and the person that signed up after you, sends you a card!

For September 2023, I made a card to send to Bonnie in Colorado - this is what I sent her:

Here are the options that we had to make the card:

Theme Options: Foxes / Autumn / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Foil / Fancy Fold

I have used the two colours from the colour palette and the theme options for inspiration, as well I have used a YouTube tutorial from the wonderful Kristine at La-La Land Crafts and adapted it slightly! Unless indicated all the products are from La-La Land Crafts.

I already had the fox images from June 2021 Club La-La Land Crafts kit stamped on X-Press It Blending card with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, I coloured two of the images and then thought a little dog would work better than the fox holding the flowers (I'll used him for something else!) So I stamped the dog from the October 2022 Club La-La Land Crafts kit.

I also made a mask of the pile of leaves from the October 2022 Club La-La Land Crafts kit and then stamped it three times to create an even bigger pile!

I have coloured all the images with the following Copics markers:

• fox - E93, E95, E97, E99, W00, W0, W1, W3, W5, white gel pen
• dog - W00, W0, W1, W3, W5, W7, W9, R00, white gel pen
• leaves - R27, R29, V12, V15, YG03, YG17, YR21, YR23, YR61, YR68, E25, E35, YG61, YG63, YG67

I fussy cut all the images and then die cut the tree trunk from brown cardstock and the greenery from green cardstock using the tree from March 2023 La-La Land Crafts Kit of the Month. Then I used some autumn leaves that I had already die cut in yellowy orange cardstock from the September 2014 Club La-La Land Crafts kit.

I followed Kristine's instructions in the video and used the little piece from the Fairy House Elements die in the December 2021 Club La-La Land Crafts kit to make the slots that the fox and dog move in.

I also used the smallest circle from Double Stitched Circles Die for the back and the edge of the label from the Horizontal Pocket Die. (I am amazed at how the DT can use all the different dies that I already have!)

I was also lucky enough that Paper Flourish, one of our Crafting shops in Adelaide had the My Favourite Things Spin & Slide Discs available and sent them to me in a few days - I need to go and visit them this week as I have the week off! :)

For the background, I used the following Distress Oxide inks:

• mowed lawn
• squeezed lemonade
• wild honey
• picked raspberry
• seedless preserves

I stamped the sentiment from Pile of Fun/October 2022 Club La-La Land Crafts kit in bamboo leaves Memento ink and hand wrote pull with a black pen.

I adhered my interactive base to a white square card from Envelope Solutions.

Here is a photo before I adhered it to the card:

Here is a photo of the background pieces with the distress oxide:

Here is a photo of the images after fussy cutting:

Here is a photo of the card before and after pulling the slider:

As usual, I found inspiration for the colouring from the wonderful Alyce at Kit and Clowder and her fantastic monthly classes.

Just before I sent the card, I had my daughter take a video of me pulling the pull tab - next time I need to make that a little more stable! I will try and upload the video to my JemLou Productions Facebook page (have not posted on there in a while). As I mentioned above, I am amazed at the DT using different parts of the sets for something totalling different - I am definitely looking at my stash a little differently now to see how I can use it all!

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Classic Design Team Challenge September #9 - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #10-2023 - Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge MIUCB #67 - Anything Goes with the option of Make Your Own Background

Creative Fingers Challenge #262 - Anything Goes

The Creative Crafters Challenge #68 - Anything Goes

Corrosive Challenge #9 Sep2023 - Anything Goes

Challenge Up Your Life Challenge #163 - Autumn Leaves

Allsorts Challenge Week 748 - Autumn Tree, Leaves and Berries and as always an Anything Goes option

Critter Crazy Challenge #79 - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter - I have two!

I hope that Bonnie likes the card, again, I was a little late organising myself and posting it as work has been crazy! Where does the month go?!

Thanks for looking!

August 2023 Card Chain Card Reveal

 

I signed up again for the Card Chain Challenge! Essentially you sign up and make a card that you send to the person before you in the sign up and the person that signed up after you, sends you a card!

For August 2023, I made a card to send to Chris in Illinois - this is what I sent her:

Here are the options that we had to make the card:

Theme Options: CAS / Fruit and/or Veg / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Vellum / Stencil

I have used the colour palette and sketch for inspiration, as well I started out with the CAS option, but then veered to a stencil to add some more colour! Also I want to start to use some of the inks and stencils from my stash!

I have used Chinese Lantern from Power Poppy. I have digitally printed the image a while ago and this month coloured it with the following Copics markers:

• light green - YG00, YG11, YG23, YG25
• darker green - G20, G21, G24, G28
• orange - YR02, R14, YR09
• pale yellow - YR00, Y21, Y32
• brown - E23, E25, E27
• purple - BV000, BV00
• outline - BV25, BV08

I die cut the coloured image using the largest Scalloped Rectangles Die from La-La Land Crafts. Then I used the following Distress Oxide inks with the Falling for Fall Layering Stencil also by La-La Land Crafts:

• mowed lawn
• picked raspberry
• squeezed lemonade
• twisted citron
• wild honey

I stencilled on to a Kraft card from Envelope Solutions. Then I positioned the coloured image on to the card - after taking a few photos I added some glitter using my newly purchased nuvo glitter markers that are on my work area - I haven't even put them away yet! The colours are sweet apricot, morning moss and urban graphite.

Here is a photo before I added the glitter:

Also, here is a photo of the image after I die cut it and before I adhered it to the card:

Here is a photo of the image before it was die cut:

As I was trying to stick to the colour palette, I found inspiration from Julie Koerber, one of the Power Poppy DT and as usual, from the wonderful Alyce at Kit and Clowder and her fantastic monthly classes.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges:

Classic Design Team Challenge September #9 - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #9-2023 - Anything Goes

Crafting Happiness Challenge #146 - September Anything Goes

Mix It Up Challenge MIUCB #67 - Anything Goes with the option of Make Your Own Background

Creative Fingers Challenge #260 - Anything Goes

I hope that Chris likes the card, I was a little late organising myself and posting it as I have hurt my medial ligament (inside of the knee) dashing across the road and so I am quite exhausted from limping around and then travelling for work!

Thanks for looking!