Tuesday inspiration

Hi Everyone !  Jan here today with a tag, using Faber Gelato and some recycled material.

The background on this tag is a manila tag covered with some adhered tissue from an old Butterick wedding dress pattern.  I used Faber Gelato "crayons", which look like crayons when you smear them on a project, but with a tiny bit of water, blend perfectly.  For those of you who find alcohol inks difficult to work with, these are perfect, and very clean.

Do you ever shop at Goodwill ?  You can find patterns there for about $1, and can also use this tissue for a cute (and very different) gift bag stuffer.

Karen still has some of these Faber Gelato crayons left - stop in her shop, everything is marked down !!!

Monochromatic cards and projects

Hi Everyone !

Hope you all are enjoying our gorgeous weather, blue skies, and lots of blossoms and tulips !

Spring brings thoughts of lots of colors, but today we are going to feature a couple of cards that are just one color.

Monochromatic cards are so easy, and so much fun to make.  Plus, they always look like they are so put together.  Today we usually think of neutral colors as black, white, cream, maybe even grays and browns.  Add one single more color to it, and you have a monochromatic project.

Here is one example using purple, with some cream/brown neutrals ...

with just a shade of green...

Another one, using brown, with black and cream neutrals ...

And here is an all blue one,  with kraft as the neutral.

One thing I love to do with single color cards is to add some inking.  The Ranger/Tim Holtz distress ink pads are great for this, as you can find them in so many colors.  This blue one for example has the Tim Holtz Broken China (blue) inked along the edges.

One last card ...

This card is actually an "illusion", as it gives the impression that the black is a frame.  Actually it is just a torn piece of black card stock, with purple paper and the heart on top.  The illusion is due to the edges of the purple paper, inked with Black Soot (again Tim Holtz distress ink).  But it looks just like a shadow box, with the heart recessed into it.

Try using just one color on your project - I think you will be pleased with the outcome !!

Sketches, and Inspiration

Hi Karen's Friends !!

Jan here today with some ideas for inspiration.

Often when I need some kind of starting point for a card I use a sketch.  There are lots of sketch challenges out in paperblogland, but one site I mentioned last week is Feline Playful.  This is a site that lists a large number of challenges on a daily basis, and always has sketches and information.  Use the list for ideas, not just for entering a papercraft challenge.

Here is an example of a sketch from a couple of years ago from one of those challenge sites ....

My friend Ros, from Liverpool, England made this sketch in 2011, and here is her card...

I "copied" her card for a copycat challenge in 2012 ....

and here is my original card for the sketch challenge in 2011...

 

This is a real simple sketch, but you can see how differently the cards look.  The sketch is just a starting point, and you can add or embellish from there. 

Also, last week I mentioned keeping a sketch book.  I scribble down sketches I like, and refer to them almost every time I make a card.  It makes that starting point easy !!

If you think it might be fun to have a blog and participate in challenges from all over the world, I will be teaching a class on starting a blog at Karen's, Friday April 5th at 6:30.  Call Karen to reserve a spot - only $5 !  You will be surprised at how easy it all is, promise !!

Lost Your Mojo ? Wednesday's Tutorial !

Hi Karen's Friends !  Jan here with a little list of tips today.

I often see other bloggers talk about losing their mojo, and that can be something hard to work through.  Here are some tips on jump starting your ideas, and getting yourself back in the flow !

1.  Keep a sketch book.  There are a lot of sketch challenges, and Feline Playful shows the actual sketch each day for many of them.  Don't hesitate to copy a sketch from a card you absolutely LOVE - it is not stealing.


2.  Keep an idea book.  Often I see cute ideas I really want to incorporate in a card someday, and I may sketch that idea, or keep a list.  My list is very long, and includes things like "try different kinds of folds" and "try using wax on a card."

3.  Pour over the papercraft magazines or books you have in your stash.  If you haven't looked at it in a year, you will find something you forgot about, or overlooked.

4.  Try a new technique !  Here at Karen and Friends Creations blog we have a tutorial every Wednesday.  Our archives are full of wonderful opportunities for you to learn something new.  We have lots of classes at the shop too !

5.  Explore some different papercraft blogs.   Design team members on challenges may have something you admire, and will spark an idea.

6.  Pinterest.  If your Pinterest  page doesn't have a papercraft board, it should !!

7.  Go shopping !  Oh, did I even have to say this.  Nothing sparks your imagination like something new to play with, does it.   Pop on in at Karen and Friends Creations, and you will surely find something you can't live without !!

8.  Try a really difficult challenge.  Maybe it is a tough sketch, or some odd color combination, an unusual photo or theme.  It sounds as if this would be at odds with your missing mojo, but when we stretch our imaginations something new often comes with it !

9.  Sit down with your paper, and set a deadline.  Try 10 or 15 minutes.  If nothing comes, put it away, and try again later.  If something gets going, you won't want a deadline !

10.  Exercise, take a walk or go for a bike ride.  These are proven methods of clearing your brain, and rejuvenating your soul.

My dad did a lot of crafty things, but he always felt it was so difficult to do something better than the last thing he did.  Sometimes we fall into that trap, worrying too much about the end result, and we wind up paralyzed.  Instead - remember all the joy you have in simply creating ! 

A 5 minute card !!

Hi Everyone !  Jan here today with a true 5 minute card.

I have a huge stash of cards at the ready for many occasions, but once in awhile I need to make a card in a hurry, to fill a gap.

This particular card is one you can easily copy.  You will need the following...

Black and white design paper
A contrasting color of design paper
Card stock
A ribbon
A sentiment stamp
A label or tag of some kind
An edge embossing folder & Cuttlebug (or other embosser)
A corner rounder
Your favorite adhesive and some pop ups for the sentiment label

The design of the card follows the graphic arts rule of thirds.  That is, dividing your card roughly into 3rds.  You can apply that rule as I did above, or leave 2/3s empty at the top, and the last third with design paper and your sentiment.  If you think of your card that way, you will always come up with a pleasing design for the eye.

You might think of making a lot of identical cards for a mass mailing - Christmas, or party invitations.  This would be an ideal card to copy, as you can make an eye catching design quickly, and it is flat enough for the mail.

See you tomorrow with another tutorial ! 

Tuesday card and tips

Hi Everyone !

Today's card features a couple of ideas you may find interesting ...

The frame is die cut from two different Spellbinder dies.  This does take a little practice.

Under the frame is some packaging, probably from a Spellbinder package, that was put through a Cuttlebug folder.  Try all sorts of old packaging this way, the texture really adds to the card !

You can get a little twirly end on jute, or jewelry cording, by getting it a little wet and wrapping it around an awl.

Finally, if you haven't yet tried sewing on a card, you will love the end result.

Cardstock - Bazzill

Design Paper - My Mind's Eye, Basic Gray

Flowers - Recollections

Happy Brad - K & Co

Punch - ek success

Jewelry cording

Bling & lace - stash

Recycled Packaging

Tomorrow we have a video tutorial on making butterflies !  See you then.

Wednesday's Tips - Cards for Men Part 3

Hello !  Jan here once again with the final of a 3 part series on cards for men.

Probably the hardest thing about cards for men is adding an embellishment.  I have several jewelry bead organizers I use just for metal type embellishments.  Metal is inevitably thought of as manly, isn't it !  You have a few metal things around your craft space - sort them separately and you will find you already have some good stuff.

Metal keys, buttons, brads, beads, and jewelry findings take up this space.

Tim Holtz buys are a natural.

A broken watch, and game pieces fit right in.  The dominos are threaded for use as beads -  or you can attach them with glue.

If all else fails, hit the garage for these goodies.  Several of these would make a great stop on an easel card.  Note I added a little bit of script (from the Kraft Outlet's dictionary pages) to the washer.  The little green clamp was less than 50 cents.  The screws you see here are actually brads !

Here are a tag and a card with tag showing how I used some of these in practice.

Note the wire and metal beads at the top.  This was for a steampunk challenge, but works for a man too.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on Cards for Men, and picked up a few tips !
Next week we will have another tutorial from our Friend Tracy in Mississippi.

A Tip on Tuesday !

Hi Everyone !!

Jan here with a quick and easy tip for displaying your tags or
ATC's.

Take an old frame you have from your garage.  (or basement or attic, you know you have a couple of these...)

On the back, screw in small screws  - I did four on each side.

Twist wire around the screw on one side, and string it across.

Clip up your tags on your wire !

I used Tim Holtz bulldog clips,  but of course you can use paperclips, or teeny clothes pins.

This took me about 5 minutes to make, and I was thoroughly proud I did not spend $28 to buy the exact same thing at Pier One.  It did not cost me anything, as I already had a frame, 8 screws, and some wire.

My dad made the frame for me many years ago.

Tomorrow we will conclude the Cards for Men series.  See you then !!

Wednesday's Tips - Cards for Men Part 2

Hi Everyone !  Jan back again today with Part 2 on

More making cards for men ... 

Fonts – chose an easy to read, print font.  Cursive fonts, unless very simple, are too “fancy” – just ask him !

Paper – Graphic 45 has the most fabulous paper for men, and you will usually find it on the “B” side.  A good decision maker for you is, does this look like a formal tie ?  If it does, it will work for a more formal type card.  On the other hand, does it look like a flannel shirt ?  If so, it would probably be a great choice for a more casual card.  If you have or find paper that reflects his hobbies or interests, it will be manly already.  

Ribbon – a dark formal type ribbon could be used but skip the bow !  You may try a knot in the middle, or the two ends tied in a knot, or just add a simple ribbon across the card either direction.  You can however use a small bow if you are using hemp or jewelry cording, think of shoe lace bows.

Distressing – if your guy is like mine, he has some old blue jeans he lives in.  Coredinations offers a huge choice in colors, and cores of different colors.  Kraft and brown always show up as a distressed choice for men - think of worn wallets, pockets, belts, driving gloves and Hush Puppies.

Stamps & Digitals – you really don’t have to look too hard to find stamps and digital images for men.  Again, stay with a simple font for your sentiment.  Skip the cutsey animals and children, and botanicals, unless you are looking at a good sturdy tree.  You won’t have difficulties if you stick with the same ideas that you see in men’s advertising – sports and the outdoors, if he truly likes those things already.

Here is a Halloween card for a guy – note the distressing, the striped “tie” paper, the worn wallet paper framing the skeletal image, the skull & crossbones design paper, the “sports” ticket, and the simple sentiment font. Last week’s tutorial, I worked from a straight foreward sketch, with sharp right angles.  This week I also used some recycled packaging and an old shower scrubby to evoke more of a “used and comfortable” feeling, and to add some texture.

Next week we will conclude this mini-series with a raft of fun embellishments for guys ! 

Wednesday's Tips

Hi Everyone !!  Jan here this week, beginning a 4 part series on making cards for men !  Everyone seems to have real difficulties with these types of cards.  Today I have some help for you with size, colors, themes and shapes/angles.

Sizes – Keep to the standard sizes or larger, as the smaller ones tend to appear dainty 

Colors – Over the years, studies have shown that men like blue, green and black the best.  Gray and brown also work well with almost any splash of color.  Consider using a darker color for your card stock.  Conservative seems to be his thing !

Themes – Avoid themes in design paper and stamps that don’t reflect his interest.  Too often commercial cards, and some paper “for men” act as if every man is interested in golf, grilling, plaid, mowing the lawn, or watching tv.  Very few men wear neckties on a regular basis, but Father’s Day cards haven’t noticed !  Yes, it may take a little extra work coming up with something he really enjoys, but if you need something quickly,  you can always rely on a neutral theme, like the card below.

Shapes/Angles – Keep a male card simple in shape.  A standard rectangle card is just dandy for him, and the extra work you expend on a fanciful shape will not be appreciated.  Right angles are pleasing to his eye, as is texture.

Note the general neutral theme, a kraft card stock, right angles, texture, standard size, and simplicity.

Next week I will cover paper, stamps and fonts.  See you then !!