December 2023 - A Place to Start: ATG w/Optional Twist: NEW

 Hello, Creators!

Over at A Place to Start, we want to see your "NEW" creations.

Anything "NEW" qualifies.  New stamps, new dies, new inks.  

New baby? New house? New techniques?  

We want to see them!!!

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Merry Christmas

The "bubbles" and  Merry dies are both new acquisitions. The bubble die reminded me of a wreath and I decided to use it as one in this design!  The mirror paper that I used is also new.  I tried to photograph the project so that the beauty of the mirror paper and flat-back pearls would be highlighted.  A photographer I am not!

I took this shot using lower lighting!  This really is a festive card and the colors of the mirror paper are awesome.

Pines

This card was created using a new 3D embossing folder and my new Ohuhu Marker Pens!

I wanted to create snowing Pines without using white ink or glitter paste.  I wanted to create the impression of a top layer of snow and an underlayer of Pine.   

I used Distress Inks to color the debossed side of my EF.  I started with Hickory Smoke, followed by Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, and finally Rustic Wilderness.  After each paint layer was applied, the EF was run through my Big Shot!

I also applied a light layer of Glitter Glue on the Pine branches, but that is difficult to see in this shot.

Here is a picture taken in yellow light...

In real life the card just sparkles!  I mounted the face layer onto a piece of mirror card!
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💜Design Team Call!💜

A Place to Start is looking for a few new designers!

If you are interested, email me at cmalkah613@gmail.com.

Make the subject line:  APS Design Team

Include a link to your blog!

New cardmakers are encouraged to apply!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Wishes - Using Up My Glitter Stash

 

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I am now going through my "circle" phase.  For some odd reason, I only want to make cards that include some type of circle.  When I have time, I scour the internet looking for circle card ideas.  Now, I have so many ideas "circling" around in my head that I don't know where to start!   I did throw in a hexagon, but I like the circle better!

This picture does not really do the card justice.   I found this neat design on YouTube.  The designer used Mirror card in her design, but since I didn't have Mirror card, I decided to use Glitter cardstock!  The results on the circle card were much better than on the hexagonal.

I left too much space between my strips on this card so the effect is not as pretty but the card is still nice.  The recipient was pleased and ordered more cards in both styles!  I will tighten the spaces on the new order.

I did order the mirror card, so I will include both materials in the new order for this client!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah!

Big Love - Happy Birthday

 Hello, Crafty Mates

This has been an intriguing week!  We celebrated my eldest grandson's 19th birthday which was joyful and humbling.  And today, our family also had to band together as the decision had to be made to take my niece off life support. 

I was reminded of the prayer from the Common Book of Prayer (1559) "In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?"

Cherish every moment!  Celebrate every milestone!

BIG LOVE BIRTHDAY CARD

My new stitched circle frame die was delivered just in time!  I wanted to make a different card for my grandson.  When he was a toddler, orange was his favorite color.  He used to drive us all crazy because not many things for little boys use orange.  As he got older, his color choices changed, but I thought this would be a great throwback to the "good old days" of orange hats, shirts, and socks! 😊

I wasn't sure how he would feel about the "glitter" cardstock!  Thank goodness he is an artist!  He is taking a gap year but will be attending the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). So he was pleased with his card!

He is an only child who was home-schooled, so his constant companions are his two Cockapoos, Skee and Mocha!  The little puppy is a nod to them!

I kept the inside simple!

Tutorial

Stuff I Used

Couture Creations EF Swiss Dots

Double Digits Date Stamp

Stitched Circles Frame Die

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

A PLACE TO START - SEPTEMBER 2023 - ALL THAT GLITTERS

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

I am running a little late with my project for the challenge at A Place to Start!

  This Month's Optional Twist

  "All That Glitters!"

Use At Least One Glitter Shiny Element

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I saw a spotlight card on Pinterest a few months ago, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  I decided this "Glitter" challenge would be perfect to try out my idea for card style!  I am having a wonderful affair with circle cards these days!

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I think my favorite feature in this design is the use of multiple circles. I used one floral paper and two glitter sheets!  I took a chance using a strong contrasting floral with my mauve glitter paper, but I really like how they work together!

I used plain glitter paper for one of my spotlight circles and Swiss dot glitter paper for the other.  I also cut one of my foliage pieces from the plain glitter sheet.

I wanted to add a tad more interest to the front, so I used one of my border stamps to add text and images.  I originally wanted to use a flower, but the butterfly provided more continuity to the design.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Chana Malkah

The Dog Did It!

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

I like creating critter cards but I find that I don't reach for my critter stamps and die often enough! I made this card for my friend who just got a new Shih Tzu puppy!  Her cat, who is not very happy about the situation, has been acting out!   I simply could not resist sending her this card! 

The Dog Did It!

I purchased this AALL & Create stamp set when I was creating a planner for a cat lover.  They went into my stash and were untouched for over a year.  But I have used them twice in the past three months.

I found this great spilled milk image on Google.  It was perfect.  I used PS to resize the image.

The expression on his face is priceless.  It reminded me of my kids when they were little.  Standing there with crumbs all around their mouths and swearing they had not been in the cookies.  Just the other day my son (who is now 52 years old) asked if I was planning to make chocolate chip cookies when he comes to visit in August!  I swore that I was not.  Of course, I am!  It will be fun to watch his face as his kids eat them all!

Why I Need 1.5 Hours to Create A 10 Minute Card 

VIDEO

I remember when people used to do five-minute card challenges!  It takes me that long to find my glue!

 😁

Thanks for Stopping By!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Submitted to:

Critter Crazy Challenge

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Stuff I Used:

Double Stitched Rectangular Dies-Gina Marie: https://wholesalecraftingsupplies.com/collections/dies/products/limited-edition-double-stitched-in-and-out-cut-rectangle-die-set-gina-marie-designs AALL & Create Stamps #465 - Tall Cats: https://www.franticstamper.com/AALL-Create--Clear-Stamp-A6-size--Set-465-Tall-Cats_p_189206.html

Shoping Our Stash - Challenge #500 - Use Any Number

 Hello, Crafty Peeps!

Over at Shopping Our Stash, we are celebrating reaching Challenge #500.  So, to honor this milestone, we want you to create a celebratory project (birthday, anniversary, etc.,) that includes at least one number. 

 Anniversary!

On August 2, 2023, the Hubster and I will celebrate our 54th Anniversary! And they said it wouldn't last!

I fell behind in my planner prep and the challenge date for Shopping Our Stash got away from me.  As I type this, it is 1:00 am and I am so happy that this challenge doesn't go live until 6:00 am.

I did not execute my background properly, but it was too late to start over. I did enjoy using my new 3D embossing folder. On Mother's Day, my husband surprised me with seven 3D EF that he ordered from AliExpress. The stash items (at least one-year-old) in this project are the Heart Die, Distress Inks, and the Cats Stamp.

I think this AlinaCutle Teardrop frame die is so pretty!  I know this set is going to get a lot of use!  I fussy cut the cats to get rid of the tree branch they were sitting on!   I don't know what the Hubster is going to think about this.  We both dislike cats!

I can't wait to see your creations in our challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

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Submitted to:

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge - ATG

Ally's Angels #71 - ATG

Bastel-Traum #124 - Flowers and Plants

Stuff I Used:

Floral Embossing Folder - AliExpress

Cats on a Branch Stamp - AliExpress

Distress Inks: Pumice Stone, Shaded Lilac, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick, Bundled Sage, Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Shabby Shutters

A PLACE TO START - JULY CHALLENGE: Anything Goes w/Optional Twist: Life's A Beach

 Hello, Crafty Mates!

This month at A Place To Start we want to see your best "Beach" creations.  Of course, you may always play both options.  

Anything Goes or "Life's A Beach!"

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Life's a Beach!  Enjoy the Waves!

I have had this small critter stamp and die set since 2020  and it has never been used.  The set included four stamps with matching dies.  There is an animal group for each season of the year.  I thought this summer set would be perfect for a split window card.

Very simple interior.  I think the sun adds fun to the inside.  And I have my water and a white sandy beach!

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A Beach of Our Own

I colored a piece of vellum with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide and Pumice Stone Distress Ink to create a little sand bar.  I needed to ground my images.  Behind my critters is another piece of vellum that I colored with Faded Jeans Distress Inks.  This is my nod to the waves!  

TUTORIAL FOR SPLIT CARD

Step by Step

Tools Needed: 

Paper Trimmer, Bone Folder, Scoreboard, Piercing Tool, Die-cutting machine

Paper Supplies:

Paper: White Card (80lb or 110lb)  2 pieces cut to 4-3/4" x 4-1/4"

Paper: Vellum Shimmer or Plain.  2 pieces cut to 4.25" wide by 5.50" long

Paper: Colored Card. 1 piece cut to 4.25"x 5.50", and  1piece cut to 4"x 51/4"

Tape:   Strong adhesive tape runner and Double-sided tape

Stamping Supplies:

Rubber/Digital Image(s) (Size matters. The image will bridge your split.)

Sentiment Stamp(s)

Alcohol Markers or Colored pencils

Glitter pen (Optional)

Embellishments (Optional)

Die Cutting Supplies:

Die that matches your image or you can fussy cut your image

Border dies (Boderablities, Edgeabilities, etc.)

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1. Stamp your images, color and die cut them then set them aside. 

2. Score the two 4-3/4" x 4-1/4" pieces at 1/2" on the 4-1/4" (left) side. Burnish.

3. Position and cut your border dies as desired at the bottom of your top panel and at the top of your bottom panel.

4. Insert the vellum panels inside your white panels.  Position your border dies on the vellum in the desired position and cut.

5.  Once you have determined the distance your vellum will "peek" from beneath your white card, secure the vellum temporarily with a piece of washi or purple tape.

6.  Take the smaller piece of colored card 4" x 5.25" and insert it into the flaps of your top and bottom halves.  Determine the distance you want between the halves.  You can test the distance with your image.

7.  Apply adhesive to the 1/2" flap to secure your flap to your colored card base.  Make sure to leave the washi tape on your vellum pieces to keep them in place. 

8.  Trim excess paper from the top, bottom, and sides

9.    Stamp your sentiment on the front of your card.

10. Apply adhesive ( glue runner is best) to the top and bottom flaps to secure your vellum.

11.  Apply adhesive to the back of your image and add your image to your card!

12. Apply double-sided tape to the back of your card face. (The glue will give you time to position your card face if you need to.)

13. Center your completed card front onto the 4.25" x 5.50" piece of colored card.

Add creative touches as desired.

I added a little Wink of Stella to the shell of my snail as well as the dress, wings, socks, shoes, and the dress of the little girl.

Finished Project

Thanks for Stopping By!

See You at A Place To Start!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Submitted to:

Critter Crazy Challenge

A Perfect Time To Craft - ATG

Park Hopping My Happy Place

613 Avenue Create -Anything Goes w/Optional Twist: Nautical

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

Our challenge twist at 613 Avenue Create is

Nautical

(Boats, Sand, Water, Beach, etc.)

You know us. We like to keep it "easy." You don't have to worry about trying to create an entire scene.  A cute boat will work just fine!

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I elected the Anything Goes Option.  I wanted to try out my new Poppy Stamp, Die, and Layering Stencil Bundle!

I love Poppies!  When I saw this Poppy Die I just had to have it.   I decided to try coloring in the Poppies with Distress Oxide Inks.  I am not good at water coloring so I wasn't expecting anything special in this project.  My technique needs a lot of work (my shading and highlights are awful.)  Overall, as a first attempt, I was pretty pleased.

I cut the die twice using plain white cardstock.  I colored the Poppies, and then fussy cut away the white edge.  I then layered my colored images on top of the plain white die-cut image.    I  don't like having those white edges around my cuts, but given the dark background on this project, I felt that the edges were needed.

Before I glued the two die-cuts together. I used my wall stencil on the space between the flowers on the uncolored layer.    This saved time and I didn't have to fussy cut around the stems and leaves!

I am always in a tizzy about what to do with embellishments on my focal grouping.  I decided I would use a piece of paper string and a flag banner.  It works better than I had hoped.

I sealed my Poppies with a coat of Aleen's Glossy Acrylic Sealer.  I used Desert Sand Kraft Cardstock for my base!  The Wall was stenciled with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  I also used the Pumice Stone to create the dirt in front of my wall.  I mean flowers have to grow out of something, right?

I ended up liking this project more than I thought I would.  I am taking some coloring classes from Kit and Clowder, so hopefully, all of my skills will improve over the coming months.

I look forward to seeing your awesome creations when you join us at 613 Avenue Create!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

Submitted to:

A Perfect Time To Craft - ATG

Bastel-Traum #124 - Flowers and Plants

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Stuff I Used: