By the end of 2009, I was on a “high” for gatefold cards and then suddenly like most of the other whims in my life, I just stopped making em !! Last week was experimentation week, remember ? So naturally, after making the purse card and the square easel card, I felt, I could try out a gatefold card. This card was not made with any sketch in mind so it will not enter any sketch challenge. Unless something pops up today or tomorrow !!! 🙂
Just wanted to make a very bright and colorful card with lotsa fanciful flowers and ofcourse, that butterfly digi image is really a darling. Its something that really suits any happy occasion. The sentiment is lovely for wishing two people getting engaged or married.
This card was made purely for the sketch which is from : Clean And Simple
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Naturally the challenge demands a very simplistic and a less-cluttered looking card. I really enjoyed this lovely sketch and the idea that popped to my mind, was one, I have been wanting to try out for sometime now. I have used purple to give the card a strong base and added this handmade patterned paper. The stamp on the tag is handstamped with a simple message and a couple of buttons to finish off the look. In my opinion, it is a “Male” oriented card. It really was over in a jiffy once I figured out what I wanted for the focal point, which is the pattern paper.
Hello Ladies, Hope you had a pleasent weekend. Me ? Yeah, it was pleasently creative. My mojo continues in full swing, gladly 🙂
Amazingly again, last night was fruitful enough to keep me churning out another 6 cards, that is, till the wee hours of the morning ! Yes, Feel like I am on top of the world. Its been that good. This weekend, I had this urge not only to create cards for the challenges but also to experiment with different designs and textures. You’ll see the results in the following posts.
This first card is really special to me. I think I would rate it a good 7/10 !! And that itself speaks volumes coz I really am, very critical about all my own projects. Nothing is really ever good enough for me, including my own handwritting. Thank God laptops and keyboards 🙂
Like I always say, the simplistic designs are always the most attractive ones. This card is ideal for both genders although It does sport a large flower. Amazingly this card carries 4 differnt handmade papers. I have tried to take close up pics of the flower to get you to see the textures. Remember, I told you about how I managed to open that new stack of handmade paper bought atleast a year or so before ?? Well, all this is spilling out from there.
The ivory paper is embossed with swirls, the Flower itself has two different, thick paper diecut with a button in the center, a tag with a friendly message and two butterflies. How simple can it get ?? This simple 🙂 The card, itself, is in very pale ivory, white, and green tones, except for a little dash of red.
This is a general card which you could present for valentines or an all-year-round-card for any friend/collegue/classmate/neighbour.
Hello Ladies .. I am still continuing with the fourth card from my “Mojo Jolt” series. I am quite certain, I get possessed certain days of the week and the result of which are all these bits and pieces on these fabulous papers !
Getting back with the lighthouse card, well, some cards just have a way of getting transformed themselves. I feel most of the time, it is the pattern paper and the sketch that should get all the credit. This card is close to me becoz it has such a quiet charm and appeal.. The pattern paper is again from my GUILT TRIP. The sketch is gorgeous and I have made a few alterations to house the ribbons here.
If you have read any of my previous posts, then you know, that I have a ‘thing’ for simplistic and clean looks. ( in terms of card making )
Love this digi image and have used it earlier too. But it is just so versatile. It conveys a very strong image and can carry just about any sentiment with it. I have chosen “Count my blessings” on a tag. Since I love having tags somewhere/anywhere. I have used the eyelet to attach the tag to the diamond shaped image so actually, it can move around, upwards and downwards.
Three tiny buttons with three ribbons. What is it with ribbons and buttons !! I am playing with reds and pinks for the first time and I was apprehensive in the begining but I am very pleased with the final look. Probably becoz the pink is full of strong tight patterns.
The list is endless when it comes to who the recipient of this card could be. To a son, father, husband,brother ….. again, it could very easily be given to ladies as well. A sentiment like this on valentines would be so so ideal and ‘real’.
I had already completed 3 male oreinted cards before this one, so I wanted to go all out and out to flare up some dazzle and color with this card. The sentiment’s so sweet and I have used this digi stamp before too. The color scheme is Pink and purple and all the other embellishments are added to bring contrast, some sparkle and delight.
Hello ladies. ( you mean, why not ladies and guys ?? )
Well, I doubt, alot of men find themselves scanning around card sites ~ its a rare “phenomenon”. I think, the majority of them are only ” emotionally forced ” to procure a card for their partners for anniversaries or birthdays. But imagine, how religiously, the same man, made such huge efforts in sending cards (with proper sentiments and not just the “I Love you” types) and flowers and gifts and what not before marriage and in the later years , its become a thing of the past.
Well, I have nothing to worry about in that area, DH knows exactly which shop to buy which punches/stamps for moi 🙂 Why spend on flowers or chocolates, when a bag of copic markers can keep me happy for months and months on an end. If only they had copics here in Dubai 😦 That is right up there in my wish list.
Okay anyways, one thing leads to another and my reason for this post is left behind.
I have never tried a banner card. This is a first time for me. I dont think, I have done 100% justice to this banner, still, I feel, its not too shabby. The color theme was Blue and red. The main elements was : 3 in a row, number, banner, party/birthday card, with a monkey/animal somewhere.
These are the criteria’s I had, and this is what I came up with. I have used my new fiskars apron punch which I got in my GUILT TRIP, the monkey’s are new rubber stamps too. The alphabet beads are so old but still they add a playful cheery element to any card or project whenever used. They are so so cute. A ribbon, paper lace and 3 buttons are the added other embellies here.
So do you think, a two year old would be delighted to get this card with monkeys, banners and beads to play around with ??
Here it is :
OKAY !! so Mr Mojo is back !! And ho boy ! Did he come back with a jolt !!!!!
Yesterday was phenomenal. I made:
a love card for the men in our lives,
a friendship/love card for men again,
a love card for the ladies,
a funky party kinda boyish birthday card,
a sympathy card
AND AND AND get this,
” A purse shaped card” !!!! (that was a complete first timer and that too, without a template.. just estimates and ideas )
I mean, was that a JOLT or what ??????? So so happy. But having said that, I have now begun to realize that creating or designing cards is the easy part.
Photographing each one in different angles,
uploading them on the computer,
shortlisting, editing /resizing them, ( photoshop is not exactly my best friend, you know)
making a blog post on each one of them
then linking each one to several challenges ( which is another 2 hours of time finding challenges that the card qualifies !)
~~~~ is ALOOOOOOT OF work !!!
How do you guys do it ?? I mean, if anything Mr Mojo was the root cause why I did not help out sawaab with his book review last night !! Too many ideas, designs and images in my mind, have to put them down quickly on my card … kids ? who ? whats that ?????? Okay, the boys are only too happy when I am glued to the design studio. Their escape from the study room 🙂
Really, How do you guys manage fullfilling all your responsibilities and domestic chores and still have the mojo to create scores of mindboggling cards. Especially the design team members who are at times, as I have now noticed, members with so many other sites too ?? You guys really amaze me.
Okay back to my card : The few things that stands for is that : A card for men. Mainly for the 25+ guy. (someone slightly mature) Why ? The warm green and orange colors, the simplicity, and ofcourse the image. One of the unusual elements about this card is the background paper, which is handmade and new. I got a large batch of them in one of my winter trips to India.
For those of you’ll interested in handmade paper in India, Jaipur in Rajasthan is the place to track and get some gorgeous stuff at. They are the manufacturers with retail outlets as well there. The paper is then distributed all over India and abroad too. For any crafter, visiting India, please make sure, Jaipur is also included in your itenary.
Okay so back to my card. If you see carefully, I have’nt used any other pattern paper except the handmade orange with white flowers on it, in the background. The rest of them are all plain colored paper. I wanted the image and embellishments to do the talking, and not so much the actual sentiment. But it all fit in well. A tag, a new digi image of the sail boat, couple of brads, couple of buttons, a new fabric anchor embellishment and a lovely green ribbon, Some paper layering. And there you have it !
For once, I really loved how this card got pieced together beautifully.
In my last photo session, I realized placing the cards between some of my grassy pots added an extra pleasent ‘feel’ to the card. Went ahead with the idea and I am glad that some of you’ll liked the look.
You see, this is the full bloom season in Dubai. As you know, we dont receive alot of shower in this part of the middleeast so maintaining a flourishing garden is quite a task here but the brimming colors in my garden are a real payoff right now. Its just the perfect weather ! All about that in another post !
I must confess, your comments are so comforting and I can see that some of my creations are reaching your hearts and your opinions too. Thank you ladies for you gorgeous comments and encouragement. They are my real motivation right now.
So here’s the card ideal for the man/men in your life, Dad, hubby, partner, son , grand-dad too.
Somewhere last year, the owl’s were leading a riot. Everyone “WAS” crazy about them ! Me ? I still am crazy about them ! They are just so adorable. Perched up on a branch looking down sheepishly at the rest of us, having thoughts and opinions about the whole world ! No wonder so many disney productions portray them as the “Wisdom birds”.
There is another sketch challenge at krista-kris-challenges: with a similar sketch as my previous sketch from : Priscilla styles.
Since I loved this entire triangular division look, so much, I decided to make another one in similar design with different images and embellishments.
The pattern papers are new from my “guilt trip” shopping spree. The flowers are also from a new buy. The tiny green flower is diecut with a button over it. There are four glittering brads to go with it.
Imagine, what mom doesnt have her heart all melted up when she receives a card like this ??
This next card is something I made purely from experimentation. Have had this stamp for so long. The image is so versatile. You can use it for male oriented cards, for the elderly , for formal cards like in the office, sympathy cards. It is only limited by our own imagination.
This card is inspired by the challenge over at Little Red Wagon : to made a single layer card. Instead of using water paints or acrylics which I would generally, I opted for sponging pigments. I wanted to keep it as simple and clean so I have not overwhelmed the image or the background.
A very inspirational sentiment. ” Make your own happiness ” which again can be interpreted into several thoughts.
I came up with a couple :
Today is precious, Make your own happiness today.
Dont wait for anyone to make it happen, make your own happiness.
Find happiness everywhere in everything …
and ofcourse I’m sure there are many more….. If you do come up with any, please enlighten me too.
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This card enters just a couple of challenges listed below :
When I began with the concept of this card, it was really supposed to be something for a friend, perhaps could be used for valentines or just a special reminder to a good friend, neighbour, classmate … but turns out, it could also stand for a mother/daughter card too.
The elephant image is digital stamp and Ohhhh I just love those two cuties, arent they adorable ?? Ofcourse the pattern papers are from my new “guilt trip” buys. There’s some lace sticker, a cutie tag and a few fabric flowers with buttons over them. Doesnt green and pink, just appeal to the eye ? I found them so attractive but not ideal for the male cards. I made a deliberate effort at placing a black and white ribbon dividing the background papers. Just wanted to experiment the look !
This card enters several challenges which I have mentioned just after the picture slideshow.
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And here’s the fabulous challenges, this card enters :
Sketch qualifies for both sketch challenges this week !
My Mojo has not been at its highest lately. Some personal issue disturbing me … and no its not “the husband issue” if thats what your thinking. Perhaps thats why I really havent utilized this weekend, how I would have wanted to. Just been down and out in the dump … okay sorry, this post is not about me and my ” pity party ” !!
Last Monday, after picking Eman from School, I just felt like I hadda pop over and have a quick look at some more paper. You know what I meant by ” that urge when you want to just have a look ? dont you ?”
Okay so long story short, we came back home with a bunch of goodies. And what a great feeling that was ! You know “THAT” feeling too, dont you ? Anyways here’s my sugary treat for myself for “NOT HAVING GONE WILD ON MY LAST SHOPPING TRIP LAST WEEK, I MADE UP FOR IT THIS MONDAY !!! ”
You know, although I am feeling so ashamed and guilty, I am just loving it. What a strange combinaton of feelings !!! Have given myself a couple of strong reasons, why I “SHOULD” buy, but I know if you had one close look at my design studio, you’ll be knocking me down for being, wasteful. For now, let me just enjoy my guilt trip 🙂
A couple of themes / elements that were the real inspiration for this card was one where, we hadda use a K for Key, and one where the project had a moving part and one which asked for pink, coffee brown and blue and one which asked for monochromatic colors. So basically, this card was an attempt at meeting all these criterias and a few more.
Love Pink !! Always will. Like some one once mentioned “Pink is an attitude !” But seriously, its an easy color to please and lets almost colors gel in, especially if it has this gorgeous rushed pattern to it. I have incorportated, tiny flowers, and 3 very cute pink glassy butterflies. The rubberstamped tweety bird is a real winner with me. He is so ideal for just about every sentiment except sorrow perhaps ! (He almost looks like he is singing outta joy !!!) A pink wire is wrapped around the mettalic key.
The digi stamp sentiment, is super cute. This card is so versatile. Its ideal for almost all relationships. Mom/Dad to eachother, lovers, Kids to parents, parents to kids, to teachers, great friends, collegues, classmates. Its a nice card to keep handy when you really want to show how much you appreciate someone in your life.
Down below is the set of challenges it enters but right now is the card itself.
Before I get on with the card display ~~ Ladies, again, I would really like to thank, all of you’ll wonderful souls, who left such heart warming comments for my previous, first time attempt at easel cards. Darlings, How would you know how much a tiny comment from you, causes a ripple effect of inspirations upon inspirations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting me and liking my creations.
The key is tied to the spiral wire so it actually hangs however the above picture is scanned and I could not get the key in its actual position falling downward coz it was in a scanner. To get a better idea, please see the slideshow.
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