Happy 5th Birthday Lillian!

We are not very good at sending cards to our extended family, but when I learned someone was starting school, I decided a special card was in order. Although it was a little late, I hope she enjoyed receiving this card.  It started off being a quick and easy card, but things got added as I went along!  Hard to tell what is going on, but it is a shaker card.  And as I do - created it the hard way!  

My intention was to upcycle the foam left over after mounting my Reverse Words. I stamped Hooray in Melon Mambo onto my Thick Whisper White card base - then added the foam after removing the red rubber from it.  Popped in some sequins and added the acetate to hold my sequins in place.  I stamped Bella on Whisper White and fussy cut around half of her so I could get the Stiched Shapes oval die under her to cut the oval, and the same idea from the Melon Mambo mat.  The 5 was cut from Melon Mambo and Basic Black and I like how it hovers over the edge.  I could see a little foam which I didn't want, so popped a few flowers around the edge and some birthday bling, and added 5 balloons instead of the 1 Bella usually has. I see now I forgot to add more strings, but I don't think she'll mind too much.

The inside has another Bella image and greeting:

Get Well Soon - International Blog Highlight

I am signed up to Kylie Bertucci's International Blog Highlight, where our projects get voted on, and the top ten get to be part of a blog hop. As you will see - the topic is "Get Well Soon" which I did struggle with for a while.  If you like what you see below, please vote for me "Sandra Collett".

The direction I started off on will perhaps become a project for another time, but has been used as the prop for my photo. The new Mini Egg Carton was spritzed with Rich Razzleberry reinker and water - #suchfun!.

I knew I wanted something bright and cherry as when you're a little under the weather you need something to lift your spirits. This project evolved in different directions as I went, but that's the great thing about crafting - doesn't always have to be fully planned when you begin.

I started with some vellum cardstock and heat embossed the words "Get Well" using the Layered Letters Alphabet and white embossing powder (which looks more like cream in the photo).  It didn't have the dimension I wanted so I reached for the Hexagons Dynamic TIEF (I think know this will get a lot of use from me) and embossed the vellum.  I couldn't decide what I wanted behind it after trying both plain cardstock and dsp. I ended up using the Rich Razzleberry ink pad and swiping colour across the back of the vellum.  While the ink was drying I cut mats from Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White cardstock.  Out of the top mat I cut a window and adhered this over my trimmed vellum. I reached for an old favourite - Petite Petals and created a bunch of flowers with the matching punch. I used the Bold Butterfly framelits and cut 3 butterflies which were stacked and slightly offset as I went - Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry and Vellum - of course  with a couple of rhinestones. The white layer had dimensionals added under it, although you can't tell from this angle.

On the inside I stamped "Soon" from the same alphabet set in Rich Razzleberry, along with some flowers in a couple of corners.  The butterfly was die cut from the scrap of hexagon embossed vellum - like the soft yet random effect.

The detailed photo shows how prior to adding the flowers I went around the embossed letters with a Rich Razzleberry marker (pen end). To complete the card Wink of Stella was used over the butterfly, letters and centre of the flowers. Thanks Kylie for inspiring me to find Mo and Jo!!

World Card Making Day Blog Hop

Happy World Card Making Day and welcome to our Blog Hop using current Stampin' Up!® products. You are currently viewing Sandra Collett's blog in New Zealand. This is a first for me and a huge thanks to Kylie Bertucci for the opportunity to participate in this global event together with a massive thanks to Stampin' Up® for the opportunity to meet some amazing people during my time with them. There is a list at the end of the page which will help you to move along from blog to blog so you see 20 amazing projects all up.

My card was inspired by Brandi Barnard's video using the Watercolour Lifting technique.  

I used Shimmery White cardstock and Rich Razzleberry ink with my Aqua Painter. The stamps used were Flower Shop and Petite Petals - (these sets are both a great go-to item due to their versatility). When the ink has dried, stamp the flowers with Versamark and heat emboss using Clear Embossing Powder.  The excess colour is removed with just the Aqua Painter - a fun technique with oodles of potential.  

The greeting is from Thoughtful Branches and tucked behind a vellum jar (Jar of Love set) with some Bermuda Bay foliage. The banner is a strip of separated Rich Razzleberry cardstock (dampen cardstock and pull the layers apart - creates a suede texture), Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim and Blushing Bride Baker's Twine - a recent favourite. 

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you've found something to bring out the artist in you and have loads of new ideas to try as you've gone through the tour. Remember you are currently visiting Sandra Collett, so check the blog hop list to see who's next:

Blog Hop List