Monday, December 1, 2008

Learning from Mel and JCBC #9...

Having the day off today was much more rewarding than I would have ever thought. Knowing I don't have to be up at dawn, I stayed up all night and I am still up... but surely not for much longer :)

I am so very very pleased with myself because I crafted in one evening/night (add a bit of today too) more than I did over an entire week. And I have to say that I also really, really like the cards I've made - that's a very rare statement, I tell you.

Let's start with Mel, her fabulous creativity and blog - if you've never visited you should. :) Over the months I've been saving ideas and cards from her blog, thinking I will have to try them sometime. And I did today...

HERE you'll find one of Mel's cards that I adore and details about a technique I was planning to experiment for some time now - "Embossed Silhouette Stamping"

And here is my *Homage to Mel* ;)


I've been having this nice little stamp from my dearest friend Sue, and never had any idea how or where to use it, until I saw Mel's card. Of course, I couldn't "copy" it properly and make an elegant card like she did but I do think I've come up with something that resembles the original some 25%. :-D

** Another technique I've admired on Mel's cards was the 'knot embellishments'.
I thought to myself that if I keep focused and give it my whole being, I will be able to use a big needle and 'tangle up' a few threads. LOL
Well, I did it and it was an adorable experience. I will definitely repeat it soon.

Thank you Mel, you're a great inspiration and a fine teacher!

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Now about the JCBC # 9

I used knots for adorning the background paper on the Christmas card I made for Just Christmas and Birthday Cards, the challenge blog where, unbelievably, I am one of the DT members. :)

Have a look at my knots first....

You can't see them? :D You can click the pic and see it bigger. There's a bit of gold thread in there...
Well, they're the non-shiny ones on the big white snowflake near Joel's head. I so love this dear deer and I felt like a monster having to decapitate him for this card.

The whole card looks like this:

Stamps:
Whiff of Joy - Herb with Bird
and
Toodles & Binks - Joel, the Reindeer
(both coloured with watercolour pencils and some glittery markers)
Designer Paper: Dovecraft - one of their Christmas collections from last year

  • This week's challenge - #9 - at JCBC uses a sketch made by my co-worker Amanda. It's an adorable sketch and very versatile, there are tons of things you can do with it or on it. :)
Thank you Amanda!


I've used the same sketch for producing this Birthday Card...

No stamping on this one, except for the sentiment which I've "invented" using a big letter (from a "Just Rite" set) and part of a clear stamp (Studio G) which I've cut out. Originally, it was a tag stamp which said "Oh, happy day!"

Designer papers are a gift from my generous friend Karin. I've punched a few flowers and added itsy bitsy ribbon, blings and peel offs.


Thank you for bearing with me through this long and convoluted post.

Hugs to all!

8 comments:

Ila said...

All these cards are Absolutley Gorgeous!! Beautiful coloring, papers and designs...Every once in awhile I do an all nighter too....getting older though and sure starting to pay for it the next day..lol..Hugs, Ila

Gry-Heidi said...

This is so wonderful Mada!! Lovely details :)You have done a super job with the sketch!!

Hugs, Gry-Heidi

Chris said...

WOW Mada, you've been so busy and in a beautiful way! I don't know why you still think it's unbelievable that you're on the design team LOL, just look at these beauties you've made. I love how you cut circles of the images and the knots look really wonderful, I they're what I would call french knots which I used to use for embroidery, such a marvelous idea to put them on a card. Beautiful work. Chris x

Donalda said...

Mada your cards are just gorgeous dear. I have to say I have not seen you make so many cards in one day. I bet you are so proud of yourself dear. They are just gorgeous and I am so glad you had the day off.

Frau Ninchen said...

wow mada-your cards are beautifull!
i love the colours and the lovely details!

xoxo Janina

Heather "Hev" said...

Wow you have made some beauties here Mada :) I think Joel will forgive you for decapitating him (I laughed SO hard when I read that!!)

Keep them coming!!

Angelika Poe said...

hi Mada, deine Karten sind alle so süß, es gefällt mir alles...liebe Grüße von Geli

Karin said...

Hi Mada,

I love all your cards.
Beautifull papers, images and gorgeous details on them.

hugs,
xoxo karin