Inspire me NOW!

Here’s a cool and simple trick I found at Cathe Holden’s Just Something I Made blog – a simple way of enlarging small everyday objects, and giving them a new, whimsical context. It’s the kind of things you would wonder- how haven’t I thought of it by myself?! Cathe gives a short how-to explanation at the Family Economics site.

You can use anything from a key to gum wrap, or add a vintage flare with old stamps, library card or monogrammed napkins. This idea can be used in different techniques and on different materials, so take this inspiration and make it your own!

ShirA

Coffee and Cream

This card was made in such a rush, I had so little time this week and wanted to make one so very badly… I tried another challenge, to get me going. This time I turned to Paper Play Challenges on their 38 week challenge– Coffee and Cream. The only restriction was to create an all brown card. Now, I love brown, I match it as an accent color with pink, green, blue… you name it. BUT I never use it all by itself. So there’s a real challenge for me right there.
To make it just a little more challenging, I used a sketch as well – from the Just Add Ink site, on their 36th challenge.
In addition, I submitted the card to the Carisma Cardz Challenges blog, on it’s challenge #38- Anything Goes.

The card base is craft card stock, and on top of it I’ve layered several textured card stocks. The ribbon is a deep velvety brown shade, gathered at the bottom of the card. The tiny butterflies are also made of craft, as I wanted a very delicate and light decoration on that side. The Stampin’ Up! stamp says: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”. Hmmm… There you go – some (kitsch) philosophy for the road…

Have a great week
ShirA

Step up!

This card is based on the asymmetric box mechanism, taking it to the next level. I made this card for a friend’s 30th birthday, the colors are a bit more “boyish” and the card is clean and basic.
It’s so easy to make, and has a great impact. I wanted you all to be able to do this one, so I made you a template! just download the Step Up template, and make your own!

Step up Template- Press here!

Save the template and follow these instructions:
1. Use a bone folder to score along the dash and dot-dash lines.
2. Cut along the continuous lines. Notice that all the continuous lines that you cut are perpendicular to the center fold of the card- while the dash and dot-dash lines are parallel to the center fold.
3. Gently pinch the folds that you’ve scored: the dash lines are valley folds, the dot-dash lines are mountain folds.

You can decorate it as you please, just notice that the template is for the paper you will use on the inside of the card. You will need to add another cardstock for the outer side. I chose a very calm palette here, but using a popping color on the back can be really cool – it’ll peep through the steps of the card, emphasizing it’s dimension and depth.

Enjoy!

ShirA

India blog candy winner!

There’s a winner! Thank you all for commenting on the India Blog Candy post. After using the helpful Random.org engine, I’m happy to announce the lucky winner:

Wintam from this creative blog

Congrats! You’re getting this lovely bundle of glitter and color, India style. I hope you’ll enjoy it and create many crafty delights! I’ll contact you via e-mail.

Have a great day,

ShirA

Pop-up tutorial #2: Asymmetric box fold

The asymmetric box fold creates a “shelf” or a few “shelves”, that are non-symmetric in height and depth. This technique is the base of many elaborated and impressive cards, all you need is to practice a few basic principles. Follow the next steps for an easy- yet potentially impressive- pop-up card.

1. Select the paper that you intend to use on the inside of the card and, using a pencil, lightly mark it’s center fold. I used a scrap of printer paper for this demonstration, but a card stock or heavy-weight paper will provide you with a sturdier mechanism.

2. Draw one or more rectangles of any size, located anywhere on the card. There is a rule you must follow: The depth of the rectangle is the same as the distance of the rectangle’s base from the center fold (in the photo below you can see I’ve marked it: x = x, y= y). If you don’t follow this rule, the rectangles will be distorted, the angles at the corners will not be 90 degrees.

3. For each rectangle, cut along those sides which are perpendicular to the fold (marked with a red solid line). Score the lines that are parallel to the center fold, DO NOT cut along them (marked with a yellow/blue dash line). Fold gently along the center fold, wherever there are no rectangles. Push the boxes gently inwards, noticing the “mountain” folds and the “valley” folds. Pinch the corners of each box to set the fold into its new direction.

4. Carefully close the card, making sure to flatten the creases you initially scored.

5. And there you have it! Note that the box is asymmetric- the height and depth are not the same. Therefor, the same fold can look and be used differently when positioned in various directions. You can use the boxes as a base for glued-on decorative images, or even use them as the main popping element of the card.

On the next post I’ll be showing you how to make a far more complicated asymmetric-box card, easy to do and very impressive 😉

ShirA

Inspire me NOW!

This post is the fist of many, in which I wish to share with you a link to some amazing paper artist, a crafty wizard or any other inspiring web site.
For a start, check out this thrilling burst of color, sculptures solely of colorful paper. I love it!!!

The artist is the talented Jen Stark, check her out at her formal site: jenstark.com.

Have a lovely, inspired day!
ShirA

Sharon’s tale

This little pop-up book was a birthday “card” for my close friend Sharon. We are four childhood friends, who always make sure to celebrate each other’s birthdays in some intimate, special way. Ruth, the talented writer of the quartet, wrote a funny story, for which I created these pop-up illustrations. The story tells of the birthday girl, Sharon, traveling away from her life in the city, searching for a new place to live in.

I chose to use a monochromatic scheme throughout the book: washed-out turquoise, sandy-beige, chocolate brown and white. I scanned a french Elle magazine from the 50’s (which I happily bought in Paris :)), and used the printed text as an extra “color”. Some of the pop-ups are based on Robert Sabuda‘s tamplates. I love the way it came out.

I warmly recommend watching the video at the end in high quality – just choose 720p on the movie quality selector at the bottom of the video window.
{And don’t forget to post a comment to the India Blog Candy! ;)}

Shana Tova to you all!

A real challenge

Before I begin- don’t forget to join the India Blog Candy while you can!

I didn’t get the chance to participate in many card challenges till now, and I find it very hard to sit and create under someone else’s “rules” or guidance. Lately, though, I try to shake things up a bit, and when it comes to challenge blogs, challenging yourself is what it’s all about, right? I’m still struggling with it, but it gets me out of my shell to try new colors and techniques.
I decided to join the “Etsy Inspired Challenge” blog this week, with their EIC #103. The Inspiration this time is by “The Caged fairy” jewelry and accessory shop at Etsy. I chose this lovely grey and blue Jean Flower Corsage Necklace as my source of inspiration.

I love this piece! They have lots of cute stuff in their shop. As for the card, it wouldn’t have been my natural choice, yet there’s something about the color combo that surprisingly speaks to my heart. On the chipboard swirl I used a double layer of extra thick embossing enamel, over purple metallic ink, which gave it a super-glossy and three dimensional finish. I added a sewing measuring tape, acting as ribbon.

I also submitted this card for two other challenges- as their request for this week was “Anything goes!” (right down my ally, being- apparently- very nonconformist when it comes to scrapping…). The first one is of The Paper Players blog, and the second one is the Crafty Emma’s Store.

Have a lovely week!

ShirA

India Blog Candy!

I thought India would be a perfect place for original scrapping supplies- such rich textures, colors and patterns are at the essence of the Indian aesthetics and culture. How very disappointed I was to find the poor quality of the paper. The only nice stickers I saw were of the different Hindu Gods, and the books (Hindi is a very graphic language) were printed on thin rough paper- not really suitable for reusing.

Then came the revelation! The Bindi – or what we know as Tilaka or Tikka – is the forehead decoration Hindu women wear. It comes in any color and size, sparkly or velvety, simple or very elaborated, and it’s always fabulous! So then I thought – why not use the Bindi stickers for paper craft?! And this is where you all come in!

I collected 30 of the nicest Bindi packs I could find, the ones that I thought could upgrade any project, and I’m giving them all to you! Add the ethnic scent of the far east using many of them side by side, or integrate them in any project – I’m sure this bundle of little jewels will make you happy!

Want it? All you have to do is leave a comment to this post, no later than the 20th of September. The comments will be ruffled and the winner will get it all!
I’m adding a little extra to the lot – a few handmade Indian gilded envelopes, originally used for giving money as a gift.

Namaste!
ShirA