GD: Keren Baker Project #3 Happiness

"Hi, Keren here for the final project of July. Continuing along the theme of DIY embellishments, I wanted to create something that could be removed from the card for the recipient to keep. I've gone clean and simple again (because that's all I can do, to be fair!!). I wanted to make a card where the elements extended beyond the confines of the card".

Just as yesterday, I chose to work with this beautiful Hot Pick 1103 set. There are matching dies for a good number of the images too.

 HP1103

I wanted to use the Crunchy Wax Kraft Paper but to create a rosette. I had a die in to do that, but in reality you just need a long thinnish strip of the Crunchy Paper, score it at regular intervals, concertina fold and then adhere both ends together and push the centre down to make the shape.

You do need a circle of scrap card to stick underneath to hold the folds together.

I thought the folds looked a little plain, so carefully added a tiny strip of colour with a fine paintbrush in a repeated colour order (London Bus, Tango and Yellow Submarine).

Granted, the look is quite subtle in the photo, but is better in real life. To keep the rosette together on top, I painted a sort of sun using the same paint colours and punched out a circle then positioned it slightly to the left to help balance the fact I'd be adding more elements to the right hand side.

I have enjoyed stamping with the paint, I've been amazed at how good an impression you get. I chose some colours that toned well and then cut the leaves out.

 Next up, you guessed it .. Shrink Plastic again! By the time I'd shrank the bird down, it was such a gorgeous size. One afternoon I'll have to shrink a load of images and just keep them in a jar for the next time I need a embellie. I stamped out the "Happiness" image and cut the words out. All I needed to do was simply arrange the leaves behind the rosette and adhere them. At this point you could add felt, fabric etc and even a brooch pin if you wanted. Then add it to the card allowing the image to protrude above the card, making sure you only add adhesive to the bottom half!

I added a little faux stitched line around the outside of the Smoothy panel. It just adds a little colour to the otherwise plain area.

And that's the card done. Hope you didn't mind a short and simple post for this time. I need to get busy creating the projects for August. These months have gone so quickly!

~Keren~

Leandra Says: Ohhh I really like all the white stitching you have done around the edges!! And Blue and Orange is always a fab combo! Thanks Keren for a lovely week again!

Gillian Says:Such a clean and simple, yet wonderful composition once again Keren. The Kraft coloured contrast works so well. Thanks again for a week of shared creativity.

If you would like to join in this week's challenge and play along with Keren's techniques, then do link up your creativity here, and go in the draw to win some PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by 17:00, Sunday July 13th 2014.