1 December 2012

Just get it done! - help needed

Happy December everyone. It's been a week, I can tell you. Work has been manic and this darned cold is like a boomerang (going and coming back again like a bad game of pass the parcel!) A good friend requested birthday cards for her girls and I had all sorts of plans for getting the first one done this week. Hmmm, best laid plans. Thursday evening arrived, and mild panic set in as it needed finishing by Friday evening. Some of us find it nye on impossible to craft at speed (OCD/procrastination/general crafting mishaps could account for this:) and Mr Mojo was blowing his nose too hard to work, so I thumbed through a back issue of the Craft Stamper magazine to get some inspiration. That helped a lot.


I decided to use some paper and cardstock rather than going for a bespoke inky background. They did get extra stamping/embossing added and all the edges were thoroughly distressed so it's not complete sacrilege.


I'm loving Sheena's WOW pearl embossing powders, and a touch of Distress Clear Rock Candy Crackle was added to each corner for that extra vintage touch.


The only thing with cards to order is that you often have to add basic sentiments rather than some of those more artsy thoughtful phrases. So here comes the first request for help... could anyone recommend any good, reasonably large 'happy birthday' stamps?


Those of you who were kind enough to drop by last Wednesday will have seen my little collection of buttons:) - love that so many of you thought the large brown ones at the front were donuts!!! - well I went mad and used a really nice one for this. Handy hint time. You can use snips (raid the garage/shed/toolbox) to remove the shank at the back so it will sit flat against the surface/ribbon with strong glue.


Stringing sead beads onto thin wire means they are less likely to work loose from the embellishment after initially being glued into place. Well I'm glad to report my friend was pleased with it (one more to go but I should have more time with that one!) And now I'm gonna enter it for the latest Artful Times Challenge - Anything Goes to join the fab entries that have also been posted.

Now for request for help number two. As mentioned during my Q&A for Our Creative Corner I got into this crafty lark in order to start scrapbooking my extensive family history tree research. Hmmm, a couple of layouts got done, but 12"x12" feels such a huge space to fill and then I find out new bits of info which could do with adding to completed pages. A little while ago I saw Anna Dabrowska's album and realised that a journal/smashbook which could have stuff added/updated would be the best way forward. Have you seen anything like this out there that could provide further inspiration? You guys are bound to have seen some amazing ideas on your electronic travels. Looking forward to hearing about them.

So now it's time to pull on an extra pair of woolly socks and get ready to settle down for Strictly. Here's hoping you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hugs, Buttons x

28 comments:

  1. Oooh what a superb card, love the colour combo, so subtle but gorgeous.

    Sorry can't help with the scrapbook, journalling, smash book thing as I don't do anything like that apart from scrap a few holiday photos, but as I like the photo to be the main image, I don't put too much else on the pages - not much help am I!!!

    Ermmm happy birthday stamps, not got many of those either but, I guess it depends on the size you're looking for.

    Sam xxx

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  2. Your card is Fantastic Buttons. Again, I can't help with the other problem. I'm sure you'll sort something out. Hugs Rita xx

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  3. Gorgeous card and did you see me swoon at the use of that fabulous button?!!!
    Nothing comes to mind re the Happy Birthday. I know Crafty Individuals do a calligraphy style stamp related to birthday celebrations but I don't believe that is the style you are looking for.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  4. Buttons this is beautiful!! I love the colours,the butterfly, the Button is fab , well I love it!! A wonderful make!!
    Hugs trace x
    Ps I have candy!?
    And would you like to swap addresses?!
    Email if you would hugs trace x

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  5. How elegant this card looks Buttons! Lovely layering and very chic...

    have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

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  6. Hi Buttons, your card is beautiful, really like the way you have 'added to' the already lovely paper to make it your own and that button is glorious!

    Lili of the Valley do a nice range of sentiment stamps, as do Penny Black and also Hero Arts.

    I think Anna's album is stunning but I also think you could make one yourself, just as beautiful. Art from the Heart (Dyan Reaveley) does a nice range of journals in moleskin at reasonable prices (they are blank both inside and out) and Dyan has a new journal out herself called The Dylusions Journal which is made from heavy quality paper/card, all ready for altering/journalling - whatever. Not sure about Smashbook, heard a lot about them but have never seen them. Hope this little bit helps anyway. Hugs, Anne x

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  7. Hi again Buttons, loved strictly tonite - hope you enjoyed - final dance was superb imho. Back to important issues... love your card - gorgeously stamped and layered, and that Button is a gem in every sense. The butterfly is a beautiful balancing act to it. Enjoy rest of weekend. Nicola x

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  8. ASbsolutely delightful card Buttons. Beautiful paper, embellishments and all of the added stamping and embossing just adds to it so much depth. have a great weekend. Cheers, Di

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  9. Love the way you have given the papers a make over and made them your own Buttons :) and thank you for sharing it with us at Artful Times
    Von ♥
    I'm not a scrapbooker but I've seen pages with pockets for adding extra loose efemera and little books added to pages for extra jornaling
    Hope you feel better soon ♥

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  10. Fabulous Buttons! love the all the distressed edges.. who ever it's intended for will love it.
    Suzi B xx

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  11. I think that id your mojo was missing and you still produced such a beautiful card then you should be very happy. This is lovely. Annes suggestions for sentiments are all good. Often it is the font that will make the stamp an always chose one.
    There are some interesting scrapbook sleeves by We R Memory Keepers that enabale you to make small pieces to fill each sections. Maybe this might be what you are looking for. Another option is to work at A4 size. This really helps with the cost of elements and pages can then be organised in economical folders. Food for Thought!

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  12. Using old books and journals is also really cool Buttons. I glues pages in my old work diaries together and then mooshed them with paints etc and the were not at all intimidating to use. Trick is not to let them get too fat.Ha Ha

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  13. Worth all the effort I would say as this is a really special card.

    Sending healing vibes your way--hope the cold goes away soon.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  14. Buttons this is stunning, beautifully created, you make so many wonderful pieces.
    Happy Crafting

    Patricia xx

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  15. This is gorgeous and I'd never have guessed it had been made under pressure - lots of interesting touches. Sorry I can't help with a specific stamp but there are various greetings and word stamps available from Chocolate Baroque. One thing I often do is resort to the computer and a fancy font to print greetings which are then either punched out or die-cut to suit the card. Hope time doesn't rush by as quickly for you this week.

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  16. Stunning card, and no reason at all beating yourself up about using ready papers. The colours on the ones you chose are so beautiful, and the fact that you have given them your own touch of course makes them even better. Everything fits so beautifully together too!

    I think by now you have had so many helpful answers already, I have nothing to add other than wishing you a great Sunday and hope your cold will leave you soon!!

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  17. Beautiful card Buttons..Gorgeous stamping & the papers are perfect!!Love the design... I hope you are feeling a little better, I've got it too.. I look like rudolf at the mo!! Hugs May x x x

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  18. This is one stunning birthday card! Love all the layers and embossing! The butterfly is a gorgeous embellishment! Happy Sunday!

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  19. Ireally like this Buttons. Subtle colours and chic. Love Mo x

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  20. Gorgeous card Buttons, love how you have enhanced that background and sumptuous embellishments. Hugs Sandra X

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  21. Hiya, Buttons, this is exquisite, such a beautiful colour palette and fantastic stamping. I'm an extremely slow crafter and when I know I have a deadline to meet, my mojo runs off and hides. Have a lovely evening. xx

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  22. So sorry you've been sick...it's the season...so glad you found some inspiration! This is beautiful, and that button is fantastic!!! Gorgeous!

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  23. This is beautiful Buttons and at first I thought it was a canvas with all the texture. I love the button that you used it adds real richness to the piece and of course I adore Butterflies.

    Sending you a huge hug. Hope you feel better soon x

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  24. I love your card... and I think altered papers are a perfectly respectable way to craft - and lead to some amazing results, as here! Gorgeous additional depth and texture from your stamping, embossing and distressing - it has the look of 18th century French fabric or wallhangings from a chateau. Perfect embellishing with your extra special button too! I'm not much use to you on either plea, I'm afraid... but if I should spot the perfect stamp, or smash book, I'll be back!
    Alison xx

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  25. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone designed a half plate of Happy Birthday stamps in all shapes and sizes with writing going across and down for us to use on cards.
    In the meantime I love love your card. Very classy card and we would not know you had a cold when you produce something like this. Love the colour scheme. However you have and I hope this boomerang cold soon takes itself off to somewhere it can disappear to and leaves you feeling much better.
    Thanks for joining us at Artful Times Buttons.
    Hugs, and Best Wishes
    Neet xx

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  26. Lovely card - I love the colours. Not sure about stamps really I seem to have a little mix of birthday ones that I have collected over the years - Lili of the Valley are my most go to set at the moment but they are sentiments in circles - you could always handwrite it and emboss it if desperate?

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  27. You've created a smashing card - just wonderful.

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  28. What a gorgeous card Buttons! Love the colours, the butterflies and the 'natural' textures. Truly fabulous! xx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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