I know we have some experts around here so I thought I would pick brains.

Last year I decided to make my own cards as far as possible as a new hobby, some of you will have received some of my first (and it shows!) efforts at Christmas.

What I want to know is where do you get your ideas for card designs?

Well I thought they were loverly , dear, well the one you sent me was, anyway.
I know that Jane will give you some pointers, she is an expert. Then there's Mrs TW, and there must be a few more card makers here, I am sure.

Well with me, it is a joint effort between me and Mum. We get ideas from old birthday/christmas (or any other occasion) cards. If we like something on them, we cut round it and stick it onto our own card stock. You can buy lots of card stock these days. Peel Offs, and other Embellishments are very useful too - you can colour over the peel offs with special "felt tips".
We find it useful, too, to make some "Insert templates" in Microsoft Word, so you can print our lots of similar inserts.
There are also various websites where you can get inspiration

Jane, what fabulous ideas, you are a marvel. I haven't thrown out my cards from this past Christmas so I will recycle them!

As for creating inserts with Word, that would never have ocurred to me. So much nicer than using a rubber stamp.

I don't know about you but I cannot throw out any handmade cards, I just have to keep them.

Now all I need to do is curb my enthusiasm or else I might end up with lots of cards and nothing to do with them.

I have to say that I just watch a couple of hours on QVC this afternoon and my poor credit card will be feeling the pinch. They had a pack of 200 sheets of A4 coloured card stock for a really good price.

http://www.pagemaps.com/mar07cardmaps.htm or do a search for "card sketches" and there's lots of idea sites out there.
Remember you can put anything on them .. ribbon, buttons, split pins for example .. anything.

Mrs TW makes cards. She has learned, mostly, by watching other people make them and by viewing any TV programs on the subject. Here are some examples of cards she has made: 1 - 2.

I don't know much about that part of the operation but I get the job of making the inserts. The program I've found best for this is 'Xara Xtreme'. It's possible to get some good effects with it, especially when it comes to borders. The same border might be used with different sizes of cards. The border redraws itself to adjust to any size. For instance, if a border consists of flower petals, the petals don't expand or contract to fit the card. The number of petals either automatically increases or decreases in order to fit. This is done with the 'brush' tool. It is possible to download various brushes, or make brushes to your own design that will paint the border. The program can also produce many good text (and other) effects.

Brads (or bradlets) are also very useful. They are like split pins, or drawing pins, but you can get them in various designs. I believe Eyelets are good too, but not used them

Edited to add - and very nice cards from Mrs Telly Wellies! I promise to post a few of "our" cards eventually!

Tell Lynda that I am seriously impressed, mind you the ones you have sent to me have been lovely and I have them saved.

I have some charms which came in a kit but I haven't worked out how to use them.

I mostly just invent my own designs but I also get ideas from scrapbooking and cardmaking magazines and from some of my friends who also do cardmaking. There are lots of websites full of ideas that can be found easily using Google.

I use and recycle all sorts of things. I've used stamps that I've recycled from my mail. One of my friends sent me some dried flowers from Italy that I had no real use for, so I recycled them on some cards.

I combine other skills, like calligraphy and beading, to create my cards.

Years ago, I made a tissue box cover in black and white that resembled a man's tuxedo. It gave me the idea to create a similar card. I used black and white card, decorative scissors to cut a lacy panel for the shirt, black brads for the buttons, a punch was used to create the flower in the lapel, another scrap of white card created the handkerchief in the pocket. It was stunning when it was finished. And it was all my own idea! Then about two weeks later, I saw almost the exact same thing in a magazine, so obviously someone else had the same great idea!

I've been fortunate enough to have received a card from Copago - her cards are lovely!

My fifteen year old daughter has designed and made her own cards since she was a toddler. Those simple crayon renderings with stick figures have turned into stunning, perfectly executed cards with delicate pop -up features on the inside. Some are collages overlaid with Japanese rice paper, others are airbrushed or have complicated layers of paper which form a cut out window. A card from Gen is always art within itself, and I can't help but be proud of her.

My grand-children, the two girls that is aged 7 and 10, have been making their own Christmas and Birthday cards for several years. They use a variety of items, including beads, coloured paper, photos, flower petals, etc, and colour them with crayons and felt-tip pens. These are so personal and delightful no-one could bear to throw them away!
They also use cut-outs from old cards, so instead of throwing them away, ours get re-cycled during the year!
I also trim and use Christmas cards with nice views, as notelets.

Quote:

---

Mother Goose
Years ago, I made a tissue box cover in black and white that resembled a man's tuxedo. It gave me the idea to create a similar card. I used black and white card, decorative scissors to cut a lacy panel for the shirt, black brads for the buttons, a punch was used to create the flower in the lapel, another scrap of white card created the handkerchief in the pocket. It was stunning when it was finished. And it was all my own idea! Then about two weeks later, I saw almost the exact same thing in a magazine, so obviously someone else had the same great idea!

---

Well funnily enough, Mother Goose, we made a very similar card for my Brother in Law last year Here. It is one of my personal favourite cards Also, Here is our current batch. There are also some great magazines on crafting around, with free kits - that is where the handbag card came from

I am enjoying reading this thread and just had to post. All of you are amazing! I do not have the imagination for creating my own cards and really admire every one here that does...I am so jealous! Gosh, the talent that you all have is amazing!


-------
Agnes (JTJ)

I'm a bit like Mother Goose, design my own stuff, didn't do it last Christmas tho' (was in a bah humbug kinda mood) but my eldest son's soon to be (apparently) ex girlfriend makes beautiful cards, she is truly talented in that regard, she uses glitter and sparkles and all sorts of card and feathers and leaves and anything she can really get her hands on and does a wonderful job (must get some photo's of her stuff, it's truly unique!)

I'm with you JTJ, I have no imagination for crafty things either. I am very envious of all your lovely cards, hats off to the lot of you!

I must tell you that I just received a gift for my birthday from our Sue. In with it was a very classy card indeed. Very nicely made!

Bringing this one up as I notice one of our newest members lists cardmaking as a hobby! Carol?

I am decidely poorer since starting this lark, it is costing me a small fortune; it is just as well that I am enjoying myself.

Most days I have Create and Craft playing on the television. For those outside the UK, it is a 24/7 craft channel on television. Lots of the programmes are repeated through the week so if you see one you like you can tape it next time it is shown. I have videoed numerous crafting shows both from there and QVC.

There is apparently a package containing oriental papers winging its way across the world at this moment in time - I will have some fun with that.

I just tried my first card with medallion stamping, I have glitter everywhere.

Never tried the medallions Sue-looks a bit complicated for me-same with these 'tea bagging' things lol-I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to trying new things out I'm afraid.I'm glad you are having fun though as that's what it's all about isn't it
I've seen the 'Create and Craft' shows a few times but their stuff is pretty expensive don't you think-or is it just me that thinks that?

I tend to buy peel offs and stickers via E-Bay just because they work out cheaper.Hope you won't give up a hobby you really like Sue

Oh wow! I have just received my package from Hong Kong with oriental papers, I am going to have such fun with them! They are stunning. Thank you so much, you a sweetie.

I couldn't wait to make a card. For this one I decided to make the paper the focal point. What you cannot see is that every flower and leaf is edged with metallic gold. The basic card caught my eye the other day, it is sort of black, except that it is frosted in gold. I have raised various bits with foam pads.

My first Sara card!

I am not a very happy bunny today. The other day I ordered a teabag folding CD and the package arrived this morning. The CD case is most attractive - but empty!

I was looking forward to printing off some more tiles, I suppose I will just have to wait. Teabag folding is fun now I am getting the hang of it, as is iris folding.

Empty! LOL .. maybe you had to pay extra for the actual CD?

Have you gotten into stamping at all, Sue?

I decided I was due a treat and bought some clear acrylic stamps, only got them a couple days ago and they are brilliant on cards and scrapbooking layouts.

I contacted the man and he is sending another today.

I have some stamps, not really got into them yet except the medallion stamping, now that is fun. Last year I bought a load of Christmas stamp things, a whole load, but didn't get around to using them.

Have you tried iris folding?

Nope, but by coinceidence it was mentioned on a scrapbooking site I visit and this was the site i cound to see what it was about.

looks like patience is paramount???

That is the site I am using, it is good.

(I realy must learn how to type properly ... )

When things settle down here I must have a look at it - the effect of it is very nice.

What is the go with the teabog folding?

Stamping for me, is to messy - although they do look nice, when they are embossed with embossing powder. Never done Tea Bag folding or Iris folding - looks too fiddly!

Changing the name to make this one of the Craft Circle

What I do is try and get a profile on the person that the card is made for and work on their likes.Say for instance they like cats-so I find some cat stickers-BTW-stickers is the main thing I use to decorate my cards but I also use rub ons if I can get them,peel offs are nice on cards,along with Stickles which is a craft glitter glues (I do love adding sparkle to cards)-and anything else they like.
If they like gardening-I decorate my card with gardening related stuff etc and so on.It's great fun
I can just see my new nickname-'Carol the profiler'!! lol

Hi Carol, I think Sue would send you this link so you can learn what it is and how to do it. She sent me a lovely card recently , made with this method. It is gorgeous. You need patience though!
Iris folding

Thanks for the info Ren So that's what Iris folding is!-a friend of mine sent me a card last year with this technique on it-she said it was easy once you know how.In for a bit of fun with this I can see haha

Has anyone tried embossing powder?
I have some here but don't really have a good heat scource ... would waving it over the toaster be any good? (I susupect not, but thought I'd ask )

Copago, I use embossing powder a lot. You can use a toaster - that's what I used at first - but nothing beats the proper hot tool for doing it. Hairdryers don't work, strangely enough.

I love the effect of embossing powder. Whether you want to lash out and buy a hot tool will depend on how much embossing you want to do. I only use four embossing powders - gold, silver, copper and clear. There is no point in buying coloured embossing powder because you can have any colour you want if you use clear. Clear will take on the colour of whatever colour stamp pad you've used.

I learned the hard way, however, that you have to use ink pads with slow drying ink. If you use the type that dry quickly (e.g. Staz-on), they don't emboss well.

I have some embossing powder and have used it. Carole is correct in saying hairdryers won't work, they are too blowy and blow the powder off whereas the heat guns are less blowy but hotter. Mine cost about £10.

Many years ago my daughter was into stamping (if only she hadn't sold all those stamps at a car boot sale!) and back in those days I knew nothing of heat guns and bought her one of those heat trays which is designed to keep food warm. She used to use a couple of small metal spoons to hold the card/paper down and it worked well.

I tried embossing today and what a nice effect! I ended up using a heatgun, the type that you're meant to strip paint off with. Worked a treat. But must remember to put it on a baking dish or something ... or perhaps not lean on the sink after using a heat gun over it. ouch!

A friend lent me some powders a while ago and never had the nerve to play with it. I must ask her if I can buy them off her, she went and got herself a job when her little one started school and barely has time for craft anymore.

I have just made my first Christmas card of the year!

This afternoon I went into town to buy some metallic giftwrap to use on iris folding so here it is.

Edited to update image as I have added some little stars.

Very very good Sue!!! Not done Iris folding before, Me and Mum usually start making our Christmas Cards in August/September even though we always have cards left over from the year before!!

I have a handful of cards on my mantlepiece waiting to be be sent - so many birthdays and anniversaries during the next few weeks. I surprised myself with the variety, only two have similar papers even, both the recipients like pinks and as I was doing one I used the same papers for the other.

There is an iris folded cross for a friend who asked for a birthday card with a religious theme, then there is a teabag folded one, the bright one with a 5 is for a certain little man in Aus so as well it isn't showing well in the photo, then there is the photo of a lotus blossom sent to me by Ren, one using a commercial flower sticker, one using stamping and finally one using a local photo that I took - that one is for my son.

You can see them here

The one with the stamping was a new technique for me, I edged the card with an embossing pen then dipped it in gold embossing powder then heated it.

Oh, Copago, on television the other day they said you can use a paint stripper as a substitute for a heat gun.

They are lovely, Sue!

Today, by chance, I received some embossing powder from an ebay seller and I went with MG's tip of the clear powder and it's working great. So I've had the paint stripper working trying different things out. Much easier to waste my own podwer than a friends!

I find using the powder to be very economical. I use one of those 'tidy trays' and a soft half inch paintbrush to sweep up all the excess.

The other day I tried triple-embossing, that was fun but I think the stamp I tried to use was too intricate and I didn't get a clear impression all over. I will try it again sometime but that does use a lot of powder and ink as you need to build up at least four layers before stamping.

Quote:

---

I use one of those 'tidy trays' and a soft half inch paintbrush to sweep up all the excess.

---

I don't know exactly what you mean by a 'tidy tray' but I purchased a special tray that has a funnel at one end to make it easy to pour the excess powder back into the jar. I also use a soft paintbrush to brush the last of it down to the funnel.

That is the thing, mine has two 'funnels' of differing sizes you can use whichever fits the container better, each has a screw cover.

What lovely cards Sue, you have been busy. How do you find time to do all those cards and spend time on FT?

I love making them. When I start a card I have absolutley no idea as to how it will turn out.

have a go at the set up this woman has! I can't begin to think how much money has gone into the storage stuff let alone the stamps to fill it I wonder if it's that clean all the time or she had a tidy up just for the photos.

stamping studio

Wow! Words fail me! She must be very well off (or very poor after buying all those)!

Looks a bit like Sue's living room...

I wish mine was as tidy. Those storage things must have cost a fortune. I am assuming they must be drawers and not the sort of things I have or else she would have to remove loads to get to the bottom of the pile. I know how heavy they can be when I need something from one at the bottom.

Do you think she could EVER use them all? WOW!

Quote:

---

have a go at the set up this woman has! I can't begin to think how much money has gone into the storage stuff let alone the stamps to fill it I wonder if it's that clean all the time or she had a tidy up just for the photos.

---

I showed the link to Maynooth and he had two comments to make.

1. When I showed him the room he said "That's appalling...that space should be filled with wine bottles".

2. He also said she would have to keep it tidy all the same because if she didn't, she'd never be able to find any given stamp again.

I do actually have a huge room (almost 90 sq mtrs - 956.5 sq ft) which I could use for my cardmaking but don't as it isn't possible to hear the door bell nor to have a television or wireless internet connection in the room as it is a former German bunker from WWII; it is bombproof and unfortunately 'signal' proof too. Maynooth would LOVE this room, it is dry and has a steady temperature the whole year round, perfect as a wine cellar.

Reading her blurb again, I think she probably gets the stamps for free as she said about being a demonstrator - "I am a hobby demo with Stampin' Up!" I am envious.

Quote:

---

Maynooth would LOVE this room, it is dry and has a steady temperature the whole year round, perfect as a wine cellar.

---

Maynooth said "Tell her if you ever dump me, I'm going after her!"

I just went searching through my all my stuff (not an easy task) to look for the catalogue my sister-in-law (Maynooth's sister) in Kansas sent me. She is a demonstrator for a stamping company. Finally found it and it turns out to be a Stampin' Up catalogue.

I have to say that I didn't see anything in the catalogue that I couldn't live without. She sent me some of their stamps and I haven't had a use for them yet so I don't know what they are like quality-wise. I did appreciate her thoughtfulness in sending them, however.

In the past year I have shown a couple of tradesmen my bunker, a builder and the man who owns the company who 'did my garden' for me. Both said if I ever want to sell the house they would like to be notified. Most men go overboard about it, they see all sorts of possibilities. My children used it when they lived at home, my daughter spent hours down there as I have a large L-shaped desk. There are units and shelves and some small tables (for jigsaws), in fact really ideal for crafting.

I have told my daughter to make a feature of the bunker if and when the house needs to be sold, it could add considerably to the selling price. It has lighting and several electrical points plus a telephone socket and is carpeted.

That's a pretty substanssl stamp collection! Me and Mum aren't stampers - it just has never appealed to us. We like to "recycle" old cards etc. We have a "craft room" now devoted to craft stuff. We usually start getting the "Christmas bug" in about August, Septeber

Card making for me was a natural offshoot of scrapbooking. I made my first card at about 4 o'clock Christmas morning when I realised I hadn't bought one for my brother-in-law! Came out not too badly, either.

Right now I'm working with card kits, usually inserting an appropriate photo for whatever the occasion is. Still making them one at a time (and usually at the last moment) so far.

I started with a card kit and have progressed to non-kits.

I must admit I prefer to make larger cards. The main problem with many of the handmade cards is that they are heavy so cost quite a lot to post to overseas destinations.

I have just bought a couple of new CDs from ebay, one is my beloved iris folding, I really love doing that, another is pyramid cards and I am really looking forward to trying that. For those of you who do not know what I mean, it is like decoupage except instead of bits of the image being built up you have a pile of identical pictures with each being trimmed smaller than the one below. The CD will have the images ready to cut out so you don't need to print lots of identical images yourself and trim them down. They are still going to be heavy though.

Yesterday I received a couple of navy blue card blanks I had ordered which have a fan shape cut from the front for iris folding. They didn't come with a pattern so I experimented, the white was a piece of blank card and I used the navy one as a template.

On the white one I used a fairly standard triangular pattern, on the other as you will see, I tried the fan direction. On the white one I think the iris would need changing perhaps to green holographic card. I think I prefer the one on dark blue best EXCEPT that the thickness at the point of the fan.

Your opinions please for the other card blank and any that I might make in future.

Fan cards in progress

Sorry Sue I cant open that

How strange, it is in Photobucket and opens fine for me. Thanks, I will go and look.

Edited to say I have moved it to another album to see if that works for you. it works fine for me.

It is fine now
It just appeared as a string and not a clickable link before. They are both nice.

Oooer, the postman just arrived and brought me a couple of new CDs from ebay, one is of iris folding patterns, the other is a new one for me, pyramid toppers. Pyamid toppers are like decoupage except instead of cutting out certain parts the whole image is just cropped a little on each layer so it forms a pyramid. I can't wait to try it, and some of the iris folding patterns.

I just went to the craft shop to buy some clear embossing powder and ended up with buying all manner of bits, again.

Looking at the adhesives I realised they do wide double sided tape as well as 6mm and 1cm. It was expensive but I decided to buy some so now have some 25mm and some 50mm.

What sort of adhesives do you use?

Usually I use double sided tape, Francheville brand. It's quite strong and will even hold down bulkier things like chipboard. If I need something stronger I'll use dimensional magic - it's mostly used for giving a glossy look to things but is as strong as steel when used for glue!

I have all manner of adhesives but mostly use double-sided tape. Today I made a iris folding 'topper' and just used two strips of the 50mm tape instead of rows and rows of 1cm tape, marvellous.

I used the doublesided tape - I have 6 mm and 8 mm. I usually use 6 mm but one of my friends buys her craft supplies wholesale and she bought a box of 8 mm rolls and is selling them to her friends at her cost - $1!

Wow that is cheap. I have tried several brands and so far prefer Sellotape even though it is probably more expensive than some. I did buy a pack of assorted rolls without a brand name which appeared to be a bargain but found it very difficult to peel off the top layer so won't be buying from that company again.

When I was watching Create and Craft the other day I saw a CD for sale which was for creating kaleidoscopes from jpg images, it looked interesting but was £19.99 plus hefty postage and packing - they charge me £10 as I am not in the UK per se. True I would have got a £2 discount for being a member but it was still a lot of money. I then looked on ebay and found the identical CD, sealed, for £19.99 including P&P. It is on its way.

I have just printed out some more iris folding patterns including one for the 'Sorting Hat'.

Die cutting machines - I know you have one Jillian, does anyone else?

I am thinking of buying the sort you attach to a computer, and in particular the Graphtec CraftROBO. Today there was a demonstration on C&C so I went to the internet to find someone with a better price and found one. I emailed to ask if they remove VAT for Jersey and they do so that is a good sign. They said I can order by 'phone and pay by credit card or can use PayPal - whichever I preferred.

As I am 'heavily' into iris folding I thought life would be easier if I could cut the images out by machine instead of using a craft knife.

Anyone have any experience of this type of die cutter, that is the 'printer' style ones?

I have been very busy. My daughter (and her husband) are arriving on Thursday of next week and to put it simply, I am scared of her! She bosses me about and tells me off, especially about my untidiness and also my spending habits (shopaholic).

The dining area of my lounge/diner has been gradually getting more and more piled high with crafting materials and equipment, she would go mad and really have a go at me. It has really got to a silly stage, I keep knocking stuff off the table when looking for something else.

This is all very silly really, my house is not small as I have eleven rooms including the huge bunker which has large desks, tables, cupboards, shelves etc. If I didn't live alone then I would use the bunker for crafting but I don't like to be down there when I am alone as if anything happened to me I could rot!

Just off my kitchen is my glory hole. Its official name is my sewing room. I have my sewing machine in its cabinet plus a six foot by three foot office style cupboard which is supposed to be for my knitting wool and fabric but ended up filled with rubbish. The whole room was a dumping ground for software boxes, old bills and all manner of other rubbish.

I have spent the last week or so gradually making some space in there, it isn't perfect yet, still more to go, but it is at a stage when I could start filling it with my cardmaking stuff.

I can't find the panel from the top of my sewing machine cabinet, I hope it might turn up at some stage but in the meantime I have found something which is perfect for crafting on, it used to be a folding desk but I threw the legs away by mistake. I have brought up a shelving unit from the bunker and have started moving my stuff in, sorting it as I go - card on one shelf, paper on another and so on.

I will be able to put my new CraftROBO on the work surface when it arrives, I can link it up to my laptop and use it in there.

It is getting quite exciting - soon I will be able to vacuum my dining area carpet!

I will take photos when it is finished - then I will sort the remainder of the junk later.

The best thing about having house guests is it forces you to do the things that never get done. Last September my brother, his wife and family came to stay for a weekend. We managed to paint 3 bedrooms and the passage in time for their visit. Since then NOTHING!
Keep going Sue, your daughter will be impressed.

Ohhhhhh, you got a craftrobo!! And now I've seen the pics in the photo a day thread - nice cleaning up! Feel free to pop in and do the same here!
I did mean to reply here before and forgot

Have you got it yet? Is it brilliant? Mine is just an manual one and doesn't have half the scope of the robo. Without asking too much but was it expensive? They retail here for $700+ .. about the same or less?

Good grief no. It hasn't arrived yet but it is the latest model and was about $453 Australian which includes $24 postage - if I lived in the UK it would have been free shipping.

I am just hoping I can cut apertures in card so I can do my iris folding, it will be much easier with neatly cut shapes.

What I also have on order is a Xyron Design Runner Handheld Digital Printer with 2 Design Discs, that is $150 including shipping. That looks like fun.

And I have no idea WHAT you are talking about. LOL Enjoy your new toys Sue.

A Craft ROBO is a machine which looks like a printer, you attach it to a computer. Then instead of printing on paper it cuts out shapes. If you want a card with a hole cut in the front this machine can do it for you. For instance, I cut this fan shape out by hand but hopefully this machine will cut them for me in future. Iris folding is the technique I have used for making the fan, it involves cutting strips of paper or ribbon and sticking them down.

The tidying goes on, I have now got my needlepoint on the top shelf and above the table I have my craft magazines, books, CDs etc.

The Xyron is a hand held printer which is used to print messages and patterns on paper, for instance the greeting inside a card.

Oh that sounds realy interesting. When I lived in the USA I bought cards with the holes ready cut in them. Used them for cross-stitch cards. How nice to be able to make your own.
Iris folding does look lovely and so does your top shelf. Keep it up.

Anyone who read the pound shop bargains thread in Funtrivia Lounge will have seen that I have bought masses of holographic card at a rock bottom price, 25 sheets of A4 for £1 which is $2.5 AUS, $2 US, $2.14 CAN or 1.48 euros.

I went in again today and bought the remainder of the stock, five more packs, and the woman serving remembered me from yesterday when I bought 20 packs. She said she would be interested in seeing some of my cards nearer Christmas as she might want to buy some.

The holographic card is in red, green, blue and gold so very Christmassy except for the gold which has hearts but even that can be used for matting.

I have now ordered lots of card blanks with envelopes from ebay so I can start mass producing.

These are some I made today.

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

They are really nice indeed! I hope you do well, mass producing!
Me and Mum are late starting our Christmas Cards this year - usually start in the beginning of August - but we started last week. Pictures of the cards we have made, eventually. Hologram card is really good

They're great - love the second one.

How's the Robo going?

I love the third one Sue. Can I PM you my adress?

Robo - ah, need to set it up. I was distracted by having to prepare for the daughter's arrival. Now she has gone I will try to work it out. Yesterday I used a craft knife to cut out the apertures - silly me.

Right Jillian. I managed to get the ROBO to cut something. Now I need to decide what to use a 18cm by 8cm pink pop-up card for! I just used a template in there and the first piece of card that came to hand.

Now I need to work out how to cut something I actually want.

Sue, the cards are darling! I especially love the trees. Is a ROBO like a Skizzix? Like, a small personal die-cutter? I so wish I had a skizzix!

Nevermind, I just looked it up. Is it computer operated, sort of? That looks like it would rock!

It does look like it rocks! It will cut out anything that is on your computer. There is another one out there, the Cricut, that does a similar thing but it only cuts from a cartridge NOT the computer. The Robo seems to be the one with the best reviews. And I am dead jealous!

I have a sizzix which I love - I got it before the computer cutting machines came out but wouldn't swap it now, not with the amount of dies that I have, but if I were just starting out then I'd go with one of the computer ones. The one advantage of the sizzix though is that it will cut chipboard/cardboard where the robo won't.

Loth, on the sizzix.com website they often have fantastic clearance sales only available to the USA *sob!* would be a good place to get started. With the emergance of the computer cutters the sizzix prices have gone down a fair bit.

I couldn't let the pink pop-up go to waste so here is the result.

Yeah, I can't even buy it at clearance prices. Then I wouldn't be able to afford my yarn habit. Gotta prioritize. But the computer ones look like I could really get into them. My mother in law got a sizzix, 7 complete alphabets and dozens and dozens of other cartridges for $150 at a garage sale. It was crazy.

Oh Sue your pink card is darling. You can keep it until you have a grand daughter and give it to her.
Now you need to make a blue one. LOL

I have just found a very useful tip on a crafting website I visit from time to time, this is in regards to recycling Christmas cards.

It is fairly easy to recycle some by cutting out the main image but this tip is how to use cards without cutting out bits. Use it as a background paper then stick your embellishment on the front. The examples they showed have the Christmas trees which I have used in my cards but instead of being cut into new card they are cut into a recycled card.

My mom and her church group used to use old cards, recycle them by sticking cut outs from other cards over the writing, and sell them to raise funds. I always thought they looked like they had been recycled (sometimes not very well) so would be interested to see how they have done them on the website. Could you post a link please Sue?

I think your Iris folding ones are so much nicer.

Certainly, it is the Circle of Crafters website and the link to the thread is:-

http://www.circleofcrafters.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=34392

The examples shown are using the same tree pattern as I used but I am sure you could stick some other topper instead, especially with some matting.

The Circle of Crafters website has a monthly challenge, an entry is picked at random and the card maker receives a prize of craft goodies. I have not entered one yet but think I will for September. The challenge for September is to make two cards, one must be an iris folding card and the cut-out waste from that card must be used on another card, or perhaps inside the card.

I took the waste from the stocking card, card #2 and have made this card.

Card 4

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It hasn't scanned too well but the back rectangle is silver, the stripe on the top of the stocking is gold on red.

Sue, did you know that World Card Making Day is on 6th October? www.worldcardmakingday.com

I do nows! Another site bookmarked. I registered on a scrapbooking site yesterday which actually has a robo forum so I can pick their brains.

Love the card Sue. Good luck in the competition. Let us know what you win.

I love the iris folding technique! I had seen it before but never really investigated it. Now I'm in love, and I had to go make a template of my own designed to use some sample hand-made Japanese papers I got my hands on a while back. I'll post what I came up with when I get all the kinks worked out.

Thanks so much for the inspiration to really take a good look at this technique! Your cards are so lovely.

I think it might well be my favourite technique although I love messing with all manner of styles. Oriental themes are also a great favourite of mine.

Visit http://www.circleofcrafters.com/ if you haven't already, they give free patterns, some you don't need to register but if you register you have access to many more for free.

Thanks for the link! I didn't see quite what I wanted, so I went ahead and made my own. Here's my first try. Unfortunately the colors didn't scan quite right. The blue is richer and has more depth in real life, and the oranges and yellows are not actually as stark as they appear in the scan.

I made the template for the koi before I had actually used the technique, so I had to do a bit of tweeking when I actually sat down to lay the paper down. The whole thing is framed in heavy black card stock overlaid with a hand-painted coffee filter for the color. The papers I used for the koi are strips from a sample book of hand-made Japanese papers I found some time ago. The whole piece is too big for a card, about eight inches, so I'm thinking about making prints of it for cards instead. I've also got template ideas and color schemes lined up for a sakura piece and a kimono.

Wow, I am really impressed.

Did you go into the forums? They have links to masses of patterns made by the members. You have to register, but it is free and there are no adverts. Actually I don't know how they finance the site, they give out at least $200 in prizes each month.

Thanks!

I have registered but haven't been confirmed yet, so I haven't gotten to look at any but the free stuff.

It is all free, most of it is on the members' PhotoBucket account.

Oddly, I still haven't gotten an activation email, so I can browse through the forums but can't see any pictures yet. But meanwhile, in case anyone's interested, here's the template for the koi. It's unnumbered but you start at the tail and work in.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/1305301147_46811b0e14_o.jpg

Something strange there, you need to try again. Mine was done in minutes. I have saved the so that I can try it out sometime. Thank you.

Me and Mum have started making our Christmas Cards over the last few weeks. I promise that I will post pictures eventually. We've done a few Decoupage cards this year.

I really ought to go to bed, it is 2:20 am. Earlier this evening I saw a pattern and just had to make it. I can't decide whether to add something in a couple of corners - opinions? Behind the blue card is a border of bright silver, the snowflakes and text is in white.

Santa in Trouble

I think it's very cute just the way it is! I don't like things too cluttered-looking.
If I were to add anything else, I might add a couple more snowflakes that look like they'd dropped off the blue section onto the card, or something to that effect.

I like it, I'd buy it.

Taesma I have just put your name on it for Christmas, and some more snowflakes, and all I need from you is a PM with your postal address. Not to buy, just to receive it for Christmas.

If you are concerned about giving me your personal details you can ask for references here, I keep the information to myself and am not a predator; plenty of people here have given me their details and have had no problems.

Is this what you meant Taesma? I think it looks better.

Excellent job, Sue!! I can promise I will start posting my Christmas cards on Funtrivia soon

Quote:

---

Is this what you meant Taesma? I think it looks better.

---

Oh yes, perfect! You certainly do a beautiful job! And thanks for being so kind as to send it to me, that's very thoughtful.
I think I've been around here long enough to send you personal details, I think if you were going to stalk me you would have done it already.
Besides, we all know where to find you if you get out of line.

Sue, can you email it to me, I can't see it! Wanna see. Wanna SEE!

You'll have no worries, Taesma, she's had my details for over five years now

If I didn't have you details you wouldn't get your occasional fix of white Toblerone! Emailing it now...

Sue:

WOW! What a pleasant surprise when I went to the mail box and saw your card.

Then I opened it and was impressed with both the content and quality of the card. Beautiful, simple, elegant. The paper is substantial and gives the card a texture that contrasts with the ocean scene on the front. This was nice because I have an oil painting that is almost identical in my bedroom.

This is more than a card: it's a gift for which I thank you very much.

If I could make a suggestion: if I bought this card, I would have no idea how much it would cost to mail it. In the USA, mail is charged by weight. This card seems rather heavy; I'd have to go to the post office to mail it.

Perhaps you could attach a 'needs extra postage' reminder in the stamp area.

Thanks again, Sue.

Thank you Rich, I am glad you liked it. I was very pleased with that photograph when I took it. From that beach the very next landfall going west is the east coast of America.

That is a good idea about a weight warning, some of my cards can be quite heavy. With our local postal system the first weight stage is 100 grams to either the islands or the UK, then it jumps. With 'overseas' mail European is extra over 20 grams and long distance such as the US is after 10 grams.

I hope the birthday was a good one.

I was reading this thread through again and notice that it was less than a year ago that I started it - what a lot of water has passed under the bridge in that short time. What a lot of money I have spent!

Iris folding still remains a favourite, I still love the oriental themes but I also have my new passion, the parchment work. When I look at examples posted on the other site I visit then mine are mostly amateur, but as they say, practice, practice, practice.

I notice that I mentioned entering the monthly Challenges they have on that site, and of course now I have won two prizes, not for skill, just for entering. It is literally the luck of the draw and you need to be in it to win it as both Mada and I have discovered to our advantage.

Last week I was asked by a friend to make her a special card for the Dedication Service of a set of twins, it is a little like a baptism but in the Baptist Church. It was quite thrilling to be asked to make the card, especially after such a relatively short time making them.

So ladies, your tips and encouragement have given me a whole new hobby and a slimmer bank account. The floor is still heaped with craft supplies so I guess I ought to try to have another clearing session.

I suppose I ought to make a start on my Christmas cards soon especially if some of them are to be parchment as those can take hours if not days to make.

In the Gallery thread Ren asked me to explain about parchment craft which is how I made the mask.

Years ago they did use real parchment but these days it is a special translucent paper which is used. One takes a piece of this plain paper then by using special tools you can whiten the paper by stroking it and putting a little pressure. Also you can 'prick' the paper, again with special tools then cut out areas which creates a form of paper lace which can be seen in some of the pieces I have posted in the gallery.

The cutting is done with special little scissors which have curved blades and are held in a strange manner, in your first and middle fingers with the point facing down. The points of the scissors are inserted into two holes and you snip whilst flicking your fingers to the left thus forming a tiny point and eventually a picot edge. On the mask the size of hole was 9 to 1 cm, 22 to 1 inch.

The above is all known as 'whitework' but it is possible to colour the parchment, to draw on it and either paint it or use colour pencils or other mediums. This shows a combination of using coloured pencils together with whitework.

Amazing! Thankyou ,dear.

Long time no post in here!

I have to confess that the pink pop-up card is the only thing that I ever made with the CraftRobo, it sits ingnored on my shelf.

Could you try and sell it on ebay, Sue?
Seems to be a lot of things us crafters buy that end up being underused. I shudder to think of how much money I've let gather dust.

Resale of craft stuff works really well!!! I have sold on loads of stash no longer corresponds to the way I scrap, that I simply don't like anymore, or that I merely had too much of: paper, rubber stamps and other impulse buys, even dies that I don't use enough to keep. Recently I sold off lots of paper bundles (don't worry, I still have heaps) ... and made over 100 €. This is selling the stuff at rock-bottom prices, but at least it goes off my shelves, and I get some cash to buy goodies which suit me better now.

I don't even have ebay charges to contend with as there are three free-ad sites in France for resale of used items: Le bon coin, L'occaz du Loisir Creative and Scrap Occaz.

Selling an item like that on ebay is a problem as the purchaser would have to pay taxes and customes clearance on it so that would make it unattractive.

Not in Australia although it is up for discussion that a tax called Gst similar to vat be applied to online purchases.

Well that is just pressure from the big retailers and even though they may have a point it's just not feasible to bring it in on smaller overseas purchases.

I live on a small island, not in the UK, and a purchaser would be in the UK so the item would need to be an import, it isn't within one country. Private individuals selling to each other in the UK wouldn't pay tax.