April Theme - Metal

I sorted out my metals for this swap as I was going to do some embossing.




I marked out a pattern on this card on the back, writing between the lines and adding some punched flowers, lined to add texture to the front.

I used a piece of textured foil on a butterfly background and added gold peel offs.

I drew these shapes from the back and then lightly coloured them with watercolour paints on the front.  I wrote along the lower edge from the back, I printed out the font I wanted to use, placed it behind the foil and then used a ball point pen to trace the word, which meant that the word was embossed on the front.

I received back:-

Beautifully designed cards.

Thank you Helen

July Swap

The theme for this swap was - Take to the Skies
I took some of my travel cards from a Docrafts goody bag as background.  



I attached some silvered peel offs, butterflies and dragonfly across the background.

I diecut a Tattered Lace aeroplane out of brown card for my second card.

I used some cutouts from a French magazine to make my third card.  I cut out a patio scene for my background, some balloon shapes from two different pages and then attached these with some silver thread to the card.



I didn't receive any cards for this month's swap.

May Theme - Architecture

I have taken a different look at the theme this month.  
I have used some wall paper with views of Paris printed on it as my architecture.
I selected my views of Monuments - Arc de Triumph, tour del'Eiffel and Pont Alexandre III.

Once I had attached the background brick paper, I added the cutout Monument fragment.  I added some cutout black flowers from another wallpaper selection.  A silver semicircle strip and then a black rubon sentiment completed the card.

The real thing!

My second card was created the same way except I didn't add a flower, instead I added part of a cafe bill and a vintage servant with her dog.

The real thing!

For this card I just used the wallpaper cutouts, added a cut out flower and then the rubon.

The real thing!

I received these pretty cards by return - Paris, Sidney Opera House and the Australian Parliament buildings.

Thank you Helen. 

CWS November - Wedding

I decided that I would use different techniques but keep to the theme.



I used a dress form as the base for the Bride card.  I 'dressed' the form with ribbon straps, lace bodice and net overskirt.   I cut and placed metallic paper 'curtains' at each side of the card with a 'valence' across the top.  I then added my dressform to the centre.

I drew the Groom's jacket and coloured it with felt tip adding a brown revers with matching handkerchief in the pocket.  A smart bowtie finished off the outfit, so I added a metallic blue curtain at the back.

I cut out different papers in the shape of the cake and then drew the figures for the top.  I used a small spotted blue paper for the background and white brocade ribbon to represent the tablecloth and then 'built' up the cake and added the figures to the top.  

I received these cards in return:

Loving hearts on red background


Silver cupids on black.


Really gorgeous gold carriage on red.

  Thank you Helen

CWS July - Precious Metals

Unfortunately I didn't remember to take photos before I posted the cards.  I am using parts of the collective photo.



The first card has a clock design background with a metallic paper diecut butterfly.  The sentiment was printed out and placed under the butterfly's wing.  I cut off the legs of two brass brads and adhered the tops with glue dots.

I used this ruler embossed copper card for my second card and added some bronze medallions.

The silver foil came out for this card, then added a gold peel off.  Sentiments printed out with 'silver' coloured font cut and added to the edges of the card.

There were no returns this month.

CWS December - Having a Ball

My thoughts on this swap was for participants to interpret the title which ever way they wanted - no rules!!
I saw a similar picture to this on the web, so pencilled the design out on a white card.  I dry painted the sky and then added some yellow for the sand.
At my art class last week we tried using salt crystals to see the results so I thought that this would be my opportunity to try it at home.  I tried this out on the 'sand' and left it to dry.  The result was not as good as I expected so I dusted off as much salt as I could and repainted, then added a die cut 'shell'.
I drew the pencil lines with my black pen and coloured the boy with watercolour pencils.  I used mica powder in my paint for the sunshine - it really needed to shine!

I printed out the mask and coloured it in blue with my promarker pen.  When it had dried I cut out the mask and the eye spaces, Stickles in gold edged the borders and detailed some of the patterning.  I used some gold card for my background, with a PC printed sentiment - highlighted with Stardust stickles.  I moulded the mask to give it a 3D effect, attaching the sides to the card and added some blue feathers to each side.  I trimmed theses feathers but now I wish I hadn't - makes them look as though they have just come from the barbers!!!



I used a PC printed image for my last card and went to work on it with my metallic and glitter gelpens.   Dedicated colouring going on here!!!
I attached the finished image and then used a silver Sharpie to edge the card.

CWS June - Favourite City

Very late postings on this blog as life caught up with me and took over!  Hopefully I can catch up over the next few weeks - hopefully!!
Back to the ATCs .......

There can only be one favourite City for me ....... Paris!
I stamped up some backgrounds using nearly every stamp that depicted something Paris in blues and oranges and reds and purples on a previously created master sheet.  I used some of my Tour d'Effel diecuts and some pages from my magazines.

I gesso'd half way up this card and added a few more stamps.  The wine glass was coloured with a watercolour pencil using my waterbrush.  I then embossed the diecut  as though it had the lights up for Christmas.

I added a piece of street map using gesso and added a voucher along the lower half of the card.  When it was all dry I stamped a few more images and then added the diecut, plain and naked as when I cut it out!

I added a piece of the street map and a voucher to this card but, as I was adding a bicycle diecut, this time landscape.  I stamped as before and added a corner flourish to bring the voucher and Arc de Triomphe stamping together.  I then adhered the bicycle from Robyn's giveaway stash. 

 I don't think these cards need any sentiment ... they are busy and have a focal point to illustrate Paris.
Four more months and I'll be there ..... not that I am counting ...

UPDATED:
I received these beautiful cards back.

Thank you Melody for three super cards.

CWS April - Easter

I decided to use this theme to give myself a chance to make some Easter cards ... cutie Easter cards ...

This picture of a sheep came through from Paperprintables so I printed out the coloured version, cut it to size and applied Crystal Lacquer to the little chicken.

I used green pleated background paper to this card with a small border along the lower edge.  I printed out this bunny and used colour pencils to to paws and ears.  Once I had positioned the rabbit onto the background, I added some Flower Soft to the rabbit and along the 'grass' at the bottom of the card.

Taking a pink and white spotted card, I added a green ribbon along the lower edge topping it with a piece of multicoloured lace.  A few gold egg peel offs nestled inside the lace, a gold sentiment and a pink bow finished the card.
I added a flowered Cross to each card as I really cannot let Easter go without bringing Jesus in it.

CWS - Spring

How I need to think of Spring, I am so very tired of all this rain and cold.

Visions of Spring bring daffodils, tulips, crocuses and bluebells ... so out come my lovely floral stamps.  Emboss and/or Faux Silk ... I couldn't decide which technique to use so I used both.

I stamped the stamps in a light brown ink onto white tissue paper which I screwed into a tight ball.  I then cut three backgrounds from a masterboard I made several weeks ago.  

Three sentiments were printed from my PC and, using fancy shaped scissors, cut them into labels.  I opened up the tissue paper, and attached it to a white background card, slightly smaller than the green background.

 The flowers, I coloured with watercolour pencils, and put them to one side to dry.   I attached the dry Faux Silk cards to the background, and then added the sentiments.

UPDATED:
I have received the following cards ...

Pretty rose on patterned paper.

Sunflowers on a flowerpot background.

Cute little mouse with a rose.

These beautifully coloured images were all contained in the most gorgeous envelope, made from heavy textured vintaged paper.

Thank you so much Helen.

Front

Back

CWS Under the Sea

Our second swap with Card Work Shop and I have chosen Under the Sea for the Theme.
I printed out my chosen designs, a seahorse, an embroidered fish, a dolphin and a turtle.

I used the Faux Silk for the dolphin using blue tissue paper and put to one side to dry.

I cut some shells and some sentiments out and then attached the sentiment onto the card.  I used a glue stick to cover the whole card and put to one side to dry.  When dry I attached the shells and covered them with a thin layer of Crystal Lacquer and put to dry.  Attach the backs and round the corners - all done.


The seahorse was coated with a thin layer of light yellow Crystal Lacquer leaving the eye socket uncovered before I cut it out.  After it had dried I covered the eye socket with clear lacquer and left to dry again.  I sorted all the sentiments and when I had chosen the one for this card, I chopped up the words and sealed them down.  Now I colour washed the whole card with a pale blue wash and set to dry.  When dry I rubbed a glue stick over the card and then corner rounded it.


I managed to find matching threads for the fish, edged it in gold backstitch, stitched the bands in satin stitch and was going to add stones but decided enough was enough so I just added the words.  In my opinion, this photo does not do this card justice as it sparkles so beautifully.

My three cards ready for the swap .............
UPDATED 26.11.2013
My swap cards have arrived!




I have tried photographing them at different angles to try and show off the shimmery and shiny background.

Thank you Melody  

CWS August Swap

I am moderating an ATC swap with the girls on CardWorkShop Group on Yahoo.  For this month's swap I have chosen the Theme - Floral.  I thought this would be good to start the swapping. 
Those that follow my Cardius Bloggus Blog will know that I painted four floral cards.  One I used for the Fun with ATC's challenge here and I have now finished the other three for this swap.  

 Each card was printed on watercolour paper and then painted.  

Paulette at Create with TLC had some wordlets on sale so I have purchased them and used a few here. 


I embossed the cards but, although it is a new embossing powder, it left a raggedy finish so I think it is my inkpad that needs to be replaced - maybe all of the embossing ones to be on the safe side, lol.

The finish shows up quite a bit in this photo.

I added more powders until I was happier.

The wordlets were cut and placed in position but before glueing them to the card I gave them a wash with some watercolour paint.

After they'd dried, I glued them to the card and then embossed the whole front again, this time with a glitter powder.

Once the back had been attached I rounded the corners and filled in the details.

All ready for posting!

UPDATED: 3rd September 2013

I have received three wonderful cards today!
They are such beautiful creations all packaged in a clear DVD case which cost the earth to post, I am just so lucky.

I have decided to show these off in the office so there will be further details about these cards later.
Thank you Chrisann