Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hello ...

Just popping in to say "Hi!"  Time seems to go by so quickly ... it's already been a few weeks since the holidays.  During my 2nd week off, worked on my brother's thank you cards ... there's a lot of layers ... I've already gone through 10 rolls of double-sided tape!  I have 2 things left to stick ... one being the picture, which my brother said he would try to get for Saturday.  I also need to get the envelopes and print them, so I'm not quite done yet.  But it's getting there :)

Haven't been making cards lately ... unless you count my brother's thank you cards ;)  As you can see from her website, Tiffany's was busy making Christmas cards.  Hubbie and I got an awesome New Year's card from her.  So, now Tiffany's looking to add a touch of embossing to her cards :)  Tiffany, are you referring to dry embossing?  Dry embossing has come a long way ... you don't need to trace the image using a light source and embossing stylus anymore.  Here's a video from YouTube showing you this technique:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liehXZ5Gth0&feature=related

Someone smart created embossing folders!  However, this requires a machine ... Cuttlebug (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUBiq5QX-6s&feature=related), Sizzix Big Shot (http://www.sizzix.com/), Epic Six (http://www.quickutz.com/qk2/epic/) ... these machines die cuts and embosses.  If you want a machine that just embosses, there's the Sizzix Texture Boutique.  However, I find the machine limiting and not really worth it.  I have the Sizzix Big Shot and love it ... I bought it for $89.99 and find it well worth it.  Also, you could put texture plates through it as well.  However, that would lead you to purchase dies.  Here's a video by Kristina Werner using an embossing folder and the Sizzix Big Shot:  http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=7175

The other type of embossing, which is also what got me hooked on stamping uses a stamped image, ink, embossing powder and a heat gun :)  Here's another video by Kristina Werner showing this technique:   http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=7170.  Initially, I did not buy a heat gun ... I used the heat from the stove, but you'll need to be careful holding your paper over the stove :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Production continues ...

On Sunday, I started to work a bit on the thank you cards for my brother's wedding ... things were finalized on Saturday ... finally!  I'm still waiting for the pictures; but I know the size, so I was able to start production.  Yesterday, I was working on it in the family room ... today, I've gone back to The Paper Room ... yup room's starting to get messy again ;) 


The size and orientation of the picture is different from the initial sample, so I had to tweak the card a bit ... it added a bit more work, but I think it's nicer than the initial card ... seems more finished.  I'll share that with you once they've been sent out.  However, I can share the simple mini album which will be sent to our grand parents and great aunt.  The cool thing about this paper is depending on the way the light is reflecting off the paper, the colour changes.  It's actually the colour on the left, but I love that the lighting can change it to look burgundy.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 ...

Happy New Year!!  Wishing you all health, happiness and wonderful new experiences in the New Year! 

Can you believe it's 2012!?  Last year seem to fly by!  Before I knew it we were at the end of the year ... not that I'm complaining ... it meant vacation was coming :)  Been on vacation for a little over a week now, and it started with a road trip to Michaels ... something I needed to do ... not because I needed to do some shopping, but a short road trip is the quickest way for me to forget about work :) 

Speaking of crafts ... I did manage to do some crafting for the holidays ... it was actually a necessity.  Initially, we went to the Village des Magi-Prix to pick up a bag for a bottle of brandy.  They usually have nice bags at the one near our place ... only they're closing, so there wasn't much left.  Since I'm quite equiped, it was easier than running around looking for a bag and box.  I did the following quickly since we were due at my parent's place that evening.  The box fit 20 Lindt chocolates perfectly ... it's a die that I had and I decided to add a gold trim and emboss a piece of paper which also reinforced and made the box stronger.


I made another box with my snowflake embossing folder using the same papers for my brother and Holly's wedding.  As you can guess, that's for them.


I got to use the new Frosty Border die from Memory Box I got a couple of weeks ago for Mei Mei and Stephane's box.  The Memory Box dies are quite delicate and detailed ... really like them ... ain't it pretty?!


Here's the box ... yup, same paper as their wedding :)