Tiger Scrap Cards

Well, it took me a LONG time to make the last scrapbook layout for the NSD scrapbooking challenges I signed up for (see this post).  In order to meet the challenge, I used distress oxide inks to color several black and white papers to get the yellow/gold and black that was called for.  It turns out I ended up with a LOT of scraps from those papers, even though I only inked what I thought I needed!  

I've sort of made a pact with myself that I won't keep adding to my patterned paper scraps if I can avoid it, so try to use the scraps I create to make cards.  I decided to extend that this time to USE pictures I printed and ended up not using on the layout.  It took me NINE cards to use these up!  (And since I had tiger stuff out, I made a tenth bonus card for good measure.)  Here are my cards.  Sentiments unless otherwise noted are from Sassy's LLC.

Card #1:

Here's a card using one of those extra photos I had printed and didn't use in the layout.  As you can see, I used a couple of different patterned paper scraps, matted with black.  The sentiment is a sample of what I might use, but I removed it after the photo so I can add whatever circular sentiment I want when the time comes to use this card.

Inside:

A similar photo that was printed in a small size adorns the inside of this card made with more scrap and black mats.

 

Card #2:

This card is the one that appears on the top of this post.  It, again, was made using a leftover photo from my tiger layout.  As you can see, it also has some scraps on the side.  Again, I removed the sentiment so I can build up a set of cards with space for whatever sentiment I choose.

Card #3:

 

Another card with sentiment removed after photo - this time I double-matted the sentiment adding a yellow scalloped mat to the black.  As you can see, I used a bunch of narrow stripes of several patterns on black card stock to create the background  for this card.  The focal was matted with pierced rectangles set of dies from Fun Stampers Journey.  The focal itself is part of a page from Hunkydory's Little Book of Animal Planet.

Card #4:

 

This time I left the sentiment strips off, figuring I'd add them later when I knew what this card would be used for.  The focal is again from the Little Book of Animal Planet.  This card is actually an unexpected tri-fold since I put what became the inside panel upside down for the card I was making.  I decided to "fix" it by gluing that card inside another to form a tri-panel - which meant I needed a new card front (what you see above).  

 

Inside Panel:

The picture here and on the very inside below were both cut from a calendar.

 

Card #5:

 

As I continued using up these paper scraps, I had to work harder and harder to figure out focals for them.  This card uses leftovers from a Crafter's Companion card kit to create the focal.  The sentiment was printed from a Debbi Moore freebie, and added with foam tape. 

Card #6:

 

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel for a focal for this one.  I found these floral pieces in my stash - experiments with Color Burst powders.  Not great examples, but I figured it was fine for a "no occasion" card.  The sentiment was made using a Dazzles greeting mounted to white card stock, then matted on black.

 

Card #7:

 

This is another "not so great" focal.  It was from a Hunkydory paper insert collection - faded image because it's designed to go inside a card.  As you can see, I used it on the outside.  Then I found misc in my stash to complete the card - scraps and a stamped sentiment for a border at the bottom, and a couple of flowers from my stash - had blue spots on the yellow flower, but I took a Sharpie to it.  I've had those flowers for years, so it's good to see them getting used!

 

Card #8:

 

I went back to that same little book to create another leopard card.  the sentiment is a fun one, but may not be what is sent out on the card when the time comes.  Almost done with these scraps!  One more card!

 

Card #9:

 

I really like this card!  I like the way the scraps came together, and I like the focal image - another from the Little Book of Perfect Planet.  I thought the sentiment was perfect with this card, so it's stuck on for good this time.

Bonus Card #10:

This card doesn't actually use any of the scraps, but was another calendar image I had out on my desk that I decided to go ahead and use up.

 

Inside:

Inside is another image from the calendar.

 

So, that makes TEN cards - so glad to be able to clear these scraps and pics.  No adding to the scrap pile today!

2024 National Scrapbooking Day (Month?)

Today's post showcases scrapbook pages made in response to the NSD challenges on the message board I frequent. 

There were 7 challenges for making scrapbook pages.  Several called for use of sketches from the pagemaps website. Here is what I made for the seven challenges.

Challenge #1: Favorite Crafty Snack Food 

I chose "Taco" from the list of options.  Of course, choices were made BEFORE we knew what they stood for!  It turned out that Tacos meant we were to use: cream card stock, half circles, and fibers or fringe of some sort. As you can see, I included all required elements on this page about the train to New Delhi.  I really like the paper and gold fringe that I used since they speak to the flavor of India.  I DO wish I had raised the fringe a bit higher on the page, but I was trying to use it to create a bunch more "half circles" - and then it was too late.

Challenge #2: the first of three sketch challenges

Here's the sketch - from pagemaps:

And here's my page:

As you can see, I stuck pretty close to the sketch - mostly just changed the shape of the title, though the lower blue border is a bit more elaborate than in the original sketch.  And I double-matted the focal with more narrow mats.

Challenge #3: Before/After or Then/Now

It took me awhile to come up with a project to illustrate a before and after, but I REALLY liked the result!  I decided to focus on using up some white scraps - the before would be those scraps, and the after would be the projects I created.  I had so much fun creating the projects, and they turned out great!!!  And I really like the way the scrapbook pages turned out, too.

First page:

I chose to make my "before" page pretty colorless.  Even the butterfly embellishments are simply black and white - highlighting the plain white card stock that I started with.  

2nd Page:

As you can see, the next page is VERY colorful with all the projects I made starting with plain WHITE scraps!  Colored butterfly embellishments reinforce the colorful theme of this page.

Challenge #4: This or That

Once again I had to pick before knowing what I was choosing.  I chose "Spring".  It turned out that simply meant I needed to have flowers on my layout.  You can see the dual page at the top of this post.  This is a close up of the first page - complete with die cut frog and bees (Elizabeth Craft dies - the bees came with her Honey Bear).  

Second Page:

As you can see, this page simply adds a collage of more waterlily pics - and a couple more of those die cut bees.

Challenge #5: another sketch challenge

Here is the sketch - again from pagemaps

And my resulting page:

As you can see, I modified this sketch a bit, but not too much.  I started with 2 pictures instead of three and matted them on a larger mat than shown.  The title was from a fussy cut picture of a "welcome" stone.  I chose to stencil a bit of the background because my plain card stock seemed a bit TOO plain.  Two of the embellishments are a cluster of flowers similar to what was shown - except that I moved them around a little.  The third was replaced with the hot air balloon.  I was SO glad to be able to use that hot air balloon embellishment on this page.  I had bought it thinking to use it on the next page in the album and there hadn't been room for it! 

Challenge #6 - another sketch

As you can see, this one is again from page maps.  Here's my resulting page:

I REALLY struggled with this page, and it's not my favorite.  I didn't think it would be a big deal to replace the two photos with one, but I needed it to be a bit larger than the two together and it threw the proportions off.  I liked the multicolored paper I used for the large banner - and various other places around the page - but had a TERRIBLE time finding other papers/card stock that I liked for the rest of the elements.  I used small pictures in place of the flower embellishments, and I don't think that was as effective as I'd hoped.  I really wasn't that happy with the page when I was done.  I wish the background had been lightly stenciled or something.  I ended up finding a border strip of road signs in my stash that I cut and placed along the right side of the page.  I think that helped, but I didn't take an updated picture.

Challenge #7: Pick an ANIMAL

Once again I didn't know what I was picking ahead of time.  I chose the leopard.  It turns out that meant I needed to include the following on my page: 

• Main Colors: Yellow/Gold, Black
• Paper/Card stock: 4 or more patterned papers, 1 or more card stock
  
• General theme of photos & layout: nighttime, speed, stealth, cat - from that list I chose "cat" - specifically tigers!  The page also deals some with stealth.
  
• Embellishments: Polka Dots (can be part of the patterned paper)
• # of Photos: 1 or more
  

It was quite a challenge.  It took me a long time to figure out what pictures to use for this layout - decided to do a dual page layout.  

Then I had to find the patterned papers I needed.  I finally took black and white papers and inked them with distress oxide inks to get the colors I needed!  

Here are the finished pages.  I started with only papers, card stock, and printed materials (photos, journaling, title).  In the end, I decided I wanted to add some arrow brads that I had in my stash.  I decided that after taking the first photos, however, and didn't want to go to all the work to re-photograph the dual page, so just re-took the photo of page one.

Dual Page:

First Page:

2nd Page:

Re-done first page:

Another KCC 14

For Mother's Day I got a set of 6x6 papers that weren't really my style.  I decided to start using them up by choosing the 6 I liked least and chopping them up as per KCC#14 (see Kendra's Card Challenge).  The result is once again proof that there are no ugly papers - even if they seem so at first!  In fact, there are three cards in this set where I deviated quite a bit from the sketch because I didn't want to cover up portions of the printed paper!!!

I forgot to take a picture of the "before" set of papers, but here's a picture of the the entire set of 15 cards completed using those six 6x6 papers (and stuff from my stash):

For most of these cards, I matted the pieces with black paper.  Where I did something else, I'll call it out as we look at each individually.  Most of them also utilize greetings from Sassy's LLC - and I'll also note where this is not the case.

Card #1:

Here the papers are matted as normal, but I inked the edges of the sentiment before double matting it - first with a dark cream before the standard black.  The flowers were from my stash - with scrap Dazzle sticker centers. The leaves were die cut using dies from two different Card Making Magic sets (A2 Card & Box Set and Ultimate Number Overlay).

Card #2:

I REALLY struggled with this sketch.  I turned the sketch upside down because I felt it would be too top heavy with these papers if I didn't.  I embossed and the card front using D'vine Swirl embossing folder from Cuttlebug, figuring that would help add interest to the background - but it probably added to the difficulty as it seemed to clash with many focals that I tried to add.  I finally found this dragonfly in my stash of Dazzles from HOTP.  I matted the body /wings with peach colored card stock from my stash to help it stand out better.  Then I double matted my greeting, using the same peach.

Card #3:

Next up is probably one of my favorite sketches from this set.  As you can see, I colored the flower on the sentiment piece with peach and then die cut a peach mat for it (Nellie's Multi-Frame Flower).  I added Jewel Dazzles in the upper left corner and in the center of the flower, and finished it off with a little ribbon bow.

Card #4:

This is another sketch that I particularly like.  This time I used silver line dazzles to create a bit of separation between each paper - and then matted the greeting with a mat that was die cut from silver metallic tag board.  Once again the die was from Nellie's Multi-Frame Flower.

Card #5:

This is probably my least favorite of this bunch of cards, but it's okay.  I found the tag in my stash & stamped the sentiment using a stamp from HOTP's Birthday Greetings stamp set.  The flowers were in my stash.  I inked the edges of them.  Finally, I added silver Line Dazzles on either side of the patterned paper strip and silver Jewel Dazzles at the center of the "flower" and the corners around the sentiment.

Card #6:

This card came together so beautifully.  The sketch called for additional strips from my stash.  I chose to use peach card stock, emboss it with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder, and then lightly ink the raised portions.  I also used the peach for a mat (Nellie's Multi-Frame Flower again) behind the sentiment (with inked edges) before matting it on black.  Then I went looking through my stash and discovered this peach colored butterfly with gold dots (from the dollar store) and a couple of companion butterflies in the same colors.  They really set the card off beautifully.

Card #7:

This card is VERY different from the sketch, because the sketch called for a large square to cover the background - and I wanted the background image to show!  So, I took the strips that were intended to frame the square top and bottom and combined them as a mat for my strip sentiment.  I added another circle sentiment to the upper left corner and used the other two cut pieces there.

Card #8:

For this card, I found a label in my stash with colors that went beautifully.  After fussy cutting it, I matted it on a rectangle of black and then added my sentiment (inked it lightly so color would blend).  After adding the little angled strips that were part of this sketch, I went searching through my stash for something to add.  I found these pieces of a punched border (EK punch called Medallion Chain), and matted them with white card stock.

Card #9:

I often find sketches with a big blank square a bit intimidating (and KCC usually has at least one of these in a set).  In this case, I found a couple butterfly stickers in my stash and a printed sentiment from one of Debbi Moore's sets which helped pull the whole thing together.

Card #10:

I knew I wanted an embossed background for this, but it was amazing how challenging it was to find an embossing folder that would align okay with the pieces of patterned paper!  I ended up using this folder from a Gears Wheels Cogs Kit - Love Cardmaking Issue 5.  The folder is called Embossed Metal.  After adding my squares & sentiment, I went looking for die cuts in my stash - I found the heart & tore it to simulate a broken heart, and then found a little plant sprig to simulate hope.

Card #11:

Here I used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder on the card front & inked it lightly.  I added my patterned papers and strip of black, using a Thin Line Dazzle to separate the two patterns.  From there, I again deviated from the sketch because I didn't want to cover the flower with circles.  I just added two as you see here, and finished with a cream colored ribbon bow.

Card #12:

For a third time, I deviated from the sketch which called for a large circle in the center.  Since I didn't want to cover the flower, I left the circle off and found another place to put the remaining pieces - one of which turned into a mat for my sentiment.  I added a couple of flowers from my stash (inked the one to blend with the background colors) and finished it with a Jewel Dazzle center.

Card #13:

Here I chose a gray embossed "hand made" paper for the background - from a set I bought years ago at Costco.  This time I matted the pieces with a dark brown glimmer paper.  After placing the elements as per the sketch, I added a few flowers from my stash, adding Jewel Dazzle centers.

Card #14:

This time, I used a die cut panda as my focal (Elizabeth Crafts Panda die) and another fussy cut Debbi Moore sentiment.

Card #15:

My final card is very simple.  This time I again used the dark brown glimmer paper - for both the wide strip and the 3 decorative dots.  As you can see, I chose to simply ink the edges of my pieces rather than matting them.

Time for Tea?

I've had a Hunkydory Whopper Topper sheet from their Birds of the World collection sitting out for some time - finally got around to doing something with it.  It's pretty simple - embossed the background (Swiss Dots EF from Cuttlebug), inked it, added topper & sentiment.  I then attempted to trim the top corners to mimic the curves of the focal - didn't turn out as well as I had hoped.   It just looked weird because the entire top didn't mimic it.  Oh well . You win some you lose some.  It's still really pretty imagery even if that trimming was  a little weird.