Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Couple new House Mouse Cards and Wow . . . look what I got!

I have made a couple more House Mouse cards in the last 2 weeks for swaps that I will share with you, but I will save the best for last. :)







This first card was for a technique challenge. I agreed to try faux denim (but in this case, I will call it faux jeans, because I don't want to step on anyone's toes). There is a GREAT tutorial at Technique Junkies for this, or so I have heard that really looks like denim, but I thought I would try my hand at it too. I actually loved the denim look, but I was unable to find the technique because I haven't splurged for the TJ newsletters YET. I am really thinking about it though, because I have seen so many terrific examples of her techniques out there that I would love to try. Anyway, I used an adapted version of GinaK's faux wood technique with blue and white inks to try and come up with a faux jeans look.



So first, I took the Bliss Blue (or now Bashful Blue) and direct-to-paper dabbed it around on the white cs. Then I did the same with the Ballet Blue, which I also used to make streaks. This was done with the corner of the ink pad. Once you make sure your blue is dried well, you can then press the white pigment ink around in different spots to lighten it up a bit and make streaks with that as well. I still felt like this did not have the fabric "jeans" look to it, so I used the ballet blue again with my canvas bg stamp and stamped that overtop of all the different colors/streaks. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of that stamp. Overall, I think it looks pretty close to denim jeans, but with more experimentation you may get something that looks closer. (otherwise go with the pro and check out Technique Junkies) :)




My second card is just a simple tent topper that I created for our HM SOTM(stamp of the month) swap. It was colored with prisma colors, trimmed to size, added to a layer of cs that was trimmed with Fiskar scissors for a bit of a scalloped edge, and then stickles and brads were added. The base layer is textured barely banana with a word window punch cut out for the sentiment "Celebrate" from the Flourishes word set.




One picture shows the sparkle better, and the other shows the word in the window punch better. I sure hope the ladies in the group like them. They are so stinkin' cute and fun to color. :)

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Now for my good news! I got the most terrific package yesterday from Donna at Down the Paper Trail with Nettie. If you haven't seen her blog, you must go check it out. The link is in my side bar on the right. She has reached 5000 hits already, and she had some terrific blog candy, which is now mine!!! :D Can you believe it?! I rarely win stuff, so this has me so excited! I took a picture of my treasures . . .



but my absolute favorite part is the Address Book she created. We keep a telephone book of friends, family, and frequently called stores or restaurants near our phone (in a drawer hidden from view), but BELIEVE ME this will not be in the drawer!! It will be out for everyone to see the marvelous creation Nettie made for me. I told her my kitchen had apples and was red and green with a gingham blue and white country type border with apples, etc, and she came up with this totally CUTE book for me. Don't ya just love it?! I sure do, and she handmade it!! Doesn't get much better than that! Thanks, again, Nettie! {{hugs}}



14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kelly! Great tutorial on the Faux Denim - looks super easy! And love the House Mouse May card - can't wait to see it IRL!

Unknown said...

THANKS FOR THE TUTORIAL KEL FOR THE FAUX DENIM,WOW IT LOOKS AWESOME! HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH ALL THOSE FAB GOODIES!

Nettie said...

Kelly, thanks so much for the neat tutorial, will have to give it a shot. Have fun with your goodies.

Nettie

Chris (catt871) said...

Wheee, how fun! Look at all that stuff!!!! Do you have the HM stamp? That is the one I was trying to sell but after seeing your card, I'm not sure I want to anymore...LOL!! GREAT card Kel!!!

Lee said...

Adorable, adorable Mousie cards!!! I'm still working on my May swaps!! And congrats on the amazing goodies!! I can't wait to see all the fun creations from you!!!

Marcia @ Pretty Things said...

Oh you lucky thing! Looks like lots of fun there.

Thanks for the tutorial, will add it to the pile.

Andrew Clarke said...

I can see why this creative outlook attracts the sort of interest it does. I've got no visual art skills myself, but I love attractive visual images. It's easy to spend hours looking over these pictures. Sometimes you wish you could step into them and they become a real world.

Heather said...

Thanks for the faux denim tutorial- I'm going to have to try it!

Anonymous said...

You got some fun stuff! Love your House Mouse cards too! Just too cute!

Sparks

Unknown said...

Just adorable. I really love this card. Great job :)

I have a new graphic for the upcoming launch if you would like to post it that would be great. :)

Jessica Lynn

Jane said...

Great job on the faux denim. I love the card you made with the Hoppers. And that little book you got in the mail is adorable!

Jane
SBS4

KellyS said...

Great tutorial Kelly! And congrats on the blog candy! Have fun with all of those new toys!

AmethystCat said...

I think your denim look is awesome and both of your cards are super cute. congrats on your blog candy win. the address book is adorable!

Donelda said...

Oh my!! What increadible cards!! that denim is awesome!! and the goodies you have..wow!! I love it!! And that address book...wow...lucky you!!!