Monday 22 June 2009

HAPPY CUPCAKE DAY - THE NEXT LEVEL - CHALLENGE 4


The Challenge this week on my magazine blog, The Next Level, is to create either a Stair Step Fold card or a Pop up Freestanding Card. I chose the Stair Step Fold card to showcase because I just so loved this new set of h'Anglar stamps, I thought this would be the perfect way to use them.

For details on the dimensions for the Stair Step Fold pop over to The Next Level tutorial section where I have put the basic information on how to create this shape and style of card. What I will do here on my own blog is just to add a little more 'meat on the bones' on the individual make up of this card.

First of all I started with a choice of just 2 papers that I wanted to use as my card base, two very simple digital checks, but with colouring that would follow through to the images to complete the overall look. I cut out the cardstock base and the top layer and then did a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine to seal them both together (following the amazing Tutorial that True did in Issue 2 - which really helped me get my stitching right!!!). I then scored the card following the sizes on the tutorial and this made up my base.

I wanted to have my images all standing proud of the folds on the card, so at this stage I needed to make sure that the backs would look good. With Copic pens, which is what I used to colour the images, you usually get a bleed through to the back of the paper. I thought this would not look good when the card was flipped over, so I stamped the images on my check paper, scanned them and loaded them into my imaging programme, then flipped them horizontally. This meant I had a stamped reverse image that I could cut around and they would paste on the back of my coloured images and be a perfect fit. Now I know this sounds complicated, and a much simpler method is just to stamp your images on the back of your patterned paper, and when you cut round them you will have the same effect, but without the stamped finish, but the correct shape in your patterned paper to mask the rear. I did this method on a couple of the images and finished the rear effect off by adding some faux ink pen stitches. It does take a little time and effort to do this, but I am sure you will agree that when viewing the card from the rear if does give a much more finished effect. I also added a little cupcake to pretty the rear up a little.


To close the card fully so that it would fit nicely into the box envelope, I folded a ribbon right round the card and put two pins where the ribbon met, and stitched this on the sewing machine. I added a little bow to the front, and this now slides on and off completely.



I also made a box envelope that is three-quarters of an inch deep which takes the full thickness of the card with a little room and completes the gift card.

I hope you have enough detail here to help you make one of these cards if the fancy takes you. If you have the time and you stop by, please leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Ann xxx

26 comments:

Georgina said...

This is an absolutely stunning card! WOW! I have to try it out myself!

MarkerGeek said...

Utterly gorgeous! And it is beautifully finished. I absolutely love it!

Dawny P said...

Oh Ann, as alwaysI am in total awe of your talent!!! This is stunning - just beautiful. Hope all is well xxxx

Kreativmonster said...

I always thought my english was quite sufficient to write comments on blogs, but I can not find adequat words for this crad. I am absolutely no fan of images without a face, but your card is so perfect - I can't say how!

Anonymous said...

Ann, this card is so adorable! I love the colors and especially how you finished the back,everything is just perfect....Abby:)

Michelle said...

Such a cute and adorable card
Huggles
Michelle
xxx

Stressed Stamper said...

OMG that is totally stunning really stunning - love it

Sarah

Daisy Chain said...

Fabulous Card Ann. I love your attention to detail. Those images are so cute too. It's perfect.

Hugs Debbie xx

Sharon Caudle said...

Oh my gosh, this is fabulous! Wow, wow, wow!!!!!!! What more could I possibly say.

Victoria said...

This is just stunning madge!! These H&S images are just adorable and i love the blue with the gingham, very country kitchen!!
Hugs, Vicky -x-

Tammi said...

This set is adorable, CUTE card you've made with them! xx

Anonymous said...

OMG!! This is just darling!! I love it!! ;) TFS!

Murielle said...

Hi Ann,
I love your adorable card!!!! the scene is so pretty.
Wonderful colours used and lovely details.
Thank you very much for guest designer of week.
I adored work this challenge.
Have a nice week.
Big hugs, Mumur

Claire said...

Gorgeous card!! Love it. Will try and have a go at one but it won't look as good as this!!! Claire xx

Zoe Tant said...

Such a cute little kitchen! Great take on the challenge, I love it! Zoƫ

Tab said...

Oh love your card hun, such cute images and I love the colours and papers you have used, totally delish!
Hugs Tab xxx

Di said...

Oh my! this is just fabulous with a capital F, just love it!

Hugs Di xx

Sue said...

Oh Wow Ann, I am in total awe, I have just found your blog,(don't think I have been living under a rock)?? talk about the next level, your cards are way up there!! what a beautiful inspiration you are!! Happy Crafting to you Sue xx

gerdsf said...

Wow!!! What a gorgeous card. I just love the stamped images and the colors. I think I might try it out myself :D

Jackie said...

Love the card and your blog..Left you an award on mine:)

BA said...

hi Ann
this is so cute
xoxox BA

Xonetra said...

i love all of your cards.....soooo very beautiful ! lots of details and colors and very girl(i love girly) LOL. tell how do you make the little box envelops ? this is a wonderful idea too !

Unknown said...

What a darling card Ann! You really spent some time on it! Love all of the details front and back. You have colored the image to match the DP perfectly!
Cudoa and hugs!

Diane said...

Absolutely gorgeous Ann, this is a little work of art!! Well worth the time spent to tidy up the back of the card - it looks so much more classy
Superb colouring too!!

Frazzled Crafts said...

Great card Ann, lots of work in it but do love the papers,colours - well just everything about it! Liz x

Anonymous said...

OH ANN! This has to be one of the most fabulous cards I have ever seen! I wish we got these stamps here in the us. I love the use of the stove in the background. It's the cutest card ever! You did such an amazing job coloring your little children and all of the rest of the images. Every little detail adds a special touch. I love this Ann. You did a beautiful job on this card!
!Pam
http://stampsinc.blogspot.com/