30 July, 2021

I for insects

Could it be that we already have a new task over at the Alphabet challenge? We'd like to see insects on your projects this fortnight, so get creative with anything that crawls or flies! 
For my DT inspiration, I contemplating between stitching a dragonfly or using a bugaboo digi featuring ladybugs. In the end, I opted for the dragonfly even though I've created a similar card a couple of years ago. To make it a bit different, I picked blue yarns this time: two shades of blue for the insect, and a very light blue for the plant. 
My decision regarding colours wasn't all coincidental, because I had my mind set on this beautiful water-inspired background paper which I absolutely wanted to pair with my stitching. I thought that since water and dragonflies go so well together in nature, I should at least try to recreate this connection on my card, too. Did it turn out as planned? I certainly hope so. 
The shimmering yarns remind me of sunrays on the surface of the water, which matches the vibes of my creation. For a bit more bling, I added a couple of blue and white rhinestones, which give the impression of water droplets. 
And already, I'm leaving you to your own thoughts regarding our challenge theme. We have quite a few dragonflies on our DT creations, but I'll be happy to see any kind of insect and can't wait to see what you'll come up with. I'll even take mosquitos unless you plan to send me a real bloodsucker ;) 

A little contribution to the collection of hand-stitching at made with Blümchen.

challenges: 
- krafty chicks: ATG
- C.R.A.F.T.: summer
- cardz4guyz: shades of blue
- crafters castle: summer/father's day
- creative moments: ATG
- cute card thursday: ATG with optional twist "critters"
- do-all kreatives: summer
- double D challenges: colours of summer
- everybody art: summer
- friendship challenge: squares
- kreativtanten: holiday feeling
- love to craft: ATG 
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16 July, 2021

H for happy

Just a quick note from me to introduce our newest task over at the Alphabet challenge. We've arrived at the letter H today, and would like to see the word "Happy" incorporated in your crafting project. For my DT creation, I decided to make a tiny birthday card which might remind you of the card I've done for our X-tra fold challenge.
In fact, it was a card that I intended to use for the challenge back in February, but I ended up gluing the folded pieces onto the background, which means the folds don't really show. Since I thought a card like this would make a rather confusing DT example, I ended up creating another card back then, while the first make landed in my stash. I put it aside for a while, thinking it would be handy at some point in future, and here it is:
At first, I've created the folded central piece. I used a soft pink paper to create the folds, added a white piece of paper to the center, and enhanced the structure by adding a stronger shade of pink to the corners. For the central motif I used a silver sticker of a birthday card. 
To match the silver and pink theme, I added a background paper that uses this exact colour scheme. The hearts come from a love/wedding collection, but I think they're suitable for a birthday, too. 
The shimmering details in the photos are only visible from an angle, but in reality the card is quite bright and sparkly. 
Since I felt like something was still missing - the project was nice and all, but a bit too flat thanks to the glued layers. Also, the motif didn't really stand out as I expected. In an attempt to correct a card that was already finished, I went through my stash once more. I decided to add a line of white pearls to frame the birthday cake, which I think is what made the card complete. 
With the "happy" theme coming up now, I added a small birthday message. I'm not sure whether I like it or not, however. I fulfilled the DT task and handed in my card without much work (nobody heard that, right?), but on the other hand, it now looks like the motif is squeezed onto the white background. 

challenges: 
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03 July, 2021

Green or gold

Better late than never, here's my DT creation for the current Alphabet challenge. We're looking forward to seeing your projects featuring "green or gold" this fortnight. 
After much consideration, I've opted for gold to create a simple Christmas card. The theme comes handy as we'd like to see your Christmas projects over at the Fadengrafik challenge - you know, the guys who want to see your stitched projects every month. I used a stitching pattern which depicts a simple nativity scene and stitched with brown and gold threads. 
To enhance the main motif, I placed it on a piece od dark brown cardboard. I used a kraft card base to add another shade of brown, and searched my stash for a matching background paper. I was looking for something calm and almost invisible, but not too boring. Meaning: I wanted to have a pattern that wouldn't interfere with the stitching. I've tried different versions of snowflakes, stars, and winter trees, but nothing seemed to work. 
In the end, I discovered this piece of beige paper featuring glossy snowflakes. The snowflakes are rather small but still visible and create an impression of blurred polka dots in the background. 
Unfortunately, it turned out that they show quite poorly in the photos, but in reality the gloss effect is actually very pretty. Upon shifting the card, the snowflakes can be seen a little better, but the shimmer is still much better in reality. I had a bit of issues with the lighting when taking my photos, too, so the card isn't actually as dark and cold as it seems. Rather, it's a warm combination of brown and beige shades - the lower picture comes pretty close to the real thing.
Fun fact: due to the amount of brown shades I used, I had a little moment of scare when uploading my DT work. For whatever reason, I began to think our theme said "green or brown" once my project was done, meaning I freaked out a little when I went to the DT blog and I started to read the challenge theme as "green". I had no green in my card, and there was no way to conceal my mistake by creating a project with green within practically no time! Only a few seconds later it hit me that the theme continues with "or gold" and that I do, in fact, have gold in my card. Phew!
Once the confusion got sorted out, I could finally focus on getting ready for my summer rehabilitation. I might be quite busy during the next few weeks, but I'll check on your creations every now and then - just make sure you get the colours right to avoid issues with your blood pressure ;)

And since I can't get away from brown today... a bit of winter preparations. 

A little contribution to the collection of hand-stitching at made with Blümchen.

challenges: 
- as you like it: favourite way to add stitching (I like to do real stitching on my cards and I'll use it to create a main focal point in my crafting projects. It might be a scenery like this, but I'll also bling up stitched ornaments with pearls & beads to create an eye-catcher. I prefer real stitching over anything else because it's a way of relaxation to me. On the other hand, the process of creating a stitched card takes much longer than any other technique I use, meaning I *might* claim anything not using a needle and a thread isn't stitching at all. This being said, I'll normally give my stitched cards to special people who I know will appreciate the time and effort I put into creating them.)
- C.R.A.F.T.: ATG
- crafters castle: Christmas in July
- crafty calendar: ATG
- crafty catz: ATG
- crafty gals corner: for the boys
- crafty sentiments: ATG
- craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: ATG as long as it's Christmas with optional twist "snowflakes"
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper
- love to craft: ATG 
- 12 months of Christmas: optional theme "Christmas in July"
- through the craftroom door: ATG
- winter wonderland: Christmas music/songs (it's as corny as it can be, but I'll go with "Silent night" here - just a simple nativity scene with no embellishments, no bling, no bright colours. Even the snow falls silently. And honestly: is it even Christmas without that classic?)
- wortartwednesday: ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG
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