Friday, June 20, 2008

Quick cards aren't my forte

First of all, thanks to all who joined in with the dare I set on The Daring Cardmakers blog las week. The cards were all wonderful and full of interesting and inspirational details - which is, after all, what all these challenges are about. This week the DCM have been challenged to make cards quickly. It was Tracie's idea for a dare and it was a really tough one for me. I faff and dither and change my mind about papers/embellishment/layout all the time - which is probably why I have that stack of half-made cards I spoke about on my blog a few months back! At the third attempt I managed to rein myself in and step away from the desk, finally resisting the urge just to add an extra ribbon/brad/button. I thought I'd done really well to make my card in 30 minutes till I heard how quickly some of the others had made their cards.
In my defence, I didn't get everything out first and I didn't plan exactly what I was going to do - all I had in my head was that a chipboard birdie and a circle would be involved. So within my half hour I chose the papers, covered the bird, cut all the bits and pieces and printed the message as well as working out where it was all going to go - I think that's pretty good actually. So there!
The paper is all from Crate's "Sweet Branch" collection. I cut the scalloped circle with the Robo. The branch is from the punch out sheet that comes in the collection pack, as are the rub-ons.
I mucked up the left hand corner when a bit of rub-on that I didn't want decided to attach itself to the card - so I had to add some flowers to cover it....and then I had to balance that by adding a bit of stuff in the top right as well.

Bummer - it would have all been done in 20 mins if I'd not spotted those rub-ons lurking in the bag.
Chipboard bird is from Bubbly Funk
Please pop over to the DCM blog to see the super-speedy cards the other girls have come up with, they are all fab and I'm sure they'll give loads of inspiration for when you need a card in a hurry!
The card below was my first effort. I did actually make it in under 30 minutes but I discounted it because I faffed about with the ribbon trying to work out how to do it, and then the knotted piece took forever to "persuade" through the loop in the button, because I'd pulled the lower ribbon through the holes of the button too tightly to allow me to prod the short piece through. If I'd used this as a dry run and made another to the sam design it would probably have only taken 15 minutes, but that seemed like cheating!
Papers are MM Noteworthy. Flowers are more of my new Primas from Creative Treasures- wow, what a colour match! The flower centre is a cuttlebug die cut from gorgeous spotty velvet paper that came in an old Bubbly Funk kit and is only used in tiny bits like this because its sooooo gorgeous! Ribbon is from Ribbon Oasis - I've got this ribbon in several colour combos and I think it's the most used design, somehow one of the colourways always manages to fit in with my projects - and the design is on both sides so none of that irritation trying to tie it so only the pretty side shows! Jewels, button and shiny eyelet all from stash There's another not-quite-quick-enough card, but I'll save that for another day Thanks for looking
Don't forget to check the post below to see if I tagged you.....

22 comments:

Canne said...

both cards are lovely - but I just love the bird one - so into birds on cards right now!

Kaz said...

I love both cards Kathy. I've got the same ribbon in lots of colours too. If you cut the edge of the ribbon at a very low angle, you have more of it to grab hold of and may find it easier to poke through.

I'll be doing my tag in a mo xxx

Hazel said...

It would have taken me longer to make that fab birdie card - they are both great. Love the colours on the second one.

Crafting Queen said...

Great cards, I really like the colours in the second one. The first card is just wonderful.

Karen said...

I love the birdy card and the other one is fabby too Kathy. This is a hard dare as I faff about too. X

Lythan said...

Cor these are just fab Kathy!
You are just so good at all the little details that make your cards so perfect

Nick said...

Gorgeous cards Kathie-both look like they'd have taken alot longer-well they would if I did them!
for threading the ribbon through buttons you need one of these- http://www.kwik-thread.com/
couldn't be without mine!

tracy said...

both lovely cards kathy :)

Renny Berryboar said...

Sweet bird :)
Nice blog.

Jozza said...

I think both your quick cards are gorgeous! I do particularly like the birdy one though :o)

judy anderson said...

oh my gosh i just found you and I definitely will be back!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely card Kathy - love the bird....x

Judy said...

Gorgeous quick cards, Kathy! I have a Hybrid white gel pen but I have to keep going over the pen lines for the white to really show up - unless I've got a dud one!!!
JudyNZ

Keryn Campbell said...

Gorgeous cards Kathy. The dare one looks like it should have taken far longer than 30 minutes with all the detail it's got on it. Well done.

Kath Stewart said...

Great card - love the papers and that birdie is so cute

Gina said...

Gorgeous cards,love the colours and scalloped edges on the second on and the bird card is gorgeous! :)

Em said...

You are like me Kathy, I can't do quick cards either. I spend far too long changing my minds about everything lol!

Lovely cards, well done for making yourself do time in a time limit!

Lavender Rose said...

Gorgeous cards Kathy, the birdy one is fabulous. I just love birds (in the garden and on cards LOL!).....you have used great colours on these.

Anne said...

Both gorgeous cards, and exactly what I would like to be able to do in 30 minutes, but will never manage :)

Jackie said...

Love the cards. My favourite is the second one, the colours are just gorgeous :)

CraftyC said...

Both great cards Kathy, I do like the bottom one, looks really effective!!
Clairexx

Anonymous said...

kathy these are just superb!! :)

Vanessa.