Friday, November 06, 2009

Krafty Cardmaking

Do you ever have a period when getting to sleep at night isn't a problem, but staying asleep is? All week I've been waking way too early, I reckon I must have lost out on at least a couple of hours sleep every day this week - and believe me, that's not a good thing. I need my sleep! So if I'm grouchy - that's why, ok? lol

It's Jo setting the challenge on the Daring Cardmakers this week and this has been a tricky one for me. Ahhhhh, maybe that's what was waking me up - stressing over what to do.
Nope, I can't blame Jo, because I was awake before any hint of daytime this morning too and yesterday I made two cards for the dare.
I thought that it would be fun to use a product that seems to be 'Bang on Trend' so this week my dare is....

Using Kraft cardstock :) Either as a card base or somewhere on the card - if you don't have any you could use some card board such as corrugated or even a brown kraft envelope...
You know, I'm not convinced by this whole "Kraft" thing (why do they spell it that way, does anyone know? It bugs me in the same way as using a 'z' instead of an 's' at the end of a word, makes me grind my teeth it doez!) - I love the things other people make with the stuff, but when I try to use it myself it just looks dreary and dull. I made a card for my uncle's birthday in September and it was sooooo dreary I was embarrassed to send it - but obviously I'd left it too late to make something else, you know how it is!
So anyway, this is the card I finally came up with yesterday morning
I thought I'd try to brighten the "Kraft Kuts" paper (Fancy Pants) up a bit with some white doodling - but I think I overdid it rather. lol lol
I don't know why the sight of a paper or chipboard owl makes me absolutely have to use a pun, but it happens - you can see one of my favourites HERE - I've not been able to send this one and it makes me chuckle every time I come across it - it's sooooo sad laughing at your own jokes though, isn't it?
Little owls cut from one of the paper designs holding flowers from another on spirals of pink wire. A line from the Beatles song with a couple of extra owls as the beribboned backing vocals, some small Prima flowers and a few blobs of glitter.
Inside, another of the papers for the background, then an offcut turned the other way over with the MS Hearts border bunch used on the long edges/
It looked ok in my head, and not too bad in the real, but on the photos it looks a right dog's dinner.
After lunch I took more photos using different backgrounds - the dark blue was the best of the bunch but by then I'd gone right off the card!

So I started over and made this one

Took about half the time of the first and I'm much happier, the colours are stronger and I think that looks much better against the Kraft background
Background paper is from Bo Bunny's Kitchen Spice range, inked up and distressed with the Tim Holtz distresser tool. As it's Jo's dare I "made a nod" in her direction with the corrugated card from a cardboard box and the big button.

My current favourite design of lace, the vibrant red apple charm and the sweet filigree "cup" that the little orange rose sits in are all from the lovely Tracy at Creative Treasures - you can find all sorts of interesting and unusual things for you projects over there - definitely worth taking a look.

I hand-cut scalloped edges on a strip of black Bazzill to go behind the lace and card - it helps pull it all together. Small brads in Autumn shades for the centres of the lace flowers
The large flowers are a mix of Bo Bunny and Primas and there's some heavy patterned twill ribbon and a scrap of raffia in there too.

We'd love it if you'd join in with this week's dare - there are some wonderfully inspiring ways to use the Kraft papers and cardstock on the DCM BLOG this week, so please check it out.
We waved a fond farewell to our lovely October Guest Designer, Janice (thanks for working so hard this last month, Janice, it's been great) during this week and today we welcome Vicky (aka Dolly) who's not only going to be our November Girl, but our December Girl too - you'll find her first card, and the link for her fabulous blog on the DCM blog too.
That's it for today.

I'm determined to have a good blog-hopping session this weekend - I do miss it when I can't get around to see what my crafty blog-mates are up to, but this week has been busy - and in the evenings I've been taking my lenses out early because by then I'm too tired to cope with them!

Thanks for visiting and for your lovely comments - they really are appreciated

26 comments:

Gez Butterworth said...

awe, what a merry band of owls...sure to cheer up everyone. I love your doodling Kathy...spot on.xx

Have a great weekend. Love Gez.xx

Karen said...

Oh I love the owl card Kathy!!! I love the other one too...the colours are stunning. I wouldn't like to choose between the two of them. Sorry you are sleep deprived, hope you sort it XXX

Annie said...

Grouchy or not your cards are always beautiful. Try a lavender bag hanging on the bed...it's worked for me :-) A x

Angelnorth said...

I'm with you - love the second one! I haven't bought in to the whole owls thing really, I guess! Love the look you achieved with the texture on the second.

Oh, and since you asked: kraftprocess (it's not a wilful misuse of a "K" after all)

Hazel said...

Owl I can say is that they are both fab-u-lous cards! x

tracy said...

love the cardz (LOL) kathy,although i think the 2nd one iz more you :)
az for not getting enough sleep,i do that all the time,i like to have a nap in the afternoon-but only on the days i'm not working :)

Anonymous said...

I love the owl card, its so cheery and just wonderfully created.The other card is wonderful too but I just love that first one that little bit more lol

Minxy said...

WOW i absolutly adore both of these card, so fun fresh and unique xx
hugs minxy

Lynda said...

Hi Kathy - I'm so glad you posted both cards 'cos they are both fabulous. The owls and doodling are such fun on the 1st one and the flowers are just amazing on the 2nd one. Quite a contrast... you are too good!

Love Lynda xxx

Caroline said...

Love both cards Kathy - different styles and both really gorgeous...x

Unknown said...

Both are lovely cards ... but the owl one is definitely my favourite ... as for laughing at your own jokes ... I do it all the time :0)

See yaz *LOL*

Lythan said...

I love 'em both Kathy - you are just too hard on yourself! I'm glad you made the second though as it is rather gorgeous

Rika said...

Fabulous cards Kathy!

Jo said...

I really love the owl card (and the second one too!!) The little owls are so cute and the doodling looks brill. Liking the corrugated cardboard - the flowers really stand out against your background :)

jo x

PS I laugh at my own jokes too lol

CraftyC said...

These are both stunning cards Kathy, love the top one so much!
Clairexx

Janice said...

Oh I love the corrugated board card Kathy. Definitely 'Kathy' style. I feel a bit odd not doing my card before the challenge, but not having the pressure is nice too!

Kaz said...

Well I happen to like both cards. I love the white doodling on the first one, but I know how sometimes you just don't feel right about a card. The second one is more you and that lace is lovely. xxx

Keryn Campbell said...

Both your cards are gorgeous Kathy. I really like the white doodling. Must be lack of sleep making you be hard on yourself.

lisa said...

Both your cards look great to me Kathy but I love the flowers on the second one.
This whole Kraft thingy is a new one on me but I prefer colour and lots of it to natural so that's probably why.
I could be converted though looking at these.
Have a great weekend.

Lisax

Carol Plume said...

Kathy what fab cards - must say my fav is the second one - really love those strong colours and those flowers are just gorgeous xx

Vicky said...

Glad you posted both cards Kathy. I love the way you've combined fabric and paper flowers on the second one it's brill. Thanks for the GD spot, hope I don't let you all down. :)xx

Mel X said...

Hiya, great doodling on the cute owl card Kathy. LOVE the flowers and your use of wire - what a fantastic idea. Love all the fab colours/textures and flowers on the other card! You are SO creative!

Mel X

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

2 lovely cards Kathy. And it's ok to laugh at your own jokes as far as I'm concerned ;) I like things like that on cards (another one I like is using fish and saying 'Best Fishes' on your Birthday LOL)
Anne xx

Traceyr said...

I do love the little owls on the first card Kathy but I also love the second card. oooo which to choose. hahaha

:)

Esther said...

I particularly LOVE the second card- the colours are so warming and inviting! And works well with the Kraft contrast. Fabby detail, love attention to detail, adds that extra something!

Delilah said...

OMG I LOVE your Owl card! So cute!!