Something New

Good Morning!
How's your snow today?  We have a little, but so far we're escaping the worst of the weather that's hitting the UK just now.  It feels a bit weird actually when the News is full of tales of high winds, flooding, homes being evacuated, and heavy snowfall all around us. I just hope I'm not speaking too soon!  
Anyway, I hope you are all keeping safe and warm wherever you are.

It was my turn to come up with the challenge for The Daring Cardmakers this week and  I thought that trying out something new would be a good one for the start of a New Year.
I think most of us will have a little list of things we've seen and would like to try out for ourselves.  Or maybe an idea of our own we'd like to try out to see if it works.  Its easy to get into a bit of a rut and stick to the things we love and know will work - a step out of the comfort zone from time to time is refreshing..... right?

"New"

It's the start of a new year, so I'd like you to try something new to you this week. It could be a technique, a card fold, or something else that you've never done before. 

A little challenge to yourself maybe to step out of your comfort zone.....

Don't forget to check our individual blogs to find out what's "New" about our cards

Just before Christmas, when of course, there's no time to experiment with new stuff I saved a tutorial for making a "Twist and Pop" card, so having suggested the "New" theme, I had no excuse for not giving it a whirl.
It turned out that the actual card, and the mechanics of making it are dead easy.  The bit I really struggled with was embellishing the thing once it was made!

Outside it looks like this; a regular sort of card with a belly band around it - suggesting maybe it's not quite as ordinary as it looks

As you can see from the next photo, that belly band does keep something under wraps!

Remove it and lift the front of the card, and the  twist and pop magic goes into action, swinging out a four section piece that's a bit like a mini booklet.  I think this would make a wonderful photo-filled surprise to send to a doting Granny.

In the end I just filled the mini 'pages' with die cut flowers and butterflies.  The basic card took about half an hour, decorating it took almost all day because I was so indecisive!

To make this card I followed the instructional video HERE

In the end I used some rather old, but still favourite papers on this project.  They are  MME "Howdy Doody" set from the Miss Caroline range.  I used a mix of 12x12 and 6x6 here, and I now need to have a hunt around to see if I can replenish my supply as I'm running out - I've already used 2 of the 6x6 pads1  

So old favourites meet a new technique with this card

The rose for the belly band was made using one of my lovely new EK Success punches.  I LOVE EK Success punches, they are the best I've ever used and make such a wonderful crisp "clunk" when they bite that shape out!

Right, that's me done for today, I hope you'll join in with us this week and try out that new idea or technique you've been meaning to have a go at!  Check out all the fab cards the team have made and follow the links to find out more about each HERE
Thank you for visiting today