Friday, January 6, 2012

Guest Designer at Playing in Paradise!

I was lucky enough to be the winner at Playing in Paradise Challenge #46, using buttons, with these entries.  And guess what? When I was about to start making my card for today's challenge, Tall & Skinny, the postman knocked on the door & there was my prize package: the Happy Day Collection Kit from Memory Works!
Click to go check out the challenge!
I already had a vague idea of what I wanted to make - a tall and skinny card, with vertical elements to emphasize the "tall and skinny." The kit was perfect! Check it out:

Supplies: papers and sticker elements from  Memory Works;
'because I love you' stamp from Studio G;
buttons from Basic Grey

The card base measures 8.5" by 4." The bottom layer of striped paper is Celebrate, the ledger paper printed with months is from Title Strip, and the numbers from Birthday Memories.  The polka dotted numbers and alphabet stickers are from Expressions Cardstock Stickers. I've linked to all those products separately, but of course they're available in the Happy Day Collection Kit as well. 

So how did I make my card? The element pieces were cut out of the large sheets, and I tore the numbers piece carefully along one edge. The months piece has a scalloped edge, which I fussy-cut, and then punched out holes in each scallop with a 1/8" punch. I pulled out my handy-dandy bag of embroidery floss bobbins, picked some matchy colours out, and made little tassels. 

The sentiment panel uses another bit of the ledger design. I used Martha Stewart markers to ink up the letters in different colours, huffed, then stamped. Then I took out my Basic Grey buttons and used all the clear-ish ones that I generally find hard to use. They just don't show up well on darker patterned paper, but they were perfect for this ledger design. I stitched the buttons on with alternate 'finishes' - tying some on top, and others sewn straight onto the paper. 


After sewing the buttons on I adhered the whole panel with foam tape. The number stickers are stuck directly to the paper, and the letters spelling out "all days, always" used a double layer of foam tape. This card is for a dear friend of mine, and I loved all two hours I spent fiddling with it. Good thing I plan to hand-deliver it, because it also weighs about 3 ounces :)

So, head on over to the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog to link up YOUR card for challenge #48. Thanks so much to Pam and all the other talented design team members for having me as a guest - it was such a blast!

xoxo,
Jessi

ETA: I've fixed the link to go directly to the #48 challenge post - for some reason it's not showing up in the general challenge link I'd posted before. Sorry about that!

13 comments:

Ulina / Apricot Bubbles said...

Oh, sorry, I wanted to include my "congrats" into this comment ;-)
Wow, what a colorful, powerful card - great design and I LOVE all those buttons and fibres!!
Have a nice weekend!

Unknown said...

this is gorgeous! love the rainbow of colors and the mix of textures...pure eye candy! :)

CinnamonSally said...

This is so clever Jessi, I love all the elements you have included, the buttons, fibres makes for so much texture. Just fabulous!!

Meg said...

Congrats on being a guest designer, and man, did you knock it out of the park or what?!? I love all those papers you picked to use and I cannot believe you not only sewed all those buttons on, but also made all of those tassels!! This is definitely a party on a card.

Emily Keaton said...

Jessi, this card is so bright, colorful, and absolutely cheery!! CONGRATS on your guest designer gig--you did yourself proud!! Have fun in the spotlight. You so deserve it!!!

Anonymous said...

A BIG congrats to you Jessi! Your card is totally fabulous, you have really hit this one out of the ballpark! LOVE everything about it!

Emily Leiphart said...

Wowzers, Jessi, I could stare at this card all day long! The papers and embellishments are so fun and fabulous. I absolutely love it! Happy sigh.

Allison Rankin said...

I honestly thought this was a ledger from the challenge post. What a cool idea to give it the look of one on a card. Great layering of embellishments. Have a good Sunday!

Notes by Nina said...

Wow, love all the fantastic details.

lisa arana said...

FUN! This is a super fun card. LOVE IT!

walchowDesign said...

Congrats on your Guest Designer, Jessi! Love all the colourful buttons on the ledger!

Jen W. said...

Congrats on your win - those button cards were some of my favourites of yours. And now this card is on that list. Love those clear buttons - you're right - they work perfectly here - and the tassels are fabulous! Clearly made with lots of love. :)

JJ Bolton said...

Look at you Miss Guest Designer! Totally deserve it:)

This card is WONDERFUL! I am absolutely in love with what you did with the buttons! You've inspired me to start using the buttons I've been hoarding:)