Sunday, July 5, 2009

shortcuts to clearly great cards!

are you ready for a new CAARDVARKS challenge?! because i am...and luckily it's a really EXCELLENT one with a great sponsor:


and a FABULOUS sketch for you to use:

it doesn't get much better than that, right? oh wait a minute...it DOES get much better than that, actually, because we have an extra-special expanded design team gallery for you! yep, the folks at ShortCuts sent us some of their awesome frosted and clear acetate full sheets, card blanks and gift card holder folders...so of course we went crazy with awesome ideas to use those babies!!! but first, wanna see my sketch cards? yeah...i said cards, plural: it's such a good sketch, i couldn't just make one!

for my main card i went a bit crazy with clear layers: there are transparent & frosted sheets from ShortCuts, a printed transparency, some frosty patterned vellum, a ghost clock, and a butterfly i stamped and embossed on a scrap of a ShortCuts frosted sheet! (the frosted product embosses nicely, although it tends to buckle a bit--which actually worked to my advantage with the butterfly. it gets QUITE hot, as well; you might like to use tweezers while embossing!)

(clear and frosted acetate sheets by shortcuts; seriously eldery patterned transparency of unknown origin; anahata katkin clip art image; close to my heart patterned vellum; hero arts butterfly stamp; heidi swapp ghost clock; prima gem flourish; making memories brad;ribbon from michaels; adhesives: tombow monoadhesive runner, uhu gluestick)

here's my second card. it has less layers, but i was starting to get into the idea of really USING the clear cardbase to my advantage by putting some of the sketch elements on the inside and others on the outside. again i enjoyed playing with things that show off the "transparent" aspects of the product: i've got some lace cardstock, a small printed transparency frame, some rub ons, and ribbon that wraps around to be an inside AND an outside element at the same time!

(clear and frosted acetate sheets by shortcuts; hambly transparency frame; ki lace cardstock; close to my heart patterned paper; heidi swapp ghost stars; making memories star brads; mambi gem star; rub-ons: cherry arte, dcwv, mambi & basic grey; ribbon from michaels & some vintage silver metallic ribbon; adhesives: tombow monoadhesive runner, uhu gluestick, 3m foam tape)

tune in tomorrow for another one of my gallery cards! in the meantime be sure to check out the CAARDVARKS and SHEETLOAD blogs, and start planning your sketch card for a shot at the lovely prize!!!

10 comments:

  1. I am becoming a fan of Sheetload...they have sponsored lots of challenges recently. I have not yet won any of their cool products, but it won't stop me from trying :)

    Love your cards; very Lauren-y with the cool butterfly (or should I say 'hot'?)and gems and wonderful papers.

    Happy Sunday, Sweetie!

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  2. Oof! I have a sheet of that stars paper, only in blue. I tried to use them for a grad card, but failed miserably. One of these days (shakes fist in air) I will actually get them onto a card.

    As always, I lovelovelove your cards. Like June said, "very Lauren-y". I love all your little details!

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  3. screams lauren :) LOVE your cards sista...seriously, how long does it take you to put one of your masterpieces together? Have I asked you that before? My memory is shot'ola...that old age thang...oy.

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  4. Fantastic details as always. Where'd you find that cool lotus image? ... you have an amazing eye that always leaves me sitting here in awe ♥♥♥

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  5. Fab cards Lauren - you are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

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  6. i just love love love love looooooooove the first card. the second aint too shabby either! :P you rock, girl!!

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  7. I think that both cards are AMAZINGLY AWESOME, but I do like that first one the best...that image is just gorgeous!
    You have tempted me to get some of these for myself...I will play in the challenge, but I don't count on winning...LOL! Seriously, these are fabulous! ♥♥♥

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  8. Completely, totally and utterly fabulous...the both of them!

    (-: Heidi

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  9. I like the first one. The first card s looking really nice. You done a good job for making first one.Keep adding some more card.

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  10. I like them both...a lot, but I love the funk factor in the second card the best. Both are beautifully crafted with great collage style. Amazing work girlfriend!

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