Tuesday, July 7, 2009

shortcuts: your smile

here's a card with which i'm not 100% happy, but i think in the future when we look back and ask, "where did lauren's obsession with combining rub-ons and stitching on acetate begin?" this will be considered "CARD ZERO". because i can see the vast and wonderful possibilities in this realm, my friends, and i've hardly scratched the surface.


(shortcuts frosted full sheet; colorbok chipboard frame & flower (thanks, june!!!); patterned paper & small florals: prima; rub-ons: my mind's eye; velvet flower & small stick-on gems: k&co; fancy brad: paper studio; plain mini-brad: queen & co; stick-on pearls: kaiser)

i made the card out of an 8.5 x 11" frosted sheet from shortcuts* and hand cut the central window with scissors after tracing the cute chipboard frame's opening. i attached a piece of clear acetate (from a potential card which went awry) to the back of the chipboard frame with tombow's "power bond" mono-adhesive runner and embellished it with rub-ons before gluing the completed window to the card.

i drew some simple flourish shapes on a piece of scrap paper, and when i had a design i liked, i used it as a pattern to punch holes in the frosted sheet with a paper piercer. in order to avoid "carrying" thread across the swirly design (or having to end off repeatedly) i used the holbein stitch, which also has the virtue of looking almost exactly the same from the front or the back. (in this case, you can *see* the stitching on the inside of the card, so appearance was a factor.) after running the end of the thread back through my work to secure it, i tacked the end neatly with a tiny drop of diamond glaze.

i can see this technique easily and quickly becoming a mini-obsession of mine...so i apologize in advance for its overuse! don't say you weren't warned, ok?! :)


*i cut the card down to the 5 x 6" size you see here after i had completed all the stitching. i realize this seems wasteful, but having found with the "home sweet" card how much the plastic wants to bend during stitching, i recommend starting large for increased stability whilst you work!

14 comments:

  1. check you out sista....starting a new trend....love the stitching...

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  2. Eeh don't know what's wrong with it, I love it!! Wouldn't mind finding that one in my mailbox LOL
    Great work girl!!

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  3. THIS IS FABULOUS!!!!
    The stitching is AMAZING.
    No apology needed if we get to see more of this :)

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  4. This is flippin' fabulous!

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  5. Lauren,

    This is really original and I can see it popping up on blogs all over the place within weeks. Well done,

    Donna

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  6. Stitching on acetate? Whoda thunk it? You are da man!!! You are my one true card making idol. Yeah, I got lots of other faves... lots of amazingly talented gals out there...but YOU, my friend, are a mega superstar!!! I seriously don't know why you are not entirely happy with this card because it made my jaw drop open when I saw it on my blog reader. And I'm NOT just saying that because you are my friend or because I think it is what you want to hear. It's true!

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  7. First let me say your card is gorgeous!! The stitching is awesome. Second - thanks for the belly laugh today with your comment on my blog :0)

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  8. holy SHITTAKE Lauren..love it!

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  9. I have no idea why you're not completely happy with this one...my jaw dropped too when I first saw it!
    I predict that you have started a new trend and it will be all over blogland in a matter of days :) Of course I'll be able to say that I knew you before you became a world famous SUPERSTAR of the crafty community ;)
    I just LOVE everything about this card...especially that cute sentiment...perfect for a congratulations card!!!!

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  10. I don't think I will ever tire of your stitching ... I swear, I am going to get a needle and thread and try some myself ... it sooooo rocks ♥♥

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  11. You cwazy! All that stitching, hand cutting, mind bending detail work! Of course I think I'm just jealous.... Even though I don't go much for 'cute' - THIS rocked my socks! :)

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  12. Okey, dokey - one more vote for FAB-OO! What's not to like?! I'm lovin' that frosted acetate. Must.get.some ...

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  13. This is so frigin pretty!

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