Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Grungy Gatefold Birthday Card

For the past week I have been feeling particularly low on creative energy. You know...the times you sit at your desk, look at all your stuff and then just have no clue what to do with it all? Today, I wanted to make a birthday card for my brother, but didn't know where to start. That's when I reached for a Technique Junkie CD! It never fails - I always find something cool to spark my creativity. This time it was the Fancy Gatefold card from the 3D and Fun Folds CD. One of my all-time faves!

My card is quite a departure from the tutorial. There are supposed to be three panels across the front. My first thought was that I was going to split the Umbrella man into three pieces - his head and feet would go one way when you opened the card, the torso would go the other way. I decided I really wanted him in one piece. Plus, I loved the look of the idea-ology Kraft Resist paper and really didn't want to cover it up! On the left side I used the new Sizzix Cargo Stencil Numbers dies to cut out his birthday number (I can't believe he's going to be 32! He's the baby!). Behind the cutouts, I added sanded Kraft Core'dinations paper.

Here is my guy! I cut him from chipboard and painted him with a Pitch Black Dabber and then sanded here and there. The Harlequin Border was a scrap that I had lying on my desk. My hubby came up with the idea of using the closure from the Sizzix Pocket Envelope die. He's very proud of his contribution. :)

Here is the card opened - how awesome is that fold?! I can imagine all kinds of ideas now.  The center section was embossed using the Harlequin Texture Fade  and the oval Embossing Diffuser. I love the look of just that section being embossed. When I was opening and closing the card, I thought it would look really cool with a little banner that would unfurl when you opened it (I have a sneaky feeling that the idea was planted by Karen Burniston's card(s) on the Sizzix blog). I created one using the Sizzix Pennants On the Edge die and idea-ology letters and strung it with some twine.

I totally love how my card came out and can't recommend this Technique Junkie CD enough! It's such a great resource when your muse seems to have taken a little vacation.  Click here for a full list of the techniques - there are lots!

Inspiration Emporium carries all the supplies I used for my card - AND you can pre-order the new Distress inks! Don't forget to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order!




I have one more cool thing to share with you. A couple months ago, I was asked to be the guest artist for a Canadian scrapbooking blog called Art du Scrapbooking. Each of their DT members chose one or two of my cards to 'lift'. Their creations are amazing! I love seeing how other interpret my ideas.

Speaking of cool creations, I'm submitting this to the Simon Says Stamp and Show Anything Goes challenge. Make sure you visit to see all the gorgeous artwork that's been posted!

25 comments:

  1. Wow ! This is awesome!! I have that CD but sometimes I can't see passed my nose.

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  2. Holy Guac...this is so awesome!!! I will take your Mojo on a bad day- look at this on a good day! You make some very very cool stuff my dear...!

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  3. Fantastic card! Now all you need to do is change that "i" to a "d" and it'll be perfect! :) The Design Team are really pleased that you joined us for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week - Thank you!

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  4. Way coot! Love the design and effect!!!

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  5. Such a cool card ! I've been having some "funkie" days and I can't seem to do anything except shuffle stuff around !

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  6. Love it! Nothing else to say!! Hugstrace x

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  7. Isn't it great how something sparks your imagination! Your card is a wonderful creation and I adore the bunting with the name on it - fabulous.

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  8. What a lovely creation Shelly, great artwork!

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  9. Amazing card! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

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  10. Shelly, as always...your card is awesome! I love the gatefold idea. It already looks fabulous with just the cover showing. Then you open it up to all of that wonderful grunge goodness inside! :) Beautiful design and idea! Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  11. You have outdone yourself on this one!! I can't pick one piece to comment about, I love it all!

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  12. Fabulous card Shelly. I love the harlequin border combined with umbrella man, very effective as is the co,our palette which make for a striking finish. The bunting is a lovely addition and adds so much dimension. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  13. A little dip in the mojo is worth it to enjoy new inspiration - love the red and black inky combo on this paper and the surprising centre section! A fabulous card and creation...Thanks so much for joining in at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Sarah.

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  14. A realy beautiful card.
    Love the flags with the name.

    Greetings Janny

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  15. Although I would have loved to see the dismembered man version, this is a gorgeous! You have such a way with layering and techniques. Wow, wow and more wow!

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  16. Gorgeous card. Unique and inspiring, as always!

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  17. Thanks, Shelly, for giving me a jump start in making my husband's birthday card. I've got the cd - just haven't loaded it yet. Now I will. Tell your husband his closure idea is great. The only part I can't see for some reason is where you used the oval diffuser. I'm probably not looking closely enough but I'll go back and study the pics.
    Thanks very much for sharing!

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  18. I see it now - it's where you stamped the quote, isn't it I was looking for a bigger oval.Can you tell I haven't tried out the diffusers yet? Lol.

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  19. LOL! Yup, that's where it is. I used the smaller one, so it's not a very big area. Perfect for when you just need a little space to stamp something. :)

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  20. What a fabulous card, Shelly! Somehow I missed this last week so I'm thrilled to find it through SSS&S -- congrats on your win!

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  21. Congratulations on being chosen top 3 by the Simon Says Stamp team. Your artsy grungy gatefold card design deserves it. Blessings!

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  22. This card rocks! I love the hanging pennants. That's brilliant and a fun surprise! :)

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  23. Love it~one of my favorite color combos!

    ~Linda

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  24. I am in love with this card!!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!