Lost Art Cards and Designs

Oh my goodness, am I loving this new media for papercrafting!  Thank you to Online Card Classses for making me aware of this wonderful, versatile paper. Clear! Printed! Foiled!  Can't get enough of it!

To make this card I used We R Memory Keepers Striped Acetate and Papertrey Ink's Bloomin Cute Stamp and Die set.  I stamped and diecut several flowers and leaves then added them to the hanger front after stamping some of the flowers and leaves with Staz On Ink.  Pop Dots gave the dimension I was looking for, and I placed them behind a Cottage Cutz Lace Envelope Die .

The stems were made using My Favorite Things Stitched Landscape Dies which had been inked with
Mama Elephant Creative Color Pigment Ink in Mojito then trimmed up a bit to resemble thin stems. I stamped the sentiment with Golden Glitz Delicata Ink and then embossed it with Wow Clear Glossy Embossing Powder.

Embellishing the card or hanger front with clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and some Recollections Flatback Pearls completed the look.  I trimmed some butterfly paper tape and placed them behind the floral arrangement inside the acetate cardfront.  At the last minute I used
Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive Glue to attach organza ribbon the the top and made it an eye catching hanging decoration for someone to enjoy.   You should see it as it hangs near a  bright sunlight lamp....pretty.

Die cutting a preprinted acetate page with Papertrey Ink's Keep it Simple Tag Die Set, I attached the tag with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive.  Underneath the vellum is a larger piece of the same printed acetate attached with TomBow Permanent Adhesive.

Inside the card is a background made in Online Card Classes Background Check which is attached to the back of the card base.  I used My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scallop Square Die to make the peep through square on the cardfront.  To make the inside of the card attractive I recut the same square on a folded piece of white cardstock and attached it to the inside overtop of the background.

To complete the card I used Cousins Crystal Flatback extra small clear crystals on the vellum.

Supplies:
Rose Bouquet, Large ( Sweet Impressions Stamps)
Memories White Dye Ink ( Sweet Impression Stamps)
Distress Crayons ( SSS)
Sakura Koi Brushmarkers
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens
Grumbacher Paint Brushes ( Michaels)
Pergamano Vellum and Tools (Ecstasy Crafts
Core'Dinations Paper ( Joanns)
Recollections Printed Acetate ( Michaels)
White Card Stock ( ( Joanns)
Tombow Permanent Adhesive Tape( Michaels)
Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive Glue ( Michaels)
Keep it Simple Tag Die ( PTI)
Stitched Mini Scallop Square Die (MFT)
Clear Crystal Flatbacks( Cousins.com)

Wedding Invitation Insert

Wanting only the winding trunk roots as the base of my tree and branches, I altered the stamp by removing the pretty hearts from the branches, but saved them for later use.


I was then able to give my friend the inserts which she took to the same print shop that hand folded my gatefold jackets. Because of the completed card measurements I needed and the time constraints involved for my deadline, I contacted the print shop at my local Office Depot.  Lauren ( graphic arts student) measured, trimmed, scored and handfolded each one of the invitation jackets ( for only $3.00! worth so much more!) and I could go home and work on the invitation box.

Die cutting the center jacket design was challenging for me. I needed the square die insert to be centered exactly each time I cut.  Not sure how to accomplish this, I experimented with placing the die on one end of the paper and cutting it, but the lacy cut flaps were mismatched, which was unacceptable to me. Another difficulty encountered was because I was using 100 lb paper,  every time I ran it through my machine it left an impression on the back of the invitation which went all the way through to the outside.  Imagine my distress!  I emailed the very helpful craft support people at Simon Says Stamp with my dilemma and they responded immediately giving helpful advice.  I felt their encouragement during the rest of the process.

** if anyone would like to comment on other ways to overcome these problems in the future, please comment on this blog post, or email me directly at lostartcardsanddesigns.blogspot.com.  Thanks!

Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock ( SSS)
Rustic Cream Cardstock ( PTI)
Sizzix Big Shot Express ( Craft Direct)
Spellbinders Grand Calibur ( Spellbinders Paper Arts)
Stampendous Roots of Love Stamp ( 123 Stitch)
Indigo Blu Lollipop Tree ( 123 Stitch)
Mama Elephant Creative Color Ink ( SSS)
Blush Pink ReInker ( PTI)
Ranger Distress Ink ( SSS)
Micron Pen ( Michaels)
Cheery Lynn Deutschland Square Doily Die ( 123 Stitch)
Spellbinders tag ( AC Moore)
Hemp Jewelry Thread ( Michaels)
Office Depot
Fiskars Acrylic Block ( Joanns)
Darice Stamping Pad (Joanns)

Project Organization: these are the steps I followed in order to complete my project.

Before beginning this project, I decided upon an organizational process so that I could complete it according to my friend's timeline and expectations.

 Determining Design

1. Discuss design ideas with your client. Keep in mind your limitations, such as materials cost and procurement, machinery needed, and possible outsourcing.   Prepare some physical examples so that your client can feel and see the quality of your work. Discuss paper color and type for each part of the invitation as well as appropriate paper weight.  After research, I learned that invitation paper weight should be at least 100 lbs., but most often it is 120 lbs.

Questions I asked about the design:

What is the theme of your wedding?
Are you looking for a rustic or more elegant style for your invitations? Would you describe yourselves as aglamorous couple or more plain and simple, modern or old-fashioned?

Let their preferences guide you.

What size invitation would you like?
Would you like me to design enclosures, envelopes?
Would you like a lined envelope? A decorated envelope?
Do you have a picture that can show me what you are thinking about for the design of your invitation?
How many invitations do you need?  ( remember most stamps use the Angel Policy, don't violate it)
When would you like your invitations to be completed?

2. Make sure you can reasonably meet your client's deadline, keeping in mind there are always unexpected elements that pop up.  Plan to meet their deadline with no exception.

3.  Research suppliers for the availability of materials, giving yourself enough lead time for shipping, out of stock, client mind changes and unexpected personal events before agreeing to the project.

Make Checklists

1. Materials checklist, including product name, color, style, UPC if possible ( in case a reorder is necessary), suppliers and cost of each product used.

2. Client response communication checklist, which includes an area for them to agree upon and designate their design preferences.  This helps to guide their thinking as they consider which design they will select.

3. Design process checklist, a step by step plan outline , listing every step in order to complete the project on time.

4.  Project completion timeline and hours worked form.

5.  Any additional client gift ideas that you might want to work on, if time permits.

Keep a project folder and a project box. Label them so they are easily identified. I found these to be very valuable in completing my project.

Expect and leave time for solutions to the problems that may arise while working on the project. Order extra materials if you think it may be necessary to allow for mistakes such as mis-folds or stamping errors.

Since this was a gift from me to my friends, I did not create a payment form. But if you are accepting payment for your work, make one and give it to your client. Though I researched what payment would be reasonable for the time I spent in design and making the actual invitation set should I be chosen to do this in the future , I could not find good information.  Formally agree on payment terms, so that your relationship will remain on good terms.

Project Presentation:

1.  Determine a professional way to present the invitations to your client.  There are many suppliers that have sturdy letter boxes available for a small price.  Decide whether or not to embellish the invitation box.

2. Present the completed project to your client, in this case, my friend, and cherish their expression of joy.

Next post: design process details, including links for the supplies I used and thanks to all my suppliers. Hope you will keep reading.








   

This pretty box lid is my entry for this wonderful contest about adding dimension to projects.  Please follow this link to learn more about this and other challenges by Mixed Media.


Wanting to present a gift to a friend in a beautiful way, I made this Lacy Letter Box Lid by covering it in lace linen found on a clearance rack at Michaels Arts and Craft Store.  Walking through the aisles, I selected a few more embellishments from the papercraft and ribbon aisles as well as Krylon Low-Odor Spray Glue.

The lid was first covered with DCWV Project Paper Roll: Post Cards, found at Joanne's, with Aleene's Tack It Over and Over Glue and left to dry. Then the lace linen ribbon was adhered to the top of the  lid in 3 horizontal rows by brushing on the Aleene's glue. While the glue was drying I threaded the lace trim with natural rope ribbon and then adhered it over the seams of the linen ribbon. To give it some extra ummph and reinforcement,  Corner Elements from Tim Holtz Idea-ology in a coordinating color were added.

Supplies and Stores:

Celebrate It Trims
Joanne
Aleene's Tack It Over and Over Glue
Krylon Low -Odor Spray Glue
Jam Paper Letter Box
DCWV Project Paper Roll: Post Cards
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Corner Elements
Mixed Media Challenge #23

" Is there anything I could do for you as you prepare for your wedding" I asked a friend. " I don't know, like, what did you have in mind?" said she.  "Well, I can do a lot of things, what are you doing for table dec, ambience, etc...?"  "What  about your invitations? I love making cards, maybe I could design a wedding invitation for you , as my gift to you."

Challenging, motivating, even inspiring, I went home that day and began to pray about an invitation design after my friend showed me a few invitation jacket ( or cover )  ideas she found on Pinterest.  I determined to make a few samples of my own, in similar style to the ideas she had saved, but unique to them and to myself.   They are blending families and I wanted to somehow include  aspect of their lives in the invitation as well as their design preferences.

I began researching the Internet and several stamp suppliers for the design elements and paper colors that were important to my friends and hoped what I had in mind would be accepted. 

I will be writing future posts about the process of making this invitation, including links to the suppliers and supplies used to make them.

Stay tuned for future posts about the process...

On Thursday I reached a milestone.  My chemo port was removed.  I am now beginning the next leg of my journey, which is allowing my body to recover from the trauma it has been through since discovering I had breast cancer in January 2015.  Hard to believe nearly a year has gone by since receiving my port in April 2015 and beginning chemotherapy and radiation at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Atlanta , by the way- the best place to go when you have cancer).

So many people prayed, extended loving wishes for healing and cared for me along the way.  Thank you.  Meeting only through email communication, Facebook posts, customer service while placing an order for art supplies, or the encouraging smiles of those I met in Newnan, GA at Hobby Lobby or Michaels Arts and Crafts, I considered all of these designed by God to show me He loves me wherever I am, whatever I am going through.  Stamping, coloring, painting canvas for the first time ( with shaking hands after treatment) ,  designing projects in my head while being unable to even get them off the ground,  kept me going.  Reading posts by artists at My Favorite Things, Simon Says Stamp, Jennifer McGuire Ink, K Werner, Kathy From the Daily Marker, Papertrey Ink, Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi, and so many others through those companies in guest designs kept me inspired.

Ordered to take it easy for a few weeks , I plan to make wedding invitations for a friend, and then try out some of the neat stuff y'all do regularly.  I've been keeping up to date , at least in the purchasing area of stamping, papercrafts and now felt projects.  Really, I cannot wait to get started, making my mental lists into crafting reality.

My prognosis is good, because of the program I was placed in , the excellent care I have received and the healing of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. He has been my constant Friend and Guide through this whole thing.  The Calmer of every storm , in the air , ground or in my mind and emotions, He taught me how close He really is to each of us.  He showed me  what it meant to lean into Him and carry my burdens, making them easy and light, and filled with love and joy.  Cancer is a gift from Him.

My Family ( without my adorable grandchildren)

My Husband, Son and puppy. Me with lots more hair!  Really like the way it is growing in, I even have eyelashes and eyebrows now :)!

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Atlanta