Hi all!
You may remember this card – I made it for my ED’s birthday back in March
ED’s sister-in-law liked it very much and has asked that I make something similar for her.
I had the camera sitting on my desk, so pretty much was able to document the process step by step – ergo if you want to know how I make a card, read on! 🙂
I used 2 A4 pieces of white card stock, one folded in half made the card base, the second went to the die machine and was put to work making all the add ons. I think all the dies I used – with one exception – are Memory Box dies and I also used a Martha Stewart punch.
The Contented Crafter
I embossed the house wall with my brick embossing folder than rubbed three different shades of reddy-browns in Tim Holtz stains over it. The die cut window was treated to some white acrylic paint and grey ink to shabby it up.
That done, I turned my attention to the inside. Wallpaper was added to both sides of the card and another window frame was fitted with some recycled plastic packaging fitted between the two frames to serve as glass, so we have a proper window:
The Contented Crafter
Next the architraves and floorboards were created. I used a Couture Creations Die at the top:
The Contented Crafter
I coloured the floor boards with water colour pencils and am really happy with the result!
Yay water colour pencils!
The next step was to create the cat and the girl – Benson and Kerry:
The Contented Crafter
They were stamped onto white card stock and coloured with alcohol ink pens:
The Contented Crafter
Then they were cut out – to you non-crafters this is called ‘fussy cutting’ and takes forever
The Contented Crafter
This is where I discovered I’d made an error with my calculations – the window was too far above the floor and the cat couldn’t see out the window – some creative thinking was called for:
The Contented Crafter
Puss sits on top of the pile of books so he can see out the window:
The Contented Crafter
I made the flower garden and forgot to photograph that process too – sorry!
Now we are getting to the finishing touches – ‘So, what’s all this for?’ you ask:
‘Well,’ I respond ‘You remember when I cut out the window from a die? Where the panes of glass go there are little square discards of white card. When cut in half they are just the right size for some banners….”
The Contented Crafter
The Contented Crafter
The Contented Crafter
Did you spot the window blind? Forgot to photograph that being made – and the presents?
All ready to go!
Here is the finished front:
The Contented Crafter
And finally, a few close ups for those of you who want a better look:
The Contented Crafter
The Contented Crafter
The Contented Crafter
The Contented Crafter
If I ever make another one I think I’ll put a table in, with a cake or some flowers on – or a chair – the room looks a little bare to me ……
I hope you enjoyed that walk through my card making process.
Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you are having a great week!
Go well!
The Contented Crafter 
really cute idea. I have that memory box window die and never thought of using it that way. I also have some of their kitty dies…thinking about that now. That pink paper was perfectly inspired for wallpaper too.
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Ooh, I love that you are having such a long visit – thank you! I have a selection of their kitty dies and am looking for inspiration ,,,, 🙂
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Just off to bed shortly but wanted to catch up on my favourite sites. So, will you keep up the crafts over summer? Or do you head outside? We’re coming into the cooler weather and soon winter. So I will be inside for months, hopefully trying new crafty things.
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I get less done over summer – like you I tend to dig in for winter and craft every day – or as often as I can. Your question makes me realise I’ve been blogging for about 7 months – which is virtually all Autumn and Winter – I don’t even know if I’ll blog over the Summer – time will tell I guess. Sleep well!
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Gorgeous! You have so much patience on top of all that creative talent!
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I have got to a stage in life when I am happy to faff about – when I was young if it couldn’t be made in five minutes I didn’t want to know – ain’t maturity grand!
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: )))xox
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oh my word! so much love and care went into this project – adorable, and one very lucky recipient!
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Vivian, thank you – you are very sweet and kind to visit my blog and I appreciate so much that you took the time to leave a message. I feel quite honoured 🙂
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In all honesty, you never cease to amaze me. Like, I knew you made cards and journals and were pretty good at it, but to see the step by step process here, and how it all comes together, the cat sitting on the books looking out the window, the ‘happy birthday’ banner inside, the little garden on the out, and the fact that you are doing (or have done by now I’m guessing) a second version . . . it blows my mind. I can’t even, seriously!
Blessed and Gifted beyond belief, you are!!!
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Bless you honey! Can I adopt you, keep you in the back room so you can tell me nice things every time I churn something out? That would make me very happy 🙂
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Glimmery, glittery goodness. I can’t even imagine how much time you dedicated to these cards. They are both amazing…every little detail of each.
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Hours! But happy ones …. thanks for coming by
🙂
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That’s just fabulous! Love the flooring and the brick wall.
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Thank you Marjie 🙂
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I described this entire card to my friend and fellow crafter on our walk this morning. I could remember every detail, since I poured over this post yesterday (but didn’t have time for a proper comment).
This is a work of art. I liked seeing the ‘building’ process, the way the flat becomes dimensional. It really looks like a little room when you’re done, with curtains, baseboard and flooring. So darn clever.
I liked the work around placing kitty on the books. Since I love books and cats, that added to the card’s charm.
So glad we could come along for the creative journey. Kerry will be thrilled. I had so much fun reading this post.
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Oh, I am pleased! And how wonderful that you recalled it all to tell your friend – that is such a compliment – I feel all smiley and happy 🙂 . But guess what – I made it in the wrong colours for kerry – so now I am busy making a blue and purple version …..lol!
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NO!!!
No, really, another one? I guess you’re a pro with this style but boy, what a lot of time and effort you’ve expended. I can’t wait to see the blue version though. And purple. ooooo ahhhhh
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Beautiful! I’ll come back to take a second look later. I’m bogged down with work at present.
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Don’t you work too hard now! 🙂
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Okay, I’m back! This is card is a true labor of love, patience, talent, and skill. I love the cat sitting on the books. Your close ups allow us to see the intricate details of your work.
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Goodness, you have been busy 🙂 Thank you for having such a close look, can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! I think I just love to embellish and layer and add – a bit like a squirrel, only with paper products 🙂
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Wow!!! There is so much work that goes into this little card, but it is absolutely adorable!!!! How wonderful! She is going to love it!!! 😀
In my opinion, you left some room to write on it. It is perfect as it is! 😀
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These cards are satisfying to make – they always look quite lush! You are right about the writing space – I probably should have left more ….
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LOL!! you are to funny! Don’t worry so much… it is beautiful just the way it is… no need to worry about space. If they want to write a long message they could always use extra paper… 😀
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