CASology 43 - Hexagon

This week's CASology Cue Card is Hexagon!

I know that hexagons are very trendy right now. But I'm usually late to the trend parties; sometimes I never arrive. I think hexagons is one I didn't even get invited to. I appear to be alone in that, but really, I don't mind. We can't all do everything, right?

I have spent the last week learning that I find hexagons very, ahem, challenging to work with.  In some ways, they're kind of neat, the way they fit together and create other shapes, but I couldn't seem to come up with a CAS design that I was happy with.

Late in the week, I realized that the only hexagons I really love are snowflakes. And finally, we arrive at my card for this week. Even once I finalized my design, it took a few tries to get it to this, where I like it. There's a feeling that I get when I know the card is done. And I try not to give in until I get there. And that probably also applies to life in general - so you get a bonus motivational speech this morning! lol!

I hope you're motivated to play along with us, despite my trouble.  None of the other members of the design team seem to have had any difficulties at all - obviously they got their invitations! Make sure you go check them out before you create your hex card and link it up before the deadline on Sunday at 4:00 PM CST!

Tracey McNeely
 Rosemary Dennis
Melissa Chipperfield
Meghan McMillan
Maureen Merritt
Judy Marino
Jen Wills
And this week's Guest Designer: Jenny

CFC100 - Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Whew! What a busy weekend! You can see from the shadows and glare in this photo that it was late in the day before I was able to take a photo of this card that was finished on Sunday, although I started it Friday!

This design is simple but was a feat in learning some neat tricks on my new Portrait. See below for details if you wish.

This card is for this week's CASual Fridays Challenge - or should I say challenges, because you can create your own challenge by playing tic-tac-toe as follows:

I chose Polka dots,  Square and Birthday.

I filled the negative circle cuts with pink mirror card, silver mirror card and silver glitter card (they are actually slightly behind the black panel, although they look even with it). The Paper Smooches sentiment is embossed directly on the white cardbase.


Here in Canada it's Music Monday today. There's an organization that chooses a song that every school in Canada learns (at least the ones who sign up) and then we all sing it (theoretically) at the same time, outside our schools to fill the skies with music and remember the importance of Music in Education.

This year the song was co-written by Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) and Chris Hadfield (Canadian Commander of the International Space Station - and he can sing - here's a link to the video if you're interested) - it's called ISS (Is Somebody Singing) and is about how earth houses all of us and what a different perspective it is from space. It has a Major Tom feel, so it appeals to the Bowie fan in me. Anyway, I'm heading to Kate's school to accompany the 450+ kids and teachers while they sing it (yes, we're rolling the piano outside!) It's very exciting!

I hope you enjoy your day!



Portrait Details:

It's been fun learning how to use the Portrait - the software is so much easier to use than the old Cricut stuff that I had (I never tried their Craft Room or Design Studio, although I did have a Gypsy). I think it's because it's on your computer, full screen.

 I started by drawing one dot (draw an oval while holding down the shift key), copied it 16 times and placed them loosely in rows. I then used the 'align left', 'space horizontally', 'space vertically' and 'centre to page' tools in the 'Align Window' (in the top right corner) to create a perfect 4x4 grid of dots. Then I deleted the second lowest row of dots and drew a rectangle (if you hold down the shift key, you'll get a square) for my sentiment. I then grouped everything together and rotated (use the 'Rotation Window' in the top right) it slightly so that it's on a slant. Here endeth the Portrait lesson, but if you want more detail, just let me know!

That Time of Year

It's getting to be the time of year for graduation cards (for my friend who's daughter is graduating from St. Francis Xavier University). I used my Silhouette Portrait to cut the numbers and the background and used the same hanging-over-the-edge idea as Tuesday's Mother's day card.

It's also the time of year for year-end teacher celebrations and gifts. I'm in charge of the Teacher/Staff year end lunch. Here's the invitation. I had to make 45 of these pretty quickly, so I went hybrid, printing the words in The Urban Way font and then stamping Papertrey's brush strokes and adding the sketchy L'il Inker stars. I like that it looks hand written. (if my hand writing were that neat!)

PDCC180 - Splashy Magenta

Another Silhouette Card for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge:

This combination is perfect for a card full of high drama and glamour! This card is made with a Silhouette cut. Actually, it's several. I created a 4" square and then I placed the flower 3 times on the square, with petals hanging over the edge. I cut it out in white, so that the black petals show through. Then I coloured the white centres magenta, glued them back into place and then put a ball of magenta stickles on top for sparkle and texture. I couldn't decide where to put a sentiment, so I decided to leave it until I'm ready to use the card - I can either leave it blank or add something appropriate at the time.

Have you noticed anything different about MASKerade? Over to the right, is a list of the pages on my blog. On each page there is a current view of one of my Pinterest Boards. This is SO. COOL. It updates itself each day when I pin my latest card to one of my boards. So if you ever wanted to see all my latest cards in one place, you can just click on the list. You'll stay on my blog and see the latest 30 cards (if I have that many), but you'll have the opportunity to hop over to Pinterest to see even more if you choose! Thanks so much to my friend Kelly Griglione for taking the time to post her oh-so-easy-to-follow instructions on how to set that up. (have you seen her birdcage? Go check it out - that girl is seriously AWESOME!)

On the home front, both my kids are away all weekend. For the first time in 14 years, Michael and I have the house to ourselves! Wow! 

FFC07 - Christmas is for the Birds

Have you heard the news? I'm now a member of the Festive Fridays Design Team. This is so perfect for me - you know I have a LOT of Christmas cards to make and being on this team will help me to stay on top of them all! Plus, there are some seriously talented ladies on the team - be sure to go check them out!

The current challenge is an element challenge - use a bird in your design.

I used the solid dove from Gina K's Sentimental Holiday set. I embossed him in Gold Pearl and then masked and sponged a circle of aqua around him. I created a matching gold mat by smooshing my Versamark pad directly on the edges of another white panel and then embossing that as well.

So come on and play along! I know it's not always easy to think about Christmas out of season, especially when the nice weather finally appears to be sticking around, but think how glad you'll be in November when you have lots of Christmas cards made already!

CTS26 - Thanks!

This week's sketch is by Karolyn Loncon:

I wanted to see if I could take a sketch with layers and reduce the number of layers used.  I used masking, sponging and embossing to create the sketch elements. Inkadinkado sentiment.

Once again, the design team has come up with a huge array of interpretations of this sketch - go check them out and be inspired!

Now it's your turn - don't forget to link up before the deadline next Tuesday at noon!

OLW138, Muse 15

For this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge (hosted by Susan) - to make a spring card, and  Muse challenge #15, where we have the lovely and talented Jen Mitchell  as our Guest Muse this week! I hope you'll get a chance to play along with both these challenges this week!

Here's Jen's Muse card:

It took me quite a lot of time (and cardstock!) trying to capture the essence of Jen's card in one layer but I think I finally got there. I used the flower centre from Mixed Bunch, a Stamps of Life sentiment, and Papertrey's Faux Ribbon. A dab or two of Stickles for the obligatory birthday sparkle and done!