Monday 18 November 2013

A Card With A Touch Of Mystery!

From Nancy Drew books to techniques that are hard to figure out just from looking at a finished project. The Simon Says Stamp and Monday Challenge would like you to embrace your inner Sherlock Holmes! Mystify us with your technique prowess? Or perhaps your project ties into this week's theme by simply mysteriously being unclear on how exactly it fits! However you choose to interpret the theme, we cannot wait to see your creations!
I decided to create a pop up card this week for my Nephew's birthday. I always feel a door adds a little mystery to a project or design, it always has me thinking what could be behind the door! The Sizzix Door, Opening and Wreath die was perfect to add that touch of I wonder what to my design. However, that's not the only mystery to my design, I have also created a background using an unusual item, can you guess what it is?

.................... Have you guessed it?

I used lemon juice to age my background and it works fabulously! Simply decant some lemon juice into a mister bottle and we are ready to start.
Spritz a piece of white card with plenty of the lemon juice. At this stage I also die cut a circle aperture from the bottom of my card using the Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large Dies. Ensure your work surface is protected.
Heat the card with a heat tool, it does take a while for the card to start to age/burn and the card does get extremely hot, so it is important to work on a protective surface.
Continue to heat the card until you have the desired effect. You can continue to add further lemon juice to add more of an aged/burnt appearance to your background.
I also ironed my card to flatten and this also aged the background further, just remember to take your iron off the steam setting. I then applied Frayed Burlap Distress Ink to the back of the aperture and I then stamped the cake image into the aperture using black Archival Ink. I also added touches of white for some contrast using a white pencil crayon. I machine stitched the two pieces together for added interest.
I added a Wishbone and some mini paper clips around the outer edge of my aperture to add a masculine touch to my card.
I added the Sizzix Door to the front of my card cut from Tim Holtz Nostalgic Kraft Core Paper Stack, which I sanded to add to the aged feel. I also added a pediment to the top of the door cut from the same card stock and sanded once again around the edges.

Banners have been added to the top of my card, adding mini cakes to the top of each banner along with WISH using Signmaker Alpha Parts. I also added touches of Treasure Silver to the top of each letter to add highlights. Make a Wish has been stamped onto white card, coloured with Frayed Burlap ink and added to the front of the card.
I added 23 to the front of my door as my Nephew will be 23 this time. I also added random stamping to the background using the background stamp from Tim Holtz Classics 9 Stamp Set.
A pop up has been added to the centre of my card using Karen Burniston's Pop 'n' Cuts Base and Circle Label Die. I then cut a piece of card 6" x 12" from Kraft Core cardstock and then added behind the pop up, sanding the edges to add to that aged worn feel. I also added kraft card to the inside of my card machine stitched into place and coloured with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.
Two large cake images have been added to the pop up, stamped onto Kraft card and coloured with a white pencil crayon for some highlights. I have also stamped the mini balloons onto craft card and attached to wire so they appear to be floating from behind the pop up. I also added two banners stamped with 'just celebrate' and coloured with Distress Ink.
I have added a Clock Face and Game Spinner which I thought was perfect to coordinate with "TIME TO PARTY". I added a twine bow to the back of my Clock Face for added texture.
A Word Band has been added to the centre of the pop up along with some random stamping around the background.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.


Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x 


Products Used:

Tim Holtz Mini Blueprints 4 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Classics 9 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Birthday Sketch Stamp
Tim Holtz Simple Sayings
Tim Holtz Alterations - Pediments Die
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - WishbonesMini Paper Clips, Signmaker Alpha Parts, Timepieces Metal Watch Clock Face, Game Spinners, Word Bands
Tim Holtz Core'dinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Paper Stack
Karen Burniston Pop 'n' Cuts Base and Circle Label Die
Distress Inks - Frayed Burlap
Archival Ink - Black
Sizzix Door, Opening and Wreath Die
Ranger Mini Mister
Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large Dies
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Heat Tool
White Pencil
PaperArtsy Treasure Silver Gilding Wax
Twine
Studio Calico Alphabet Wood Veneers



27 comments:

Annie said...

An absolute treasure Tracy and the lemon juice looks wonderful....must try that x
The inside is stunning and very inspiring. Great challenge and I hope to play along

TFS and best wishes
Annie x

Brenda Brown said...

Lots of amazing details Tracy and a great lemon technique, never seen that one before. Love the pop up inside with additional cupcakes. A great card, bet your nephew loves it.
hugs {brenda} x0x

rachel said...

wow - this looks amazing Tracy and who would have thought lemon juice would do that! Fabulous x

Candy C said...

LEMON JUICE?!?! Seriously Tracy...how did you come up with that idea? It's awesome and I love the burned/aged effect that it gives! Your card is a real dimensional work of art! I totally love everything about it. The cover of your card is so striking. Love the banner and the "WISH". The cupcake with the wishbone is such a cute way to carry out the make a wish theme! Then you open the card and there is all of that gorgeousness inside! Such detail! I love it all! <3 Candy

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Great card with all kinds of details, he will be one happy boy!

Anonymous said...

what an awesome card! he will be lucky to receive it!!!

Anna-Karin said...

This is so cool Tracy!! Love the technique you shared and both the front and pop-up inside are fantastic.

Meihsia Liu said...

I love all the gorgeous details, Tracy. The inside of the card is truly magical! ::

Anonymous said...

The front of the card is special enough, so many wonderful details, that fabulous background and the inclusion of the door but to open it and reveal the pop up makes this a sensational card - it is a gift from your heart.
Wishes
Lynne

Sandra said...

Gorgeous card! Love the effect of the lemon juice! We used to write with it when we were kids and nobody could see what you've wrote till you held it above a candle! This technique brings back memories for sure! Hugs, Sandra

Claudia N. said...

Wow, Tracy!

I love that blue door and the inside of your fab card is so stunning!

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog!

Claudia x

Karen B said...

The lemon juice technique is brilliant! Does the card end up smelling lemony? Because that would be a cool bonus, especially for a cake card! Love all the awesome details.

Michelle said...

Tracy, you are the technique QUEEN! I NEVER would've guessed lemon juice. Never! That is SO cool!! I love that effect. You've created another amazing project. And it's so inspiring too! Beautiful work, Tracy!

Karen Petitt said...

Fabulous card, love the techniques, the pop up is great. I have used lemon to age things before and it made me hungry because it smelt so good whilst I was heating it. TFS, saw this at Simon Says and had to come take a peek xx

Words and Pictures said...

Lemon juice - inspired, and inspiring! How cool does that look! I can remember doing invisible writing with lemon juice when I was little... but I'd never have thought of doing this.

Love the card - what's behind the door?! Well, a fabulous pop up that's what! Fantastic make, Tracy.
Alison x

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous pop up Birthday card, Tracy! My goodness the details are just phenomenal all the way down to the wish bone :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Barb Cady said...

What a lot of work in this beautiful card! Hope your nephew loved it! So many lovely elements, such skill you have! X

Mona Pendleton said...

What a fun and beautiful pop up card Tracy! Love cupcake banner and the fun little wishbone embellishment! Thanks for the inspiration!

Suzanne C said...

WOwzer! That is one spoiled nephew getting this card for his birthday! Love the lemon juice technique and am definitely going to try it. The doorway to the secret message is so clever. The inside is phenomenal!

May said...

WOW....What a amazing card... the attention to detail is outstanding...Love the tip on lemon juice... the door is fantastic...Brilliant work inside & out.... Hugs May x x x

Redanne said...

Such a clever and inspired idea! Love that lemon juice technique and the pop up element is just fabulous.... Hugs, Anne x

Unknown said...

FANTASTIC! I love the lemon juice usage, works like a charm to age things! Nicely done! So many fabulous details to look at. No mystery at how fantastic your project is! Well done!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Great card!! What a fabulous solved mystery. Love your details from the wishbone to the twine bow texture under the clock. Gorgeous colors and stamping. LOve this!! (Pinned!) -- Mary Elizabeth

Dianne said...

WOOWZER I saw this on FB but it was nothing like seeing it here, you are brilliant I haven't use lemon for years, make a note to self, must use this technique, the results were fantastic, loooove the door,all those cupcakes are fantastic, now your bows, I think these are defiantly your furniture piece no one makes them like you the are SPECTACULAR. Living in the moment is my mantra, outstanding piece of art you call a card, thanks for sharing it all...

barbarayaya62 said...

Lemon juice??????? I don't believe! it's wonderful and amazing!!! Beautiful pop up card, wonderful work as always! BArbarayaya

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

This is an mazing card! I love the effect you got using the lemon technique, so I'll need to try it sometime soon. Thank you for sharing and blessings!

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

Holy lemon juice of awesomeness!!! I was floored when I saw that technique! I am always in favor of using things in my kitchen for non-cooking purposes, so you can bet that my lemon juice now has a more noble purpose. This card is phenomenal and I am always a fan of your work. Truly amazing and your nephew is the flippin' luckiest kid in the universe to get a card like this!