Faux Stitching Technique

As it is my turn Paula to be the Spotlight Designer this week, I have decided to share one of my favourite techniques called Faux Stitching. Although this is not a NEW technique, it is one that I fall back on a lot. If things get a little confusing, I have inserted the link to Splitcoast Stampers, where I first learnt this technique.

Paper piercing pad or mousepad

Paper piercing template or Plastic Ruler

Paper piercing tool or Darning Needle works just as well

Marker or gel pens

Cardstock

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Place cardstock piece on top of the paper piercing pad.

Next, place the clear paper piercing template over the cardstock piece to be stitched.

Use the paper piercing tool to poke holes in cardstock, using the piercing template or ruler as a guide.

Step 2
Use a marker or gel pen to connect the pierced holes in your cardstock. This will form stitch marks. Make sure to pause at each hole so the hole is highlighted with marker. This helps to form a more realistic stitched look.

Here is a closer look at the Faux Stitching. It gives the look of sewing around the card, even though no sewing machine was used.

Read more: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/faux_stitching/#ixzz2u07c4FTT

WOWEE Wednesday!

Jacki Randolph

 is with us again as this weeks 

WOWEE Wednesday Guest Designer!

This week Jacki worked with the Little Miss Sassy image.  She certainly turned her into a living doll with her sweet polka dot dress, bow, and orange shoes! I really like the doodling Jacki did along the edges of the card, it really frames the image.  Her colors are so refreshing and spring like and the ribbon just makes the color blue pop out. We are so happy with the inspiration Jacki has share with us this week.  Remember to leave a little love on Jacki's blog too!  

Here is what Jacki had to say:

This week I chose to create with another adorable image called Little Miss Sassy, I couldn't resist this little gal and her spunky pose. I .coloring her with Copic markers, going with colors from the designer papers by American Craft that I chose for my card design, My sentiment is computer generated, and I added some doodling along the edges of both the sentiment and image. For my finishing touches, I add May Arts Chevron ribbon and Doodlebug Candy dots.

Challenge # 3 - SKETCH TIME!

Thanks to all of you who joined us last week.  It's so much fun to see everyone's creativity.  You ALL are very talented and we hope you will continue to join us.

Challenge #3 Sketch Challenge

We have an easy challenge for you because we have taken the guess work out of your card layout by providing you with a fun sketch to play with.  We do need to see the sketch in your card.

Please follow our RULES when joining in our challenge.

 There seem to be two rules that are often overlooked so I want to remind you of them: 

To win you need to become a follower / member of this blog 

Your card can not be entered into more than 5 other challenges

Here is our sketch and the DT inspiration.

We can't wait to see your inspiration, be sure to link up with InLinkz!

Paula

Rebecca

Bettina

Jenn

Melissa

Laura

This challenge ends on Friday March 7,  Winners announced on Monday March 10

One random draw winner (wins 3 DIGIs)
One MVP winner (wins 1 DIGI & 15% off store coupon)

Three Top Three Winners

An InLinkz Link-up

A Random Fan Very Own Rubber Stamp Line!!

It's HERE!!!

I'm super excited to announce that  A Random Fan is finally getting it's very own rubber stamp line. 

BLOG HOP TIME!!

Hop to all the blogs to see some wonderful projects we have to show you today. Please make sure you hop on over to everyone. Leave a comment I will be giving away 1 digi to 10 random commentors from any of the blogs listed below. If you arrived here from A Random Fan Blog then please continue to C. C. Designs.

A Random Fan 

C.C. Designs     

Jenn 

Laura 

Rebecca

Carlyann 

Melissa 

Faye 

Bettina 

Eva 

Paula

Martine

A Random Fan rubber stamps are available for sale at CC Designs Rubber Stamps!  It's a perfect gift for all card maker enthusiast.

Challenge #2 Hugs & Kisses Winner

    The winner of this challenge is...

Nicole ( #6)

 We now choose our winner using random number generator. This week's winner is Nicole. Isn't her card pretty. Nicole did an awesome job with her coloring and layout. Congrats, Nicole, you just won three digis* from A Random Fan shop.

Our MVP is...

Janiel (#20)

Congrats Janiel!MVP is a new feature to our bi-monthly challenges. We wanted to award an outstanding designer that wasn't chosen as the winner for the challenge. Janiel just won one free digi plus a 15% off coupon* at A Random Fan shop.

Our top three:

Kaija 

 

Miria  

Deonna B

Thanks everyone who participated in our "Hugs & Kisses" challenge. There were many really good projects and it was really hard to pick and choose our top three plus MVP.  Please join us this Tuesday for another challenge. If you're not a card designer stop by either way to see what our design team has made to help inspire you on our challenge #3. 

(Due to our special announcement. We posted challenge #2 winner on Sunday. Normally, winner are announced Mondays.)

*To claim your winning prize please email sherry at sherrytdesigns@gmail.com.

Design Team Spotlight - Laura

Hi everyone! It's Laura here today for my first turn in the spotlight! :)

We have had beautiful weather in California lately, and my kids are already asking about going to the beach!! It's not quite warm enough for a beach day yet, but it did inspire me to color up this adorable Cali Girl digi.

 

I love to color these sweet images, and I think they are the perfect focal point for a clean and simple card. I matched this little girl up with some bright, sunny papers, and created a little scene around her. After masking the image, I colored the sand using the pointillism technique (a great way to add a bit of texture to an image!) and sponged some clouds in the sky behind her. 

And for all of you Copic enthusiasts out there... a close up and list of colors I used for this girlie...

Skin - E11, E00, E000, E000, R30

Hair - E59, E37, E35, E33

Duck - Y15, Y13, Y11, Y000, Y0000

Beak - YR18, YR15, YR12, YR00

Bow - B04, B02, B01, B000

Pail - YG17, YG25, YG03, YG01

Swimsuit, Sandals, Bag - RV29, RV25, RV23, RV21

Sand (not shown in close-up) - E55, E31, E30, E50

That's all I have for you this time! Thanks for visiting!

WOWEE Wednesday Guest Designer

Let me introduce you to

Jacki Randolph

this week's guest designer!

Jacki's card features Jack's Plane.  This turned out to be one of the cutest boy birthday cards I've ever seen.  I like how she paper pieced the plane to coordinate with some of the background paper.  Also the colors she used on the image are a great match to the patterned papers as well.  I really like all the layers and the addition of the buttons adds some fun flair. The image pops right out at you.  Here is what Jacki has to say:

I am Jacki Randolph currently living in Northern Kentucky with my husband and grandson Hunter. I am extremely excited to be a Guest Designer for A Random Fan!  I’ve been crafting since my teenage years and about 10 years ago turned to stamping and then digital images. I enjoy staying busy making cards, altered items and trying new techniques.

Design Team Spotlight

Bettina here today and  I am going to share a fold that is quite new to me, that I found on SplitCoast Stampers for the first time here. I made a little tutorial of how I made it.

You will need:

5.5” x 10.5” card base

Coordinating cardstock or designer paper as desired to decorate card panels

Paper trimmer

Scoring tool

Adhesive

Alphabet stamps or dies, and other embellishments to decorate card

First step is to score the 5,5" x 10,5" base at 3,5" and 7" and fold as a  mountain fold and valley fold. 

Close the valley fold, and cut in 1.5” along the fold at these intervals: 3/8”, 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2 5/8”, 2 7/8”, 3 7/8”, 4 1/8”, and 5 1/8”. Then you score the ends at the 1" slits.

It should look like this after it's done:

Then it is time to decorate the card, first off with the designpapers cut to fit:

Then I used my Big Shot to diecut some alphabet letters:

Then I decorated the rest of the card, so my finished product looks like this:

Some closeup details:

You can find my little cute Little miss bashful over here

WOWEE Wednesday Guest Designer

This week we are welcoming back
Karen Hanson!

Karen's new card features Doctor Autry.  Who wouldn't be thrilled to receive such a cute get well card?  Karen matched the colors on her image perfectly with the patterned papers she used and the end results are perfectly coordinated, just like a set.  Karen has fantastic coloring and she brought this image to life.  We are so happy to have her join us again.  Here is what Karen has to say:

Hey everyone, It's Karen from Scrappycanuck Studios, back for my second guest designer post here at A Random fan.  

My two little gals love a character from Disney called Doc McStuffins.  In fact, one of them worked really hard for over a month being a special helper so she could earn her own doctor kit just like Doc.  Not only is this image a perfect way to celebrate this time in her life, but I also love that this cutie is wearing glasses, just like my cutie!  I think this is the perfect image for a "get well" soon card, or even on a layout about a favourite stuffie or toy!

This image was coloured with Copic markers, and the card base was dolled up (no pun intended) with Doodlebug paper.  Once again, I used some of the chevron ribbon from May Arts for some texture and dimension on the card.  I love the deep, rich colours on this project!  It`s bright and fun, and oh so girlie!  I may not be "girlie" myself, but I love cards and projects that celebrate all the bright and fun parts of being a kid!

Challenge #2, Hugs & Kisses - Valentine Theme!

Thanks to all of you who joined us lat week.  We were thrilled with all the entries.  This week we are going with the Valentine theme, it is the month of love after all.

Please do read our challenge rules and play accordingly.

1. Only current projects will be accepted.  No back linking.

2. Entries must have a hand colored image on them.  Sentiment only cards are not eligible to win.

3. You may use any image you desire.

4. Become a follower/member of this blog.
  

5. Be sure to use a direct link to your project not your entire blog.

6. You may combine our challenge with up to 5 other challenges. 

7. You need to link your blog post back to our challenge post. 

8. We reserve the right to delete projects that do not follow the listed rules.

9. If you have word verification on your blog we may not be able to leave a comment.

We can't wait to see what you have to share with us.  This challenge runs until Friday, February 21 at 12:00 p.m  The winner receives 3 DIGIs and the winner's badge.  There will also be 3 honorable mentions who each get a badge to proudly display on their blog.

Our design team starts us off...

Jenn

Paula

Laura

Bettina

Melissa

Rebecca

Challenge #1 It's Digi Time WINNER

The winner of our first challenge is...

Becky( #19)

 

Congrats, Becky!! Our team had a difficult time choosing between Becky and Sharla, but because Becky went the extra mile to create cute matching accessories with the card  we had to hand it to her.  Becky is so creative with maximizing the stamp and we couldn't help noticing the details and attention she put into her work. Again, congrats. Please email Sherry to claim your prize.
 

 Our top three are:


8. Sharla

9. Debra

12.  Sylvia

Thanks Everyone for participating! Please join us tomorrow for another challenge. What will be the theme? Stop by tomorrow and join in the fun. Remember the winner of each challenge gets 3 DIGIs.

Get Well Soon Doctor Autry

Hello all you Random Fans out there! I sure hope you are not feeling under the weather but if you are Doctor Autry hopes you GET WELL SOON! She is so cute and really does make a great image for anyone is feeling not so good or maybe someone who has had surgery. Hope she brightens your day and that you check out Sherry's Etsy shop to take a look at all her super adorable images. You can find more info on this card at my blog including the copic colors used. 

WOWEE Wednesday Guest Designer!

This Wednesday we are welcoming

Karen Hanson!

Karen is a very talented artist, her work is always gorgeous.  The color choices and patterned papers Karen used really make her image pop right out at you.  Speaking of coloring, Karen's coloring is beautiful, another of her many talents.  We are very excited to introduce you to Karen and share with you her creation for A Random Fan.  The digi used today is A Little Ballernia. 

Hello everyone!  My name is Karen Hanson, and I am from ScrappyCanuck Studios.  I am so excited and honoured to be joining A Random Fan as a guest designer for February!

First and foremost, I am a mom of two adorable little girls and wife to an equally cute (and creative, I might add) hubby!  I originally started my crafting blog as a way of keeping myself "honest" about my crafting!  I received a Cricut as a Mother's Day gift, and wanted to make sure that I actually used it.  I was hoping my online scrapping friends could help encourage me to "keep on crafting, just keep crafting!"  Things grew from there, as did my scrapping and crafting!  Now, my blog has become a place for me to share lessons I've learned and techniques and products I  love, as well as projects that I create!  Hopefully you can find some time to pop by and say hello!

I love choosing stamps for cards that remind me of the special people in my life.  Even if the card isn't for that person, it is fun to have someone in mind as I colour and craft.  So, when I saw this darling ballerina image from A Random Fan, I knew that she needed to make an appearance on one of my cards this month.  

This image was coloured up with Copics.  My favourite pinks are the R81, R83, R85 trio, although there are some hints of some warmer pinks like R20 in there too!  The paper is from a DCWV matt stack, and that cute ribbon is one of my favourites from May Arts.  I love combining different kinds of pinks together - deep, like, warm and cool.  I think it gives a really playful look to a card or project.