Monday, July 18, 2011

Gallery Idol Round Two!

(pssst...make sure you check the post below this one for my Growing in Unity week and a chance to win a Unity stamp set.)
Click to go vote!

Whew, what a weekend I had trying to "creatively" use die cuts.  I made a card on Friday that involved probably 100 die cuts that just didn't do it for me when I finished it (but I'll still share it sometime soon).  Saturday I worked on another card in the morning that made me happy, but wasn't sure if everyone else would love it as much as I did (but I'll still share it sometime soon).  Finally, on Saturday afternoon, right in the middle of my shower (when all the best inspiration hits), I came up with an idea that resulted in this card:

SQUEE!
I probably should have warned you about the sweetness level of this card, since it is pretty high.  Everything on the card except the sentiment stamp (from Verve) and the actual swing is a Silhouette die cut.  I used "autumn tree branch" multiple times for the tree, welding them together and cutting them out (the tree is about 8 inches tall).  I used PTI dark chocolate for the card base, and cut out the empty space, leaving about a one-inch strip down the right side and a quarter inch strip along the bottom to which I attached the tree and grass (probably should have taken a picture, but I'm sure you get the idea).  

Then I cut out the leaves.  I actually placed them where I wanted them in the Silhouette studio, then cut them all out in their places (instead of just copying 50 leaves and cutting them out in a line). Then I could use the negative portion of the paper to help place the leaves where I had planned.  I spread some Elmer's glue onto a piece of wax paper and carefully used a foam brush to dot the back of each leave and adhere it.  I have a newfound love for Elmer this weekend.  It dries quick and it stays!  I'm sure Elmer feels sad that he doesn't get as much love in the paper crafting world as he should.  

The girl was a silhouette on a swing already, so I edited out the swing portion and cut her out.  Then I scored her knees and attached her to the swing (which is a rectangle scored and folded into a box), then curved her a bit so she'd sit back in the swing. I punched two holes in the swing and used Twinery twine to tie it to the tree. I used scor-tape on the back of her hands so she could hold the "ropes."  I also added a little bow because every girl needs a bow.  Paper used: American Crafts brown and green, SU Sweet Slumber, October Afternoon 5 & Dime, and Echo Park Springtime.
I'd really, really, really appreciate your vote!  Go here to see all the lovely entries and choose your fave!

35 comments:

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

AWESOME, Meg! You got my vote, girl! :)

Sarah said...

Wow, Meg! You weren't kidding about bonding with Elmer's this weekend. And such fabulous results--way to go!

Gina said...

This is amazingly adorable!

Lana said...

So creative! Love it!
Good luck! :)

Jessi Fogan said...

I reeallly hope you don't mind, but I posted your 'vote for me' widget on my blog too. Your card absolutely blows the others away, Meg - the amount of detail is stunning, and how sweet is that swing??
And btw, I feel better that I'm not the only one who found the end of the Internets...I should have known it would be a cat.

Annette Witherspoon ♥ said...

Wow!! Your card is amazing. The competition is stiff, but you got my vote!! Beautiful!! Love the way the silhouette of the girl is positioned on the swing.

Jenny said...

Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the floor.... this is amazingly clever and super cute as well. What more can I say, I'm in awe :)
Jenny x

Emily Keaton said...

Wow, wow, WOW, Meg!! This looks amazing!! This obviously took a lot of time to put together, but I think you'll find it totally worth it. Your twine swing is perfect, and all those leaves on that awesome tree? Crazy genius!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Maria@Crafty Cre8tions said...

Yipppeee! I'm squeeling along with you!!!!

I love it!!
off to vote :)

Maria

Karin said...

So AWESOME Meg! Love the 3D effect and the swinging girl! Creative to the max :)

Debbie Carriere said...

Yikes,Meg!! This is fantastic!! So happy to have made it this far with you:). Good luck!!

yyam said...

Oh wow! How fabulous is this Meg!!!! Lovelovelove that tree and those leaves. Awesome little "scene" you created!!! :)

KER said...

stunning...beautiful 3D project

~amy~ said...

good grief girl...amazing work!

Smilie girl said...

Adorable! And really clever as well to plan out where you wanted the leaves to help get them where you wanted them.

Sue from Oregon said...

Totally amazing!

Jennifer Rzasa said...

When I look at your card, I just want to blow on the little girl so I can see her swing back and forth! Such a cute card, and I liked reading about how you edited the silhouette files. Good luck!

Emily Leiphart said...

LOL, I laughed at what Jennifer said about blowing on the girl 'cause now I want to do that, too! You rock, Meg, but I already knew that... ages ago. ;) This card is truly amazing.

Lindsey said...

Stunning and sweet... this is one amazing card! I love all the attention to detail. It really is perfect, Meg! Off to vote! :)

cheryl (clee') said...

This is knock-your socks-off cool! Good luck on the next round - I'm sure you'll move on!

Jocelyn Olson said...

This card is so freakin' amazing I can hardly stand it! You knocked it out of the park again! Way to go.

SHartl said...

Oh my goodness...this card is FABULOUS! I have never seen anyone do this and it looks so dimension.

Renee V said...

I voted for you! Love this!!

Laura (sandytoz) said...

Fabby card!

Erin said...

UN-REAL!!! I have NEVER seen a more amazing card Meg!

Scrapycandy said...

Very nice!

NoraAnne said...

WOW, this is SERIOUSLY A>M>A>Z>I>N>G>!!!!!! Not sure what those arrows mean, but just plain AMAZING didn't seem to have as much impact! SO SO SO cool!

NoraAnne said...

I'm back again ;) I just voted for you and i want to wish you GOOD LUCK! This amazing card totally deserves IDOL status!

Ruby said...

Just gorgeous. This card is amazing.

Cristina said...

Holy cow amazingness whoa.

Linda McClain said...

Oh Doll! You got my vote. This is stunning! Good luck

Pat said...

This is amazing! Great job!

Unknown said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE This card!!! New follower!

Angela said...

Is it ok to say that such a sweet card kicks ass? Because I just said it. And it's true.

Michele said...

wow, this is amazing. Love the string and the polka dot girl! Love it all!