Tuesday 7 April 2015

Baby Steps

Hello everyone and before anything else,  a very warm welcome to all new followers, I feel so honoured you have signed up here, thank you!

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend, we have had the most gorgeous weather, which has been wonderful!!!

As some of you know, I have been away from home for a while, but have just come back and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. I think my mojo was somewhere left behind on my travels, so to get back to my craft table and do something, I decided that a small project was the way to go....
Last year, like quite a few of us, I started the 52 cards pick up challenge, invented by Stephanie Ackerman. It's basically a challenge to alter 52 playing cards, one for each week in the year. I think I managed about 26 and then gave up. You can see some of my original cards here. Well, to cut a long story short, Stephanie has now brought out a die through Sizzix that will cut boxes to hold your playing cards, so this project is made using the die and then I altered 3 further playing cards that were still left from my pack to fit inside.
The box was made from Kraft card and used some scraps of Prima paper to decorate it.
Here are the cards:
They are in a very different style of the original 52 pick up cards. But I decided to keep at least the heart theme going.
They are pretty much entirely put together with scraps from my scrap box, plus some home made ephemera, using the Tim Holtz Correspondence stamp set.
The background to each card was done in the same way, I covered the playing card with scraps of print, Gesso and some Distress Paints, did some stencilling and background stamping and then collaged the bits and pieces.
The box is just the perfect size for the cards and would probably hold as many as 5 or even 6 cards.

The box itself has a handy little flap attached to close it, so here you can see the back of the box with the flap tucked in.
These boxes are the perfect size for ATCs and would make a great gift for a friend of course. Here in the UK the die is available at Countryview Crafts! And even though this is not a design team piece, it fits our current challenge "Use Kraftcard" perfectly. Why not hop over and play along .....

Anyway, thanks so much for visiting like always and have a great rest of the week!

42 comments:

Suzanne C said...

Ohhh I love how your playing cards look and the pocket is beautiful! I am feeling inspired to make some playing cards now!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid,
You have altered the cards wonderfully, and I love the Box as well.
Smiles:)
Sue

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great cards , as always, and the Box looks very nice as well!!!

Greetings
Maria

Margaret Mifsud said...

Crikey, it's been so long since I visited here and I really missed your gorgeous art Astrid!! Your cards are stunning and I love the little box they fit into ... brilliant!! Love them all!! xx

Vintagehandmade said...

Oh, Astrid your art is always so inspirational! I love your stunning playing cards and your little box! Brilliant!
Hugs :)
Branka xxx

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful projects! Valerie

Unknown said...

Fantastic project! The cards look great! Love the case! X

brenda said...

Fabulous little works of art Astrid, I always have an urge to reach out and touch your pieces of art as they always looks so tactile.

B x

Redanne said...

I love the look of the box Astrid, it holds your wonderful little works of art so beautifully too. I must repeat ten times, I must not be tempted to buy this die.....! I think your mojo is well and truly back! Hugs, Anne xx

chrissie said...

Wonderful cards and a great idea to give it as a present to someone. Love the box and how you have decorated it

Pleased you enjoyed your travels

Chrissiexx

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful Astrid, the cards look fabulous in the stunning box. Nikki xx

Ros Crawford said...

You cards are fabulous!! The box is the icing on the cake ... I love the honeycomb effect ... Your projects nebver look like they started life as paper or card ... the textures and colours are amazing!

Patty O'Malley said...

These cards and the box are fantastic! I need to get that die as well as the honeycomb one. Love this!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous project, I always love your artwork. I know what you mean about the mojo hiding at times. I find that I need to 're charge' by taking a break from being in my craft room and so other things that I love. Have a great week, Shirleyxx

Pamellia said...

Doesn't look to me like there's anything wrong with your mojo Astrid, this set is just fabulous! Love your playing cards and that little box die is quite brilliant! I love the little metal key you added, how perfect! hugs :)

Maryanne said...

What a great idea to have a box for the altered cards. I haven't finished mine from the Seth Apter 52 Card Pick-Up class either. Your box is great and I think I'll have to get that die. I looks like it would be useful for several different projects. Love your box!

Dorthe said...

I love your sweet and even romantic cards, they are so lovely altered with your scraps and left overs and the box is a wonderful idea , for a little handful of beauties , dear Astrid!!
Hugs,Dorthe

Marisa Job said...

Another beautiful creation!! Great texture and colors!!

Kathy Bradley said...

Your cards are gorgeous and I love the little box! I always learn new tips when I visit your blog! I will be checking out your other cards when I finish my comment. I did purchase a box of cards some time ago and it is still on my desk - all crisp and new. I think it's high time to try this out. Thanks, Astrid.

rachel said...

gorgeous makes Astrid - the cards looks fabulous and I love the box - a very useful die! Glad to see you back! Big Hugs rachel x

Unknown said...

Love the cards and the box,you give inspiration to us all.Where ever your mojo went its back.Really enjoy the quote of the day too.

Unknown said...

Love the cards and the box,you give inspiration to us all.Where ever your mojo went its back.Really enjoy the quote of the day too.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a great makes and a gorgeous cover Astrid...lovely!
Greetings, Alie:-)

Paper Profusion said...

The cards look wonderful Astrid and I love the super cute box for them. Nicola x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Love the cards Astrid you are inspiring me to use up all the bits in my scrap box (boxes actually!).
Just posted a wallet book which I might say was another inspiration from you (clever girl!).
Hope Mr Mojo comes back off his holidays soon. Happy crafting, Angela x

Annie said...

Absolutely stunning cards Astrid and I love the box too. Wonderful details on the ATC's and great depth to the design and colours

Huge hugs
Annie x

Unknown said...

So far everything I saw is beautiful, congratilation for the gift of making your work look precious and your site incratible!

Unknown said...

Welcome Home Astrid. But as far as baby steps... WHAT.. I mean this would be MAJOR for me!!! I just think your baby steps are totally incredible. Can't wait to see what you do when you get your real groove back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! j.

Meggymay said...

Fantastic container for your cards, its a gorgeous project.
Yvonne xx

Evelyn Walter said...

Absolutely stunning work, Astrid! Love all the little precious details!
xxx Evelyn

massofhair said...

Beautiful ATC's Astrid, the die looks interesting but am saving up for the new passport die from Eileen Hull... :-) xxx

annesyme said...

A fantastic project, love the idea of altering the playing cards.
Anne x

Words and Pictures said...

A really adorable additional trio of cards, Astrid - the layered scraps and leftovers are just charming. And the box is a wonderful thing - both the die itself and what you've done with it here.
Alison xx

georgina said...

Absolutely LOVE them Astrid, can you tell me the name of the die ,can't work out which one it is lol, many thanks Georgina x

Terry said...

Astrid, the cards are gorgeous and what a stunning box to hold them all! Welcome back and glad you are being blessed with some nice weather. I hear you about lack of mojo after traveling as we returned last Tuesday and I am still somewhere else!

Jackie PN said...

Wow- what a creative make Astrid!! I love these cards!! Each has it's own personality and from scraps? The best!! xo

experiments in paper said...

Oh, I love this project, Astrid.....the cards are fantastic and I love your case!! What a great use of scraps - something I'd better start doing soon, lol!! Thanks so much for your awesome comments on my recent postings also - I know how busy you are with DT jobs :-) I really appreciate your time and interest! xxx Lynn

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

I love how your altered the playing cards in different personalities, wonderful designed and the box is a highlight too.
Hugs Anja

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE the case...so cool, and the cards are all wonderful!!! What a super fun project!

Unknown said...

Lovely altered playing cards, Astrid! What a clever idea with using an entire deck of cards to keep motivated with a mini project each week :) I'm going to have to check that out :) Love your heart theme on each card and the box, too! I love these!! XOXO-Shari

Deb said...

Wonderful cards and love the box for storing them, will have to keep an eye out for that die.

Marjie Kemper said...

Beautiful cards! And I didn't know about that box die... thanks for the tip.

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