Welcome to my blog! I took most of a year off from this blog while I was designing for Brutus Monroe. I'm back now and hope to keep this blog active! I intend to share work from the two companies I'm currently designing for: Seguras Crafts and Blank Page Muse, as well as projects I create on my own.

 Today's post is very special. This is my first post for Seguras Crafts; it's May, which means it's Lupus Awareness Month; Seguras Crafts is teaming up with me to help raise Lupus awareness; and, there's a giveaway with purchase available! Seguras Crafts is a unique company, where their platform is mental health awareness. Here's a description from their website:

          Segura’s Crafts is built on inclusivity and choice. While some of our materials are inspired by lessons in Dialectical        Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support mindfulness and emotional growth, we also offer fun, creative supplies for those who simply love to craft. My goal is to provide tools that allow people to decide how they want to use them—whether for self-expression, mental wellness, or simply enjoying the art of crafting.

I designed this shaker card to celebrate Lupus Awareness Month. I have this disease. If you're not aware of what it is, it's an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your own body; my immune system is basically trying to kill me. I will discuss more about Lupus, Lupus Awareness Month, and Seguras Crafts involvement with it. 

I began by stamping an image from the adorable Twinkle Toes and Tails stamp set. I colored this ballerina with Copic markers. I chose cool grays for the mouse. I used shades of lavender for her dress, shoes, and bow. Purple is the color for Lupus awareness, so I thought it would be the perfect for my first card this month. In fact, the entire card is made with shades of purple.

For the background, I used Crystal Vision Purple Card Stock. I love how it shimmers! I stamped the background stamp, Friendship Story in a dark purple ink to add some interest.

For the foreground, I used Mystic Grace Purple Card Stock. For the shaker window, I cut out a heart using a die from my stash. I used one of the embellishment stamps from the Twinkle Toes and Tails stamp set, stamping it in black ink for a dramatic effect.

In case you've never used a shaker card, I'm breaking this down step-by-step. after creating a window to see inside the card, you need to attach a piece of acetate to the back of the front panel. I used double-sided tape from Lawn Fawn. It's super strong. 

Finished front panel. I added a sentiment in white pigment ink from my stash after adhering the acetate. Then, I glued the fussy cut image directly onto the acetate.

This "mess" is what the back of a shaker card looks like before assembly. When making a shaker, it's imperative to do two important things: first, add thick double-sided foam tape to be sandwiched between the front panel and the card base or back panel. Second, make sure that this tape completely encircles the shaker window. If you don't, the shaker contents will slip out. It's also important to add the tape to other areas of the panel to prevent the card from sagging. I always put the shaker "bits" in the middle of the window. Today, I used Opal Glow Rhinestones as the shaker bits.  Make sure they're not stacked up at all. If the bits aren't in a single layer, you risk them getting caught under the acetate and the bits won't shake properly.