May 11 2007
A Slightly Shaky Shaker
I’ve been carrying the makin’s for this card back and forth to work with me most of the week, trying to finish it on my breaks, not feeling much like stamping in the evenings. It’s slow going, trying to get my stamping done this way, especially since I often spend a good portion of my breaks standing in line at the coffee shop. I finally got all the parts done, though, and finished putting them together tonight.
This is a shaker card, but it shakes only enough to add a little audio interest. I decided to fill the whole well with these colorful seed beads as a different sort of way to color the rose. The photos below show some of the shaker parts (craft foam, acetate and cover) and a closer view of the shaker window. I always cut my shaker base from craft foam. A 2 mm thickness is enough to accomodate seed beads or anything smaller and adds no more bulk to the card than dimensional foam tape. The innards won’t stick to the craft foam, either, as with foam tape.
To make this card I first stamped the rose on a white panel and cut it out with my Exacto knife. I covered the panel with the SU! Petal Patch paper and trimmed out the rose opening again. I’ll only cut one or two layers at a time with my Exacto knife because I think it’s easier to get an accurate cut that way and, frankly, it’s easier on my fingers. The Small Sayings sentiment was then Stamp-A-Ma-Jigged in place. Next, I cut a piece of craft foam slightly smaller than the paper covered panel, put the two pieces together and traced the rose opening onto the craft foam with a fine tip Sharpie. I used my Exacto knife to cut the craft foam just slightly outside the rose outline — this assures that none of the craft foam will show through the window. Using Jet Black Stazon, I stamped the rose on an acetate square and adhered it behind the paper panel, fitting the rose in the opening. I stamped the leaves on Whisper White, colored them with markers, cut them out and glued them in place. I did a little sponging with Certainly Celery around the edges of the panel and the window opening and then tied the ribbon in place.
To assemble it I used a lot of Sticky Strip (red liner tape). I mailed a shaker once that arrived at its destination in disassembled parts with the shaker beads loose like confetti in the envelope. That was not cool! Thanks to the Sticky Strip I’ve never had one fall apart since then. Every layer of this card is put together with Sticky Strip. I layered Bashful Blue on Basic Black first, then adhered the craft foam shaker base on top of that. I filled the well with beads, spreading them into a single layer and covering as much of the “floor” as possible. Before I put the cover on, I rubbed my Embossing Buddy over the acetate to eliminate the static electricity that causes the beads to jump out of the well. Boy, did I ever learn this the hard way! What a mess I had the first time I made a shaker! Okay, it’s done…except that I also lined the inside with Whisper White wheeled with a Celery Fine Foliage border.
Have a happy weekend, Mother’s Day, or whatever you’ve got going on! I’ll be having some family time, doing some baking and gardening and, if I’m lucky, maybe even a little stamping!
Wow! Lots of work but really worth it. It is wonderful. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I’ve never used foam for a shaker but it sounds like a good idea. I always learn something from you!
Wow, this is beautiful! The Petal Patch colors with the beads are really striking! Great job, Leslie!
How very clever!! I love your beaded rose! And foam board, eh? Great idea as I hate how beads always stick to foam tape. So pretty, Leslie!
I always learn something from my favorite bloggers and today I learned how to make a stepped up Shaker Card! I love how the beads look behind the acetate…almost phsychadelic (sp?)! This just rocks!
You almost sound like you work for a large call center like I do. I’m always standing in line it seems at the cafeteria paying for a soda or a salad. I hate how work gets in the way of my stamping/gardening/family time.
Linda
What a beautiful card…and I love the shaker! Thanks for wonderful instructions. Really inspires me to try this one!! Your work is wonderful!
What a beautiful card. And such a great idea. I NEVER would’ve thought of something like this. Thanks for the instructions…
Oh my….what a “WOW” card! The rose looks so striking against that beautiful Petal Patch paper!! Gorgeous!! (And thanks for the tips).
Wow, what a gorgeous card and what a lot of work! I love the black with the DS paper, and the colorful beads inside the rose look so cool! (and that rose is from one of my favorite retiring sets…)(*sniff*)
Leslie this is fabulous!!! I love how you made the shaker with the craft foam instead of the sticky messy hard-to-handle foam tape. I will be getting some of that my next trip to the craft store!
LOVE this card!
Gosh, your mixed bouquet flower makes such a pretty and creative shaker. Thanks for the idea. Also I just love the DP. Funny, I have had that paper out for about a week thinking I would like to do something with it. You are inspiring me as always. TFS
This is gorgeous. Wow!!
Fantastic AND fascinating! I love every single thing you did on this shaker card, and learned quite a bit too! Thanks so much for the extra photos and details. It’s been ages since I’ve made one. I hope a cool idea for one comes to me soon. Linda
OH MY GOSH - this is so amazing, you are so talented!!
This is gorgeous. You are so talented.
Me oh My! This is the most elaborate shaker I have ever seen! Pure Genius!!!
Very pretty! And cool! I love how you filled the well with beads to color the flower, instead of leaving more room for them to shake.
VERY cool shaker, Leslie!! I love all those funky colored beads in there!!
Gracious goodness and gravy! This is my new favorite card of all time. This is just absolutely amazing and astonishing. Thank you so much for sharing. It is gorgeous. Linda
Gorgeous!!! Your worker never ceases to amaze me!!!!!
Vicki
Leslie,
Gorgeous card!!
beautiful card, it looks like it was alot of work.
wow…I loved reading about how you make your shakers!
WOW Leslie!! What a creative way to do a shaker! LOVE The card, colors…LOVE IT!! Your the best!
Very wow! Can you tell me - where do you get your craft foam?
Wow!! Need I say more?
what a unique and beautiful twist on the traditional shaker card! I love how this looks!!!
TFS this recipe! I appreciate the visuals tremendously. in my head the foam wasn’t cut the way it is. This makes perfect sense and is especially great for the DSPs. What a lovely card and great tutorial.