The Magical Land of Oz

I am in love with the range of Wizard of Oz papers from Grapic 45. My children love the film, so I had to have every paper in the range. I think that the vintage look co-ordinates well with my recent blog freebie of bingo cards, so I have started crafting with them together. This is the first project I have made from the combination. It is a collage-style card, but also doubles as the cover for a desk calendar for a friend's christmas gift.

To make the two small panels featuring Dorothy and the Wizard, I cut the images from one of the Graphic 45 sheets then liberally applied glossy accents. When completely dry, I crumpled the glossy paper to crack the glaze. I then rubbed distressing ink into the cracks to highlight them.

The ruby coloured flower with the emerald centre is, of course, made using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die. Liquid pearls were used to highlight the centre of the petals. I made it to resemble the poppies in the Graphic 45 image, which I also brushed with liquid pearls. I mounted the various elements onto a background of gingham paper to go with the Dorothy theme and added a red and white tab with ruby ribbon bow.

Using fabric Mod Podge, I layered the ruby velvet ribbon on the card and ruffled it to add more texture. I made a 'badge' from the Oz 'logo' and added another emerald gem. The whole thing was then generously spritzed with ranger bronze perfect pearls mist.

I made calendar pages to co-ordinate with this cover and fastened it all together with more velvet ruby coloured ribbon.

I would like to enter this calendar card into a couple of blog challenges:

Charisma Cardz 'cuties' challenge. Dorothy is a cutie isn't she?

Papertake Weekly's 'When is a card not a card...'

That's me finished now. I have to be in hospital by 7am in the morning for my operation. I may not be up to actual crafting for a little while as I may not be able to get out of bed to get to my craft stash (sooo frustrating when your head is full of ideas!!), but I will be working on digital goodies and more digital layouts for an album I am trying to finish by Christmas.

Freebie - Anyone for Bingo?

A few years ago, when Bingo cards became popular in scrapbooks, particularly in digi layouts, I made a few different types for my own for use in my papercraft projects. I use them on cards, layouts, gift vouchers, mini books, etc. Maybe because I love playing bingo, but also because I love collecting and using real ephemera or fake ephemera if the real thing isn't available.

I am not a regular gambler and am not keen on online bingo or playing at giant bingo halls, but I do love a game of 'housey housey' at amusement arcades and holiday parks. I have very fond memories of playing bingo with my grandmother on precious trips to the seaside. Not for the prizes, but just the sheer thrill of the chance of winning and frantically trying to keep up with checking off the numbers. I even got my husband hooked on it when we went on holiday to Malta about ten years ago. We used to return to the same town every year as we love the country so much. One of the real treats was playing a nightly game of bingo at the hotel after dinner. We are passed the age of going clubbing and don't like pubs, so it was an ideal night out for us before a walk along the seashore and an hour visiting the tourist shops to browse local crafts and souvenirs.

Anyway, I was working on another project using one of my bingo cards and thought I would share with you. If you would like to download it, just copy the picture and use as you wish. I just ask that you leave me a comment and consider following my blog. If you would like to share with a friend, or on your own blog, please use the link to this post and they can copy the file themselves.

When I've finished the project using the card, I'll add that here too. I've also got a few more freebies to share over the next few days as I finish editing them and tidying up the edges. I hope you'll visit again and download them too.

Here are a few slight variations for you too. Just save to your pc and use as you wish.