Working Candy Machine Birthday Card

Hello my friends!  I thought I would share the fun birthday card that I made for my daughter.  It was a little late because I didn't have the supplies to make it in time, but i think she thought it was worth the wait.  Besides, she was away at University, so that bought me a little time!  It didn't takre long before the candy was gone and the message was revealed.  I used skittles in this card, but to be honest, they were a little bit big and got caught a few times.  I think I need to find some slightly smaler candies for the next one.

I did a second version while I was at it, just because it was fun!  I may keep this one for myself.  It is actually a work in progress because I need to add the candy before I can finish it.

Sue Wilson designed this Working Candy Machine Card and the components (and it does require a few) are from Creative Expressions.  I bought mine from Scrappin Great Deals.  Some of you may recognize the name from some of my previous posts. By the way, they recently moved and there was a glitch in their international shipping, but I caught up with them at Scrapfest and asked about that, because a couple of you had asked me, and I am happy to say they will soon be shipping internationally again, if they aren't already!  And for those of you here in Canada, shipping is certainly no problem, and free with orders over $100. (SGD does not know that I am plugging them, lol, but I am just letting you know where I get a lot of my supplies.  They have a lot of things I can't get at the local Michaels. I think I have developed a good report with them and I am comfortable ordering online with them.  It was great to finally meet them at Scrapfest!  I also order some things from Amazon.ca, but it usually takes a while for them to get new items)
 There is a die set...

some fomecore inserts...

some plastic "cups|. and handles

You will require all those elements to make one of these working cards.  There are 4 inserts in a package and 2 are required per unit.  I bought some fomecore to try and create some of my own inserts, but I wasn't very good at cutting out the apertures, so I think I will get some more inserts.  There are 6 cups in a package and 12 handles in a package.
I used some other dies from my stash and some sequins to embellish the card.

 I also wrapped some black tape around the edges of the the inserts before attaching the front and back so that the raw edges of the fomecore weren't visible.

I think that the next time I make one, I will die cut the the attachment that releases the candy out of matching card instead of white card.

I could also use this die to make a flat "non-working" card.  It is a really pretty image.  So I feel that I will get a lot of use out of the set.
Here is a link to Sue Wilson's video tutorial
Earlier in my post I mentioned Scrapfest,  This is an event that happens twice a year near Toronto.  T In the spring it happens in Kitchener (this seems to be the giggest event) and in the fall it is in Richmond Hill, which is a little closer to me.  I always look forward to it.  So, I will be posting my Scrapfest Haul, soon.  So if you like haul posts, be sure to stop back here soon.  Here is a link to a previous Scrapfest haul
And here are a couple of SGD hauls  SGD Haul
Well, I hope you enjoyed my latest post.  Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have an awesome day and a great weekend!  xo

My latest paintings, submissions to The 50th OAA Juried Art Show

"Tracks in Time"  24 x 36 acrylic on canvas

Hello my friends!  Well, I thought I would share some of the things that I have been up to lately.  Thursday evening was the opening Gala to the 50th Oshawa Art Association Juried Art Show, on display at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.  We submitted our paintings the previous Thursday.  There were around 300 paintings submitted and room for 150 paintings in the show.  This is my first time entering this juried show.  It's just in the last year that I have decided that my skin is thick enough to attempt some juried shows.  It was crazy busy when we brought in our paintings, and I cannot tell how beautiful the artwork coming through the door.  On the way over, I was semi-confident, and thought I might get one or two in the show.  When we arrived, and I was surrounded by all those gorgeous pieces, I thought I might be out of my league!  We had to wait until Saturday evening to find out if we were in.  You could submit from 1 - 3 paintings.  I figured if I submitted three, I'd increase my odds of getting one in, lol.  How it works is that you get a phone call to let you know that you have a painting accepted into the show.  If your painting is declined, you do not get a call, and must pick it back up the next day.  I was on pins and needles waiting until Saturday evening.
Well, the call actually came Saturday afternoon and I was stunned (and I am not just saying that out of false modesty) to discover that all three of my submissions had been accepted!

"Identity:  mixed media on canvas
Some of you may already be familiar with this one!

 "RAW"  24 x 36 mixed media on canvas

Three completely different works, in three different categories.
I am thrilled to report that "Tracks in Time" has found a loving new home to go to at the end of the show.   That is another story that I will share if it is okay with my paintings new owner.  But I can say this, sometimes things happen for a reason and I think this painting was meant to find it's way to this person.
I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and have a look at my latest paintings.  I hope you have enjoyed this latest post and I will be back soon to share some of  the other things I've been up to lately.
Have an awesome day!  xo