tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37826615087246521222013-06-18T05:46:54.142+03:00To discover crafting possibilities in Latvia and whole worldLīva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125LivasCraftshttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-60025766261636455072013-07-15T13:21:00.000+03:002013-06-13T14:11:15.926+03:002013-06-13T14:11:15.926+03:00

 Say yay!!! I decided that I have left my followers a bit neglected, so here's my plan on how to remedy just that. I have made this huge giveaway. It will be open till 15th of July. So here it is:  OK - this cutie will not be included in the package, but I just couldn't not post this pic :) My hubby is home so rarely that every opportunity to share something with him is something I just

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-80398574851337446592013-06-13T13:58:00.001+03:002013-06-13T14:00:37.172+03:002013-06-13T14:00:37.172+03:00

Sizzix new collection 'Susan's Garden' create stunning 3D flowers, making perfect embellishments for cards, scrapbook pages, home décor items and much more. So head over there to check them out and get some inspiration. And even more: Fancy some fresh birthday card inspiration? There are 10 birthday card ideas - 5 for a male and 5 for a female. So thank you Sizzix for these wonderful ideas

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-63728016013995336332013-06-05T13:58:00.000+03:002013-06-05T13:58:09.618+03:002013-06-05T13:58:09.618+03:00

Once again Sizzix has a surprise in their store - so to say -  because they are offering free father's day papers for you to print out and create some amazing projects!

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-7232130219537192013-06-05T09:36:00.000+03:002013-06-05T09:36:19.318+03:002013-06-05T09:36:19.318+03:00

Recently I was asked to make some lilac invitations - folded and tied with ribbon. As they had to be inexpensive, this meant for me that I should make them simple, but somehow manage to keep them on the elegant side. Hopefully I've done just that... All I did, was to fold some lilac paper, wrap it with white organza ribbon and tied a bow. Then I printed names and date on simple white paper,

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-37753254633039201532013-06-02T08:48:00.000+03:002013-06-02T08:48:00.260+03:002013-06-02T08:48:00.260+03:00

After my previous slightly differently shaped wedding invitation all in white, I was asked to make something with bright pink in it. Oh and maybe some butterflies :) Well this was my approach to this idea. I made a composition of punched flowers and some white punched butterflies. All centers of my flowers were made using liquid pearls. This is the second fold of my invite - it is almost

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-67240055927912615342013-05-31T22:41:00.000+03:002013-05-31T22:41:13.511+03:002013-05-31T22:41:13.511+03:00

I just love Pinterest - don't you? There is so much inspiration that it's even sometimes overwhelming. This is a wedding invite that I was inspired to create from one of the wonderful creations spotted on Pinterest. It took me some figuring out of how to actually make this. It is tricky for me to cut that circle and emboss those details, because this invite measures 21cm in its width but when

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-10412882713829159902013-05-27T23:00:00.000+03:002013-05-27T23:00:01.209+03:002013-05-27T23:00:01.209+03:00

Recently I was asked to make samples for wedding invitations with intricate die cutting in front with jewels and a bow. I didn't have papers with matching satin ribbon in colors that were requested, so I just made these as an example of cutting itself that I can do. I'm currently working on these - with the right colors they look stunning. I will share the outcome with you. I suppose I

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-42867345241697451972013-05-25T22:41:00.000+03:002013-05-25T22:41:00.036+03:002013-05-25T22:41:00.036+03:00

This was my first attempt to make a wrap card and I think it turned out quite well. Nothing special, but white wrap with  a shape from Silhouette online shape shop and a shimmering, slightly transparent folded paper inside with monogram and date on front. Small tied organza ribbon ties both flaps together. That's all!

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-38728701820801803132013-05-23T22:49:00.001+03:002013-05-23T22:49:44.671+03:002013-05-23T22:49:44.671+03:00

My little girl recently turned 4. As I had previously made some wonderful parties for Aleksa, now it was turn for Emilia. Nowadays her favorite cartoon is "Masha I Medved". It is the most amazing Russian cartoon of a little girl called Masha and a bear. You totally must check it out. It is a cartoon almost without any talking so anyone can understand it. First I made this huge banner saying "

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-15469239275675063132013-05-17T20:38:00.000+03:002013-05-17T20:38:08.945+03:002013-05-17T20:38:08.945+03:00

 Until my teen years ended I could never imagine how it was possible for some people to not know their age at any given moment... well it's been for some time now that I need to think a moment before I remember how old I am and today I am getting one year older. It's not that it saddens me, but more that I wonder how comes that time has flown so fast. Even thou today the birthday is for me,

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-47211284675822125292013-05-12T16:24:00.000+03:002013-05-12T16:24:00.975+03:002013-05-12T16:24:00.975+03:00

 I've been cursing my WiFi connection for the last three days - or more - I have lost the count. It has been acting up and hadn't let me access internet on my home PC and since that is the only device that lets me normally write posts, I almost missed all deadlines for the challenges I made these two cards. I saw this Watercolor challenge over at the Moxie Fab World and was so inspired by

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-681107499888579382013-05-09T08:05:00.000+03:002013-05-09T08:05:00.901+03:002013-05-09T08:05:00.901+03:00

 I'm not aware how it is done in other countries, but here during wedding we usually issue "diplomas" to people who haw helped the most for newlyweds - usually parents and other close people. But we also give funny "jobs" to attendants, like "liquor pourer" who is responsible  that every glass of every guest is full and then immediately emptied again. Or the "kisser" is the person responsible

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-26447277849988846712013-05-09T08:03:00.000+03:002013-05-09T08:03:01.106+03:002013-05-09T08:03:01.106+03:00

 I think that placing name cards on glassware becomes more and more popular, so I decided to make one as well. I used the same sunflower, just altered it slightly to fit the name in the center and made two slit to "sit" it on the edge of glass. Kind of cute, isn't it?

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-79411827761837941832013-05-09T07:58:00.000+03:002013-05-09T07:58:00.506+03:002013-05-09T07:58:00.506+03:00

 These are place cards that go together with my white wedding invitations I posted yesterday. I also have two more additions to this "collection", but I decided to make it into three different posts rather than one large. But they will be posted together.  I used Sizzix embossing folder one side of this place card and topped with my Silhouette die cut sunflower and one leave. In moments

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-75343123308667219072013-05-08T08:23:00.000+03:002013-05-08T08:23:00.385+03:002013-05-08T08:23:00.385+03:00

 We have a saying here in Latvia: Three things - good things! And as this is the third day I'm presenting my white, embossed and sunflower cards, this is finally the one that got picked to become wedding invitations.  This time my sunflowers were made just from white paper. I drew them after browsing lots and lots of stencils and vector shapes of sunflowers on internet, until I made something

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-79431714776721170732013-05-07T08:18:00.000+03:002013-05-07T08:18:00.590+03:002013-05-07T08:18:00.590+03:00

If you red my post yesterday, you know that I had to make wedding invitations that would be white, with embossed surface and sunflower(s), Well this was my second attempt to do so. To be honest  I must say that this was my favorite of the three samples I made, but I also must admit that the one more suited for wedding indeed was the third sample you will see tomorrow :) Recently white on

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-37347068327499933382013-05-06T14:01:00.000+03:002013-05-06T14:02:18.766+03:002013-05-06T14:02:18.766+03:00

White, embossed surface and sunflowers - those were conditions given to me by a person who needed wedding invitations. So I put my thinking cap on and went to work. This was was the first sample I made. TH regal flourishes always gives me the feel of really elegant project. I took some very old lace, gathered along one edge and turned it into a flower. Flower center is made from punched sun

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-28155939832405032282013-05-02T17:00:00.000+03:002013-05-02T17:00:02.970+03:002013-05-02T17:00:02.970+03:00

 ...well not exactly. I have spun somewhat out of my usual orbit, but it's a good thing actually! I have found a job!!! After spending one year totally at home, I was going out of my mind, because I just needed to be around people. Being around just the ones shorter than my hip line, wasn't enough. But together with my new job came the necessity to improve my qualification and that meant going

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-29959631325309377352013-04-26T20:34:00.001+03:002013-04-26T20:34:40.488+03:002013-04-26T20:34:40.488+03:00

Sizzix again has an incredible offer - this time free phrases and embellishments for you to download and print. Hurry up and get your own free printables.

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-92119647270363046752013-03-05T20:06:00.000+02:002013-03-05T20:06:05.313+02:002013-03-05T20:06:05.313+02:00

Sizzix has a new surprise in store for all of you - or rather a free gift! 4 amazing vintage papers for you to download and use on your projects!

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-44648203077191839772013-03-02T14:24:00.003+02:002013-03-02T14:24:47.451+02:002013-03-02T14:24:47.451+02:00

When I first saw the Tattered Floral challenge on TH blog, my immediate idea was to make plastic jewelry! I started out by die-cutting tattered florals from a Sizzix embossing folders packaging.  I just love how Bigz dies cuts right through materials as such - even through two layers at once. This material proved to be absolutely amazing with this technique. Then you heat each petal - not

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-51395026440583987592013-02-28T09:00:00.000+02:002013-02-28T09:00:01.327+02:002013-02-28T09:00:01.327+02:00

When I hear the words baroque, rococo, renaissance, Gothic, Art Nouveau or vintage, it seams that I get these chills all over my body. It makes me think of wondrous palaces, great celebrations, elegance, beautiful dresses and materials. So using imagery, or in this case frame, from one of those times makes me think of my creations as somewhat fitting into such celebrations and beauty. All I

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-87130461087129302832013-02-27T19:18:00.001+02:002013-02-27T19:18:25.241+02:002013-02-27T19:18:25.241+02:00

If you head over to Sizzix blog, you might find lots of interesting ideas for Mother's Day cards! You will find simple ones as well as more elaborate and complicated ones.

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-26114948637187797992013-02-22T16:14:00.000+02:002013-02-22T16:14:35.213+02:002013-02-22T16:14:35.213+02:00

 Today I found an interesting challenge site called Runway Inspired Challenge. I must say that I usually am not into whimsical or ultra modern designs, but something in this one caught my eye and I decided to go with it - well and this is the result. I used lots of Sizzix dies and stamps to make this card and especially these flowers. I started out by printing this houndstooth pattern I

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782661508724652122.post-87650670859825400482013-02-22T09:00:00.000+02:002013-02-22T09:00:07.050+02:002013-02-22T09:00:07.050+02:00

 I really like when I finally use some stamps that I own after long, long time since I got them. and this lovely couple is one of them. I got this stamp as a freebie from PaperCrafts Inspirations magazine. I used very light shades of ProMarkers and Flexmarkers. I like that the image is "under" my background of Sizzix Regal Flourishes. I also have shaded my rhinestone hearts with pink

Līva Kalniņahttps://plus.google.com/110007636575303894417noreply@blogger.com3