Vacation Themed Cards: A Dirty Dozen Card-Making Challenge

One year ago I wrote in THIS POST that I was given the great honor in the paper-crafting world to join the "Dirty Dozen" on Splitcoaststampers.   Splitcoaststampers is an on-line paper crafting community where crafters can learn new techniques, chit chat with each other, share their art work, and so much more.  One part of this community is "The Dirty Dozen".  This is an invitation only group of crafters whose work is seen as exemplary so they are asked to be part of the Dirty Dozen.  The requirements of the Dirty Dozen is to create six cards for six months centered around a different theme each month.  The cards then are uploaded into the "Dirty Dozen Gallery" and only fan club members are allowed to see them.  After six months, Dirty Dozen members are allowed to post them elsewhere on social media or their blogs.  Well, it has been more than six months since I completed my first challenge, so I can finally show  my first set of cards!

The fifth Dirty Dozen theme was "Vacations".  Members were asked to create vacation themed cards.

Pineapple Card

For my first card, I created a tropical themed card.  This card invokes all the colors, tropical fruits, and birds that one would find someplace in the tropics, where a lot of people vacation.

To make my card I used Spellbinder's "Stitched Pineapple Die".  I cut the pineapple pieces twice, in two different colors, ink blended, stitched them up, and then glued all the pieces together.   The background was done with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that I also ink blended.  I added some Cuttlebug flower dies and clear crystals.  The birds and sentiment are from a retired Stampin' Up! set "Just Beakause".  I stamped the sentiment with white craft ink onto black card stock.  I cut the sentiment circles with Spellbinder's dies, and popped the toucans up on dimensionals.

Boat Card

My second card uses another retired Stampin' Up! set called "Boatloads of Love".  It fits the theme because many people take cruises or boat rides on vacations.

To make this card, I created a cloudy background using the Tailored Expressions Cloud Stencil.  Then I cut waves out of patterned paper using a scalloped scissors.  The sentiment was stamped directly onto the sky.  The boats and heart were stamped, colored, fussy cut, then adhered to the card with dimensionals.   The fish are Cuttlebug dies.  I added a button and red twine for embellishment. 

Camper Card

I've never owned a camper, but many of my friends do and that is how they spend their vacations.

To make this card I used the Vintage Camper Card Tutorial on Splitcoaststampers.   Once all the pieces were cut and assembled I added all the fun details like the sentiment (which I left blank so I can personally fill it in for someone special).  I used Ultimate Metallic Silver Ink on the camper to really make it shine and look like an old Airstream.  A score-pal was used to create the horizontal lines.  The sentiment and little boy are from retired Stampin' Up! "Travel Time".  The curtains were fussy cut from designer paper.  A brad was added for the wheel well.

Camping Diorama Card

I may not own a camper, but I have gone tent camping several times in my life.  My next card shows a diorama camping scene.  

To make this card, I once again followed a Splitcoaststampers Tutorial on how to make a Diorama Card.  Once my diorama was created, I added images from another retired Stampin' Up! set called "Happy  Camper".  I created a night scene for the background by ink blending, masking, and splashing "stars" with a toothbrush and white acrylic paint.   

I've included several viewpoints of this card so you can see all the dimension and layers. 

If you want to leave a personal message on this card, I suppose you'd have to write it on the back as there isn't much room anywhere else.

Going Places Card

Planning a vacation can be just as exciting as going to the destination.  Here I created a card of a woman mapping out her trip.

To create this card I used MFT "Going Places" set.  I created a city skyline using an image from the set and ink blending a sky.   The woman was stamped, colored, fussy cut, and popped up on dimensionals.  Her dress was done by stamping the image onto designer paper, cut out, and glued onto her body (called pattern piecing).  The suitcase and airplane were also images in the set that I stamped, colored, and cut out separately.  The brick background was created with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder.

Road Trip Card

Road Trips are my family's preferred mode of travel when taking a vacation.

To make this card I used a page from an actual map (it was old and outdated) for my background.  The palm tree is an old Sizzix die.  The car and sentiment are retired Stampin' Up! "Travel Time".  The sky background was created using Taylored Expressions Cloud Stencil.  The flip flops are stickers.

I hope you enjoyed my Vacation Themed Cards designed for the Dirty Dozen.  Which one was your favorite?  I'd love to hear from you.

Next month will be my very last post of my cards from my time on the Dirty Dozen Design Team as my six month term limit came to an end.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

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