New Shaker Idea....Valentine in Red and Green

One difference between dogs and cats!

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Hi, Friends......

DISCLAIMER: This post is NOT for people who make perfectly polished, exquisitely designed cards of all kinds every time. It is for people who tear their hair out making shakers! So don't judge me if this shaker card doesn't look as nice as ones that you make!!! :)

I am very excited to share with you an idea that is still in its beginning experimental phases, but has turned the corner for me on making shakers. Recently when making THIS SHAKER I nearly had to be committed to an institution. It turned out very pretty, but I cannot begin to tell you my frustrations in making it. My hat is totally off to all you who make flawlessly gorgeous shakers effortlessly, but that is not I.

Recently Lindsey over at The Frugal Crafter posted some super-fun ideas to use sequins....shaker projects were involved.  (I was already beginning to hyperventilate with anxiety, but I calmed myself with a handful of chocolate truffles and watched the video...) She used an inexpensive page protector and a woodburning tool to make pocket pouches. Too complicated for me!  And even she admitted there were problems with the technique. 

But I was noticing that page protectors are made of essentially the same material as the multidinous variety of tiny ziplock bags that I order cheap off of eBay for storing my little odds and ends. Why not make a shaker pouch out of one of these bags???? Would it work???? I didn't know. But it was worth a try.

I gathered all my panels for making a heart shaker card (all scraps from my stash!) and put some shiny sequins in a bag slightly larger than my window. Already this was soooooooooooo much easier than trying to guess how many sequins to use!! 


One of my disappointments in making shakers is that all the shaker mix falls to the bottom when the card is upright. My friend Becca Yahrling had the brilliant suggestion of gluing a few of the mix bits here and there in the window area so you always see some. Genius!

I had this additional idea on not adding dimensional foam in between the panels. There would still be some movement, but not the freefall of mix bits. (I do love the rattling freefall sound, but not the look of everything at the bottom!)

So here's my card.......

As you can see, it is not 100% perfect.  I do have a sheet of acetate under the top panel, but you can still detect some slight irregularities in the reflection of the plastic shaker bag below.  I am rather a perfectionist so this bothers me a little bit.  When it is actually in hand, however, it looks pretty good as you naturally shift it to make the sequins move around and to minimize the glare.  I like how lots of the sequins stay up in the card even when it is upright.

Products used include: Scraps....all scraps....Yay!!!
DCWV solid and glitter and printed cardstock scraps
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Audrey Cutaways die set (has scallops)
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Serendipity - Heart Scroll stamp and die set
Acetate sheet scrap
Core'dinations translucent vellum scraps
Winnie & Walter - Big Hugs with Evelin T Designs stamp set
Versamark ink
Ranger - Embossing Powder in silver
Tail end scrap of crinkle ribbon
Core'dinations kraft cardstock base

Okay....so that's my new idea. It's not as nice and smooth looking as the regular way of making shakers...so I know this is not going to appeal to many of you more expert crafters.  The slight waviness is a definite drawback. In my opinion, though, the total ease of making them definitely makes up for this small loss in visual perfection.... and I bet my recipients won't even notice!!

I made one more shaker where I added dimensional foam to see how much difference it makes. I will be posting that soon. I am going to continue playing with this new technique, and I hope to work out some of the kinks. Please tell me what you think of it so far.

Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate your visits and comments!!!

<3
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Winnie & Walter 4th BD Bash - Use Your Scraps Challenge with Kelly
2. Winnie & Walter 4th BD Bash - Shaker Challenge with Lea
3. Die-Cut Divas - Love is in the Air
4. HeARTful Stamping Challenge Feb 4-11 - Anything Goes + a stamp
5. Love to Scrap Challenge #106 - I Love You
6. Craft Stamper February TIMI Challenge - Anything Goes with Stamping
7. Power Poppy February Challenge - Love to Sparkle
8. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air
9. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - It Must be Love
10. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #320-321 - Anything Goes
11. Crafty Friends Challenge #76 - Anything Goes
12. Dare2BArtzy February Challenge - Love
13. Archiscraps February Challenge - Use lots of bling
14. The Artistic Stamper February Challenge - Use Red
15. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge #222 - Use Pink or Red
16. HIMCR #338 - Any Pinks and Reds
17. Double D - Sequins 

 











18. Joy Clair - Month of Love