Karen Burniston Designer Challenge - April 2025 - Designers Choice

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome! It's Designer Challenge time and our theme for April 2025 is Designers Choice. I wasn't sure which amazing die set I was going to use for this challenge, but a recent trip to my favorite craft store changed that. I found a very cool paper pack from Echo Park called Blast Off and I was inspired to create a space card. For this card, I used the Rocket Pop-Up die set along with the Space Charms. 

For this card, I started with an A2 sized card base using smooth black 110lb cardstock. Then, using Karen Burniston's Rectangle - Crosshatch dies in the largest sized, I die cut two rectangles from the Blast Off paper pack. I chose another patterned paper to add some colored strips down each side and cut thin strips of dark blue glitter cardstock to add some trim. 

I die cut the pop-up mechanisms (the moon and flames) from smooth white cardstock. I colored the flames in with Copic markers (listed below). Then using Simon Says Stamps Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Flannel and Earl, I added color to my moon. I went over the craters with Copic markers to add more dimension. I then glued these pieces into my card base using Lineco Neutral pH adhesive in a fine tip bottle. 

I die cut the rocket ship from silver glitter cardstock, added red and shiny black cardstock to the rocket ship. I kept thinking of the Muppet Show and pigs in space and so I added a pig from the Chicken, Pig and Lamb die set. I added some acetate to create a window in the rocket and placed the pig behind it. 

I die cut the pieces from the Space Charms from smooth white Neenah Classic Crest 110lb cardstock and colored them in with Copic markers. For the astronaut, I added some buttons to the front of his suit. I also added Glossy Accents to the eyes on the aliens and the buttons on the astronauts suit.

I used the Rectangles and Labels - Crosshatch die set to die cut a label for the inside of the card. I used MFT - Space Explorer stamp set to stamp the sentiment inside the card. Then once dry, I added the aliens and astronaut to the inside of my card. 

For the front of my card, I used the same patterned paper as the inside, added an oval from Karen Burniston's Oval - Crosshatch die set and creating an oval frame from the same dark blue glitter cardstock as the inside. 

I die cut the smaller alien from the Space Charms and colored him in with Copic markers. Then trimmed him to fit in the little window.

I wanted to give it a little something special, so I used Pear Blossoms light set and added three lights to the spaceship. To do this, I die cut the spaceship from holographic cardstock and heavy weight translucent velum. Then I cut out the window from the holographic cardstock and added a piece of acetate to act like a window. I added the velum in behind the holographic spaceship. I then added the shiny black cardstock piece which is the round area of the spaceship. The heavy weight velum allows the lights to come through, but not super bright. I then marked where I wanted the lights to go and used a tiny hole punch to punch out the holes where the lights will shine through. I then added double sided adhesive to the back of the battery holder and taped it down to the card base. 

I taped down the wires with scotch tape and added some foam tape to the middle of the card base. I tested the lights to make sure everything was working well. Then I added foam tape to the back of my card front. I placed this down on the front of my card. I then added the spaceship, turning the lights on so I had proper placement. 

I check the lights again and once I was satisfied that everything was where it should be, I added the sentiment for the front of the card. 

I used another sentiment from the Space Explorers stamp set, with VersaMark Ink and white embossing powder. I placed the stamp where I wanted it on my Misti stamp tool, then added some Simon Says Stamps static powder. I heat set the embossing powder with my heat tool, then carefully wiped away the access static powder. 

I then trimmed the edges to look like the ends of a ribbon and glued it down to my card front. 

I just love how this card turned out. My husband said he wanted it for his birthday card, which made me laugh, but I said no because he is turning 50 this year and I have plans for something extra special. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today, be sure to check out all the wonderful cards created by Karen and the Design Team. Happy Crafting!

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