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Friday 20 February 2015

Ninja Turtles - and a little 'Raphael' tutorial

Earlier this week it was the Birthday of a little chap we know - this is the card I made:
I used:

- 7" x 5" white card blank

- SU 'Old Olive' card stock, cut slightly smaller than the card front, corners punched with a Woodware fancy corners punch

- four hand made Ninja Turtles (instructions below), popped onto a white square of card with thin sticky pads, backed by a slightly larger square of card in the same colour as the turtle's mask

- I then positioned the four 'toppers' onto the card using Collall All Purpose glue

- and at that point, to be honest, the card was fine. BUT, Len likes little ones to have their names and ages on cards so I used Britannia dies and leftover snippets to die cut the Birthday greeting, 3rd and also the little chap's name. I know it makes it personal but I still think all the extra 'bits' are too much :(

If that's all you want to know then skip away now, if you want to know how I made the Ninja Turtles then fetch a cup of tea or coffee and read on.

You'll need:

- a circular punch or die, I used SU's 1 and 3/8ths inch circle punch

- an oval punch or die, I used SU's 'Large Oval' punch, which measures 1 and 3/4 inches x 7/8th of an inch

You can just fiddle round trying different sizes if you don't have these, they were what I had quickly available here

- snippet of green card stock (I used SU's 'Old Olive' but again, you can just vary whatever to green you think would work) and a darker green ink pad - plus dauber or makeup sponge if you have those

- snippet of red card stock.  If you're making the full set of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles then you'll need blue for Leonardo, Orange for Michelangelo, red for Raphael and purple for Donatello (mine of useless information here!)

- scissors, adhesive, fine black pen and googly eyes approx. 1/4" diameter

And away we go:

Firstly, punch from green card stock one circle and one oval then just go round the edges using a darker green ink pad (I used SU's 'Mossy Meadow') and something like a sponge dauber or a make up sponge - this will add dimension to the turtle face.

Next, punch a circle from red card stock and about quarter of an inch from the top cut straight across the circle and then again at quarter of an inch below that to form the mask. At the same time cut another quarter inch wide strip from a piece of spare red card with one end cut into a V shape and keep to one side - I found it easier to use a pennant punch on the edge of a bit of card for the V and then to cut the strip to width.

This is what you're going to play with next, the mask piece - don't throw the biggest half moon shape away just yet though. I added a strip of very narrow (1/8th inch) ultra strong adhesive tape to the back of the top of the mask piece (ie. slightly tapering in) then gently put it in place on the round punched piece of green card. Doing it this way means you get a perfect fit for the curve of the circle, just remember to ONLY apply a very thin line of tape or glue to that top edge of the mask as you want space/a pocket underneath that mask for the next step!!

I then just ran a bit of tape roller over the 'circle punched piece' of the turtle's face below where the red mask was adhered and that allowed me to wiggle the oval into place, tucked partly underneath the mask - which of course then hides the join.

Remember the leftover half moon shape from the red punched circle I told you to keep? This is where you use it, if like me you're not very good at freehand. Just place the curve of the crescent where you think the turtle's smile should be and using a pencil draw partly round the curve.

Remove the half moon template, using a fine line black pen draw over the 'smile' and then rub away any excess pencil lines.

Final touch - snip the headband 'tail' down to about half an inch across the straight end, stick it behind the headband at the back of the turtle with the V shape showing.

Then just add the googly eyes and all of a sudden your little Ninja Turtle takes on his very own personality :) Introducing 'Raphael' :)

I gleaned quite a bit of the above from the internet but I didn't think there was enough detailed information in one place so that's why I've done this little step by step 'how-to/tutorial' for you.

Of course there are some things you can do differently which would speed things up. For example, you could just cut a straight strip for the headband, stick it in place and then round it with scissors to shape (work from behind the circle if you decide to do this as it will give you a guide). Of course, you won't have the template for the turtle's smile but I bet most of you are better at freehand than I am anyhow! And, you can get away with white and black card stock circles for the eyes - although I do like the googly eyes if truth be known!

If any of this is unclear (or all of it perhaps!) just let me know and I'll clarify things.

Di
x

24 comments:

  1. You are too clever Di! I love these colorful ninja's and especially all four squares of them! FUN!

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  2. WOW! How cool is this!! What a brilliant card. Thanks for the instructions. xx

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  3. OMGoodness! What a cute, cute, and brilliant card! Any little boy would love this. SOOOOO CUTE!
    Lynn

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  4. Well, this is just the cutest thing, and aren't you the clever MIss to figure out how to make these Ninja's with the circle & oval punch, and then add all the deocrations. I think this little fella will love it that you put his very own name on it, and he won't be worrying that it is 'too much'. He'll just know that you made something that he obviously loves, just for his very own. You're a sweetheart to do all this. TFS & Hugs

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  5. Well I'm playing catch up again Di all your cards are fab!!! but this one is absolutely great!! he will love this..lots of huggles Sue xx

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  6. What a brainwave, those turtles are brilliant!
    Jane

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  7. Fantastic punch art and tutorial Di, and i am sure Luke really loved his card.
    Lynn x

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  8. Brilliant Di. Great tutorial and super turtles - you really are very clever xx

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  9. How cute! Ninja Turtles take me back to when my son was a little boy....they were his heroes! He would have adored this card so I'm sure your little lad will love it!
    Chris
    x

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  10. Cowabunga . . . this punchy card is Absolutely BRILLIANT.
    Thanks for the tutorial Sensai!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  11. Oh my gosh Di this is fri king brilliant!! My brother used to loved them!! He would live this card even tho he's 30 lol!! I've totally gotta make one similar for his bday in November!! :-) xxx

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  12. How cute and so clever of your .....what a fab card he will just love it Di xx

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  13. Great Ninjas!! Love the googly eyes Di.... am sure Luke will LOVE it! Have a great weekend.

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  14. What patience you have Di but certainly worth it as the finished result is fantastic and they look so realistic! Great googly eyes too. Thanks for the tutorial and it would be great for any youngster and will bear it in mind when the youngest in our extended family reaches the right age. x

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  15. Hi Di,
    this is so superb.
    You are a very clever and talented lady.
    Love it.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  16. Wow! Really fun paper piecing and clever idea!!

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  17. fabulous card, and superb tutorial Di xxx

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  18. Well if my youngest Grandson is still into these by his next birthday then I will certainly be popping back here, if I don't just do it anyway, to have a go at this fabulous idea of yours, looks brilliant and I bet the little guy loved it.
    I find that having the childs name on the card makes it extra special and not only the kids but Mum and Dad think it is too and not only that it makes it unique to you as they will probably not get another one with their name on.

    Also a neighbour of mine is always asking for cards for various people and celebrations and she loves the idea that they have their name on, bit of a bind at times but she loves getting the praise for the cards as they are so different. Lucky for me she does give me her orders well in advance so I have time to think about it, in fact, she gave me one yesterday for a 50th for January 2016, if only I was that far ahead.
    Have a good weekend and hope the arguments regarding the bedroom are all sorted out now.

    Kath xx

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  19. Brilliant card Di! I love that the ninja turtles are still so popular, and I love it even more that you know their names and colours!! Thank you so much for the instructions, even though I don't need a card like this I'm going to have a go, such fun! Cathy x

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  20. Creative & so cute! Bet it was a hit with the little chap!

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  21. Lol. These are such a cuties! I remember Turtles being number one as I was a child. Great memories. Thanks for the little tutorial also.

    Hugs from Finland,
    Eemeli

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  22. Absolutely brilliant! I LOVE them!

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  23. OMGosh, my boys loves the TMNT!! lol I even painted them their own favorite turtle out of ceramics. It's fun to know that kids still love them. I love your version of the turtles, they are just too cute!!! Thanks for the directions too Di! Now I can't wait to make them for my adult boys! lol I know what you mean about all the extras on the card, but Len is probably right in that the kids so love to see their name and age on things. It just messes with our designs. lol Hugs, Brenda

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