Thursday 22 December 2016

Twist and Pop Christmas Cards

This is a new style of card that I came across a month or so back and have no idea what it is referred to as.  I thought I could make a template on my Silhouette so I could make more in the future.   They are A6 in size and fold completely flat.

I think the style must have become popular because Hunkdory have now produced a collection of these to make up.  They seem good value to. They have named them "Twist and Pop".


 Here are the cards I made from my collection.



















Wednesday 14 December 2016

Die'sire Create a Card Christmas "Cut in" Dies

Here is a collection of cards I have made using these dies.  I think I could do with the new Gemini as I did struggle to cut these on my Craftwell Cut "n" Boss machine.  However, I can't simply replace my Die Cutting machine for the sake of it so I shall have to be careful what cardstock I use with them as they don't particular cut well on heavy weight cardstock and this has been most disappointing. 

I don't own the complete set of eight, just these four as used in the card samples below.
 



I created the background template using my Cameo Silhouette so that the side panels were the right size for the small Christmas Tree dies.



I felt there was something missing from this card until I had the idea to use some vellum behind the cut out.  Now I am happy with it.



I found some dies that complimented this snowflake die in my collection.  It is likely to be a Sue Wilson die.



Another almagamation of Sue Wilson dies were used in making this card.  I prefer the decorated tree in this sample.



As you can see I put a solid background behind this die.  I am wondering if they look fine without any sentiment or maybe a little odd!


This sample doesn't have a velum background.


Or this one.  Even though I had a few problems with the cutting, it helped when I purchased a metal shim.  Off all the dies I own and despite the problems I have experienced in getting a clean cut, these are amongst my favourite Christmas dies and I hope you like them to.

Sunday 11 December 2016

Sheena Douglass - A Little Bit Festive Christmas Stamps


Stamping and colouring with inks and pens is what this collection is all about.  Here are four cards I have made with this stamp collection; each have a vintage feel and look.



















Wednesday 7 December 2016

Chloe Christmas Stamps

Today I am sharing with you a few cards I have made using stamps by Chloe.  These require the use of Embossing Ink and powders.  I like working with the WOW Embossing Powders.

Some useful tips on stamping and embossing:

Be sure to use an anti-static bag over the surface of the cardstock before stamping.  This ensures the Embossing Powder only clings to the card stock where the Embossing Ink is.  Brush off any excess with a fine paintbrush or gently blowing.   

Before melting your Embossing Powder try leaving your heat gun running for a few seconds to get it warmed up.

When using your heat gun don't keep it too long in one place.  As soon as the Embossing Powder begins to melt, move onto the next area.







This last card is an inside out card.  I have used Chloe's stamps to decorate on the front along with some of the Stylish Silhouettes I had from Hunkydory.  These snowflakes were covered with silver Embossing Powder.


You get a big surprise when you open this card as you can see by the picture below.




I was thinking that I could the Die'sire Christmas 5x2 Christmas sentiments as panels on either edge.  I have seen this on sample cards and it looks amazing.  Perhaps Let It Snow and With Love would look great.

Sunday 4 December 2016

Hunkydory - Little Book of Bird Song

These postcard size images are perfect for mounting onto Mirri card and creating your own toppers.  The come in a series of mini-books by Hunkydory.  Each book contains 144 pages of beautiful quality images on 150gsm paper and are perfect for handcutting your own decoupage elements as you get repeats.

You can find the complete collection here on the Hunkydory website.  And a Click Here to get your Mirri Mats!

This is how I have used mine.  Here I have trimmed them to fit inside a frame.





You see how they can be used in different ways as card toppers.


This image is framed on two of the corners.


 The next four are cut to fit inside my favourite Spellbinders Christmas frame die.








 I am sure you will agree the images are absolutely divine.