Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectangles - Christmas

Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectangles as the name suggests, are slightly bigger than other dies. This means with the largest die you can easily created a base 4" x 6 card with a shaped edge for interest.

For my card No 17 I used
3 Spellbinder Mega Curvered Rectangles
Star folder from Crafts-too-U
Spellbinder Shapeabiilitie small Christmas Tree
Stamps, various inks
Ribbon, and other bits and pieces.


Having cut my base card to a landscape fold, I placed the whole of the card inside the folder
and debossed the pattern. You will see that this give texture to the inside of the card, and the debossing makes adding a sentiment label easier to adhere. The front of the card has another size die, which was cut out of paper and mounted on card for strength.

Then I played with my new stamps and a few inks and added some detail. This blending technique is new to me - it's not perfect yet, but with time and practise I should improve, AND I love doing it and also quite like my blue fingers! When I'd finished playing, I added a blue metalic dusting of Perfect Pearls and a silver tail to the stars, but unfortnately the camera doesn't capture the sheen!
I'm not sure if this daily posting of Christmas cards for a month was a good idea - yes, I'm getting my cards done, but the days seem to be whizzing by even faster than usual!!!

Cuttlebug - Embossing and Spellbinder Christmas Tie dies

Hi, Well today started out well, but then it when soooo wrong. What did I do? What didn't I do!

I started out making a 6 x 4 card in white linen - I printed the sentiment on the PC

then using a (Crafts-too) star folder which I received yesterday from Liz, at Make a Lasting Impression, and my score board I had finished my base card very quickly. Great! The embossing with this folder is very good, clear and deep. Also the pattern lends itself to debossing, and if needed you could emboss a larger card because there is no pattern match. Well done Crafts-too for listening to crafters!

Using the Spellbinder Christmas Tree die, I cut 3 of the middle size dies.
2 these I cut into layers and decoupaged, and with a touch of stickles and a few stars - I thought okay!

Second thoughts - "bit plain even for me" so out came a dye pad (a baby blue that I have used many times to highlight embossing) and today this was my downfall. First I missed the embossing and the dye marked the card, I tried to put this right, and again, and again and in the end abandoned my first idea and moved on to covering the pattern with various dyes, as I had seen Sheena on C&C do very successfully. Oh dear.....

what a mess! After playing around, adding a touch of perfect pearls and hairspray to fix - I was quite pleased with the effect. The embossing showed up well, the PP added a gloss shine that doesn't show up, but it does - honest, and I think I will be able to use this as a mat on another card. Not all wasted then!

So, feeling better I started again. I made another base card - this is quick. Then I picked up my tree and guess what, the stickles glue had not dried on the handmade paper I had used. Smudged. Next, I looked for my blue ribbon - I'm sure I put it away in the right place, but no - Lost. Silver ribbon would have to do - but it didn't look quite right. Blue ribbon still missing having check here, there and here again! Back to silver - why not dye it? I did and it came out well, but I was too impatient - I stuck the bow to the card, and guess what - the ink wasn't dry. I think this is where I came in!

In the end I did finish the card, but it did come very close to going in the bin!
Well No.16 done and dusted - back to the drawing board to see what I can do with my mishappens. Thanks for dropping by. See ya tomorrow.

Cuttlebug Oval Nestabilities

Are you busy? I am! When short of time and I have cards to make, my tip is to look for a beautiful paper, this will be your 'more' and you will need 'less'!

This card says it all.....
This card started out as a 4" x 4" White linen card. The golden holly design is a beautiful vellum, when overlaid on the white card - stunning!

Vellum being difficult to stick, I made the card a tent fold and wrapped the covering over to the back and fastened with DST and finished with a thick line peeloff, then fastened again on the front inside. Using an insert the adhesive is not noticeable.

Since the Vellum made such a statement, all I needed was a simple sentiment - a white oval Nestie on a scallop gold mirror mat. Under the mat, a mesh gold ribbon, and small gold beads twisted on fine wire completed my card.

Simple, quick and easy and yet a classic Christmas card - My No.15.

Cuttlebug, Nestabilites, Borderabilities - Christmas 14

My Cuttlebug, Embossing Folders, Nestabilities, Borderabilities all have contributed to making this card

I used:
6" x 6" White Linen card
Crafts-too-you Snowflake folder
Borderabilities -Spade die
Nestabilites - Mega Rectangle
Dark blue paper, ink, various stamps
Ribbon, gem and stickles

Using the card as a tent fold - debossed the pattern so that it overlaps the centre fold, which you can then finish off with a scored line. This give a decorative edge to the inside of the card.

Stamping always gives me the jitters....
especially when I try to be clever! You will see that I have only die cut part of the Mega Rectangle Nestabilitie. The edges I chalked and added stickles in parts.
Now I stamped a border on the plain paper, and attached to the card leaving the top edge open to make a flap for the die cut to slot into. A dark blue wide ribbon covers the join.

Taking the ribbon over to the inside, (along with the now embossed pattern showing) the card is nicely decorated with the addition of a star.

The card was completed by sticking 2 Spades Borders together, one in blue the other in silver mirror board. You can see this technique here. All I needed then was a sprig of holly!
I like to ring the changes and try something different. This turned out well and I felt pleased to have combined different techniques, folders and dies. I buy must have's, but don't use - I think you'll know what I mean!

This is card No.14....nearly half way!!!! See ya tomorrow.

Cuttlebug and brass stencils - Christmas No.13

Can you use Brass Stencils in the Cuttlebug - Yes, you can. This is the result of using a stencil.
I have read forum chat on using stencils, and although it's not a favourite of mine, I thought I would show you the results of using stencils in the Bug. Also, more importantly the sandwich you need in order not to break your Bug.

BUG Sandwich: A/B/TAN mat/card with the right side up/Brass Stencil/Shim (this can depend on the thickness of the stencil)/B.

You definitely need a Tan Mat for this and also to follow the golden rule "Never Force" - start with one shim and add extra if needed.

TIP - look for any writing on the stencil - this needs to be facing up - otherwise you will get an impression on the card. You will also get an impression of the edge of the stencil. I cut round this and used as a frame before layering.

The effect of the embossing is not as clear as the embossing from folders, but it works okay. I got a better embossing on a lightweight cardstock.

These tips should save you time and keep your Bug safe!
Using brass stencils is a way for ringing the changes, so a useful aid to cardmaking. Afterall it's a shame to leave them in your Cupboard. Get them out and join me in my Cupboard instead.

Cuttlebug Cards - Christmas No.12

Hi Cuttlers, thanks for joining me today for my Cuttlebug Christmas Card No.12. I have to thank you also for the response I have had over the last few days - your comments help and encourage me to continue to strive for new ideas! Do you like this one?


To make this card I used:
Cardstock 8" x 6"
Shapeabilities - Create a flake
Borderabilities - Spades
Nestie - classic and scallop circle
papers - Basic Grey
Ribbon and various stamps to pattern a patterned paper

I started by making a fold 2" from edge. This creates a 6" x 6" card with a front flap. Next I stamped the front of the flap and the inside with various snowflake and swirls stamps in silver to show up against the turquoise card and maroon/white paper.
Decorate the flap with contrasting paper, die cut the edge of the paper for added interest. Add embellishment and ribbon (this I twisted to be a bit differnt).
On the inside of the card I used various stamps to decorate my already patterned paper. Something I'm growing more confident in doing - I may be defacing beautiful designs by BG, but I just LOVE doing it! On the inside of the flap I added Santa to complete my Season's Greetings.


To finish - a snowflake.

Well that's No.12 completed. Now for No.13 - I'm not superstitious, but I have my fingers cross that nothing goes wrong with this one! Hope you'll have time to drop by tomorrow to see how I got on......

Cuttlebug Tutorial - Christmas No. 11

Hi, today I have a great little card to show you, based on an aperture idea, but different. It's has 3 apertures!

For this card you need:

8" x 4" White Hammer Cardstock
Shapeabilities Christmas Tree Small
Scoreboard and pen
Paper - I used Basic Grey
Ribbon, sentiment

The first stage is to emboss two sets of lines front to back. Then crease and fold card in half.

Place the smallest of the ChristmasTree dies in the centre of the front page in the centre of the lines. Use low lack tape or a post-it to hold in place. Run through the Bug.
Sandwich: A/B/cardstock/die cut face down/C

Repeat the process
Again



On the inside of the card add a single sheet of patterned paper as you would an insert. You can use the die cuts as embellisments. I stamped a pattern on mine.

This is back

and this is your finished card with the sentiment and ribbon added

This simple little card took me an age to work out, but the result was a card I will be making again. In fact, I was so pleased with the end result that I'm working on a bigger version, but with a twist, which I will show you as soon as I get it sorted.

Well that No.11 ..... on to No.12....??????