Happy Winter...and it's my Anniversary too, so I'm making this one short! Here is my last Christmas card for the year, and it was easy, yet hard...lol...to make. I'll explain below. I love poinsettias though, and was so happy to have
Tim's new Poinsettia Pieces from
Sizzix. I was very happy with how this card turned out, and hope you like it as well.
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I had one sheet of this velvet paper left in my stash, and I've looked for more for years to no avail, so I decided to finally use it up. I cut it in half to make two cards, and added Sizzix Adhesive Sheet to the back, and mounted them on Heavystock base cards. I also had some vintage gold looking paper that was super thin and perfect for Thinlits, even though it had this strange waxy coating. Because of the intricacies of the die and liquid adhesive hard to use...not to mention bad on velvet...I added adhesive on the back to make it easy to add to the velvet once die cut, and it really did not get thicker with the adhesive on. I laid out all three pieces of the poinsettia die as well as the smaller 'Merry Christmas' from the Christmas Ribbon Thinlit set, and since it all fit so well together, I thought it would be so easy to die cut in one pass. I also added a layer of wax paper between the dies and paper, again because of the intricacy and I didn't want any paper to stick in the die cuts. I really had my thinking cap on...I thought. So I ran it through, and just to be sure, ran it through three times. I figured the dies would just fall loose, but nope. I had to use a stylus and craft pick to loosen the pieces. I guess I did make it a little too thick, but I persevered. They came out after me being super gentle, but it just wasn't as easy as I was hoping for and took some time, but I loved the end result. |
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I also wanted another leaf, so I ran it through again. Then I thought it needed some berry action, so I used a few hole punches to add the circles around the flower parts. I peeled off the adhesive protection sheet from the back and added the gold die cut paper to the velvet. It stuck okay, but had some gaps, and I felt like it would come off easily. I knew what it needed...heat. So I sandwiched it between some sheets of paper and gave the card a good ironing. The heat made the adhesive even stickier and perfect for the velvet. I learned this in high school making t-shirts with iron-ons. Now the cards were completely solid and perfect in my opinion. See what I mean now about easy yet hard?!! |
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And of course I thought it needed a little more. Why not? It's Christmas! So I added Tidings Stickles from Ranger around things. Finally finished! |
Supplies:
(Craft Sheet, Die Cut Machine, Kraft
Pick, Stylus, Paper Trimmer, Wax Paper, Iron, Crop-o-dile, Hole Punch)
-Sizzix Adhesive Sheets
-Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Heavystock
-Velvet Paper, Gold Paper
-Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits: Poinsettia
Pieces, Christmas Ribbon
-Ranger Stickles: Tidings
So I'm going to try and work on my big project this afternoon and hopefully blog it before Christmas, but in case I don't make it I wish each and every one of you a blessed Christmas or Hanukkah, and healthy and happy New Year! I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!
They came out lovely. I've been "picking" at die cuts, too!
ReplyDeleteThat velvet paper must have been waiting for this die to come out, it is such a beautiful match with the vintage gold paper. You always make such a statement with your cards, I really love these! Christmas hugs, Anne xxx
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful dies, but yes the picking can be a pain! Love your velvety poinsettias and the added berries are a lovely touch. Happy anniversary, and merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Love the berry action - perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the velvet on back! Beautiful cards. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Merry Christmas! Yes, die picking is a pain...a must do in some cases...Love the look of the Velvet to back the cut-outs...great idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and a very Merry Christmas to you Anita!!
ReplyDeleteThese cards are absolutely gorgeous! I just love the velvet with the poinsettias! I do believe this is why you hung on so long to this last piece- to be used with this die! Truly beautiful!
Jackie xo
Perfect use of that gorgeous red velvet. Cards look stunning and elegant. Very neatly done with the stickles too! I hope you both had a very Happy Anniversary. Wishing you a most Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteI think these cards look great …
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Merry Christmas too …
All the best Jan
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnita, your Poinsettia cards are SO BEAUTIFUL!! I love what you have created. Thanks for explaining the process you used. I have been reluctant to use dies because I don't have the patience to pluck out all the pieces that stick on the intricate dies. I just ran across some adhesive sheets and wondered why I bought them...now I know! Thanks! Maybe I will give my dies another try after seeing your gorgeous cards! Thanks again!
ReplyDelete