Tuesday 7 October 2014

And amidst all the racket

....and also 'cos apart from making teas and coffees there wasn't much else to do, I sat in my craft room with time to play :) The first challenge I wanted to enter is Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge, where this week's theme is 'Something beginning with P'. I rootled through last year's Christmas cards, kept to upcycle, and found loads of ones with penguins on. I know, pretty obvious choice really:
I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank

- backing paper from LOTV's 'Frosty Christmas' paper pad

- penguin image was die cut using what I think is a Sizzix die (one of the first I ever bought) and then mounted onto a white Centura pearlescent card backing, which had been hand cut after tracing round the outside of the die. A quick whizz round the edge using a silver Calligraphy pen

- the sentiment also came from the original card

- the bottom left corner is more white Centura pearlescent white card, die cut using a Memory Box die called  'Snowflake Corner' and a new secret weapon - more details are below

- the scattered snowflakes were punched using Woodware snowflake punches and a snippet of white card which had been covered with clear sparkly film

- final touch, different sizes of clear sparkly gems were added to the snowflakes and the corner

And, today I have two 'hints and tips' for you:

1.  First of all, the 'new secret weapon'. I bet most of us have some intricate dies which drive us crazy when trying to neatly glue them onto projects? I've tried all sorts of tricks including using glue pens, very fine nozzle glues (such as Cosmic or Glossy Accents) - and my Xyron machine. Now, much as I really love the Xyron, those of you who have one will know that with an intricate die you will have a layer of sticky 'gloop' within the gaps. I can usually remove this using SU's adhesive remover 'eraser' - but, with a very detailed die such as I used today it's a loooong process and so I would normally resort to a glue pen or similar.

But, last week I stumbled across a new product online, on Kath's blog (All That Glitters) - ordered some and used it for the first time on the corner die cut. And I'm 100% converted!

It's very similar to normal double sided adhesive sheet, but with the added advantage that it's got very thin protective sheet on either side of a 'micros thin' layer of glue - very much like the Xyron glue film in fact. But, the beauty is that you just cover the wrong side of the piece of card you intend to die cut with a piece of the adhesive sheet, then die cut it of course in the usual way - and there are no gloopy bits! I think it's best to have your project sitting there ready for the die cut as when I removed the die cut from the die the second layer of protecting paper came away really easily ( no poking about looking for an edge to start off the peeling).

The sheets come in packs of five, called Stick It Die-Cut Adhesive sheets, in two sizes from Craft Obsessions. More or less A4 and A5 sizes.

If you can hang on, there will be a couple of packs of the large size coming up in the Playground shortly :) Oh, and I have no connection at all with the product - just wanted to share a brilliant new invention which has been endorsed by Ken Oliver. I bet Spellbinders wish they'd thought of it first!

Edit!! I just spotted that Kath over at All That Glitters is giving away some of these sheets, all you have to do to be in with a chance is add your name to the linky thingy bob over HERE. And, like me, Kath will post internationally.

2. My second tip is also to do with sticky stuff, a tip I also found it on the internet but can't remember just where, otherwise I'd give credit. The individual snowflakes used today were stuck on using Glossy Accents. Until recently I really struggled and almost always had to clear the nozzle with a hat pin before starting a fresh session with the stuff. Not so now though!

The routine is, when you've finished using Glossy Accents just follow these steps:

a. Squeeze the bottle until the glues rises right to the top of the nozzle.

b. Wipe the nozzle and top with a baby wipe, at the same time releasing the pressure so the glue sinks back down.

c. Give the bottle a couple of taps on your worksurface to make sure it's properly settled.

d. Replace the cap as usual ready for your next, hopefully trouble free, use.

Of course my card is also for Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra, where it's always 'Anything Goes'.

Di
x

27 comments:

  1. Good tips Di, (must get some of that sticky adhesive) and another great bit of recycling!

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  2. Love the sweet upcycled card Di and thanks ever so for the fabulous tips too xx

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  3. These penguins are sweet and really deserve being upcycled - lovely card created amongst the chaos and tea making. Thanks so much for the 'sticky' tips, that product seems like a must have.

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  4. HI Di...I see you too have joined the Stick It Fan Club...isn't it fabulous...the best invention since sliced bread...hugs kath xxx

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  5. Great tips Di, and I love the card. Who doesn't love penguins! x

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  6. OOH THANKS FOR THOSE TOP TIPS Di. I use my Glossy Accents so rarely that it's ALWAYS clogged and a pain to use when I want it. Will have to print this page out and keep it with the tube.

    Love the penguin card too! Great upcycling.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  7. I think barricading yourself in your craft room is the only way to get through this Di! I do like your upcycled card - lovely and frosty! - and what brilliant tips too. Vicky x

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  8. Two great tips Di. Wonder if the baby wipe thing would work with PVA? Might have to give it a try later as I curse at mine all the time! Pretty penguins too!

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  9. Cute pingus and love that snowflake corner. Great tips about the adhesive sheets.
    Debs xx

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  10. Super card, Di ... the penguins are perfect for the challenge. And many thanks for all the handy tips, especially the one for glossy accents. Will be following your instruction very carefully in future. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

    PS: glad to see the work that's going on in your house is forcing you to retreat to your craft room :)

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  11. What a beautiful Christmas card you've made from recycled cards! That's such a darling image of penguins! Thanks too for sharing all the tips about glue and delicate die cuts! I'm off to check them all out!

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  12. I keep telling myself to get out all my old Christmas cards and recycle them and then forget about it! Such inspiration from this card with the cute penguins on it....now maybe I'll get out those cards! Love the subtle colors and the beautiful flourish in the corner. Gorgeous card!
    Lynn

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  13. This is the sweetest image ever. So soft and lovely. Thanks for the tips. I, too, have to clear my glossy accents with a pin, so I am happy to know this. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. A great piece of recycling Di and the die cut shape they are sitting on and cut out with is lovely, and it is finished so prettily with the snowflakes and the MB snowflake corner, plus that sentiment. Also love that blue lotv backing paper. x

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  15. Sorry, I forgot to say thanks for the great tips too. Hope your works are progressing well. x

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  16. Ohhhh this is so cute and thanks Di for the tips and the chance to win one of those sheets l've added my name xx

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  17. I have been using a very very fine paint brush and pva glue on mine which works well but will look out for these sheets as they sound efficient. Thanmks also for the glossy accents tip. Wonder who thought that one up and how they thought it up too!!!!
    Super penquins Miss. I had pulled out a couple of cards to use that had them on but then I spotted something else beginning with P.
    hugs Mrs A.

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  18. Such a lovely Christmas card Di, and thank you for the Glossy Accents advice, I've struggled with mine.

    Warm hugs
    Maarit

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  19. I just love the fluffy penguins on you lovely frosty card.
    Thanks for the tip about the adhesive sheets, they sound like a must have item.
    Jean x

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  20. Well I think you have worked hard enough with the preparations so you deserve a day in your craft room.
    Brilliant card and the stick stuff sounds a great must have.

    Kath x

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  21. Always love it when you upcycle and this one is no exception These little fellas are doggone adorable. Love the Sizzix die shape and the cool blues with the frosty stuff added for nice dimension. THanks for the tips on the glue sheets (wonder if it is similar to the Sookwang I use - which also has another name, but it's adhesive backed tape or sheets). I'll check out the link and TFS. Ditto on the glossy accents...I do have lots of frustration with that. I store mine on the side as well. Appreciate the hints. TFS & Hugs.

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  22. Now you are in trouble. You MADE me go over to CO and buy that stuff!!!
    Great card there. Great recycling too!
    We saw darling lickle penguins in Boston, though I wasn't allowed to bring any home. Big sulks. But I did drive a Duck! Wait til I get all my piccies downloaded!
    Hugs
    xx

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  23. What a lovely card Diane, those penguins are so sweet, don't they look frozen to death, bit like me yesterday! Oh boy was it cold! LOL a great card, love it!
    Hugs Jacee
    Simply Paper Card Design

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  24. Thanks for the fantastic tips and tricks, Di. Maybe I can get rid of my gloppy hat pin! Love the upcycled penguins and shimmery snowflakes!

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  25. Fab tips Di! I have become an addict to spreading pva on the back of my hand and dabbing the die cut onto it. Perfect sticky and the added bonus of peeling the dry stuff off! Happy Big Kid! ;-) x

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  26. Thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges with your lovely crafting - hope to see you again soon. x

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  27. Adorable. I love penguins. Fabulous card.

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