Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - 'Light in the darkness'

Time for another Cuttlebug Mania Challenge and the theme this time is 'Light in the darkness'.

For example you can use candles, lanterns or stars on your entry - I'm sure you'll think of some others. I almost went for a Nativity image where the stable was bathed in a lovely glow, so there's another idea for you.

You do have to use a manual die cutting/embossing machine for Cuttlebug Mania entries (it doesn't need to be a Cuttlebug but it must be manual, not electronic). And, you can't mix the two, it must be all manual please. Then make your entry, link into the challenge, link to the challenge in your own blog post and and make sure that you also say what products you used for any die cutting/embossing.

Details of our sponsor can be found over on the Cuttlebug Mania Challenge blog.

This is my DT card, the light here was dreadful when I took the photo needless to say:
I used:

- 4.25" x 5.5" white card blank, tent style

- a piece of white card stock, die cut using a Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangle die, backed with a panel of white fun foam and glued onto the card front

- Memory Box 'Glowing Candles' die which I die cut from white, silver and green snippets

- the first layer I glued in place was the green layer with all the pieces still in place apart from the white parts of the candles. The Woodware Ultra Fine glue applicator was invaluable when layering up this intricate die

- next took the silver die cut and snipped off the little branches and poked out all the loose pieces then glued it on top of the green layer 

- then poked out the six white candle pieces from the white layer and coated them with clear Wink of Stella before gluing them into the silver apertures. For once I thought ahead :)

- added little red pearlescent gems to the ends of the branches and just a few on the main part of the holly arrangement

- I wanted quite small, raised and very shiny silver lettering so added a peel off sentiment in the top left corner

- final touch was to add some Stickles to the candle flames. The yellow I have would be too bright and the lemon too pale, so I mixed a little blob of both together on a scrap of paper and applied the mix with a very fine paintbrush

I hold my hands up and confess that I got the basis for this card design from the super-talented Loll. I've had my die since October 2013 and this is only the third time I've used it, bad me! Thanks for the inspiration Loll (you popped up on Pinterest when I was looking for general ideas for candles on cards), I loved your card and also it was time to give the die another outing!






36 comments:

  1. A great result Di, very festive

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  2. Funny Di, I have two identical cards in the wings to share this week in tomorrow's post so must remember to link over to CM challenge.
    I also have Lolls pin saved, well done and great card
    Thanks for sharing,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  3. Beautiful CAS card, Di. Love the candles...... I need to add a candle die to my collection sometime. 😉 Do you mean that you added the glue to the green bits while they were still in the die? Still trying to get my head round the best way to use outline dies. Great tip for mixing the two colours of Stickles together. xx

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    1. Hi Liz! Nope, I just gently dabbed touches of glue onto the back of the green die cut using a Woodware Fine Line applicator after removing it from the die. A few green holly leaves did fall out as I removed it from the die so I popped those in place after adding the silver layer. I do recommend Woodware glue applicators for fine work. I didn't want to use sticky back sheet as sometimes it's hard to cut right through with my poorly Cuttlebug and lack of strenght right now. xx

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    2. I've got a set of Woodward Fine line applicators, but found the white glue turned brown after a while. I assumed the glue was making the pin rusty. x

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    3. Hmmm, I know that the pin will make Glossy Accents turn blue if it's in contact with the pin - so I keep the level below the pin point. Although the pins don't rust at all. Not had a problem with Collall glue. You could use a stainless steel pin with a coloured head? That's what I had in mind if I had issues. In fairness, SaRn gave up on the bottles a good while ago - but the glue works fine for me which is why I keep mentioning it. I wonder if they changed the pins they use? x

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    4. Perhaps I'll give it another go, keeping the glue below the point of the pin. I found them really good for fine work too. xx

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  4. I have always ummed and ahhed over this die, Di.
    Should I buy it or not?
    I've resisted so far, but looking at this card of yours I think I've changed my mind.
    Absolutely beautiful. X

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    1. I'd say buy it! You can make it as simple or layered as you wish xx

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  5. So elegant Di - so what's all this about Robin Hood hats ?

    B x

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    1. It's a reference to Len and his hobby of Archery! At least Kath didn't mention the green tights :) xx

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  6. Di....What a lovely card!!!.....so very elegant and gorgeous. I am super-glad to know that any manual die cut machine is allowable at the Cuttlebug Mania challenges. Maybe you have mentioned that before, but I didn't notice or remember. I have a Big Shot and thus have never even bothered to look at the rules over at that blog! Now I will pay more attention!!! Thanks!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  7. Oooo what a stunning elegant card hun and would be perfect for a male too, Luv Sam x

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  8. Great job here Di - don't know what I'd do without Loll to CASE!
    Like this die but I fear I might just use it once or twice and then it lay unloved - like a lot of my stash! x

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  9. A beautiful card using this super die which certainly deserved an outing. When I see something intricate like this and know what is involved in producing the end result I think of the people who dismiss die cutting as 'only cutting using a machine' or 'cheating' - how wrong they are!!

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  10. That is one super pretty card, Di! The gems are a perfect pop!

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  11. This MB candle die is a beauty Di and I love what you have done with the two tones of green for the leaves and the red gems look fabulous. x

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  12. I love this die and use it quite a lot, but I have never made it look this gorgeous! This is really terrific, Di!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  13. ohh pretty! You created a beautiful card even if your light was terrible. I love that when you searched for ideas on Pinterest you found ideas from a friend. I challenge you to use this candle die cut again and again!

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  14. That Loll is just too talented! She's great inspiration though. LOVE this festive card inspired by her.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  15. This really is a beautiful card Di. I've often admired this lovely die. Barbxx

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  16. You have made a fantastic card with this really lovely die and love the way you have used two shades of green for the holly, brilliant design.

    Kath x

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  17. What a beautiful card, Di! The die is fabulous and I like the tip on mixing Stickles colours to make just the right shade - it's now filed in the old grey matter :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  18. Your card is beautiful Di. I love the die you used and the way you inter-mixed all the coloured pieces.
    Jean x

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  19. That die cut is so awesome. I thought it was one of those silver outline stickers at first. Quite the beautiful card!

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  20. I love that die & in fact, a friend sent me some die cuts which I need to use! Beautiful card, Di!

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  21. This is absolutely gorgeous, Di. I love it!
    Hugs,
    Em xxx

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  22. Hi Di,
    what a fab card, and such a great design too.
    That die is a very useful one to own.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  23. Well your two up on my count as I have only used it just the once. must admit never thought of using it the way you have. Good ole Loll to the rescue. This is super duper. Pulling my hair out with despair at getting any decent photos in this dreadful light. hugs Mrs A.

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  24. Your card is stunning Di, I love this die!
    Janice x

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  25. Di this is lovely so elegant too! the silver looks so good where you have used it on the outline of the candles and the holly as always your so creative senind lots of love xx

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  26. A lovely candle card Di, very classy. Thanks for your visit.
    I am happy to be entered into the draw, thanks for the heads up.
    Happy crafting, hugs Erika. x

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  27. I love these candles, Di! They are so elegant with the silver foil! Our Loll is always a good source of inspiration!

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  28. Such a pretty card! Thank you for the tip about mixing Stickles to get the correct colour. It never would have crossed my mind to do that! xxx

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  29. Beautiful card Di. Thanks for the shout out. I do love these candles. I have used them with red and they look amazing. Worth trying this out in different colours before putting away. :) xx

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