Wednesday 1 August 2018

Rudolph Days - July 2018

I know, it's now August, but Mo has had to delay the July Rudolph Days Challenge - so it should now run from 1st to 7th August.

And it gave me some much needed time to come up with my entry this time around. Tracey of Dies to Die For was at a Copics event with a 'pop-up shop' - so it really would have been very rude not to buy something of course :)

Amongst my (ahem) haul there was a lovely little set of stamps with various sentiments, some Christmas gifts/parcels and three sweet little deer. So, not being one to do things the easy way, I stamped eight of each of the three deer and the same with the little Christmas parcels. I then happily coloured them whenever the mood was right. And then it was time to cut them all out - sheesh, I KNEW I ought to have bought the matching dies. In fairness Tracey didn't have any left so I took a close look at the dies on line as well as some die cut images on cards, which I found as examples on line. Ha, I can do that 'she said'. So far I've cut out all the little (18 that I stamped and 24  coloured)parcels and just ten of the deer as they really are a bit tricky-wool. I still have slight reservations about images which are die cut leaving a white border right round - it's almost the 'norm.' now and all I can think is that it allows for a little bit of 'play' when you're doing the die cutting.

So, I used one design of deer and one design of gift/parcel to make my entry for Mo's challenge - times eight of course, in an attempt to boost my flagging Christmas card target for this year:
I used:

- 5" x 5" white card blanks, side opening

- in fairness, as I said, the little deer and parcel were both already coloured and cut out. I'd used Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a couple of stamps from The Greeting Farm's 'Dashing' stamp set - and the Misti of course! Do be aware that MFT have stamps and matching dies also called 'Dashing' so if you like my little fella be careful to order the right one from the right company!

- I'd then coloured the little deer with Pro markers, as well as the parcel. I also added a few little white dots to his back (using a Signo white pen) just to add some interest as I hadn't done any fancy shading and it broke up the expanse of his back (as well as looking cute of course). Also added clear Wink of Stella to the fur and bobble on his little hat for a little bit of glisten

- so there I was, with a little deer and a Christmas gift/parcel and absolutely no idea what to do next - so I walked away and had a think for a day or two

- ping! Then it just hit me - he needed to be framed (obviously) with some form of background, so this is what I did

- die cut a Lil' Inker 'Instant Camera' frame from white card stock then stamped the sentiment 'Jingle all the way' using the Misti, Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and one of the sentiments from the 'Dashing' stamp set

- I backed the aperture in the frame with a snippet of pale blue patterned paper I found tucked in the back of the LOTV 'Frosty Christmas' paper pad. I found six in fact, obviously left from a previous play, and also a further two with snowflakes on (I do prefer the little trees though for this particular card). Backing this frame can be a bit tricky and I find that the very narrow red line tape works a treat if you're careful as it's unforgiving if you make a mistake

- for sturdiness I then backed the area of the aperture behind the paper using the waste fall out from when I die cut the frames (again with red line tape) - an extra step but it certainly makes for a much better finish (IMHO) as you end up with a nice solid little topper for your card

- added the Christmas gift and the little deer onto the blue background using a glue pen

- then cut a square of white card stock just about quarter of an inch smaller all round than the card front, using a die from The Works 'Stitched Squares' set of dies 

- embossed it using a Darice 'Snowflake Background' embossing folder

- glued the embossed panel to the card front

- finally added the little framed scene at a jaunty angle to the card front, using thin sticky pads

And, it's still slim enough to post at our standard letter rate - result!

And now to carry on with the other 16 little deer and 16 parcels - sometimes I start things and really don't think it through just how long it'll take. But, I won't be beaten - even if it's a couple of weeks until I tackle them!






24 comments:

  1. so adorable, love the little selfie of your deer, great way to boost your stash :)

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  2. Aww, that's cute. Great idea about the photo frame border die. Love the embossed snowflakes background xxx

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  3. A lovely card and such a cute image.
    Kath x

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  4. It seems that you have had a lovely time with Mrs at Copic Class! :) Your Christmas card is so pretty with this cute reindeer, love the design!
    Hugs

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  5. This is dear little deer (pun intended) and I salute your perseverance in hand cutting so many of them for other cards. I must admit I'm not always happy with the white margins left around images by die cutting and unless they are ultra complicated I prefer to sit quietly and cut with scissors. Patience is usually rewarded!! Hope you are enjoying the slightly cooler conditions

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  6. Mammoth fussy cutting Di!! I am a little unsure about the white lines left when you use matching dies - and normally end up cutting round the die cut to get rid of them.....!!
    Great little card and a cute deer who looks well happy on his embossed background! x

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  7. brilliant card Di and fab fussy cutting. I personally like the white round the image that dies leave...I think they look shop bought that way!! Love your idea of the frame and backing...you sound like me...leave for a few hours...days...weeks even till the penny drops! Your copic class sounds great...saving the pennies to go to one in our vicinity in the future. I am sure you will make up your other cards when the mojo for creating something different has left you! Hugs xx

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  8. I love this sweet little deer and the Instant Camera frame shows him off beautifully, and the snowflake background looks great too. I don't mind cutting out but it does take time when you have made a lot of one thing, but I too am not always totally sure about the white space around the edge and sometimes its OK and other times I don't like it, so the jury is out on that one, and it's probably the reason I don't invest in matching dies. x

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  9. Aaaaw, sweet card! Love this adorable deer in the polaroid frame!
    How fun that you and Mrs. A got to attend a Copics class!

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  10. What a cute image and a lovely EF, love the frame too.

    Kath x

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  11. I love your gorgeous card Di, that deer is so cute. It was lovely to finally meet you last Saturday.

    Sue xx

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  12. They don't get much cuter than this one Di! I love that adorable image and the tilted panel with soft blue dsp! Well done!

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  13. Aaaaawwwww...this is so, so sweet. I love these wee deer and parcels. You should be given a medal for colouring and fussy cutting that many.
    The deer and parcel sure suite that camera frame and love the background paper you placed behind the deer.

    Like you, I do not always make all my multiples at the same time. I find them very handy to finish up when my mojo is lacking and everything to be finished is sitting together in a card kit, requiring no thinking or "extra creativity".

    Thanks for taking part in the belated July Rudolph Challenge.

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  14. Very cute! Beautifully coloured and I Love how you framed him...that looks like a very useful die. Happy Rudolf day, Di!

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  15. Absolutely adorable! I do quite enjoy fussy cutting, so not having matching dies isn't generally a problem for me... but fussy cutting so many identical pieces would definitely have me rushing out for dies.

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  16. Oh Di, that sweet little deer polaroid with the embossed background is just so adorable! I love the CAS design and that patterned paper background behind the deer! Stamping and cutting him out 8 times would be the not-so-fun part though!

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  17. Darling purchases, even if it does involve all that fussy-cutting, Di! Your card is really so super cute and full of texture! Wish I could have been there for the class!! Hugs, Darnell

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  18. So cute! love that little deer

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  19. What fun you & Mrs. A were able to meet up and have some fun taking a class. Wouldn't I have loved to be a little fly on the wall then? Yes I would! You scored a delightful & sweet little deer image, and he looks just splendid with your coloring, and the perfect background paper. I love his expression as he is 'not seeing' that bright little prezzie! Just darling! TFS & Hugs

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  20. Ooh that is the cutest little deer ever! Such a cool idea to use the instant camera frame - the paper is perfect! Love the embossing too - a wonderful card - and you are making so many, you are soooooo good! I am incredibly behind with mine! Sounds like you had great fun with Mrs A at Faye's class - shopping too! Hugs xxxxx

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