Six more Christmas cards

I know, I'm a right pain driving up the tally of Christmas cards I've made this year - am so close to the target I set myself that Little Miss Stubborn doesn't want to give up just yet.

I made six cards, all exactly the same last week, during those miserable rainy days we had - I can see little fuzzy bits around the die cut sentiment in the slightly wonky photo, but it's so hard to grab any daylight just now that I had to settle for the best I could manage. Have just whisked those fuzzy bits away with a fairly stiff paintbrush:

 

I used:

- 4" x 4" white card blanks - I find Hobbycraft's A4 300gsm card is really great for making card blanks - it doesn't 'split' like some bought card blanks do when you fold them

- 3.75" x 3.75" square of dark blue pearlescent card for the background

- 3.75" wide strip (snippet) of white pearlescent card, backed with Stick-It and then die cut using the adorable Your Next Die 'Winter Scene Border' die

- fixed the die cut to the very bottom of the dark blue card background - at this point not stuck onto the card front in case I needed to trim a bit off the sides. I didn't in fact but best to play safe plus it's always easier to handle elements before the card is assembled'

- then die cut the sentiment using more of the white pearlescent card backed with Stick-It and Impression Obsession's 'Seasons Greetings' die. I'll be quite honest and say that it was a bit of a so-and-so' to remove all the waste from the die cut but so worth it - I put it down to me using Stick-It adhesive sheet and another time may well try using Collall All Purpose glue in a fine line bottle, or even a fine glue pen as Stick-It sheet just loves to play awkward on really intricate die cuts

- to position the die cut sentiment I used a strip of clear removable tape across the front of the blue panel for an alignment guide and popped the die cut sentiment in place before removing the piece of tape ready for the next card in the production line

- then ran the whole panel through the Cuttlebug using the CB embossing plates plus an embossing folder as 'packing' - the result looks as if the sentiment and little scenic strip are inlaid and there's no way those die cuts are gonna peel off

- glued the panel onto the card front and then stared at the card for ages

- asked Len, who agreed with me that something was missing - so I added three Josy Rose shiny silver star shaped hot-fix nail heads and was finally happy with the result

I'm really happy the way the border along the bottom breaks up a plain card and the fabulous big die cut sentiment works well with it rather than being on its own (IMHO).

I think this may be the last year I make cards for quite a few people though. Obviously crafting friends will always receive hand made cards, as will family and close friends. But, it's becoming more of a chore than a pleasure given the number of cards we send and receive - especially as Dudley does need quite a lot of attention. Plus, a few friends are going 'electronic' and some others even use free sample Christmas cards they've been sent by charities. I know it's the thought but this gal is gonna start thinking a bit more about priorities!

Took Dudley out for his first solo drive with me yesterday just to our local dentist to deliver a Wedding card and then straight back home. He was wearing his little 'walkies' harness and hooked up to the seat belt slot on the front passenger seat beside me. Did you know that Havanese can almost 'yodel' when stressed? In between heavy panting - poor little sausage! Was it my driving I wonder? However, he's back to his normal naughty self again!