Sunday, 7 April 2024

Sunday Snippets - THAT postage stamp die set

Spring is really teasing us here - temperatures are rising at times and the sound of lawnmowers drifts across to us - in our easy care revamped garden. Len is a happy guy for sure, and the wildlife still visit as well. But then it rains and blows a 'Hoolie'! 

Very last minute snippets card from me - using one of the currently hugely popular 'postage stamps' set of dies in 'simple mode':

My leftover snippets of the 'Certainly Celery' papers - sob, only a few tiny scraps left now
I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" white card blank, side opening

- first of all I used white card, the same as the card blank, to die cut the main outline of the card topper using an unbranded die 

- then trimmed some plain SU 'Certainly Celery' card for the bottom layer and also some deep purple slightly shimmery paper for the next layer

- glued both those layers onto the card front

- then die cut the snippets of SU's 'Certainly Celery' paper pack, using the dies to match the faux apertures in the main outline

- glued the patterned snippets onto the outline die cut, using a glue pen

then used the same glue pen to glue the whole outline panel onto the card front

- stamped the sentiment onto a snippet of white card, using a LOTV stamp from their sadly discontinued and still very much loved by yours truly 'General Greetings - Small' set of stamps - using a VersaFine Clair 'Monarch' ink pad (gorgeous colour!)

- used a SU plain small oval punch to punch out the sentiment

- used a snippet of the left over purple glimmer paper to punch out a SU scalloped small oval

- glued the white sentiment onto the purple scalloped oval

- used thin sticky pads to adhere the completed sentiment to the card front 

- added a strip of the patterned paper to the envelope flap and called it finished

I learned a few things along the way. The idea of using papers from the same colour range is better in theory than in practice.  In real life the card does them justice, but on camera and unless you're close up they really are too similar to give it that 'Wow' factor. Tiny backing layers of the purple paper to frame each of the 'Certainly Celery' panels would give more definition - but I thought of that one too late. The way to do that, IMHO, would be to die cut the purple layers for each 'aperture' then do the same with  the patterned paper but also trim a little sliver from the top and one side of those patterned papers to create a narrow margin all round the patterned paper layer. Next time, I might well give that a whirl!
 
I'd like to enter this card into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #61 HERE - the die set was having its first outing.

Dudley Pupdate: For the past week or so, Dudley has been rather subdued. He's eating fine but he's often in a little dream world of his own. Physically everything is working as normal but we're watching him closely and he will be off to the vet if need be - before he can even say 'I wanna treat for going'!  It could just be that, like us, he's fed up with all the damp weather and longing for Spring to arrive properly.

Having said that - he still put up a jolly good fight on his hind legs when I was grooming him yesterday afternoon. Overall the match was a draw, although I'm sure that Dudley scored a few below the belt hits! What can you do when a little fluffy white face with beautiful eyes plants itself on your 'chest shelf' and silently appeals 'Enough Mama, enough please!'?

Very importantly, the results of Challenge #476 are now published HERE

Do please come and play in Sarn's current challenge over in the Snippets Playground! 

Love from myself and Dudley,


13 comments:

  1. What fun with all the greens! I'm sure it's just the weather! It is the same here!

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  2. Hi Di, a fabulous way to use up those little bits and pieces, love the colour. My birds are not particularly happy when I give their heads a scratch while in moult, although this week we went from high 20's to 10C and I kindly gave them a hot water bottle, they don't half love that! We have just had 252mm of rain in 36hours so in need of drying out, local rescue crews are trying to work out how to get 150+ tourists from a nearby valley after the only road in collapsed... Have a wonderful week... Megan

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  3. I love your postage stamp die cut card in Certainly Celery with purple accents. Looks great.

    Poor old Dudley - I suspect you’re right - he’s waiting for more of those sunny days. Xxx

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  4. This is a really effective way of using that postage stamp die - so many variations possible from simple to more elaborate, depending on how the mood takes us when using it. Hopefully Dudley is just fed up with seeing so much rain - as are most of us 🙄

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  5. This looks lovely Di and such a pretty green colour. I hope Dudley picks up but it sounds as though he's ok if you had fun with his grooming. Have a good week x

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  6. Learning along the way is one of the best things about crafting, you never stop but enriches us with skills for the future, isn't it?
    However, I like your card the way it is, this postage stamp works well with the green paper you used and the purple helps to make the different patterns pop enought.
    I hope Dudley is fine, I think he has nothing if he eats and physically is fine, but certainly this spring that has stopped creates problems in the mood not only to humans!
    Hugs, happy Sunday and I wish you all a bit of SUN!! Here when I live is hot and time to gardening.
    Lots of cuddles to my friend Dudley!!

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  7. These postage frames are very popular at the moment and the pretty variety of coordinating green papers work splendidly Di and the deep purple matted layer makes the postage layer stand out really well, and finished with a lovely sentiment. I'm sure like us Dudley is ready for some nice spring weather to perk him up. x

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  8. Great use of the postal collage die Di, I think the coordinating papers look really beautiful xx

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  9. l see this stamp die a lot and what great results made using it and using snippets too Di its gorgeous love the colour too x

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  10. I love what you've done with this die and how pretty it looks in a solid color. It's a great twist from the many images used in each section. I too am longing for some dry sunny weather - this dampness and cold is chilling me straight through to the bones.

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  11. Love the idea of coordinating papers for the stamps Di! This is a great die set isn't it - you've inspired me to pull mine out again!
    I'm so sorry to hear that Dudley is a bit subdued. He will be very carefully monitored I know but yes, the long-awaited arrival of spring will put a spring in all of our steps this year! Hugs, Vicky x

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  12. Our cards are always viewed up close and in person, so this postage design has plenty of beautiful WOW factor in my eyes, Di! And I always enjoy a monochromatic color scheme. Thank you for inspiring everyone to use their NBUS! I hope all is well with Duds! Hugs, Darnell

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  13. I love the coordinated collage of snippets you've used in these windows Di! Hope Duds is ok! Hugs, Kate!

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