Wednesday 27 November 2013

The last Rudolph Day of 2013

and so it had to be a reindeer on my card for the challenge over at the lovely Sarn's. Grin, but I gave Rudolph a 'Lady Friend' too :)
This was my third attempt at a card using the Clarity Stamps 'Birch Trees' stamp - the first two doing resist embossing and then adding a moon and sky went in the bin so in the end I resorted to a technique I haven't used for ages - gilding flakes.

I used:

- A6 gold card blank, already with the 'Happy Christmas' wording embossed in gold. Had them ages and in the end they were the best background card I could find here - funny how old goodies can come to the rescue

- the 'trees' image (Clarity Stamps - Birch Trees) was stamped using black Archival ink onto one peeled off side of a piece of double sided adhesive sheet

 - then, the stamped image was covered with a piece of acetate - over the already exposed sticky 

 - the backing was peeled off the self adhesive sheet on the reverse side of the image, and then I covered all that sticky sheet behind the image with 'Winter Dawn' gilding flakes,  by Indigo Blue, rubbed in first with finger and then with an Indigo Blue scoochy sponge 

 - next, the flakes were covered with more sticky sheet and stuck onto card then trimmed to size before being mounted onto a snippet of SU 'Early Espresso' card

- the deer were die cut, also using a snippet of 'Early Espresso' and popped on with Crafter's Pick Incredibly Tacky Glue. I didn't give 'Rudolph' a red nose though :)

- the whole little scene was popped onto the card blank using thin sticky pads  

Progress is slow but getting better - although yesterday I sadly cancelled the planned trip to Bath's Christmas market this coming Saturday. Found out that the whole day is scheduled to be 14 hours long and that really was going to be too much, sigh. A tough decision but common sense prevailed in the end. What made it even worse is that I was due to meet up with Sam there :( So, despite feeling a bit relieved that the decision had been made, I felt a bit low here.

THEN, the door bell rang and Mr Interflora handed over these fabulous flowers:
They came complete with vase so I didn't have to go hunting for one - thank you SO much Elizabeth! And yes, the splash of pink did perk me up no end! Mwah!

I'd also like to enter the card into Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for November. 

Di
x

26 comments:

  1. The gilded bg looks very effective Di, and I love the deer and the bg with the printed greetings. How lovely are your flowers and what perfect timing to cheer you up :) Hope things improve health wise for you soon :) Cathy x

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  2. Oh my goodness--have to tear myself away from staring at this card! I've seen the technique & have gilding flakes & still have never done it. Fabulous card--you've inspired me! What a pick me up that bouquet would be--so beautiful. Sorry you couldn't take your anticipated trip--hope something else good will take it's place.

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  3. Oh my goodness...I think it is catching!
    I can understand how low you must have been but those flowers must have reaaly helped. How nice of Elizabeth! She really is a special lady!

    Poor Sam...hopefully she went anyway and perhaps met some WOYWW people!

    I got happy mail today!!! It is so sturdy and wonderful! AND...I used it today! Made 4 cards and they slid through like butta!

    Thanks you so much and I read the note but would like to send something...how about if I surprise you with something Christmassy when they blow out the Xmas schtuff in January?

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  4. What a fabulous card Di. I seem to forget about my own pots of gilding flakes and rarely use them but seeing your gorgeous scene has inspired me again, so thanks for that!! xx

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  5. I love the gilding Di and the silhouette deer. Beautiful flowers too - bet they really bought a smile to your face. Sorry you've had to cancel you trip - maybe the three of you could have a virtual party instead x

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  6. So sorry to hear your trip had to be cancelled. I can imagine just how much you were looking forward to it.
    Maybe I can cheer you up with the news that we have accepted and offer on our house yesterday and have had our offer on the bungalow we have hoped to move been accepted too....maybe things are looking up? Please keep everything crossed for us [but not if it causes you pain ]
    Hugs ,
    Annie x

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  7. Lovely card Di. I haven't used gilding flakes for ages! Sorry you had to cancel your trip but better than making your back worse. And beautiful flowers!

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  8. Beautiful card Di, the gilding flakes looks amazing I LOVe it.
    Gorgeous flowers to brighten up your day.
    luvirene
    xxxx

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  9. WOW - simply GORGEOUS Rudolph Day card there Di. Love that you've got Mr AND Mrs Rudolph on it. Those gilding flakes look speck-tacular!!!!

    Hope you feel better soon - so kind of Elizabeth to send you pwetty flowers to cheer you.

    Hugs
    Sarn xxx

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  10. Absolutely stunning card Di, I'm glad you persisted with it, it worked out for the best in the end. Sorry to hear you've had to cancel your trip, but the flowers are beautiful and I hope they cheered you up somewhat. Elizabeth is very kind.

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  11. Fabulous card Di, love how the gilding flakes resemble falling leaves.
    Sorry you have to miss your outing at the weekend and hope your back continues to get better soon. I'm sure those pretty flowers will help.
    Jean x

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  12. A lovely card Di and those flowers are so pretty. Hope you are feeling more perky. Hugs x Jo

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  13. Hello Di, love your card; the gilding flakes are fab and it's a great technique. I've tried it and found stamping on to stickiness a bit odd ... felt sure I'd made a mistake as I peeled the stamp away but, no, it worked :)

    The flowers really did arrive at the right moment and glad to see they are so pretty - hope they last ages for you :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  14. stunning card Di, I apologise for leaving the wrong message on your blog at the weekend, had multiple tabs open and clicked the wrong one, fiona from docrafts

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  15. This looks absolutely fabulous and I am certain that in real life it looks even more stunning with the gilding showing up even more. Great layout and the deer just look made for this card.

    Kath x
    Sorry you had to cancel your trip but think you were very wise xx

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  16. Oh how kind of Elizabeth she is such a thoughtful person your flowers are gorgeous Di hope your feeling better your card is gorgeous what a lovely image great for the challenge too! take care x

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  17. well this is a gorgeous card for the last rudolph day di! i love the gold background and the flowers are just so pretty - what a beautiful pick-me-up from your generous friend.
    linda

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  18. This post is busting with glory, Di! I love your gilded flakes and your perfect Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph couple for the last RD! And then the beautiful bouquet of flowers, all pink and pretty! Wow, what a wonderful gift from Elizabeth!

    I am sorry that you and Mrs. A had to cancel and that you'll miss seeing Sam, but you were wise to forego it. I do hope you continue to feel better every day! Big hugs, Darnell

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  19. Gorgeous card Di and lovely flowers.
    Pity you have had to cancel and Fergus was most disappointed. But as I said on the phone, it ain't worth the pain and agony to sit on a bus for that long and it may result in you messing Christmas up! You have to climb up that tree in your sparkly dress, to have some fir stuffed up your bum so you have to be fit!!
    Hugs
    xx

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  20. OMG just read Hettie's comments lol! You in a pink tutu stuck on a Xmas tree with fir stuffed around your bottom lol!!!
    This is gorgeous Di and a technique I have not tried yet - must add that to my 'to try' list. Beautiful flowers too ERlizabeth is a lovely lady.
    I think it's better for you and Mrs A not to go - the bus ride and the jostling would do neither of you any favours and as Hettie says you've still got to climb the Xmas tree, lol, xx

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  21. So sad you & Valery missed your outing, but as you said, Good sense and all that. You might not have enjoyed it as much, with your backs out-of-whack! Lovely flowers too, thanks for sharing with us. Expect they cheered you no end. I LOVE this card. Thanks for the description too. Would love to try this, as your results were bee-U-ti-ful. And of course, Rudolph wouldn't need a red nose, when he's with his lady friend. Only when guiding the sleigh. TFS & Hugs. Hope the back continues to improve bunches - day by day-

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  22. That background has worked so well Di. I love the effect of the gilding flakes, and the birch tree stamp.
    What a shame you had to cancel your outing, but some beautiful roses to cheer you up. You have some lovely friends! Kate x

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  23. My comment has taken so long to write because I kept scrolling back to gaze at and admire your absolutely stunning card. Rudolph and his lady friend = beautiful pair, and they're complemented wonderfully with the scene you've set them in. Wow x WOW!! Sorry to hear your outing was cancelled, but the flowers: what a generous, thoughtful, heart-warming pick-me-up! Just another sign of how loved you are! Hope you're feeling better!
    c

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  24. What a gorgeous card Di. Sorry to hear about the cancelled trip to Bath, but it sounds like you made the right decision.
    And what a kind thought for Elizabeth to send this beautiful flowers, must have cheered you up no end!
    Hugs
    Debs

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  25. Thank goodness I pinned this card so I could find it again! I'm determined to use some of my gilding flakes--over 15 yrs old & don't think I've ever used them at all! Would never have known I could stamp on the exposed adhesive! Then I scrolled down & again gasped at that incredible bouquet--my favorite pink & even the vase is stunning! Just what I needed on this gloomy, rainy day! Big hugs, Greta

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