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Wednesday 13 November 2013

'Tis the season to be jolly

fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la- laaaaaaaaaaaa :) Aw, come on, join in. And despite many folk resisting, there aren't too many days until the big fat man in the red suit arrives. And maybe I ought to just whisper this, I just reached my target of 100 cards made for Christmas! As there are lots of challenges right now with the theme of Christmas, plus I do have loads of quite a few Snippets prizes connected with Christmas too - I'll just keep making 'em anyhow.

This card really does remind me 'decking the halls with boughs of holly'. I took a peek in the garden earlier and our quite young variegated holly bushes sort of cowered - they're still babies though so are safe this year.

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank - still my favourite shape and size of the moment

- the image is from LOTV's pre-coloured Art Pad, called 'Festive Foliage' - bought on Sunday at the NEC, die cut with a round Nestie and then layered onto a scalloped round Nestie which was cut from green Core'dinations card

- the patterned backing paper is also LOTV, from their 'Classic Christmas' pad - popped onto more of the same plain green Core-dinations card

- added a 'belly band' which was punched from a snippet of the green card using Martha Stewart's 'Traditional Scallop' punch, topped with a strip of lace and then a red 'saddle stitched edge' bow added

- the sentiment is LOTV too, from their 'Christmas Grungy Messsages' set - stamped using SU's 'Real Red' then just rimmed and popped onto the card with sticky pads

- the corners started out life as gold ones, I 'frantaged' up a few a little while ago - here's a link to how I did them

- and the finishing touch was just a few red gems here and there on the wreath

Now, here's a little tip girls. To stick down the bow I would usually use ultra strong adhesive tape or perhaps the glue gun - but I knew I already had to work out how to stick the metal corners firmly as well, without glue clogging up the holes in the filigree and showing through. I picked up this idea from here on Bev Rochester's blog ages ago but this is the first time I've used Crafter's Pick Incredibly Tacky Glue:

It's white, not too runny like some clear strong glues but it dries clear, and truly is incredibly strong. To make life easier I did what Bev does and decanted some into a clean smallish glass jar - I think some sparkly stuff was the original occupant. Then you don't have issues with the top of the bottle clogging or even worse deciding it won't open at all - and you just pick up what you need on the end of a cocktail stick or an old pokey tool. It's great stuff and I'm very impressed with the results - it's made in the USA but can also be bought online in the UK from EBay and good craft suppliers (I got this ages ago and only just used it for the first time - shame on me).

BTW, I'm not on commission :) Chance would be a fine thing.

Di
x

25 comments:

  1. 100 cards?! Wow! I've only made 3 so far! Gosh~I better hurry up! ^_^
    That is a lovely card. I love holly. Just makes it so Christmasy. Thanks for sharing the great idea about the glue. I always hated when it clogs up. Now that will solve the problem! Thanx!

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  2. Thanks for the tip about the glue. Your card is beautiful--love those fancy corners!

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  3. Great card Di, and a great tip about the glue.

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  4. Well done on your 100 cards x

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  5. "groan" I haven't dne any yet at all!
    I might give the glue a try though Di, thanks for the tip with the jar...great idea.

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  6. Me again. Typing on my new iPhone whole at mum's
    Published my last comment too soon. Thil I need smaller fingers!!!
    Your card is fabulous. Love the wreath and the design too'

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  7. I'm in card making mode too....if only my b**** customers would leave me alone to have fun :-)
    Hugs,
    A x

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  8. I have removed my fingers from my ears now you have stopped singing..... you were caught on CCTV fighting at the NEC and no doubt it will go viral on Youtube if you're lucky.......or you may both just end up on the naughty step.....
    Off to find a jar so I stop getting angry with the clogged up glue nozzle.... oh and a real nice card by the way!!! xx

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  9. Glorious festive card Di. Love the corners and thanks for the tip about the glue.

    Hugs
    Sarn xxx

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  10. Fabulous card Di, I'm singing along!
    Thanks for the tip on the glue.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  11. Gorgeous card there Miss. Thanks for the tip on the glue.
    I hope YOU don't cut the Holly - it is a faux pas for ladies to cut Holly!
    Hugs
    xx

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  12. 101 cards now that's a lot of crafting Di.....l truly like this one and it reminds me too of Decking the halls with that fabulous backing paper and image lovely corners and ribbon too x

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  13. Great card, I like the holly paper and the "frantaged" corners.
    Jean x

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  14. Super duper card, Di, in every way!! Well done on getting a hunnert cards made for Christmas! I'm in awe!! Thanks for the tip on the glue, both on the glue and on the tip, oh hahaha. We also have Aileen's glue here that sounds very similar. Hugs, Darnell

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  15. I'm visiting for the first time (I know: what rock have I been hiding under!!), and wow, wow, wow! Your cards are FABULOUS! Would it be okay if I played, please? I'm still very much a beginner, but the inspiration here is awesome X amazing! Off to explore some more...happy dancing with this wonderful discovery!!
    c

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  16. That's a very festive card, Di! Thanks for the tip about the glue! Will have to try that!

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  17. Many congratulations on completing 100 cards! Wow, that is an amazing achievement Di....sadly I think I may have to buy some cards this year... Love your card today, the design is wonderful. I am back commenting but a bit erratically still. Thanks for your visit. Hugs, Anne x

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  18. Brilliant card, love all the holly, well done on reaching your target.
    I use Cosmic shimmer, acrilic glue, only a small bottle but it goes a long way, just short of £3.

    Kath xx

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  19. I'll have to look for that glue now!! Glue and I don't get along at all so maybe this would help me!
    Love this card and yes, those corners are WOW!!!!!!!
    Lynn

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  20. Gorgeous Christmas card Di!! Love the papers! WOW ... you've already made 100 - that's wonderful! I have 40 done for myself and 36 to donate, so not bad considering I didn't start until the summer.

    Thanks for the tip on the glue. I use Tombow Multi-purpose Glue and it's really strong too. Never thought of putting it into a small container so that it's a bit easier to use - might give that a try! Loll xx

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  21. Very pretty card, the frantaged corner look brilliant!

    Hugs
    Brenda

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  22. Gorgeous card Di. I have had that glue before and it really is great at sticking things on, sadly I managed to totally bung up the nozzle and then the rest of the bottle. If I get it again will try this tip, TFS xx

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  23. Thanks so much for the tip about this glue - think I'm going to have to watch out for some on ebay or when out and about.
    Thanks for the invite to your challenge too - funnily enough I was planning on entering. I used to be a regular(ish) years ago, but then stopped blogging for a whole year! Just arrived back in blogland and finding my way round again. So good to receive such a lovely kind message from you on my blog.
    Ann xxx

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