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Wednesday 2 December 2015

Christmas poinsettia window

Last week in the Snippets Playground (#204), Kim posted a brilliant 'snowman viewed from above' card which I featured as a pick of the week. She also included a link to a website with some really lovely Christmas card ideas on it - I followed the link and fell in love with one particular card. This is my take on it:
I used:

- 5.5" x 4" white card blank

- a piece of the same white card stock, embossed using a Tim Holtz folder 'Texture Fades - Bricks', trimmed to just a bit smaller than the card front and then glued in place

- the original card I was CASE-ing used a lovely straight sided window die (possibly one of the Poppy Stamps Madison ones) - but I was playing with the only one I had which is a Spellbinders 'Window Two' die. Oh boy, did that add some work to the whole process, sigh! Without going into all the details I die cut the window using more of the same white card stock, left the fretwork in place using sticky tape to retain it, backed it with spotted vellum then backed that with more white card for stability. Lots of careful cutting and use of double sided sticky film needless to say

- in the process of backing the vellum (which is supposed to look a bit like a sheer blind or a voile curtain on the inside of the window) I lost the effect of the lovely spots so had to go over them using a white Stabilo pen - beginning to feel this was headed for the bin but soldiered on!

- next stuck the window onto the card front using red line tape

- the greenery and white fronds were cut from snippets using a die from the  Dee's Distinctively 'Wreath Builder' set and stuck in place

- then die cut poinsettias using red snippets and the Poppy Stamps 'Small Blooming Poinsettia' die set then layered them up before adding to the card

- added a few white Mei Flowers pearls and also a tickle of clear Wink of Stella on the top layers of the red flowers and ends of the leaves

- one last touch (the following day) came about 'cos that fretwork at the top of the window frame looked very bland, with all the focus being drawn to the flowers and foliage. My in-house critic picked this up right away and suggested that perhaps the addition of some silver or gold might do the trick. Having slept on the idea, for fear of totally wrecking all that work, I bit the bullet and using a silver Wink of Stella brush pen picked out the fretwork - and it sparkles beautifully. Nice one Len! 

I did have fun making two of these cards at the same time but if I made them again would most likely treat myself to the Madison die or similar - much less work and I think it's more in keeping with the embossing folder I used. Plus, I'd rethink the vellum - maybe plain vellum run through the Cuttlebug using a spotty folder would be better.

That's what crafting is all about - learning new things as we go along :)

Di
x

30 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous, Di! Maybe work intensive but so pretty with this arched window and the red poinsettias!

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  2. This is a real stunner Di, I just love that window scene against the brick wall. Those flowers - gorgeous!!

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  3. Really beautiful. I like the white 'brickwork' with the fancy window scroll topping. The vellum 'curtains' look very detailed, good idea to highlight with the pen as you did. The red & green look just amazing against all the white textures. You did a superb job with this one. Worth all the effort (and great collaboration too). TFS &Hugs

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  4. Oh wow, wow, and MORE WOW!!!!! Di, I love this card! I just put that brick embossing folder and the window die and the small poinsettia on my wish list now too. Talk about enabling someone!!! Absolutely gorgeous! Wow!
    Lynn

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  5. Meant to add - I even had to Pin it! Wow!
    Lynn

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  6. The brick background looks so gorgeous
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  7. Wow, I love this card it is so elegant.

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  8. A fabulous card Di - it may have been a lot of work but the effect is stunning.
    Kath x

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  9. Gorgeous work Di.....and well done overcoming all those obstacles, the end result is magical xx

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  10. Lovely card Di, it's very striking in the white with just the hints of red flowers. I should take heed from you and sleep on it sometimes, the bin is a bit too handy in my craft room.

    B x

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  11. I think all your hard work paid off because it's a stunner of a card Di.

    LOVE IT.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  12. Your card is fantastic Di. I loved reading how it evolved. The embossing folder is a smasher and I really like your idea of using the vellum behind the window. All your work certainly did pay off. The card is stunning. Barbxx

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  13. Looks OK to me Di......I do like it very much!

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  14. Gorgeous card
    so elegant and festive
    hugs Tamara

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  15. Love so much your use of the window die, it looks stunning white on white with this pretty embossed brick! The poinsettias with branches pop-out very well and the sparkling on the window is a perfect touch for catch-eyes!

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  16. I can see it took a lot of work but was well worth the effort Di as it is gorgeous! The spotted vellum is very pretty on the windows and the beautiful poinsettias and foliage below the window are perfect and that TH EF is my favourite for a wall or brickwork in this case. x

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  17. Glad you soldiered on Di as it is a treat to see on a cold, miserable grey day! Have a good one! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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  18. Gorgeous work Di.....and well done overcoming all those obstacles, the end result is magical xx

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  19. Another gorgeous card, Di. I love the pure white contrasted with the vivid red flowers and green foliage. It was definitely worth all the effort you went to create it. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  20. Really beautiful card Di. Love it all... the embossing, dies, vellum and colours xx

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  21. Pleased I shared the link now - you've done a beautiful job x

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  22. This is really beautiful! I love window cards and scene cards so you've got it all! Gorgeous! I'll go check out the inspiration card too...

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  23. Beautiful, brilliant card.

    Kath x

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  24. Oooo absolutely super and i must get my brick work folder and stamp out, Luv Sam x

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  25. This is so lovely the poinsettias are amazing x

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  26. GORGEOUS Di!! LOVE this window card. Elegant and beautiful! xx

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  27. This is such a beautiful card. I love the WOS that you added...gives that final finishing touch!

    The design is so pretty!

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  28. This is such a beautiful card. I love the WOS that you added...gives that final finishing touch!

    The design is so pretty!

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