Wednesday 27 January 2016

'Congrats' shaker card

After more years than I care to remember, finally bit the bullet and had another try at making a shaker card. My one and only try previously was a disaster but I was driven by all the lovely shaker cards on so many blogs right now - as well as a free gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine, issue 145 :)

If you want the die, back copies of the magazine can be found on line if you just Google the name and issue number of the magazine.

Followed the magazine instructions pretty closely, added in a couple of tips along the way - and this was the end result. It's pretty simple and will be fine for either a Wedding or Wedding Anniversary I should think. It's an optical illusion if you think the champagne flutes are standing on top of the background paper - they're die cut into it - amazing what a bit of shadow can do:
I used:

- 5.75" x 5.75" square white card blank

- a piece of white card, topped with a sheet of patterned paper from the Wild Rose Studio 'Wedding Bells' paper pack. The swirly patterned paper just had a few darker swirls and a couple of doves in one corner - perfect for what I wanted!

- then used a full covering of standard grade double sided self-adhesive sheet to fix the paper to the card before doing a small amount of trimming to just slightly smaller than the card front

- next die cut the two champagne flutes into the patterned paper/card - using the free die (it's a single flute BTW) from issue 145 of Simply Cards & Papercraft

- flipped the die cut sheet over,  added a piece of acetate across the die cut area using strong red line tape and swiped it over with an anti-static embossing pad 

- added a couple of little silver sparkly snippets of card behind the acetate on the stems/bases of the champagne flutes

- then it was time to face my nemesis - the dreaded foam tape. My one and only previous attempt all those years ago had ended up with the sequins sticking round the edges of the shaker aperture - such a disappointment :( But this time I had a plan!

- I crept up on a new roll of Stick-It 10mm wide foam tape (1mm thick) when it wasn't looking and patted just a little bit of talcum powder on either side of the roll to take away the stickiness along the edges yet still leave the 'body' of the tape nice and sticky

- snipped a length of the sticky foam tape and then cut it down the centre. In truth, the foam tape is fairly narrow to begin with but I knew that I would be working quite close to the top edge of the card and wanted to be sure to leave space for more tape later on in the process

 - then for each glass I removed the backing strip which meant I had two sticky sides to the foam tape and then added it right around the bowl and across the top of the champagne flute making sure that the lightly but now non-sticky talc coated edge faced into the die cut aperture where the sequins would be going

- sprinkled a few iridescent sequins into the flutes and then covered each of them with a snippet of white card

- added the whole panel to the card front using more foam tape and this time I left the backing strip in place as I added the foam tape to the edges of the 'shaker panel'

- die cut the word 'Congrats' (using a die from the Penny Black 'Hooray' set) from a snippet of the silver sparkly card which had been backed with Stick-It adhesive sheet and popped it in place on the bottom right hand side corner

- final touch was to add a little scattering of iridescent sequins around and between the champagne flutes, using Glossy Accents and a cocktail stick

One very happy bunny here - it worked!

Here are the little hints and tips I'd picked up about making shaker cards:

- swiping an anti-static bag across the inside of the acetate layer (which will have the sequins up against it) helps to ensure that your shaker 'bits' move more freely

- a few places offered the tip of using a little touch of talc on a cotton bud around the edge of foam tape once it's been fixed in place to stop the sequins from sticking to the sides. I went one step further and gently rubbed a very fine whisper of talc right across both sides of a new roll of foam tape. I'm sure it's quicker in the long run with less chance of talc smears on the acetate. I then popped the roll of tape into a card packaging cellophane bag before storing it in with my other tapes and glues etc. - I used baby powder so it smells of bath time in the nursery!

- and my final tip is one I stumbled across when looking at on line videos on the subject of making shaker cards. I wonder how many folk struggle with curves, circles etc. when fixing foam tape in place? And it's all down to the rigidity of that backing strip which protects the foam tape! If you remove it before sticking the foam tape down you can shape the tape so easily - what a simple tip! Of course you have to work quite carefully with it as you will get sticky fingers - but, as the seasoned crafter who was singing the praises of this tip said, 'why didn't I think of that one before now?!'.

BTW, I only just got away with using the 1mm thickness foam tape and the slightly cupped sequins. Would need thicker tape or two layers if adding seed beads into the mix :)

Di
x

40 comments:

  1. Congrats on your shaker card - it really did turn out very pretty! I made one, and doubt I'll be trying again - I found it extremely frustrating from all angles! I'm glad you were able to master it on your 2nd try!

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  2. These champagne flutes look great made into shakers with the sequins inside and then the scattering of sequins around them. This works really well and thank you for all the tips on making it easier to do. I have only made one shaker card up till now but I think I will have to do some more. I saw this die on the magazine but couldn't make up my between that and a Tattered Lace Stiletto die, but am wishing I had chosen this now. If it is still in the supermarket when I go in a couple of days time I might treat myself. x

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  3. That is an awesome card Di, and thank you for the very good tips (if I ever get around to making one)

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  4. Gorgeous! You did a fabulous job, Di! This is beautiful! They aren't as bad as you thought, are they?! I love making shaker cards! I know you will want to make more now! And for what it's worth, this is not an easy die-cut to start with, so even more kudos coming your way!

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  5. Hi Diane, Love your card, cheers Anna.

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  6. Wonderful card, Di, & thanks for the tip about taking the backing off the tape for a shaker without straight angles! Now if only I'd thought of that before making the shaker with my large heart die--haha!

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  7. So many great tips there, you've hit on all the stumbling blocks that have been stopping me from making shaker cards. Now I have no excuse! Your card is gorgeous - and yes, on first looking at the photo I thought the glasses were raised, not recessed.
    Jane

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  8. Fab card and fab tips, love the talc on the whole reel first and the backing removal. Why do I never think of these things? Xxx

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  9. Wow, I love this card. It's fab.

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  10. WHat a great shaker card Di,thanks for all those tips too....I have still never bitten the bullet to try one but who knows....;0) xx

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  11. A great card - I love the WRS paper pads (I had some for Christmas - lucky me!) and great tips for shaker cards too!
    Kath x

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  12. What a beautiful card Di. Love the soft colors too.

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  13. What a fab idea Di, makes for a very special and different card.

    B x

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  14. Well done for tackling a shaker card - thanks also for the extra tips. There do seem to be a few of them around at present so I might have to revisit the technique which I've not done in ages.

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  15. Thud! I think I just fell over from a beauty overload! This is just gorgeous!

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  16. Wauuu
    such lovely card
    great idea for schaker tehnique
    hugs Tamara

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  17. Thanks for the top tips Di. Your celebratory shaker card is top notch. Good on ya for giving shakers another go.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  18. Fantastic card Di. It's so pretty and you made it sound so simple. Like you I did one years ago and that was it! I have this die and having read your clear details feel inclined to have ago at a shaker again. They seem to be very popular just now. Thanks for sharing your tips. Barbxx

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  19. Fab shaker card, and great illusion with the flutes, they seems really on the top...
    Thanks for sharing all the tips and triks!

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  20. Brilliant Di....like you I have only ever done one...might add it to the list! Thanks for the tips.

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  21. Love this card only ever tried a plain circle shaker card will have to give it another go - thanks for sharing

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  22. Oh, that is beautiful - how clever :-D

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  23. Bought the mag this morning - am not normally prone to buying mags but liked the die!!
    You've done a great job here Miss! x

    PS - I appear to have 'mislaid' some of my followers - hope you're not one who has deserted me?!! x

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  24. Super shaker card Di. I still haven't tried one!

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  25. Hi Di....Your shaker card is amazing xx

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  26. Oooo what a super shaker card and i'm loving the free die you got with the magazine, Luv Sam x

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  27. Wow, what a stunning shaker card and a brilliant design with those die-cut glasses. It really does look like they are upraised until you stare at it long enough and realise your eyes are playing tricks on you xx

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  28. Huge, well done you, I tried it once too, and then gave it up as a bad job a bit like another subject really but I did try that twice and ended up with 2 Daughters!
    Love your card, glad to see that you are on the mend.

    Kath x

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  29. That's gorgeous, Di! I love it. So pretty

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  30. This came out quite cool! I remembered the talc on the tape tip but couldn't find the talc (being quite allergic to it, hubby hides it). I simply must try the anti-static bag on acetate. My thing was too few shaking bits when I made the card. I didn't want to overwhelm my aperture but instead I totally underwhelmed! Anyway A++++ for this effort!!

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  31. Wow, looks like you master the shaker card Di! It is beautiful and yes, I think it would work for either a wedding or anniversary. Love the tips and just found out about the one with removing the backing on the adhesive to get it to cure around easier. lol Must have watched the same video. Hugs, Brenda

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  32. Great job with the shaker card Di! Love the design with the flutes with sequins --- so clever! Thanks for the tips! xx

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  33. A beautiful card and thank you so much for sharing the shaker top tips, very useful. Cara x

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  34. It's a beautiful card Di, I have had issues with shaker cards in the past, so many blooming issues lol! I think I must have normally mucky fingers because if I remove the release on the foam tape the foam tape does not work by the time I get it onto the card or acetate lol!
    I have experimented with attaching the tape a lot more slowly and when going around curves I almost cut through, but not completely, it copes better with the curves.
    A recent one I thought of and I will try it and get back to you, is using funky foam. I am going to have to try my idea out and will let you know if it works Karen xx

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  35. Brillinat use of this die.You have made a fabulous card.

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  36. Oh me oh my this is one gorgeous shaker card. Got it in one Miss. Or in your case two glasses of wine!! hugs Mrs A.

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  37. Great card Di, I did think the glasses were standing proud of the card! Love the sparkly champagne bubbles! x

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  38. I can't believe this is your first shaker card, Di! It is so professional and what an awesome unique design for your first! No simple box or circle for you! I am pinning this one!! Thanks for the tips, too!! Hugs, Darnell

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  39. Glad your shaker worked so well, Di. They are hard work, but so worth it :)

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