Good grief, it really did test my patience - and to make things even sillier, Dumbo set out to make six cards all the same. In a lot of ways it was a good move (given all the different pieces and little snippets of card used) to run six off in one go - but it took almost forever! Plus, I almost ended up with 'crankers elbow' from using the Cuttlebug to die cut six times 17 little die cut pieces per Santa!
Anyhow, here's the result:
- A6 white card blank
- really ancient backing paper (dated 2008!) made by Craft Creations Ltd called 'Snowflakes On Dark Blue' - trimmed slightly smaller and glued onto the card front
- the unbranded die (called 'Santa') and lots of Stick It backed snippets of card in red, flesh, light grey, black, yellow gold, blue and shimmery white
- as I die cut the pieces I was careful to store them in plastic dishes before then assembling the Santas onto rectangles of white card
- then die cut the images using a die from the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen set and added the edging by running a ball ended embossing tool around the die cut piece while it was in the die
- glued the image panels in place
- used scraps from the image panel die cutting to stamp the 'Ho Ho Ho' using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from Woodware's 'Huge Santa' stamp set
- punched the sentiment out using SU's 'Word Window' and then layered it onto a red backing which was punched out using SU's 'Modern Label' punch
- glued the sentiment in place then went and had a long lie down to recover!
I had to give Santa a grey beard and moustache 'cos of using the white background - he would have blended in too much otherwise I think. So, this is a Santa who uses Grecian 2000! Remember that stuff that men used to use when they spotted a few grey hairs appearing? You could spot it a mile off!
Santa's little eyes were sooooo fiddly but I didn't trust myself to draw them freehand :)
Much as I loved using the die set, I have a feeling it's gonna be quite a while before it comes out to play again!
EDIT: Good grief, I almost forgot that this is for October's Rudolph Days Challenge - run by the lovely Mo.
I will meet you behind the potting shed for a quick tipple cos I have been cutting the rest of the elves out at 23 pieces per elf. Strewrh how I hate those little Elves. These are defo the last ones I'm ever, ever gonna make. Right you bring the glasses and I have the wine in the cooler. See you in 5. Hugs Me.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there - look out for a crazy woman waving glasses and wearing pink PJs! Oh, did you mean drinking glasses? Thought it was specs - make that 10 minutes instead - need to run back home first! :)
DeleteHugs
Di xx
Psst, off to bed now but I do have a Santa die set going velly cheap! xx :)
DeleteI think I would have given up!!! Well done you!
ReplyDeleteFabulous card, Di. I bought this die recently. It arrived this week and I was planning to do some batch making this weekend using it. However, after reading your experience, I might have to think again!! 🤔 On second thoughts, I could always join you and Mrs A behind the potting shed for a quick tipple if I'm tearing my hair out assembling all the little Santas. xx
ReplyDeleteOne tip Liz - the photo on the web is the wrong way round! His hat has the bobble on the left in the photo whereas it's actually on the right when you make the flipping thing up! Took me ages to fathom out that they'd flipped the phot around the wrong way! Other little tips are to pop his head just touching top of his jacket, everything sort of fits from there. I worked from the boots upwards - am still recovering here! Di x
DeleteWe'll have a glass of summick strong waiting for you BTW - you'll need it! x
DeleteThanks for the tips, Di. See you behind the potting shed later........ xx
DeleteThat's a good idea to start at the bottom and work to the top. He is brilliant by the way but I think I will pass on the offer . lol. Email coming but had a major malfunction with my camera last night. It basically went into melt down and really did loose the plot. All its settings everything. Panic didn'tcome close. Hugs me.
ReplyDeleteSuper duper cute, but oh my goodness you have way more patience than me!
ReplyDeleteDon't you sometimes wish you could stack several layers of card and cut them all at once? That's one (possibly the only) advantage that old red Sizzix machine used to have before today's all singing all dancing machines came along! However this cute little chap was well worth all the cranking! Your card is adorable
ReplyDeleteJane
Hmmmm........I wonder if I can cut two or three layers at a time with this die? Thanks for the idea, Jane. xx
DeleteAdorable card! Sounds exhausting to make though! At least you have six - maybe next year you will get the urge to use the die set again? 'No' did you say? Tee hee! Hugs xxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat really is a lovely Santa but I can imagine just how long it took and maybe how many times during the process you thought 'why am I doing this'. The end result is brilliant and as you did six in all I reckon you won't be playing with that die set for a day or two. Full marks for perseverance.
ReplyDeleteSo worth all of your effort though Di, this is a fantastic card he looks great.
ReplyDeleteSue xx
I love your little Santa's. That kind of die can be quite fun, but also a bit tedious. At least you made six of them. If you had started off with just one, the others might never have been made! Kate xx
ReplyDeleteWell you got a great result despite nearly losing the plot! Your patience has been rewarded.
ReplyDeleteBest put that die at the back of the drawer until you've forgotten just how much of a pain it is!
Hugs, Sarn xxx
Hi Di this is a stunning card but it did sound like lots of work. At least that is six more cards made. Take care. Hugs Jackie
ReplyDeleteSo this really is a snippets Santa and it's cute!!
ReplyDeleteLia xx
Patience of a lamb you are Di this is gorgeous XX
ReplyDeleteThis is an adorable Santa but I am so impressed that you did that die cutting over and over. Bravo to you. The card is fantastic and you can admire it while applying a soothing balm to your arm!
ReplyDeleteYour Santa does look fab, but I know my limit, and it's way below 17 tiny bits for one Santa.
ReplyDeleteHim's really so cute with his 17 bits and his dyed facial hair, Di! You did a great job and you do get the Percy Verance Award for this year!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteHe's a super Santa but at 17 pieces I don't think I'd have finished one let alone all six. Enjoy your well deserved tipple xx
ReplyDeleteCard and Santa are adorable. Well done! But - why behind the shed? I'd have something right on my crafting table! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Di. You do have a lot of patience! That was a lot of work and i can certainly understand the frustration level.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very much like that trailer card i made my daughter. I was going to make 5 or 6 extra and donate them to a fundraiser sale held yearly at our old RV Resort. After making one, I nixed that idea...those zillion wee pieces would have put me over the edge.
Your card is so darn cute. he really is a very cute Santa! I like the idea of the dots for the eyes as I agree about the difficulty of drawing them in. I redid my wee snowman on the trailer card and used cut out dots for the eyes and buttons.
Also like your colours and had a chuckle about the Grecian formula...my
father-in-law used to use it!!
A fabulous Santa and a great test of your patience too!
ReplyDeleteKath x
fantastic Santa and card well worth all the work, thanks for your kind words and best wishes Megxx
ReplyDeleteSupercute Santa!!! A lot of patience, but such lovely work!
ReplyDeleteFinally, thought you had years ago, kidding.
ReplyDeleteSuper card and a fab die, maybe not to use but to see the finished product. Great papers too.
Kath x
so cute card!
ReplyDeleteI think he's awfully cute. Santa can be naughty too apparently. Hah! [Bunny]
ReplyDeleteHmmm - sounds like my teapot card the other day - make that a strong tipple, then you may be interested in using the die again 'cos you will remember the tipple and not why you needed it! Thanks for the giggle
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
oh Di - I feel your pain in more ways than one! I had a recurring problem with my arm for several years, the chiropractor was adamant it wasn't the die cutting machine, but not sure she really understands what I describe. Got the gemini - no more problems with my arm!!! To your card, well it was worth the effort, he's fab and I agree about the beard, but can imagine putting it together was trying!.
ReplyDeleteHe's so cute!He's worth the work!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you definitely deserve a large glass of mulled wine or other strong drink after all that die cutting! He looks fab though x
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable Santa Di. I ordered a similar looking Santa from Marianne die...yet to arrive and I hope mine is not as tough as yours!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining us at the Rudolph Days Challenge!
Rudolph Days Challenge DT
Dr Sonia
All your hard work and patience is worth it, he's cute!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Em xoxo