Friday 9 August 2019

Remember these alcohol ink backgrounds?

Last week I posted about some sparkly alcohol ink background pieces I'd made (this is the post HERE) and promised to come back and show what I did with them. These were the pieces, just to remind you:

At the time I didn't have the die I was really craving from Simon Says Stamp, one of those used by Jennifer Mcguire. After asking your opinions (huge thanks for all your lovely comments and emails!) I bit the bullet and ordered just the one die that was my favourite - then waited to see what would happen with the likes of our UK Customs and the possibility of being charged VAT - plus a fee of £8 for Royal Mail to collect the VAT if that was the case. This is the die in question, which works well either in portrait or landscape:
Simon Says Stamp DAHLIA CORNER FRAME Wafer Die s642 Blossoms and Butterflies
Well, it arrived here yesterday (Thursday) in super-fast time with nothing further to pay. But it was pretty well under the £15 UK VAT limit. Was it worth it? I think probably yes, if you really, really want something  - so long as you watch the prices - and of course the postage was astronomical. Interestingly, the dies are designed in conjunction with Memory Box - just wait, they'll perhaps pop up with similar dies before too long.

However, I was too impatient to wait for the package to arrive (I expected it to take much longer to be honest) so I'd already set to and made a set of four cards over the weekend. All fairly similar, yet different, if that makes sense:

For each one I used:

- white card blanks, cut to sizes which suited the 'frames' I was using

- frames all from one die cut using the Impression Obsession 'Rectangle 6 in 1 frames' and one piece of Stick It backed white card

- various pretty die cuts, again cut from Stick It backed white card

- pieces of the sparkly alcohol ink pieces, trimmed to suit whichever frame I wanted to use and then the white frame added without pressing it down too firmly at first if I wanted to tuck a stem underneath

- then I added the white die cuts and where the frame covered a stem I carefully snipped the stem to size before firmly pressing the frame back down on top of it

- backed each framed image with a smaller panel of white fun foam to add dimension

- stamped the sentiments using the Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink

- and finally glued the framed panels onto each card

Underneath each of the cards I've added a little bit to say what size the card is, which dies I used and also which sentiment sets (again, mostly for my own future reference). Other than that, the process was the same for each card:

6" x 4" card blank, Memory Box 'Dragonfly Stems - Left Corner' die and a sentiment stamp from the Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set

5.5" x 4" card blank, Memory Box 'Prim Poppy' die and a sentiment stamp from the Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set

5.5" x 4.25" card blank, Memory Box 'Geneva Vine' die, Memory Box 'Mini Butterflies' die and a sentiment stamp from Uniko's 'Simply Said' set, hand snipped and stuck onto the image using red line tape (and many thanks to Sue M who sent me this lovely sentiment set some while ago)

4" x 4" card blank, MFT's 'Hello There' set of dies, Memory Box 'Mini Butterflies' die and a sentiment stamp from the Paper Smooches 'Sentiment Sampler' set
I thoroughly enjoyed making these cards, even though it was almost impossible to pick up the sparkle when the time came to photograph them. And there was very little wastage of the backgrounds as well, which made me happy.

It's a total joy to see a background suddenly take on a whole new life with the addition of some white contrast. Thanks to Jennifer McGuire this is my new favourite style of card :)

Going back to my new Simon Says Stamp 'Dahlia Corner Frame' die - that's waiting here to be used when I make a new batch of sparkly alcohol ink cards. It will mean less fiddling about when you can just add one single die cut - but in truth you can easily look through your own dies and come up with very similar results without having to go for the 'all in one' frame and flower dies.






38 comments:

  1. I love what you did with your beautiful backgrounds Di, awesome QCAS cards :)

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  2. Beautiful cards - the gorgeous sparkly backgrounds really set off the white die cuts perfectly. What a lot of lovely variations on the theme

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  3. Lovely cards Di, and can't wait to see the new die in action xxx

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  4. What beautiful, beautiful, cards you have made from those fabulous backgrounds Di - loving them all! And great work choosing which dies to use inside the rectangles.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  5. Blimey, what a great use you put those backgrounds to

    Happy Friday

    Kathyk

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  6. Gorgeous cards, Di and a really cool way to make up some stash cards. Your backgrounds against the white dies is super. xoxo

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  7. Gorgeous backgrounds and beautiful cards. What a fab. way to use the backgrounds.

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  8. O wow! I love the way you used the papers: better CAS cards are not possible!!
    Lia xx

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  9. The backgrounds do take on a different look. They are pretty standing alone but they are prettier with white to make it pop. All of the cards turned out beautiful. Now, we'll wait to see what the new stamp looks like with another shimmery background. [Bunny]

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  10. each card is lovely with the alcohol papers! They look so serene and beautiful with the white!

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  11. Those are very pretty! You have a nice variety of die shapes to work with. They look sparkley in the photos, so I bet they really are in real life! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Fantastic results with these very pretty alcohol pieces and love the frames and all the different dies you have used to dress them, all so elegant too Di. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with your new Dahlia Corner Frame, which I have to say looks very pretty, and I'm pleased that there was no duty to pay. Funnily enough Hubby just sent for a piece of computer software from the US and had to pay £8 VAT plus the £8 Royal Mail mail fee so I don't think he will be doing that again either. Our son thinks that you wouldn't necessarily get picked out but you just never know. x

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  13. Fabulous cards Di - I love your backgrounds.
    Kath x

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  14. Beautiful card, very elegant looking. A great job with your backgrounds x

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  15. Brilliant use of those amazing sparkly backgrounds, I'm sure I could find suitable dies in my stash but first have to try out the sparkly technique

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  16. These cards are so beautiful!! Lovely designs! :)

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  17. You rocked each one of these, Di! Fantastic.

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  18. Those backgrounds are gorgeous and what a fabulous idea to use all white dies and and frames, really shows up the gorgeous colours. Have a lovely weekend.

    Kath x

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  19. Wow Di those backgrounds are impressive and the dies used with the frames are totally stunning xx

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  20. Ooh Di, these are awesome cards! I am hopping back to see the alcohol ink posts now, I am a bit behind with my visits. Hugs my friend xxxxxxx

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  21. Stunning cards Di, love those oretty frames too! Off to check them out lol! Looking forward to seeing your makes with the new floral die too, Cathy x

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  22. That SSS die is on my wishlist, so I can see why you "had" to have it! Glad it didn't cost a double fortune, though--haha! I totally love all your cards, Di! I watched the video, but haven't made one card based on it. Now I really want to get in gear & case both of you!

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  23. WOW - the girl did good!

    These are totally AWESOME. The white dies totally make the most of the pretty backgrounds. I REALLY love the look of these cards Di.

    Your new USA dies looks GORGEOUS. Can't wait to see what you make with it. Glad you weren't striped by RM/Customs

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  24. Wow Di, these cards turned out amazing with those lovely backgrounds! I love the dies you used. And speaking of dies, I'm so happy you were able to get the die you wanted without incurring additional expense. Can't wait to see you use it. Hugs, Brenda

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  25. Bring on the Dahlia!...these are really lovely Di and great use of your sparkly backgrounds. very classy! xx

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  26. I love how you've used your alcohol backgrounds, Di. The white die cuts showcase them perfectly. Your new die is fabulous, I can see why you 'needed' it and so pleased you didn't get stung with any extra charges. xx

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  27. Stunning cards Di, love the backgrounds. I have never used alcohol inks before, might have to be brave and buy some.

    Looking forward to see your creations with your now die.

    Have a great week x

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  28. Wow!! Your backgrounds look amazing with white,it makes the shining pop so well and LOVE the frames you used!!
    The die you bought from SSS is just wonderful, well done! So glad you didn't paid extras! :D Waiting to see other beauties with it!!

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  29. Just bought two things from them Di (they sent voucher as bait cos they’d missed me... last time yonks ago was a gift certificate! Anyways send it to a friend in US simply because it expensive post! She mails to me at much cheaper rate and I pay her ( at her protest), the two items I bought are also Simon Says and Christian, and nothing like available here (dont see Christian stuff really), both stamps, one background words, You Matter, oh so nice, versatile plus!!. I’ve not had them yet only just done.

    These are brilliant cards Di, love that simple classic affect wonder if I’ve card that would work on?
    Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too.
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  30. Your backgrounds are beautiful and perfect for those gorgeous die cuts. They really pop against the backgrounds.

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  31. I really love your cards and have those frames. Must get busy. Thanks for the inspiration. Hugs.

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  32. I had to blink twice when I saw this post. Honest I’m not copying you. At the moment
    I blog a post when my shoulder allows me too and then schedule it so at least
    I am in blogging land in spirit if not in body. For the same reason
    I can’t link to challenges that don’t yet exist!. Owe you an email but that is a bit hit and miss too at the moment. I am reading everyone’s blogs though. . Hugs me.

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  33. Lovely die, beautiful backgrounds and cards!
    I too have been stung by the 8 pound fee a few times - twice when the parcel were actually prizes - however I did receive some marvellous dies and stamps...

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  34. Those lovely die cuts really show off the gorgeous papers to great effect Di. I especially love the delicate dragonfly one and the quirky feel to the last one with that gorgeous friend sentiment.
    Hugs
    Carol x

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