Thursday 30 April 2020

Rudolph Days April 2020

Well, that came around fast - it's another monthly Rudolph Days challenge over at Scrappy Mo's - and I'm squeaking in at the last minute, it closes today! I made a set of four very similar cards, using a NBUS (never been used schtuff) set of stamps and dies, plus another NBUS die for the sentiment.

That means I can also join in with Darnell's NBUS challenge #13 once again. And, I'm long overdue to join in with Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenge so am also linking over there. Hi Hazel, remember me?

These are the cards I made, the same idea for each of them but reversed as the llamas are facing different ways:



I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" white card blanks, side opening

- stamped four llamas using the image stamps from the NBUS MFT 'Happy Llamadays' set of stamps as well as four sentiments from the set (I stuck to 'Fleece Navidad' as it tickles me so much - geddit? Real wool brings me out in a rash!) - using Memento's 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad and of course the Misti

- coloured the four llamas using Pro markers and die cut them using the matching set of dies

- die cut the sentiments using another NBUS die from the Frantic Stamper 'Stitched Fishtail Banners' set - the dies are 'solid rather than frames with an aperture'  if that makes sense. That's easily got round if you've already stamped your sentiment - just die cut a template from a scrap of card, position that over the sentiment then sit the die into the template aperture (a little wiggle of it will let you know when it's sitting properly) and then run through your machine. I do also use small pieces of removable tape to hold the template in place and then the die itself (OCD once again!)

- backing paper is ancient, from a 12" x 12" sheet called 'Blue Texture with Stars' made by Craft Creations Ltd - long before I found out about 6" x 6" paper pads. Having looked online I'm not even sure they're still trading in the same way, let alone producing gorgeous papers like they used to - such a shame. Interestedly though, I did track down some of Craft Creations original papers to a shop in the USA!

- die cut the backing paper using a die from the Lil' Inkers 'Stitched Rectangles' set of dies

- the snowy hillside was made by cutting 6" x 2" strips of white card and then die cutting the top edge using a wavy die from a Spellbinders 'Curved Borders' set of dies - I need a decent stitched wavy die, the closest one in the set I used is sort of 'dots' which wouldn't sit too well with the other stitched edges (IMHO)

- to make sure they perfectly fitted the bottom of the starry sky die cut layer - and for continuity of the stitched effect - I then used the bottom part of the same Lil' Inkers stitched rectangle die to trim away about half an inch from the bottom of the white 'hillsides' and also the excess from each side at the same time

- used a glue pen to glue the white hillside panel in place at the bottom of the starry sky rectangle

- then used the same Zig glue pen to add the sentiment to each card

- next glued the llamas in place, same pen again

- finally, glued the panels to the card fronts using Collall All purpose glue - four Christmas cards finished!

As I so often do, the inclusion of all four versions is really mostly for my own record. I do think the last llama has the look of an astonished Dudley about his face ☺ x

I'd been eyeing up llama stamps for quite a while and was delighted when this set of Christmas llama stamps and matching dies popped up on a de-cluttering forum on Facebook a week or two ago. Got them, quarantined the package before opening and am so, so pleased with them. They're brand new and never been opened, for just over half what they cost to buy from suppliers right now. I do love a bargain!

The cards were great fun to make and for the first time in ages I really felt as if that lost mojo could well be on the way back - hooray!

Up until now, my focus has been very much on struggling to get grocery delivery slots and also doing some home baking - crafting has been less to the fore. On Monday I baked bread, for the first time in years right from scratch rather than a (naughty me) packet mix. To my amazement I managed to get Canadian very strong bread flour as well as dried yeast from Ocado - so I baked Stottie Cakes - a traditional Northumbrian flat bread - which I'd always shied away from attempting. And, even if I say it myself, they were exactly as I'd hoped - I found the recipe whilst searching on line for 'fadge' (a bread that doesn't use yeast) which I'll also give a try whilst on the baking 'roll'. And the secret ingredient in the Stottie cake bread dough is a tiny amount of white pepper - who knew? My shoulder suffered a bit from 10 minutes kneading plus a good bit of clearing up - but, so, so worth it! Even better than sausage rolls Jane W - I kid you not!

Many, many years ago, when sitting my GCE Domestic Science mock practical exam a few months prior to the 'real' exams, the brief was to cook a Cottage Pie (plus carrots or cabbage as a vegetable I think), and bake a loaf of bread in the allotted time. Come the actual exam it was 'make a Cottage Pie' (so the teacher had hit the nail on the head there in the 'mocks' )...........and no bread at all! I read the brief several times, and turned the sheet of paper over a few times as well to make sure I wasn't dreaming, wearing my school uniform mini skirt, rolled up at the waist - as we did in those days. No bread needed (see what I just wrote there - needed, kneaded). There was almost time to sit, file and polish my nails! And maybe even do a pedicure as well!

Having said all that about food, we might need cranes to lift us out of our sofas when this is all over, snigger. I swear my clothes are shrinking in the wash already. 

 


24 comments:

  1. Lovely Llamas looking longingly except the last one looking loopy haha. Fabulous set of cards Di, may your mojo leap alarmingly (a llama ingly) into the stars and beyond. You've made me hungry now :) have a good day xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you got a bargain and weren't fleeced for these stamps! Tee hee!!!!! Gotta love the intended pun for the sentiment too. Brilliant RD cards. Happy to hear you enjoyed making them with the return of your mojo.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fabulous cards Di - I love the llamas!
    Kath x

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are brilliant - love llamas and alpacas, such quirky animals I think.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A fantastic collection of cards Di, I love the stamp set that you've used. Thank you for joining in Rudolph Days Challenge this month.

    Sue DT xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fabulous cards Di, I love these animals and alpacas too. Lovely designs and colours too, take care Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your cards! I have made bread several times since we started stay at home. I usually only make it every once in a while. The struggle to get your food is real. I now realize I need to try to get some yeast but now sure if I will be able to.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fleece Navidad - oh I love it! The llamas are absolutely adorable! Love their cute little faces and I know what you mean about the last one. I say to Eva 'Stop looking at me with your nose!' Glad you've been enjoying your cooking - and yes, I think my constant crafting is the equivalent form of escapism! Your exam story made me laugh - what a clever teacher! Also, rolling the waistband up on our skirts...! LOL!
    Hugs, Vicky xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your cards Di and the image is so adorable fabulous backgrounds and stitched edges not made bread for ages but l feel as though plenty of extra weight is going on me as l feel we all must be eating more stay safe x

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm with you on the crane. Geez. I'm packing it on. We are constantly eating it seems. Making things we rarely make. Hoo boy! [Bunny]

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fun set of fleecy cards! Love those fun images and cute designs! Oddly enough, I think my clothes are shrinking too?? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Di,
    such gorgeous makes and those stamped and die cuts are so sweet.
    Love the backgrounds also.
    Happy Rudolf Days.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oooo those Llamas are super cute and I love the way you have turned them round too and with my DT hat on, thanks for joining us at Aprils Rudolph Days Challenge,

    I was giggling at your school confession of making bread, as you took me right back to my Domestic Science days, although I don't think we ever made bread, well I can't remember, if we did ;-)

    Luv Sam x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those llamas are cute Di and love the four different looks with the pretty snow and night sky backdrop. x

    ReplyDelete
  15. These 4 cards are so darn cute. That stamp and die set was a bargain at half off!

    Enjoyed your baking story. I will have to look for the recipe for the one without yeast as i am out of it at the mo.

    Have been baking too. And cooking things that we have not had for years. Tonight we are having homemade fish and chops. I peeled the potatoes a few minutes ago and will have to look up the recipe for the fish batter as it is so long since I made them.

    I have kept busy lately making Christmas tree baubles and various ornaments. I am slowly trying to have a more ruystic tree look yet still combined with some of my mercury glass as well. It is a fine line between what goes together!

    Thanks for taking part in the April Rudolph Days Challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good job finding that llama bargain and snapping it up, Di! They are cutie-pies looking right, left, right ... hello, who's this chappie looking straight ahead with a dead eye on me then, eh?! So unexpected and fun!!

    I love the post and what's happening with the baking now and back in the day. And thank you for mentioning "fadge," which I will promptly go look up because you can't find yeast for love nor money over here ATM. So glad to hear your mojo may have turned the corner and come all the way home and thank you for sharing again at NBUS! Take care and keep safe! Hugs, Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your Llamas - I too am struggling with mojo and had a bit of of an emotional wobble this week. Work is very busy we are suppose to be on reduced hours but that doesnt quite seem to be happening as we are staff down. Anyhow have found some time to use my craftroom for craft not work and feeling abit more like myself - will add my snippet card in a mo - love you all xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome card. I love it. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge

    Geweldig project, echt super.
    Hugs
    Claudia
    DT Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge

    http://knutselmeisjes.blogspot.be
    http://creativesketchygirls.blogspot.be/
    https://girlzcreativecrafts.blogspot.com/
    http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh I just love these cards Di, and yes..that last llama does have a Dudley-ish expression to him. I think it's that innocent, "who me?" look that they always seem to learn even as puppies..haha! Cards with scenes and adorable critters are always a draw for me, and this is a really fun stamp set. The fact that it was a bargain is even better.

    These llamas could actually be used throughout the year for birthdays, or other occasions, just by changing the colors and/or snipping off the stocking. These are a great addition to your Christmas card stash for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Di...you did have fun with the llamas!
    Quickly as should be in bed. Our numbers are good 1. An island. 2. Hard borders shut quickly 3. We caught it well after Europe, so well warned. 4. Good efficient lockdown and lots and losts of testing.
    ... we still may get second wave if people aren't smart.
    Praying though for UK, US, Europe and all poor nations too.. especially as they've great disadvantages. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
    Pray not. Nighty night.
    Hugs Shaz.x ❤❤❤
    ps look after that shoulder, Miss! yummy bread or no!

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love these, I must find myself a « fleece navidad » stamp! xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Adorable cards, Di! I can see why you were so happy to pick them up at a bargain! My hubby isn't getting nearly the treats, although I did make some very good lemon bars. Bread I wouldn't even begin to attempt! Stay safe, my friend!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much if you take the time to comment!

This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.