Wednesday 20 May 2020

Friends are special treasures

I wanted to make a run of cards, to enclose with the backlog of Snippets Playground prizes which are still here, waiting to be posted off to the winners at some point. I made a run of 10 cards, all the same, using a sentiment stamp which is a great favourite of mine 'Friends are special treasures'. I always think of SaRn when I use this lovely stamp set as I first spotted it over on her blog, a good few years ago now. And also, during this lock down, my blogging friends have become even more precious - if that were possible. Len calls it my 'lifeline to the World' - and he's so right at times.

And once again, I did a bit of cheating. This time with the NBUS Altenew floral border on the cards, see what you think:
I used:

- 5.5" x 4.25" (a2) white card blank, tent style

- cut some 6" x 6" squares of card using the same white card (I actually just halved some of the same card blanks I often use to cut down for the A2 size). These panels were destined to be trimmed down further but if you read on you'll hopefully understand why I did this

- and this is the 'cheats bit' - I used a NBUS product by Altenew (bought it from Seven Hills Crafts) called 'Vibrant Spray Die Cut Tape'. Oh boy, how I LOVE this stuff!
Vibrant Spray Die Cut Tape
- for each front panel I cut a length of the die cut tape approximately 6" long, peeled off the backing and then adhered it along the bottom edge

- next, I lined up the panel in my guillotine so that one bottom edge of the die cut tape would be cut straight across. Just a question of making sure no white card was left showing, whilst keeping as much of the floral design as possible, and plenty of spare card left above the tape

- then I trimmed the sides to 5.25" width and then across the top of the panel at 4". That allowed me a little bit of 'wiggle room' on either side of the panel to line up the edge cuts as well as possible taking the floral pattern into account. Any slightly 'odd' looking tall parts of the design at the very edges can be easily peeled back and trimmed with small scissors to give a more pleasing effect.

- stamped the sentiment onto the panel using the 'Friends are special treasures' stamp from the Hero Arts 'Live Life' set of sentiment stamps, the Misti and another NBUS item, Versafine's Clair 'Nocturne' ink pad (huge thanks to Kathleen for recommending this - it's brilliant!)

- final step was to glue the panel to the front of the card blank - simples!

These really were great fun to make, particularly for a batch making session, and I've spotted an idea for a different design using the same tape. The way things are going it'll be while until I get those packages posted so there will be a few more winners by then and a few more message cards to be made to include with prizes.

I adore the Altenew border, and you actually get 5 metres on a roll, so although the initial outlay isn't exactly cheap, you'll get a good few cards out of it! They have other designs but this is my favourite, I would be thrilled if they bring out one in a Christmas design needless to say.

A couple of things, the Altenew tape border is very slightly 'off-white' and my card stock here is all bright white. I would have hopped into the car and nipped down the road to Hobbycraft for a pack of slightly off-white card blanks - but of course that's not an option at the moment.

I do love the Versafine Clair 'Nocturne' ink pad, it gives such a strong black stamping straight away. However, it's so juicy that you can actually see a faint shading on the reverse of the card, so possible best avoided for one layer cards - unless you sneakily back the inside of the front of the card with a slightly smaller panel of card of course.

Both the above points are purely down to my tendency towards OCD when crafting, this I freely admit!

I'd like to enter this into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #14 May 2020. I love this challenge, so thrilled that Darnell has brought it back. Of course the Altenew tape is my NBUS item, as well as the Clair 'Nocturne' ink pad.

Typing this when I really should be baking. It's too late to begin now so it looks as if I'll be forced to do some more crafting. At long last, I feel as if Mr Mojo is peeking round the door ready to return - I have loads of ideas for Christmas, snippets and other occasion cards racing round in my head! Hooray, it's not before time.



27 comments:

  1. This looks fabulous, I have not seen it before, what a great product!

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  2. Oooh I've never seen that tape before, it looks stunning! Lovely card (s). Great to see your crafting mojo returning - and you feeling well enough to make the most of it after all your pain earlier in the year.

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  3. Saw the word 'Altenew' and immediately thought that was some impressive stamping until I read it more carefully and saw that you'd found a brilliant alternative to the sometimes hit or miss job of using this brand of stamps especially since you wanted to make a batch of similar cards. I must say my results from layered stamping aren't always all they should be - so frustrating. How clever of you to discover this - I'm all for a bit of cheating when it is justified in terms of saving crafty hassle and ending in a great result. Pleased to hear your mind is buzzing with ideas!

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  4. Wow, this is so beautiful Di, and I definitely wouldn't call it cheating... I think I feel another spending spree about to happen! xx

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  5. Hi Di this is a stunning card. I love it. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  6. Such a beautiful card Di, I love the sentiment and also the tape (not seen that before) it sure does make pretty cards.

    Sue xx

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  7. This is very pretty Di and I love the sentiment which is perfect for these cards to send with prizes, and although it is a bit cream against the white cards it is still a lovely look and for a fast card just perfect. x

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  8. Di, it's absolutely beautiful! xoxo

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  9. Just so beautiful Di and your colours are beautiful, I love Altenew floral images, they make the most wonderful cards, hope you are well and safe Kate x

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  10. Brilliant Di. I've bought on eBay from China few years ago now a Chinese floral painting wide washi tape...if you put two rows of scoring either side of washi tape it really makes it pop with class, I've also edged some with gold peel off borders for extra pizzaz!
    Clever work, great stamp.
    😊 and so grateful to have your friendship through it!
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love, in these different times.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X 7

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

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  11. What a GREAT idea that Altenew tape is. It looks fab.

    LOVE that sentiment (and that stamp set) . . . still one of my fave's after all these years!

    Happy midweek.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  12. That is some fabulous tape! I love the look of it.

    But I got off in a tangent looking up Hobbycraft stores!!! I was in Southampton last trip and did not know there was a craft store there...sigh... Is that where you have to go or do you have one closer...
    Thanking of my next trip...

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  13. I can’t believe that is tape! Wow, it is so pretty! I like the design of the sentiment too. Great job!

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  14. It's been wonderful for me too having this wonderful bunch of Blogland friends during Lockdown and that sentiment is perfect! Your 'cheat' cards are brilliant Di and remind me of when Delia Smith brought out her cheats cookery book! I saw that tape at Seven Hills but just didn't see the possibilities... they're going to sell out on the basis of your card I think!!! Versafine Clair black ink is on my wish list as I never seem to be able to stamp a black greeting crisply. So pleased your mojo's back! Hugs, Vicky xx

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  15. Well I would not have guessed in a million years (not that I will live that long) that this was tape. Great images and lovely vibrant colours, great sentiment, perfect placing too.

    Kath x

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  16. I had no idea this came out but how beautiful! I love the way it's die cut, and not just straight across like patterned washi tape is. That die cut tape works so perfectly on your small cards and yes, a Christmas version would be such a hit! Think tags, as well as cards.

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  17. Wow I thought that was stamping...awesome tape and an awesome card Di. Hugs xxx

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  18. Such a beautiful card Di, loving the punch of colour with the flowers -very summery. Hugs Emmax

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  19. What a great tape Di, and awesome use of it. so glad to hear Mr Mojo is returning :)
    I call my computer my social life in a can - and it has been for years :) I do have local friendships, but while DH was so unwell it was a lifeline for me.
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  20. What a lovely card Di l thought the stamp included the floral image until I read you added it l had to look again at the card so effective it is my lifeline too blogging keeps my mind occupied while in this lockdown stay safe x

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  21. Beautiful card Di, what a useful product. I love the sentiment stamp too. xx

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  22. What a fun way to make quick cards and it is lovely. Looks like it was water colored and took lots of time.

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  23. What a gorgeous card! The tape sounds fab, it looks like stamping, a brilliant idea, especially for bat h making as you have done. I don't know how I would manage without blog friends and blogging all of the time! I am a Versafine Nocturn convert too. It's my favourite black ink ever. Take care and hugs my friend xxxxxxx

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  24. That tape is beautiful & I have that set with the sentiment--one of my favorites! I'm not letting myself get many of those tapes since I already feel guilty about the number of stamps I have--haha! I did use a gift certificate to get one of the Altenew tapes that also has a matching die. You've made me think I should probably use it! PS--I've finally discovered that it's OK to combine various shades of white & I actually like it.

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  25. Love the look of this tape which I never heard of before. You used it so well.

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  26. First of all, I'm so happy to know you are really feeling your mojo, Di! I can hear how becited you are in your voice! Second, thank you for turning me on to that beautiful floral sticker tape. Two of them, plus that green leafy one are now wending their way here and a few other things, too, ahem. That's the problemo with me getting to see all the fabulous new things via the NBUS gallery! I'm happy Mt. NBUSes are dwindling all over the world while mine just gets higher and higher. But, hey, it's sort of my own personal stimulus package, right?! I tell the Mister I'm single-handedly doing my part to bring back the economy!

    And last, but not least, I love the pretty card you made and that so-true and awesome sediment! Oops off to shop again! Thank you for sharing so many wonderful creations with everyone at NBUS! I'm thrilled the resurrection has helped jeuss your juices!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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