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Thursday 25 February 2021

Rudolph Days Challenge - February 2021

As I always say, I love the Rudolph Days Challenge, started by our SaRn and now run (for a few years now!) by Maureen aka ScrappyMo.

Right now any die cutting is limited to using my baby Altenew die cutting machine - and I had just the NBUS die set, waiting for its first outing. This is what I made, which is a very close copy of a card on MFT's website using the same set of dies:

I used:

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

- a sheet of patterned paper from Whimsy's absolutely gorgeous 'Blurry Flurries' paper pack, trimmed to just smaller than the card front and set to one side

- snippets of olive green and lighter green card, which I die cut using the mistletoe branch from MFT's 'Mistletoe Kisses' set of dies - two of each shade of green

- having the branches die cut I could work out just where I wanted to position the sentiment. It's a red rubber stamp by Elzybells (sadly no longer trading) and took a bit of positioning but with the aid of the Misti, a ruler, an aacetate sheet with grid lines printed on (home produced by printing onto printer friendly acetate ages ago) and a test piece of the background paper (to check for any 'ink bleed' it worked really well! I used VersaFine Clair 'Nocturne' ink to stamp with - just be sure not to press too hard as the pad is very juicy

- at that point I glued the four branches onto the patterned panel using a Zig glue pen, the fourth one was placed quite high up directly over the stem of the centre one below - and all the main stems were sticking up at the top of the branches

- then used small scissors to snip the excess from the tops of the main stems, always do this from the back of the panel of paper or card for a true cut 

- from the same set of dies I die cut the mistletoe berries and the little red bow, again from snippets of pearlised white card and deep red satin mirri card

- glued them in place using the Zig glue pen again

- final step was to glue the decorated panel to the card front, using Collall All Purpose glue

I knew when I set out that the Whimsy 'Blurry Flurries' paper pack has two of each design - so I made two cards of course! And immediately ordered another paper pack the same from Dies to Die For as I can see it being a favourite for 2021's Christmas cards. I might even make another two exactly the same, who knows? Some really pretty colours in the paper pack and all very gentle designs - just perfect for Christmas cards! As if I really need any more patterned paper, sigh. Perhaps it's time to be a bit ruthless and throw out some of the older ones which do look somewhat dated now.

I'd like to enter this card into ScrappyMo's Rudolph Days Challenge HERE, as well as Darnell's NBUS Challenge #23 HERE

To maintain fairness, I'm only playing for fun in both challenges as I followed MFT's design so closely. The one thing I did change was that the example I followed used white for the bow and red for the mistletoe berries. I've seen both waxy white and pale pink mistletoe berries here in England - but never red ones. Which apparently do exist - I suppose a bit like a holly bush we once had years ago with creamy white berries! Isn't nature wonderful - always full of surprises.



34 comments:

  1. This is so lovely, Di. That new die turned out well for this card.
    Wish you were closer as I could give you a big shot with all the plates, platforms etc.
    I keep one manual just in case my electric big shot quits, but I happen to have to manuals as I bought a teal one to match my room and need rid of the black one!

    Back to my official hat one....Love this pretty card. Thanks for taking part in the Feb Rudolph Days Challenge.

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  2. So wonderful and fun card. I love it!
    Valerija xx

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  3. A great Christmas card and going along with this challenge helps to build up stocks for next Christmas.

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  4. What a perfect design Di - so effective and great for multiples. That background paper is pretty isn't it - it's not surprising you felt the urge to order some more! I don't know what the situation is with primary schools and playgroups now, but if you are having a sort out, they always used to be very grateful for donations of coloured paper/designer paper, off cuts or whole. Hugs, Vicky xx

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  5. So lovely is your card Di lovely Die image and layout used the background papers is just right to bring out the colours of the Mistletoe so beautifully put together enjoy your day x

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  6. What a lovely design and I thought the background was a filter! Great paper effect.

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  7. So simple yet so elegant. Love it. [Bunny]

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  8. Hi Di this is a gorgeous Christmas card. I love it. Have a good weekend. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  9. I like this card. It is very similar to a Digi image I have from Beccy place. I think. Never seen red berries on mistletoe . Hugs Me

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  10. A lovely card Di and I like that Whimsy paper you used for the background - another one for my wish list!
    Kath x

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  11. I really do like that backing paper Di. It is perfect for Christmas cards. I must say i always think white for mistletoe berries, but as you say, nature is full of surprises. Kate x

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  12. This is really lovely Di, love the paper and the mistletoe die. I'm with you, I have only seen white berries on it. As for the paper being "dated", use it and people will think it's come back into fashion hahaha.
    Faith x

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  13. A beautiful card Di. We have a tree quite near to us that is loaded with mistletoe. Very obvious at the moment as there are no leaves on the trees too. Thank you for joining in the fun at the Rudolph Days Challenge this month.

    Sue xx DT

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  14. Such a gorgeous card! Your lovely mistletoe looks perfect on that gorgeous background paper. Take care and stay safe my friend. Hugs xxxxxxxxx

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  15. Beautiful mistletoe Di and love the two different greens, and the background paper goes perfectly, and love the red die cut bow for a pop of finishing colour. x

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  16. Lovely card Di, great sentiment.
    Hugs,
    Katrina x

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  17. A super die and a really lovely subtle background.

    Kath x

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  18. A gorgeous card Di. Love the background paper and works beautifully with the mistletoe.
    I have around 20 boxes of paper and also a load of big paper pads. So I sometimes go through them and put the ones I don't want in a bag. When I have quite a lot I take them to a Nursing home that has a craft room for the residents. Hugs, Carol S.xxx

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  19. Beautiful card, the stems and berries so pretty, and that pp - wow!

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  20. I love this! The Blurry Flurries paper is gorgeous - I can see why you ordered more of it. Great mistletoe dies.

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  21. I hardly ever use patterned paper Di I tend to ink up or colour it up myself... I ought to make an attempt to use some, the paper is lovely indeed though, and sets the card off well. Sorry your shoulder is being such a pain. Pray it heals up soon, no fun getting older is it? Specially when bits play up like shoulders.
    God bless Di must get off here way too late.
    Love and many prayers and hugs, gentle ones. Shaz in Oz.xx

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  22. I love your card Di and I love that background paper! It's so dreamy/magical and just perfect for Christmas. I also love that mistletoe die, you chose perfect colors, white berries, love the white berries as well. Yes, nature gives a lot of surprises doesn't it?! I thought all mistletoe's berries where white! So I learned something new today and I didn't know holly bush berries could have creamy white berries! lol Seems I don't know much! Hugs, Brenda

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  23. Creative idea using tone-on-tone cardstock for the leaves and finished them off with a die-cut bow in merry festive shimmering red cardstock! Great inspiration, Di!
    Heaney

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  24. What a lovely festive creation. Super RD card. Love that background paper.

    Yes go on . . . Be ruthless with your older papers . . . I dare you!!!

    Or use them for envelope making . . . Or scrap paper to clean your stamps off!!!

    Hugs, SaRn xxx

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  25. What a sweetie card Di - love how you have used your pearlised paper for the flowers
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  26. Hi Di,
    Happy Rudolf Days.
    Love your wonderful card and the fab design looks so brilliant.
    Great use of snipets too.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  27. Lovely Christmas card, the mistletoe looks great with its berries!
    Hugs!

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  28. Fab card Di. Love the bunch of mistletoe. Hugz

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  29. Super cute design Diane.

    Hugs diane

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  30. Oooo what a stunner and I guess all the extra mistletoe is for Dudley ;-) and with my DT hat on, thanks for joining us at Rudolph Days February Challenge, Luv Sam x

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