Wednesday 18 May 2022

Christmas Kickstart #62 - Mini-Slimline

The current challenge for May 2022 over at Christmas Kickstart, HERE, is 'Mini-Slimline'.  Really great theme and I literally just had the very thing to hand ........ raring to go! And, I was homed in on sparkle - right on cue for the current Allsorts Challenge - yay!

A good while ago, I think before Al was so unwell, I won a very 'tricky-woo' looking die over on Rudolph Days Challenge. My Cuttlebug was playing up like it had lumbago and, with everything else that Mo was coping with, I sort of wrote the prize off. However, last week, right out of the blue it arrived here! Thanks again Mo! A lovely surprise!

I set to and quickly made this card for my entry:

I used:

- mini slimline white card blank - sized 6.00" x 3.25"

- snippet of silver pearlescent silver card (looks more grey in the photo), backed with 'die cutting double sided adhesive paper' then die cut using the Gemini. Used the new die from Mo, by Nellie Snellon, called 'Forest with deer and squirrel', and then put to one side

- knowing the full size of the die cut, I could then trim down another snippet of card - this time black with tiny little pieces of silver sparkle embedded all over - to just a little bit bigger than the landscape die cut - it was a close call as well, even with extra full sheets of the stuff here!

- peeled off the sticky backing then adhered the die cut to the black semi-sparkly background and put it to one side for now. It's always best to either run the whole assembled panel through your die cutting machine (slight risk of distortion there to be honest) - OR, do as I did and flip it face down onto your glass mat then give it a really good rub with the Stamping Pressure gadgets that so many of us are loving right now. Bingo - adhesive backing stuck perfectly!

- then stamped the sentiment in the bottom right corner of the card, using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and a stamp from the Woodware 'Tall Tree Gnome' set - happened to be available waiting to be stored away and also the size etc., so itt seemed right

- then glued the image panel onto the card front

- finished off with some different sized clear diamante gems to either side of the sentiment, for extra sparkle!

I really adore this new die, how cool would it look with poinsettias or snowflakes at one of the corners huh? It does take patience to cut, then place the die onto the background. I learned some things I probably would do differently along the way. eg. in future - place the die cut and then trim the outer frame to fit. But - really worth the effort and, SO many different colour combinations can be used as well! Len doesn't like black on Christmas cards so this got the thumbs down for colour but he did like the overall design and die cut.

I would like to enter this into Christmas Kickstart #62.

AND, of course into the current Allsorts Challenge # 676 'Add some sparkle'.

And, equally, into Darnell's NBUS #38 HERE.

And there's another one done for the Christmas card box. Fair to say, the die did intimidate me so I only planned on making a single card - but, would be very happy to make a batch now!

Of course, Mini-Slimline envelopes are as rare as hen's teeth here in the UK. All envelopes and suitable envelope dies are out of stock everywhere I've looked (and so expensive too!) - so here goes with my 'envelope maker scoring gizmo'! Always summick!



23 comments:

  1. Fabulous card Di, what a great die. I love your card in black and white, very stylish. xx

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  2. A gorgeously detailed die and well done for covering the Christmas Kickstart challenge as well as the sparkle one at Allsorts. I quite like the black and white but it would work well with other backgrounds too. Good luck with the envelope maker gadget.

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  3. Great use of the die you won at Rudolph day challenge, wow! A very classy slimline!

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  4. What a BEAUTIFUL scene! I love it!!!
    Lia xx

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  5. This turned out to be quite festive with all the sparkle added! Congrats on winning such a great die! I've only ever made 2 slimline cards and made my own envies for them. It takes very little paper and just a few scores, so don't be intimidated! Go for it :)

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  6. What an amazingly intricate die! Fabulous cut from that shimmery paper. You've created a beautiful scene with it. Thank you for joining the challenge at Allsorts.

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  7. What a wonderful wintry scene Di and yes I can see it with holly or poinsettias over a corner. A lovely card xx

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  8. I think the black and white, especially with the sparkle and using that wonderful die cut scene is beautiful Di, and the added little gems finish it so prettily. x

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  9. WOW Di, this is stunning. Well done on working it all out and making a stunning card
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  10. Not only are some envies hard to get here in the UK, the prizes have gone through the roof. I was astounded by the increases when I had to but large quantities for Anysias wedding in a couple of weeks and then Zachary weighed in with an August wedding.

    It is a lovely die and looks so striking in the mono colours and the sparkly backdrop perfect for Allsorts this week, thank you.

    As for Tricky-Woo and Mrs Pumfrey, I guess you are a fan as well.

    B x

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  11. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a detailed die Di! Fab card, and you now have the opportunity to use up some of your paper mountain making envelopes :)

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  12. What a lovely die but, yes it does look a bit fiddly. I like the contrast with the black and the sparkle makes it Christmassy. Yep, there is always something else to do. xxx

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  13. What a fabulous die, and looks superb in pearlescent white on the sparkly background. Very stylish and eye catching in an understated way - love it! Thanks so much for joining in my challenge theme of "Add Some Sparkle" at Allsorts this week.
    Pauline xx

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  14. It's a great die with all those little details and a wonderful idea to mount it onto the sparkle. Thanks for taking part at Allsorts challenge.

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  15. That was a great prize - love that die! You made a perfect slimline card with it. Wonderful sparkle behind it.

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  16. WOW! This is stunning! Great card!

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  17. BEAUTIFUL Christmas card Di. Congrats on your win.
    Good luck making a mini-slim envelope.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  18. That's one amazing die and it looks great in the glittery paper, Diane! How fun to get your prize and use the NBUS right away - so glad you shared this at NBUS!! Linda May Guest Designer

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  19. Great use of your wonderful die Di! I like the B&W, will also be great in other colours. x

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  20. What a perfect die for this size of card! This is lovely, Jo x

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  21. Wow, I love this card! The black , silver and white is so striking and really show off that intricate die perfectly. I can see how it's a bit of work to cut and adhere to your card base, but the results are beautiful! I would want to make this one in a lot of different colors too.

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  22. Gorgeous die and a lovely quick card. Wonderful. Hugz

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  23. Stunning card. What a wonderful die to win too. So glad you could join us at Christmas Kickstart Challenge. Arlene, Guest Elf

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