Sunday 24 July 2022

Laminating paper napkins

A while back, I discovered Ann Melvin and her numerous online card making videos, particularly different ways to use a laminating machine. One technique had me gripped - laminating paper napkins, you can watch it HERE. So, I dutifully sent off for a selection of paper napkins as well as some matte laminating pouches (I bought A5 size pouches which are perfectly adequate for my needs), my existing folders were all glossy ones. And this is a Christmas card I made:

I used:

- 7" x 6" white card blank, tent style (bit more about this below)

- rounded the corners of the card blank using my We R Memory Keepers corner half an inch rounder (it cuts through two layers at once, so I would be sure of them matching exactly when the card is closed)

- I'd laminated the image a few weeks ago, following Ann's video and using a rather Scandinavian or possibly German style of napkin

- mounted the image onto white card using double sided adhesive sheet, trimmed it to size and rounded the corners with an X-Cut half inch corner rounder

- then made a backing 'frame' using Tonic pearlescent 'Red Velvet' card, again with the corners rounded

- glued the image panel onto the card front

- grabbed a long narrow snippet of leftover Tonic pearlescent 'Red Velvet' card and trimmed it to half an inch width using my old faithful Woodware rotary trimmer with the changeable blades (I used the 'deckle' blade)

- glued the strip across the width of the card and trimmed any overhang from the back of the card using sharp scissors

- the sentiment was stamped using left over white snippets from trimming an original 8" x 8" card right at the start of making the card blank (I never use huge card blanks these days so didn't feel at all guilty)

- for the sentiment I used a stamp from the Poppy Stamps ''Gilded Christmas Wishes' set of stamps , the Misti and Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink

- then die cut the sentiment using a matching die from the same Poppy Stamps set

- finally. popped the sentiment onto the deckle edge strip using thin sticky fixers

I made six all the same! At this rate I ought to be finished all my Christmas card making well ahead of time. 

The images really do look and feel like vellum when laminated using matte (or matt) pouches - a fun way to use napkins. I'm so glad I never disposed of my Woodware rotary trimmer - still have loads of different blades, even some spare ones, cutting track inserts and even a spare handle. 

The reason the cards ended up measuring 7" x 6" is that I needed the 7" width for the image panel, 7" x 7" would cost Large Letter postal charges (eek!) and 7" x 5" just didn't leave enough space for a decent sized sentiment below the image. So, I'll set to sometime soon and make some envelopes, rather than leave them until the last minute.

By the way, I found some USA large size slimline envelopes at Bumbleberry Papercrafts HERE. 50 for £4.99 so not too badly priced either. They're longer than DL envelopes and perfect for anyone who, like me, slipped up and bought USA sized slimline dies, thinking the measured the same as our DL ones. Bumbleberry also stock mini slimline envelopes by Gina K. But, they are far from being a realistic price (£7.99 for eight) and would probably cost more than it takes to make a small card, so I'll just make my own.

Pupdate - during the excessive heat last week, Dudley had little inclination to go looking for mischief. Basically we were all trying to keep as cool as possible. We celebrated his 4th Birthday on Friday, all quite low key. He proudly wore a new 'Birthday Boy' bandana the whole day and looked adorable. ☺ This is he:

It took umpteen shots to even capture this one as he doesn't pose nicely for photos.

As soon as the nights were cooler than in the midst of the heatwave - he's been sleeping on our bed all night, making up for lost time we think. 

And last but certainly not least - Sarn has posted the latest Snippets Playground challenge HERE. The theme is still 'Christmas in July'. A lovely card made by Sarn plus another cocktail recipe await you over in the Playground!

My cocktail recipe is nothing like as imaginative or exotic as Sarn's are - basically my first thought was cranberries as so many of us associate them with Christmas. So my offering is:

Vodka Cranberry - also known as Cape Cod Cocktail

Vodka Cranberry Cocktail - Cape Cod Drink - Mom On Timeout
Image from the internet

So easy to make. 1 oz. vodka, 4 oz. cranberry juice, wedge of lime - plus a little 'simple syrup' if you like it sweeter. Fill a whisky tumbler two thirds full of ice (really?). Pour in the vodka and cranberry juice and stir. Add a little squeeze of the fresh lime wedge then pop it onto the rim of the glass as a garnish. For a longer drink, just double the ingredients and use a highball glass. Float three or so cranberries on top if you have them to hand. Personally, I'd leave them out for fear of anyone 'virtually' choking on them, unless you provide a virtual straw to drink through! 

Love from me and a woof from Dudley.



21 comments:

  1. Great card, great technique, great cocktail and of course great pic of Dudley! Xxx

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  2. Super card and thanks for the reminder about this technique which I've yet to try. Adorable pic of the birthday pup.

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  3. That sounds like a fun technique Di and the result looks fabulous. I do love those jolly looking gnomes, I think they might just have tried one of your Cape Cod cocktails. Just look at Dudley smiling for his Birthday portrait!! Gorgeous Boy xx

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  4. Dudley looks so handsome!! What a gorgeous card Di - those are really cute images. Your cocktail looks, and sounds, amazing!!
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  5. Adorable card, Di! I too watched some very interesting videos about laminating techniques for cards and want to try something!
    Happy Happy Birthday Dudley!! He looks soooo cute with is new bandana!!
    Thanks for the Vodka Cranberry recipe! I will taste it at the playground party! :D
    Hugs

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  6. Just had a look at the video Di and it's a really great technique! Your card looks wonderful too with those cute gnomes. Dudley looks so happy in his photo, can't believe it's 4 years since he came into your life xx

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  7. WOW - what a fabulous Christmas card - and from a napkin too. You are a GENIUS. No wonder you made six of them.

    Aww - look at the birthday boy with his bandanna. Just brilliant.

    Mmmm, your Cape Cod Cocktail sounds delicious. Will add that to the menu toot sweet! Hic! XXXX

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  8. What a great way to use those adorable Christmas napkins, Di!! I bought a laminator a couple of years ago when I was using it for foiling (which never seemed to turn out well). I still have lots of foil to use up, but in the meantime, I've been using my laminator to make dividers for my stamp and die baskets --- trying to get organized. :) I have also bought some of the matte laminator sheets and used them with napkins, watercoloured tissue paper (which makes them so sturdy now), and even patterned paper. I love the vellum-like finish. Such a great technique!! xx

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  9. Oops ... meant to mention how delicous your Christmas cocktail looks. Must give that a try!! xx

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  10. Ohh that is so clever Di, I didn't know there was such a thing as Matt pouches! Thanks for the link to the envelopes, I was looking for some a while ago and couldn't find any that were sensibly priced.
    And how handsome does the birthday boy look! I think he must have had a pre-birthday bath, he's so lovely and white! Miss Molly is for the groomers on Tuesday, I fear the poor groomer earns her money with her ;)

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  11. Super card, Di. Laminating paper napkins..... that's a new technique to me. I think I still have some matt laminating pouches somewhere, bought in the days when I was teaching - never any money in the school budget, so I bought my own for making resources. Thanks for the cocktail recipe and the cute photo of Dudley. Just look at that adorable face! xx

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  12. What a great idea to laminate a paper napkin and it has worked brilliantly Di using these cute elves. I did go and take a look at the video and I do have a laminator so may at some point give it a go. That cocktail looks very refreshing and I can't believe that Dudley is four but still so cute, and love that bandana. x

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  13. I like Anne's videos too, clever tips, must get back to do some. I LOVE your card and the happy people Di. Great design too, I also think your idea of the size and making your own envelopes is spot on. As for the cocktail? I don't drink vodka or gin, so had better go and look for something with another kind of cocktail! :)

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  14. What a great idea to laminate a paper napkin and it is sooo cute!. I do have a laminator so have to try it!. Happy BIRTHDAY DUDLEY! and love that bandana.

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  15. A great card...thank so much for the technique hints and video. Love pic of Dudley. Love to you both.

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  16. Duddddddddley, what a cute little face and birthday scarf! Happy 4th Birthday! Your laminated napkins make fun and festive Christmas cards, Di! Great idea and, btw, one of my favorite cocktails!! Hugs, Darnell

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  17. Fabulous card Di your gnomes are just so cute, l am just into gnomes at the moment can't get enough of them enjoy your day xx

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  18. I forgot to say l checked out the video it was amazing x

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  19. What a brilliant idea to use napkins to make cards! I learned to do that eons ago using an iron, but don't care to get that clunky thing out of the closet anymore LOL Fun card with all the gnomes and a cute pic of Mr. Duds too in his birthday garb! Happy 4th! All these cocktail recipes between you and Sarn might be getting me in trouble :)

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  20. Stunning card and the video was great, thanks for the link! Happy Birthday Dudley!

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  21. What an interesting technique for using the napkins & love your card! Dudley is so cute with his blue bandana! Gotta say, that cocktail looks delicious! Can't wait for Fall & cooler weather!

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