Sunday Snippets - 'O' Little Town'

I've had the 'double sided die' I used today for at least three years - a present from Santa. It's always looked far too complicated - until I took the time earlier this week to watch a video on how to use it - then away I went, and it's actually pretty easy as the die does most of the work:

I used: 

- 8'25" x 4.25" white card blank, side opening (meaning it's .25" wider than a standard DL card - purely to leave a little space at either side of the image panel) - and the envelope will still just fit - yay!

- die cut the double sided die - Gemini's 'O' Little Town' in one pass using a snippet of Tonic satin effect 'Black Velvet' card for the main layer and a piece of Tonic satin effect 'Soft Amethyst' card for the other die cut layer - both pieces of card had been backed with 'Stick-it' pieces

- cut a further piece of card, just slightly smaller than the main black die cut, from Tonic pearlescent 'Blue Cashmere' card

- then layered it all together - easy peasy, with a bit of care

- next, I die cut the sentiment from snippets of the black and amethyst card - using a two part die set by Reverse Confetti called 'Layered Peace', glued together using a glue pen

- finally, added the image panel to the card front using very narrow foam tape for a bit of a 'lift'

and just glued the sentiment underneath, using a glue pen. Finished!

If you're tempted by the double sided dies, made by Crafters Companion, they are used in the electiric die cutting Gemini machines, using a pair of the special pale green plates - with a clear plate at the bottom and another clear one on the very top of the sandwich. I have no idea if they are in any way compatible with other die cutting machines - much less what the sandwich plates would be! I've said previously that I actually use my green plates all the time for any normal die cutting in the Gemini - they certainly have helped to prevent warping and saved me a lot of angst.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge #820 HERE - under the 'Anything Goes' Option

Rudolph Days Challenge for March 2025 HERE

Darnell's NBUS Challenge #72 HERE - the double sided die was having a first outing - and not before time either! Both the Amethyst and the Cashmere card packs were new to me, new colours in the range I'd never tried before.e 

And, a cheeky second entry into Christmas Kickstart #96 over HERE, where the theme is a Christmas colour palette that's 'not the norm' ..... I think this one fits the bill nicely!

Dudley Pupdate: Been a funny and very busy week here for Dudley. Len is the proud owner of yet another set of dog grooming clippers (we could set up a shop here with the ones he doesn't like). Thankfully, these have been declared the best ever - but I suspect that, as of Monday, Dudley would differ on that one - and his upset Mama most certainly would differ! I now have a really 'newborn lamb with a bark' as a pet - he's been shorn, including his beautiful long ears! Granted they were very prone to becomiong matted but the solution is a bit drastic to say the least! I keep whispering to Dudley that it will all soon grow back, and indeed it will. And he will look just like any self-respecting Havanese ought to!

Wednesday saw our friend and close neighbour Kim come round with Tilly the Corgi for a Pupdate with Dudley. The weather was SO kind to us and we sat in the garden in beautiful sunshine having tea and bikkies whilst the dogs played together. In the end, Dudley went to Len for a cuddle when it all became too much - we're talking at least two plus hours of running around. It's only since Len clipped him right down that it's come back to me how fine boned he is. He slept like a little log that night! We do plan to do it all over again very soon.

Then, Dudley's grand finale of the week, on Friday, was his annual trip to the vet for his MOT and innoculation. He came through with flying colours and perfect teeth (always a huge relief here) and Emily the vet is his new best human friend. She's one of the few vets we've met who really know a lot about the breed as well as their natures - and she loved him, and Dudley loved her too! 

We have a new Challenge #503 being run by our lovely Sarn, over HERE. No doubt, there will be delicious goodies on offer in the treehouse, Sarn is now asking for a chalk board for 'today's specials'!! WHAT is she plotting, I ask myself? Soup and a roll from the microwave are one thing - but a whole menu is quite worrying! Mark my words - it'll be a dishwasher next!!

Finally, do remember that for many of us, UK in particular, the clocks have gone forward by an hour. One hour less to sleep - sigh. 

Love from myself and Dudley,