Hi friends! I have failed this month to reach my goal of two or more Christmas cards, but I do have one, and it's made with oldies I uncovered during the extensive cleaning, tidying, organizing project I've undertaken in my craft room. The most time consuming project is the process of consolidating my dies to group several dies or die sets onto one magnetic sheet. I'll have to share more on that later, but it's saving a lot of space and looking much tidier. It's a long process and I'm not even done with the birds yet. There are a LOT more letters in the alphabet!
Anyway, that's where this card comes in. I found two doves already made up and sitting with the die in its envelope. Per this organizing project I'm no longer keeping the spare cuts in with their dies because that was adding bulk, so there goes another whole job of organizing the spare parts. In this case I decided to simply layer the two doves and make a card.
At the start of the project I went through all the dies to see what I might possibly relinquish. There are currently 10 die sets sitting on the give-away pile, and this wreath was up for consideration, but I decided its time has not yet come. When I opened its envelope I found one wreath cut in green, so I cut another in white and layered it. To make the die appear more dimensional I Copic colored just the bow (it's all one die), then went over the bow with a Ranger Distress Embossing pen and embossed with clear powder.
The sentiment was already stamped, cut, and waiting. In the photo below you can almost see that the card base was stamped in Versamark with my old SU Flannel Plaid background and embossed with clear powder. It makes for a glossy textured card front with a hint of pattern, much more visible in real life (and actually very cool). Put it all together and there's one more Christmas card for the box.
That's lots of talk for one rather simple card, but there's so much more to this craft than just putting a card together. The thing is, I love all of it -- shopping, creating, organizing, sharing. I feel so fortunate to have such an interest. How about you?
Total Christmas cards in the box: 14
Happily, I'm able to play along with Jo and Guest Joanne in the Christmas Kickstart Challenge this month as their theme is Season's Tweetings. I do have a bird or two in my collection (ahem).
Thanks for putting up with me. Stay crafty, my friends!
Stamps: Poppystamps Christmas Banners (dies included), SU Flannel Plaid Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, SU Always Artichoke (bottom wreath layer) Ink: SU Real Red for sentiment, Versamark for Flannel Plaid background (barely visible on card base) Coloring: Copics for bow Dies: Cheery Lynn Peace Dove, Tutti Designs Wreath with Bow Other: Ranger Distress embossing pen, detail clear embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape to slightly lift dove's wing and tail
Absolutely beautiful Christmas card and wreath die, the little dove and love all the white with just the pop of red, love the glossy background too. I have decluttered my craft stash so much, just sent another bag full to the local school for their after school craft club-they now have more of my craft stuff than I have left lol.
ReplyDeleteCarol x
Very pretty card. Good another one is finished. All the best with your reorganizing stuff. I’ve been doing the same thing and getting rid of the dust that accumulated. It’s a loooong job.. have a great day
ReplyDeleteSo many different things I didn't notice at first on this BEAUTIFUL card Leslie, but after reading your description, it's even more BEAUTIFUL!! I love the shiny plaid background and the shiny bow, and just the hint of green beneath the white die cut wreath...soooooo pretty!! Beautifully done card my friend and YAY for the Christmas stash!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful. I love all the sparkle. My craft room needs so much work to get it organized. I do a little at a time with my school schedule. I am way behind on my Christmas cards also. They'll wait until summer break.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful card, and made entirely of card parts!! Utter perfection, as usual, Leslie. Sounds like a huge project - good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I do love your beautiful Dove! You have given her the most wonderful place to perch - sure to provide joy to one lucky recipient this Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love it all too my friend!
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You might call it rather simple but I call it rather beautiful! Goodness, that's a pretty bird and the wreath is just fabulous with the pop of deep red from the bow. Another beauty, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteThis is great. It does feel good when you use up bits doesn't it? I am glad to hear that your sorting out is proving helpful. I reorganised all my dies a few months ago and I am much happier now. I didn't manage to get rid of any though! My tally for Christmas cards is 0! I love the embossed ribbon a lovely finishing touch xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely find. ANd the backing of each die with colored card really makes the dimension pop. The clear embossing on both the bow and the base make for some lovely shine. Beautiful. my count is 0. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad I read through the whole blog because looking at this card on my phone I did not see many parts that you talked about. I totally agree that the love of this card is not the making. It’s the buying of the products putting them together and finally making something that can be mailed out. Congrats that you have 14 in your basket ready to go for Christmas. And we’ll have to talk more about your cleaning and organizing projectproject. I can’t wait.
ReplyDeleteYou have such pretty dies, Leslie, and are masterful at using them! THe doves are beautiful nestled in the wreath. The layers and shine on the pretty bow make this card so very beautiful! Glad to hear about your organizing. I'm hoping to do the same soon!
ReplyDeleteSo elegant, smart move keeping the wreath it is very pretty and I love how you gave the bow a glossy look to it, love the pops of red against the all white.
ReplyDeleteI do love this craft myself too, you can create something and then send it on and bring happiness or hearfelt touch to someone else.
WOW! This is GORGEOUS, Leslie! I like the idea of doubling up the die cuts and getting them on a card to get rid of the bulk. The wreath is beautiful and that bow is colored beautifully! So elegant! And a wonderful contrast to that gorgeous dove!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Leslie, I love the hint of green under the wreath and the glossy red bow looks fabulous against the white and the delicate textures of the wreath and the dove. I bet the glossy plaid looks wonderful in real life, too. Thanks for joining the fun at Christmas Kickstart this month!
ReplyDeleteJust reading away and read give away pile and had a heart attack! 🤣 I also have to chuckle because every once in awhile I go checking a basket or box that has products I planned to sell at some point but never got around to it and I take something out! I’m glad you’re keeping this wreath! 😊 It’s a beautiful addition to your Christmas card stash. Isn’t it crazy how fast time goes by! I can’t believe it’s the end of May! I only have two ags made for Christmas! 😂
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful card Leslie, so much texture. You have the best die collection. I'd like to build mine up a little more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and beautifully detailed card this is, Leslie. You've thought of some genius ways to bring out detail on this card. I like the idea of the plaid stamped and embossed to make a shiny plaid background that doesn't take away from the exquisite wreath and bird. I need to get back into my craft space and continue purging and organizing as well. I start and then stop. Then start and then stop. You get the idea. ;0) Hope you have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Leslie. You made the best of your spare die-cuts and everything else you used for this card. It's really beautiful. Best of luck with the rest of your organizing!! xx
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous combination, I love the white on white with that stunning bow.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around recently, we just got back from a trip to Japan which was so much fun.
Such an elegant dove on the wreath, Leslie - love the subtle shine of the embossed background and the dramatic red bow!! The green layer behind the white on the wreath gives it that something extra - must try that!!
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