Crystal Forest

     This project was the first one I made with the new Jane's Tree die set from John Next Door, I loved the idea of having a 3D tree. I have used a few of his other die sets to make the complete project, all part numbers are listed below.

      Using a strong white card I cut two of Jane's Tree and two of each of the larger deer from Four Seasons, plus two base pieces from the Large Lantern die set.
      I cut down the centre of one tree to the middle and up the other tree to the middle, then I slotted them together. They were then stuck onto the completed base card, glued and covered with clear glitter.
      To make the deer stand up I stuck each pair together at the top and inserted an acetate bracket between their feet.
      There is also a small pine tree from Finlay's Trees and two sets of flowers from the Four Season's set, all of these have been left as plain card - no glitter.

       The Large Lantern is cut from snowfall acetate and assembled with redline tape. Once all the plants and animals were stuck to the card base I slid it inside the lantern, stuck it down and tied the top shut with a small length of string.
      To decorate the top and hide the string I made a big bow using wire edged silver ribbon and die cut some of Lesley's Twigs, a piece of ivy and a couple of Pinstripe Poinsettia.
      These were all stuck on with hot glue, the large flower at the front and the small one at the back.   

      To finish off around the outside I die cut some icicles in plain white card and stuck them upside down, all the way around the base to look like snow covered grass.
      I did toy with the idea of adding a small light in the top, but didn't have much time to puzzle over how to fit it or how to switch it on and off, so I'll have to try that on another one sometime.
      I think this would make a nice table centre, if you have inquisitive little fingers around it's quite safe as it's all inside the acetate case and if it is dropped it won't shatter.
      Jane's Tree die set, plus a few others, will be on Hochanda on Sunday, so keep a look out for the Crystal Forest.

Materials List
JND195 - Jane's Tree die set  : centre tree
JNDCC019 - Large Lantern
JND190 - Pinstripe Pionsettia Die
JNDCC017 - Poinsettia Die (solid shape)
JND187 Twig die set
JND124 Ivy Corner die
JND196 Finleys Trees : small tree 
JND194 - Four Seasons : deer & shrubs
CTGFP-10 Monochrome Glitter Card : white
CAT002 - Glue Glaze pen
S57085 - Ultra Clear Tape : Redline tape
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

As You Like It - Favourite way to add ribbon & why.....a bow to hide something
Crimbo Crackers - Anything Christmas #214
The Holly & Ivy - Anything Christmas     Top 5
Classic Design - Anything Goes
Worldwide Open Design Team - Anything Goes for a DT  (Lockwood Angel)

Trees and Stars

     Next Sunday will see the release of the third Christmas collection from John Next Door. This card is made with the Jane's Tree die set.

     I cut three trees in dark green card, making sure it was green on both sides. It is possible to score down the middle of these die cuts if you are careful, the tree is not symmetrical so you will need to fold them so the animals match on the sides to be glued together.
     After slowly folding and gluing the trees I cut the frame into a piece of the new Waterfall gold glitter card, it needed something subtle to fill the open spaces at the top either side of the tree so I used a star die. To make the stars stand out I put a piece of gold mirri card behind the Waterfall card.
     To bring a little more green into the picture I used a mat layer in the same card onto a white card blank. For the greeting, which also comes in the die set, I used a shaped die and backed it with a little more green card before mounting it on foam pads.
     A  nice easy card with dimension, the only bit to take time was the tree folding, but done slowly it works very well. The Waterfall card is gorgeous and comes in a mixed pack of gold and silver, it has a softer effect than the usual glitter card or plain mirri card.


Materials List
JND195 - Jane's Tree die set
CTGFP-09 Waterfall Glitter Card
LKK-A441 - Moss Linen Card
CAT002 - Glue Glaze pen
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

ABC Christmas - P..Pine Trees  (sort of)

The 12 Months Of Christmas - Shimmer and Shine

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas 

The Holly and Ivy Christmas - #77 Anything Christmas

Pink Poinsettia Cracker

     The cracker die used to make this is last years Faceted Cracker from John Next Door but the glitter card, the twig die and the poinsettia overlay are new this year.
     I forgot to take any construction pictures but it's really very easy to put together as long as you use redline tape, especially if using glitter or mirri card.
     This glitter card is a new shade for this year adding to the non shed range from Craft Artist, it's called Gold Blush and has an 'old rose' kind of tone to it. It matches very well with Shell Pink linen card also from Crafts Too. For this project it is teamed up with Mouse Grey linen card and a rose gold mirri card I found in my local craft shop.
     The cracker is cut from the glitter card and assembled, it's tied up with silver organza ribbon. For the poinsettia I have cut the base petals in Graphite glitter card with the new Pinstripe Poinsettia die overlay in shell pink. I had to use Glue Glaze to get the card to stick to the glitter card, it's a very strong glue.
     The twigs are cut from rose gold mirri and the ivy leaves are cut from Mouse Grey linen card with a hint of silver gilding polish around the edges. The centre of the flower is a bobbly gem from my stash, no idea where or when I got it. All the foliage and flower are stuck on to the cracker with hot glue.

Materials List
JND139 Faceted Cracker die
JND190 - Pinstripe Pionsettia Die
JNDCC017 - Poinsettia Die (solid shape)
JND187 Twig die set
JND124 Ivy Corner die
CTGFP-07 Blush Glitter Card
CTGFP-10 Monochrome Glitter Card
LKK-A450 - Shell Pink Linen Card
LKK-A451 - Mouse Grey Linen Card
CAT002 - Glue Glaze pen
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

I would like to enter this cracker in the following challenges:

Jingle Belles - Use Cardstock-no patterned paper......I hope glitter card is allowed

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - Wrap It Up .....a cracker to hold a small gift

Crimbo Crackers - #213 Anything Christmas

Deep In the Woods

     The theme this month at Christmas Craft Creations is Animals, any animal you wish in a Christmas setting. I love deer so I have used a new die set from John Next Door called Four Seasons, it doesn't have to be a Christmas card as this set has tree trunks and separate foliage so the choice is yours.

     I have also used the little woodland scene from Sam's Circles at the back of this box card because it completed the herd of deer.
     I cut each layer of the set in shades of blue, beginning with the lightest at the front, with a white box to hold the layers. I used the last layer to help me line up the woodland circle.
 

     I started by gluing a light blue circle of card behind the woodland circle, this came from the off cut on the first layer. This layer was then stuck on to a white layer for the back of the box.
     Each layer had two strips of foam tape on each side making it a 6mm gap between layers. This I did carefully and slowly to make sure I got it right.....that tape is very sticky, so no room for error.
   

     The front cover of the box had a rectangular aperture cut in it, with sides wide enough to fold round the thick sides and reach onto the back.
     I wanted to put the stag on the front opening so I had to cut him with a tab across the bottom, then I could stick him inside the opening to keep it neat and tidy. If you want to miss part of a die you can move it around so one of the cutting plates is not covering the die, that's what I did with the stag.
     When the box card was all stuck together I could see the white tape at the top, I didn't like that so using some alcohol markers I coloured the foam in different shades of blue to make them blend in with the card.
     It needed some decoration on the frame but not much, eventually I settled for a little bit of the mini ivy, a holly sprig and some of Lesley's Twigs all in white.

Materials List
JND183 - Sams Circles
JND187 - Lesleys Twigs
JND 194 - Four Seasons     
JND135 - Holly die
JND129 - Mini Ivy
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Feature A Critter    Top 5

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes #126
Crafty Animals - Anything Goes Including An Animal
Love To Craft - Anything Goes

Sam's Circles Forest

     This card has the third centre that comes with Sam's Circles die set by John Next Door. It can be used any time of year, not just Christmas, there are deer, birds and a bunny so it would be rather nice for a Spring card too.

     For this one I decided to use John's Box Scene die from a couple of years ago, the star lattice panel doesn't fit the box front to cut direct into the box but it will fit just inside with a tiny trim.
     To get a little depth I stuck the lattice inside the box on foam tape, this way it sits away from the front but not all the way at the back.
     I cut a gold pearl paper backing sheet and stuck this down on the bcaking card ready to line up the woodland scene. I stuck a green backing on to the woodland scene, placed the lattice on top and made sure I lined it up in the right place before gluing down the deer scene on to the gold backing.

     The box was then built around the backing panel to show the deer sitting happily in the middle of the circle opening. To make the box stand up I have made my own easel and stuck it on the back.
     To decorate the front I have die cut some of the new Lesley's Twigs, along with pine cones, a pine branch and mistletoe, a couple of tiny pearls for berries keeps the festive decoration simple.
     This card would be alright for hand delivery, it's a bit deep for postal as it would have to go large letter and be well packed. I don't always put a greeting on this type of card as some recipients like to use them each year as a decoration, there is plenty of room to write on the back.
     Come and join us at Not Just Cards with your project, it doesn't have to be Christmas, it doesn't have to be a card either, just something you have made.


Materials List
JND183 - Sams Circles
JND187 - Lesleys Twigs
JND137 - Christmas Elements   (pine cone & mistletoe)
JND052 - Square Scene Box
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

ABC Christmas - Pinetrees, Quiet & Robins 

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Autumn Colours

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

Quilted Bauble

     This card is made using just one of three different centres you get with Sam's Circles die set from John Next Door, it's a new set for this year but it will co-ordinate with some of last years dies.

      I cut the lattice centre in gold mirri card, then using the same die I embossed a circle of purple pearl card. The circle die is included in the set so you will get a perfect match with the other centre pieces.
      Using your die to emboss is a great way of getting that quilted look, especially on pearl card, it seems to stand out more when the light catches the pearl sheen.
     You may have to play around with your 'sandwich' of layers in your machine but the main one you will need is some form of silicone mat, this will squish allowing the die to emboss but not cut.

      I did the same with the main lattice die to emboss it, this time on a piece of white pearl card.
      The gold layer was stuck on to purple with tiny pearls added to each star. A die cut bauble cap was added to the top of the circle and then it was stuck on to the quilted background with foam tape to give the impression that it's hanging there.
      The background was added to a narrow gold mirri layer and then stuck on to the white card blank. Using the new Pinstripe Poinsettia I cut some flowers in white card ready to be stuck over the pearl white solid poinsettia from 2018. A little bit of mini ivy in white and a couple of Lesley's Twigs in gold mirri and a tiny gold pearl finished off the small floral embellishment. A die cut greeting in gold mirri completed the card.

Materials List
JND183 - Sams Circles
JND187 - Lesleys Twigs
JNDCC017 - Poinsettia Die (solid shape)
JND190 - Pinstripe Poinsettia
JND129 - Mini Ivy
S57262 - 3D PVA Glue
Stix2 Pearl Card

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

The 12 Months Of Christmas - Shimmer and Shine

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas

Crimbo Crackers - Anything Christmas

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

Girlz Creative Crafts - Christmas In July