Pop Out Nativity Decoration

 

     This is not a card, it's a decoration made with card using a card die. I made two cards with this die set and when I picked them up to move them they fitted together rather well, so I played around and worked out it would make a nice circular decoration, this one has three sections but it would work just as well with four.

    As I wanted three different sections and it's for Christmas what could be better than the nativity as a theme. Raiding my die sets I found I was one short so I have to thank Rene for lending me hers.

    Armed with wise men, the stable and some shepherds I worked out who would go where by which way they were facing. I also got a little happy with the scissors and chopped off a few bits here and there so they suited my plan. 

     The front band on these cards doesn't have a fold line on it, it's what gives it the ability to stand well, this is also where I wanted to add the greetings. To get the right height I cut the scene part first and then cut the band, taking great care not to cut off the scene. This can be achieved by slipping the scene part over the top of the die to avoid the cutting edge, just making sure the 'sandwich' in the machine was not too strong as it may have creased the scene.

     For the folding tabs inside I followed the same procedure with the exception of the donkey and camel, these were on different dies so I had to get creative with my cutting plates. I cut the donkey first, putting the top plate over the donkey but short of the other end of the tab, then I cut the camel by putting the top plate over the camel but short of the donkey. It sounds complicated but it really isn't, a machine will only cut if the sandwich is thick enough so if there's a thick layer missing it won't be able to cut.

     

     Once all the bands were cut I used the stencil greetings to cut them and added silver glitter card on the inside to sparkle through the words.

     I cut three sets of silver mirri mats and three sets of white card for the backings. For the wise men and the shepherds I embossed with stars but for the stable I used a ray of light folder on the white layers.

     When I glued the mat layers I left the bottom corners free so I could tuck the band underneath them for a tidier finish.

     To make the stable scene special I cut the angel, a star and the family in silver holographic card, mounting the angel and star on an acetate tab instead of card.

     With all three sections complete I then glued them together to form a circle. In hindsight I should have made sure all the bands where matched in height where they meet, maybe next time. 

     This would be great displayed on a lazy susan so it could be turned around to view all sections.

Materials List
JND213 - Stepper Fold Card die set

JND130 - O Little Town die set

JND131 - Nativity Scenes die set

JND199 - Christmas Sentiments
CTGFP-1 - Craft Artist Silver Glitter Card

CAT041 - Craft Artist Silver Card Mirri/Satin mix

S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

S57085 - 6mm Redline Tape

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

Jingle Belles - TicTacToe = Bling/Die cut/Trees

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #559 Anything Christmas/option Patterned paper or card

Winter Wonderland - September Anything But A Card 

Merry Little Christmas - #38 Anything Christmas

Die Cut Divas - September Anything Goes

Happy Little Stampers (Dies) - September Anything Goes

Let's Craft & Create - #175 Lots Of Layers

Gem Of A Challenge - #19 Anything Goes

The Holly and Ivy - #101 Anything Christmas     Top 3

Let It Snow

     This months challenge at Christmas Craft Creations is a sketch. As we are getting closer to Christmas you may wish to start making cards, if you haven't already, and share with us what you've made.

     I decided to work with white card only, it has a pearly shine to it so it glistens a little like snow. I also chose to make a square rather than a rectangular card but stayed within the sketch brief.

     To make the top part of the card look different from the bottom I used a snowfall embossing folder. The crisp dividing line is where I cut across the square and only embossed the top part, then stuck them back together afterwards.

     The trees were die cut and mounted on foam tape, the two smaller ones on 1mm and the large one on 2mm.

     The greeting has been moved across to the opposite corner because it looked a bit squashed under the trees. I have been trying to use my stash so the greeting is a peel off from a rather full box. To tie it all together I used a silver mat layer before mounting on a square card blank.

     It's a rather simple card but I think it's quite effective and a handy seasonal greeting for any winter celebration.

     As you begin to make your Christmas cards remember to come and share them with us at Christmas Craft Creations.

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

The 12 Month's Of Christmas - #81 Anything Christmas /Twist - Metallic

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #558 Anything Christmas/option S

The Holly and Ivy - #100 Anything Christmas

Merry Little Christmas - #38 Anything Christmas

My Time To Craft Christmas - #17 Embossing Hot/Dry

It's All About The Bling

 

     This month's challenge at River Of Creativity is all about Fashion Sense. It's a challenge for all creative projects, so if you have made a new dress or knitted a new top you can enter them, we would love to see your work.

     I have wanted to make this head for some time, I've been collecting all sorts of 'bling' for months. I made a steampunk-ish type one several years ago and this one started life the same way, papier mache.

     I have a polystyrene head which I covered with cling film and then approximately 8 layers of papier mache. Once completely dry I cut the head open at the back and removed the polystyrene form. Using hot glue and a selection of clean stones from the garden I weighted the bottom inside.

     I pulled the head back together and sealed the wound with three layers of papier mache - an old newspaper and some PVA glue.

     Once the head had dried out thoroughly I die cut some swirl shapes in greyboard and glued them in place at random. I also die cut a fancy border in greyboard and glued that all the way around the base. 

     The next step was to use pieces of aluminium tape to cover the newsprint and the shapes, taking care to use a ball tool around the shapes to flatten the edges and define the swirls. Then it was time to break out the black acrylic paint, this was sponged all over the head, then just before it dried completely I rubbed some of it off so it had a distressed look. It's easy to touch up any areas you're not happy with but you can get messy hands, good thing it's all water based.

      Then came the fun part, trying to decide which bits and bobs to put on the head. The mask was a must, it helps define the face as the features are not strong. I was originally going to cover it with bling but having used aluminium tape it already had shine before anything else was added. It ended up with a tiny tiara, earrings, necklace and lots of stud earrings popped in on the swirls. Everything was attached with hot glue so I had to work fast, I made a few mistakes and had to peel things off, patch and try again, but I did enjoy making it.

      The last one I made was for a headphone stand but I have no idea what this one will be used for....yet. I have also kept the polystyrene shape just incase I feel like making another one.

Steampunk type head from 2016

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

Creative Artiste - #75 Anything Mixed Media      Top 3

Watercooler Wednesday - #323 Cathy's Challenge - All Things Feminine

Mixed Media Lovers - #5 Anything Goes

The Crafter's Cafe - #273 Anything Goes

A Perfect Time To Craft - #9-2021 Anything Goes      DT Fav

Love To Craft - #62 Anything Goes

Crafter's Castle - #45 Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar - September Anything Goes

Autumn Hare

 

     The new challenge has started over at The Paper Funday, this month it's an Autumn theme.

     This started life as an experiment with a mixed media plate and some dye inks, I can't remember which inks as it was a few months ago. I make several of these pieces and keep them handy for backgrounds on future projects.

     The Lavinia Stamps silhouettes really make a great picture on this type of background, especially for me as my colouring in isn't all that good. I stamped the branch, fairy and hare in Versafine black ink a few days ago and left it to one side. After looking at it again I realised all it needed was a few autumnal falling leaves, these were stamped in Distress Oxides.

     The hardest part was then to find mat layers that would pick out the colour of the leaves. I found a pearl orange, a mid brown and an antique gold to use before finally putting it on a kraft card blank. It has no greeting so it can be used for a nice little 'hello, how are you?' card.

     The Paper Funday accept any project that fits the theme as long as it's made with card or paper, it doesn't have to be a greeting card, it could be a gift box or a scrap layout, whatever it is we'd love to see it.

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

Sweet Stampin' - Lots Of Layers

Gem Of A Craft - #18 Anything Goes

Use Your Stuff - #430 Anything Goes

Crafting Happiness - #111 Anything Goes

Silver Snowflake Mandala

     The new challenge at Christmas Craft Creations starts today, this month's theme is to use Non Traditional Colours in your project. It doesn't have to be a card, just anything Christmas related that follows the theme.

     

     I chose purple and silver as I have several friends who love those colours. I used a purple card blank and die cut the outer mandala shape, plus the corners from the front cover. 

     I then lined the inside cover with white card, ready to drop the shapes back in the holes. It's also a good idea to have an insert on a coloured card as it makes it easier to write in.

     

     Using silver mirri card I cut the four corners, then glued them in the holes on the front cover so the white showed through.

     The mandala outer shape was cut in silver mirri, then I put all the inner dies on to the shape but embossed them rather than cut them. I love the effect you get from embossing mirri card and as long as you have a soft silicone mat to use under the dies it's quite easy to do.

     I used foam tape on the back of the mandala and put it back in the hole but turned it so the shapes were not perfectly in line, I think it makes the shape look bigger that way.

     To bring purple to the mandala I used a large clear gem, coloured with an alcohol marker, in the centre. A relatively simple card with a nice splash of bling.

     Please pop over and join us at Christmas Craft Creations with your non traditional colours project and remember it doesn't have to be a card, just something seasonal that you have created.

Materials List
JND245 - Snowflake Mandala
JND244 - Snowflake Corners

S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

Foam tape

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

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - #554 Anything Christmas/ option Penguins

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

The 12 Months Of Christmas - Anything Christmas/option Clothing

The Holly and Ivy - #99 Anything Christmas

Dream Valley - #252 Embossing Wet or Dry

Penny's Baubles

 

     Today sees the launch of John Next Door's Baroque Christmas collection, part one. This years festive season has a had a later start than before, a combination of Covid, customs and canals have all had an impact, but we're up and running now.

     This die set is called Penny's Baubles and they feature a selection of shapes all with gorgeous deer and snowflakes.

     Starting with a satin gold card I cut a square using the stitch dot dies, then with just the bauble outline dies I embossed the card, not cut it. I also embossed the little finials at the top of the baubles. I then cut the baubles inner designs on the gold card. 

     To go under the gold card I cut a tartan paper layer and a dark red card layer, I always cut the centre out of the card mats to keep for another project, it saves card and makes the finished project a tiny bit lighter in weight.

     I also cut a Noel stencil sentiment from the gold layer and backed it with a bit of the dark red card. I added the red and tartan layers to a white card blank and stuck them down firmly.     

     Next was to add foam tape to the gold card, making sure to give enough support around the cut outs. When adding it to the tartan paper I only peeled off one corner to begin with, making sure it was all lined up evenly. With this corner stuck down I then peeled off all the remaining tape and secured the card layer on the paper.

     To add a little bit of sparkle I glued some tiny green gems in the middle of each snowflake.

Materials List
JND258 - Penny's Baubles
JND195 - Jane's Tree  -  Noel sentiment

S57262 - 3D PVA Glue

Foam tape

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

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - O is for ornament

Jingle Belles - Red & Green

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

My Time To Craft Christmas - Plaid / Gingham     (Top 5)

Castles In The Sky

 

     I do seem to be carrying a bit of a theme through most of my River Of Creativity projects, it wasn't intentional but I do love dragons. Our theme this month is 'One Earth', a bit of a stretch maybe but this is my dragons earth.

    

     Using the Lavinia Stamps Fairy Orbs I stamped on white card, this was following an idea I had seen on their FB page and I'm very sorry to say I can't remember who to credit for this idea.

     The castle is an Encaustic Wax stamp that I have had sitting in my stash for years.

     Once the castle was stamped and dry I used a fine micron pen to draw lots of tiny circles to join up the orbs, it took an hour or so but I really wanted to try this idea and I think it was worth it.

     Once I had drawn all the circles I die cut a circle in masking sheet and covered the card with it so that it would make a moon just behind the castle towers.

     I chose three shades of lilac/purple to blend around the castle, trying to avoid colouring the orbs if possible. The advantage of using Distress inks was I was able to bleach out the colour with a water brush where needed.

     When I was happy with the colour coverage I used a spritz bottle and my hand to flick water across the card to make marks. I also used a white Posca pen to make tiny specks on the card by tapping it with a rule to make it splatter.

     Using the same pen I added some white lights to the castle windows. Then it was time to add the dragon, another Lavinia Stamp, using black Versafine.

     A thin black mat around the card frames the image and helps pick out the stamping. It was a little tricky finding the right shade of purple for the wide mat layer. I didn't want to colour it with inks as I wanted a solid, plain colour that wouldn't distract from the image.

     Finally it all went on a white layer, ending up 8x8. It won't be a card, I'm keeping it as a picture. I might try another one sometime but right now it's happily sitting above my desk until I decide how to frame it.

     If you have a project that you think will fit our loosely based theme then please come and join us at River Of Creativity, we would love to see your creations. Remember it doesn't have to be papercraft, it can be anything you have made yourself with any materials. 

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

Addicted To Stamps and More - #411 Make Your Mark

Ike's World - #147 Anything Goes/option Animal

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes Aug3

Crafting Happiness - Anything Goes

Challenge Up Your Life - #138 Circles

Country View - Monochromatic