No, this is not an Edgar Allan Poe rip off.
Today I had a fancy to make a Christmas card that takes a bit more time, hopefully one of the ‘special‘ ones my mum likes to give to immediate and extended family. I decided to park postage cost considerations too, but that was it, no other real plan, except to cut a whole load of shapes and see what happened.
Colour scheme: gold and ivory initially. So I die cut a load of leaves and berries using various Tonic dies. These particular ones are quite large as they were intended to make wreaths I think, so I wasn’t too sure how, or if, I could make them work on a card. But if you don’t try, how will you find out?
So, I had lots of gold shapes to play with, but whilst I was trying to make an arrangement I felt the open areas of the images didn’t work so well with the overlapping effect I was going for – it just looked a bit muddled to me. A background colour was in order, and I decided to use the ivory for this.
I have seen demonstrators doing what they call ‘undercutting’ to make a two-coloured embellishment: basically sticking the die cut to the backing and then cutting around the edge, but at an angle to make sure the edges are clean and neat and don’t have the background colour showing. I can’t do this very well myself. I think you either have scissorhand skills or you don’t. I don’t. But these shapes gave me the option of grabbing the ‘negative’ left from the die cutting and drawing inside it, then snipping just inside the pencil line. Perfect layers – hurrah!
Then I wanted a bit more drama than just gold and ivory, so found a satin red DL card which I cut in half (one side was a bit scuffed), wrapped with ivory ribbon then layered onto a plain ivory DL base card. I arranged and glued various leaves and cones, cutting into some of them if necessary to get smaller pieces, and using a small amount of 3D foam here and there. I also only glued some of the sprigs at the top, under the cones, so they are able to make a shadow.
Finally an extra knot of ivory satin ribbon at the top and time for the mug shots.
Supplies: Tonic Rococo dies Pine Cone; Pine Leaf, Mistletoe Sprig, Holly Leaf, Berry Sprig. Ribbon from The Ribbon Room. All card from stash.
Stunning! Fab photo.
Flo x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Flo. It was that ‘just about enough daylight left to get a picture’ time of day!
LikeLike
Beautiful. Would love to receive one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. It is nice to hear what other people think, especially when you are not sure if it is ok or not, as I was with this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks fabulous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks for the tutorial, your card out turned out beautifully. I like the holiday season with all its elegance, this card fits right in. Gold and cream ( or to be correct Winter white) are one of my favorite combinations. Tonic studios is putting out great stuff, I have been eyeing their dies for while especially after being hooked on their crystal drops and glitters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I haven’t tried the crystal drops yet but they are on my wish list. Trouble is, it is a pretty long list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be thrilled to receive a card so beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, thanks very much!
LikeLike
LOVE IT!!! I absolutely love this card Gill 🙂 Fantastic composition, design and colour. This is a very elegant, classy card!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much! I was actually not sure, but I guess I like it more now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! I didn’t know that technique was called undercutting but I’ve done it a few times myself, perhaps not very neatly. The red satin was the perfect base card to make the die cuts pop.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I love the red card too, I just can’t remember where I got it from sadly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate it when that happens. I acquired a lot of craft bits from my hubby’s grandma and there’s some great things that I just don’t know where to get more from when they run out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take pictures, blog them, see if anyone can help?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I will do when I’m running low, I need to actually do some cardmaking at some point. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gillian, I love this card! The ivory, gold, and red are so elegant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! A bit of a happy accident really!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah, Thoughtful & Talented Design!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shucks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely elegant card, one of my favourite colour combinations too..my attention was caught by an earlier comment. What are these crystal drops you speak of..?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you were tempted to add the word ‘earthling’ at the end there! Crystal drops are probably not what you might hope, given your interests. A squeezy bottle of coloured self-levelling compound which you squidge out and it dries to a shiny (or glittery) domed disc. Think shiny Jelly Tots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, they sound effective..I had some glitter glue which did more or less the same thing…I am now overcome with an insatiable age for Jelly Tots!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh rats, me too! Why do I do this? Why didn’t I say ‘traffic lights’ instead?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
…or Spangles!!…
LikeLike
Lovely card! I’ve always been scissorhand-challenged, myself. Can’t cut a straight line to save my life. Husband says it’s because I’m holding the scissors wrong: I use two or three fingers in the bottom “loop” of the scissors, he uses one. Any thoughts?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Me too, Samantha (about the crystal drops)! I recently purchased lovely teardrop-shaped glass beads that look like crystallized tears which I intend to use as embellishments for my chainmaille jewellery. Your comment has inspired me to get going on a set of stainless steel earrings using these drops; maybe I’ll do up a pair tonight!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The beads sound very pretty! Go make something!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I certainly will! I wish we could include photos in comments (a la Facebook) so I could show them to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be good, wouldn’t it? Mind you I cannot cope with FB. It makes me want to cover the walls with tin foil and rock back and forth to soothe my brain.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahem. Yesterday…I bought a pack of acrylic diamond shaped beads that I intended to thread up, perhaps with some pearls, for my tree this year. Now. Own up. WHO is following me?…( If my Walnut Whips go missing that’s it-I’m going back in the wardrobe and not coming out till Easter!!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ho-ho! Welcome to the world of sticky stuff!!! And I would never nick your Walnut Whips. But if you have any Ripples or Counters….
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t seen any Counters here for years..there was a brief run of Minstrels that confusingly had white chocolate inside a brown shell and vice-versa…just remembered, they were called that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were imposters. How do you live and breathe without Galaxy Counters? Oh, yeah, you inhale Walnut Whips….
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are consumed delicately and in a ladylike manner…gone are the days when I could cram an entire one in my mouth whole…
LikeLike
Guillotine paper slicey thing? I even draw guidlines and still cut crooked, but a paper guillotine could be helpful 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I used to have a paper cutter but can’t find it anywhere! Not sure I want to pay the exorbitant amount they’re charging in stores for a new one, though, since I probably wouldn’t use it that often. With scissors, I draw lines, too but still can’t stay on them no matter how hard I try! I’m scissor spastic!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol…cuttingly challenged! I set off ok, but then have a wobble…or get cramp…or sneeze..Come to think of it, I don’t use scissors that often!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well I have to say it comes as something of a surprise to find myself as the Responsible Adult here. It is not a familiar role. Just remember, both of you, no running with scissors now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh heh…”Miss, I need a permanent marker please!”
LikeLike
Oh, they are very reasonable prices over here. Can’t believe the UK has something at a more affordable price than elsewhere?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. I priced them recently and wasn’t happy at what I found.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phooey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am wary of guillotines. Paper trimmers are the cosier, safer option.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol…just reminded me…we had an industrial sized one for cutting art paper at school. I was made to take a turn and sliced my fingernail off. I screamed loudly..the art teacher practically had a heart attack and I was never asked to man the guillotine again. Wonder why..?
LikeLiked by 2 people
If that happened now you would probably be offered counselling or something!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was our third art teacher in a month…a very “nervy” sort of woman, I recall…!
LikeLike
Oh, well I use three fingers too – although I did have to pick up a pair of scissors to check! I use a paper trimmer for cards to make sure it is straight. I have had the same one for years. If I have to use scissors and need the line to be straight as I can, use the biggest pair you can get hold of and, like riding a bike, look at where you want to go, not where the blade actually is. For small detail or fussy cutting, test whether you prefer small or large scissors, but try moving the paper in and out of the blades rather than working the blades around your cutting line. Hope this helps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thank you – I will try those tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. That shadow following you was me. And I totally would steal your Walnut Whips. It’s all Gillian’s fault — she got me hooked on them. So if you could all send me money to pay for more (remember, they’re $10 per box here), I’d be eternally grateful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
$10???That’s extortionate! Hey…bet you could make your own. Piped chocolate..marsh mallow filling..you need never be nutless or whipless again…um, if you see what I mean!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Samantha, you are a genius! Gillyflower, if your need becomes desperate, search for a copycat or DIY walnut whip recipe. I just checked and they are out there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much! I remember a similar problem I faced regarding curried beans 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha! Because they’re an imported specialty product, they’re very expensive, unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol…sounds like Marmite! An essentially British produced substance yet the public were told it would go up in price because of Brexit..??…personally I think it’s vile, but it’s mental cruelty to charge so much for Walnut Whips!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, but … if you caught the original exchange (under PaperPuff’s post about coincidences), you’ll have seen that, when I came across Walnut Whips here and bought them, the shop man called me “Lass”. That just never happens here, and I was tickled pink. I’d happily fork out 10 bucks for a strapping Yorkshire lad to call me lass, anytime!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol! Funny, I love being called ma’am, just because we don’t use it here, except for the Queen or maybe people shopping in Harrods.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We’re the opposite here: we use ma’am, but usually only when referring to Women of a Certain Age. Personally, when referring to myself, I use the Royal We.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Better than “SAA-AAM”…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never been called “ma’am” although I was asked for I.D. when I was buying some glue…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take it as a compliment…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that’s lovely! And was he a canny lad? 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aye – canny in that he showed me exactly where the Walnut Whips were! (Is there another Yorkshire meaning for that word I don’t know about? I mean, it sounds vaguely naughty, or something.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can be good looking or clever, I think! It’s like “bonny”..here it means chubby, up North it means pretty!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahhh, and here I was thinking it only meant clever! Well, he was some of those things, I suppose!
LikeLike
I can live without either…just don’t take Rooster potatoes away…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nope…not a potato fan either! Quite like spinach though…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmn….crowd funding, maybe?!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I didn’t understand crowd funding till this week’s “Apprentice!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, me neither! I thought it was altruistic or philanthropic, I had no idea the funders got stuff cheaper!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol! Yes, I thought it was just like a nice little donation system!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love taking a product made for one purpose and then using it for another. To me, this is the true creative fun. This looks so pretty against the bright shiny background red.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I like the idea of getting more use from a product too, but I don’t always have the imagination to match. Sometimes I just cannot see past the original purpose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your card, just stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The red satin card is a bit of a superstar item, I think!
LikeLike
Beautiful card Puff!
When I first saw the photo on my Reader thread, I honestly thought I was looking at a Christmas gift, all wrapped and ready, but done with lots of heart work.
So very elegant. Like a posh frock on the red carpet on Oscar night.
GREAT card and great work Missy. Well done.
~ Cobs.x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are completely right – it does look like a wrapped gift! But then I came to card making through a mania for gift wrapping so maybe no big surprise. I’d like to see Keira Knightley or Kate Winslet rocking a frock covered in pine cones on the red carpet. Made by crafters, natch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be too too divine, dahling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how pretty! I love the effect with the ivory behind the cones and leaves! Beautiful effect! What a great card! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It was unplanned, but I am pretty happy with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it! The satin red sets off the gold and ivory beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I need some more of that red card I think!
LikeLike
Very pretty! 😀 I love the colours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Sometimes classic combos are the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true! It can be fun to play with non-traditional colour combos, but I think I find it easier to make cards with the classic colours 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very effective play time I would say! Looks great 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Play time should be compulsory!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooooh lovely! The satin red just makes thr design stand out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is yummy cardstock. Feels really nice too!
LikeLike
It occurs I’ve missed so many cards in a few days. Getting back to reading and blogging…
I love this red satin card, it’s so beautiful and you created a balanced arrangement from all these die-cut elements!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was actually deliberately trying not to be symmetrical, but now I look at it I see that it still is, pretty much!! Ah well. Thanks for the kind words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s symmetrical in its shape, but it’s not symmetrical in the way you filled that shape and this makes it balanced for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take that, thanks!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much!
LikeLike