Hello Crafters,
I hope everyone is well and had a good 'crafty' week?
Well as the saying goes.. 'if you can't beat them, join them' .. so here I am with COVID again!!
Feeling a little sorry for myself, but it takes a lot to keep me out my craft room, so I have a cracking card for you this week, if you are up for a challenge...
This week I've gone for it, in a BIG WAY!!!!!!
There is always a time where we need that big and fancy Christmas card for someone special... this card is for that person :-)
So this is a super simple card which you can easily pop together, even when you are in a hurry.
You can find the SHOPPING LIST of all the products I've used, at the bottom of the page.
Shall we make a start....
So for the first step, you will need your Creative Expressions Pine Forest Stencil and Cosmic Shimmer Luna Paste in Moonlight Gold. Apply your Luna Paste through the Stencil with a palette knife, ensuring you get an even coverage and leave to dry.
Next, take your Woodware Leafy Tree Stamp and using your VersaMark Ink Pad stamp out four times on a sheet of Heat Resistant Acetate.
Heat emboss using Cosmic Shimmer True White Embossing Powder.
Now if you have never done Mixed Media, don't run.... this is the fun part, trust me :-)
You need to create a piece using the "Caught In Crystal Technique" on the back of that sheet, and then do another separate one with no stamped images on it.
TOP TIP - Don’t forget to use your Woodware Magic Anti-Static Pad
Below is the recipe I have used for my "Caught In Crystal Technique."
Keep an eye on Jamie Rodgers YouTube Channel, as he will be releasing a new video tutorial in the coming weeks; teaching you how to do the Caught In Crystal Technique.
When you have completed these two tasks, and they are nice and dry, trim around the stencilled trees and set them aside.
Next, by hand, cut out your white embossed Woodware Leafy Trees. Be careful not to handle the trees too much as you may rub off the embossed lines if you are heavy handed.
I found this out whilst I was creating, so I'll share the best way to deal with this a little later.
Now for the next step, you will need a sheet of A4 Satin Linen Gold Card and Sue Wilson's Noble Double Pierced Squares Die Set.
Cut out two Noble Pierced Squares and using the same set again, cut a frame from the unstamped 'Caught In Crystal' Sheet to fit round the other. By doing this, you don't waste the whole square under the gold one.
You can now 'matt and layer' these together, and stick the stencilled trees on top.
Next, you will need Sue Wilson's Pearly Snowflake Border Die and a sheet of Frosted Holographic Card. Use the die to cut this out twice and join the two together. Trim to fit, and then glue under the layered square as shown in the photograph. You can now stick it onto the A4 card blank.
Now, going back to your 'Caught In Crystal 'Trees which you made earlier.
Fold three of them down the middle on the back, and gently grease with a Bone Folder and glue these back to back to make a 3D tree.
TIP - It’s a little fiddly, but you have to keep hold of them until stuck.
I use Woodware Pegs (but you could also use paper clips if you wish). These help to secure in place, then just leave for a while until you’re happy with them.
Take the 'flat tree' and stick it onto the layered square on the card.
Lay something heavy on top of it so it doesn’t lift (make sure you do this one first as I forgot) lol.
Once it has stuck, you need to stick your 3D tree in place with plenty of glue and adhere overlapping the flat tree.
You will need to put weights on each side to carefully stop it from lifting. Take care not to move while placing the weights. I know it all sounds tricky, but it really isn’t it’s just a matter of patience
I found using some small flat tins which I had, and added something heavy on top ~ very useful.
Now... time for lunch!!! (Bet you were not expecting that lol).
Ok, so now you may have noticed (or not if you’re lucky), that some of the White Embossing Powder has come off of the trees.
TOP TIP
Well as I mentioned earlier, I have a tip to help you easily fix this....
Get some Cosmic Shimmer White PVA Glue (not to be confused with the Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue) and apply over over all the bits that are missing/gaps and where the joins are.
Then sprinkle with Cosmic Shimmer Glacier Ice Glitter Jewels and Cosmic Shimmer Iced Snow Glitter Jewels. Tap off any excess and then leave to dry. Really creates a proper snowed on look :-)
Hopefully at this point, you are seeing it really come together so stay with me :-)
For the next step, you will need the Elegant Poinsettia Set from Jamie Rodgers Pierced Collection.
Cut out approximately three large and six small Poinsettia's from Craftmania's Berry Red Translucent Paper. I shaped these and then stuck them together, and added some stamens from my own stash.
Using the scraps from my 'Caught In Crystal' sheets, and the Satin Linen Gold Card; I used Sue Wilson's Festive Collection - Winter Foliage and Bold Holly Leaves. Cut out as many as you like to decorate how you wish.
I positioned the flowers where I wanted them, and then stuck them down with hot glue, and stuck the foliage around them.
My chosen sentiment is from Creative Expressions' One-Liner Collection - Happy Merry Christmas.
I wanted to create a showed effect, so I die-cut one in gold, and one in silver.
Finishing Touches
To add my finishing touches, I added some silver stars to the tops of my trees.
If I remember correctly, I think these were spares cut from my Sue Wilson's Slimline Collection - Stars Background Die Set. Turns out they have come in rather handy...
I never like to waste anything :-)
Finally... I used some beautiful colour co-ordinated red pearls from my stash to my layered squares.
Don't forget, you can make your own using coloured alcohol markers. I have added some options onto the Shopping List to give you some options....
When I make heavily embellished cards like this one, I always like to reinforce the inside to give it extra strength, so I've also glued heavy white card on the inside front and back to stop the card bending.
TOP TIP
If you are making a large card like this which will be posted, I highly recommend wrapping in bubble wrap and sending in a padded or reinforced envelope for protection.
If you are giving it by hand, you may want to consider making a box for that special finishing touch, or popping it into a gift bag... a little bit cheeky but it looks more like a present then :-)
I hope you will have a go at the 'Caught In Crystal Technique;' it is very easy and you can make some absolutely wonderful backgrounds with it... but I do warn you, it is addictive!!
Don’t forget to keep sharing all your lovely makes on our Facebook Group - Create With Craftmania And Jamie Rodgers. Remember to look out for Ian Rump-Smith's next card here next week!
Happy Crafting
Lynn x
SIMILIAR HOLLY DIE SETS
LYNN'S CAUGHT IN CRYSTAL RECIPE
TOOLS
Gorgeous Christmas card and so many ideas thank you