Saturday 2 December 2017

Christmas Card Club - Mixed Media Theme

Mary at Carolina cards chose the theme of Mixed Media for this fortnights Christmas Card Club.
To see what the other members made for this challenge, just click on their hyperlinks on my right sideboard. It will be well worth the initial clicks!

I must admit I struggled with this theme.  I finally decided on using acrylic paint for my "media" as well as using a discarded electrical tape container as my base for a Christmas ornament. I am busy trying to change up my formerly silver/red and white glittery Christmas decor theme into one that incorporates a country farmhouse look. Hopefully this ornament will help.

I started out with the gift of 6 lidded frosted plastic electrical tape containers. The bottom of the first container is my NBUS item for this project. My daughter got them from the electricians at her work. The lids slide on and off so the top edges of the base and of the lid are smooth. It is fun to create something from an item that would have landed in the garbage! Recycle garbage...but still garbage.

I took off the lid and saved it for a future project. I covered the inside of the base with a die cut circle of white glitter paper and the outside edge with glitter washi tape.


Using snippets of additional white glitter paper, I created hills with my Stitched Lawn Fawn Hill die.
I then created a scene with snippets of inked up green card for my Sue Wilson Winter trees dies, and inked up kraft snippets with my NBUS Impression Obsession Deer die as well as a NBUS Recollections die. I used white acrylic paint to create snow on the trees and added some glitter to make a little sparkle. Then used the same paint for the white dots on the deer.

Punched two holes in the top edge and ran a fine silver ribbon through and tied it off in a bow. Now I have something to place a tree bauble hook through!




Made a frame by cutting out the inner circle of a Spellbinders scalloped die and slid an overhead projector clear sheet behind the frame to keep out dust. I threw in some small pearl beads to make this into a shaker ornament but will not do that again as they get stuck in the corners and in between the layers and I do not like the look of that.


Next time, I would do a few other things differently as well. It took way too much time to measure and cut the white glitter paper paper to fit the cylinder. In fact, the bottom circle of the scene does not quite fit. It is a smidgen too small,  hence the trapped pearl beads!

Next time, I would spray glue the cylinder disc inside and out and sprinkle glitter over it. That alone would save about 40 minutes of fiddling back and forth! I have plans for different designs to create  more of these recycled tree baubles, so will implement these new methods on those. Will post them soon as i finish creating! All crafty plans are now on hold till the tree is up and the outdoor lights get flung onto the shrubs...

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

1. Christmas Card Club - mixed Media Theme
2. Pixies Crafty Workshop - must use snippets

Friday 1 December 2017

Surprise Challenge for those who have entered the Rudolph Days Challenge Jan - Nov 2017

In every challenge, there are those who never miss a month. It was brought to my attention by a faithful follower that she has never missed a challenge, yet sadly never won.

I am hosting a special surprise challenge this month for all those who have entered the Rudolph Days Challenge every month, Jan - Nov 2017. Hopefully, there are people who qualify.

I am allowing my designers to enter also, if they entered cards for the alternate months that they do not design for.

I kept this a surprise for this year, but will do this challenge every year now, as a special thank you for the Rudolph Days Faithful.  Do if you do not qualify for this year, you have ample notice for next year!

So check your blogs to see ifyou posted a card for those months. If so, then use Mr Linky below, to enter!

The prize will be a choice of one of the following stamps:
Stampendous, Cling Snowy Postcard


or this My Minds Eye,  Winter Wonderland stamp

if you prefer dies, you have a choice of this
Cottage Cutz,  Reindeer with Scarf



or this Memory Box Magnificent Merry die



November Rudolph Days Challenge Winner

Wow! 61 entries. I am so thrilled and amazed at your support.

Your cards were beautiful to view and very inspiring! I am glad so many of you now have finished cards in your Christmas card stash. Takes a bit of the pressure off this month.

Once again I have used random Org to chose the winner. #53 Bonnie is our lucky lady.
Bonnie, please send me an email with your address, and let me know which two prizes to send.


Now for the December surprise.

One of my regular entries once posted that she had never missed entering and had yet to win a prize.
I decided that those who have faithfully entered all year Jan - November 2017, shall be entered in a special prize draw. 

So check your blog and if you qualify, then watch for my post later today. The rules and the Mr Linky will be up sometime today or tonight. I will continue this special challenge each year. Always to be posted in Dec. The Winner will be drawn at the last day of the month. That gives posters ample time to hear about this extra challenge and to check their blogs.