Cracker Box

Morning, Here is the Cracker Box for the cracker I made yesterday. Leonie's stamp and die collection made it so easy to create little extra's for Christmas, that all coordinated. If you missed any shows, they are still available on Catch Up via Hochanda's website.

Laid side by side the crackers I made measured approximately 6 x 7'', so the box needed to be this size when finished, I also wanted it to be 2'' deep. Therefore I took two identical pieces of white Centura Pearl card measuring 10 x 11''. Using my Big Score, I scored at 2'' on all sides, one box lid and one box base. On the base piece, I  cut the corners to form tabs, I did not score and fold at this point. I was also going to use the pearlescent side for the inside of my box.

Taking the box lid, I cut 1 1/4'' from all sides to make the lip shorter, I then cut a square aperture in the centre using a basic square die. I also cut a square of acetate that would form the window.

I calculated where the lid would sit and just below this mark I stamped one of the line sentiments on each of the four sides. I used an anti static bag, versamark and fine detailed embossing powder in silver.

I decorated the box lid and base using a selection of the snowflakes, The inks I used were the same as the other coordinating items: Shaded Lilac, Blueprint Sketch Distress inks and Summer Sky Memento.

From white Centura Pearl, I cut the Entwined Snowflake Base, twice.

I assembled the box base and lid using Cosmic Shimmer glue. I secured the acetate inside the box lid using red liner tape and then arranged the snowflakes inside using 3D glue gel.

Thank you so much for your visit today, I hope you have enjoyed this project and the step by step I have shared. Hope to see you again tomorrow. Take care and Happy Crafting xx

Let It Snow

Morning. Well here is the Christmas card I was going to show yesterday. Another one to add to my Christmas Box. As Sue Wilson was on Hochanda, I thought I would love to make a card using her dies. Obviously this is out of sync now.

I started by cutting out my embellishments from the Christmas Finishing Touches. I coloured the foliage with Pine Needles and Mowed Lawn. For the branches I used Gathered Twigs and Walnut Stain and for the holly, I used Fired Brick (all Distress Inks).

Next I cut some white Super Smooth card to 7 1/2 x 5 1/4, centred the background die from Sues Australian collection and cut.

Then I cut the frame from the 'Let it Snow' die set, again with the same card.

On a piece of super smooth card I added some Wonder Tape (50 mm) from Be Creative before cutting out the 'Let It Snow' Sentiment. I then removed the wonder tape and covered the die cut with Festive Red Diamond Sparkles.

Taking another sheet of super smooth, I cut it to measure 8 1/4 x 6 1/4. Using versamark, I stamped a selection of snowflakes and embossed with ultra fine clear embossing powder.

I cut the same oval in copier paper and using Memento 'Summer Sky, I started to blend from dark to light.

I then repeated with Shaded Lilac Distress ink.

Then with Blueprint Sketch and finally Chipped Sapphire.

I removed the copier paper and repeated the blending around the edge of my card. I was only concerned with doing enough to be seen through the die cut slots.

I used my die cut card to position the 'Let it Snow' Die cut and secured with Cosmic Shimmer.

I covered the Australian background layer with the same snowflakes, this time in a selection of blues, using the darker colours for the small ones. I mounted this onto my background using foam tape to raise it  away from the background for dimension.

My card base measured 8 3/4 x 6 1/2'', I mounted my design onto this using Cosmic Shimmer.

To finish the card, I shaped and positioned my embellishments, using Cosmic Shimmer and 3D glue gel.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today. I do hope you have enjoyed the step by step and like the card I have shared. On a countdown now to Leonie Pujol's new Launch on Friday. It will be the One Day Special on Hochanda at 8pm. I do hope you will tune in.xx

Christmas in June with My Own Stamps

Morning, I just wanted to remind you all that tonight is the Brand New Launch of Leonie Pujol's Stamps and Die collections on Hochanda at 8pm. The collections are stunning and really not to be missed, I will be sharing some of my designs this evening on my blog. This is the card I am sharing today and there is a story behind it which I will explain.

Every year I say that I am going to make a few Christmas cards each month so when I get to December, I have a head start and every year I don't. This year was no exception until I spoke to Dawn a little while ago.

Dawn makes a few cards each month and has a nice little stash by the time it arrives.I answered her saying, well I will definitely do it next year. To which she replied why not now. Well it got me thinking and she was right why not now, so here we go.

Don't worry this is a one off Christmas post for now. I decided that I would make some Christmas stamps to help me get ahead. With the exception of the Sentiment on the tag I drew and made the stamps that made this card.

I designed and drew the topper which is one stamp and 4 different snowflakes and proceeded to make the stamps, with my stampmaker.

For the background I stamped my snowflakes with versamark ink and embossed them with white and 2 different blue fine detail embossing powders. I did each colour individually. Then taking Summer Sky Adirondack and Weathered Wood Distress ink I blended the colour onto the background keeping it darker around the edges.

I cut my tag from white card with a tag die and then cut the next size up in Dark Blue for my mat. I stamped the sentiment using Paris Dusk Memento ink. I then added my snowflakes and embossed them as before.

I stamped my main image stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento, then masked it off with some copier paper and Crafters Companions Stick n Spray (Temporary Adhesive) I then die cut this leaving a nice border around it and also cut the mat for this in Dark Blue card.I added the snowflakes around my masked image and embossed as for the background. The using the same inks I blended from the edges keeping it darker at the edge. I then coloured my image with a selection of alcohol markers and mounted my design onto the mat.

To finish off my design, I added some Metallic Gold Flowersoft for the tinsel on the Christmas Tree and some Glossy Accents on the baubles. I used 3D glue gel to attach the topper to my background card. I then punched a hole in my tag, threaded some red cord through it and secured it to the background using 3D glue gel.

Obviously this first one took a bit of time as I was making drawings and stamps for a lot of the afternoon. But now this stamp should help me get ahead with my simple Christmas cards at least.

I really hope you have enjoyed this post. Don't forget to come back later to see the samples I have made with Leonie's new collections.Take care and bye for now.xx