Hi, Friends.......
Here again with one last entry into Jo's Christmas Kickstart Challenge with the theme of Delectable Die-cuts. (There are still a few days left. I hope you will join us!) This card is made with some lovely diecuts that my crafty pal, Karen Ladd, sent me a couple of Christmases ago.
I knew I had these die-cuts around somewhere, but could never put my hands on them when I was looking for them. I always ran across them later and put them in a safe place where I would for sure remember them....... Hahaha!! You know what I am saying, right? I lost track of them over and over.
The stag would have been perfect for Jo's Moves on Hooves challenge, but of course I didn't find them until just the other day. I teamed the stag and tree up with a tag (from the hidden middle of a background panel) and used a background from my pile of layered and dry embossed backgrounds.
WARNING: This is the somewhat sanitized version of how I make these backgrounds. The version I deleted made me sound psychotic....which might be closer to the truth, but I don't think I want it on my blog!! Ha.
I make these backgrounds from those pesky scraps that fail to scurry safely into the dark corners of my craft room before I grab them and glue them onto cardstock. They tend to get a false sense of security because I ignore them for a long time. They proliferate and pile up and continue to reproduce. I benignly help them along by sorting them by color families so each clan has its own little haven. Then.....WHAM!!!.....out I come with my white craft glue and grab them by the handfuls and glue, glue, glue, glue. It is very satisfying to see a pretty background emerge from all these varied strips of paper that most sane crafters would just toss out. I usually dry emboss the panel and sometimes also heat emboss it. (See example of that HERE.) I love the arty collage effect.
Supplies used include:
Stag and Tree diecuts from Karen Ladd (maybe she will tell in the comments what brand they are!)
Darice - Dot Background embossing folder (for tag)
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set (tag and background panel)
Darice - Damask embossing folder (for background)
Yarn from my stash
Vinyl Sentiment Sticker (from Gloria Stengel....a LONG time ago. THANKS!!!)
Core'dinations/Darice solid cardstock
Various scraps for the background
Hope you like my card. I was so glad to find these fun diecuts to use. (You will be glad to know that I finally have them in a safe place so I will know where to find them next time!! Ha.) Thanks so much for stopping by.
❤
Janis
Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Christmas Kickstart Challenge #7 - Delectable Die-Cuts
2. Double Trouble Challenge #25 - Wood + Woodland Creature + Cupcake Inspiration Challenge (I did all three...YAY!!)
3. Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday April Challenge - Wings, Tails &/or Spring Blossoms
4. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Antics
5. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #380-381 - Anything Goes
6. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #181 - AG Christmas
7. Unstampabelles Challenge #88 - Krazy for Kritters
8. Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #467 - Woodland Creatures
First let me say how much I adore that photo at the top of your post with all the cute critters sharing a meal!
ReplyDeleteAnd loved reading about how you created the background, I almost felt bad for the poor paper scraps LOL. I think they reproduce in my scrap boxes too :-)
Your card is so pretty, I love the outdoor scene you created!
Thanks so much for joining in at my Crafty Wednesday challenge this month where it's all about wings, tails or spring blossoms. Hope you join in again soon!
Ellie
awesome idea for scraps! this is beautiful and I for one do not think you are crazy...if you only saw the things I do in my craft room!
ReplyDeleteAlicia
Oh, it's WONDERFUL!!! I'm insane enough to make the same :DD
ReplyDeleteI too made some panels as your, time ago, and it was so much satisfying!! :D
Love very much the green pattern and it's a great idea embossing the background, I have to do this, the next time!
The stag and the tree looks just perfect to match the panel, as well the rustic yarn!!
LOVE the photo at the top, too!! How sweet seeing all those critters all together! :)
Hugs
Brilliant post! Had to share with my DH, who, after loving the photo, said you are one canny (thrifty) woman. Well done and thank you so much for sharing ....going to seek out my scraps..
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post! Had to share with my DH, who, after loving the photo, said you are one canny (thrifty) woman. Well done and thank you so much for sharing ....going to seek out my scraps..
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post and a totally gorgeous card! The dry embossing really pulls everything together. I must give this technique a try as I have so many pretty strips in my stash. Thanks so much for playing along again, Janis. Always so happy to have you play at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge - means a lot! Jo x
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I always love seeing your creative and beautiful scrap-based, embossed backgrounds...and I am guilty of hoarding ridiculously small scraps as well (no surprise there). I prefer to think of it as saving trees, rather than obsessive hoarding. It's only bad if the scrap piles get so huge that you can't open your craft room door anymore, right? So happy to see you using those die cuts! I can't tell you how many of those stags I've cut and pasted on cards and tags...but they're still among my favorites. The stag die is by Impression Obsession and the tree is by Cottage Cutz!
ReplyDeleteGreat design using scraps.
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius! That is super cool way to use the scraps, I have them reproducing too, you are good at some strilising :P. I love the earthy tones of the card and a fun way to include a woodland critter. Soo cool and fun! Thank you for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations :) Hugs ~ Ishani
ReplyDeleteGreat card and love the background you have created. Thanks again for joining the Christmas Kickstart Challenge,
ReplyDeleteWonderful Christmas card Janis! The different textures look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx
Wow, what a beautiful background and it looks so sharp with the embossing. Thanks for sharing with us at Double Trouble and Cupcake Inspirations.
ReplyDeletethis is gorgoeus card!
ReplyDeleteSo much texture! Your card is wonderful, Janis. Thank you for playing along at Double Trouble #25.
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever background idea! Love the look it creates. As others have said - all that texture. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece with us at Unstampabelles.
ReplyDeleteLove what you have done with the scrap pieces. Great idea. Thanks for sharing with us at Unstampabelles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your amazing project with us in the April "Krazy for Kritters" Challenge over at UnstampaBelles, and we hope to see you again next month!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Leslie, UnstampaBelles DT
Love To Scrap 2