2019 Christmas Cards

I designed my 2019 Christmas cards in June and started creating them in August.

They might look simple but they sure took quite a bit of time to make.
You will read later in my post how cleaning off glue from the shiny gold was imperative.

Here is the front of my Christmas Card.

I was excited when I purchased the new Spellbinders 3D Nativity Set earlier in the year!

There are three dies in this set.

And this is what the 3-layer fabulous die set looks like glued together!
Isn't it gorgeous?!

Here is the process.... 
Adhering each of the three layers of the Spellbinders 3D Nativity Set together.
The bottom layer is solid; the middle layer is the shining star; the top layer is the Holy Family.

I chose Navy Blue cardstock because I really love how the Gold Foil cardstock looks with it.
Including the word "Peace" really added much more to this card!

Adhering delicate dies is very tricky and to be honest, 

I had to throw away a number of cards because if the slightest touch of glue gets on the dark navy card, 

it sticks out like a very sore thumb.  

So, I used extra care and a good pair of tweezers that I cleaned in between making each card.

Here is the beautiful Border die for the front of the card.
Painting on Mod Podge glue to the backside.

Each card is marked at the exact center spot on opposite edges, 
so when the glue filled die cut is placed, it's perfectly aligned on both sides.  
Almost like having an imaginary level tool. 
See the gold dots I made on each side as markers to show where I needed to lay the fancy die cut.

Once each die cut is laid in place, I had to wipe it with a damp paper towel to remove excess glue.

For some interest, I decided to add gold stars from one of the sequin mixes I have.

Stars & the border together.

I computer printed some profound text that was posted on FaceBook
and then made die cuts for the inside of the card.

I think this die coordinates very well with the border die on the front of the card.

The sentiment where I sign is printed in a font called "Before the Rain". 

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Lastly, I bought a personalized stamp and put it on the back 
of my Christmas cards in gorgeous shiny gold! 

Thanks so much for visiting!

Have a great day & very Merry Christmas to all of you,

Lisa : )

Products Used:

Papers ~

Recollections - 65 lb. Cardstock 

NAVY

SHIMMER CHAMPAGNE

GOLD FOIL

Dies ~ 

Cheery Lynn Designs (Maker's Movement) - Border #2

Spellbinders - 3D Layering Set - Nativity 

Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Astoria Decorative Element

Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Alpha-Numeric Script

Embellishments ~

Buttons Galore - 28 Lilac Lane Collection - Premium Sequins 

GOLDEN

Sizzix Tools ~

BIG SHOT

MAGNETIC PLATFORM

PRECISION PLATE

Adhesives ~

MOD PODGE

TOMBOW MONO GLUE

SCOTCH TAPE GLIDER

Christmas Money Card - 2019

I created some money cards for Christmas giving!

I just ordered and received the gorgeous edger die

"Poinsettia Edger" by Creative Expressions. 

I first cut the poinsettia edger die on Maja Design's Monochromes - Shades of the Alps page "Artic" and then adhered it to their Holiday in the Alps page "A New Year".  

It really makes a nice contrast.  

The inside of the bi-fold card was a little plain, so I glued a piece of "Snowmen".

When the card is opened, this is the first thing you see.  

Now open it one more time...

I made a money pocket for the inside by using a corner punch & adhering only the outside edges.

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is cut from the bottom of one of the pages.

This was really fun to make!

well my my...I see a "0"....is it 10 or 20 or 50 or 100?

Thanks for visiting!

Merry Merry Christmas!

Lisa

Products used:

Maja Design papers

Monochromes - Shade of the Alps Artic

Holiday in the Alps A New Year

Holiday in the Alps Snowmen

Creative Expressions die

Poinsettia Edger

Recollections Punch

Corner Punch

2019 Top Favorite Creations

It's that time again....end of year 
to select my favorite personal creations in 2019!

In ALPHA order, here they are. 

Each has a link to the original blog post. 

1947 Gueydan Classy
Having this wonderful photo of my beautiful mother from 1947, when she was having fun at age 17, really is so endearing to me.  This is the 2nd time I've created a layout with it and it may not be the last.  Purple is my favorite color and with having just received the newest Blue Fern Studios collection "Eclectic Charm", as well as a new haul from ReneaBouquets, everything just fell into place!  This is one of my most favorite creations!

Carmel's Bestfriend Tag
I think the Fabscraps 'French Heritage' papers are just gorgeous!  The sentiment, which is an excerpt from Elton John's beautiful song "Your Song" has very special heartfelt meaning for how I feel about my very Best Friend.  Carmel is the greatest BFF and I'm more than blessed to have her in my life.  Making a shaker with the letter 'O' containing a homemade mix and making the word YOU stand out couldn't have been more perfect! 

K&Company Flora & Fauna Triple Tag
I designed this tag in my thoughts one night as I was falling asleep.  I wanted to do something different than the standard tag.  Since a triple tag is a first for me, it's naturally a favorite pick.  Even older stash can be made beautiful!  I always loved K&Company's papers, especially the nature ones by Brenda Walton & Susan Winget.

Friendship Shaker Tag for Rocky
I just LOVE Maja Design's 'Enjoying Outdoors' collection!  I'm a purple-holic and this collection is ALL about purple!  I loved how the shaker turned out and I was very happy to send this to my dear friend, Rocky, who I love very much.  I don't use dimensional stickers very often, but they really made a pretty design on the back of the tag.

Happiness Tag for Kay
I must admit that this is by far at the top of my most favorite tags that I've ever made!  
I included special sentiments that have special meaning just for Kay.  I love how ReneaBouquets Beautiful Board added an extra special look to this tag!  All of the colors, flowers, butterflies & embellishments truly make this a happy tag!

Lucy's Beautiful Colors
This is the 2nd time that I've scrapped this stunning photo of Lucy's gorgeous legs!  
I loved the daintiness of the Maja Design's 'Denim & Girls' paper collection that was just perfect to show off my little beauty!  ReneaBouquets beautiful butterflies always spruce up my projects!

my baby
This photo was taken of Lucy in 2018.  I was literally waiting for the perfect papers to place it on!  
Maja Design's new 'Denim & Girls' are just that - perfect!  Lucy is so stunning! 
She always just melts my heart with that precious look she gives me!
Paper tearing and making Blue Fern Studios' Damask Panel look like tattered lace helped make this page have a bit of a shabby chic/distressed look.  

My One and Only

This memorial tribute to my dear husband needs little explanation why I've chosen it as one of my favorite creations this year.  The colors of the paper and flowers and beautiful ReneaBouquets butterflies were all perfect for each other.  The tag, given to me by a sweet friend, started the whole design and color palette for the page.  The tag sentiment says it perfectly!

Nugg
I LOVE this photo of Nugget taken by her owner! I decided to create a layout just for ME.   Little Nugg looks great on 49 and Market's 'Bold & Beautiful' collection page "Whispers".  She is very smart and listens so well.  She's nearly blind, but is the sweetest and happiest little dog! This was so enjoyable creating, especially layering the punched hydrangeas.

Nugget's Bliss
This photo of little Nugget is so irresistible!!!  I created this layout for her owner, Frances.  I was quite pleased with the way the chipboard underneath Nugget's photo turned out.  After practicing on scrap chipboard, I knew this was the perfect technique to use!

Purrfect

Miss Gali is truly a gorgeous and perfect Birman cat.  She's Lucy's beautiful mother.  It's hard to catch her with her eyes open enough to capture their stunning blue because of her timid nature.  She looks like she posed for the camera, but I caught her off-guard!  The gorgeous blue of her eyes and the tan & brown of her hair; as well as the golden tone of the flooring were what set the color palette for this Purrfect layout of Gali Gorgeous! Blue Fern Studios 'Eclectic Charm' paper and ephemera matched perfectly!

Zeus' Perpetual Smile
The Zeus-Meister is so adorable!  He's a French Bulldog - ALL that and more!  He's a hand full but I just LOVE him to death!  I was babysitting him and he flopped down on my couch, cocked his head and I snapped the photo!  ha!  He has a perpetual smile with those big jaws!  I loved how my drawn thread edge came out, as well as perfectly matching the chipboard color with Zeus' color!  Beautiful ReneaBouquets butterflies really brought this layout over the top!

Thanks for visiting!

Have a great ending to this year

and blessed holidays.

Lisa

Comparing Clays for use in moulds

There have been many experiments & YouTube videos 

comparing different types and brands of clay, that are used in moulds. 

I gained really good information but decided to do a test of my own, using the clays I have.
I'm working on a project that I want to use a mould to label 6 pieces that are on it.
I have a multitude of mostly Prima moulds but became discouraged with using clay.

For my test, I had two different types of clays, 
but I also bought a new clay that I was curious about, even though it had bad reviews.

Well to my delight, the new clay is FANTASTIC!

This is the Prima Vintage IOD Moulds "Object Labels 1" that I used.

I chose the mould at the top.
NOTE: I dusted the mould each time with Corn Starch using a paintbrush.

Here are the best samples from each type of clay used.
Note: I was testing the pliability and the Prima one is rigid, so it snapped. 

Starting with Prima re-design Paper Clay

Prima's Paper Clay is my least favorite. 

In fact, I do not like it at all and won't use it again. 

I've actually thrown it away.

NOTE: this product may have been discontinued & replaced with another one. I can't find it available on the internet.  Perhaps they have improved the product, but this one pictured above (in my opinion) is horrible. 

My personal opinion of Prima re-design Paper Clay:

1.  It takes a lot of kneading, even after adding some water, as directed.

2.  It doesn't have a smooth texture, so it takes a lot of time to work with it.

3.  It tends to rub off and stay on your fingers. 

4.  It dries very rigid....I chose to oven bake it for faster drying time and this may be the reason why.  I don't know for sure????

5. Although it picks up details well, I noticed very small cracks in some areas, which may have been caused from me not kneading it enough. Again, I don't know for sure????

6. The finished color is a clean white.

7. Removing it from the mould took a bit of effort, with a lot of bending of the mould.  

8. MADE IN CHINA for Prima Marketing (USA)

9. Size is 2.2 lbs and cost is $20-$25

Next is Sculpey Ultra Light Oven-Bake Clay

The Sculpey UltraLight is my 2nd choice and I would use it again.

My personal opinion of Sculpey UltraLight Oven-Bake Clay:

1. This clay takes some kneading, but not a whole lot. 

2. The texture is very smooth, making it easy to work with.

3. My fingers remained fairly clean while working with it.

4. What I LOVE the most about this clay is that it dries pliable and it's very lightweight.

5. I don't find that this clay picks up details completely.  Perhaps it would take more practice on my part.  I never could make a piece with 100% details in it. I made TEN pieces and ZERO have 100% of the details of the mould.

6. The finished color of this clay tends to be more beige-pink toned, especially next to other white clays.

7. Removing it from the mould took a bit of effort and I was afraid it would rip or disfigure in the process.

8. MADE IN USA by Polyform Products (USA)

9. Size is 8 oz. and cost is $9 -$13  (making this price calculate to $36 - $52 for 2lbs)

Last is Polyform Model Air (air dry clay)

The Polyform Model Air is my #1 choice!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Note that there is some shrinkage that occurs during the drying process.

My personal opinion of Polyform Model Air Clay:

1. This clay barely needs kneading!  You can basically pick off a piece and start immediately rolling it in your hands.  

2. The texture is ultra smooth, making it the easiest clay to work with.

3. My fingers remained totally clean while working with it.

4. It dries semi-pliable and weighs the same as the Prima Paper Clay, which both are heavier than the Sculpey Ultra Light.

5. I find that this clay picks up details 100% completely without having cracks in it.

6. The finished color of this clay is a clean white.

7. Removing it from the mould was SUPER EASY!  One bend of the mould and the very detailed clay piece came right out!

8. MADE IN HOLLAND for Polyform Products (USA)

9. Size is 2.2 lbs and cost is $5 -$12, making it the least expensive of the three I tested!

   (I bought this at Michael's with a 50% off coupon and paid less than $6 incl tax)

A few other comments about this impressive Polyform Model Air Clay - 

~~~There are many bad reviews about it online.  I found out that this clay should be made in Holland in order for it to be the BEST one.  If you see made in Thailand, it will NOT be the same quality product.  

~~~The texture is so smooth that I simply pushed it into the mould with my thumb; took a palette knife and 'cut' across the top of it and the clay stayed inside the mould, while the excess came right off - first try every time!

~~~I made EIGHT moulds with this product in record time of 20 minutes!

So these are my personal opinions. 

Hope they help!

Lisa