Friday 6 December 2013

12 Days of Holiday Projects - Day 6


5x7

4.25x5.5

 Welcome to Day 6!


You may have heard me talking about making photo cards for a couple of my friends. This design was totally cased from the fabulous Jennifer McGuire (except for the stitching - I don't sew!). I made 80 of the red 5x7cards for the Taylors and 35 of the green 4.25x5.5 cards for the Kirchners. (see below for the 'open' views).

By about the 30th time, I became very proficient at using that tricky die cut. I covered the back of the paper I was cutting with double-sided tape and then ran it through my Cuttlebug. I found that it was important to have the writing actually running along the long side of the 8.5x11 page (ie. think 'grain' of the paper). The trick was to actually leave the die cut IN the die, so I could use a paper piercer to remove all the little 'loopy' bits. Then I turned the die back over, pressed it onto the vellum and carefully peeled the die away, leaving the die cut (almost always) perfectly in place. Now to say that it went smoothly 115 times would not be quite true. The important thing is that it's now finished and all the cards have been delivered!


Don't forget to check out the inspiration from the rest of The Crew:

17 comments:

  1. I bet you're happy to be have this project complete! My hat is off to you dear friend....there is NO WAY I would ever have considered this task! The cards do look beyond AMAZING, so it was well worth the effort. The Tayors and Kirchners must have been happy, happy, happy with your work!

    Awesome tip on using a tricky die. I never would have guessed to consider the grain of the paper. Something I will definitely be trying next time I come up against a troublesome cut!

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  2. Ardyth, I am with Geri. These cards are beyond amazing. So CAS yet so delicate and detailed at the same time. Your friends are so lucky to have you to design their beautiful cards!

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  3. oh my these are so awesome.. i love this idea.. thanks for sharing..

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  4. These are amazing! What talent and dedication (and patience!) you have. Did you emboss the vellum or buy it that way? I want vellum like that!

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  5. These are beautiful Ardyth - and thank you for the tips on releasing the words from the die. Last year I made a bulk card with an intricate wreath die & found that if I cut a piece of wax paper every 15 or so runs through the Big Shot it helped release the cardstock from the die.

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  6. These are a very elegant way to send out family photo cards also thanks for sharing your methods

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  7. omg did you really do this 11 times?! kudos to you! they look great!

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  8. oh. my. word. You are amazing, really. I can't even imagine making cards for OTHERS to give during this month. But when you're as organized as you are and start your Christmas cards in February, then I guess you have the luxury of helping a friend or two out. I hope they realize how lucky they are!!

    GREAT tip about leaving the paper in the die!!!!!!! YOU ARE SO SMART, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT ALL THESE YEARS?!?! I am so excited to try that. I don't use double sided tape often, because I'm cheap with my supplies, but I will definitely try it knowing that I don't have to pick the die cut out of the die.

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  9. WOW! The two families must be over-the-moon impressed with these cards (and I thought 70 tags was a challenge!). Gorgeous!
    c

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  10. WOW, Ardyth ... to have created one of each of these fantastic cards would have been amazing ... to have made 80 and 35 is beyond awesome! These families must be soooo delighted! Chapeau my friend! Anita :)

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  11. Lovely cards - you are so organized. I haven't made my cards yet -gonna have to work FAST this year.
    isoscia at aol dot com

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  12. I love the die cut tip because when I try to glue intricate cuts I have glue all over everything. And the words go where they want. I can't imagine making so many of these. You are Super Cardmaker.

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  13. These are amazing, Ardyth! It's like looking through gently falling snow at a happy family! Your friends must be absolutely thrilled with these. And your tips about this die will certainly come in handy!! You're the best. Bev : )

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  14. These are so wonderful photo cards! You have been a very busy lady!

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  15. These came out amazing, Ardyth! Thank you for sharing your tip on this die.

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  16. These are perfect family holiday cards. The vellum overlay and die cut are so pretty. I don't believe I could have made even one if these.

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  17. What a beautiful effect, although any stamper would realize how tricky and difficult they were. I hope your friends were pleased. It's truly a stunning design.

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