Hello, Crafters.
I had another hospital test yesterday and we’re very hopeful this is going to give us the answer we’ve been looking for. I’ll know the result in two or three weeks! There is still no indication that my problem is something that can’t be sorted out! Praise the Lord!
Today’s card is my first play with the Arctic Bears Stamp Set and I wasn’t sure what to do about the background. After trawling through a lot of different Designer Series Paper (DSP) I caught a glimpse of our Black Glitter Paper! I bought mine a few years ago when Stampin’ Up! first sold it. It always gets advertised in the Halloween section of the catalogues but I think it makes a fabulous night sky background. Look at all those stars!
For the snow/icicles hanging down across the top of my card, I die-cut two pieces of Basic White Cardstock (CS) and joined the two pieces together. Unfortunately, the join is very obvious and I think next time I would cut the die-cut into three or four pieces and adhere across the top leaving uneven black gaps. I think this may look more natural and will certainly remove the overlap. Do you have any suggestions on how to cover the overlap? I used Tombow to adhere the snow/icicles to the Black Glitter and then rested something heavy, i.e. my phone, over it while Tombow did its job!
Next, I took a piece of Basic White CS about 4″ x 4″ and stamped the large craggy snow cliffs at the top using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. Using my Paper Snips I cut around the top of the snow cliffs and straight off the edge of my cardstock. When I measured the stamped line from side to side it was almost 3¾” which is the normal width of my top layer. This left me with two very small pieces on either edge that don’t have stamped edges; they are so small they will probably go unnoticed! I decided how high I wanted the snow cliffs to go and trimmed off the bottom – the finished height is 3 5/8″.
I decided to adhere this piece of cardstock to the Black Glitter Paper using Mini Glue Dots. In a way, I was hoping that they would create a bumpy look to the cardstock almost like snowy ground. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen – I think I underestimated how brilliant our Mini Glue Dots are! LOL! Next time, I’d use the snow grounding stamp that’s included in the set, under the bears’ feet and randomly around. Using Dimensionals I adhered the Mother Bear in position and then added some small bits of Dimensionals to the Baby Bear’s feet and adhered him in place with his head level with Mum’s legs.
I liked this stamp set as soon as I saw it but it was only when I reached the point of a sentiment that I thought “what does this have to do with Christmas?” Yes, I had assumed it was for Christmas without thinking it through! Now I realise why Stampin’ Up! put Christmas gifts on the bears’ backs for the sample card in the catalogue. Fortunately, the way I have arranged my cards, I can go back and “finish it off!” Once I’ve made it more like a Christmas card I’ll bring it back to show you, although this will mean changing the sentiment………..I think!!
I chose the THINKING OF YOU sentiment for the stamp set and stamped it using Black Memento Ink on a scrap of Basic White CS. It was a bit of a struggle deciding which die to use to cut it out because I wanted to pop it up on Dimensionals. The die I chose is from Ornate Frames but with the delicate ends, it wasn’t suitable for Dimensionals and I glued it straight onto the snow using Tombow. Overall, I’m very pleased with my card but it now looks unfinished. I am exceptionally pleased with the Black Glitter sky because it looks like thousands of tiny stars! In fact, it would look great if Father Christmas could be seen sailing through the night sky and a pile of presents sitting in the snow in front of the bears!!
By the way, the little bear inside the card was die-cut with a die from the set. Well, that’s it from me today. I look forward to being back with you next time and in the meantime, take care and stay safe. Happy crafting!
JanB. xx
Products used for this project: please click on any of the links to be taken to my 24/7 online Stampin’ Up! shop. The Hostess Code for AUGUST 2021 is YHUYPFGY Thank you. xx
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Cardstock Layer Sizes: A4
Card base 8¼” x 5¾” scored and folded at 4 1/8”
Middle layer: 2 pieces 3 7/8” x 5½”
Top layer: 2 pieces 3¾” x 5 3/8”
Cardstock Layer Sizes: Letter-size
Card base 8½” x 5½” scored and folded at 4¼”
Middle layer: 2 pieces 4” x 5¼”
Top layer: 2 pieces 3 7/8” x 5 1/8”
I am keeping you in my thoughts and hoping for encouraging test results, Jan!
Your card turned out beautiful! I love the “stars” on the black glitter paper. I don’t think I would have thought of it. It really stands out!
If you are thinking it should be a Christmas card, one way to hide the icicle join would be to use a piece of thin ribbon or twine to that area to then come down a little bit and attach to a small ornament just above the bears. Or maybe a black glitter star to cover that area, yes making a “gap” in the icicles. Could maybe put a smaller gold foil star over the black glitter one. Eh, lots of “maybe’s” but perhaps it is also ok to leave it as is. It is home made with love, regardless.
xxx
Many thanks, Kimy. Yes, the Black Glitter Paper really creates a WOW for night stars! Have a great weekend. xxx
I haven’t seen the die yet, but you can try catting the CS almost up to the end of the die, without going all the way. Then try to line up the die to have an ongoing icicle.
Praying for you, Jan!
BTW, some of your pics didn’t come through. : ((
Hi, Susan. That’s a great idea. The problem is that at the start of the die the icicles are very long and at the end they are quite short. I’m going to try partial die-cutting and see if I can trim the longer ones so it looks right! I’m looking into why the photographs haven’t come through – many, many thanks for letting me know. Many thanks, for your prayers – they are very much appreciated. God bless you. 💖 xxx