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6/27/2013

Christmas, Rudolph Day

Good evening, and sorry to be MIA for a couple days. We had a little bit of a health upset in the extended family, so we've been trundling back & forth to the hospital since Tuesday afternoon. Had some cards nearly finished, but no time to photograph while I still had some good light. I wanted to get this one posted, so I could participate in the monthly June Rudolph Day  at Stamping for Pleasure. So here goes:


- focal image was a Cottage Cutz diecut. I used white Copic Xpress to diecut first, but then I used a red snippet to diecut the cardinal. Colored the frame & leaves with a BG000 first, 2 layers. Then colored with YG003, for some shading & darker areas. Used a green Spica pen on the veins. Holly was diecut with the main frame, then colored with copic reds, some white gel pen for a highlight, and adhered with Alene's Easy flow glue...using a toothpick. The cardinal was shaded with some dark red copic markers. His eye, beak, feet & black face were cut at the same time as the frame, then colored with copics. I still have the original white cardinal diecut to use for something else.

 - white background (snippet of GP c/s) embossed with C/B snowflake

- stripe paper was from a 6x6 Christmas pack, punched bottom from an MS punch.

- Sentiment is a red sparkly sticker.

This is my first time using a Cottage Cutz die. When I took it out of the package, I was concerned that I'd have the same problem I had with my first DieVersion die (the ones that didn't have the release holes in the metal, and had a foam insert). I cut with the CC die without applying the thin foam to the metal of the die - as the instructions said. It cut beautifully, and since it was not extremely intricate, I was able to use a piercing tool to eject the paper diecut. I went to their website, and read the FAQ, then applied the foam as directed. I expected it to not cut well, but surprisingly, it cut beautifully. Released easily as well. So I shall be more inclined to purchase more dies like this.

Now I'm off to link to June's Rudolph Day, and I invite you to join in. There are always some wonderful cards to enjoy & get some fantastic inspiration. Some prizes too! Thanks for joining me & have a super evening. Hugs

13 comments:

  1. Very pretty Mary. Gorgeous die and looks like you had fun layering and shading. Lots of texture with the embossed background and your layered die - beautiful Christmas card. Loll xx

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  2. ah thanks for the info on the die, Mary as had wondered?

    .. not that shall buy them as they are very dear over here but they may have smaller ones..

    ... and what cheery bright card, thanks for sharing.

    .. oh and pray much for your dear ones healing to every blessing dear friend, Shaz in oz.x

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  3. oh, very pretty! gotta love cardinals on christmas cards; the striped paper really makes the cardinal and frame pop. i'm still working on my rudolph day card.

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  4. This is really pretty Mary. I do like your Cardinals and impressed with the die cut you have used. Hugs Mrs A.

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  5. Wow Mary, this is one beautiful card!! I love that die!! I've never used any of those dies, but that one sure makes me want to go out and buy a bunch. lol I was just thinking of you last night as I was looking at some pics where my back patio was filled with male and female cardinals one winter, thinking you would love these pics! Love the card my friend, the embossing and papers just really compliment that die! Hugs!

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  6. Beautiful card Mary - the Cardinal is the North Carolina state flower!
    sandy

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  7. So festive and pretty! Love that die and the cardinal is perfect sitting in there.
    Lynn

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  8. Oh Mary, another lovely Christmas card by You... Love that cardinal and the dies.
    Nicely done. Hope your family is doing better.

    Hugs
    Chris B

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  9. Hi Mary, another fabulous red cardinal - that's a super die. the snippet background is great too. Elizabeth xx

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  10. What a fabulous diecut. I love that you cut the greenery from whote and then coloured it with the copics...gives you so much more depth of colour on your card. Same with the cardinal...he looks almost real!
    Great card Mary!

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  11. I love this card Mary. Cardinals are becoming your trademark! I think they're great and I'm glad the dies worked out well for you.

    Thanks for joining in with Rudolph Day again.

    Hugs
    Sarn xxx

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  12. What an amazing die, Mary! And the cardinal is so pretty sitting on the edge!

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  13. What a gorgeous card Mary!!!! Love that beautiful cardinal!!! You did an outstanding job on this card, so love it!

    Hugs,
    Jo
    xox

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