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9/26/2014

Christmas Trees for Rudolph Day

Good afternoon & thanks for stopping to visit. Today is a Rudolph Day post. In case you don't know about this challenge, it's hosted by Sarn over at Stamping for Pleasure on the 25th of each month. The rules are very simple - just submit 2 Christmas cards. These rules are posted on a tab at the top of Sarn's blog.

First a little blah-blah. We've had to get our router replaced. Evidently someone had hacked into our home network. About 2 years ago we got a Smart tv, and spent a good deal of coins having the technician experts install the necessary electronics. In the course of adding the capabilities for Netflix, our router needed replacing as apparently there was a bad port. Eventually this new router was bypassed with a ?Ethernet connection? directly to the tv so as to get a stronger, faster streaming -  but we just discovered that there was a DNS port left enabled on the new router that should have been set to closed. We got a notification from our internet provider last week, which we couldn't really determine was for 'real'. That took a couple of days calling to finally get someone at the company to verify it was a REAL email - not a phish to get us to click on embedded links. (if you don't already know, be VERY wary of doing that).  Got our computer expert out to fix this - as I hadn't a clue. Decided we needed a newer, updated router - which is supposed to be the state of the art secure. Of course then all the wireless devices on the network had to be reconfigured. However, now I have to try to think everywhere that I've set up user ids and passwords, go reset them. Apparently keystrokes can be stolen with this type of breach. It's NOT a virus, but actually someone can take over your network. The way our provider found it (and apparently we were not the only victims)...they pinged the router when they saw lots of traffic being generated by it. So that's why I've had a low profile here lately.

OK..now let me welcome a new follower: Miss Sarah of Craft Nerd Creates.  Sarah has just recently added the Google Followers' Gadget to her blog, and would love to have you pop in to say hello and perhaps add some new faces to populate her following list. Plus she has a delicious pumpkin pie recipe on a project that you might enjoy trying. You'll enjoy scrolling through her card posts I promise!

Now onto the Rudolph cards:


 
- PB Slapstick Cling Tannenbaum image - stamped on black with Versamark, covered with gold Perfect pearls. This gold PP has a rather 'greenish' tinge to it, but it IS gold! Used red WoLuna to color the ornaments. Recolored using red Smooch. Die cut with a Grand Oval. Used a WOW embossing pen around the edges, then Ranger Queen's Gold EP was embossed. The sentiment is a Starform sticker.
 
- Background is soda can metal*, colored with alcohol inks - a rather largish snippet.  Then embossed with a Darice EF. Wasn't sure how the metal would take the embossing, but it worked well.  The downside is that since the metal was shaped into a can originally, it wants to curl. Have been sort of bending it back, but as you can see, that also affects the oval - you can see some 'cracking' on the black image. Oh well, we'll call it 'rustic'. Red bow, red rhinestone topper.
 
Edit: warning note about using the soda can metal.  Normally I don't sand the edges of the soda can die cuts but the edges can be sharp. On a small die cut that is adhered to the card base, I don't worry so much that the recipient will cut themselves. For the larger background on the gold/red Christmas tree,  all edges  & corners were sanded with a thick emory board just to insure safe handling by the recipient.
 
 
 
 
 
 - same image, dusted with Pearl perfect pearls, blue WoLuna, then covered with blue smooch. The Pearl color had a silver cast, but it's the Pearl color. Sentiment is a silver Starform sticker.
 
- background was created by using #98 Canson paper; wet slightly, spread water colors from a water color set in a pallete. After this dried, used some Daler Rowney Pearlescent blue (a new product purchased from Joggles - fast shipping too); diluted it with water on a craft mat, and spread over the first water color, let it dry. (this was a play session). Continued to add 2 more coats of the Daler Rowney Pearlescent blue to get this result. Embossed using a new 8x8 Embossalicious folders. Because of the size, the Grand Calibur had to be hauled out, videos viewed to see the sandwich requirements. This did emboss beautifully I'm happy to report.
 
- the silver ribbon has a velvety texture, and a blue rhinestone topper finished this one.
 
Ok, I'm off to link up at Rudolph Day for September 2014  and also at the Snippets Playground Week 143.  These are two of my favorite challenge places - with such lovely people to chat with, and marvelous inspiration to enjoy. I really miss these folks when I don't have the time to go visit! So please come along and have some fun with us.
 
Happy weekend, and God Bless. Hugs
 
 

39 comments:

  1. Gosh Mary, what a time you've had with your router, most of which I don't understand, but I hope it all fixed now.
    Two super cards, love the tree image and all the fab colours, have a super weekend, hugs Kate x

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  2. Hi Mary,
    2 wonderful Rudolf cards.
    Amazing what you can achieve with a soda can.
    what a fab stamped tree too, and the colour choice is wonderful.
    My you have had trouble with your internet.
    Lets hope no permanent damage was done to any of your passwords.
    I do hope you have changed them all.
    My son who is a computer person and has University Degrees to do with it always uses 2 routers for security.
    I use an iMac system, and my hubby uses Linux, and we never use window,
    except if I am using my crafting disks, and then I use Virtual Box on my i Mac.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  3. Two lovely cards for Rudolph Day Mary. I love that tree stamp and it looks so good in both colourways. Nice embossed backgrounds too.
    Jean x

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  4. Two lovely cards. I especially like the blue one. Sounds like you've had a nightmare with your router. Hope everything is sorted now. xx

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  5. A great tree you have used here Mary and very different colours, great layout too. Soda can, well, I never would have thought of that.
    Gosh these computers and internet are nothing but trouble at times, well thought of by men, say no more.

    Kath x

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  6. Gorgeous cards Mary sounds like you have had a really bad time with your router glad you got it sorted huggles Sue xx

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  7. Both cards are wonderful Mary, I love what you did with the metal and- you know me - I love the rustic look so it works for me!

    So sorry to hear about the computer router issues, it is the one thing in life that REALLY frustrates me!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  8. Great use of that soda can, Mary. And, I love the tree with the black background. I would have never noticed the cracking if you hadn't said something. I was looking at the pretty tree.
    Oh, the drama that comes with computers....makes one want to pull out their hair.

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  9. Hi Mary, I'm back from being on the hobby fair (pictures on my blog).
    Your cards a very special and very beautiful, love them.
    Big hug, lots of love from Veerle xxxx

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  10. Nice cards for Rudolph day! The tree stamp is lovely and I like how you added the different coloured ornaments to match the gorgeous embossed backgrounds.

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  11. I love these Mary the tree is beautiful and I like the embossing
    Kevin xx

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  12. Oh what a pain to have been hacked - SIL is a computer nerd and is heading this way to live, so hopefully he can check out our security - should be reasonable as he set it up initially!
    Love your cards - the tree is fabulous and the backgrounds fascinating - love them.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  13. Sorry about your computer issues, Mary. I certainly hope things are permanently corrected now. Your tree cards are beautiful. You do amazing things with soda cans!

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  14. Both of your cards are gorgeous, Mary!! The background are fabulous!! Love the look of the soda cans!! The trees are so pretty!!

    Sorry you are having router issues. I hope everything is taken card of. Have a great evening my friend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  15. Ahhh, such pretty cards, but I'm partial to the blue version! It looks great with the silver accents and blue gem on the top! Sorry about your computer woes, but hopefully it's all fixed now!

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  16. Glad you got your router sorted.

    Both cards are lovely.

    Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  17. WOW - such a lot of work has gone into these two gorgeous festive makes Mary. They are FAB.

    Thanks for joining in with Rudolph Day.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  18. Fabulous cards Mary - I think the blue and silver one has a little edge - if I really must pick. So clever to use the soda can - I'd probably slice a finger end off in the process!

    So pleased to see you came to play this week.

    Hugs, Di xx

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  19. Brilliant cards Mary, love the design.
    Hope all goes well with the new Router ....... all Double Dutch (as we say) to me. I am absolutely hopeless with computers.
    Have a wonderful day

    Patricia x

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  20. Hi, Mary, hope your computer problems have now been sorted out completely and that you will be up and running full steam again!!!
    Your cards are beautiful and how different they look with the two different colours, hey!! Lovely X-mas tree and I like the embossing!! Both lovely!!!

    Have a great Saturday!!!
    Hugz

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  21. WOW you are doing wonderful work with those cans, love the embossing and the other elements added. Love the colours you have used.

    Have a good weekend :)

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  22. So happy to hear that your router problems were fixed. That would have been a pickle had it been hacked! We have to be so careful these days that it is getting ridiculous. But that is the price of technology I suppose. sigh I love both of your cards Mamma Mary. The trees are so pretty and I love the soda can inked up and embossed although I can imagine you having a hard time with keep it flat. Love the second card too, that background is lovely as well. Hugs, Brenda

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  23. Brilliant cards lots of beauty and colours. Lovely tree and design used as well.xxx
    aNNie The Journey is the Start


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  24. Glad you are back with us. Both of these cards are so pretty and colorful. You are amazing with cola cans. I have one washed out but that's as far as I got. All these electronic things are beyond me. One thing causes a new problem somewhere else. It's good that you have someone that can sort it all out for you. Hope that's the end of your router problems.

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  25. Your router problems sound complicated. but I am glad they are sorted now. This nis a lovely tree stamp. I feel I should like the red one best but i think i prefer the blue. Either way it is two good cards to add to your stack. Kate x

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  26. Sorry to hear about your router problems Mary and hope all is well now. These two cards are lovely and you seem to have made use of quite a few soda cans recently, but they do emboss beautifully. I love that pearlescent blue which is such a pretty colour and the swirly EF is shown up so well by the sheen. x

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  27. Fabulous work Mandy, great cards.
    Hugs Jacee
    Simply Paper Card Design

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  28. Beautiful design Mary. I like it in both colors. Your soda can background is really amazing and adds lots of texture with the embossing ... metal really does take embossing better than paper. Loll xx

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  29. Oh wow, Mary! What gorgeous cards! LOVE them both. Just the right amount of sparkle and shine!

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  30. Both of these are beautiful, Mary! That's such a pretty Christmas tree and I love all the texture of the background!

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  31. Wow Mary these are lovely cards. Absolutely love the coloured backgrounds. xx Jan xx

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  32. Such interesting experimental backgrounds you have going on here. They made into some wonderful card. That's a great stamp you used and it looks so different with the different colored inks. I'll bet it is fun to play with.

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  33. I love Rudolph day...never heard of it until I saw it on Darnell's blog...so fun and such a fabulous pair of cards.

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  34. Thanks for the warm welcome, Mary. You are so sweet.

    And those cards are fabulous. I really like how that image looks done with perfect pearls. And both backgrounds are wonderful. The soda can really embossed nicely and the blue one has such a nice shine.

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  35. For me - this is amazing work! Very creative!!!
    Sandy xx

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  36. how pretty these are, Mary! xo

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  37. Two very unique, nicely done cards...Haven't heard of this technique before. die cutting with soda cans but not embossing. I learn something new everyday...smile.

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  38. both cards are very good thanks for the tip will be careful.

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