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11/27/2016

Rudolph Day - An Embossed Die Tree

Good evening on what has been a pleasant & quiet Sunday. Have been catching up some comments, visiting my Christmas Card Club Team members, and now finally have a few moments to post my card for Rudolph Day. In case you don't already know this, the 25th of each month, our wonderful Hostess with the Mostest (Maureen of Scraps of Life by Scrappymoi) opens the gates for sharing Christmas themed cards. Honestly, that's the only rule...something of Christmas. The challenge closes at the end of each month, and such inspiration you will see if you pop over to have a browse. Maybe decide to enter a card. I think this is last Rudy Day of 2016 however. So why don't you have a look, and maybe plan to join in for sure next year. Helps to build a good Christmas stash.

OK, here goes (using an embossing with dies technique shown on this video by Jennifer McGuire)

 
- background created by sponging quite heavily, DI shades of green (Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron, Clover, Mowed Lawn...the glow around the tree is from the Twisted Citron). Sponged and blended until I got the look I wanted, then made the corners darker. Burnished with a handy dried out baby wipe. Then sprinkled some Biscotti Perfect Pearl mica powder over the inks, burnished with a fluffy brush until it was all spread evenly. Then again, with the dry baby wipe and this creates such a sparkle...which of course does not show well in the photo.
 
- S/B 2012 Holiday Tree die was inked well with Versa mark. Used a 2nd layer under the background piece, as sometimes the die can cut through. I do the sandwich with: the cutting plate, the embossing pad, the c/s, the die face down, the top plate. . I learned to emboss with the die face up; even with taping the die, it would always seem to slide.  Even with the extra c/s between bkgrd & die, there were still some places that embossed very deeply.
 
- Sprinkled Ranger's Princess Gold (not nearly so pretty as the Queen's Gold IMHO) all over, and heat embossed. Had to do some trimming to fit this on an A2 card that I normally mail. Harder to find the Queen's Gold of late..guess Ranger has discontinued it.
 
- white c/s inked at the edges with Versamark, and then more Princess Gold to get a matching gold around the edges.
 
- Memory Box die sentiment - 3 layers, inked and heat embossed with Princess gold, and it looks a bit metallic. I had used just the "Merry" part of this die on the CCClub cards yesterday.
 
After adhering the sentiment, decided to use Ruby Slippers Nuvo Crystals for the 'i' in Christmas (and this time I had the little piece available too!). After seeing the color over the 'i', decided to add some more 'pearls' for ornaments. It was one of those situations where once again I asked "Should I have left it alone?". Do you talk to yourself while creating? Maybe it's a sign of something that I'm doing that!!! LOL.
 
Please think about entering a Christmas card over at Rudolph Day and say Hello to Miss Mo. You will definitely get some fantastic inspiration from the Guest Designers and all the players!
 
Thanks for joining me tonight, and big hugs. See ya soon. (oh yes, added a new card to the Cards by Friends section too)


34 comments:

  1. This is a beauty and I can only imagine the sparkle! I love the tree too. The sentiment is so fun- and I am so sad about Queens Gold- my absolutely favorite Gold EP!!!
    Hope all is well in S.C. I have had my Mother at my house for a few months, we spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, so hopefully she is all 'tuned up'and will feel better for a while!

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  2. Ahh I've seen the video Mary on embossing dies, but must confess I haven't made a card with it, well done on doing so. Frustrating when favourite things are discontinued isn't it?? Thanks for sharing,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  3. Mary I often talk to myself when I am working, and often regret the extras I add. but I like the ornaments on your tree, and love the bright green background.. It sounds quite a lot of work for a background, but it was worth it. I always die cut with the face down. I get a better cut. I shall watch the video now. Kate x

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  4. Hi Msry, Another fab card

    Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

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  5. It's a fabulous card Mary. Such a great idea to use a die to stamp and emboss and the result is stunning. Thanks for joining us at the Rudolph Days challenge xx

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  6. This is so gorgeous, Mary!! The tree looks amazing!! I love the gold on green!! Stunning card my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  7. This is so pretty, Mary! I'll have to try this technique! I don't think you should have "left it alone" - the ornaments add a nice touch and if you had just the red dot it might have looked like there was only one ornament on the tree!

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  8. Stunning card, Mary, I always love your backgrounds in this isn't an exception! Fab shades of greens and love that glow around the tree! Great work!
    I always talk to myself.... not only while I'm creating, but even if I'm in a supermarket with the list of all the things to buy!
    Sometime I'm worried by this fact. ...It may be a sign of old age? LOL

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  9. Firstly, your card is a delight, thanks for link to the video, I'll have to buy some ink and embossing powder to try this, I love the effect. Love your sentiment too. Yep! I talk to myself too!
    Hugs
    Faith
    x

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  10. Beautiful card Mary, lovely image and design gorgeous colours too, Kate x

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  11. Wow Mary, you did a fabulous job with Jennifer's technique, so much better than my attempt! I love your mix of greens for the background and the gold tree stands out beautifully on your lovely card! Hugs, Anne xx

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  12. Sounds like a fair bit of elbow grease went into making this card but it is well worth the result. The background colours are lovely. Hugs Mrs A.

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  13. Beautiful Christmas card Mary, stunning results and love the colours.
    Hugs Pam x

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  14. Love the fabulous background and the gold tree with the red gems, super sentiment die too.
    Sorry not commented for the past two week but been on holiday.

    Kath x

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  15. How elegant and your background is fabulous!

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  16. Beautiful tree and you can see the fabulous sparkle when you click on the pic-thank you for the comment about my son but pretty serious at the moment and we are worried sick tbh-and as for promarkers you can't get refills unfortunately
    Carol x

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  17. Beautiful card Mary, it looks so elegant.

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  18. I see what you mean Mary, you and I had the same idea with this embossing technique. I love the gold you have used for your tree and the pretty Nuvo Drops in red look fabulous, and that vivid green background is absolutely gorgeous with the gold sentiment and border. A marriage made in heaven as they say, and thank you for joining in with the November Rudolph Days Challenge. x

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  19. So elegant Mary! Love the shine around the tree. The tree die works so well as a stamp! Thanks so much for sharing the video!

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  20. LOVE this Mary, I tried it too when I saw how nicely Pat's had turned out (mine was a mess), I don't know what I did wrong, but I don't have the time to retry right now! I am off back up Mum's again today, I arranged a mobile hairdresser to come in and perm Mum's hair for Christmas and I want to be there, as the girl is a stranger to her, and until she gets to know her better, I want to be there. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment (I'm afraid, I only have time at present to do return visits, so sorry if I have been remiss in my visits lately) . . . so much to do! Have a wonderful week my friend! Hazel xx

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  21. This is a really interesting card. I like the green and gold combo. It sounds like you had to take a lot of steps to get to the final product and it shows.

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  22. A gorgeous card Mary, such an elegant design and lovely colour combination.
    Pauline
    x

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  23. Super card, Mary. I've seen the embossing with dies technique, but have never tried it - something else to add to my 'to try' list for 2017. I've only recently discovered the Nuvo Crystals and I LOVE them. xx

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  24. I loved that video & intended to try it, but still haven't! Love how it worked for you--beautiful card, Mary!

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  25. Hi Mary,
    Happy Rudolf Days to you.
    Your card is very wonderful and lovely.
    The colours you have inked with are gorgeous, and that technique is fab.
    Love the wonderful tree and allthe lovely baubles.
    Love and big hugs from my house to yours.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  26. Beautiful colors, Mary! I haven't tried this technique yet. I love the look and need to get to it!

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  27. WOW!! Your tree looks absolutely brilliant!! LOVE the added details with the gold and sparkly ornament dots too!! :) HUGS

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  28. Looks gorgeous Mary, love the soft green.
    Hugs, Veerle xx

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  29. Oh that is a very nice tree Love the green Lis

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  30. Very effective and attractive card, not tried that technique yet, but you have inspired me :) xxx

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  31. The glow around that amazing tree is fabulous, Mary ... such a festive card! Hugs, Anita :)

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  32. This is a great looking card! I love the greens and I am certain it is nice and sparkly

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  33. Hi Mary
    Finally back to commenting! Trying to catch up and return visits on the 149 comments I had not been able to return, till now.

    your card for Rudy day is wonderful. I never have luck embossing with a die so I think you are brilliant to make this card. It looks lovely and I like all the extra details...like those wee bits of the pearlescent card...

    Thanks for taking part in the November Rudolph Days Challenge.

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