Hi everyone, today I would like to share another card I made recently using some new birthday stash from AALL & Create. When placing my order I chose a couple of floral stamps, but decided to also go for something a bit different to ring the changes, and selected this quirky lady stamp set designed by Soizic. I was a bit unsure, but when she arrived and I started to play with her I was very pleased with the results. This card was actually very straightforward to make, and came together quite quickly. She is called ‘Siren of Spring’ but I think she is actually perfect for a summer card.
I die cut a wavy stitched square of white card, then stamped the focal lady to the left and the cascading flowers from the same set down the right hand side, thus leaving a space for a sentiment. I coloured the stamps with Zig pens, largely following the colour scheme on the packaging, and added some sparkle pen to the flowers. I had to hunt around in my stash for an old long and thin birthday sentiment which would neatly fit the blank space, and fortunately I found it! I blended some Elements ink around the stitched border then matted the panel onto a 6” square card blank. To finish I added some coordinating teeny heart gems beneath the sentiment.
Stamps: AALL & Create TP-1398 Siren of Spring; Hero Arts Special Birthday;
Media: Versafine Clair (Nocturne, Blue Belle); Kuretake Zig Clean Color watercolour pens; Lavinia Elements ink (Blue Lagoon); Spectrum Noir sparkle pen (clear);
Tools: Craft Addiction UK Double Wavy Stitched Squares die.
Challenges I would like to enter:
AAA Colourful #29 - Colour Board
Ally’s Angels #107 - Anything Goes (2nd entry)
Art Nudge (June) - Colour boards
(I have used most of the colours in colour board C)
Craft Rocket #137 - Birthday (2nd entry)
Crafts Galore Encore #148 - Anything Goes (2nd entry)
Creative Inspiration #39 - Anything Goes (2nd entry)
Creative Moments #283 - Pastels or Brights (2nd entry)
Fab ‘n’ Funky #640 - Something Beginning with B
(Birthday, blooms)
Heart’s Quest #86 - Anything with a Heart Goes
Heart’s Quest Celebrations of Love #30 - Birthdays (3rd entry)
Passion for Markers #843 - Anything Goes
Simon Says (Wednesday) - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday #758/759 - Anything Goes
I have an update on my Gemini die cutting machine woes! I eventually managed to source 2 new ‘white’ A4 cutting plates (which supersede the original clear ones) and a magnetic shim, but there is no plastic shim to be had anywhere! I have tried to flatten the original one by weighting it down in boiling water, but not terribly successfully. I then followed a hack I saw online and taped the plastic shim to one of my new cutting plates to try to keep it flat - again only with partial success. Last week I tried die cutting some stitched squares and they came out with awful pressure marks on the card - I wasn’t happy! Eventually I followed a tip I had read somewhere to place the dies at an angle when cutting, and this seemed to work much better, though large frames etc. are still a bit wavy. Mind you, I’m not sure how well that will work when I want to nest dies symmetrically to make a frame!
To be honest I’m pretty disgusted that Crafter’s Companion could produce such an expensive due cutting machine then within 3 or 4 years the replaceable plates be no longer available. If I had known then what I know now I would never have bought this machine, but at the price I don’t really feel I can justify jettisoning it altogether. At this rate for any dies smaller than 6” I will be reverting to my trusty ancient Cuttlebug ! (yes I do still have it in the back of my craft cupboard!) Anyway, enough of that … it’s just too hot to get hot and bothered about it!
Take care, and thanks for visiting.
Hugs,
6 comments:
What a beautiful card Pauline, love the stamps and the very pretty design. I am sorely tempted by these new A&C stamps - but managing to resist...so far! xx
thank you for joining in At Fab'n'Funky.
Lovely image and great wavy edged die cut frame.
I use Washi tape to secure dies within dies when cutting frames to keep them in place and ALWAYS put any straight-edged die on the cutting plates at a jaunty angle which really helps. Washi tape easily peels off if you’re gentle afterwards - and if you have a vast collection of the stuff - it’s a good use of it!
I have a Big Shot regular sized machine (not A4) and to keep my cutting plates flat, I cut into A4 poly pockets which lay on my cutting plate at all times. The poly pockets are the sort that you put documents in and file in a ring binder. All dies then cut into the poly pocket first before reaching the cutting plate itself. I’ve been doing this for years and my plates last way longer and remain flat. When the poly pocket is all cut up, just replace it with another - much cheaper than a new plate! Hope this info helps. xxx
This is a really fun and whimsical card, Pauline! I really love the bright colors of that image, and that little row of hearts is simply adorable. I’m so sorry to hear about everything going on with your die cutting machine. That must be very frustrating. I’ve been thinking about getting a new one as mine is well over 10 years old. I am reluctant, but I know I’ll have to replace it someday. I’m glad you still have your old. Cuttlebug. Hang in there, and thanks for sharing with us at Word Art Wednesday!
She's a classy lady and the flowers are perfect. Replacement plates for the Gemini seem to be nigh on impossible to source, particularly the white ones which are supposed to be more robust. Sound advice from Sarn regarding the angle of the dies and the poly pockets - both things I do. I've also seen mention of bubble wrap in the sandwich next to the cutting plate although I've yet to try that.
Absolutely beautiful Summery card and I love the beautiful stamps-really annoying when you pay a lot of money for things that then do not last!
Carol x
Thank you for joining us at Creative crafters.
Carol GDT x
Such a beautiful image and your colouring is awesome! I love the wavy stitched diecut and that sentiment is perfect! Thanks for sharing at Passion for Markers. Hugs, Karen x
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