Okay, don't faint ladies! Yes, it's Saturday and I've done my Bah!Humbug! challenge ALREADY this week. YEEHAW! I knew immediately what image (or at least which group of images) I was gonna use for the Baby's First Christmas challenge. 4 Crafty Chicks is also asking for a baby theme, as is Designed to Delight, WooHoo! I have the whole Santa's Nice List set from ADFD and chose this cutie in the stocking cap. The current ADFD challenge is "Flock Together" so I printed the image (flipped) 3 times so I could cut it apart and flock the pieces individually by running them face down through my Xyron and then reassembling them on the base image. (Does that make sense?)
Tell me this isn't the sweetest baby EVER! Well actually there are 3 other singles, a set of triplets, and a stocking just filled with a teddy and sweets in this set, but the stocking cap really did it for me because I could add a mini pompom. What little coloring there is is done with my Copics. The red part of the stocking is colored as well, before running through the Xyron and flocking, so the coverage is deep and even. The little dots on the toe and heel are mini adhesive beads I applied AFTER running through the Xyron but before adding the flock. The flock would have obscured the dots had I just colored them, and I was afraid of bleeding if I tried to touch them up after. The adhesive on the beads doesn't stick well to the flock, either, but applying glue after the fact is pretty messy so this solution worked well for me.
Besides the flocking, I wanted to add some additional texture for the Cardmadfairy's Texture Challenge and the Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge which is Embossing. I chose a Sizzix folder because the scallops echoed the Nestie scalloped mat but look what happened when I ran it through my Cuttlebug. I've had this happen with quite a few of the Sizzix folders, including those by Tim Holtz, and I was really bummed at how it actually cracked and ripped my cardstock because of the deep embossing.
Lucy McGoo's Wonder Goo to the rescue! Honestly, this stuff has been on my crafting table for MONTHS! I bought it at a Scrap Expo (I think) because it's supposed to help get a better impression when using those old embossing plates (rather than the folders) so I thought I'd give it a go and WOOHOO! A little spritz on the card stock, in the folder, and through the Cuttlebug and VOILA! No more cracking! I do, however suggest you leave it in the folder until the thing dries because it does have a tendency to curl more, but hey, small price to pay. I'd been getting kind of discouraged with these folders lately so I'm happy as a clam to find a solution. That link is the only place I found this stuff online, but I hate to mention a product with no link to where you can get it sooo... I also apologize for such a long post for such a simple card, but I finally seem to be coming out of my funk so I'm back to my old wordy self. LOL Anyway, I'm off to get boofy for the first holiday party of the season at my BFF's. Have a great rest of the weekend and go check out all of these fab challenges, if for no other reason than to oooohh and aaaahh at the DT inspiration.
Totally adorable card!!
ReplyDeleteOooooohh, aaaaahh that is such a sweet card, Donna. Very nice for a baby's first christmas. And thanks for that tip on embossing folders. I've never heard of Lucy McGoo's Wonder Goo but it certainly worked for you. TFS!!--Pat N.
ReplyDeleteNow this is a wonderful little card for baby's first Christmas. That stocking is perfect and little baby's face is precious. Love it... and your wordy self.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Carole
Oohh, that image is just so perfect for a babies first Christmas!! So completely adorable :)
ReplyDeleteI love the card. I can't believe you are already posting for Bah Humbug. Who will be there to squeak in under the wire with me?
ReplyDeleteI'm also happy to see you are coming out of your funk. I've been worried I wouldn't get to see your incredible creations with all the DT you have been leaving. Maybe some new ones to replace or more challenges to join?
oh Donna this is just gorgeous - I need that set of image and that gooey stuff - you cost me a fortune.
ReplyDeleteann xxx
Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteWow what a fabulous card. I love the layout and the image is just fantastic.
Hugs,
Fiona x
You must be taking the tartan tablets to be on the ball so quickly this week lol!
ReplyDelete"Oooooh" ... "Ahhhhhhhh" ... drool. Good job I have a very large bib to protect my keyboard lol ... 'cos this is one cutie-patootie!
Great tip for embossing and although I haven't heard of that product before I have been told that a light spray with water onto cardstock will also help prevent cracking. Thank you for sharing with us at Bah! Humbug!
Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx
Max's Craft Creations
Bah! Humbug! Challenges DT
hello sweet friend....i have to agree on those folders even i love the heavy distress.
ReplyDeletei never heard of that goey stuff but i am bookmarking it in case i need it someday, :)
love that baby in the stocking....you did a wonderful job coloring and flocking...(i almost said the a bad word word here, lol).
i am glad you are coming out of whatever you were in...i am still in :(...must be these darn hormones or oprah's lifeclass series. :) they really got me thinking!
big hug!
Gorgeous card Donna, I like the image and design, Thanks for joining in with us at Cardmadfairy digi days.
ReplyDeleteKevin xx
Oh yes, you are definitely a little enabler .. Such a sweet card . Hugs
ReplyDeleteSuch an adorable, sweet card!! Thanks for playing along at Frosted Designs this week!! :D
ReplyDeleteFabulous card - great texture! Thanks for playing at Designed 2Delight!
ReplyDeleteDonna this card is adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely, thanks for playing this week at 4 Crafty Chicks, great job!
ReplyDeletePerfect card, love the image and the flocking you have done on the stocking.
ReplyDeleteColleen
Guest Designer
Bah! Humbug!
Hi Donna,Your card is SOOO SWEET!I LOVE it!GORGEOUS job my friend!!:)
ReplyDeleteLove that flocked stocking. What a cute image. And the tip about preventing cracks from embossing folders. Such a bummer when it happens. I usually try to hide it (unsuccessfully) with ink. May have to try this wonder goo....love the name.
ReplyDeleteYour card is GORGEOUS!! I just love it! The embossing adds the perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us this week at Frosted Designs for our embossing challenge!
Too cute! Thanks for playing along with ADFD's Flocking challenge. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis sweet baby in the Christmas stocking is so sweet! I really like the embossing you incorporated and your explanation in your post! I hope you'll join us again at Frosted Designs!
ReplyDeleteOh this is totally awesome. I love the image, the layout and the colors you used for your card and the fact that it is a Christmas card. Thank you so much for sharing it with us at 4 Crafty Chicks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip on the wonder goo!! I have had problems with all my embossing folders doing the same thing. I have already ordered 2 bottles!
ReplyDeleteSo cute Donna and you just reminded me I need to make a baby's first Christmas card for George. Thank you for the inspiration xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh I simply adore this - I have the same image printed out to use for this challenge, it's just so sweet!!!! Hey, wanted to make sure you saw the post here - you're on the list :)
ReplyDeletehttp://desertislandcraftschallenge.blogspot.com/
What a cute baby card! Thanks for joining us at 4 Crafty Chicks this week :)
ReplyDeletewow! completely fabby card! thanks for the tip, too!
ReplyDeleteso glad you have joined us at ADFD. :)
I just love your card. Perfect for baby's first Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWonder Goo, huh? Sounds like a must have. That image is absolutely adorable and I would love to use it for Daniel's first Christmas card. Dig the flocking and your clever little trick of adding the beads BEFORE the flocking. And girl, you are never in a funk!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this cute card!!! Have to find myself some of that Wonder Goo too... lol!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable and the stitching is fabby x
ReplyDeletethis is darling! Thank you for joining this week on D2D!
ReplyDeleteFabulous card I love the darling little imafge and the textured background looks great, well worth the effort. Thanks for joining in with our texture challenge at Cardmadfairy. Hugs Gillian.
ReplyDelete