Thank You!

Hello, Crafters.

Since my darling Mum passed away last Friday, I've been totally overwhelmed by the messages of condolences and support I've received from crafters and non-crafters from around the world. 

They have had a very positive effect on me, and I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone. xx

Yesterday, hubby suggested I went into my studio, which I did, but I didn't feel very creative.

I decided to have a play with the Watercolour Christmas Project Kit I received when I was on the Incentive Trip in Thailand a couple of weeks ago. 

It'll be available in the new Christmas catalogue which goes live on 1st September 2017.

I don't normally like kits, but this is one of two in the new catalogue that I think are superb. 

The last two photographs I've shared here show how the original designs looked. 

There is no reason whatsoever why you can't add your own spin to these designs, which is what I've done to a very minor degree. 

I haven't changed the actual designs, just added a little extra! 

In the pack are all the materials you need to make twenty cards; that's five each of four different designs. 

The other products you need to complete this set of cards are the Watercolour Christmas Wood Mount/Clear Mount Stamp Set, scissors and adhesives like Tombow, Dimensionals and Glue Dots.

The card size is approximately 4.25" x 5.5" (10.7cm x 13.9cm), and each come with a Whisper White Envelope. 

Inside the kit are gold envelope liners which add a real feeling of luxury to this set.

I wasn't happy with the instructions for fitting the liners inside the envelopes, and found my own way to get excellent results. 

I'm never happy with folding cardstock without scoring it first. 

To remedy this I place the envelope liner face down on my Score Board, with the base of the liner lined up against the left hand vertical edge. 

Then I score at 4.25" and fold the flap over. 

I slide the liner into the envelope and carefully manipulate it so the fold on the liner lines up perfectly with the fold on the envelope flap. 
 
You should find that the liner will end just below the gummed edge on the envelope flap, which is what you need. 

Finally, add some Fast Fuse behind the top of the liner flap; one line of glue is sufficient.

This will allow the liner a little bit of room to move up and down as the envelope is opened and closed. 

These are the minor changes I made on my cards:-

Photographs 1 - 3: I stamped Emerald Envy holly leaves and Real Red berries in opposite corners on the sentiment tag. 

I used the Christmas Pines Stamp Set that has been brought forward from last year.

I also adhered three mini gold sequins in a random pattern on the sentiment tag.

Although it wasn't in the instructions, I adhered the strips of mini sequins in place with Glue Dots before adhering the sentiment tag over them with Dimensionals.

In the new catalogue will be flat pack acetate boxes that will hold 5 greeting cards with envelopes.

As well as making useful gifts, if you do craft shows, these will be great additions to your stall (booth). 

I'm planning to make up boxes with five identical cards in each box for my craft shows!

Photographs 4 - 6: the only change I made to this design was to add more random Mini Sequins.

Photographs 7 - 9: as with the first card, I added some holly leaves and berries, although this time I three of them. 

It was definitely a lot easier adhering the sentiment tag after I'd adhered the Mini Sequins in place using Glue Dots.
 
Photographs 10 - 12: I followed the same procedure as above in respect of the Mini Sequin Trim. 

I added one set of holly leaves and berries on the sentiment tag in the bottom left hand corner. 




I also painted over the nine small Christmas trees using my Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Pen.




Photograph 13: this is the instruction sheet that comes with the kit.
Photographs 14 - 15: these photographs are from the front of the leaflet.

I'm showing these so you can see what differences my changes make to each individual card.

Photograph 16: this is the stamp set that has been paired with this kit and is available by itself. 

Equally, the sentiments in the kit can be substituted with other sentiments you already have!

I'm giving serious thoughts to making a video showing how these are made these cards! 

It won't happen very soon as I need to order some of the acetate boxes.

It's lovely to be back! Until tomorrow, happy crafting.

JanB.