Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer



Ok, so this isn't Rudolph. But it IS a reindeer from my new Basic Grey clear stamp set. I gave him a little red nose of my own accord, artist's priviledge! Sort of like cook's priviledge, if you know what I'm talking about. If you cook dinner, then you, as the cook, get first dibs on the end slice of a oven cooked pork roast, for example (always the most wanted slice of meat in my house)! Since I created this card, I got first "dibs" on how I wanted to portray Mr. Reindeer. And I felt like giving him a red nose. I'm not a cutesy stamper, so this is as close to Rudolph as you're going to ever find in this neck of the woods!

I used my fabulous holiday papers from MME. I love this paper! Isn't it gorgeous? I could just gobble up the red pattern on this card--I wish they sold it by the sheet, but so far, I've only found it in packs. I stamped Mr. Reindeer onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, with ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink in Dark Brown. Again, not crazy about these BG clear stamps yet, although their designs are fabulous. Usually, with other clear stamps, I get the best image using Fluid Chalk Ink, but not in this case, IMHO. Feathered edges do not thrill me. I'm going to have to keep working with these guys to see how to get the best possible image out of them. I know this is BG's first foray into clear stamps (that I'm aware of), so it might take them a little while to get it perfect, if there is such a thing with clear stamps. They've come a long way, but I think they still have a ways to go.

Say, can you guys help me with something? I am asking for Nestabilities for Christmas from my hubby this season, and I'm not sure what I should get as far as making them work with my Cuttlebug. Can someone point me in the right direction? Do I need some special mats to make it work? Let me know so I can tell hubby when he tries to order them Friday at Ellen's store. Do you want to know what else I would LOVE for Christmas? A ribbon iron! Have you ever seen this little bugger or better yet, used one? I think this is a genius invention and totally wish I would have thought it up myself!!! I see that Archivers is going to carry them this season and I couldn't be more excited! Since we are ordering online so much these days, it's common that ribbon comes wrapped around a piece of paper instead of coming on rolls (makes sense if you're ordering small amounts). But when it comes time to use it, it's not smooth and beautiful anymore. Thus my desperate need for one of these sweet gadgets! I hope I can get my hands on one!

What are YOUR must-haves this holiday season? The above items are the only things I want or need this year, so I think I'll be staying well within the skimpy budget we've set for Christmas presents this season. Leave me a comment today telling me what you want, I would love to know!

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! I like your Rudolph! :o)

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  2. Love your reindeer, Amy! Hmm, my must have this season is the Cuttlebug. I'm a bit behind the times, I know, but hey, what can ya do? That little ribbon iron is too cute.

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  3. honey, don't waste your good money on a ribbon iron when a REAL one works just as well! i can't advise on nestabilities, but sharon harnist and michelle wooderson have done some good posts on them that should help.

    on my wish list for Christmas this year is enjoying the season and not getting too torqued by all i have to do and missing it because i'm stewing.

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  4. You just need the tan wizard mat. I got mine at Joann's for cheap, and cut it in quarters to give two to a friend (it was 12 x 8, and you need it much smaller). Other than that, just the dies and CB. HTH! :) (And yes, your blog is on my G-Reader, so I check it all the time!:)) Hugs!

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  5. I think you need the tan embossing mats -- in order to emboss with the Nestabilities! On my wish list is the Cuttlebug (or Big Shot I don't know?), Nestabilities, CHF new backgrounders -the sneak peeks look amazing-, and a bigger craft area! I can't wait to see what you make w/ the dies. I guess I have to wait til the new year -- :)

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  6. You don't need a ribbon iron. A curling iron works beautifully. Just heat and pull the ribbon through it and voila!

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  7. Love your charming Rudolph, nice decorations on the antlers. Hum, I just want to get my hands on the new SU catalog for Christmas, I own too much that I don't use already!

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  8. Hey Amy.... the tan embossing mat helps if you want to emboss the shapes, but otherwise, all you need to use the Nestabilities in your Cuttlebug are the plates that came with your Cuttlebug.... A, B, Cardstock, Nestability, C and voila!

    For embossing...
    A, two pieces of scrap cardstock (to add a little thickness), B, tan embossing mat, carsdtock, nestability, B and Voila!

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  9. Anonymous10:01 AM

    Amy, I just bought that BG stamp set over the weekend and was thinking about how great the reindeer would look as "Rudolph." Great job! Now I can't wait to make my own. Very fun stamp set. I'm no help on the nestabilities -- haven't caved yet since I own all the punches. As for the ribbon iron, if you own a flat iron or curling iron, they'll both do the same thing. I've asked Santa for the red ATG gun and adhesive -- it's been on my "to get" list forever and I keep putting other stuff ahead of it. I hope Christmas is a magical time for you and your family!

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  10. Hi Amy! Love your card. Rudolph or not, he's lovely!
    For the Nestabilities, I think you'll need the Wizard Tan mat. Thats what I use with Spellbinders dies in my Cuttlebug.
    As for the Ribbon Iron, I use my curling iron. It works well, and since I already had it, it was cheap! :)

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  11. Hi Amy,
    If you want to emboss with the Nestabilities you will need the tan mat - I think it was called the "Charm Embossing Kit". I have them but I have the Bigshot and needed to play before I got a good impression.
    Hope this helps.
    Kylie

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  12. Stylin' card! This must be the question of the day. Someone just emailed me asking the same thing. The Nestablities work great in your CB. To cut, you already have everything you need. To emboss, you'll need a tan embossing mat, seen here:
    http://www.ellenhutson.com/servlet/Detail?no=698
    Instructions are here:
    http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/ellen_hutson_simple_dream/compatibility_chart_spellbinder_dies/
    And I also like this:
    http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2007/07/5-1.html

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  13. Your Rudolph is very elegant, and I love the red nose & ornaments on his antlers!

    On my Christmas list, is the new Copic colors Ellen has put together for us (more colors to match SU colors). They aren't in yet, but that's what I want. ;)

    Ellen has lists for each machine for the Nestabilites, (I'm sure you already know). I would just look that over to decide what other items you may need. Good luck!

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  14. Anonymous2:42 PM

    Your cards these last two days are gorgeous!!! I didn't even know BG had stamps...where would I be without you to enable me girl!!!

    I am hoping for some nestabilities for xmas too....or copics.

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  15. Hey, even better than a ribbon iron? I run my wrinkled ribbon along the side of a desk lamp (like those swing arm ones?) Anything w/ hot metal. Just hold it taut and swipe it across a few times on the hot metal. Instant straight! =) Now you can use that spot on your xmas list for something else. ;)

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  16. If you can't get that ribbon iron, do what I do. i run my ribbon through my curling iron and it flattens it right out. Plus if you have one already it costs you nothing. If you buy one get a cheap one and it will probably be cheaper.

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  17. If you are looking to really save money on your nestabilities, here is a site that gives you a monthly coupon for 40% off one item: http://www.ucutathome.com

    You have to register in order to get it. There may be a wait for the nestabilities, since there is such a demand everywhere. I just got my first set (circles) and I love them. Can't wait until I can order another set.

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  18. Love the card! My lss does carry the MME Christmas line by the sheet so it is our there (although being gobbled up quickly.) I own the Pebbles iron and I love it! Having naturally curly hair (as do both my DDs) we do not own a curling iron but since I am accident pron I love the fact that the heated part of my ribbon iron is well-covered! Also, it is compact and easy to store and a lot easier for me to grab from a spot in my craft room than to go to the laundry room, plug up the iron and possibly even need to unfold the ironing board-ugh! As for Nestabilities the tan pad is needed for embossing. My wishlist includes a Bind-it-all, a Clip-it-up, and a Scor-Pal. Hope I'm on the "nice" list!!!!

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  19. Anonymous11:06 AM

    Beautiful card! Hope Santa is checking your list. With all you've been through this year you need something fun for Christmas!

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  20. Hey Amy, love your reindeer card. Nestabilities are so much fun - I use mine with my Bug. I second Melody's comment about ucutathome. I ordered from them and just received my rectangles set and am really happy. And who can beat 40% off?

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