Festive Collection Dies

It is that time of year when crafters alike are busy making Christmas cards and there hasn't been a shortage of ideas lately on the Create and Craft Channel.  It is just 11 weeks now until Christmas so I would like to share with you some cards I have made over the last few weeks using my Festive Christmas dies from Sue Wilson, but first take a look at these lovely dies designed by Sue Wilson.   I think they are fantastic and make great cards.  The baubles and Poinsetta dies are on my wish list but I do own the others here.




This wreath card was made with the above Holly accessory dies and a robin die that I purchased from Pink Frog Crafts and Cards.  I haven't decided whether to complete it with a nice bow or a sentiment.    I have a lovely Sue Wilson paper bow die which I am likely to use.  I have used Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Pink PVA glue to make the pearls around the edge of the card.  This a new technique for me.  It requires a gentle squeeze of the bottle to produce a droplet and the trick is to make all the droplets the same size and equally spaced. 

This next card was made using the Christmas Angel die which is delightful.  I have used my piercing ruler to make the dots around the edge of the card and the Snow flake embossing folder by Creative Expressions for the background.  The pink card may be an unusual choice of colour for a Christmas card but I think it looks so pretty don't you.

I have only done one layer here with the Noel die but I think I may add another layer as it does look a bit flat.  Again, an unusual colour but I like it.  Again I have used Cosmic Shimmer PVA to make some dots in silver and embossed the background.  I have also tried making the same card in red which worked equally well.

Here is the the red version I made.

Watch this space for more cards using my Sue Wilson Festive dies.

Croydon Square

Today I am sharing with you a blanket I completed back in August.  It was made as a gift for an expectant mother who happens to work in the same office as myself.  The gift was gratefully received and it was a joy to make.  The wool used was Stylecraft Special DK and was lovely to crochet with. The squares, known as the Croydon Square were made individually and then joined together.  

The pattern came from the New Encyclopedia of Crochet Techniques.  I have introduced you to this book before.  This time around I made the Baby Afghan blanket.  I added an extra column of squares to mine so it was square.  It took about a month to make and on average a couple of hours most days.