Sunday, 20 December 2015

Christmas Crackers, Bird on Branch, Female

I don't know about you, but sometimes I know exactly what it is I want to make.  
Other times, it's a design or a picture/colour palette that inspires me...  
...  and then there are those times when it's the blog challenge itself that 'sparks' my creativity.

  This was one of those times.  




You'll notice that I've made two of these.  
Both exactly the same, except that...

 ...  the acetate one is purely decorative.
 (A Christmas decoration or cutlery/napkin holder to 'dress' the table on Christmas day)...

...  whereas the silver one could actually be used as a fully functioning Christmas cracker or as packaging for a small Christmas gift. 


Dies used:
Tonic Studios 'Christmas Cracker and Sentiment' 
Memory Box 'Twigs and Berries'
Memory Box 'Holly Vine'
Memory Box 'Woodland Branch'
Memory Box/Open Studio 'Finnegan Fronds'

Other:
Sheena Douglas/Festive 'Snowfall'
Gesso (White)
Black Jewel Embellishments


These Christmas crackers were specifically made to join in with the latest Memory Box challenge...


Other challenges I'm entering...

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
(Both crackers are made entirely from my snippets stash)



Simon Says/Wednesday Challenge


That's Crafty Challenge Blog


As You Like It
(Favourite Traditional Christmas Colours and Why)
I adore the harmony of putting red, green, white and dark brown together.


Bunny Zoe's Crafts
(Sparkle)


Sparkles Christmas Challenges
(Challenge #59 'Die Cuts for Christmas')




Many thanks to those of you who have been kind enough to 'follow' me or who regularly stop by to read my blog and leave a comment.  It's been lovely getting to know you all over this past 10 months or so.

I apologise for not being quite so active lately.  
I've been recently diagnosed with something called Histamine Intolerance and it's been making me miserable.  I spend most of my time feeling 'rough' with the various side effects of trying new foods only to realise my body simply can't tolerate them and I lost quite a lot of weight in the 'clean' diet phase...  but hopefully things will improve.


Happy Christmas. 

Donna... 



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34 comments:

  1. Barb20 December 2015 at 11:39

    Your crackers are both absolutely beautiful Donna. I'm so sorry to hear about your recently diagnosed condition. I can understand how it would make you feel down. I do hope things will be sorted out for you soon. Hugs, Barbxx

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    1. Donna20 December 2015 at 11:45

      Thank you, Barb.
      It's no fun feeling like 'road kill' most of the time... or just plain hungry!
      But there are many worse off than me :)
      The crackers were fun to make, but boy was the acetate one difficult to cut.
      Happy Christmas, my friend. x

      Delete
  2. Marybeth20 December 2015 at 13:13

    Wow,you sure make beautiful things and I love the clear cracker! So pretty with the memory bocpx bird!
    I'm sorry your not feeling well that must be very difficult ! Hugs and prayers! Merry Christmas Donna!

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    1. Donna20 December 2015 at 16:10


      Thank you, Marybeth. x
      Fully aware I could be much worse off than I am... but felt I owed some sort of explanation for posting infrequently and commenting sporadically!
      Hugs to you, too :)

      Delete
  3. Sarn20 December 2015 at 15:59

    Hi Donna . . . your crackers are SO elegant and classy. They would be a shame to pull, although I note one is for decoration only!

    Hoping the Powers That Be can help you get control of your newly diagnosed condition so that it's manageable for you.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Donna20 December 2015 at 16:08

      Hello Sarn :)
      They could both be for decoration only!
      Silver one doesn't take long to make... acetate one does - at least with my Cuttlebug. Lost a smidge of my thumb knuckle fighting to turn the handle at one point. It's almost healed now.
      Happy Christmas, my friend. X

      Delete
  4. Olga Direktorenko20 December 2015 at 16:29

    These are wonderful, Donna! How did you make them? I mean bending the acetate to tie it up?
    Sorry to hear about this diagnosis, I wish that New Year brings you health and all the best in life!

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    Replies
    1. Donna20 December 2015 at 16:40

      Hi Olga :)
      Thank you for the warm wishes, my friend.
      Surprisingly, these are quite easy to make. But if you like I'll send you a link that has a tutorial. Have you seen this Tonic die before? As soon as I saw it advertised on a craft TV channel I knew I was getting it!
      Let me know if you want me to send you details on it.
      Donna. X

      Delete
  5. pam20 December 2015 at 20:17

    Both these Christmas crackers are gorgeous Donna, you were brave doing the acetate one, crackers make lovely gifts for weddings too..
    I ummed and arred about getting the A4 X-cut one, still never did get it..LOL.
    Hope things improve soon Donna! hope it does`nt spoil your Christmas to much.
    Happy Christmas sweet friend.
    Pam x

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    1. Donna20 December 2015 at 20:50

      Thank you, Pam. The Tonic die can be extended a little according to the tutorials I've seen, but as I like small things I doubt I'll ever have the need.
      The acetate one took a good few hours. Many passes through my machine and the diamond notches still refused to cut... So used sharp scissors to perforate and then cut them all out by hand!
      Looks so lovely, butt NOT in a hurry to make again!
      I'm umming over the Fuse Tool right now. Makes shaker cards a breeze from what I've seen. Just still not sure if any thick acetate will do or if you have to specifically purchase the photo sleeves.
      Take care, Pam. X

      Delete
  6. My Card Attic: Hazel21 December 2015 at 01:19

    Sorry to hear you have been feeling so rough Donna my friend, which makes these stunning crackers all the more amazing. How you can create such beautiful things when you aren't feeling well is inspiring! You are a true artist! I hope that you start to feel better soon, it's no fun feeling rough all the time! I hope you manage to have a wonderful Christmas and a great upcoming New Year! Thanks for the inspiration in 2015, can't wait to see what you come up with in 2016! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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    Replies
    1. Donna21 December 2015 at 08:16

      Thank you for your kind words of encouragement :)
      I tend to craft between rough patches. Things should improve over time as I figure out what dies and doesn't 'work' for me... So that's something positive :)
      Have a good week. X

      Delete
  7. Di21 December 2015 at 10:26

    Double WOW from me Donna! I totally adore these crackers - just stunning. Both the clear one and the silver are really elegant.

    So sorry to hear you're suffering - that certainly doesn't sound like fun at all. Hope it's all under control as soon as possible honey!

    Hugs

    Di xx

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    1. Donna21 December 2015 at 10:57

      Thanks, Di. Christmas crackers are fun, aren't they? If I'm buying any small gifts next year I think I may well use this idea for packaging :)
      Appreciate the well wishes. It will take time but I will get there.
      Happy Christmas, my friend :)

      Delete
  8. Pam Sparks21 December 2015 at 14:59

    Gorgeous Donna!

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    1. Donna21 December 2015 at 18:38

      Thank you, Pam :)
      I hope Sheldon is being well looked after!!!
      Happy Christmas. X

      Delete
  9. Caryn23 December 2015 at 13:39

    These are incredible - so unique.
    Thanks for playing along at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.
    Hugs,
    Caryn xxx

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  10. LesleyG25 December 2015 at 12:28

    merry Christmas and hope you are feeling better xxx

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  11. Peanut28 December 2015 at 12:03

    Such unique makes, Donna. Hope you're feeling better. Wishing you an amazing 2016.
    x Asha

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    1. Donna28 December 2015 at 14:47

      Hello Asha :)
      Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you all the best for 2016, too... and thanks for adding yourself to my followers sidebar. It's nice to put a face to a name :)

      Delete
  12. Helen29 December 2015 at 15:58

    A gorgeous project. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Sparkles Christmas challenges

    Helen P (DT) x

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  13. Annette29 December 2015 at 17:07

    They're beautiful Donna. I really hope you're feeling better soon honey. Have a restful New Year.
    Hugs
    Annette - Netty's Cards
    xx
    Proud to design for :
    Lili of the Valley,
    In The Pink Challenge
    The Sugar Bowl Challenge,
    As You Like It Challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Laura1 January 2016 at 05:25

    Wonderful! Thank you so much for participating in the Memory Box season's greetings challenge.

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    1. Donna1 January 2016 at 09:45

      Thank you, Laura.
      Appreciate you stopping by :)
      Happy New Year. X

      Delete
  15. Debbie K.1 January 2016 at 22:32

    Just gorgeous, Donna! Hope you are feeling better soon. No fun being under the weather. Can't wait to see more of your work.

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    1. Donna1 January 2016 at 22:40

      Thank you, Debbie :)
      I try to vary my postings between 'quick and easy' with some 'labour intensives' in between. So glad you liked the Christmas crackers :)
      Happy New Year. x

      Delete
  16. Conniecrafter2 January 2016 at 19:33

    Those crackers are terrific, Congrats on your win!!!

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  17. Cathy3 January 2016 at 20:27

    What an amazing project, your crackers are so pretty. Love how you've decorated them. Hope the new year sees your health improve, Cathy x

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    1. Donna3 January 2016 at 20:43

      These were a lot of fun to make, but I do love playing with acetate!
      Glad you like them, Cathy.
      Happy New Year. x

      Delete

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