Thursday 4 June 2015

Birthday Wishes and a Giveaway

Hi Bloggers.

It's my great friend, Sue Wilson's birthday today (I'm sure many of you know that!). Anyway, if you haven't already done so, pop over to her blog to wish her Happy Birthday - let's see how many Happy Birthday's she has waiting for her when she gets up! (she's in Florida btw!)

Sue's birthday marks the final day of my Gemini Die Giveaway here on my blog and the 10% off everything ends on my website at midnight tonight. (Smoothies are back in stock!)

Today's giveaway is the Perseus Gemini Die Set and is featured on today's card -

So, I've created the background by cutting just the central die from the Perseus Die Set into Milk Card 5 times. I backed it onto a piece of Sky Blue Card. It looked so pretty that I took a photo before I added anything to it.

I dusted a piece of Sky Blue Card with my Anti Static Pad. I inked up the deboss design die from Sue's Ornate Pierced Design Noble Die Set with Perfect Medium. I placed it inked side down onto my card and ran it through the Grand Calibur using the emboss sandwich. I removed the die, added Ivory Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder and heat set. I cut it out using the next sized die in the same set. I cut the next smallest die out of Milk Card. I stamped the sentiment from the new Creative Expressions Live Laugh Love Clear Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Ivory Embossing Powder. I cut it out using a die from Sue's Lavish Accented Design Noble Die Set.

I cut a couple of leaves out of Sky Blue Card using Sue's Trailing Ivy Die Set.

I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Antique White Satin Ribbon. I made a flower out of Cream Felt from the Wedding Felt Pack using Sue's Classic Foldover Flowers Die Set (see my video here).

I made a couple of Stick Pins using Creative Expressions Stick Pin Elements - I used Cream 3" Stick Pins, Cream Pearls, Bead Spacers and Periwinkle Teardrop Beads with Glossy Accents.

I assembled the card as shown adding some 8mm Cream Pearls and piercing around the edges.

Don't forget to leave a lovely comment below with a chance to win the Perseus Gemini Die Set. The draw will be on Sunday June 7th.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.
www.juliawattscrafts.co.uk

103 comments:

  1. Hi Julia, love the soft colours used on this card. The Gemini die makes a fantastic background. Lol lynne m x x

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  2. Hi Julia
    Another stunning card love the colours thank you tracyw

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  3. Hi Julia...well I've included birthday Wishes for Sue on her blog...but back to you...what a perfectly stunning card...I'm sure Sue would be wrapped to see this beauty made in her honour. The background is simply gorgeous and great to see it laid bare in order to see its full effects. In fact I love everything about this card Julia, especially those gorgeous stick pins...you are one very talented lady so thank you sincerely for sharing with us and for your wonderful tutorial. take care to you and all. Love, hugs and smiles...Beth B x x x

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  4. Hi Julia,
    Thank you for the background photo - it is gorgeous ! I can see why you stopped and took it ! The finished card is very elegant and I would recognise your style anywhere - love the delicate colours too !

    Hugs,
    Rose
    xx

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  5. Morning Julia.
    Thank you so much a lovely back ground and pretty card. Take care Kitty.

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  6. Hi Julia. Beautiful card, love the photo of just the background - it reminds us that we don't always have to use the cutting edges on our dies. Sue xxx

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  7. Morning Julia, thanks for the heads up regarding Sue's birthday, I have already commented on her card today so had to go back in and wish her a happy birthday. As to your card today, well it is fabulous, I love the way you have used the perseus die to make the background, would never believe the transformation if I hadn't seen it for myself, now this is definitely one for me to try.

    Stay safe, healthy and happy, hugs, June Smith xxx

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  8. I rwally like this card. The colour is lovely. Karen x

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  9. What a beautiful background. The whole card is so pretty in a delicate shade.
    Jan
    Northampton

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  10. Hi Julia, lovely card once again, wish I had even half of your skill.
    Glad the smoothies are back , going to order now.
    Best Wishes Lilian in Cornwall

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  11. Hello Julia, what a gorgeous card, this die is so intricate, and makes a beautiful background, everything from the layout to the colour has inspired me today. Once again good luck everyone. Bx

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  12. Morning all another wonderful card Julia I wish I had your talent xx

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  13. love the way you have made a background out of these dies,great card ,Laura O

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  14. Good morning Julia,a beautiful card today I love this Gemini die the background is gorgeous & colours used is lovely. Have a good day
    Hug's Lynda Brock xx

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  15. Hi Julia,
    A very pretty card today, I love the way you can use the dies to make the background, and it makes it stunning.

    Have a lovely day
    Maggie in Solihull

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  16. Hello Julia
    greetings done for Sue and Thank you also for the ideas and inspiration on your blog each day, your cards are just lovely and a delight to see each day. x

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  17. Good morning Julia today's card is gorgeous I do love how you have used the dies. Have a great day today. Hugs Jackie

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  18. Beautiful card, love the way you have used the border die as a background.
    Michele

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  19. Morning Julia, today's card is stunning, like all the other comments it looks beautiful just used as a background , love everything about it, and the sentiment says if all. hugs, Linda.

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  20. What a gorgeous background, I thought you'd used one huge die to create it!

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  21. Julia, your cards this week have been an inspiration! Today's card is just beautiful and I love how you have used the dies! Thank you!
    Maggie B xx

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  22. Another stunner. ...a classy card ....
    have a great day Julia.
    Luv Rach :)

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  23. Beautiful card, love the background x

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  24. A very pretty card using another of the Gemini collection. Love the colours and lacy look

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  25. Good Morning Julia....Another lovely card to finish up with. The colour blue makes the card look very elegant, I love it.

    Love Elaine X

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  26. Wow Julia, an absolute stunner!!
    XxxRuth

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  27. Good morning Julia what a gorgeous card I love the dies
    that you have used.
    And your design is wonderful.
    Have a lovely day and the sun is shinning here today.
    Debs xxx
    {Debs Cards}

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  28. Good morning Julia, what a lovely card and the way the background was done ,just stunning.Take care Jane B.

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  29. Good morning Julia,
    Such a lovely card this morning, love the pale blue and white,
    Best wishes to you and everyone.
    JosieB
    xx

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  30. Good morning Julia,
    Such a lovely card this morning, love the pale blue and white,
    Best wishes to you and everyone.
    JosieB
    xx

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  31. Another beautiful and very clever card, Julia. Well done. Diane x

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  32. This die does make a pretty background Doesn't need much else

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  33. Hi Julia. What a great background Perseus makes, thanks for pointing this out. All in all a lovely card. Off to Sue's now to wish her Happy Birthday. SueL x

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  34. What a beautiful card, and the effect of die cutting the die 5 times is absolutely gorgeous and one I will be using in the future. Thanks for all your lovely cards they give me so much inspiration.

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  35. This is so stunning. I love the intricacy of the die. Lainie xx

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  36. Morning Julia
    WOW this card is exquisite. The die is beautiful and embellishments stunning
    Hugs
    Carol x

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  37. Morning Julia,
    I think this one is my favourite this week it's gorgeous, love the use of die for the back ground.
    Lydia
    X

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  38. Stunning card Julia hope dues birthday is as lovely as mine was on Monday love June horrocks xxxx

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  39. Morning Julia, a fabulous card I do like this die just beautiful.
    Nancyd xx

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  40. Lovely card. The colours are pretty together and the background is gorgeous.

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  41. I love the way you have created the background, Julia. A beautiful card.

    Anne (Northampton)

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  42. Hi Julia,
    STUNNING, another fabulous background from my favourite sets of dies. Until this week I would never have thought to use them as a background. Thank you for giving us the idea.
    Love Janet x
    from Wakefield

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  43. Hi Julia
    Another beauty,the card is delicious and the die is gorgeous.
    Love Jan x x

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  44. Hi Julia

    Stunning card so pretty lovely colours and fabulous stick pins thankyou for your inspiration.

    Annx

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  45. What a beautiful card - stunning.

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  46. Good morning Julia, I am constantly amazed by the versatility of these dies. I will certainly be giving this background effect a try later.xx

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  47. Good Morning Julia, another stunning card.....i do so love these dies you have used and that back ground is just so pretty.....xxx

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  48. Hi Julia, love today's card. Here's that soft colour palet again and you're very clever again using the Gemini to creat a background. Absolutely beautiful.
    Blessings all - Deb C xx

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  49. Oh what a lovely card! And of course I would like to win the dies. I don't have this set and it makes the most wonderful cards.

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  50. Morning Julia

    Another beautiful card which could be adapted for any occasion. The background using the die is beautiful - who would have thought you would get an effect like this with one die.

    Hope you have a great day, love Tracey xx

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  51. Hi Julia, I like you love the background on its own, thankfully the focal point is also gorgeous too. I do like it when like this week, we are shown lots of different ways to use dies we gave bought. Thank you Julia for going the extra mile. X Ros

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  52. What a lovely card, the blue background is so pretty and could b used in so many ways. Great use of another versatile die, thanks
    Margaret AE

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  53. Beautiful die, fabulous background and a stunning card. The sky blue is such a gorgeous colour. I love the effect of the debossed die inked and embossed - I must try that some time. Pat x

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  54. Beautiful card. Great use of the die.
    Sonia x

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  55. Another lovely card Julia - but then Sue's dies are all great. Very pretty colour. Just been watching you and Dean on C&C with him sitting on a stool!! - I'm a bit behind as you can tell, catching up after my holiday.

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  56. Hi Julia,
    Stunning card, I love the way that you have used the Gemini die as a background. I haven't tried the technique you describe using the perfect medium so this is one to try.
    Thanks
    Heather Treble

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  57. Good morning Julia, well the sun is shining here and its certainly shining
    there too!!! Fab card thanks for all your inspiration.
    Loopy Lynda xxx

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  58. Hi Julia, an other beautiful card, Cheer Anna.

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  59. Hi Julia, what a beautiful card I love the way you have used the die to make your background it's beautiful lol wish I could line dies up like that. Take Care Melody xx

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  60. very delicate card. Lovely

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  61. Love this way of using the die as a background. It makes a beautiful card.
    Cheers
    Janice W

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  62. Hello Julia and all

    Lovely card. I can understand why you took the photo of the background alone, as you say it is stunning and such a great way to use the Perseus die. I love your sentiment stack (sorry couldn't think of a better term for it). Thank you for sharing and your generosity the last 4 days.

    Best wishes.

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  63. Stunning card Julia

    Love & hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  64. What a great idea for a background. Love the card too. :-)

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  65. A very pretty card . The background is absolutely gorgeous.

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  66. What a lovely card Julia, love the background and the colour scheme.

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  67. Absolutely beautiful card!!! The background is gorgeous and I love the soft colors. Stunning!!!

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  68. Wow Julia, what an absolutely gorgeous card. Love the way you did the background and then used embossing powder on the deboss part of the die. Simply outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing so many ideas on how to use these dies this week. Truly inspirational.

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  69. Just brilliant - lovely card and lovely colours used. The background really stands out.
    Chris A.

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  70. Again I love this card! You are storming! I love love lOVE the background, I would have taken a photo of it too (if I had made it) but by 14:46 when I logged on, the Pesus die had sold out :-( but I am not surprised. I did get my smoothies though!!! Just as well I have had the storage racks for a couple of weeks. I will have to get some gloves to use them though. I also have the Sue Wilson pin set with all the creative expression jewels and this card gives me a great excuse to play!

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  71. Beautiful card love the background and colours xx hazel

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  72. Another lovely card again today Julia, keep em coming - lol :)

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  73. Lovely Card - Party over - I need the rest tomorrow - 3 days of crafting coming up this Sat-Mon

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  74. Hi Julia, you're right, the background is very pretty. So is the rest of the card. Thank you for the chance to win one of the die sets. Love and hugs,
    Alison D x

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  75. Hi Julia
    This is gorgeous and thank you for the chance to win!,
    Sheila

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  76. Hi Julia, another lovely card, crisp and clean looking.

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  77. Beautiful card and beautiful colour Julia.
    Lynne x

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  78. Another stunning card, love the beautiful background that you've created by cutting multiple Gemini strips.x

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  79. Hi Julia
    Just love this card. It really makes a statement by just using a Gemini background. Thank you for showing how much more use we can get out of these dies.

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  80. Fab card, I just love how you have cut the Gemini several times to make the background. Very useful idea!

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  81. Wow. Love the background. How clever is that.

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  82. Hi Julia

    Your card today is gorgeous, and loving your colour combination once again. Loving your use of the Perseus die too, such a good idea

    Gail x

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  83. Hi Julia - Well another super die. I must say your cards this week have been really inspiring. Lots of lovely subtle colouring and great use of the dies. Also, I particularly like your flowers, especially the one today. I think I will need that die too!! Very well done.
    Luv Mo

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  84. Your cards are stunning Julia.xx

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  85. What makes these dies so special is the lovely lacy backgrounds you can create with them. This card is another beautiful example of this!

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  86. Hi Julia
    What an unusual way of using the striplet die. Makes a fabulous background. Best wishes, Anne O

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  87. Hi Julia, Wow !! I love what you have done with this die, this card is stunning, and the colours are gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  88. Hi Julia, Wow !! I love what you have done with this die, this card is stunning, and the colours are gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  89. Hi Julia

    Absolutely stunning card! Such a pretty colour that periwinkle. I must get some myself. This is such a beautiful design. Very very pretty 😀 x

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  90. Hi Julia, another lovely card. I wouldn't have thought of using the die as a background. Lots of great ideas in this series with these dies. Jules

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  91. Hi Julia

    I love it, a very clever idea and would do the dreaded man cards with a few tweaks. It's's a die on my list along with a lot of others. That's us crafters, always needing more!

    Hugs,

    T x

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  92. A beautiful card, love the blue.

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  93. You are right Julia, it is a pretty base for a card, lovely as always
    Best regards
    Chris Harrison

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  94. That is a beautiful card. I love hand made cards. They are so full of love.

    Debby

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  95. This is another lovely card and I like the way you used the die to create a background. I will have to try that technique.

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  96. This is a lovely card and looks so delicate with the soft blue. It would be very pretty in other colours too. Thanks.

    Jan from NSW (Aus)

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  97. Another lovely card Julia, like how you used the die for background, thank you.

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  98. Such an elegant card! Just found your blog & am your newest follower. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  99. This is as always just beautiful. Love the soft blue.

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  100. Hi Julia
    another lovely card today - I do like the soft colours
    Pat x

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