Tuesday 25 August 2015

One Stamp Set, Four Christmas Cards

Evening Everyone,

It's almost the end of August and I have nowhere near enough Christmas cards made. In an attempt to remedy this sad, sad, situation I've made four - yes four - today, so in no particular order here they are.




I was inspired to try this technique after reading Heather Telford's post in Bits and Pieces, and create my own patterned paper by stamping a sheet of watercolour paper which I then cut up to create the four toppers. Of course, I didn't have the same materials as Heather but I found a poinsettia stamp in my stash that was similar to the one she used. All the stamping was done with a combination of distress markers and ink pads and then I used a paint brush and water to fill in the petals and leaves by drawing the ink from the outlines and then adding extra detail with the markers wherever it was needed. Once it was completely dry I added gold Liquid Pearl drops to the centres of the flowers. 

To make the cards, I created two card bases from dark green cardstock, one square and one A5 size, and found two ready-made ones in my stash, one square black and the other an A5 window style in white. Next I cut the stamped sheet into strips and squares to fit the various cards. Three toppers are matted on to gold card - from the snippet mountain - and all the greetings were die-cut from yet more snippets of gold card.

Materials used:
  • Cardstock - A4 sheet of white watercolour card, 2 A4 sheets of dark green card (Papermill Direct), snippets of gold card; black square card base; white window card base
  • Stamps - Papermania's First Noel set
  • Markers and Ink, Tim Holtz Aged Mahogany and Peeled Paint distress markers, Memento Cantaloupe and Pear Tart for the poinsettia, and Stormy Sky and Weathered Wood ink pads
  • Dies - all word dies from Tattered Lace mini die set
  • Gold Liquid Pearls



I'm submitting these cards to the following challenges:

The August Rudolph Days Challenge over at Mo's - anything goes as long as it's Christmas themed
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge 243 - use gold
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for August 2015 - also anything Christmas themed goes
Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 191 - more snippets used up

That's four more added to the my little stock of Christmas cards, just a few more and I'll be able to relax :)

Happy Rudolph Day,

15 comments:

debby4000 said...

Oh what fabulous, beautiful Christmas cards.
luv
Debby

Carole Pollard said...

Brilliant set of cards they are lovely Hugs Carole x

Jane Willis said...

What a super set of cards, and a great idea to create your own paper
Jane

Sarn said...

Super work Elizabeth. Congrats on getting another 4 made.
Happy Rudolph Day!
xxx

Di said...

These are gorgeous Elizabeth! What a great idea to make your own images sheet and then cut it up - bet you had fun doing that - wonderful results!

Hugs

Di xx

Jean said...

A lovely set of cards Elizabeth. I love the poinsettia stamp and the colours you used.
Jean x

cuilliesocks said...

Four very beautiful cards, love image ans so beautifully coloured, hugs Kate x

Helen said...

What a lovely selection cards - fab stamping!
Thanks for joining in the Rudolph Day fun!
Helen x
(Guest Designer)

Kathleen said...

These are fabulous and look divine, great stamp and great colouring.

Kath x

Jacee said...

What a wonderful set of cards you've made here Elizabeth, gorgeous1
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Carol L said...

What a beautiful set of cards! The poinsettias are gorgeous, but those touches of gold make each one special and festive! NJ!

Karen Dunbrook said...

So pretty and Bravo for you working on your Christmas cards!!
I need to wrap my head around that.
hugs,
K

MaryH said...

Hi Elizabeth, it's been a while since I got round to visit. I was delighted to see you like Heather T as well. She's so inspiring and talented - it's just awesome. I love how you've channeled her for these lovely poinsettia cards. Just beautiful. Love my poinsettias, and the pink tones with the soft shading around them - made a lovely look on each of your cards. Liked the way you used the sheet to create such a diverse look on each card, and some great coloring here too. Well done. TFS & Happy wkend. Hope that all has been well at your house. Hugs

Hazel said...

Thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges with your lovely crafting - hope to see you again soon. x

cotnob said...

A fabulous set of Christmas cards, such a beautiful stamp.
Thank you for joining us at CHNC Challenge Extra this month.
Pauline
x
I have candy on my blog if you would like to take a look - http://craftingwithcotnob.blogspot.co.uk/