Friday 9 September 2011

Jovial Poinsettia - Christmas Card Week 36

Evening All


I've been playing with inks and my Cuttlebug this afternoon - getting my fingers dirty and finding out what I can do with a Spellbinder layered poinsettia die set. The design paper is pretty special - Basic Grey's Jovial Shopkeeper. It's one of those designs that could be used for any occasion - I just thought it looked very festive and Christmassy. All I did was cover the front of a cream base card with the paper and then sponged the edges with Adirondack Noel ink pad - using the green end. This is one of those ink pads that I've bought and then wondered why. Opening it was a disappointment ... I didn't really like the colours and I suspect this was because they've bled into each other ... they're quite muddy in places. However, today that muddy green was just perfect :)

I cut the poinsettia petals out in some leftover white Neenah Solar and the leaves from a snippet of green - origin long forgotten. The petals are edged with TH Fired Brick and the leaves with the green end of the Noel pad. I've been really unsure about using dies with my Cuttlebug - it's the damage it does to the plate that really upsets me ... I know, that's normal but I take some convincing. However, seeing the beautiful results many crafters achieve with them persuaded me to get over it!!


I managed to repeat a mistake made before when distressing the edges and got ink smudging on the back. So some rescue measures were needed ... and that's where the piece of card left from cutting the poinsettia shapes came in useful - saved the day in fact :) It made a great stencil. I used one of my ink dusters to stipple the muddy green ink ... my, but that ink pad earned it's place in my crafting arsenal today :) ... through the template in very much a random fashion then inked the edges ... now my smudges look deliberate - phew!!


Stippled a couple on the inside and left it blank for now ... will probably add a sentiment when I've decided who will get the card.

Because it is such a busy pattern, embellishments were kept to a minimum - just some green satin ribbon, red/white baker's twine and a beautiful red brad from Papermania's A Silent Night collection - leftover from last year too!! So more snippets and leftovers used up, but this time married up to a piece from a new and treasured 12"x12" sheet of DP ... so not sure whether this qualifies in Jules' rules as a snippet make.

I plan to submit this card to the following:

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge #36 - No Sentiment

Jules Sunday Snippet Challenge - Week 35 - it consists of 90% snippets and leftovers

Snoflake's Christmas Card Challenge over at Docrafts - Week 36

Now, I'm off to do some digital, or should that be hybrid, scrapbooking ...  that is, starting on the computer using graphics software then printing out onto paper and finishing the page of by hand ... this could be a huge disaster but I'm determined to give it a go :) 

Happy crafting folks,

15 comments:

Di said...

It's a simply gorgeous creation Elizabeth! Often the ones that take more tweaking and angst turn out the best and others would never know! Love it! Paupers Pie tomorrow here :) Di xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh great going Elizabeth, bet you've had a lovely afternoon - great result. Have you tried using that inkpad for a brayer - the muddier parts tend not to be such an issue then....I had a similar disappointment, I must say..and now only use mine when brayering.

Hazel said...

Such a gorgeous card - love everything about it, including the great idea of inking with the templates left from cutting the poinsettias - wish I'd thought of that when I spoiled the back of a card earlier because it picked up some ink on the back! The paper you've used is so festive and love the green inking - thanks for joining in my CHNC challenge 36 - hope to see you next week for the challenge starting tomorrow morning. x

Anonymous said...

gosh your way ahead of me, im only just starting to think christmas card, must give myself a kick and get going.

Aj.

Jules said...

Hi Elizabeth

Your Christmas card is gorgeous.

I love the front but I love the back just as much.

90% snippets sounds good to me LOL!!

The poinsettia looks great too.

Thank you for sharing your snippet make.

Have a great weekend.

Love Jules xx

Irene said...

Hello Elizabeth

What a fabulous Christmas card, so unusual but gorgeous. The poinsettia looks fab, and wow 90% snippets.

luv
irene
xxxx

Jackie said...

What a gorgeous card, and what a great way to cover marks :o)
Jackie xx

coops said...

wow this is stunning elizabeth.gorgeous poinsetta :D

xx coops x

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth this card is absolutely gorgeous! love everything that you have done to it :-) x

Dolly Daydreams said...

Elizabeth I literally gasped with pleasure when I saw this gorgeous card it is so beautiful, I have to say this is one of my favourites of yours.The Poinsettia is just stunning I love it and the background is just a perfect accompaniment for it. How lucky you are to be able to go to a craft retreat `I do envy you but it's even lovelier to have Alan come all that way to pick you up ! What a happy couple you must be !

Marie

Carrie said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this Christmas card......something about the muted colours and the layout that really appeals to my tastes.
Hugs
Carrie

Bernie said...

Love this card! The poinsettia is stunning and I love what you did with the templates left from cutting them. At first it was quite upsetting to see my Cuttlebug plate damaged but the rewards are so well worth it I don't mind anymore. I did buy some extras so I don't have to look at the damaged plate when I'm only embossing.
Blessings Bernie

Debs M said...

great use of snippets x

Sally said...

Hi Elizabeth, just popped over from Jules' snippet challenge. A beautiful design with so much going on & a stunning poinsettia.
Sally x

Sarn said...

A Lovely fresh looking Christmas card. Great colourscheme.

I know what you mean about using dies in your Cuttlebug . . . I keep a set of B plates PURELY for embossing, and another set for die cutting (using only 1 of die cutting pair for actually cutting into).

Hugs, Sandra