Trim the tree

The challenge at Daring Cardmakers this week is asking us to focus on trees - a single tree, a forest, a Christmas tree or not, it's up to you!

I went very clean and simple this time. This is a quick card, the only thing that slows it down is the drying time on the glue! I actually ended up letting the loose glitter cover the dots of glitter glue when I did the foreground which has made them super-sparkly!

Stamps:
Lovely As a Tree (Stampin Up!)
Compliments of the Season (mine is the original Waltzingmouse Stamps, the same set is now available through Gina K)

Paper: smooth white

Ink:
Brilliance by Tsukineko (Graphite Black)
Versafine by Tsukineko (Satin Red)

Other:
Fine line marker
Stickles (Frosted Lace)
Glamour Dust by DecoArt (Crystal)
Corner Chomper

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace on earth

I love to watch the birds that come to the feeder and shrubs outside my window - this handsome chap would be a very welcome visitor!

This is my first project with this lovely bird stamp, I think the woodcut style of the illustration is just gorgeous. Bloom Art Stamps has just moved its store to Etsy which should make things easier for international shoppers, too!


Because this kraft card has quite a bit of texture, I stamped with the MISTI so I could make sure I got good coverage in the more solid areas of the stamp. I added just a touch of white pen to the markings on his head, wings and tail.
I cut tiny slits each side of his body so I could thread the die cut branch through to give him a wintery perch. Nail art gems provide berries for him to feast on and a "hidden" die cut sentiment adds to the overall calm feel, I think. I went over the stamped snowflakes with a Wink of Stella pen to give them subtle sparkle which is just about visible on the photo but looks lovely in real life!

Stamps:
Bird Paradise by Bloom Art Stamps
Grunge Flakes by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Peace Stamp & Cut by Hero Arts

Paper:
Kraft
Scrap of dark brown for branch

Ink:
Versafine by Tsukineko (Onyx Black)
Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger (Vintage Photo)

Other:
Branch die by Craft Emotions
Nail art gems
Wink of Stella pen (clear)
White Posca paint pen
Fine line brown marker
Glossy Accents by Ranger
MISTI

I'm afraid I failed with this week's DCM challenge - do check it out though, it's another in the Christmas countdown so a chance to get ahead with those festive projects!

Thanks for stopping by!

Warm woollen mittens

This week's challenge in the run up to Christmas for Daring Cardmakers is "warm woollen mittens" - feature some winter clothing on your creation. It could be mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, boots...

My snowman is wearing a scarf and although his hat may be more for show than warmth his little birdy companion has gone for the full woolly pompom affair.

This is a hybrid card - the snowman is a digi (printed with a laser printer and coloured with Copics), the snowflakes and part of the sentiment are stamped. The die cut "merry" was covered in glitter and then given a bit of an ombre effect with Copics.

Stamps:
Top of the Morning Snowman (digi by Whimsy Stamps, Crissy Armstrong Collection)
Merry Stamp & Cut (Hero Arts)
Flurries (waltzingmouse Stamps, no longer with us)

Paper:
Smooth white
Kraft

Ink: 
Brilliance by Tsukineko (Graphite Black)
Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger (Tumbled Glass)

Other:
Copic markers
Glamour Dust by DecoArt (Crystal)
Sewing machine and thread
Posca paint pen (white)

Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn Leaves

I'm doing my usual last-minute-minnie act here - today is the last day for this month's Song Title Challenge at the Craft Barn and I've just made my postcard this morning!

This month's song is Autumn Leaves. I have to confess it wasn't one I knew so off I went to YouTube. Mickie had recommended the Eric Clapton version but the one that really stood out for me was Eva Cassidy so it's her name I used on my card. Both song title and artist name are hand written into two of the leaves at bottom right.

I think this face has a rather wistful, meloncholy air about her which seemed perfect for somebody thinking about lost love. I did some masking and planned a one layer card but a dropped marker meant a little bit of camouflage became necessary so I've added a couple of extra leaves that have been cut out and stuck on.


Stamps:
Molly (Beeswax Stamps)
Autumn Leaves (Sheena Douglass)

Paper: Smooth white

Ink:
Adirondack dye ink by Ranger (Espresso)
Brilliance by Tsukineko (Pearlescent Chocolate)

Other:
Copic markers
Clear Wink of Stella
Fine line brown marker

Thanks for stopping by!

November elements

Can you believe it's the first Friday of another new month - eek! That means it's an "elemental" challenge at Daring Cardmakers and it's the first of our Christmas run-up (although Christmas is not compulsory - take a look at the DT samples to see other ways to run with the picture!).

I'm finally making a start on some Christmas cards so despite the temptation to do something other than the obvious festive take on this, I did go Christmassy in the end.

From the picture (at the end of thispost if you haven't already seen it on the DCM blog) I chose the purple and cranberry elements of the colour scheme and some gold accents, the baubles and ribbed texture of the white jug on the mantlepiece.

I cut individual baubles out from an emossed piece, coloured them with Copics, added a wash of Perfect Pearls in coordinating colours and used gold gilding wax to highlight the embossed texture.

I really should learn that making a card that doesn't involve stamping always takes five times as long and I'm less likely to be happy with the result!

Supplies:
Sentiment from Compliments of the Season (mine is the original Waltzingmouse Stamps set - the same set is now available through Gina K)
Smooth white and black cardstock
Versafine by Tsukineko (Crimson Red)
Beautiful Baubles embossing folder by Sheena Douglass
Copic markers
Perfect Pearls (Perfect Red and Forever Violet)
Rub n Buff (Gold Leaf)
Gold gel pen
Sequins
Scor-It
Pinflair glue gel

Thanks for stopping by!