I just love all three of the elves in the #Elfie stamp set. Color Throwdown 572 consists of aqua, green, gold, and white. I’ve wanted to do a non-traidtional Christmas color elf card, and this challenge seemed perfect for just that.
Here’s the challenge banner:
Here’s my card:
Meeting the Color Throwdown Challenge
In order to meet the ctd challenge, I used Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Shaded Spruce, Whisper White, and Delicata Golden Glitz.
Shaded Spruce provided the color for the base and the present. After stamping the present on a scrap piece of Shaded Spruce DSP, I fussy cut it out. I also stamped a bow in Coastal Cabana, then fussy cut that as well. The result is a fun wrapping on the present for a pop of color.
I used Pool Party blends combo for the elf’s outfit and part of the ornament. Then I used the Shaded Spruce and Bermuda Bay blends combo for the rest of the ornament. I finished it off with a touch of gold provided by the gold Wink of Stella.
While coloring the elf, I found myself wishing I had gotten the puff paint from the holiday catalog so I could give the trim on the elf’s outfit some dimension. I wound up using the Fine Tip Glue Pen and then covered each piece of trim with some Dazzling Diamonds. Even though I’d already used the gold Wink of Stella on the bell on the top of the elf’s hat, I added Dazzling Diamonds there as well.
More Than Coloring
I knew I couldn’t just put the elf panel on plain Coastal Cabana cardstock. Therefore, I ran the cardstock through my Big Shot using the Brick and Mortar 3D embossing folder. Snowflakes seemed to be a must embellishment, so I grabbed the three from the Seasonal Layer Dies. I already had the Whisper White circle cropped, and the sentiment from #Elfie fit perfectly.
Using gold is part of the challenge, but I didn’t want to use some of the gold foil. I finally decided to outline the elf panel and sentiment circle using the Delicata Golden Glitz ink. Just those small touches of gold really pop off the card.
Short and sweet tonight. I must grade……. I must grade…….
This sketch challenge really made me think and plan and redo during the creative process. I knew I was going to use plaid, meaning my colors would be Cherry Cobbler and Shaded Spruce. These colors really say Christmas, even for this non-traditional colors person. I needed some touches of texture for the top part of the card, and the Brick 3D embossing folder really worked. There’s just something about plaid and brick (fireplace) that reminds me of my childhood Christmases on Long Island.
Here’s my card:
Here’s the sketch banner that inspired the card:
What I Knew……
I knew I wanted to use the #Elfie stamp set. It is just too stinking cute! I knew I wanted to use the string of lights from Making Christmas Bright. Everything else took a while to come together, but I am pleased with the final result.
My Stamp-a-ratus really got a workout for this card. I used it for the string of lights and then the placement of the no peeking elf. While coloring my first attempt, I went out of the lines on the hat. Mind you, that was the last thing I was coloring. Therefore, I got up, walked away and came back to it later in the day.
On this version of the elf, I used the Dark Daffodil Delight blend and the light So Saffron blend.
After numerous trials and errors, I finally figured out I what to do for coloring skin tones. I started with a layer of Ivory and then color over it with the light Petal Pink blend. If the elf had cheeks, those would have been lightly colored with the dark Petal Pink blend.
All that pretty much covers what I knew at the beginning.
What I Didn’t Know…
Trial and error really was key for the remaining elements of this card. I now have no less than five different Christmas trees stamped and punched. I finally settled on this one, especially since I really nailed the Cherry Cobbler layer without using the Stamp-a-ratus.
You might be asking yourself where I got the gold tree stand. Easy peasy, really. I colored a small swatch of Whisper White with the gold Wink of Stella and then used the lightbulb punch to get just the little base.
I also didn’t know what other element I could do for the left side of the focal elf. I’m pretty stinking pleased with the Santa’s Workshop pole, which is also from #Elfie. Cute.
The final thing I didn’t know was what I was going to do for the two ribbon elements on the bottom of the square. Again, trial and error was key. I finally decided on the flax ribbon and theReal Red cotton ribbon.
Putting It Together
I popped the elf square up on a layer of dimensionals. Since I wanted the tree to overlap the square, I needed to use a double layer of dimensions on the left side of the tree. The right side of the tree is simply adhered using Tombow liquid adhesive.
I completely forgot about the little bit of bling on the top right corner of the elf square. After trying a few different bling elements, I decided to keep it simple with the rhinestones.
I finished by creating a coordinating envelope using the plaid on the flap. Done. Happy. Cute!
As always,
Thank you so very much for stopping by my blog today. I appreciate your the time you take to read, and comment, on my blog.
Have a Peachy Day!
Sue
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Supplies Used
Making Christmas Bright stamp set, item # 148046
Perfectly Plaid stamp set and Pine Tree punch bundle, item # 151143
#Elfie stamp set, item # 150509
Wrapped in Plaid DSP, item # 149596
Christmas Bulb Builder punch, item # 148013
Brick and Mortar 3D embossing folder, item # 149643
So Saffron blends combo, item # 149557
Cherry Cobbler blends combo, item # 144598
Petal Pink blends combo, item # 147272
Wink of Stella, item # 141897
Rhinestone Basic Jewels, item # 144220
Flax ribbon, item # 148764
Real Red cotton ribbon, item # 146925
Whisper White cardstock, item # 100730
Cherry Cobbler cardstock, item # 119685
Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad, item # 147111
Dimensionals, item # 104430
Tombow liquid adhesive (my fav!), item # 110755
Again, thank you for stopping by today!
About Me
Welcome to Just Peachy Stamping by Sue Jackson: an independent Stampin' Up demonstrator.
Through Stampin' Up!, I happily share my love of papercrafting through sales, classes, small stamping group meet-ups and workshops. I think that being a teacher in my "real life", I have a unique approach to sharing my fantastic hobby. I look forward to connecting with you!