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:
PCC360
Here’s the sketch banner that inspired the card:
Can I just take a second for a little woo-hoo moment? I finally figured out how to add an image with it’s link without a major problem. First time since I’ve updated my wordpress. Just saying…..
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
It seems like just a couple of weeks ago that I was finishing grading exams and entering final grades. I started preplanning on Monday, and so it all begins again. During the summer, I was in my happy place, aka Blue Room, aka craft room, every day. Blogging occurred multiple times a week. My goal for the schoolyear is to post at least 3 times a week. I am hoping (fingers crossed) that by posting my goal publicly I will keep working towards my goal.
In the meantime, I finally finished my card for the Global Design Project #201 challenge. The colors are individually gorgeous, and together they make my non-traditional Christmas colors heart sing.
Here’s the challenge banner:
Gorgeous, right?!?
Here’s the front of my card:
Short and Sweet
The Making Christmas Bright stamp set is a carryover from last year’s holiday catalog, and it is definitely a keeper.
The inside of the card was a snap; the lights on the bottom, sentiment in the middle. I used Pretty Peacock for the card base. Since I don’t have the Merry Merlot and Mossy Meadow blends, yet (!) I used the Stamping Write Markers. Wink of Stella is difficult to photograph, but after I colored the lights, I added a layer of Wink of Stella on the lights.
The front of the card required more thought. I knew I was going to use the “May Your Christmas Be” sentiment with the “merry and bright” bulbs. I also knew I would be using the string of lights on the top. Once again, I used Wink of Stella on the little bulbs. Even though I stamped the large bulbs directly on the card, I restamped them on Whisper White in Pretty Peacock. I punched out the bulbs and added a layer of Wink of Stella clear.
I stamped the tops of the bulbs in Basic Black, punched them out, then added a layer of gold Wink of Stella. Dimensionals added the pop-up dimension I needed for the center focal elements.
After I finished those parts of the card, I hit a creativity wall and left the card for the next night. That’s when I added the 6 stars; three in each of the Mossy Meadow and Merry Merlot. I thought I really needed to add a little something else, but didn’t know what to do. After using the Merry Merlot marker to outline the edges, I was still at a loss. Finally I noticed the Noble Peacock Rhinestones, and ta-da (!) I finally felt finished.
Final Touches
Every card needs a coordinating envelope, at least in my mind most of the time. I used the Pretty Peacock In-Color DSP for the envelope flap. In addition, I stamped half of a string of lights on the bottom, left front of the envelope and colored them in.
Now, my set finally felt complete.
As Always, I am Grateful for Your Time and Visit
I know there are many, many blogs written by Stampin’ Up! demos, and I appreciate the time you spend visiting mine.
Thank you very much!
Have a Peachy day!
Sue
If you live in the U.S. and are in need of a demonstrator, please CLICK HERE to be connected to my store. I would be honored to help you create cards using simple to advanced techniques and supplies. Placing an order with me would also entitle you to a free copy of the Holiday Catalog being released the first week of September.
When I first saw this stamp set, and some of the samples in the catalog and on Pinterest, I thought this set was absolutely adorable, has angels, and a beautiful font. However, I also thought that coloring the precious angels would be time consuming and difficult. Boy, was I wrong!! The first card I created (which will be in an upcoming blog post) was so easy and fun! Just like that, and I am completely hooked on this stamp set. It’s always wonderful when a stamp set turns out to be so versatile!
One thing led to another, and I wound up trying out this angels for Christmas cards. Here are the two versions, and the inside for both are the same:
Christmas in July
The Old Olive Christmas DSP has retired, as has the Real Red ribbon. However, those two colors gave me my color palette. These cards would also be adorable using Old Olive and Real Red cardstock. As I am typing this, I am thinking that I can use Old Olive for the background and emboss it with the Tufted TIEF. Cuteness overload! I would also emboss the Real Red mat using the Subtle TIEF. Now, I know what my next pair of Christmas cards will be! Since I try to do something at least a little bit different for each Christmas card, these would be perfect!
Using both light and dark Old Olive and Real Red, I happily colored the angels clothes. I used the So Saffron blends, both light and dark, for the angels’ hair. Wink of Stella Clear is on their wings, and Wink of Stella Gold is on the pen tips. I colored the pen with the light and dark Crumb Cake blends.
The Making Christmas Bright stamp set carried over into the current catalog and, I think, it completely matches the angels.
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!
Gorgeous, right?!?
