Deceptively Simple

Week 2 of the Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks was very successful today, with my hardworking gang churning through the work to get all ten cards done before we all had to scatter in different directions to collect children from school.

This card proved to be more involved than it looks at first glance:

Stamps:  Sanded Background, Music Notes wheel, Baroque Motifs, Perfect Punches
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Shimmery White
Ink:  Versamark, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Platinum Shimmer Paint
Other:  Adhesive Rhinestones, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, 11/4 " circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Rich Razzleberry grosgrain, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Sponges

The card took a little while because it involved a little more technique than you might expect.  First, there was the background:  we stamped the Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft) layer with the Sanded background in Versamark, which created a subtle texture.  Next we rolled the Music Notes wheel across three times, inked up with Crumb Cake ink.  I'm not entirely sure that my music notes are right way up!
Next, we sponged the edges with Crumb cake ink.  Then came the swirl from Baroque Motifs (a classic stamp set, so versatile) in Old Olive ink.  The next step was a little involved - the ghosting technique done with the SAMJ to ensure the image was slightly offset, stamped with Platinum shimmer paint applied directly to the rubber with a dauber.  Then came the Rich Razzleberry flowers, the Rich Razzleberry ribbon and tag, attached with linen thread.  Oh, and see the white part on the tag?  Shimmer White cardstock (YAY!).  It is lovely in real life.  For a final touch, we added bling in the form of diamontes.

I hadn't realised when I made my sample, that the shimmer paint was VERY messy to work with when you make this card in bulk.  Oops, sorry girls!

For a one layer card, this has a lot of texture and interest, built up with the layers of collage and the "ghosting" effect.  It is also a perfect example of how you can make non-Christmas stamps and non-traditional colours (step away from Green and Red sometimes!) really work for you in a Christmas Card.

I'll show you the second card we did, a little later.

The Twelve Weeks of Christmas

Christmas always sneaks up on me, despite being the same date every year! The last term at school, 6 weeks of family birthdays, end of year concerts, Christmas parties, etc all conspire against me and before I know it, the festive season is upon me.

So today some lovely ladies and I started making Christmas cards, so that at least that part is under control.

Here is the first card:

Stamps:  Contempo Christmas, Music Notes Wheel
Ink:  Early Espresso, Real Red, Old Olive
Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White
Other:  Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Sticky Strip, Ornament Punch, sponge

I'm fairly certain I CASEd this design from a clever person on Splitcoast, but I can't remember who.  I'll try to come back to edit with the relevant details so credit can go to the artist who deserves it!

Back with the edit!  I found my inspiration by swheet (her blog is called Inkwood Designs) but I changed the colours, ribbon and glitter.