Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Pine Challenge

My stamp group had a Pine challenge for our Christmas cards this month and since I had finished all my cards for September I could play along.

First I went with a new ornament I had bought.  I cut the ornament out and then wasn't sure what to put behind it, I had cut it out of silver and thought a blue would look nice behind but wanted to have yellow around the star area, so I found a background in my stash I had done earlier that had blues and yellows on it and it worked, I just cut around the ornament and then I went searching for paper, I found this one that I thought could look like wall paper.  I showed my hubby and he said oh that ornament clashes it needs to be gold, it will go with your paper better, so off I went and cut again in gold and he was right, so I just layered it on top of the silver I had there.  I also cut the bow again out of the yellow I had left from doing the ornament, although it is hard to see with the pine branches.


Impression Obsession - Pine branch die
DieVersion - Starry Nativity ornament die
Distress oxides for ornament background
Anna Griffin - Christmas paper, shaded with Antique linen distress ink

Second I tried a one layer card using watercolor card I had from a Spectrum noir purchase and this card is so thin that it warped terribly, so bad in face that I cut it off the card and tried to add it to a firmer card base and it still was curling, even with a full taping on the back.


I colored the trees using my Spectrum Aqua markers directly onto the stamp then spritzed with water and stamped them onto the card, then did a second stamping for the trees in the background.  The deer were cut from wood grain paper, I liked the texture it gave to them.  You can't see it but I added sparkle pen to the background in blue and some stickles on the trees.

Rubber Stampede - Pine Tree, colored directly to stamp with Aqua markers
Impression Obsession - Small deer die
Spectrum sparkle marker - moonstone for background
Stickles - diamond on trees

Lastly I went with my trusted Graphic 45 pad and used their image and papers and added a sentiment that I die cut twice. Stickles added to the candles on the trees and some gems to go with the sentiment.


Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium paper and image
Spellbinders - Holiday sentiments die cut twice
Stickles - Diamond on candles in tree
Ki - black gems

Pretty excited I managed 3 more cards, I can't remember how many that gives me know but I can say I am much farther along than I have been in any other year :)

Thanks again for stopping by,

Connie

12 comments:

Gina said...

Connie, love all your Christmas cards! I think my favorite is the one with the deer. The Nativity ornament is lovely in the blue and silver and the background stamp does look like wallpaper! Graphic 45 has some sweet paper! I have some in my stash!

Bev Polen - Guneaux Designs said...

Connie, these cards are gorgeous! I cannot pick a favorite as they all have something special about them. I love all of them! Great artwork, Connie!

Louca por porcelana said...

Wonderful cards!I love Christmas!Great job.Best wishes,Connie!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful three cards, love the tree one in particular with the deers.

Kim said...

How lovely all three cards are, Connie. Love the effect on the trees with the deer. It seems as if you will certainly be ahead of the Christmas rush with cards. No last minute ones for you. =)

Donna Phelan said...

Oh what a FUN (and helpful) Challenge this time of year! Great use of boughs, tree stamps and images!

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Connie! I love that you have three distinctively unique pine samples! That IO branch is one of my all time faves, and paired with that gorgeous ornament, it cold not be more beautiful. I especially like the blue symbolism of the Holy Family done in your Earth's-ocean-blue coloring - like the whole world can be summed up in the special event being showcased. Lovely!
Your serene pine setting with unique coloring, and the lovely, nostalgic Christmas setting are amazing! Thanks for today's inspiration, my sweet friend! xx

Leslie Miller said...

Hooray for being further along with your Christmas cards, Connie! You ran beautifully with this challenge. Three very different cards, but all with the pine theme. The blue and yellow background worked out beautifully for your ornament. Nice that you had that in your stash! I really love the watercolor trees. The deer look like they're watercolored right into the scene. I didn't realize at first they were die cuts. Sometimes I run my watercolor piece through the Big Shot to flatten it if it's warped or curled. Your Graphic 45 is beautifully vintage. I like the gems accenting the sentiment. Not much time left to finish the Christmas cards, but the closer we get, the more I feel like making Christmas cards, so it all works out. Have a good day!

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

I haven't even started my cards; I'm in such a funk and am barely keeping up with my DT work. Depression sucks!

On a happier note I do love these cards. My husband helps me out too. I think your gold ornament looks so pretty against the "wallpaper." I particularly like the Christmas bough you added. Such a perfect scene.

April said...

All of these are wonderful! Love them.

Janice said...

Fabulous pine Christmas cards, you really met this particular challenge! A great way to get going for Christmas.

Debbie said...

all three of these are so pretty connie, you did an awesome job on this challenge!! i'll bet it feels great to have a head start on your christmas cards!!!