Sunday 26 January 2014

Matching Christmas Cards

Been busy this week making 12 cards to go with the MDF bag i made last week.

P1050816crop

It was a lengthy process as there were many layers to create, images to be stamped and hand cut and white card to be kept clean.

Tried to create an Aurora Australis for my non-traditional Christmas theme colours. This is part of the Challenge requirements over at Christmas Fun Challenge.

Took white card from stash, cut into A6 sized pieces and used Pan Pastels to create the background (Turquoise Shade, Pthalo Blue,Ultramarine and Violet) added Dylusions Spray ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Martini’ to get the deep colours of the Aurora onto the card.

P1050845

I enjoyed adding the Dylusions Spray to the sky, used three different baby wipes (per colour) to get the desired look.

Dropped a tiny amount of the ink onto a plastic lid and dipped baby wipe 1 into it. Smooshed the colour onto the sky, dried with a heat gun. Took baby wipe 2 and removed some of the colour and smooshed again then dried. Took baby wipe number 3 and wiped the colour towards the top of the card. By moving the colour upwards in a wavy line it looks a tad like the ribbons within the Aurora.

Repeated this with the lovely Martini Dylusions Spray colour, this time i added the tiniest amount as i didn’t want it to be too strong, just a hint is enough.

The sand is also Pan Pastels this time the Ochre shades and Burnt Umber, left the area under the sky lighter to try and create some depth.

P1050841

Wanted the sand to sparkle a tad, mixed some Rich Gold Pan Pastel with warm water, mixed it thoroughly and then sprayed onto the card.

P1050843

A macro image shows the lustre of the Rich gold and how subtle it looks.

P1050832

P1050833

Next it was the fiddly jobs, cutting out the stars and colouring the Stampotique characters of, Twinkie, Daniel’s Tree Topper, Teddy and Tinglyitchiness.

Used Andy Skinners Hippy Chick stencil for the stars, Fresco Paints to colour the characters and the stars.

Used Black Archival ink for all the stamping.

P1050836

Coloured them on the reverse of tissue paper (normal household tissues). When dry they are easier to work with.

P1050834

Stamped O Tree from Stampotique onto old book paper and ripped the shape by hand so as to get a non straight edge. This helps the edges disappear when you add the adhesive.

P1050837 

Here are the individual elements ready to be assembled. The sentiments are from Dyan Reaveley’s Christmas Plate.

P1050846

Like to stamp the reverse of the cards, this year i have chosen this sentiment which was a freebie from Craft Stamper Magazine.

P1050847

P1050849

P1050850

P1050851

Made inners that match but used 2nd generation images as wanted a watermark effect.

P1050859

Stamped Characters onto metallic envelopes to match the cards.

P1050855

P1050856

P1050857

P1050865

Finally the completed cards.

P1050864

Protected in bubble wrap they are being put away and given as an Christmas present.

Thanks you for sticking with the post, it feels like it is one of the longest i have written.

Apologies for some of the images, they were taken during the night.

Would love to read your comments if you have the energy to leave some, thanks for dropping by.

xxx

19 comments:

  1. I think that they are deliciously funky . Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow Lovely this present is truly fab. the amount work was has really paid off as you have a wonderful treat for the lucky person who receives this. Well done xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic project, love the end result.

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW your end product is fantastic and was well worth all your patience - great makes, love the cards

    Sam xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous works of art! Lots of love put in every one. Xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brill work, love all you have done, I especially love the sentiment "to the outside we are a normal family" it did make me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are amazing, and with so much attention to detail.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Terrific results, love them all, hugs Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  9. A wonderful gift. The cards are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brilliant - love the bag to start with, and the co-ordinating cards are so cool!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! These are simply fabulous! Such a wonderful gift! Someone's going to be chuffed to bits with this!
    Alison xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. A fabulous collection of quirky cards that really grab your attention, love the creativity and ideas you had for these.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a wonderful collection, fun, creative and beautiful, a winning combination for sure! Love the idea of giving them away as a gift, - someone is going to be very happy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fabulous gift someone is going to be lucky to receive. Really quirky and unique cards that are bound to raise smiles on the faces of any recipients...... I love the Stampotique characters! You put an awful lot of work and dedication into this very special gift.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow these are wonderful, I love how you've decorated the envelopes too. Well done you with all that cutting out! xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are awesome!!! love them! Fabulous Cards! love it! Thanks for joining us at Christmas Just For Fun! Mo x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the cards. Thanks for joining us this fortnight over at Christmas Fun Blog xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fabulous cards to go with your bag am sure it wqill be greatly received
    Thanks for joining us this fortnight over at Christmas Fun challenge blog.
    Good Luck with the challenge and pop back on 1st for the next challenge
    Hugs
    Marie (DT for Christmas Fun)
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. xmas already? wow doesn't time fly hahaha these cards are seriously awesome and whoever gets them will LOVE them.

    ReplyDelete