After an enforced break from stamping, I have salvaged a bit of time for it in the last few weeks. I was determined to make a card for 52CCT this week. I've looked at the challenge every week but failed to produce a card. My pile of Christmas cards is very small, I know I have plenty of time but it is so much better to make them in a relaxed manner rather than blind panic.
This week really was a challenge.
I don't
usually make shaped cards, I played around with a few designs in my
early card making days but now I play safe and always make square or
rectangular and they are much easier!
Judging by the lack of cards entered as I write this, everyone has found this hard. My first attempts are in the bin but here is my offering and actually, I really like it.
I've still played safe and used a circle but with the amount of time I've wasted I could have done something very elaborate. It is quite small - 11cm.
It evolved as I went along. I was going for red and green and then decided gold embossing would be fun. It also makes it rather different from the wreaths I made last year, and I can't remember who I sent them to!
Cutting the circle base card was hard. I used a circle cutting tool, as I don't have a die for that. I had to press quite hard to get through two layers but keep it still or an oval is produced and not a regular one either. I made a couple of spirals too. I think it is fair to say I wasted more card that usual.
I used Card-io majestix stamps, meadow ink pad, gold embossing powder and black Stickles. Then I cut a little slip off the bottom so the card stands instead of rolling. Though I quite like the idea of a rolling card - maybe for a child.
I'm also nipping into the Snippet's Playground. I used a snippet of green for mounting and green thread for the knotty bit at the top. I've also created many more snippets, does that count? I think I'll need to make a patchwork card to use them up.
The challenge at Less is More this week is a sketch:
Here is my card:
This is another card which went to plan.
I cut the base card, drew a curve using the handle of a rotary cutter which came to hand. I cut the curve and then cut another piece of card to lay under it.
I sponged and stamped using Meadow and a Card-io leaf stamp. I fiddled slightly curving the sentiment and deciding where to place it. I attached the green panel with foam pads and tape and then ... stopped!
I'd considered adding some twine or thread around the top but really, I hope you agree, it doesn't need anything else.
I was also inspired with a design for a Christmas card along similar lines so I'll try that before I forget.
Sadly, I've just heard about a friend who is in a bad way so I think this will be in the post very soon.
A quick late entry to Less is More.
This week the theme is Congratulations.
This card feels like a bit of a cheat as it was really quick, went as planned and didn't involve much fiddling. After a little pre-stamping with different colours (it was going to be yellows), I chose Cranberry and Mountain Rose and went for it.
However, I couldn't resist a little glitter so added some stickles to the flowers.
I haven't made many cards recently so it is good to have one like this in stock which could cover many occasions.
Hopefully I'll make a few more soon.
The flowers are Hobby Art. I've never managed to make a card I was happy with using them before. The sentiment is Paper Smooches.
x
I'm not getting on very well with my Christmas cards for one reason or another. So I bought a new stamp set - that always gives a bit of inspiration.
Then I noticed that they have a colour challenge at Merry Monday so here is my offering:
I've failed to get a good picture in daylight or by lamplight. The mist has now descended outside (yes it is August) and it reminds me of Brigadoon. 'What??' say my family. They are way too young. Anyway the light is not good.
The background colour here is apple green. It's a Woodware stamp, which many people will be familiar with - embossed in light green and then coloured in light and dark green and red. Finished off with glossy accents on some of the circles.
I tried to make a smaller card. I have some 13x13 envelopes so I thought it would be good to make cards to fit. But I really couldn't get it to work. I seem to need those two centimetres. I suppose something very simple would work, I'll have another go.
Expect to see much more of this stamp set over the next months.
I'm also popping into Pixie's Snippets Playground although I may not find my way if it's misty there too. Really it looks like November outside!
I've used snippets of card, ribbon and silver thread.
