Arched Christmas Cards

Hi again.  Today was a wonderfully creative day.  I felt so inspired to create.  Do you ever notice a card idea that one little part just sticks in your mind until you sit down and work with it?  In the last couple of weeks, two different ideas have been percolating.  One was the idea of using the green vellum with white dots from the retired Berry Botanical Vellum for a Christmas background - think snow falling in the forest.  The other idea was using the new Timeless Herringbone Embossing Folder inside an arched frame.  Hmmm...  So, I put those two ideas together and came up with a card idea for you that I just love.  Then I couldn't stop myself and changed up the color a little and made another.  Tell me which one you like better.

I love the look of this monochromatic card.  It's got so much going on that it just tickles my senses!

Start with a Basic White Thick cardstock base that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored and folded in half.  Then a layer of the Berry Botanical Vellum that's retired was added.  This layer measures 5 1/4" x 4".  I added adhesive only in the area that would eventually be covered by the arched layers, not on the outside edges.

Next the Everyday Arches Dies were used.  I used the 3rd and 5th largest dies to create this arch detail.  Hint - it helps to use either a Post-it Note or piece of washi tape to hold both of the dies in the proper position when die-cutting.  The arch was cut from Shaded Spruce cardstock.

The 3rd largest die was used to cut a piece of vellum.  After cutting, the vellum was embossed with the new Timeless Herringbone Embossing Folder.  Even though this is not a 3D folder, it makes a very nice, detailed impression.

Tombow Liquid Glue was added to the back of the green arch in a thin line.  Then the vellum layer was added and carefully squeezed together so it would stick well.

Next the stamped images from the Noel Tidings set were done.  Two different evergreen stamps were used.  On a piece of white cardstock, the long-needled branch was stamped with Shaded Spruce ink.  The other branch was stamped with Peaceful Pine ink.  These were both die-cut with the matching dies.

The sentiment is also from the Noel Tidings set.  It's stamped with Shaded Spruce ink.  Then it's fussy cut for the card.

Next was making the little ribbon loops for the design.  The two front ones used about 2 - 2 1/2" of Silver & White Sheer Ribbon.  The back one was about 3" of ribbon.  Put adhesive on one end and fold so the two ends are together.  This gives you a pretty loop to tuck into the pieces of greenery.  

Put a heavy adhesive on the back of the sentiment.  Then position the two front ribbon loops and attach.  Next add the two different greenery pieces.  And lastly add the larger loop in the back.  I needed to keep adding adhesive to the back in between the layers to hold everything in place.

I added two strips of Dimensionals along the back of the sentiment to hold everything in place and attached this to the card front.

The inside of the card was finished simply.  The sentiment was stamped in Shaded Spruce ink.  Then the long-needled evergreen branch was stamped along the top edge to let some of the needles to show.

To finish this card, several of the Sparkle Sequins in the silver tone were sprinkled throughout the design on the front.

And in the back on this picture, you can see another card with a few changes.

This is the second version of my design.  I wasn't sure if I'd like the added pop of Real Red in this design, but wow.  I love it!

All of the dimensions and layers on this card were made the same.  In fact, I liked the original card enough that I stamped, cut, embossed, etc. enough to make several more for some of my cards for Christmas.  This one just got a little "extra tweaking" before it was finished.

This time the sentiment was stamped with Real Red ink and fussy cut.  The layers of leaves and ribbon loops was handled the same.

To finish, a sprinkle of the Sparkle Sequins were used again, but this time I used the red.

So, tell me, which version do you like the best?  The silver or red?  I think they're both beautiful.  To me the silver one gives more of a frosty cold winter vibe.  The red one seems a more traditional Christmas look.  What are your thoughts??

Whichever one you prefer, I'm happy that you stopped by to see what's been happening around here.  I love when I feel inspired and get into my stamp room and come up with something that makes me really happy.  And then when I can share my ideas with you?  That's just the very best!

If you're looking for a demonstrator, I'd be happy to help you out with ordering ideas.  It's always fun to meet another stamping friend.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon 

Another Impressions Abloom Card

Hello friends!  I've got a lovely, bright card idea for you today.  I wanted to use the Beautiful Bokeh Designer Series Paper, so that was my starting point for the card.  For some reason the Impressions Abloom stamp set keeps handing around my worktable, so I thought it would be a good match for those gorgeous DSP bokeh prints.  And I had seen a card design by Tami Hewlett using the Everyday Arches die that really pulled all these ideas together.  Thank you, Tami, for inspiring me!

The mottled background on the arch is the basis of the flower colors I used, and they complement each other so nicely.   Like I said, the first step for this card was choosing which print to use.  This one is a blend of Calypso Coral and Fresh Freesia.  I used the Everyday Arches die to cut the DSP.  Next the choice for a card base was made for Basic White.  This let the other colors be the main focus.  

Instead of just placing this on the card front, a layer of Basic White was cut to measure 5 1/4" x 4".  This layer was embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder to give it lots of interest and texture.  This layer was attached to the card base with "green glue".  The DSP arch was then attached to this layer with the "green glue" also.

Now for the focal point of the card.  Using the Impressions Abloom stamp set, I started stamping the large flower using the detail stamp and full-strength Calypso Coral ink onto Basic White cardstock.  Since I was stamping anyway, I stamped a few extra for future projects.  Next, the solid stamp for this flower was inked with Calypso Coral ink, off-stamped, and then stamped over the detail image I had already stamped.  This is easy to line up because there is one petal that is longer than the rest.  I love the two-tone look on the flower from having the solid image stamp much lighter.

Next the daisy style flowers were stamped in the same fashion with the detail being full-strength and the solid background being off-stamped.  These were stamped with Fresh Freesia ink.  

The centers of the flowers were stamped a little different.  The solid stamps were inked with Lemon Lolly ink and stamped inside each flower.  Then the detail stamp was stamped over this using Crushed Curry ink.

The leaves were stamped with just the detail stamp.  For the best color choice, I checked the Color Coach for inspiration.  I made some of these Coastal Cabana to be light and fresh, and others were stamped with Lost Lagoon.  After all the pieces were stamped, they were die-cut with the coordinating dies.  When finished, there was a whole bouquet of flowers to play with.  I loved the combination of all these colors together and dove right in.

When arranging the placement of the flowers, I realized there needed to be a contrast between the background and flowers.  Two Basic White leafy stems were die-cut using the Textured Floral dies.  These were nice and airy and fit the design well.  

First the white stems were attached with adhesive.  Then the flowers were added with Dimensionals.  Lastly, the leaves were tucked in around the design using Mini Glue Dots.

The sentiment is from the Wonderful Thoughts stamp set.  It's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto the white strip about 5/8" wide.  This was trimmed and tucked in among the design.

For the final touch, three of the Iridescent Foil Gems were added for a little sparkle.

I don't know about you, but I'm just thrilled with the way this card idea turned out.  It's so vibrant and fresh looking to me.  It's a little out of my comfort zone, because you know I love pastels.  But I'm very happy with it.  If you want to give this one a try, the design wasn't hard to make at all.  If these aren't your favorite colors, go through the Beautiful Bokeh DSP prints and find one to inspire you.  I'd love to hear what you make with this design as a starting place.   There are so many possibilities to try.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon