Tuesday 13 December 2011

Snowflakes are falling .....

... not literally of course!  Although, it did look like sleet a while ago.  No, these snowflakes are on my cards.  I've made two more Christmas cards for this year's collection and they are for two challenges; Less is More - LIM45 where we must make a one layer card with the theme Let it snow, and CAS-ual Fridays - CFC31 where the DT would like us to use a misting technique.


My first card is for both challenges.  I started off with a square card with a soft pearly finish.  I used a bit of scrap from my favourite Spellbinder set - Fleur de Lis Squares - and attached that to my card.  I used Faded Jeans to colour the inside of the shape, using a stipple technique.  To give the impression of snow I lightly sprayed the ink and added a few larger drops to the card, allowed the ink to react and then dried off the water.  It looks super - like a snow blizzard!  Next, using the same ink, I stamped snowflakes across the top corner of the card and finally added a simple sentiment in the opposite corner.


Stamps:  Stampin' Up - Serene Snowflakes; Waltzingmouse - Nordic Christmas
Inks:  Distress - Faded Jeans
Spellbinders:  Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) - negative of largest square
Accessories:  Card from stash

The second card is only for the Less is More challenge.  This time I stared with a dark blue pearl card base and used the scrap waste from a scalloped circle.  I coloured the inside of the circle with pearlescent ice-blue ink and then stamped snowflakes around the edge.  Once I'd removed the stencil, I realised that I couldn't actually see the snowflakes.  So I stamped more in Versamark and heat set with clear embossing powder.  Finally I added the sentiment and embossed with silver detail powder.  It's not turned out quite as I'd planned, as the snowflakes are incredibly subtle!!!  Yes, that does mean you really have to look for them!  Still it's quite pretty, but I think I should have embossed the snowflakes in silver!  Oh yes, it's also been really difficult to get a decent photo!


Stamps:  Docrafts - Christmas Greetings; Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes
Inks:  Brilliance - Pearlescent Ice Blue; Versamark
Accessories: Clear and detail silver embossing powder

I think you can see the snowflakes better in the picture above, but you can really see the fabulous shimmer on the card base in the picture below!!  Sometimes ideas are better in your head than on the finished version!


It's been a busy few days, I haven't posted anything since last Friday!  I did get to the shops on Saturday to get some new ink cartridges for the printer.  I put them in, sadly it didn't fix the problem with the lack of reds.  So now I have a printer that works but only in black, yellow, green and blue! 

As you know we are hoping to move next year to the US.  As part of the move, I need to prepare an inventory of our household bits and pieces - both for insurance purposes and also for customs.  I started in my craft room.  I started by listing all my inks and punches, and making some reference sheets too.  Working out the replacement costs for just these two groups was very scary!  You know, you only buy a few bits a week, but it mounts up so quickly!!  Anyway, I'm getting on with it reasonably well - just dies, embossing folders, papers, gems, etc to do!!!  Then I have to catalogue all of our CDs and DVDs - that could take a while.

And today I finally made a start on my Christmas shopping.  I'm not normally this late, but going away at the end of December has completely thrown my organisation.  It was a successful shopping trip and this afternoon I'm starting to write my Christmas cards.  Despite making Christmas cards all year, I still don't have enough ready, so I'm going to pick one of my designs (probably a one layer, CAS design) and make lots!!!

That's all for now.  See you tomorrow.

20 comments:

Pauline said...

Two fab cards Deboerah, such a lot of sparkle and shimmer! Good luck with the inventory, I shudder to think what the total will be when you get round to your dies and stamps!

Stamps and Paper said...

Tow great cards Deborah...dont envy you task of your inventory...it would take me months to do my craft room..lOl..lOl.. but how exciting moving to the US..

Anne

G Peplow said...

Hi Deborah, Gorgeous cards so pretty:0) I would have a lot of trouble keeping focused on an inventory, I'd keep wandering off and using lots of diversionary tactics, LOL Hope you manage to get it done quickly :0) Gay xxx

Jeanne J. said...

Deborah - beautiful snowy confections! I love the technique you used - and the icy shimmer from the embossing!

Suze Bain said...

Beautiful snowflakes and great shimmer! Two super cards. xx

Victoria said...

I never think to use my Spellbinders as templates - thanks for the inspiration! Lovely inking. Wish I could ink as neatly as that!! Great cards.

Virginia L. said...

Beautiful misting, Deborah!So glad that you played with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Vicky Hayes said...

These are both gorgeous cards Deborah - I especially like the first with that misting technique. I think we're all in the same boat with lots to do and Christmas round the corner! My commenting is a little erratic this week to say the least!

Donna Mosley said...

Gorgeous cards Deborah, love how you've used the dies as templates and the gorgeous snowflakes.

Donna x

Stella said...

Snowflakes at their best; and paired up with of bit of blue is right up my alleye. Gorgeous Deborah!
Hugs,
Stella
X

Anonymous said...

Love the look you achieved with the misting, you have created such depth!! Fabulous card!

Paula (PEP) said...

Oh my - I don't envy you listing all your stash let alone costing it. I do like seeing your inventive resourcefulness with LIM. So utterly different from me. Hope you get all you need to done.
Hail fell here this evening - thankfully just after we got back from a day in Cardiff.
It looked pretty - like snow but has melted.
Paula (PEP)

Mynn xx said...

Oh, both are simply fabulous! But I REALLY love that first one--it's just gorgeous! :)

Laura Davis said...

Beautiful work!
Thanks for playing at CAS-ual Fridays!
Laura

Chrissie said...

Two fab cards Deborah but I must say that the first one is my personal fave. I love the effect of the droplets of water on the DI. It's a great card.
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Jackie said...

Two beautiful cards Deborah. I love them both buit the top one is my favourite :o)
Jackie xx

Mandi said...

Fabulous cards Deborah
Love the first
Many thanks
manid LIM

Lynne said...

Two fabulous cards Deborah. I especially love the first one.
Lynne xxx

Aileen said...

lovely shimmery cards. I love the way you got the crinkly edge on the first one. x

Kathyk said...

Both lovely cards - I couldn't choose which is my fave!

Kathyk

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