Wednesday 1 February 2012

Less is more, banner and bling ...

..... I've managed to play in my craft room today - yea!!  And I've made a card for three challenges - I think this is the only way I'm going to be able to keep playing in my favourite challenges!!  And the challenges for this card are:

  • Less Is More - LIM52 - a sketch from Chrissie and Mandi, but with a few instructions - (a) the card must be landscape, (b) it must be rectangular and (c) the band must remain in the vertical position
  • Jingle Belles - JB12-03 - a banner holiday, where we must use the blog's banner as inspiration for our card
  • 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - 52CCT-5 - the theme for this week is to use embellishments, specifically rhinestones!!




I really like this sketch from Chrissie and Mandi - so many possibilities, and will go into my notebook for use again.  I took my colour inspiration from the Jingle Belles banner - bright red, soft grey, soft green and some shimmer too - perfect Christmas colours, and it was easy to add some bling!  I masked off the vertical band and sponged on distress ink, then I flicked on water to give a subtle impression of falling snow.  While masked I stamped the holly leaves in the same colour.  To define the edges of the band, and to echo the grey and shimmer in the Jingle Belles banner, I added holographic silver border peel offs.  I stamped the Christmas tree in London Fog and coloured the image with Promarkers, cut it out and attached it to the card with dimensional tape.  I added lots of red gems to the tree.  I finished off with a simple sentiment stamped in bright red with a tiny gem on the dot of the i!


Stamps:  Chocolate Baroque - Christmas Flourish; Waltzingmouse - Nutcracker Sweet
Inks:  Distress - Evergreen Bough; Stampin' Up! - Poppy Parade; Memento - London Fog
Promarkers:  Green, Mint Green, Terracotta, Cinnamon
Accessories:  Silver holographic peel offs; Red gems and card from stash

I had a really busy day yesterday.  Now that things are progressing with going to the States, I spent most of the day compiling a list of what we're taking and doing a valuation for insurance purposes.  Scary!!  I  had a phone call from my Aunt - her friend has asked me to make a 21st birthday card.  I got a few details, emailed a couple of sketches, and will be making that card later today.

I had a lovely time in town this morning - did a bit of shopping at the local market and enjoyed the bright winter sunshine.  It might be cold, but it's so beautiful.  That's all for now - must get back to my craft room and get started on the 21st card!  See you soon.

33 comments:

Sasha said...

Super layout Deborah. Such a great take on the challenge and I love your background stamping and tree:)

Kim S said...

Beautifully done. The background to that subtly blinded tree is perfect!

Tara Cardwell said...

Gorgeous - loving the tealy greens, but then I would wouldn't I ;-) The tree is terrific!
Tara x

Mandi said...

Lovely Christmassy card Deborah. this sketch is so popular and it is sworkign for so many styles
Thank you very much
mandi
"Less is More

G Peplow said...

Well done incorporating the three challenges and you have another fab card for Christmas, you star! xxx

Stamps and Paper said...

Lovely Christmas card love the backing and the gems on your tree

Anne

Loli said...

Hola Deb fantastic design for a christmas card, beautiful stamping and the red gems is a perfect touch of color, well done Deb.
A warm hug from Palma

Jeanne J. said...

Deborah, Looks great! I love the bling on the tree and best of all that red sentiment on the white cardstock - makes it really stand out - so clean looking!

Chrissie said...

This works SO well!
Great stamping and a really fabby card.
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Scrapmate said...

Wow getting organised for Christmas 2012. Great card!

Pauline said...

This is fab Deborah, love the WMS tree, a lovely Christmas card.

pinky said...

Stunning card Deborah, love the little bit of bling on the tree and its a great take on the sketch.
Pinky

Holly Young said...

This is such a pretty idea! simple, yet so elegant!

thanks for stopping by my blog because now I found YOURS!

Paula (PEP) said...

Lovely touch with the gem dotting the 'i' & I love your use of the holly flourish on the inked panel.
All the best with the US prep.
Paula (PEP)

Sally H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sally H said...

Gorgeous card Deborah! Fab inky panel in my favourite colour too! sorry about the last one. Can't spell for toffee today!

Jenny said...

Very festive Deb, love how you positioned the tree off the panel and the grey stamping makes such a difference.... black isn't always the best is it :0)
Jenny x

Karen Petitt said...

Well done in incorporating three challenges - that is something I need to try and do in future! Really pretty festive card - especialloy love that stamped panel hugs Karen x

A Consuming Passion said...

Perfect Deborah!

Mynn xx said...

Oh, Deborah, this is PERFECT for our rhinestone challenge!!! I LOVE the line of them down the tree--it's amazing! :) And using a teeny tiny rhinestone to dot your "i" was the perfect finishing touch! Thanks for joining us again at 52CCT! :)

Jackie said...

Beautiful LiM card, and I love the colours :o)
Jackie xx

Helen T said...

What a great card, it looks fab :-)

Mona Pendleton said...

Darling card Deb! The WM tree with the rhinestones looks wonderful!

Fiona said...

Great card - the inked panel looks great! Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. x

SmilynStef said...

Love the vertical gems ... it really draws the eye into your card design ... so very glad you joined us at jingle belles for our banner design celebration.

Jacqueline said...

I love this card soooo much - perfect for our challenge at 52CCT - thanks for joining in - Jacqueline xx

lauren bergold said...

holy ♥WOW♥ i was pretty much smitten with this just based on LOOKS from the moment i saw it... reading your post i realize the vertical band is not pre-made ribbon or designer paper but stamped, inked and HAND-GLITTERED!!! just the skill-level of that is enough to blow my mind, especially since there is not a stray smudge or mark *ANYWHERE* to be seen on your gorgeous bright solid white background! MOST impressive!!! ♥♥♥

Viv said...

Just perfect Deborah :) Viv xx

Susan said...

I can't believe you're already getting some of your Christmas cards made! Yay for you!! Very pretty...and just the right touch of bling!

Lynne said...

Brilliant Deborah. Love the stamped panel.
Lynne xxx

Vicky Hayes said...

A brilliant use of the sketch Deborah! I love the stamped panel and the Christmas tree is the perfect addition.

Jen W. said...

Love that tree image and the gem on the I. :)

Marie Bingaman said...

This is really cute, Deborah. I like that little tree! :)

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