2 Christmas cards

I'm quite a slow starter when it comes to Christmas cards - I think this is the first of them for this year!

I love the quarter-sheets at I Brake For Stamps because there are enough images and words that you can really mix them up for different looks, but you can literally dig in your couch, borrow a couple bucks from the cookie jar and pick one up - they are great stamping value! These two links will get you right to the pages so you don't have to search around:

Pinecone Heart: http://tinyurl.com/6ngkcw
Christmas Tree: http://tinyurl.com/6koedx

(click photos for more detail)

Card measures 4 1/2" x 6 3/4"

The main panel on this card uses the Ripped Marble technique from the Technique Junkies August 2005 newsletter. It's a super easy and effective technique for collage stamps especially, and the only hard part is making sure the three colors chosen go together. If you keep it monochromatic it's almost a sure thing ;o) I sponged the edges of the darker green with Distress Peeled Paint ink, and layered it onto black cs.

For the highlight on the calender page, I inked up just the 25, stamped it onto a cream cs scrap, then inked just the edges of the ball further below and using a stamp positioner, framed the 25 with it. I sponged on Peeled Paint around the edges and used a glue pen to tack it down as shown.

The background panel is just Water Color Distress from the TJ February 2007 newsletter, using the Peeled Paint ink.

*tip*

When doing the Water Color Distress technique, try different cardstocks, spray bottles and surfaces as they all add to the final look. The more tooth, and more absorbent your cs is the more definition you get in the ink spots. More water, a smooth mat surface and smoother semi-coated cs will yield a more solid watercolored look.

Card measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

This second card features the Water Color Distress on the main panel, and I used Distress Peeled Paint and Tea Dye. Be sure your first color is dry before you redo the technique to add the second color as Distress inks can muddy if they are mixed when water is added.

To get more definition on the heart panel after I had stamped it on the Water Color Distress panel using Staz-On Timber Brown, I stamped the heart on a piece of copy paper, cut out the center, laid it over my main panel, and used a stencil brush to add Peeled Paint around the edges. Then I colored the pinecone and needles in with Stampin' Up! markers, adding white gel pen to highlight the cone and stem, and also the Peace oval.

For the layering I stamped the sentiment on wide twill, using Peeled Paint, and then cut the ends randomly and frayed them. On the brown panel, I pierced the edges and connected the dots for Faux Stitching using a white gel pen. I inked the smaller coordinating heart with Versamark and stamped all over the brown panel, and then added antiqued copper brads to three corners.

The olive panel is edged with Peeled Paint and a sponge, after being run thru the Cuttlebug using the Leafy Branch folder. I was going to highlight the embossing with ink but decided I liked the subtle effect better.