Sunday, December 10, 2017

The Creation Process for My 2017 Christmas Cards

~First is the Old-World Santa - Rudolph Card~

This is honestly how it all began….
In December 2016, I decided on an Old-World theme for my 2017 Christmas cards!  I found an internet image of an Old-World Santa with very kind eyes that I absolutely loved!  
Michael’s had their Christmas items on clearance and I hoped to find something rustic & 'natural' for my cards.  Then, I couldn’t believe my eyes!  Recollections wood tags!!!!!!!!!!  OMG!  I bought every pack they had left (reg $4 – for only 80 cents each)! 


   
After a very successful Christmas clearance shopping spree, the online search for Christmas paper began.  "Naturally" the colors should include reds, greens, browns & perhaps gold.  All of that changed when I viewed Maja Design's Vintage Frost collection
 with an absolutely gorgeous color palette!!! 
Even more convincing was the page "14th of December"!!  
I actually counted the number of Santas on the page and was able to determine the approximate size of each based on the number of them on this 12x12 paper!  
I knew that they would fit wonderfully on the little wood rounds!!  
So, out with the internet Santa image and in with these beautiful Maja Design Santas!!

Unbelievable how perfect this worked out!  
Hummmmm…this was meant to be for sure!
Look at all of the Santas!

There are two Santas on this page and I chose the one with the plum & ivory suit. 
With these colors, the definitive color palette of plum & cadet-blue was set! 
I punched out each Santa with a 1-1/2” circle punch & inked the edges in Raisin color.


Then I adhered them to the wood pieces with Beacon 3-in-1 glue.


Rustic natural jute double bows were hand tied;
then hot glued to the Santa wood rounds.


Cheery Lynn's Wreath Strip die cuts were perfectly sized to place behind the 
Santa wood rounds to look like the Christmas tree he is carrying!

A reindeer just had to be part of this design to add to the imagination.
I bought the adorable 1” sized Dusty Attic Mini Reindeer! 
I simply inked them in Chestnut color.
I couldn’t resist adding a touch of Christmas Red Stickles to the nose tip of each : ) 
After all, Rudolph DOES guide Santa's sleigh!


Also in my never ending search for just the right embellishments, 
I ‘studied’ poinsettia dies online. 

**NOTE: Some poinsettia dies on the market have leaves shaped like holly leaves and NOT like a poinsettia, so be careful in your selection.** 

I settled on Impression Obsession Small Poinsettia dies 
because they were the correct leaf shape and also the perfect size for my cards! 

These wonderful sharp dies are made in the USA.
Maja Design papers are very thick and these little dies cut them very easily!

The beautiful plum colored page named “3rd of December” was used for the poinsettias.  
The largest and smallest die cuts are plum. 
The middle die is cut from the backside of the same page for coordinating contrast.

Each card contains 3 poinsettias so that means 9 die cuts per card.
Using a craft nib & Dark Brown chalk ink, 
I outlined the edges of 144 die cuts for my 16 cards!

Here is the difference edge inking can make –
Inking gives outline & wonderful dimension. 

After pinching each leaf in half, lightly misting with water 
and then heat setting with a heating tool, 
each die cut then retained its shape.  
Each layer is glued to the next, alternating the leaves. 


In the center of the top layer which is the smallest die cut, 
small (4MM) brown beads are hot glued in place. 
Yes you did the math correctly….144 beads needed to complete my 16 cards.



Using the bottom strip 
(you know the brand & page name strip at the bottom of scrapbook pages?) 
from the page named “16th of December”, 
I was able to make a nice holiday sentiment!
These are edge inked in Dark Brown chalk ink 
and then given dimension with foam tape underneath.

The ivory color of the “19th of December” page was perfect to use for the main card.
I inked the edges in Raisin color.

When folded, the light plum colored design on Side B makes a pretty inside for the card. 
"Merry Christmas” is computer printed in a dark plum color using the Old English font.  
My cards are 5” x 6-3/4” & fit perfectly in 5-1/4” x 7-1/4” greeting card envelopes.

A short back track for a moment - 
I cut & distressed papers for the layered pieces on the front of the cards.
The first layer is 4-1/2” x 6” and the top layer is 4” x 5-1/2”.  
The colors & printed designs in this collection are fabulous!

The top layer is splattered with white gesso to mimic snow.
A fan brush produced tiny spots, like very light snow.
Isn’t the printed design in this paper so stunning?!

Here’s the completed Christmas card I created.


~This is the Santa Snowflake Card ~

Next, I began making simpler cards using the same gorgeous 
Vintage Frost collection by Maja Design.
I used one 12x12 scrapbook page to make TWO cards, 
so these are a little bit smaller than the other ones.

I used a pretty Spellbinders D-lite die Medallion Seven that reminds me of a snowflake.


Using the leftover paper pieces from the Santa-Rudolph card (backside of page named 19th of December) 
I cut a 3.5" x 3.5" square; distressed the edges; inked with Raisin pigment ink and 
die cut the snowflake in the center before adhering it to the main card.
A circle punched Santa is placed in the center using foam tape for a little dimension.

Inside the card is a cut out sentiment 
from the bottom strip of the page named 16th of December.
It's edge inked in Raisin color.


Thanks so very much for visiting!  
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lisa : )


Products used:

Santa - Rudolph cards:

Maja Design – Vintage Frost collection
 -      19th of December (main card)

-      13th of December (Distressed Layer 1)

-       4th of December backside (Distressed Layer 2)

-      14th of December (Santa punched circles)

-      3rd of December (for poinsettias)

-      16th of December (backside btm strip holiday sentiment)


The Dusty Attic – mini Reindeer

Sizzix – Big Shot & Magnetic Platform




Paper Studios (Hobby Lobby) - 1.5" Circle Punch

Impression Obsession dies – Small Poinsettia

Cheery Lynn Designs – Wreath Strip

Blue Fern Studios – Timeless – Maçonnerie (backside) for the greenery 

ColorBox Chalk Inks – Nightfall Petal Point Set
Dark Brown & Chestnut Roan


ColorBox Limited Edition Pigment Ink – Raisin


Tim Holtz – paper distresser


Martha Stewart - Glue Gun

Ranger – Stickles – Christmas Red

Ranger - Craft Nibs & Nib Holder


Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue

Michael’s - Christmas wood tags, gesso, fan brush, natural jute string, brown beads, foam tape 




Santa Snowflake cards:

Maja Design – Vintage Frost collection

 -      17th of December (backside for main card)

 -      14th of December (Santa punched circles & backside btm strip holiday sentiment)

 -      19th of December (backside for square pc. on front of card)

Tim Holtz – paper distresser


Spellbinders - D-Lites Die - Medallion Seven

Paper Studios (Hobby Lobby) - 1.5" Circle Punch

ColorBox Limited Edition Pigment Ink – Raisin

Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue

Thursday, December 7, 2017

My Top Faves for 2017

Can you believe that yet another year has almost passed?!

Time for my personal picks of favorite creations this year!
A lucky baker's dozen ended up being the magic number. 
I liked everything I created this year, but
I loved each of these the most for different reasons.
Here they are in alphabetical order........


1976 Stylish -

I love this fabulous photo of my beautiful Mom!
This layout was really enjoyable to create - 
Color experimenting on the chipboard pieces, spraying the background to give shading, 
layering tags & cut outs and making flower arrangements.
The hummingbirds added a very special touch since Mom favored these little birds.
I couldn't wait to use them after I received them from my sweet friend, Mary!

A daughter is a gift from Heaven - 
I don't do splatters often so I love how this one turned out! 
Purple is my favorite color and 2nd is blue.
Mostly though, the photo captures my heart and reminds me of how lucky I am.


Beautiful - 
I absolutely love the simplicity of this one!
I love the feminine feel and especially how my beautiful daughter rocks those jeans!


Best Friends - 
I love my bestfriend, Carmel.
I'm so happy that I created two virtually identical layouts so we both could have one.


Jane Belaire - 
I adore this 'sassy' photo of my gorgeous mother at age 17.
Her hair is fabulous!!
I love the gorgeous chipboard and the flower arrangements, as well as the photo strip!
Of course I love the purples....did you think I'd not mention that? ha!


Lucy's Beloved String - 
Need I write one word?  This is just so self explanatory!  
Lucy is a stealer of hearts!  ðŸ’—💜💚💙💗


M is for Marvelous!! - 
This is the first time that I've used various layered die cuts as the design and I just love how it turned out!
The vibrant colors with Brianne's fabulous photo really make the whole layout look amazing!


Mardi Gras Paisley - 
Here I am again loving all of the purple tones!!
I love this one not only for the colors, but that fabulous paisley chipboard! WOW!
BTW, Paisley is a favorite shape of mine.
I love all of the flowers, including the ones printed on the paper, but what makes it extra special are those luscious deep purple beauties handmade by my special friend Carrie!


Pop & Grandma's House - 
This one appeals to me because I've never made a layout like this before....
Meaning that I didn't use a photo as the focal point. 
Also, I don't journal, but I did on this one!
A document of my wonderful childhood memories visiting my Grandparents.


Pretty as a Picture - 
I love, love, love this photo of my Mom. 
This gorgeous paper blows me away too!


Tranquil - 
The teal color with the oranges & yellows are so beautiful together.
My daughter's photo is so serene and breathtaking!
Angling the chipboard to be parallel with Brianne's back was the right thing to do.
I'm really excited how the wood grain stencil looks like water!


The Gali Girl - 
Miss Gali is an exceptionally gorgeous Birman girl.
I LOVE this photo of her!
I'm so pleased with the daintiness of this layout because The Gali Girl is so dainty.
I just love the combination of flowers & especially those adorable spiral stamens.
I'm so very happy how the inking of the brick chipboard turned out too!


Unconditional Love - 
Last, but not least by any means is my precious Pepper.
I love the purples in this layout, especially the plums.
Pepper has brought a huge piece of my heart with her to The Rainbow Bridge and I know that we will meet again.  I also know that she is very happy & healthy and enjoying being with her Pop & Mom once again....
and this brings comfort to my heart.


Thank you so much for taking time to view my personal faves for 2017. 
I wish you all a very healthy, happy & prosperous 2018!
Lisa : )

Monday, December 4, 2017

The Gali Girl

Time for me to show off the gorgeous Miss Gali!

I was so lucky to be able to capture this gorgeous photo of her in late August.
She's on the fireplace hearth with the 'snacky bowl'.

The layout page is from the Blue Fern Studios Happy Accident collection.
I really liked the touches of blue and tea stained splotches in the paper.
I used Tim Holtz's stencil Splatters with a perfect color match of Distress Ink Tea Dye 
to make additional splotches on the page. 


(just a tidbit of info for those that might be a little curious....the doors of the fireplace insert remain open at all times due to one 'LUCY THE BAD' who absolutely demands and insists that it be this way!  LOL!  Otherwise, she will proceed to scratch the glass in a very annoying rhythmic motion! LOL!)

A piece from The Dusty Attic chipboard Brick Walls was used to mimic bricks inside the fireplace. 

I used a dauber to color the grout in Distress Ink Black Soot,
while Distress Ink Pumice Stone was paint brushed on the bricks.
Inking was done directly to the bare chipboard.

The photo is adhered to a piece of cardboard for dimension.
The distressed paper under it is adhered to cardboard as well, 
so that the whole piece sits higher than the chipboard brick wall.

I placed the custom cut chipboard title below the photo.
(You can order custom cut high quality chipboard words at Want2Scrap).
The Dusty Attic's Upper & Lowercase ABCs (word 'The') are lightly inked in Creamy Brown.
'Gali Girl' is inked in Dark Brown.
Great match with Miss Gali's beautiful hair colors.

I finished with some dainty flower arrangements on each side of the photo.
The arrangement to the right of the photo is larger to help balance the look of the layout.
Tattered Lace dies were used for the leafy die cuts.

Here are some flower close ups.



I just LOVE these spiral stamens from Wild Orchid Crafts!



It's so difficult to get good photos of Miss Gali
 so I'm definitely framing this layout!

Thank you very much for your visit and please come again!
Have a wonderful week,
Lisa : )


Products used:

Blue Fern Studios - Happy Accident collection
"Blessing" page - backside for main layout

Blue Fern Studios - Sanctuary collection
"Birdsong Melody" - backside for Fern Die cuts

Maja Design - Denim & Friends collection
"Stonewashed" - for under photo

K&Company - Susan Winget collection (for green leaf die cuts)

Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Stencil
"Splatters"

The Dusty Attic Chipboard
UPPER ABCs

Lower ABCs

Brick Wall Panel


Tattered Lace Dies
Ferns

Ornate Leaves


Want2Scrap - custom cut chipboard words "Gali Girl" (Title)

Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Inks




ColorBox - Fluid Chalk Inks
Creamy Brown & Dark Brown
"Nightfall" Petal Point set

Prima Roses - Melbourne
Harbour

Petaloo - The Penny Lane collection
Antique Peach Mixed Blossoms

Antique Peach Mini Petites


Wild Orchid Crafts 
Baby Blue Spiral Stamens

Sizzix
Big Shot machine

Magnetic Platform


Adhesives
Beacon 3-in-1
(for flowers, die cuts & brick chipboard)

Tombow Mono Liquid Glue
(for Title)