Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! I’m back with the second card for the Hero Arts Holiday Cardmaking Challenge. It’s so exciting to see visitors viewing my blog from Hero Arts, Simon Says Stamp, and Pinterest. Thanks to everyone who’s been stopping by. I hope it’s worth your time.

This card was a lot of fun to create, because I love playing with layer upon layer of stamped ink. I began with a Core’dinations Kraft card and used Memento London Fog to stamp the Tim Holtz Stamper’s Anonymous Holiday Decorations background stamp. Next I used Vintage Photo (a tried and true favorite) to distress the edges of the card. For the layered Christmas trees from Hero Arts, I used Evergreen Bough, Mowed Lawn, and Peeled Paint Distress Inks. I tried several combinations to get a true, natural pine tree look. It’s difficult to see the depth of colors in the picture, but it came out very pretty.

I am thrilled with the Stamp and Cut sets from Hero Arts I purchased. The dies cut cleanly and add tons of dimensional interest. (I’m beginning to think that you can’t have enough dies, and am buying the matching set to any stamps now.) I used Aged Mahogany Distress Ink to heavily ink a kraft sheet and create a custom red/burgundy cardstock to die cut the “Merry”. I cut another “Merry” from the original color kraft paper and shadowed the two together. Looking at the pictures now, I wish that I would have outlined the die cuts using matching Copic markers. I’ve been doing this when I use craft foam, but didn’t think about it for these. I learned this trick from Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire who both outline fussy cut or die cut images with black, and now I’ve begun using matching Copic colors for solid die cuts too. It finishes the cut and makes it look polished. Finally, I stamped the smaller sentiments using the Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.

My favorite touch is the snowflake pattern I stamped with VersaMark and covered with Gold Perfect Pearls. It is subtle but adds a shimmery patina to complete the soft vintage feel of this card.

So, what do think? My husband says this is one of his favorite cards I’ve created. (He likes the crackle paint Joy card too!) Isn’t he a great hubby? Always supportive.

I think the cards posted so far in the challenge are amazing. I am inspired by the variety of techniques and ideas I’ve seen, and I can’t wait to see what happens in my next cards and everyone else’s. Thanks again for stopping by!

Erin