{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 31 - Rustic Vintage Holiday Cards

 Been challenged this month by more work being done in my craft room and a little crafting slump, impacting my cardmaking efforts. However, I did manage to get these 2 cards done…with a rustic feel. Both cards started with Sketch Challenge 31:

The first card was created with a Unity vintage stamp called, Foxy Christmas. I varied a little from the sketch, but had fun creating a background for the foxy den stamp. I used a couple oxide inks to match colors in the background for the Fox image. I used a Peace stamp from another Unity Kit with an old Zinc Antique gold embossing powder which I also used on the die cut edges of the image. I used gold crystals and a gold ribbon to brighten up the card. I did cheat on this card as it’s missing the 3rd layer, but I wanted to preserve the tree!

The second card was made with a Love From Lizi stamp set, called Merry and Bright. I also used a Ciao Bella Frozen Roses paper pack to create a background for the card.

I used the heart image with red and brown inks. I clear embossed it, and then added red and dark green watercolor to the heart. I fussy cut out the card and backed it with a dark gray paper. I stamped the sentiment from the kit of the second layer of the sketch. I used a doorframe paper and another from the kit to make the 3rd layers. Finally, I used red paper for the bottom layer. I distressed the edges of the papers too. I added green string and a bow to the 3rd layer.

I decided to try both Love From Liza’s fluffy snow embossing powder which I received in a card kit and Tim Holtz’s Glistening Snow grit paste to add snow details to the card, a step I could have skipped. To complete this card, I added a fussy cut pine cone (with snow I added) and I red and green enamel dots.

Still time to add more holiday cards with this sketch! Check out https://byshcardmakers.blogspot.com/ for more inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting till next time!

 

My Growing in Unity Winners!

 Thank you for all the wonderful comments received during my GIU week… thoroughly enjoyed reading them! Here’s the random winners selected:

Glennis F.

and

Kramer-Buffy (Dalis - Stamprgrl)

Please send an email to kelli@unitystampco.com within 2 weeks to claim your $20 credit on Unity’s website! Be sure to put “Winner from Joyce’s GIU Week” in the subject line.

Thank you all for participating and congrats to the winners! 

Friends of Unity March Blog Hop

 Another month, another blog hop! This time we are focused on one of my favorite cartoon and story book characters, Winnie the Pooh. Read many Winnie the Pooh stories when my son was little! And, oh, my, Unity Stamps has outdone themselves with their whole Pooh bear collection! Must admit, I was intimidated by this theme, as I’ve infrequently tried creating this type of card.

As a reminder, various members of our group offer Unity giveaways every month (from our own stash)! This month, I’ll be doing a giveaway and will announce the winner in April’s blog hop. To be legible, all you need to do is enter a comment on every blog is the hop. Be sure to leave your name with the comment!

For my first card, I used the Honey Pooh kit. I also used foliage stamps from Change & Direction for the background. Both this card and the next were watercolored on Arches watercolor paper. I first stamped Pooh using a watercolor pen to get the outline. I then added a tree, ground and shrub just using watercolor techniques. To create more bark detail on the tree, I added pen marks. I also used stamps to give foliage impression. I then watercolored Pooh. I had decided to create the whole composition with more muted colors, using blue green on the tree. I found a piece of ephemera on cork-like paper (that happened to be laying around and, yes, my workspace is a mess right now) that I thought perfect to add. This way, I can be flexible in the use of the card… whether for a friend or grandchild, or for a birthday or just a hello card! I found paper I thought would match for backing, added Pooh bear colored sequins and called the card done.

For the next card, I used Winnie the Pooh Making Memories With Pooh Bear, which is no longer available. Here’s a pic of the stamp!

I started this card by layering water over the entire paper and dropping yellow in the middle, blue paint in the bottom, and greens on the sides. I dried it thoroughly and then added the stamp using a brown archival ink. I then watercolored the scene. Because some of the areas, where the characters were stamped, were darker, I ended up using Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints to brighten them up. These watercolors are more opaque, like gouache. When finished, I die cut the paper and added a coordinating background paper. I stamped the sentiment and fussy cut it and a paper to back it. To complete the card, I added twine and dots.

Must admit, this turned out easier than I expected. Hope they look okay! Now onto a whole blog hop, filled with Pooh inspiration! Enjoy! And remember to leave comments with your name if interested in the giveaways!

You may have come here from:

Eileen’s blog

Continue on to:

Alaine’s blog

Or you can start from the beginning with:

Crystal’s blog

{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 31 - Stamperia Pink Christmas

 Yes, another holiday card, this time using Stamperia’s Pink Christmas collection. I paired it with pink glitter paper. I used the new Sketch Challenge 31 with a few changes:

I picked up quite a few pieces from this set on sale as I loved the colors and designs. The center piece is a chipboard from the set layered with foam over a matching design element from the paper pad. I used the chipboards for the sentiment, added sequins and called it done. So easy, but so pretty!

Come join in the fun over at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook group! Share your holiday cards year round to build up your collection for the next season! And, if you use the Sketch Challenge posted for the month, enter your cards in that sketch album for a chance at winning the monthly prize contest! Winners will be randomly chosen. Also, if you use the monthly sketch challenge hashtag on other social media platforms, those entries will also be counted increasing your odds of winning!

Check out more design team inspiration for this particular sketch on the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers blog!

Must admit, this card technique was so easy, but produces such a beautiful card. Thanks for stopping by!