Christmas cards to inspire Day 4: Distress Ink Swiping

Hi there,

Welcome to day four of my Christmas Cards to Inspire!!

Hopefully I got the look of the snowy night correct, here in Perth, we literally NEVER have snow.  I've seen snow a total of twice, once it was falling in the distant mountains when I was in Hiroshima, the other time it was on the ground, in Niseko (a small town in the North of Japan).  I was in heaven and can't wait to see it/be in snow again. Till then, my little snowy christmas card will have to do! *wink*

Here is today's card;

This card is SO easy and perfect for mass production;

First I took the Hero Arts Starry Night stamp and wiped Black Soot Distress Ink from left to right. I then stamped it onto white cardstock.  The 'wiping' created a look of a snowstorm/a windy snowy night around the trees.  *LOVE*

Next I rubbed a tiny bit of Mustard Seed Distress Ink over the largest star in the top right corner, to give it a glow.

Then I added some Diamond Stickles to the ground and stars (a tiny bit to the tree branches would work too, but I left mine bare).   I tied some red and white striped bakers twine around the image, tying it to a button.

Then I adhered the white stamped cardstock onto a slightly larger piece of black cardstock, to create a matte.  Then I adhere both layers onto a piece of white textured cardstock that I had cut to size and scored in the centre to make the card.

On the inside (not pictured), I stamped a Christmas sentiment with Versamark ink and embossed with Stampendous Red Transparent Tinsel Embossing Powder.

That's it!! Like I said, super easy and perfect for mass production!

Hope you like it!  Let me know what you thought :)

See you tomorrow with another card!

Take care lovelies 

Linda xx

Fighting against the 'matchy-match'

Happy Friday to you all!!

Did you all enjoy Virginia's GORGEOUS Halloween cards?! I know I did.  In fact, after I finished giggling at that kooky little owl on his tree branch, I decided to have another look over at Virginia's blog.  Once again I was left feeling inspired and more than a little envious!

I have a confession (of sorts) to make.  I'm a matchy-matchy type of girl.  I like colors to either be in the same tone or shade, or be completely identical.  My shoes almost always match my handbag (which yes, equates to a lot of both--not that I've used either since becoming a mummy!) and if they don't match my handbag, they match my top/shirt.  I can't stand it when it doesnt' match--more specifically, it doesn't occur to me NOT to match things.

It's the same on my cards and projects.  If I can't find the EXACT right shade of cardstock for a background or matte, then I'll change the image or add another color in so I can match that one.  Yes, I'm a matchy-match girl.  I've said it.  Now you all know my big secret.

shhh. don't tell anyone!

So tonight, I set myself a challenge.  To FIGHT the matchy-match tendencies within me.  And I think I won. Sort of.

Here is my card:

terrible photo--but it's the best I could do :) *sorry!*

See the ribbon?! It's BLUE!!!!!  There is no other blue in the card, but the ribbon.  I'm quite proud of myself :) You wanna know the best part? I kinda like it!!  It only took me 20 minutes to choose the ribbon too! (Which is why the card took me about 30 minutes to make lol!) So now, although exhausted at the effort I expended going through EVERY spool of ribbon in my stash, I'm proud I broke the pattern.

ex-hau-sted.

Hope you liked :)

Here's what I used:

Spellbinders Nestabilities Deckled Edge Classic Ovals LG
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Walnut Stain
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Milled Lavender
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Victorian Velvet
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Spun Sugar
Hero Arts Time to Stamp Cling
Hero Arts Old Letter Writing Woodblock Stamp
Hero Arts Tall Flower Stamp
Ranger Diamond Stickles

Tsukineko Versamark Watermark Ink

Memento Tuxedo black ink

extras from my stash: Purple Button, Blue ribbon, Twine.

Has my attempt at breaking the habit worked out for the better? Or should I stick to matchy-matchy?!  As always, I love to hear what you think!


Till next time,

Linda