Hello, crafting friends!
I've always been an admirer of minimalist Scandinavian Christmas decor. You know the kind of thing - simplicity, neutral colours, pale or white-washed wood, texture, plenty of winter greenery. That's the feel I was going for with today's card.
I started by sponging part of Stampin' Up's Hardwood stamp (retired) with light brown ink and stamping it directly onto a good thick card base. Sponging ink onto the stamp, rather than inking it directly with the ink pad, gives a much softer look. I masked off the top section and sponged more of the ink below to provide a 'ground' for my images.
While cutting out shapes with the large Optical Illusion die from Spellbinders, you get left with a large hexagonal trellis shape. I've had this in my snippets box for ages so was delighted to find it gave the mandala effect I was looking for! I glued it over my background then added some pine branches cut from snippets of green card stock using my new Flora and Fauna Holiday Foliage dies.
I'm rather pleased with the pot. On my desk there was a scrap of card that had blue ink sponged on it which I thought would add a nice bit of texture. I stamped a pot from Woodware's Succulents onto it, coloured it with alcohol markers, fussy cut it and popped it up on dimensionals. The card was finished with a sentiment from Cityscape by Clearly Besotted, and a sprinkling of clear gems.
CHALLENGES
I was so inspired by the photo from Time Out Challenges this fortnight so I'm linking up there; I'm also joining in with The Snippets Playground (where I won the die one of my snippets comes from today!); and NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) where I'm showcasing my new Holiday Foliage dies from Flora and Fauna (and I'm devaschtated there are no Ss in there Darnell!!)
AND IN OTHER NEWS
I've realised that this is the time of year, when the days get shorter, tha I usually cheer myself up by looking forward to Christmas, planning get-togethers, making lists of presents and organising everything. It just doesn't feel right to do that this year while everything is so uncertain, and I don't know quite how to cope! Anyone else?
Sending hugs,
Beautiful card and i love all the detail you've put in.
ReplyDeleteChristmas! Coping? I'm coping by not thinking about it too much and when I do, I take baby steps towards it.
Hug, and due to Scandi weather . . . Hyg!!! Xxx
Another beautiful design! I love that piece from the Spellbinder die---so perfect for the challenge, and your instinct about the inked scrap of paper for the pot was spot on!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is always a big event here--I always
host my husband's extended family which can range from 12-20 depending on the year. It won't be happening at all this year. We're hoping to join our daughter and her family this year. She's a pastor so can't travel at Christmas. Hoping it turns out to be possible.
OH! This is so beautiful Vicky, I love the Scandi designs also, I wonder if I could live with it though? YOur card has so much texture and a wonderful design.
ReplyDeleteAs for Christmas, I'm making cards, but feel as if it's at least 6 months away, no feeling of the Spirit!
Keep safe
Faith x
Fabulous design, great use of the die, super creation.
ReplyDeleteKath x
Cope? I'm unfamiliar with the word currently, given the state of affairs over here, but I am accepting the loss of all those things we hold dear by considering this The Lost Year of 2020. I picture it as a chapter in a future school textbook, because this is certainly a historical time we are living through. Hopefully. And that's the bottom line isn't it? No holiday or get together is worth dying for, but, oh, it is wearisome.🛌
ReplyDeleteThank goodness we have each other as bloggie friends and this wonderful creative outlet! Your Schandanavian inspired card is sensational and I love how it just came together with a mind of its own. Awesome composition, texture, grounding, and use of schnippets! Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Keep well! Hugs, Darnell
A fabulous card,your left over frame from the die cuts makes a wonderful trellis for the Christmas foliage,the pot perfect to complete this wonderful CAS style card.
ReplyDeleteHave always had our sons home for Christmas so anxious that it might not be possible this year
I know what you mean about Christmas, doesn't feel right at all this year which is weird for me as I ADORE Christmas time. I'm also a HUGE lover of Halloween and I'm well known for my horrific cards each year but I haven't made one at all. I'm also finding it hard to plan for Christmas as I usually purchase things online for the kids but I have no idea if anything will make it in time. Luckily the kids are 14/15yrs old and totally understand. I'm sure my Christmas excitement will squeeze in as we get closer, especially when I start decorating the house! And as for your card, it couldn't be more perfect. I'm in love with the woodgrain stamp (just realised I own none??) and that die-cut was perfect for the mandala. And what a cool idea for the pot, the blue sponging was mean't to be. Will stop talking now and tell you how happy I am you joined us at TIME OUT!!XX
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design
ReplyDeleteClaire
Very Ikea Vicky, I think that's the style you were aiming at and achieved.
ReplyDeleteI know totally what you mean about Christmas, I've contemplated Christmas shopping (on line of course) several times this week then given up as everything is so uncertain, who you'll see, if anyone, how they will get their gifts and so it goes on.
B x
Love this pretty pot with the pine sprig and the softly stamped woodgrain to make it stand out beautifully! Love that die cut and how it adds just a little extra interest! I'm finding that thinking out of the box helps. Instead of thinking I can't do what I normally do, I try to think how I can make it work in a different way. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it keeps my brain in motion!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful card, I adore how you created this soft look yet with so much detail. Love the soft wood grain and the rouch of dimension and then the pop of colour-a joy. Thanks for joining us at Time Out. Well Christmas!! Will be odd, will defeitleu only be me and hubby and if lockdown opened up then hubby will go see his Mum for the day and it will be me on my own in the day-still I have planned if this is the case-a walk! No tree this year as no room as house upside down so hubby can work from home but I will decorate the lounge and have a big poinsettia! xx
ReplyDeleteI would love a minimalistic Christmas ~ Especially this year with all the renovations going on...the idea of trying to decorate is daunting ~ I will do my best and try to get my daughter Katie to take some decorations home with her this year!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat card! I love everything about it!!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Vicky. And it is a wonderful take on the Time out 173 challenge. I LOVE all of the wonderful elements you used, and such a great combination of challenges. Thanks for playing with us at Time Out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful card Vicky! So elegant as well. I love how you're finding different way to use the hexagon dies prize. As for Christmas, right now I'm trying not to think about it too much. Just plodding on, one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Di xx
This is gorgeous! I love a clean CAS design!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for playing with us at Time Out!
Congrats on winning at Time Out-we all loved you card-see blog for details x
ReplyDelete