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Tuesday 29 October 2019

Stamping a stack of Christmas cards in minutes!

Hello crafting pals!

It's been a few days since I was able to be creative - and that's a few days too long for me! But today I snatched a bit of time to check out some of my favourite challenges and get myself happily inky. You might want to sit down with a cup of something and a snack to keep your strength up as there are a few cards! Come and see:


There are a few cards here aren't there?! That's because I'm using a smooshing technique which is so quick and easy, it's almost impossible not to stamp a whole bunch of cards in no time at all! Just look at the different patterns in the backgrounds:


When I was thinking about what to make, a shrink-wrapped marketing brochure came through my letter box. *Sighs heavily* But if they are going to send me single-use plastic through the post, it's my duty to use it again! So I dampened the surface with water, added a couple of drops of Marina Mist and Pool Party re-inker, smooshed it about with an acrylic block and dragged some card stock over it to make frosty looking backgrounds!

THE FIRST CARD


For my first card, I cut a circle out of the background and stamped it with a  snowflake from Festive Flurry (Stampin' Up retired) using Pacific Point ink. Then I did a little layering:


You can see it better in this photo - a larger Pool Party circle topped with a strip of ribbon-tailed Navy card stock and then the smooshed and stamped circle. To finish off, I added a thinner white sentiment strip, stamped with a greeting from Uniko's Pure Florals Poinsettia, and a few clear gems.

THE SECOND CARD


My second card uses just a wide strip of the smooshed background stamped with the snowflake again. I loved that patterning at the bottom of the strip, which looked extra icy to me!


I matted the strip onto Navy card stock and attached it off centre to a card base. Again, the card was finished with that beautiful Uniko sentiment and some gems but I also added some white gel pen lines to look like scratches on ice.

THE THIRD CARD


The last card design is the simplest of them all. I cut a smooshed panel just smaller than my card base, stamped it with the snowflake and sponged round the edges to add definition. The same Uniko sentiment was used and another sprinkling of gems (might need to go shopping for gems at this rate!)


I made two of the third card - a prototype to see if I could make it quickly, and then another one which I timed.  Can you see how the pattern on this one is quite different from the one above? The ink had dried up a bit before dragging this card stock through on this last one. Can you guess how long the card took to make? (See answer below!)



I'm linking up with three challenges today:


The first card was made for the Retro Rubber Challenge where there's a great sketch. It's my first time here but I love the idea of giving some love to our older stamps! My retro stamp is from Festive Flurry, released at the end of 2013.

My second card is for 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - I'd forgotten about this challenge, as their email prompts weren't coming through, but that's all been sorted out now and I'm loving joining in with this week's fun Smooshing Technique Challenge.

My third card was made for As You See It, where we've been challenged to Colour It Blue in under 10 minutes. My card came in at just 3 1/2 minutes. Yay! I LOVE these speed challenges!


AND IN OTHER NEWS
Well, if you've made it to the end of this post, I'm sure you'd probably rather I didn't start wittering on about other nonsense! I will just say that we've got birthday celebrations coming up at the weekend and I'll have a full house :) and I'll also mention that I've been shopping for stamps - whoopee! More on all that soon...

Thanks for visiting me today. Let me know what you think of all the iciness going on here today won't you!

Hugs,

29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Faith! Has your naughty mojo returned from its wanderings yet? We miss you! x

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  2. Beautiful cards and wonderfully descriptive post Vicky! So glad you're stamping for fun - the passion is coming through. Laughed out loud at your timer challenge :o) Nancy

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    1. As You See It does a speed challenge every four challenges (I think that's right - I'm sure someone will correct me if I've got it wrong!) and I just LOVE them! I don't know what it is but I've always loved stamping for the speed with which you can create beautiful things :)

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  3. WOW . . . That's a lovely selection of smooshed inky wintry cards. Absolutely GORGEOUS and right up my street.

    Is it YOUR birthday this weekend? If so, I'm sending many happy birthday wishes your way.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. A very happy hour of smooshing! No, not my birthday; my daughter's having early celebrations as the whole family will be here :) Really looking forward to it!
      xxx

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  4. Aw, how much do I love the smooching technique with plastic wrap and what gorgeous sky, ocean, wintry colors you created from your session, Vicky! Every background and resulting design is stunning!! Have a happy celebratory weekend!! Hugs, Darnell

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    1. It's a brilliant technique because the results are always different so you never get bored! Thanks Darnell, it'll be wonderful to have everyone together again! x

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    2. PS If someone is searching for 'smooching with plastic wrap' I think they may be quite disappointed to end up at my blog!

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  5. I do love ink smooshing! Your trio of cards reminded me how lovely the result is! First up, thanks for joining us at Retro Rubber Challenge. It is great to have a reason to get out your old stamps and play, especially when they're as lovely as yours. Love the way you've layered up and kept the focus on one area of the card. Secondly, thank you for joining us at As You See It. Your smooshed background lent itself nicely to some stamping and sponging to add interest. I like all the cards.

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    1. Thanks Jan! So pleased to have found the Retro Rubber Challenge and hope to play there often. The speed stamping challenge may actually be my favourite at AYSI!

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  6. Fabulous looking ink smooshing, Vicky! And it serves that company right for using single use plastic!! Your card design is beautiful with the blue snowflakes stamped over the smooshed background! Amazing that it was completed in 3 1/2 minutes! Thanks for taking on the speed stamping challenge with us at As You See It Challenges this week!

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    1. Thanks Heather! Haha, I may keep that shrink wrapped brochure in my craft cupboard for further smooshes!

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  7. Delicious cards! Even though I was lucky enough to have had my creative time today, I'm tempted to run down there again and do some smooshing myself! I love the way your cards turned out. I also love the fact that you too use retired product. When I love something enough to invest in it, I will keep using it. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

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    1. Thanks Linda! These snowflakes are wonderful aren't they - a timeless Scandinavian design.

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  8. I love how your smooshed backgrounds turned out, Vicky! The dark blue snowflakes are a beautiful contrast and each card is beautiful, warm and festive!

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    1. It's not really possible to get a bad smooshed background is it! Love this technique!

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  9. They are fab! I love the colors. Have a great weekend, hon! xoxo

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  10. Beautiful snowflake cards. Perfect smooshing.
    Thank you for joining us at 52CCT. Goga DT

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  11. A wonderful collection of cards. I love the colours and the techniques used (I have noticed a few companies reducing plastic wrapping in the post, it's a start). I like them all but particularly the round motif with the clever sentiment. Thanks for joining in at 52CCT

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    1. Thanks Alison! You're right, we should be positive and focus on the companies that ARE doing something about this problem :)

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  12. Beautiful cards. I love the CAS look of the sketch for Retro Rubber. Thanks for joining Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.

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  13. I have read a lot about that smooshing technique, but have never tried it! Your success makes me want to give it a go! I especially like the Retro Rubber one (of course!)!! Thanks for sharing this with us this week!

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    1. It's perfect for quick cards as you can see LeAnne!

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  14. Oo I love those inky smooshed backgrounds Vicky; I have mixed success with this technique but when they do work they are great! What a great way to get a bunch of cards done in one go - and at under 4 minutes you are rocking the speed challenge this week!!

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    1. They're great fun to do and the result depends on all sorts of things: what paper you use, how much or how little water, how much you smoosh etc

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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