Sunday, 8 January 2017

January 8, 2017 Christmas Card Club -Anything Goes

Margaret at Dutchess blog, picked the theme for this fortnights Christmas Card Club.
She chose Anything Goes, so it was the perfect chance to open one of my new NBUS Penny Black Stamps and give it a try!

I think this stamp was designed for watercolours but I substituted Tim Holtz inky stains as I only have watercolour pencil crayons.  I dabbed the stains on my craft mat and then picked them up with a paint brush and painted the ink onto my stamp.

It was a bit hard to get the green to cover evenly as the rubber branches are so finely cut. I got the green and red a bit sloppy on my first card and then managed to get a faint hint of green and even some red just below my image.. Must have been on my hand...

Then I stamped the PB greeting that came with the stamp and managed to get an inky line from the edge of the rubber. Note to self...check the edges before stamping!

I used another NBUS item The silver cards were on clearance at Michaels for 99 cents. They were designed to slide a photo in them. The card I stamped my image onto was a lot heavier weight than a photo. It caused the mirri card to sort of look indented from the thickness of it.

I tried to center the image within the mirri frame as best I could and then took my finger and evened out the indented bit to look like it was supposed to be like that. Unfortunately my nail made a sharp crease in the mirri frame! Ugggh...

A couple of red snowflakes were carefully placed to hide the mistakes and I quickly made a second card, avoiding all the previously mentioned mistakes!


I used yellow stickles for the stamens of the poinsettia, and added a bit of stardust stickles to the leaves and petals.

Just behind on the left, you can see the first attempt...and just behind on the right, I have made a third card. Wherever possible, I am going to try and make some multiples this year.



Recipe
Silver Mirr cards and envelopes - Michaels after Xmas clearance
Stamp - image and sentiment are Penny Black Fire Star
Cardstock- had to use a snippet of Bristol vellum paper as I could not find my watercolour paper. Only had enough paper for 3 cards though.
Inks - Tim Holtz lipstick red and  bundled sage green
Stickles - yellow stickles for poinsettia centers and Stardust stickles for image

I am entering this card in the following challenges
1. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - Something New (my stamp) ends Wed Jan 11
2. Pixies Crafty Workshop - must use snippets
3. Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes ends Jan 31

45 comments:

brenda said...

Stunning and elegant Christmas cards Mo, that Penny Black Poinsettia has always been a favourite of mine, have the old wood mounted version from years ago.

Have a good Sunday.

B x

Liz said...

Lovely cards, Maureen, such a gorgeous image. I did have a chuckle reading your post. Don't you just hate it when everything seems to go wrong! xx

Christine Harrop said...

Such lovely cards with the iconic Christmas poinsettias. Happy New Year Maureen. Christine xx

Jane said...

Wow Mo these are gorgeous. You are so good getting cards made already for Christmas 2017. I really should do the same but I am one of those odd crafters who is so inspired by Mother Nature that I really struggle to make any Christmas cards before September!! xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A beautiful collection of Christmas cards Maureen and I like the effect that you've got around the picture even if it was not intended.

Sue xx

coldwaters2 said...

WOW Mo these are so beautiful also classy and elegant, brilliant festive makes
hugs
lorraine x

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Maureen, smiled so much at all the tribulations you had making the card. Because they happen to me so often! Inky smudges off my hand? Check. Ink around the edges of the stamp? Double check! You ended up with a gorgeous card, like you I intend making 3 or 4 of each card again this year. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz xx

dutchess said...

Fabulous MAUREEN...I just love this stamp it's amazing...and your colouring is perfect......looks great framed with the silver .....hope you are having a good weekend xxxxx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

A wonderful card Mo, well done on your effort with your NBUS. You remind me I have a stamp a little like it somewhere not used yet.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Pia S said...

Ah, how elegant are these. They look perfect with the silver frame and background, so lovely.

Donna said...

Beautiful card! Love what you did with water color pencil crayons. The frame is gorgeous!

Jean said...

Gorgeous cards Mo, I love this style of Penny Black stamps and I think this one just got added to my wish list.
Jean x

KandA said...

Hi Maureen, hope the new year is going well for you. Beautiful card, looks fabulous with the silver frame and I love that PB stamp... definitely going to look out for that one to add to my collection xx

Rainey's Craft Room said...

That's such a beautiful stamp and gorgeous set of cards Maureen.
Lorraine

Zoe Tant said...

Good to see you back Mo and I love your elegant cards. No one would know at all the issues you had with your creating if hadn't said as they are all gorgeous. Zx

Darnell said...

This is a stunning card design, Maureen! Not only did you make more than one (YAY!), you used NBUS (YAY!!), too! I actually love the way the pocket mirri ended up. It gives your cards a cool 3D effect!! Hugs, Darnell

rachel said...

beautiful work - these look stunning xx

cotnob said...

These are fabulous Mo, you have painted your Poinsettia's beautifully - such elegant cards.
Pauline
x

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely stunning Monday, your colouring is fabulous, it's a beautiful image and design, very elegant, Kate x

Kathleen said...

Totally gorgeous card, fabulous image and looks stunning with the silver surround.

Kath x

Greta said...

I don't need another poinsettia image, but this one is so beautiful I couldn't resist if it was on the shelf of a store I walked into! Gorgeous cards with the silver mirror frame, Maureen! So glad you joined us at PBSC!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous cards Mo, the poinsettias are so pretty framed in the silver cards. Great idea while you're on a roll to make multiples, Cathy x

Mrs A. said...

A gorgeous trio and if at first you don't succeed try and try again. So glad you persevered as these are all lovely. Hugs Mrs A.

Carol L said...

These are elegant and pretty cards! The poinsettia is gorgeous and the sentiment fonts are a lovely compliment to the image!

Gibmiss said...

Hi Mo
Fabulous Poinsettia... makes a stunning card...
hugs Sylvie xx

Sandra H said...

These are so lovely x

Em Louise Fairley said...

Stunning cards, Mo!
Hugs,
Em xxx

Di said...

Absolutely fabulous cards Mo! That stamp set if stunning and you used it perfectly as well.

Hugs

Di xx

Kathyk said...

Fabulous make today.

Thanks for visiting my blog today .. to answer your question, I use Sansodor to blend which is much like gamsol, I believe. I've not tried baby oil - recommended?

Kathyk

Jenny L said...

Hi Maureen,
what wonderful cards, and that is fab idea to make 3 or 4 of the same ones. Your Christmas ones will soon be made that way.
I think I may just ake a leaf out of your book and do the same.
Love the wonderful poinsettias and you have coloured them wonderfully.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Brenda said...

Beautiful card Maureen!!! I do love that mirror card base and if you hadn't told us we would have never know you had a fingernail mark on it. I am in love with that beautiful image and I think it turned out really pretty!!! Hugs, Brenda

Mandy said...

Gorgeous cards Mo! They are so pretty & beautifully stamped.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx

laurie said...

Gorgeous set of cards!

MaryH said...

Sorry to be a day late in commenting, but at least I'm finally having a moment to visit. Oh my goodness, you have some dazzling color on this fantastic PB poinsettia. It's just lovely, and what a grand job you did with the TH paints, creating such rich deep colors on the petals. It's just amazing with the silver mat. How clever of you to find the photo frame, and think to use for your card! Very Elegant! TFS & Happy New Year. Hugs

Sue - said...

Beautiful card Maureen - love that stamp.

Sarn said...

It's a beautiful set of cards Mo.

xxx

Tracy said...

Your cards are very pretty :)
I didn't get to checking out blogs during the holidays, did you get your holiday cards all complete for the year?

MagsB said...

These are lovely, Maureen! A simple layout showcasing a gorgeous poinsettia!

love Mags B x

Chris said...

What a fabulous result! The TH inks worked beautifully, love how these poinsettias look. The frames look great too!
Chris
x

A Creative Operation said...

So beautiful!
Michelle

Carol said...

Love these Maureen...what a gorgeous stamp and the card blanks are the perfect way to showcase them. Carol x

Whisper said...

Oooo what an absolute stunner hun, Luv Sam x

Elizabeth said...

Beautifully elegant cards, Maureen. Glad I'm not the only one that can make so many mistakes making just one card. It's just as well we learn by our mistakes :) Elizabeth xx

Pat said...

This PB poinsettia is one I love for the reason that you can use inks and markers painted straight on to it, and this has worked really well here Maureen and love the sentiment which is really stylish. A beautiful card! x

Helen said...

Beautiful cards - fabulous stamping!
Thanks for playing at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge!
Helen x