Birgit and I both fell in LOVE with Dawn McVey's Holiday Greens set this Fall, and decided this would be a great one to challenge ourselves on for this month. I only have 3 cards for you this month, but I'm really happy with the way they turned out! (Now if I could only be happy with the way I photographed them...none of the sparkle showed up, so just try to imagine all three of these with a little sparkle and shine to them!)
My first card is a take off of one of Melissa Phillips cards (HERE)...I loved her layout and just changed up my colors and sentiment. I used a SSS Gingham background stamp with Scarlet Jewel ink for the bottom third of my card, and then stamped, die cut, and embossed the 3 layers at the top using the Holiday Greens images. My sentiment is from Neat & Tangled Bright Baubles.
This is the card I really wished would have photographed better, but there just isn't a lot of sunshine in Michigan during the Winter months. The pine branches in the background and the holly leaves are all WOS'd to the hilt and it just looks so pretty IRL! The ferns are embossed in white on Smoky Slate cs and then die cut. I used Basic Gray (SU!) cs for the bottom layer and also sponged the edges with Basic Gray ink. The berries and the pinecones are all stamped on Smoky Slate cs. The sentiment is also from Neat & Tangled Bright Baubles.
My last card uses PTI's new Leaf & Sprig Frames and I just love the look of this die added to a card. I used Olive Twist cs to cut out the frame, and then started building my card around it. My sentiment comes from the Inspired: Jesus stamp and die set, and I die cut the Jesus 3 times and then blended Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel inks over the top one. The fern from the Holiday Greens set was embossed in clear and then I sponged over it with Spring Moss and Olive Twist inks. The 2 die cut sprigs in Saffron Spice are from last years Spruce & Sprigs set. Here's a closer up view:
I really LOVE the colors in this card, and can't believe that when Saffron Spice first came out, I didn't like it! What was I thinking?!!!
I hope I've inspired you to take this set out and stamp up a few lovely cards with it...if you need more convincing, please head on over to Birgit's blog as I just know she will once again blow us away with her creative talents!!
We LOVE to hear from you, so please leave us a comment and tell us what you liked (or didn't like) about our challenges each month! Thanks so much for stopping by today!! :0)
Marcia, all three of your cards are stunning! How do you do it?? Your cards always blow me away. I love the first one on the kraft with the gingham. It really speaks "Christmas in the country" for me. Your second card is so awesome in the monochromatic colors. I can just imagine how truly sparkly and pretty it is! Your third card is so wonderful! I love the leafy frame and ombre coloring on the sentiment. The layout, everything! I just love it!! You totally rocked this challenge, my friend!
ReplyDeleteCompletely gorgeous cards Marcia! Love the layering of dies and the card with the gingham is absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteLOVE what you did with my favorite set of the season! Oh my. So different, each one, and such striking colors together. Your cards are picture perfect. Each layout frame-able!!!
ReplyDeleteWell my friend, you have some master pieces here! I am a little late to this party, but I didn't want to miss it and so glad I came by. I have this stamp and have barely used it...don't know why, well, maybe because I was so busy making tags I didn't have time for a card, and then I was gone for 10 days...I love what you made and now I want to get inky with that stamp! You are so clever, creative and such an inspiration to me! Heart Hugs friend!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! They all are!
ReplyDeleteMarcia, somehow I missed this post of your's and Birgit's last week. Had a busy week. But you have some awesome cards. You always amaze me with the beauty of your cards. I think the third one is my favorite. I love the sponging around the embossing. Hope you have a great week.
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