A few week’s ago, I had the chance to participate in my first Penny’s Challenges. I am happy that I was able to participate again this week for the “No DP Allowed” challenge. Although we were encouraged to randomly stamp our own designer paper, I opted to emboss a background instead. The “Tree” image is from the beautiful Snow Swirled stamp set, inked in Elegant Eggplant. This card was quick and easy to make, and it’s creation was made even more fun since I was able to spend some “QST” (Quality Stamping Time) with my sister and niece after Thanksgiving dinner! If you are up to a challenge, I recommend that you visit Penny’s Challenges and see what the design team has prepared for you! Before you do, however, take a look at a few design tips that will help you save time as we enter that hectic period between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
- Go for the Silver! Brushed Silver card stock adds sparkle and shine in no time, and is a perfect choice for holiday cards! Here it is used to mat the image and for the Modern Label.
- Selectively select! Select focal stamps that are beautiful on their own merit, and need few if any added embellishments. Three Filigree Brads, with Lilac Circle Fire, centers are all that are needed to accentuate the “Snow Swirled Tree”.
- Punch it up a notch! The Brushed Silver Modern Label was lovely on its own, but a second label punched from Elegant Eggplant adds depth in just seconds.
- Sizzlits add sizzle! Swirls Scribbles, one of my personal favorites, was the perfect choice to mimic the swirls of the tree.
- Pop it up! Stampin’ Dimensionals were used to adhere the image mat to the card base. In fact, double dimensionals were used on the right side of the sentiment to bring it into alignment with the rest of the card.
- Pull it all together! Determining the dominant design element, in this case swirls, can help you save valuable planning time by steering you in the right direction. As an example, in selecting the sentiment, a cursive “Peace” mirrors the flowing curves of the tree, unifying the total design.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! For me, it marks a time when our small family celebrates the many reasons we have to be thankful. It also marks the beginning of a festive, but hectic time. There are trees to decorate, lights to string, presents to wrap, and cookies to bake! Plus there are challenges and blog hops, too. In fact, to get us all in the holiday spirit, the Pretty Pals Holiday Hop will be occurring on December 1st. You can enter the “hop” at any point, and we will make certain that you will not get lost along the way. Join us as we feature holiday cards and projects! Stayed tuned for more details and the official Holiday Hop participant list!
Don’t forget to Play at PPA! Mr. Linky is open until Noon CST Tuesday. If you have any questions about the Pals challenge or the Holiday Hop, please do not hesitate to email me. And remember, I welcome any questions that you may have about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Your comments and questions are very important to me! Until next time…
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Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled (111690), Four the Holidays (116921—Holiday Mini); Inks: Elegant Eggplant (105210); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Brushed Silver (100712), Elegant Eggplant (105126 and 108696—Textured, Rich Regals assorted); Tools: Corner Rounder (109047), Modern Label Punch (116630), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Small Oval Punch (107304), Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds I (114512), Standard Texturz Impressions Pads (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615); Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits Die (113441); Glitz and Glam: Filigree Brads (112577), Circle Ice Brads (109111)
Simply Beautiful!!
I love how you always layer your sentiments, it really makes them pop. Gotta start doing that. Love how peaceful this card is!
Gorgeous card!!!!
thanks for joining us over at Penny’s Challenge Blog.
Hugs Alison.xx
So beautiful Ann!!! Love the added bling too. Hugs
Oh my Ann, it’s GORGEOUS! I too did embossing instead of random stamping, and your is just beautiful! Love the colors you used, those swirls, stamp and embellies too!
Thanks for playing along with us over at Penny’s Challenges, and we hope you’ll join us again!
Oh those colors work so well together. This is the stamp set I am used this year for my Christmas cards. Very clean and elegant look!
Ann,
This is stunning! Love the color combo!
Lisa Atha
OMG! I marked that set off my list and now look at you! You are gonna make me get that set!!!!!!! Stop it!
This is by far my fav Christmas card I have seen this season yet!
AWESOME!
Heavenly!
Leslie said …
Wow! This card is soooo elegant and classy. I think elegant eggplant is the new color for Christmas! The brads really bring depth and dimension to the tree and everything else compliments the overall effect. Love it.
Ann this is classy and gorgeous! You are a master.
Another stunning card. Tell me again, do you split the bottom modern label to have it show behind the top one? Hugs, M
Beautiful card!
This is beautiful Ann…Love how you used the die cut swirls to compliment the tree! {SMILES}
absolutly fabulous – so crisp looking
ans very sophisticated – love it! best wishes Lesley x
Very pretty….great color choice for this image, and the brads & bling add such a nice touch!
Yikes, Ann! This is GORGEOUS. You make me want to be YOU. XO