Sunday, October 28, 2012

Home for Christmas

'Cause no matter how far away you roam
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home!

I know it seems a little early, but in our busy worlds, it's never too early to start on your handmade Christmas cards.  And, this week's theme at Card A Day Blog is...you guessed it...Home for Christmas!  Yet again, I was inspired by a wonderful vintage image found online.  I think it was the quaint, fairy tale nature of the house and the starry night sky.  It also has a 1970's-ish color scheme which was a fun challenge in itself.
 
Some Details:
  • Just for something a bit different, I embossed my striped background paper with Swiss Dot embossing folder, distressed the edges, then inked the edges and the embossed dots with a bit of Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
  • My printer was running out of colored ink when it got to this image so the color was a bit uneven. Distress Markers to the rescue!  I touched things up with DMs and evened the light areas out with Old Paper DI...good to go.
  • On a starry, starry Christmas night, you HAVE to have some sparkly snow and glowing windows!  I used Frosted Lace Stickles on the snow and Icicle for the windows and lantern.  This really gives the card that "something special".
  • The fluffy seam binding is hand-dyed with Barn Door and a touch of Aged Mahogany Distress Stains. To pump up the red, I also added in some Festive Berries DI as my second layer of ink.  I wish you could see it in person...it looks washed out in the close-up, but it's not...it's actually soooo rich and pretty.
  • And of course, since we'll be home with bells on, I had to pin some jingle bells to the bow and add in a couple holly leaves.
  • Tip for making your own holly leaves:  I have to give my sister credit for this idea.  I was wondering aloud why I ever bought a bulk package of some truly ugly floral leaves.  They are dark green and shiny.  My sister suggested cutting them like holly leaves and using them for Christmas projects.  Is that genius or what!

Challenges:
Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog: #77 - Christmas in October
Crafty Ribbons Challenge: #31 - Christmas
ABC Christmas Challenge: U for Up to You

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink ‘Pure Poppy’
Patterned Paper:  My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found ‘Christmas’ 6x6
Image: Catnip Studio Collage ‘Starry Night Christmas Card
Inks: Distress Ink ‘Old Paper’, ‘Walnut Stain’, ‘Festive Berries’; Distress Stain ‘Barn Door’, ‘Aged Mahogany’; Perfect Pearls Mist ‘Heirloom Gold’; Alcohol Ink ‘Mushroom’; Distress Markers
Embellishments: Hug Snug seam binding ‘Ivory’; trinket pin; jingle bells; floral leaves; Stickles ‘Frosted Lace’, ‘Icicle’
Tools:  3M foam tape; Tim Holtz paper distresser; heat gun; Zots; decorative edge scissors; mister; foam ink blender; Cuttlebug embossing folder ‘Swiss Dot’; Sizzix Texture Boutique

8 comments:

  1. Wow I just love this card! The striped background really adds a great look to it. Love all the little details, great start to a new theme this week! The image makes you really think of the early days at home. TFS

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  2. What a gorgeous scene, love your card. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Ribbons this time.
    Pinky

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  3. Absolutely love the scene you've created with the embossing and distressing. Such a great tip with those leaves as well. Works perfectly. Thanks for playing at ABC Christmas Challenge and good luck. Hope to see you back wednesday for a new challenge. Bettina xx

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  4. oh so pretty! Like the embossing on the striped paper...

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  5. Lovely Christmas card..pretty image and I just love your big bow.
    Thank you for playing in our challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge this time.
    Dorte,x

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  6. Beautiful card, thank you for sharing it with us at Crafty Ann's
    Ann x

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  7. Thank you so much for joining our Christmas Challenge over at Crafty Ribbons.

    Hugs,
    Krafty Karen - DT.xx

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  8. Wow beautiful card, love the vintage image and all the lovely details. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Ann's and good luck
    Claire xx

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