Thursday, April 12, 2012

WMS Christmas Card Challenge for April - Birds and Trees

Lynn has the Waltzingmouse April Christmas Card Challenge up in the WMS Forum.  Her challenge for us this month is Birds and Trees.
And I used the April 7th WMS Sketch for my card -  turning the sketch upside down - using trees instead of banners!
For those of you who sometimes ask how I did one thing or another - I thought I'd show step by step pictures on how I created my card.  First I traced around one side of an oval Nestability with a light pencil line on the bottom of my card to guide where I'd stamp the trees from the WMS set Teeny Trees.  (be sure to use a good artist eraser when you erase the pencil mark so you don't leave any marks)
Then I die cut the oval out of a piece of Eclipse Tape to use as a mask.
I placed the mask over the area I wanted to keep white and then sponged over the rest of the card starting at the outside edges and moving in towards the center in a circular motion using the Inkssentials blending tool and Ranger Distress Ink.
When you remove the mask - you have a snowy white hillside!
I placed the panel inside my Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and ran it through my Cuttlebug.
And now we have 'snow' in the sky!
For the final steps -  I stamped the sentiment on white, die cut it with a Spellbinders Ribbon Banner sponging the edges before taking it out of the die.
Here's how it looks all sponged - leaving it lighter in the center.
And when you remove it from the die - you  have a lovely white edge!
I adhered the image panel directly to the white card base and layered the sentiment banner above it using foam tape.
I was really  happy with how this came out -  it went from vision to card exactly how I thought it would  - sometimes it doesn't work out that way!

I hope you'll join us in the WMS forum for the Christmas challenge each month!  You'll be glad you did when November rolls around and you have all your cards made!!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Teeny Trees
Paper:  white - Papertrey Ink
Ink:  Archival Ink - Coffee, Memento Lady Bug, Cottage Ivy and Bamboo Leaves, Ranger Distress Weathered Wood.
Accessories:  Oval Nestabilities, Eclipse Tape, blending tool & non-stick craft mat - Inkssentials, foam tape, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder - Provo Craft,  ribbon banners - Spellbinders.

13 comments:

Ardyth said...

I laughed when I saw your card - it's a great card, but I had the same idea (I guess when you turn those triangles upside down, it's natural to see Christmas trees). I'm glad mine didn't work out, because my card is now right next to yours on the blog. Great minds, right? Love how you made yours work and I may still try again - this is a great Christmas card!

Carola said...

Julia, what a great idea to use the sketch for such a wonderful Christmas card. All looks just perfect together and I especially like the little red bird. Thanks also for showing in details how you made those pretty cards.

This set is also on my mind for the Christmas challenge because it's the only one I have with birds that would be suitable for Christmas. But I haven't had a good idea yet.

Have a nice day!

Kind regards
Carola

Karen M said...

Julia, this is specatular! The little trees and the cute bird are so lovely and I really love the way you embossed the banner. Thanks for showing that. It looks amazing! Kx

Annette Allen said...

wow these are gorgeous...I love the scene you have created. those little trees are adorable...

Riet said...

Wowwww Julia,What a gorgeous cards.

Hugs Riet.xx

Mona Pendleton said...

Such a sweet card Julia! Love your banner ~ very creative!

Kelly S. said...

What a great way to use that sketch, Julia! I just love your wintery scene, so smart to use an oval to make the hill! The little red bird and Christmas banner are just the sweetest details!

Pauline said...

Julia, these are wonderful Christmas card! Love the embossed snow, and the fab tutorial! The banner is gorgeous too, I must get that die, lol!

Edna Morrisedie said...

Cool take on both challenges GO YOU!

Karin Åkesdotter said...

Oh Julia - what a WONDERFUL take on the sketch - so creative! LOVE your embossing and thanks so much for sharing details about how you made your card - very inspiring! Have a great day, hugs, Karin

Vickie Z said...

Love how you turned it upside down and used trees for the banner!! Lovely sky...I've never had much luck with the blending tool but, maybe need more practice!!! Swiss dots and bird are perfect!!

LaurieJ said...

I absolutely adore these cards!! Wow, so creative!

Anonymous said...

Julia, I absolutely adore these cards! Genious interpretation of the sketch makes for a unique and eye-catching design!