Friday, September 04, 2015

Deck the Halls



Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the Happy Little Stampers September Christmas Challenge ...








I had a lot of fun making this card.  I started with white card stock embossed with script.  I lightly sponged over top with Inka gold to just catch the top of the embossing.  Then I sprayed over top with red watercolour sprays.  The inka gold resists the sprays and stays gold and shiny.  When it dried, the red spray had softened and I ended up with more of a pink colour ... pretty, but I wanted it bright red, so I sponged a little Festive Berries distress ink over top.  I popped up a frame over the background and added a branch of holly (which I highlighted with a little more gold).

The two piece die-cut ornament is also coloured with inka gold.  I diluted some with water and then flicked my solid background ornament, leaving some of the areas white.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but the solid part of the ornament is very shiny ... similar to the sentiment.  I took another piece of white card stock and sponged with inka gold until it was solid.  Once dry, I die-cut the intricate-cut top piece and then buffed everything with a dry cloth.  Buffing Inka Gold brings out the shine.  A small gold cord bow finishes the card.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge.  Make a Christmas card that has holly on it (any style of card is welcome), and click on the linky at the bottom of the challenge post to add your card.  We'd love to see you in the gallery!

I'm entering this card into Merry Monday #170 - Use Holly.



Entering this into AAA Card Challenge - #47 Spectacular Embossing.



And also, I'm adding this to the Happy Little Stampers September CAS Challenge - Colouring.  I used inka gold to colour my ornament using the smooshing technique.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!








Stamps:  Mixed Christmas Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Old Olive (SU!)
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko); Festive Berries (Distress ink by Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinders), Ornament die, Holly branch die, script embossing borrowed from my friend Christine, Inka Gold wax paste (Gold), sponge, Red watercolour spray, gold cording

Challenges:
HLS September Christmas Challenge - Holly
Merry Monday #170 - Holly
HLS September CAS Challenge - Colouring
AAA Card Challenge #47 - Spectacular Embossing

30 comments:

Julie B said...

Ah, I see where you were coming from now!
Love the soft gold and red, something else to try. :)

Carol said...

This is gorgeous Loll, so opulent. Carol x

Maura said...

Love all the gold touches, Loll! I love how you often frame your images in such lovely ways. I love using frames on my cards too.

Sue - said...

Beautiful card! Love the red and gold background.

Susan said...

Loll, this is so lovely. Fabulous richness with the red and gold!

BożenA said...

I love the richness of this card! Red and gold are a great combination. Your bauble is so beautifully kissed gold. Beautiful card.
hugs,
BozenA

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous Inka Gold shine on your beautiful ornament and background Loll. TFS your beauty!

LesLee said...

This is very stunning... so beautiful I love all the gold.. and the green HOLLY is just the right touch :) xx

sue t. said...

Stunning and sophisticated!

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful Christmas card Loll....stunning background as usual

Anne

Bonnie said...

This is awesome, Loll! I love all that gold that makes it so elegant and the red is a perfect complement! Such dainty holly that's so perfect with the delicate ornament! Thanks for sharing this with us at Merry Monday!

Ceal said...

Loll your cards is absolutely Stunning! thanks for joining our embossing challenge at AAA cards!

Mac Mable said...

Love the embossing, the colours and the layout of the card. So very delicate and just gorgeous. Thank you for stopping by my blog and your positive comments, very much appreciated x

Linda said...

This is gorgeous Loll ..... so rich looking and very elegant. I love how you've highlighted the embossing with the gold. Xx

Jill V said...

Absolutely beautiful Loll! I love all the shimmery gold - especially on the background embossing! Thanks so much for sharing at AAA Cards! Jill

Anonymous said...

This is gorgeous, Loll. I really like the delicate ornament and the beautiful embossed bg. The gold highlights are lovely too. Thanks for playing along at AAA Cards Spectacular Embossing challenge. Melissa - DT

Canonbury creations said...

Loving this card Loll, the background is fab!
Val x

MaryH said...

Simply gorgeous, as always. Love, Love that wonderful red & gold background...and the bold look of the ornament too. Liked the holly sprig and gold bow tucked in with the ornament. Very elegant and just beautiful. TFS & Hugs

Ingrid said...

LOVE your card my friend! The red mixed with the gold is gorgeous! The holly is just the right touch. :)

Sazzle Dazzle said...

Such beautiful elements to your card Loll and the perfect mix for Christmas.
Thanks so much for combining with the AAA Cards challenge too - your embossing works perfectly.
Sarah x

Anita in France said...

So elegant, Loll ... the texture and dimension paired with those rich colours makes for a stunning card! Hugs, Anita :)

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Wowzers - this is stunning!! I just love all the details and dimension!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

Deanne :)

gail said...

Stunning card, love how you have created the script background, gorgeous colours. Gail xxxx

Inkyfingers said...

This is just beautiful Loll and I don't know what the heck Inca Gold is but I now 'need' to find out!
Hugs
Carol x

Bobby said...

That ornament die is gorgeous, Loll, made even more so with your Inka Gold. Love the entire design of this card. So many details that make it fabulous.

Valentyna Komisarenko said...

Absolutely love this card, Loll! What a fun way to colour. Thank you for sharing with us at Happy Little stampers! :)

Kylie said...

The ornament is sensational, Loll! Gorgeous card with all that beautiful embossing xx

Deepti said...

Oh my goodness this is superb! I love the fabulous dimension. And the bold red :)

Lee-Anne said...

This is amazing! I love that ornament, Loll! All the touches of gold...simply fabulous!

Toni said...

Fabulous! I love the inka gold and have some being very lonely in my stash. Did you happen to try that w the alcohol water?