Thursday, December 07, 2023

Two Quick Christmas cards

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two quick and easy cards I made last week, using the Penny Black Birch Grove image.  I'm now finished making my Christmas cards and they are in the mail! :)  They have not all been posted on my blog, so you'll be seeing a few more before the end of the year. :)

For both cards, the image was inked in black and clear embossed onto mixed media paper and then randomly sponged distress ink over the background (Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Salvaged Patina). I used a wet paint brush to go over the tree trunks and then blotted with a paper towel.  That removed most of the random colour from the trunks.  It's not perfect, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Diluted white acrylic paint was splattered over top to create falling snow.  I placed a die-cut window (Viewpoint from Penny Black) over top and stamped a simple "Joy" in black ink to finish the card.

Sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #57.  First time using the Birch Grove stamp. :)

* * * * *

For the next card, randomly sponged distress inks (Salvaged Patina and Kitsch Flamingo).  Love these colours together! :)  To finish, I stamped the sentiment onto a black card stock banner and heat embossed in white before attaching at the bottom of my card front.  Hard to see in the photo, but I did splatter white paint for some falling snow.


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Stamps:  Birch Grove; Card 1 - Festive Snippets; Card 2 - Bright & Light (all Penny Black) 
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Card 2 - Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Kitsch Flamingo (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, sponge brushes, small paint brush, Viewpoint die (Penny Black),  white acrylic paint, splatter brush, White Embossing powder (Ranger) 

24 comments:

nancy littrell said...

LOVE both your QCAS Winter scene Christmas cards using the wonderful PB stamped trees, Lolly. So clever adding the die cut window panes on your 1st card and love your sentiments on both cards and very light sponging on your 2nd card. Good for you to have all your cards in the mail. I just put 7 more cards in our mailbox and my last 6 cards will be mailed tomorrow with a tray of crumbcake cookies for your mailman:-) Then my baking will really begin:-) Rain, rain, rain here on the Southern Oregon Coast. A good time to stay inside to finish cards:-) Happy Holidays and thank you for all inspiring cards, dear friend. Love and Hugs....Nancy

Bobby said...

I love birch trees, Loll, and these look so pretty with either background.

I Card Everyone said...

Loll, your 'random' looks so well-planned! Both really beautiful - I do love a grove of Birch trees irl, too!
=]

Lisa Elton said...

I love the beautiful skies and glow you've given these, Loll! Two pretty cards!

TK said...

Really pretty! Love the birch grove and the beautiful colors you've chosen. As for the first, I think the remaining golden colored makes a beautiful glow on the tree trunks

Julie B said...

Love your birch tree cards Loll, love a birch tree full stop! There is a small group in the hedgerow that we planted many years ago that I can see from the bedroom window, they catch the early morning light on their bark. :)

Linda said...

Both of your cards are beautiful, what a lovely stamp. The sky on the first card looks amazing, and I love the soft shades on the second one xx

Bonnie said...

I am loving this birch tree grove, Lolly! And both backgrounds are gorgeous with your sponging! Two very different looks!

Pat said...

I love the Birch Grove PB stamp and on both cards you have used it beautifully Loll, with the wonderful sunrise/sunset, and I love the window frame you have given it, then the soft pinks and blues on the second, so dreamy and pretty. x

Marcia Hill said...

Both of these are absolutely BEAUTIFUL Loll! I love that Birch Grove stamp and have a feeling you might just have enabled me AGAIN!! Your blended colors and splattered snow are so pretty on both, and I'm in LOVE with how you did your sentiment on the bottom of the 2nd card!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, my goodness, such a beautiful, peaceful feeling in these cards. You sure know how to use your stamps to their best advantage. So lovely, Loll!

HilaryJane said...

Both cards are wonderful. It is so interesting to how different the same stamp can look. I love the glow from the sun on the first one and those lovely subtle colours on the background of the second one xx

Nstiz said...

I always LOVE your sponging and the beautiful blending you do as well as your choice of colors. The window die is perfect on your first card and the cool colors of your second card caught my eye. Two beautiful cards, Loll!

Ina G said...

Wow Loll that birch tree stamp is a beauty and love how you have created both cards so simply and beautifully. Love the window and beautiful background blending on both. Lovely sentiment fonts and placings.

Susan said...

Both are beautiful, Loll. Wonderful colour variations for the same stamp! Love the window on the first one - what a great scene to look out at, especially at sunrise or sunset. The cards show how different you can make the same stamp look just by changing the colour scheme.

Christine Alexander said...

Two beautiful cards Lol, I love the warm glow behind the first and the simplicity of the second ♥

Donna said...

Gorgeous cards!

Trina P. said...

I’m sensing another contrasting duo, and both are so pretty. The first screams “rise and shine” while the second is serene and peaceful.

Darnell said...

These are both such gorgeous backgrounds, Lolly! Your sunrise/sunset is brilliant, but there is something about pink and blue skies that simply delights me. And your choices of sediments are perfect for each! Thank you for inspiring everyone to use their NBUS! Happy Holiday Hugs! Darnell

My Paper Epiphany said...

Gorgeous cards Loll! This stamp is on my wishlist. Thanks for joining us at PBSC:)

Jeanne H said...

Truly lovely cards, love them both.

wienerhoneymooners said...

This sentiment set is one of my ABSOLUTE faves from Penny Black!
thanks for joining in the Penny Black Saturday challenge!!!! Love both cards!!!

BożenA said...

The first card is truly memorable. The glow of the setting sun looks amazing. The second card is equally beautiful, I love the sky gently touched with pink. As if the sun had just risen... I love both cards
xx

Helen said...

Beautiful cards!
Thanks for playing at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge!
Helen x