Deck the Halls

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

This challenge is sponsored by

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