Thursday, January 03, 2019

CAS Christmas January Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the 2019 CAS Christmas challenges.  I know we are just getting over our holidays ... but it's never to early to start making Christmas cards for this year.  Making them all year takes the pressure off having to make a lot at a busy time of year.

This month's challenge is being hosted by Christine (It's a Card Day's Night).  And she chose a very beautiful and elegant colour combination.


I started with the background for the circle aperture.  This is a piece of mixed media paper that is sprinkled with Lindy's magical powders and then run through with an embossing folder.  This folder came with my Gemini Jr. die-cutting machine, so I don't have a name for it.  It's very elegant with lots of flourishes.  The embossing embeds the powders into the paper.  When I spritz with water afterwards, I get pooling of the colours where they are embedded into the paper.  LOVE the deep colours with the shimmer from the magicals.

I die-cut a wreath from silver foil paper that fits perfectly around the circle aperture.  I used a stylus and foam mat to add a bit of dimension to the holly leaves.  For the berries, I wanted to add blue but didn't have any deep blue crystal drops, so I just added dots of glue and then sprinkled with deep blue, chunky glitter.  It worked really well. :)  To finish, I stamped the sentiment and heat embossed in silver.

Here's another view ...

... and here's a close-up that shows the shine from the foil paper and heat embossing ...
Make sure to check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Designers, and our Guest Designer this month, Kaja (Kajcyika Crafts).  Then come play along and start building your stash gradually throughout the year!






Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Foil card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Magicals: Hydrangea Blue, Tiffany Blue (Lindy's); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Embossing folder from Gemini, water mister, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Home for the Holidays Wreath die (Memory Box), stylus and mat, blue glitter, Silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Christmas January Challenge - Blue and Silver


31 comments:

Colleen said...

Stunning background with your embossing folder and the Lindy's magical powders as well as the beautiful wreath with the blue berries Loll!

Mac Mable said...

Absolutely stunning. The vibrancy from the Lindys look fabulous and the technique looks amazing. All finished off with the beautiful shiny wreath and the fun blue chunky glitter berries....So creative, unique and eye catching x.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! this is STUNNING. love the silver and blue and theat holly die.
Faith
x

Susan said...

So beautiful with the wonderful silver wreath - great idea to use blue glitter for the berries. Love your Magicals background!

Barb Ghig said...

You've definitely started the year off with a bang, Loll...This card is absolutely GORGEOUS! I love how you used Magical Powders and added texture to your background...it's so pretty, and works perfectly with your silver wreath! Such a clever way to create berries, too...I love the effect! Thanks so much for your inspiration...I'm putting on my thinking cap for this challenge, for sure :)

Nstiz said...

WOW, Loll! You outdid yourself with this one. how I love that silver wreath framing your gorgeous background and once again, you formed it for dimension. This one is incredibly beautiful!

Maria said...

Such a lovely card, Loll! Very pretty background and the silver wreath is very pretty!

Doris said...

What a gorgeous card, Loll! I am truly inspired!

Jan said...

Beautiful card...so well done!!! TFS
Paper Hugs,
Jan

Brenda said...

What an elegant card Loll! I love this color challenge, blue and silver are so beautiful together. I forget, does the Christmas challenge have to have any watercolor or any mixed media on it? Love this, now off to see what the other designers had made and then think about joining in on this one so I can keep up with making Christmas cards for 2019! Hugs, Brenda

Christine Alexander said...

gorgeous Loll, your beautiful silver wreath is a gorgeous frame for your magical embossed image.
We have to do the embossing folder powdered inks again, I need a tutorial :)

nancy littrell said...

Wow...Stunning Magicals and die cut silver foil wreath, Loll. I love how you dry embossed your Magicals background and spritzed with water. Adding your blue berries was so clever too. TFS my friend. Hugs, Nancy

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, this is simply stunning, Loll! I love this card! Both the texture/pattern and the colors of the Lindy's magical background are so elegantly beautiful. And the delicate shiny silver wreath adds a festive feeling. I was wondering what you used for the blue berries when I saw the picture. How clever and resourceful you are! Now I see chunky glitter differently. :-)
Hideko xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Loll this is exquisite - love the treatment you have given the wreath, and that subtle background is perfect behind the circle
Blessings
Maxine

Anita in France said...

Wow, Loll ... how gorgeous! I agree, this is a beautiful colour combo ... and you've made it shine (literally and figuratively!) here! Lovely texture and interest on the background ... and a fabulous, delicate wreath with those chunky glitter berries! A stunner! Hugs, Anita :)

Jeanne said...

Wow, Loll, this is so beautiful. I adore that circle piece, the magicals blended together fantastically. Adding the silver just takes this to a special place. Thank you SO much for sharing!

Bobby said...

This looks like a gorgeous piece of jewelry, Loll. I guess it really is jewelry for a card as it adorns the cardstock to make it eye-catching. No blue gems but blue glitter? :D

Trina P. said...

Beautiful, Loll. Love the shimmer and sparkle from the Magicals and silver foil. Brilliant solution to no deep blue Nuovo drops... the blue glitter looks fabulous. xx

Patti said...

mmmm stunning card Loll! I really love the backgrounds you create and the bling you added is like frosting on the cake!! : )

Patti

Linda said...

Gorgeous blue background for your pretty silver wreath, Loll. Beautiful card and Happy New Year.

Bonnie said...

I wish I could get the embossing folder technique to work for me this well, Loll! What a beautiful center for this elegant wreath! Love the blue "berries"! An awesome Christmas card, my friend!

TK said...

Fabulous, Loll! LOVE the colored back, but your stunning silvery wreath is beautiful!

Aileen said...

I could sit and stare at this magical card all night, the effect on the embossed then watersprayed panel is just magical. then wrapped with the beautiful silver and blue die cut pieces - perfect Loll xxx

Julia Aston said...

What great added dimension with that delicate silver wreath surounding that lovely blue circle Loll! The little blue dots of chunky glitter look wonderful scattered on the branch tips! Julia xx

Marcia Hill said...

This is one GORGEOUS card Loll! I absolutely LOVE your background with the embossing folder and powdered color...definitely have to try that!! And your silver wreath is so elegant and looks just lovely against that blue background! Lovely, lovely card my friend!! :0)

Darnell said...

You give new meaning to the word brilliant, Lolly! What a beauty you have created with a thoughtful and extraordinary combination of mixed media! Hugs, Dolly

Leslie Miller said...

Beautiful! The chunky glitter worked out perfectly and the background with the embossing and Magicals is a little piece of art all by itself.

BożenA said...

It is so beautiful Christmas card! The combination of colors makes me almost feel the chill of the ice. Your background is amazing, silver wreath also. And I love blue accents.
BożenA xx

Nance said...

Wow, Loll! Sooooo very gorgeous! I can't decide which is my fave, the background or the wreath! Just wonderful! xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

wow...another gorgeous card!!
I am in awe mf.
You have been keeping busy. I so miss my crafting time which has been few and far between.
I'm hoping once my friend is back to work and I am less busy with the extra kids that I will have more time...and be a bit less tired! lol
xx Karen

Pat said...

The bright shiny silver wreath stands out beautifully against that bright blue of the Lindy's Magical powder, and love the bit of embossing too Loll. The idea of adding chunky glitter to the ends of the stems for berries has worked really well too. x