August CAS Christmas Challenge - Pine

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of August's CAS Christmas challenge!  This month is being hosted by Trina (Phamtastic Design) ... and she would like to see Pine on our CAS Christmas cards.

I started with a large pine branch and pinecome background from Simon Says Stamp (Pinecone Background).  I inked up the pinecones using my mini archival inks Potting Soil and Leaf Green and stamped onto mixed media paper.  I stamped my image and then watercoloured over top with more colours ... this time using distress inks (Ground Espresso, Walnut Stain, Gathered Twigs, Brushed Corduroy, Peeled Paint, Forrest Moss).

Once the watercolouring was done, I used a finger sponge dauber to add more ink around the pine branches (Peeled paint DI), and pinecones (Gathered Twigs DI).  This made it so the background was not stark white.  To finish, I splattered with white acrylic paint and then also heat embossed with Chunky White Frantage for the falling snow.  I mounted my panel on a slightly longer panel, stamping my sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Gina Marie Designs) in Peeled Paint DI to match.  The last part of the design was to add a final backing panel of dark brown card stock, slightly larger on one wide and in length to add framing.  I popped up the panel with foam.

Close-up ...

I love the versatility of this challenge.  You can use pine branches, pine needles, pinecones ... or pine coloured inks or paint!  :)

So excited to have two Guest Designers this month.  Welcome to Elizabeth (Paper Sweetness), and Lucie (Lucie G. cards).  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing CAS Pine Christmas cards from our fabulous Guest Designers and DT.  Then come join us!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

Make sure to add "subscribe" to the message.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

To unsubscribe, please use the same form making sure to add

"unsubscribe" to the message.

Thank you.

Stamps:  Pine Background (Simon Says Stamp); Christmas Sentiments (Gina Marie Designs)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Early Espresso card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Archival ink:  Potting Soil, Leaf Green (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain, Ground Espresso, Peeled Paint, Forrest Moss (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Paint brushes, sponge daubers, white acrylic paint, splatter brush, Chunky White Frantage (Stampendous)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas August Challenge - Pine