Thursday, October 28, 2010

Christmas Toile

Hello everyone!  Remember when Stampin' Up! introduced their stamp set, Elements of Style, several months back?  It was an instant hit in the Splitcoast galleries and I fell in love with the set even before it was available to non-demonstrators.  When I finally got the set in my hands, I used it once, maybe twice and down it went to the basement (my stamping storage).  I love Elements, but I have too many stamp sets (yikes, did I actually just say that?) and not enough time to use them all.

I'm pleased to say that Elements of Style saw daylight today for a Christmas card.  The idea came to me last night as I lay awake at, like, 3:30 am.   
Isn't it gorgeous?  This makes up for all my cards that I wasn't too crazy about.
As you can see from photos below and above, I made two versions of this card and each is subtly different (I tend to do that), using two stamps from the same set.  I think the flourish actually looks better because it's a bolder style, which works well with heat embossing. 

Here's what I did:
After stamping the images in Versamark, I heat-embossed them with white embossing powder.  (The hydrangeas in the picture - from the Because I Care set - did not make the grade.  They were too busy-looking after embossing.)  Then I used my Ornament Punch (SU) to punch out as many images as I could manage.  I actually got 11 out of the page you see here; not bad!

The foliage, from a Flourishes set called All That Glitters, was stamped multiple times.  The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers' Seasonal Poinsettias.

I am entering my card at:


I have turned the sketch on its side, of course.  This was SUCH an easy sketch to work with; thank you, Priscilla!

Thank you for joining me today.  I always appreciate your visit!

Happy Stamping,
Colleen

Stamps:  Seasonal Poinsettias by Marks Finest Paper, Elements of Style (SU), All That Glitters by Flourishes
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, white by PTI (for card base; nice & sturdy!)
Ink:  Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black, Handsome Hunter
Punches:  Ornament (SU)
Other:  pearls (black and white), dimensionals, Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon

21 comments:

Benzi said...

Wow! Colleen, this is awesome. I love the color combo. And, the white embossing is spectacular. I think you have another winner.

Bonnie said...

What a great idea Colleen! I've had the Bella Toile background stamp on my wish list for quite a while. Now I see that I don't need that! And I love the ornament with the embossed design! Gotta go try that now. Thanks for the inspiration! Hugs

Marisa said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, Colleen!!! Love it!! I vote for the first version, but both are fabulous. I'd be thrilled to get this Christmas card - hint, hint LOL! Great work!

Lisa Somerville said...

How pretty, both are stunning! Thanks for playing at the PDCC.

Emily Keaton said...

FANTASTIC, Colleen! You used all three of these stamp sets masterfully. Wow, they all go together so well!! Great job on the PDCC challenge colors. They made this into a super elegant card. Loved your idea to use Elements of style with your ornament punch. Awesome!

Denise said...

Oh Wow, this is gorgeous. Love the beautiful color combination. The embossed ornament is a perfect touch. Love it!
Thank you so much for playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.

Denise P.
Design Team

Julie Ranae said...

What a wonderful Christmas card, Colleen...I love the 'splash' of color for The Play Date Cafe Challenge...simply lovely.

Lovely Linda said...

Hello Colleene - this is GORJUSS! I am glad that you got this stamp set out of the basement - you have used it so perfectly! I love both versions of the card - they are eelgant and timeless! I am loving this! Thanks for playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week! {{{hugs}}}
Linda MMSC Design Team

Carol Hurlock said...

Wow Colleen this is exceptional. What a journey in beauty and grace. This is one classy elegant card. You sure know how to emboss to perfection. I just love this. WOWZER Girl!!! Great job with the sketch. Thank you so much for playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.

Bear Hugs,
Carol :O}
Midnight Madness Design Team

PS You did the Punckateers Proud!

Andrea Ewen said...

Awesome, Col! Perfect amount of splash for our challenge! I say, if you're gonna be up at 3am, you may as well be productive! I guess you and I think the same! Super inspiration and psst....never say you have too many stamps. Never know when the hubby may be listening... lol. Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe!

Sue Lelli said...

BEAUTIFUL - both! Don't you LOVE it when you pull something out you haven't really used much and create something so fabulous! LOVE the toile! LOVE the big pearl in the O.

Lin said...

I love it! Beautiful composition!

Valerie said...

Wow! I just love it!!! I want to go do a card like this. This is fab!

Sarah Anderson said...

Very stylish cards, and how fantastic to get so many ornaments (and therefore cards) from that one sheet of embossing! I love white embossing :) It's great having you playing along in the cafe with us this week :)

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

this is so beautiful, love the embossing and the pines and design.

Suzanne C said...

Fab ornament. Beautiful card! Love how you used the color splash in the ribbon. Thanks for playing along with us at the PDCC.

Darsie Bruno said...

this is absolutely stunning! You can never go wrong with black and white, but you have gone over the top! Fabulous card! Thanks so much for joining us over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge! We hope you'll join us next week for another fabulous sketch and we look forward to seeing your creation!
Hugs, Darsie
MMSC DT

Gunn (MsPlum) said...

Hi!
This is such a gorgeous christmascard! Love the ornament and the black and white with the touch of red!
Gorgeous!


Thanks for joining Midnight Madness Challenge. Your support is highly valued, and we hope to see you playing with us again real soon ;o)

Hugs
Gunn
MMSCDT

Zue said...

I like the tree branch behind the bauble. Very pretty card!
Sue xx

jen said...

Stunning!!! Congrats on making Fab 4 at PDCC!

Emily Keaton said...

OK, just saw the GOOD NEWS on the PDCC blog. Did I not call this?? Just call me "prophetess"!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Colleen. This card is just amazing and I'm so thrilled for you. Way to go :) :) :)

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