Red Distress Ink Christmas Cards

My studio is pretty much all covered in a sprinkling of glitter and I look like the sugar plum fairy as I make more cards for Christmas. Lots of my relatives and non-crafting friends seem to think I am some kind of martyr making all my own cards but it is one of the things I love to do in December. Suddenly you 'need' loads of cards and you can bring out all those seasonal and special tools and stamps. It is part of my preparations and as much fun as decorating the tree or planning the Christmas lunch. Giving each friend a personal design is part of the gift of this season. Rather than being a chore it makes "doing my Christmas cards" into a moment when I can think about all the people I know and have perhaps not managed to spend time with in the year. I think the time spent on making each card is always appreciated by people and makes them feel considered and important - not a chore on your Christmas list.

As well as a dusting of glitter I have red fingers from all the red distress ink I have used this weekend. I wanted to try some layered distress ink cards using my Christmas stamps This is my first Perrella Christmas card I love the black archival on the rich red.

I tried to come up with Christmas blends but then just gave in to red all the way. It is fun to use all the different reds to layer the stencils and background stamping. I have a blend of Festive Berries, Aged Mahogany, Barn Door, Worn Lipstick, Fired brick and a little Ripe Persimmon. Ive used Geranium red and Sienna archival ink to stamp the background.

I made a few red cards with these two stamps the Russian doll is from Lynne Perrella 016 and the Santa is an old Graphic 45 stamp from twas the night before Christmas set. I was able to use all my latest new Tim Holtz stencils and make each card different with the same basic materials. All of them are mounted into kraft card bases.

This is definitely my favourite Christmas cards to make this year, and I got in some gold glitter too.

Hope you are enjoying your own Christmas preparation, thanks for spending a little time here Im sure you are all busy this fortnight.

Im linking these warm coloured cards at
Sadly the last Challenge over at Stamps and Stencils It's Got to be Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Warm Winter Wishes Monday Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Christmas Wednesday Challenge
That's Crafty Anything goes
Country view Crafts Christmas Challenge

Lynne Perrella Christmas card

Now its definitely OK to be talking Christmas. I have been making cards for my overseas friends as they need be posted by the end of the week.

I wanted to use this Lynne Perrella lady and surround her in winter foliage. First I cut a few layers gold glitter, red card and more gold. Then I made an embossed background.

This used the same technique that I used in an earlier card. You can see above the card on the left before I did anything and on the right after stamping, adding a little bit of distress ink and running it through the big shot with a folder. The foliage was all cut from Tim Holtz's Holiday Greens thinlits set. I just cut one set and then snipped them apart to fit.

Next I stamped the lady onto smooth watercolour paper using Potting Shed Archival ink. I coloured her in and then embossed her a couple of times in clear power.

I love the shine and bumpy textured surface it gives. The final elements are a torn piece of encyclopedia paper about Christmas and a sentiment stamped in red ink edged in gold Stickles and embelished with random red Stickles holly berries. Working out colours from computer screens is a nightmare. I ordered Nuvo Crystal drops in Red Berry but unlike the name implies they are more pink than red. If you want the ideal colour for holly berries Xmas Red Stickles is perfect, so long as you are happy with glitter berries. 

Hope you are all having fun with your Christmas cards and have lots of glitter on your fingers. Thanks for visiting.

I'm linking this card with:
Simon Says Stamp who are asking for anything beginning with B. Mine is be for berries.
Country View Crafts thier final challenge for 2018 is Christmas
Stamping Sensations Winter Sparkle Challenge

insect in a box

Just a quick post to join in with the latest Paperartsy Topic. I am sure I must be in good company with many crafters when I remember all the tiny things I made for and with matchboxes as a child. I was delighted to see the Challenge on the Paperartsy blog was Matchbox art this fortnight.

Of course I was busy and this is a last minute rush to enter. I made a new bug box with some Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook paper, Seth Apter's Vintage Beeswax embossing powder and Tim Holtz stamp sets.

I used one of the beetles I had made when my new Entomology dies arrived.

I love this nature themed paper and have been saving it for special project. This little box is perfect way to use a little of it. I was so happy to see it's shine once the embossing layers were built up. It makes the paper seem even more precious, like jewels and without any gold for once! I really enjoyed this little break from the Christmas card making.

Link to the Paperartsy Challenge #21 Matchbox art
also to:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is Anything Goes this week.