Wednesday, October 21, 2015

It's never to early for Christmas...

I don't know about you, but I love making my own Christmas cards, and as I have quite a few to make, it's never too early to start....
I started with a 5 3/4 by 53/4" piece of scrapbook paper and gave it a few sprays of Spritz Rocka Fella Blue and Vibez Blue Jeans.
I added some bits of gessoed chipboard and gave it some more colour. I also sprayed some of the Vibez straight onto a back ground stamp and stamped it onto the paper for some more interest.
Next I prepared a background panel. I took some corrugated packaging, scraped on a mix of texture paste and sand paste for texture, using a palette knife and when it had dried and cracked, used the same two sprays on that also. I then adhered it more or less to the center of my card. I also did some background stamping with an old text stamp.
I then layered some snowflake dies on top of each other. I covered them with gel medium, sprinkled on Rock Candy Distress Glitter and when that had dried I added some colour with Inklingz in Penny For Your Thoughts, spraying some water so the colour would not get too dark.
Next I took some wooden  leaf embellishments, gave them a coat of gesso and then used the same 3 colours to colour them.
Time to layer it all up on my card. I added a ribbon still, coloured with the two sprays, some brads, again gessoed and coloured in the same way and finally a sentiment.
I wetted the edges of the paper with water and then curled them up and let it dry to give it all a distressed and shabby look.
Next I matted on some dark card and a 7 x 7 card blank and my card was done..

Don't forget, you can order Shimmerz products directly from the Shimmerz Paints Store. If you do,  mention my name (Astrid Maclean) in the «Instruction to Merchant/seller» part of your order form (just below your name and address). After clicking «add», you'll get a FREE product in the color of your choice. And for people from outside the US, Shimmerz do a really good deal on postage!
Thanks for visiting today and have fun making your own Christmas Cards! Shimmerz beautiful shimmering paints and sprays are just perfect for Christmas!

22 comments:

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow love it Astrid it looks fabulous xx

Annie said...

What a beautiful Christmas card Astrid x love the amazing textures, shimmer and details in your wonderful step by step

TFS and hugs too x
Annie x

SewPaperPaint said...

This is AMAZING, Astrid! AMAZING!

experiments in paper said...

Gorgeous layering, Astrid..... really love those colors, and as usual your textures are stunning!! xxx Lynn

Margaret Mifsud said...

This is stunning Astrid, but then, your creations always are. Gorgeous colour and amazing texture .. absolutely fabulous!! xx

Tamara said...

Hi Astrid..
Your card is gorgeous..and it does seem to be the perfect time to begin making them! What you did with cardboard is a great idea. I've been saving some for a project and you've given inspiration...as always :) Your colors and textures are so perfectly blended and the the snowflake is beautiful. I'm really working on the mixed media techniques and your instructions are very helpful. I've been looking for a line of the paints to purchase. I will look into the Shimmerz and will surely mention your name. Thank you so much for sharing your talents and techniques. Wishing you a lovely day<3

Tamara

Dorthe said...

Astrid, another amazing card, so fantastic from start till end, and loving your light blue tones of frosty winter. The snowflake looks gorgeous, and also your leaves against the white , whom wouldn`t believe in magic, seing this !!
Hugs,Dorthe

Juliz Design Post said...

Wow Astrid what a stunning card and the colours of the sprays look amazing.
Julie x

froebelsternchen said...

Just WONDERFUL ! This card is such an eyecatcher..so much detail... gorgeous!

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hello Astrid,
wow, what a stunning card and so wonderful colours. I love your Carddesign so much. Hugs Silvi

rachel said...

really gorgeous - amazing texture - fabulous sparkle - brilliant!

Unknown said...

Arghhhhh, I wanna be on your Christmas card list!! lol :) This is STUNNING Astrid, I just adore that text and not to mention the colour, I love those colours for Christmas because they sing of winter outdoors and frosty mornings!! Beautiful hun, love it and so inspiring xx

Redanne said...

This is absolutely stunning Astrid, wonderful textures, great colour (my favourite for Christmas) and beautiful design! Hugs, Anne xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a stunning card Astrid - gorgeous colours, amazing textures and all those wonderful little details. Just love it! Jennie x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! I love the textures and gorgeous sheen - a truly fabulous card, Chrisx

Deb said...

So beautiful Astrid, thanks so much for sharing it! Deb xo

Gitte said...

Wow beautiful card.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous card Astrid! LOVE the layers of wonderfulness!

Paper Profusion said...

Absolutely beautiful Astrid - just love the shade of that bow! Nicola x

Terry said...

This is one gorgeous Christmas card, Astrid! I love the soft and frosty shades of blue. The layers look amazing and that bow is as lovely as can be! Love this! Hugs!

Words and Pictures said...

Gorgeous - love the frosty blues and fabulous textures. Wonderful card!
Alison x

Jackie PN said...

Astrid! this is beyond gorgeousness! Totally exquisite! Your style and design never fail to amaze me!! Bravo dear friend! xox