Paper Weaving

Weaving strips of paper together to create a background is a fantastic way to use up some of those scraps that have no doubt accumulated during the year. If you're feeling particularly creative, you could try altering the width of each strip for an interesting effect.

Products:

Stamped Background

I used a piece of watercolor paper and three different oxide inks to create a pretty background for my card. After stamping the image multiple times, I used a water brush to drag some of the ink around, softening the lines and adding a little more interest. 

Products:

Joy

I combined a couple of the images from the Sleigh Bells set to create a pretty embellishment for my card. Some silver cardstock, sparkly rhinestones, and a die cut sentiment finished the project nicely.

Products:

Season's Greetings

I used some pretty blue glitter card to add a little extra sparkle and shine to my Christmas card. I think it works nicely with the pop of bright red from the berries.

Products:

Sleigh Bells Panel

A black background provides the perfect contrast for these brightly coloured sleigh bells.

I started by stamping the single bell (minus the string) multiple times on a panel of white blending card and coloured them with alcohol markers. A solid black marker was then used to fill in the background and make my colours pop!

Products:

Day 25 - "V"

I mentioned earlier in the month that I enjoy colouring the bells with different markers to simulate a variety of shiny metals. Today, I've opted for a vintage vibe by giving the bells a healthy layer of rust!

YOUR TURN: Create a project using the letter "V" as your prompt.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Vintage, Vixen, visitors, view-master card, Venetian blind card, velvet, vermilion, violet, verdigris, vellum

Products:

Day 11 - Create a Background

Drag out your stamps, threads, paints, stencils, markers, and whatever else you want to play with today...

We're making backgrounds!

YOUR TURN: Create a card with a hand-made background.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

Products:

Day 2 - "B"

I enjoy colouring the sleigh bells with different markers to indicate particular types of metal. Today's effort uses several of the red-tinged E colours from my collection of alcohol markers for a warm and rustic vibe. The sentiment is made up of three individual stamps, stacked together and embossed with white to help break up the background.

YOUR TURN: Create a project using the letter "B" as your prompt.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Blitzen, boots, bows, box cards, bendy cards, building block cards, bleaching, beads, brads, burnishing, blue, brown, black, baubles

Products:

Simple Step Card

A simple step card makes a festive display for the sideboard or mantelpiece, and they're pretty easy to make... just move the centre fold up a little and add a couple more at the bottom!

Products:

Tutorial - Hammock Gatefold Cards

Combine two basic gatefold cards to create an awesome upright display card!

1. Place a 12" x 6" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 2", 4", 8" and 10". Fold along the score lines to form a gatefold card.

2. Now make a second, smaller gatefold card using a 9" x 4" piece of cardstock, scored at 11/2", 3", 6" and 71/2".

3. To decorate, you'll need one piece of contrasting cardstock measuring 37/8" x 57/8", four pieces measuring 17/8" x 57/8", and two pieces measuring 13/8" x 33/8".

You'll also need one piece of patterned paper measuring 33/4" x 53/4", four pieces measuring 13/4" x 53/4", and two measuring 11/4" x 31/4".

4. Secure the patterned paper to the cardstock with glue or tape.

5. Secure the patterned paper and cardstock panels to your larger card base, except for the two outside panels, which will be added later.

6. Adhere the two small cardstock and patterned paper panels to the smaller gatefold card as shown in the photo below.

7. Prepare a 27/8" x 4" decorative panel and secure to the centre of the small gatefold card. (NOTE: If you prefer, you can simply decorate the centre section of the card with stamps, embellishments, or patterned paper.) 

8. Use glue or strong double-sided tape to secure the small gatefold to the large gatefold, lining up the first and last score lines. I found it easiest to apply glue to the end panel of the small gatefold, position it over the larger gatefold and then close the cards together. Repeat for the other end.

9. Secure the two remaining panels to the ends of the large gatefold.

10. (OPTIONAL) Create a simple belly band by wrapping a 11/2" wide scrap of cardstock around your card and glueing the ends together. Decorate as desired.

Products:

Merry and Bright

Most water based inks and paints retain their vibrancy when you add water, unlike oxide inks, which become chalky and muted creating a nice contrast for elements placed over them, like the gold embossed sentiment I added to this card. 

Products:

Black and White

I achieved a kind of chalk-board look with today's card by stamping and painting my images with white oxide ink on black cardstock. I did have to paint fairly quickly without too much water to prevent my cardstock from tearing, but the ink went on quite easily.

Products: