Sunday 19 November 2017

Keep Calm and Freak Out!!


Today I realised that I have exactly one more weekend left to prepare for Christmas. No, I haven't lost my capability to interpret a calendar, but next weekend we are going to Sheffield to my Sister's as my Mum will come and see us before Christmas. I can't wait to see her, and we are planning to take her to Chatsworth Christmas Market. I love Christmas markets, although instead of buying presents I end up buying a lot of yummy delicacies for myself instead! Then the next two weekends we will be in Finland to celebrate the 100th independence day with friends. We will be staying in a log cabin in the mountains, and will spend the week skiing and enjoying the Northern Lights from our heated outdoor pool! Including travel, that will eat up two whole weekends, which means there is only one more left before the big C. 

So I reacted like any sensible human being would to the news of having only one weekend to plan for hosting six people for three days. I freaked out, and started making lists. Well, first I made a list of all the lists I needed. Please tell me I'm not the only one?

In addition to freaking out about lists, I also realised that I don't have nearly enough cards to send to everyone. I've been a very bad card maker this year and completely failed to prepare for the biggest holiday in the card-making calendar. But this year, instead of feeling guilty I will accept that some people will end up with store bought cards. Oh well, we live to see another day. There are people with bigger problems in the world and I should stop being a drama queen.

However, all is not yet lost. I may be able to conjure up a few more cards and therefore spent a small part of today (in between freaking out) to give you four ideas of how you can quickly create last minute cards. I picked my favourite ever big Christmas sentiment - STAMPlorations Typografia Christmas Merry Little Christmas - but you could pick any big sentiment stamp you love (if you are still looking for your one true Christmas sentiment love, you should have a look in the STAMPlorations Typografia range, and even better if you find one you like, use code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout for 20% off!). I then created four different quick and easy backgrounds in warm colours and then heat embossed the gorgeous stamp in copper onto the backgrounds. 

My first background was made using Distress markers. I scribbled various yellow, orange and red marker pens onto a piece of acetate, spritzed generously with water and then smooched against watercolour paper. I dried with a heating tool, die cut using the Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies and patted with my Embossing Buddy to remove any background static and ensure that the embossing powder would only stick to the stamped image. Then I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed with Papermania Copper embossing powder.

My second background was created using Distress ink pads, I used a foam applicator to randomly apply inks, using the rectangle die as a mask. When I was happy with the background, I splattered some water on it before die cutting and heat embossing.



My third background was again created using Distress Markers. I used the markers directly onto watercolour card, colouring an ombre effect with the reds at the bottom, then oranges and yellows at the top. Then I used a very wet brush to blend the colours and dried with a heat tool before die cutting and heat embossing.



I used Brushos for my fourth background. I sprinkled the colour pigments very lightly onto the background and then spritzed generously with water before drying, die cutting and heat embossing. 



It actually didn't take very long to create these four cards, I think the quickest background to create was the first one which only takes the flashest of flashes.

Unfortunately we are way beyond the time when I manage to photograph my cards in daylight so you will have to put up with the bad photos, but hopefully I have been able to inspire you to create some quick cards in case you have been struggling with inspiration to get going with your cards, or realised that your stash isn't large enough yet.

I'm linking up my Brusho card over at CAS Watercolour where the theme is Holiday. I'm also linking up over at Just Add Ink where the challenge is to Just Add R (R for red) and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme is Stitch Up (add stitching). Last, but not least I'm linking up with Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge where the optional twist is Christmas.


Card: Stampin' Up Real Red card, Daler&Rowney 300 gsm watercolour paper
Ink: Tsukineko Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads and markers Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Festive Berries, Barn Door
Stamps: STAMPlorations Typografia Christmas Merry Little Christmas
Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

10 comments:

Joanne Stubbings said...

Great job on the wonderful watercolour backgrounds and your embossed sentiments over the top are beautiful! Thanks for joining in with us this week at Just Add Ink!

Christine Alexander said...

great watercolour backgrounds, love the non traditional colours and the simplicity of the design. thanks for joining us at CAS Watercolour.

Ina G said...

Love them all Karola and of course that sentiment which is perfect for those casimply quick Christmas cards you need in a hurry. Those stamps are all awesome. Loving the backgrounds.
Have yourself a blast with all the celebrations you have planned and I hope those Northern Lights put on a spectacular display for you while you enjoy that heated pool.
Now I had better say Thank You for sharing over at CAS Watercolour Challenge. Ina Guest Designer.

nancy littrell said...

At least you have not lost your sense of humor, Karola... LOVE all 4 of your quick and beautiful CAS designed cards. I Have 3 of the Christmas typografia stamps and LOVE them! I have to make 10 quick cards and had already decided to use my stamps. TFS and inspiring me even more:-) Thank you for joining us at CAS Watercolour. Hugs and have a fabulous skiing holiday with your friends and shopping trip.

Maura said...

Best of luck getting ready for the holidays! Your Christmas card is lovely, and I really like how you chose some different colors. So glad you’ve joined us this week at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge and shared your awesome project! hugs, Maura

Loll said...

Very funny post, Karola! I'm sure you're not the only one freaking out right now. Great work to create four quick CAS cards to inspire others. Using the same inks and image, but different techniques creates four unique cards. Awesome! Thanks for sharing your Brusho background card with us at CAS Watercolour!

Nikki Spencer said...

Gorgeous watercolour backgrounds..l especially like the Brusho effect. Thanks for sharing at Just Add Ink.

Anonymous said...

Ohh - great to see all the wonderful techniques you have used. Thank you for sharing them. Chantell Just Add Ink

Bonnie said...

What a variety of looks using this fantastic sentiment with the different media backgrounds! Great choice of colors and sentiment! Thanks so much, Karola, for sharing these with us at CAS Watercolour! Happy family time and travels!

Marjorie DUMONTIER said...

That’s a great set of cards ! I love your gorgeous backgrounds !