Monday, September 3, 2018

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly

Hello there and happy early September!  We're entering a time for some very season-specific stamping -- fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  It's always the busiest time, and not just for stamping.  Whew, I'm worn out just thinking about it!  Today I'm one card closer to Christmas.  How are you doing with yours?  Making progress, I hope.

This one started with the background.  It's a Cuttlebug cut and emboss die and I can't for the life of me remember the name of it.  A dear friend sent several for me to play with and I still have a few left.  She'd cut this one in the bright green (which I love).  I colored each berry with a red Copic and the veins with green, then splattered liberally with diluted white acrylic paint.  Fun!




The holly die will cover a 5 x 7 card, but I cut it down to fit under the frame for this A2 card.  The bird is a Lil' Inker stamp called 'Tis the Season.  I colored several of this stamp last year.  It's definitely a favorite.  Backed up the bird with a stitched circle so it wouldn't get lost in the holly.  As a final step I dressed up the bird's hat with Ice White Viva Decor Perlen-Pen, sprinkled with micro-fine glitter.




I've started two other cards with this holly background, each with a similar design, but different stamps.  I'll get back to those later.  I'll list all supplies below.  Have a happy day!



Stamps:  Lil' Inker 'Tis the Season  Paper:  Neenah White, SU red, other green  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Viva Decor Ice White Perlen-Pen, Elizabeth Craft Warm Diamond Micro-fine glitter, white acrylic paint, Cuttlebug cut and emboss holly, Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers

19 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

Sure is a stunning stamp Leslie, lovely colour tones and makes a fabulous start to your Christmas cards...xx

Ros Crawford said...

I haven't attempted one Christmas card yet and I'm still quite happy enjoying your beauties... This like all the others is gorgeous!

Sherri said...

What a fantastic card, Leslie! Your bird is gorgeous and so is the background! Seeing this happy little guy would bring a smile to anyone who received it! He's adorable!!

Darnell said...

I remember this amazing bird image from last year, Leslie. She is definitely a classic to be returned to year after year! Your bold and bright colors and that awesome colored and splattered holly background suit her perfectly, as does the white circle and super Christmas-red frame! Deck the halls, deck the rooms, deck the boughs, deck the deck ... Christmas is coming like a locomotive!! Hope your enjoying Labor Day weekend! Hugs, Darnell

Donna Ellis said...

I'm not doing well at all on Christmas cards LOL - but this one is so beautifully bright and cheerful, Leslie! Love the fur lined cap and pom pom and your highlights in each berry! Gorgeous background. This little birdie definitely knows how to decorate for the season. I especially like your color choices. Have a great day! We are preparing for lots of rain as the tropical storm passes by. hugs, de

nancy littrell said...

Such a bright and cheerful Christmas bird design, Leslie. I love your die cut holly background and how you added the stitched white circle to make your sweet festive bird stand out. All your details are...so you. TFS my friend. Hugs..

Verna Angerhofer said...

So cute is that bird sitting in it's nest home which is all decked out. I love it.

Yogi said...

cute. have a great day

Pauline said...

I'm glad to see you use this bird again because I love what you did with this image last year. What a fabulous embossed background, I love the bright green and those little red berries. The red frame is so perfect, it helps bring out the red berries. Love the bird so brightly coloured, and the micro fine glitter trim on the hat, so pretty. You do amazing work Leslie. Good for you for another Christmas card done. I only have one done so far. I always seem to have great ideas to make Christmas cards when I'm at work - why is that? then you get home at night and tired and you don't make a card! That's how it's been lately for me anyways. Another wonderful card Leslie, TFS on this Holiday Monday. Enjoy your day!

Kathy Krug said...

Love the die cut background. Until you described it I thought it was designer paper. Fun Christmas card. I counted mine the other day and I have 32 done and the beginnings of five more. concentrating on the fifteen birthdays I have in September and October.

crafty-stamper said...

One card closer than me-not started yet!Fabulous background and great beautifully coloured image
Carol x

Darlene said...

Hello my friend and Happy Labor Day! I see I'm not the only one hiding in the craft room but, not being the 'colorist' you are, I'm sticking with my die cuts and creating show projects. This is fabulous ... love that image and you've colored it brilliantly! How nice to have that lovely background to play with and add your own personal touches to! I have several holiday cards created so far but we will see how many are left for my use once the Fall shows are over and done with lol. Happy Day and keep up the fabulous work ... always such a pleasure to stop by!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

You are definitely doing a good job on your Xmas cards. As you said, it was too hot to do what we planned to do as well, and I was able to spend some time in the craft room. I love how you did the background on this card and love the little bird especially with the holly sticking out of his mouth!

Conniecrafter said...

I haven't seen that cut and emboss yet, that makes a nice background for your cute bird all nestled in with the holly and flowers, like how you put a frame around it all too. I did manage to get another card done for Christmas

Evelyn S. said...

I'm way behind on your blog...we just returned from two weeks with the daughter-in-law and granddaughter while our son was traveling on business. It's difficult for me to get back into the groove, I guess. This card of yours is so vibrant and includes those wonderful details you are noted for. (The only Christmas cards I have are ones left over from previous years! Guess I should get moving.)

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Another beautiful card to add to your Christmas Stash Leslie.
Love the vibrant colors and the sweet image of this bird totally rocking that Santa's hat.
I hear you are taking another trip in September, I can't wait to see the pictures.
Sending hugs and Love.
Maria.

Cindy Beach said...

This one makes me smile and want to shout, YAY, you spattered!! What a difference all that white makes in the pretty background. That bird looks cute and happy nestled among all that greenery. This one is one of my favorites of your Christmas cards so far. Love it!

Diane said...

On I love that gorgeous background, I have that die and haven't ever used it as it was so big, but never thought to cut it down..geez (will store that idea for later)! The bright and happy colors of this make it come alive a gorgeous design and a fabulous stamp, too. Can you tell I am trying to play catch up? We didn't get home until Tuesday and I am not sure where to start, so here I am on the computer!!

Stacy Morgan said...

Too cute and the added touch to the hat is perfectly sweet. I am getting some CHristmas cards done as you know. :-)