Hello friends! It's time for me to get back in the saddle. I stepped away long enough to make and mail a significant number of Christmas cards while still trying to be a good dog mom for Sophie and manage a whole lot of other things that continue to crop up. I keep hoping things will level off... maybe in the new year.
Today I have two cards made with the Altenew Poinsettia 3D -- a gift from the sweetest friend. The poinsettias on each card were brushed with Distress Oxide Inks, then rested on miscellaneous foliage die cuts against an embossed background panel. I'm truly not happy with the sentiment flag on the first card. In fact, it was covering up something else I didn't like and, well, I won't go into that whole long story...
The second card is simpler. After I stamped the sentiment I inked up the stamp and used it to stamp the foliage over and over, reinking frequently. That's how it got the mottled look. Also, I water-spritzed the poinsettia after adding color.
Closer:
I will come back to this poinsettia in 2024 as I hope to NOT be this far behind again. Right. I believe I said that last year, but there's nothing wrong with being an optimist!
There are a lot more Christmas cards coming. So many you'll get tired of me. I hope to also start getting caught up with my blog visiting. You all are the best inspiration. The best enablers, too, tsk tsk. You know I love it!
Happy holidays!
WOW, these Poinsettia cards are stunningly beautiful! We have a green house here full of 8 different colors of Poinsettia's and yours look just like the real thing in the greenhouse!! As for sending our Christmas cards, I'm ashamed to say I haven't even made mine yet, today hopefully, but I do have the stamps bought, that is a plus I guess, HAH! Glad to see you getting back in the swing of things, it's been a crazy time here too, I could write a book!!
ReplyDeleteboth are lovely. You're definitely getting into the holiday spirit. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Leslie!! I know how you feel about the Christmas cards. I am ready to get started on my next year's cards right away! I have some things out already. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThe Altenew Poinsettia dies are a favorite of mine too Leslie and I can't believe I haven't used them yet this year...maybe some Christmas thank you's are in order!! But anyway, both of your cards are absolutely beautiful and that flag on the first card sure looks fine to me! Loving your coloring on both cards too! I also think being "caught up" is over-rated IMHO!! Haha!! We can all just be behind together! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteBoth beautiful cards and love the poinsettias.Hope next year is better for you and indeed better for us all!
ReplyDeleteCarol x
I will never get tired of your cards, so keep them coming. your poinsettia dies look amazing on both cards. Sorry the first one was a trial, it is funny how we can dislike a card for no good reason. I bet everyone else thinks the flag sentiment is fine. Love ow you have tied it in with the sparkly green strip xx
ReplyDeleteYour Poinsettias are so beautiful, Leslie! I'm so happy you had the chance to use them this year - LOVE the pink to chartreuse color combo, btw! I'm also loving the pine branch embossing as a backdrop - so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLike we could EVER get tired of you! Bring it, my friend!
I love your optimism - cheers to a new year!
=]
Wow, Wow! Imagine my surprise as I opened my mail today and found this beautiful Christmas card from you. It is so much more amazing in real life. Making cards keeps me happy, but getting them from crafty friends makes me filled with JOY! Thank you, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous poinsettias, Leslie! I love the pink and yellow of the first one and I like that sentiment flag! And the red is extra gorgeous! I love how the water made the sponged colors look and the mottled look of the foliage!
ReplyDeleteTwo pretty poinsettias with wonderful trimmings! I look forward to what you'll do with them next year too. How could we ever get tired of you, your pretty cards and lets not forget, Sophie!
ReplyDeleteBig and Beautiful Die Cut Poinsettia Christmas cards, Leslie. I always LOVE all your beautiful cards. Take care, dear friend:-) Love and Hugs..Nancy
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful. I love to see your work and I do get inspiration from your coloring. Colors are always a challenge for me. And there isn't a chance I'd get tired of your cards. Thanks for sharing them and Sophie too.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful Christmas cards. I love the coloring especially the pink. You are so good at making your Christmas cards all year long. I like how your leaves accent the flowers! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards Leslie! Really love your first card, the colour combo is magnificent. Love the embossed background as well. No chance of ever getting tired of seeing your cards. I always look forward to when you create, you are such a big inspiration in so many ways! Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous poinsettia and beautiful colour combos.
ReplyDeleteStunning.... both are exquisitely designed and love the colurs... love dabbling with poinsettia dies and stamps xx
ReplyDeleteThese poinsettia cards are so pretty, Leslie. LOVE your new poinsettia die, it is so amazing and detailed. Bet you had fun working with it! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...I just love poinsettias. I made several cards with them this year too using dies from Frantic Stamper. Hard to mail though...lol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Leslie! I love poinsettias and these using that gorgeous die are so special. I love each one, could not pick a fav. So glad that you are back i the saddle. No worries, just have fun, OK?
ReplyDeleteThey are both gorgeous but I will have to say I just love the colors you used on the first one and how you blended them into one another, I can never achieve that look, I also love the sparkle and how you added it to the side and then to your sentiment banner! Your touch of embossing in the backgrounds is a pretty touch to it also!
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