Hello! It's time for me to get serious about finishing the Christmas cards. Today I have two more Cottage Cutz characters. The first is Snowman in Cocoa. I styled this card, not only around the cocoa mug, but around the Tiled Motif embossing folder as well. I wanted a lot of the embossing to show, so I die cut a mat from some crystal clear cardstock I've had for years. I framed over the edges and adhered the Snowman in Cocoa onto the clear cardstock.
It's very bright and cheery! I love the peppermints, but I'm especially partial to the little cocoa splatters. I goofed his eyes when I dotted with a pen so I rescued with my smallest black pearls. The close up below is intended to show the shine of the clear cardstock mat. It's a fun feature that lets all of the embossing show, yet provides a smooth, solid surface onto which to glue the small parts.
Spellbinders helped out with the Scallop Labels and Tag for the frame, Make it Merry Sentiments, and Tiled Motif 3D embossing folder. I had just the right scrap of peppermint designer paper, and a border strip from Memory Box Double Scallop Oval and Border.
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The second card is much quieter. I pulled a background piece from my bag o' backgrounds. I'm pretty sure it's a stencil monoprint. I went a little nuts making monoprints about 3 years ago when I learned the technique. It's addictive. See a video here. Also see a great post with lots of information by the Group of Seven Cardmakers here.
The Penguin w/Candy Cane comes with the smallest snowflake, and I added two more from another Cottage Cutz set. Hand cut the snow banks, colored with Copics. Sentiment from Poppystamps Christmas Banners. I used Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles for the mat with the image panel inset rather than layered. I hope that makes sense.
Challenges today:
NBUS Challenge #68 -- Never before used schtuff. Both Cottage Cutz characters and the Tiled Motif embossing folder are NBUS.
Thanks for letting me share my fun crafty time with you. I hope you found a smile here today. Hugs all around!
17 comments:
Both cards are absolutely adorable Leslie! I love everything about the first card with all the peppermint. The tiled background is stunning and I love how you thought to use a clear piece to attach your cocoa cup and sweet little marshmallow snowman. The framing is perfect. Your second card is equally amazing with that gorgeous, soft colored background. Your penguin looks like he may have had one too many hot toddy's, I think. So cute!!
Leslie, your cards are both smile-inducing! I can't choose one over the other as my favorite but love the idea of a cocoa hot tub!
Great idea to add the acetate for stability and aren't you glad you had that perfect scrap of paper? This is exactly why we save those, right?!
Your monoprint background gives such an ethereal look at snow. Your cute penguin looks like he's ready to slide down that snowy hill!
Such a fun post!
=]
I'm in love with both of these Leslie! The little snowman jumping in the hot cocoa (as evidenced by the hot cocoa splatters! Haha!!) couldn't be any cuter and all the details like the peppermints just make this card truly stand out!! Your stencil monoprint background on the 2nd card is so pretty along with the die cut snowflakes, and then that added bit of whimsy with the darling penguin just melts my heart!! Two really AWESOME cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)
Two fabulous Christmas cards. They are so happy, you just have to smile. Using the clear layer was a great idea and I love those coffee splats too. You have created a wonderful wintry scene for your cute penguin too xx
Both fabulous fun cards, love the snowman in the cocoa cup and cute Penguin, great background technique too had forgotten about that one !
Carol x
Two fabulous Christmas cards Leslie, cute characters and wonderful colours used.. x
Oh my!! What adorable Christmas cards! They are both so cute in their own way. Love the splatters of cocoa in the first card and the your embossing folder and dies! Nice touch for the see thru! Your little penguin is so cute hanging out with his candy cane waiting for Christmas!!
Oh Leslie - these are adorable! I especially love the first one - the colors and the die cuts and everything else! It's wonderful. The second one is also amazing, of course. :-)
I'm loving all of the cuteness happening here, Leslie! The peppermints were a great addition to your hot cocoa card. But it's that adorable little penguin and his mischievous look that have me smiling tonight!
Double delightful cards. That peppermint card has so many great details making it extra special and the little penguin in the second card makes me smile. So cute.
What a fun card with that marshmallow snowman bursting from the cocoa with a "ta da"! He sure makes me smile! And I love the idea of the clear cardstock to give stability for the dies and not cover the embossing. And that penguin is adorable with his candy cane and pretty, snowy background!
your little marshmallow snowman is so cute and I love that sentiment ♥
Gorgeous soft monoprint, isn't it a fun technique :) thanks for playing along with us at GOS ♥
Oh my stars ... these are awesome & just adorable! You did an excellent job with those little die cuts (can't do those ... too small ... make me anxious lol). Your backgrounds and overall designs are fabulous! Well done my friend ... someone's going to be really happy when they receive these cuties!!
Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Can You Handle the Pressure challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Can You Handle the Pressure Co-Owner
These are both so cute! My pick is the second one that has some blues on it. The little images are just perfect for Christmas. I received a little birthday card with a lovely birdie on the front. I do love it!
Cute cards, but Brrrr not a good reminder... Love the cup one. Should keep me warm. BIG GRIN. Have a great day
At first when I saw the first card I thought it was a marshmallow man inside the cup :). Love his little hat and gloves and how he is splashing in the cocoa! Like the peppermint candy hanging off the side, pretty image on the cup too!
That second one is so adorable too, love the tilt of his head and the cute hat. Terrific coloring and shading, that is the perfect background for him, I had forgotten about that technique.
Oh my gosh ... these cards are so sweet, Leslie!! I LOVE the adorable snowman in the cup of cocoa. Yep, those cocoa splatters are the cutest!! So clever to add the clear backing to secure your die-cuts while letting that gorgeous embossed design show through. The strip of peppermint candies is the perfect finishing touch! And your penguin is so cute sitting on the snowbanks. Great background with your stencil monoprint, it looks like the sun is rising behind him. Always a delight to visit! Love, Loll
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