I've never made a grungy Christmas card before. However, this one happened while I was playing around with the blackout embossing technique inspired by Loll's CAS Mix Up Challenge. I linked the challenge, but I'm not linking my card to it because you can see it's totally not clean and simple.
Naturally I had to goof around and try something different. I started out the usual way -- emboss, then add color to the debossed areas. In this case I used SU inks and blending brushes for that. Then I thought I'd try pink for the background -- thoroughly rubbed SU Pink Pirouette directly from the pad to the paper. It was pretty enough, but not exactly what I was looking for. So out came SU's Basic Gray ink pad. It's very dark, almost black, and as I was rubbing it over the pretty pink this grungy look came about and I decided to go with it.
It might be a little odd for Christmas, but I like it. It would be a good art journal page because with art journals it doesn't have to please anybody but the maker. I hoped to lighten the mood with the gold sentiment and snowflakes and a fine mist of Sheer Shimmer Sparkle spray. As usual it's prettier in hand, but maybe the photo below gives you a hint of the shimmer that covers it.
Total Christmas cards in the box: 33
I'd like to share here:
Christmas Kickstart Challenge #115 -- Gothic Christmas.
Jo's guest designer, Carol, explained it thusly:
"Yes, [it's] a challenging theme but fun to do some thinking/crafting out-of-the-box, so to speak. Because Gothic Christmas doesn’t ‘have to’ equate to being sort of ‘creepy’ or gaudy or whatever people may ‘typically’ associate gothic as being." Carol suggested we focus our ideas on "darker colours, ornate images, a degree of ‘elegance’."
I like that explanation! They have provided an extra photo for inspiration.
The tree in the inspiration photo is galaxy themed and really very pretty. Hmmmm... maybe I should have tried purple. Next time.
Thanks for your patience with my experimentation. Have a happy day!
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Stamps: None except inside sentiment, not shown Paper: Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, other black cardstock, mirror gold Ink: SU Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, More Mustard, Old Olive Other: Tim Holtz for Sizzix Poinsettia 3D embossing folder, SU Subtle 3D EF used on card base, Cottage Cutz Peace on Earth sentiment die, Imagine Sheer Shimmer Sparkle spray
OH, it IS pretty, unique and one of a kind, I love how brave you were to try this and then have it turn our so beautiful and all that shimmer...YUM!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful card. Love the extra detail pics. That flower really shimmers. That bkgrd is crazy good. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I can see why you think your card doesn't fit the CAS theme, but WOWZERS, you sure hit the mark for Christmas Kickstart's theme! I adore that EF and your card is fabulous!
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How incredible! Leslie, when you added the dark gray ink, did you wipe it off of the white-ish poinsettias? It may be grungy in technique and appearance, but it is magnificent! I absolutely love this cardAND all its shimmer. Thanks for sharing your creative process. Hugs, de
ReplyDeleteFabulous grungy Christmas card-I love it!!! Great background and love the beautiful embossing folder and all the sparkle.
ReplyDeleteCarol x
It's so pretty! I love what you did with that technique!
ReplyDeleteWow! I am always in awe of your fabulous creations. You have such a talent for creativity.
ReplyDeleteI really like this. I think it is brilliant. It is so nice to be different especially at Christmas. I am going to have to start my cards soon. Sorry to have missed a few, but I have been away for a few days and life got busy xx
ReplyDeleteI like it...a LOT Leslie! Never would have thought to use a lighter and brighter color for the blackout technique, but combined with the black it works perfectly and definitely fits in with the Christmas Kickstart Challenge! Beautifully done my friend!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you kept this in it's entirety and didn't cut it down for CAS, Leslie! I love that you added the pink to the background and let it peek through!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Talk about an eye-catching, dramatic and all-around lovely take on this technique. Perfect for the Gothic Christmas theme over at Christmas Kickstart! Thank you for joining Jo and me in this challenge.
ReplyDelete~carol (guest elf)
Wow this is an incredible "out of the box" Christmas card. I'm loving the sparkle on the poinsettias.
ReplyDeleteThis is outstanding, Leslie! BRAVO!
ReplyDeleteYou never know how a project is going to turn out when you start it, this has that grunge feel for sure, love the touch you gave with the sparkle and gold sentiment, gives it that festive feeling to it too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Leslie! Love the how the gorgeous and shimmery poinsettias stand out against the pink and dark gray background. This is a fun technique, isn't it?? xx
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