Christmas Card Progress

I’m crawling forward on my Christmas card production little by little.  I’m not pushing myself to handcraft all my cards this year, but if it happens I’ll be pleased.  I’m more focused on trying to use all the new Christmas stamps I’ve acquired recently because once the season passes I won’t see them again for a year.  There’s no sense kidding myself about starting on Christmas cards in the middle of summer.  It’s just not likely to happen.

So today I’ve brought out one of the sets JustRite released this year.  It’s called Warmest Wishes.

I’ve used Tombow Markers for watercoloring on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper.  A resin brad holds a glittery gold sprig in place – my only embellishment as I was trying to minimize bulk.  The designer papers are from the BasicGrey Jovial collection, but I also worked a little more of my sheet music into the design.  This time I smudged it with Adirondack Sandal ink to tone down the white.

These are the markers I used for coloring:

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I’ll catch you back here next week.  Take care!

Stamps:  JustRite Warmest Wishes  Paper:  Red, cream Bazzill textured, 90 lb hot press watercolor, BasicGrey Jovial designer paper, old sheet music  Ink:  Palette Noir, Adirondack Sandal, Tombow Markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Imaginisce resin brad, gold glitter branch, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen (S4-310), Classic Ovals Small and Large, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Comments

[Danielle]

Oh Leslie, this is just beautiful! I love that darling bird and the sweet frame! This is a beautiful layout! My goal is the same this year...just use all of my Christmas stamps (that have never been inked) at least once. If I actually did that, I would be able to make a handmade card for just about everyone on my list! How bad is that?! Have a great weekend!

[Linda E]

Gorgeous card, Leslie! Basic Grey Jovial is one of my all-time favorites and I love how you worked the sheet music into your design!

[Traci Major]

This is such a pretty card...makes my heart sing with the pretty birdie and my favorite papers!! I am so with you with trying to use up my stamps...but then I see this and think, I'd love to order one more!! I am surprised that you didn't need more of the markers to color,you've achieved a lot of depth of color with these!!

[yogi]

pretty. So you don't like cooling down during the summer with a bit of winterish making cards...

[ChristineCreations]

Just adorable Leslie! Yummy rich coloring, love the framing and such pretty accents too!

[Francie (Montreal)]

Ooooh,nice. Your lovely layout showcases the cute stamp to a 'T'. But what faccinates me is your technique with Tombows. I have so much to learn and I've adopted you as my teach-by-example blog mentor. Hugs to the pooches and a great weekend to all.

[Gabriela Divine]

Leslie - your Christmas card couldn't be any prettier. You are a wizard when it comes to water coloring. Your cards leave me in a state of awe.

[conniecrafter]

very sweet image and just love your coloring, such great color choices. Like your music paper background, and the neat sprig embellishment :)

[Glenda]

Beautiful! Such a sweet image and wonderful coloring! Your little sprig of embellishment is so perfect!

[nancy littrell]

Leslie, Beautiful coloring and a magical background filled with different DP. Love your sewing and embellishments too. If your cards are this detailed you may have to switch to a few CAS designs in between your "Leslie Style" beauties. Thanks again for sharing and inspiring us all.

[Tammy Hair]

Absolutely beautiful Leslie! Gorgeous DP and coloring. Love the gold sprig of embellishment.

[Lynette]

So pretty! Without pushing yourself, I hope you get them all done! I think I may have just about enough - I need to count them up. (But, I cheated and made a bunch of one design!)

[Linda Carson]

A quite lovely, festive card! I really like it!

[Pauline]

Beautiful card Leslie. Wonderful job on the watercolouring, lovely papers as well.

[Leigh]

Lovely Christmas card. I do like the dsp.

[Sherri Dean]

I really love this card. It's just so beautiful. You have framed the mitten so perfectly & I love the colors you used. Everything is just the perfect compliment to your darling mitten.

[velta]

Hi Leslie ~ I really love the Sandal ink you used on this card...it made the image stand out even more...kind of like a light around the image. As always, your coloring is perfect! Have a great weekend my friend!

[Colleen Dietrich]

I know I'm not very good about making Xmas cards in summer, either. My good intentions fall short. Glad to see you are making some progress now, though.

I like the decorated frame you made for this image!

[Rose Ann]

You've colored that sweet image beautifully, and I love your frame and pretty papers!! Your glitter branch and brad are a lovely touch as well!!

I appreciate your realistic thinking about the Christmas card production. I am pretty much in the same predicament, so I totally "hear" you. ;)

[Stef Perry]

What a beautifully colored image and I love how you layered it under the oval dies (with the stamped frame perfectly incorporated) on top of the other decorative die!

Thinking of you and your family as the strong storms have converged on the coast this week. Take care and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

From Sherwood, OR

[Shannon White]

Wow Miss Leslie! This is Just Too Adorable! Love the Sweet mitten image! And I am really loving how you framed it! Such lovely layers and Dp's Wow! Just Fabulous! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

[Dawn Burnworth]

I so want to give Tombows a try. I still have not used any YET. This is beautiful Leslie. I am amazed at the highlighting you can do with the watercoloring. Beautiful card.