I had lots of fun this weekend working with two new Elzybells stamps-Carol Singers and Sketched Tree. I purchased them a while back so I could try my hand entering the Elzybells Christmas Card Competition. It was hard to choose my favorite images as I could only afford a couple but knew I would love working with the carolers and that funky tree. I figured that I am being otpimistic trying to enter to win with only two images but….nothing ventured…nothing gained.
This is my first project. I wanted the tree to be the main focal point and to have the carolers set aside to allow it to shine. I love Brocade Blue and Kiwi Kiss together and chose to work the whole scene around those colors. I stamped the tree on the main layer and then again on scrap paper so I could cut out sections to pop them up for dimension. I created a star mask with a punch and masked off the star area at the tree top and sponged on the sky using a sponge and cloud template. I removed the mask and created a yellow glow with a small dauber. I added puffy snowflakes and the snowy ground area using Liquid Applique'. I stamped the carolers on scrap watercolor paper, painted and cut out to pop up on the scene. I used Liquid Applique' for the fur trim on the coat, ear muffs and muff. I carried the cloud pattern from the main image to the Kiwi card base and I added some sparkle to the glowing star with stickles to finish. You can click on the photo to see a larger version.
Stamps: Elzybells Carol Singer and Sketch Tree
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Brocade Blue, Watercolor
Ink: Brilliance Black, Kiwi Kiss, Brocade Blue, Caramel, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Distress Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint
Accessories: Liquid Applique', Stickles, Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Cloud Template, Brushes, Sponges and Daubers, Star Punch
This is my favorite of the three. It was tons of work as each caroler was painted and cut out to pop up in front of the tree but I wanted to create more than the three original carolers in the image. Even though two of the kids are duplicated I feel the different clothing colors and scarves make them look like different individuals in this large group of carolers. I stamped the tree, masked ans tamped again twice. I used the mirror image stamp on one to show the tree top turned the other way for interest. I created the star glow as I did in the project above and sponged in the sky with the cloud template as well. I created falling snow and ground snow cover with Liquid Applique' on the main card layer and created a second snowy ground layer to pop up for interest. I thought the red gingham was the perfect embellishment since the two boys have gingham scarves. You can click on the photo to see a larger version.
Stamps: Elzybells Carol Singers and Sketch Tree
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Watercolor
Ink: Brilliance Black, Riding Hood Red, Baja Blue, Wild Wasabi, Barely Banana, More Mustard, Soft Sky, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Distress Vintage Photo
Accessories: Stickles, Versa Pen, Iridescent Ice, Liquid Applique', Gingham, Satin, Star Punch
This is the last project and I almost didn't enter it in the competition. I am not happy with the glow from the lamp as I painted it with a brush and it got mixed up some with the blue of the sky and made it a bit murky. I love the pink and green together though and thought I had nothing to loose. I stamped the girl, masked and stamped the tree. I totally left of the star image from the tree so all the glow could come from the little lamp. I used Diamond Glaze and Dazzling Diamond to create shiny falling snow. I used a versa pen and Iridescent Ice to add sparkle to the glow and the tree and finished off with Liquid Applique' for the ground snow. You can click on the photo to see a larger version.
Stamps: Elzybells Carol Singers and Sketched Tree
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion, White
Ink: Brilliant Black, Distress Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana,Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Nestabilities, Versa Pen, Iridescent Ice, Diamond Glaze, Dazzling Diamond, Liquid Applique;, Twill, Satin, Cloud Template, Brushes, Sponges
Kittie – I love all of these! I love how you offset the carolers to showcase the tree in #1. You fooled me about duplicating some of the carolers in #2. And I love the “glow” in #3 and the unusual use of pink in a Christmas card. I think you’ve really stretched and shown your creativity by using the same stamp and making it look different every time. Good luck (but I don’t think you’ll need it!).
These are absolutely beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I couldn’t pick a favorite if i had to. I thought the last one in the pink coat, but then i go back and look at the others, nope they are all my favorites.
smallcity
These are just beautiful. I don’t know about vintage photo and distress peeled paint. I will have to figure out what that is and where you used it on these cards. It is wonderful to examine each little process you did. Where do you get these stamps besides the UK? I’d like to purchase in the US if possible. Thank you so very much for sharring these delightful cards with us.
They are all so beautiful, I can’t choose a favorite! I love the first one, and then I move down to the second one and I’m smitten, then I move to the third and love it’s beauty. Nope, I can’t choose a favorite, they’re all amazingly you!
I’m glad you entered all three because they’re all great. You’re too hard on yourself Kittie. As far as I’m concerned, they’re all winners!
WOW! They all look like winners to me! Fabulous & fun artwork!
That third pink one really catches me…I love pink! They are all absolutely stunning though!
These are truly works of art Kittie!
Oh, these are all just delightful!! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I would have to say the carolers. How sweet — all those little carolers lined up! Thank you for sharing your fantastic work with us, Kittie.
WOW!!! I love these cards. The second is my fav too. Smart move with the gingham scarves! And I never would have known that two of the carolers were the same. I doubt if anyone would have noticed if you didn’t say. Awesome!
I love them all! I like your favorite best too, but gosh what a lot of work! Best of luck to you.
These are fabulous–I just LOVE how you played with light in these scenes!!!!!
great job hope you win
Darling cards, love how the carolers are going off the side on the first and the group in the second looks just great, the oval opening in the last is neat!
Your coloring is so wonderful on all of these darling cards. I love them all. tfs
Your cards are sensational. I am amazed at the detail and colours you have put together and in awe with the layouts. Very beautiful.
Kittie, you are the Queen of winter scenes -I think you are a cinch to win! Love all three cards!
Kittie these are just amazing! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the carolers singing together, and would NEVER have known you duplicated images…just breathtaking! Your work is so inspiring and if YOU don’t win a contest for your amazing painting and unique layouts and designs, then NOBODY should, hee!!!!