I really enjoy taking part in the Splitcoaststampers challenges. They always present an opportunity to try something new, push out of a comfort zone or stretch to accomplish greater skill on a technique that can already be done well.
I love paper piecing. It seems a stamped image can be brought to life by adding layers upon layers to the main base of the image. For this month’s Dirty Dozen/Dirty Dozen Alumni challenge we were asked to create a project using paper piecing and either fall or Christmas colors. I wanted to create a life like project using Noel Stocking by Sarah Kay. The image has so many details that allow for layering from the stone fireplace right down to the little black and white cat.
I stamped the image a few times with black craft ink on burgundy designer paper, white cardstock and watercolor paper and embossed them all with clear embossing powder. I painted the fireplace opening on one piece and the stone on another, clear embossed over the wet paint and then cut them out and pieced them together. I painted and cut out an additional burning grate of wood to pop up over the original. I cut the girl’s dress out and popped it up over the original image, painted and cut out an additional head and apron and popped them up as well. I created the stocking with designer paper and painted the toys and candy cane portion on watercolor paper and pieced together to hang from the mantle. The tiny little cat was popped up in front of the fire with the the intent that his little tale would hang out of the frame. I painted a wood panel background as a base to build the scene up on and then finished the scene by attaching a frame. The perfect finishing touch to me was to add an old fashioned Christmas tree complete with gold bows and tiny ornaments. Well…..in truth….the ornaments were added because I somehow got a puncture wound on my finger without realizing it and bled on the beautifully finished tree. I was not going to start over due to a couple drops of blood so I punched out several ornaments with my 1/8th circle punch and attached them as camouflage with Crystal Effects. I love the multi loop gold bow on the bottom of the tree.
Last night I had the opportunity to play in the CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge. This style of card is much harder than it looks and is not really my forte but I enjoyed stretching myself to try. I thought this large leaf stem from Rubbernecker could stand on it’s own as a feature for a simple card.
I stamped the image with medium green ink and used a blender pen to add pale yellow and darker green to the leaves and stem. I put clear embossing powder over the wet paint and heat embossed to make the leaves pop.
Project 1: Stampavie Sarah Kay Noel Stocking, Lovely as a Tree Paper: BasicGrey DP, Watercolor, Natural Vanilla, White, Cranberry Crisp Ink: Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Aged Mahogany, Fired Brick, Black Soot, Lemonade, Going Gray, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard Accessories: Gold Metal Ribbon and Cord, Glue Dots, Brushes, Mounting Tape, Black Glaze Pen,Gold and Clear Embossing Powder, Snips
Project 2: Rubbernecker Fall Trilogy Paper: Watercolor, Old Olive Ink: Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Scattered Straw Accessories: Blender Pen, Clear Embossing Powder, Grosgrain
Oh my gosh, Kittie, your scene looks like it stepped right out of a Norman Rockwell book. It’s so wonderfully you! I love it! The leaf is gorgeous, looks like a beautiful painting.
Of course, these are some of my favorite challenges but, somehow, even your clean and simple cards just pop. Amazing!
2 cards so completely different, yet both beautiful!! Your little scene is wonderful!!!
Oh my you have really brought this scene to life, just Beautiful!
Your little Christmas scene is just precious, Kittie….I love every little detail!!! Your coloring is beautiful and I just love that little kitty..sooo cute!!!! Your RN card is gorgeous, too….such a striking design with the big leaf and the ribbon…AWESOME!!!
Double Winner!!
First of all … I adore paper-piecing. And you have given this sweet image the new ‘life’ that it was meant to have, Kittie! And the CAS??? I know this is out of your preferred “box”, but you have really given this set a ‘jump start’ here! (One of my fav new sets for sure!) Woooooohooooooooo, sweet lady!
~Bev
oh wow – that christmas scene is just breathtaking! it was one of my favs this week! i hope you don’t mind!
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Your card with the Christmas tree is just Gorgeous! who ever receives that at Christmas will be speechless!
*Thud* Does it get any better than this???!!! I think NOT! GORGEOUS!