Monday 21 November 2016

Artsy Christmas card

I really wanted to create a textured background over patterned paper and although this didn't finish quite how I imagined it would I still like the finished result.


I began with some Christmas patterned craft paper (bought from Hobby Craft) .....


.... and began altering it by dipping and drying it using watery gesso.


Next I added white texture paste through Tim's Holiday Script stencil and let dry.


Next I scraped white gesso over the stencilling and watched the letters and words appear, still leaving some interest in the background.


(When the background was fully dry I was intending to lay down some watery washes, let them drip and merge a little and then splatter with titanium white media acrylic paint. But I loved it just like this so decided to leave it alone - that's unusual for me!!!!)

I had found some bought and ready made Christmas ornaments which are ultra glittery, in fact too glittery for what I wanted so I finger washed over a very thin layer of watery gesso which now gives them a chalky bloom, much more in keeping with what was in my head. You can see the difference between them on the two sets below.


I die cut some holiday greens in white card and inked them with ground espresso, stamped and cut out the sentiment using both coffee and black archival ink and gathered some winter berries  to add to the mix.


A mount, a star and bows finished off the layering nicely.








Again I made two of my design, I need to get a lot more finished and in the box before I need to send them out..


Well it's Monday, this is a scheduled post and Mixology will be over. I'll be back soon to let you know how it went.

Have a great week.

hugs Brenda xxx

DecoArt products

25 comments:

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Beautiful card and I love the background too.
Joanna

Annie said...

Love the way you altered the paper Brenda......it looks amazing x the baubles and greenery are the perfect addition too x wish I had been at Mixology with you all and I look forward to hearing all about it xx

Tfs and hugs Annie xx

Sophie said...

Wow! Brenda, das sieht großartig aus.
Du hast immer sensationelle Ideen. Ich muss immer wieder staunen.
Auch diese Weihnachts-Karte ist ein absoluter "Hingucker"

Und ein dickes Dankeschön für deine lieben Kommentare auf meinem Blog, die mich immer sehr erfreuen.

Herzlichst Sophie

froebelsternchen said...

I am just in love with those cards ! ♥♥♥
So beautiful Brenda!

Jennie Atkinson said...

A fabulous card Brenda and a lovely way to use up patterned paper. I AdORE the cluster in the top left corner - absolutely beautiful! Jennie x

A Pink said...

Fabulous Cards! Brenda Just love how you've altered the patterned paper-so effective. Love that you've left so much of it exposed. Beautifully adorned.
Great to see you all having a fun weekend - thx for sharing .
hugs x

Patty O'Malley said...

Wonderful card, Brenda! Love the texture!

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous card Brenda, love how you've altered the paper and added texture. Gorgeous baubles with the added festive spray.
Looking forward to hearing about your weekend.
Avril xx

Corrie Herriman said...

Love your card Brenda. Amazing what you can do with a 'shop bought' background !
Corrie xx

SewPaperPaint said...

How absolutely beautiful is this lovely pair! Great background techniques and love the frosted glittery ornaments. Hugs, Autumn

Jane said...

Another beauty Brenda, I love that stenciled background and the greens look great cut in white and edged with ground espresso. You have obviously had a ball over the weekend, the photos are brilliant. It's time for some rest for you. Huge hugs xxx

Monika Gulyas said...

So beautiful, Brenda! I love the textured background and the ornaments are great too! xx

rachel said...

awww Brenda - these are so very beautiful - I love them to pieces! What gorgeous cards - can I just say thanks again for your class at the weekend - you are one very talented and beautiful lady! Lovely to meet you xx

Gina said...

Isn't it funny how we rarely work over printed papers? Should probably spend less time stroking them lol You certainly created a wonderfully wintery design :D XXX

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow these look fabulous, love the background hugs Debsxx

Redanne said...

And didn't we all have THE most amazing time at Mixology too?? You are a fabulous tutor and I adore my project from your class Brenda.

These cards are stunning, I love the background you created, it is so beautifully textured and the baubles look fantastic on top! You have given me some great ideas to use some 'not so nice' Christmas papers from my stash. Great inspiration, as always! Hugs, Anne xx

Jackie PN said...

Brenda, I do love how you altered that background! You gave it such interest!Beautiful card!
Jackie xo

sarascloset said...

Beautiful set of cards! Great idea to cover up that paper, but leave some of it's beauty peeking through! Now I wish I had gotten that stencil! Your ornaments along with the greens and berries are the perfect finishing touch! I'm so inspired by your gorgeous work! Hugs!

Paper Profusion said...

These look gorgeous Brenda! Stunning arrangement as always! Nicola x

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful cards! They are going to one lucky recipient if you are boxing them up to send off. :) Lovely texture on the background and the glittery ornaments are beautiful!

Pamellia said...

Gorgeous holiday cards Brenda! I just love how the background turned out. It has a winter flurries feel to it. Your ornaments are wonderful, very textured and the rich colours work so well! Beautiful and festive! hugs :)

Susanne said...

I love these cards Brenda, the background is amazing, so clever. So inspiring, I tried the background technique today at a crop in my hometown.
And thanks again for the MoM class! Loved your class and make and take! It was so nice to meet you again!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! Stunning cards! Chrisx

Susanne said...

Awesome cards! I love the technique with the modeling paste and gesso. I tried it out myself on a local crop last weekend. As I said before, you are so talented, you never stop to surprise with your projects. And it was so nice to meet you again at MoM. And your class and make'n' take was brilliant.

Words and Pictures said...

Stunning cards! I really love the artsy background - starting to think I "need" that wordy stencil after all - and the contrasting baubles and frame.
Alison x