Monday 3 January 2011

A winter's tale and my first cards

I'm gradually trying to convince myself that I need a new set of tree stamps! The image that I have used for this card is from Dark Room Door and I love the set, although it doesn't seem just exactly right for this particular purpose. However this is my third attempt to make a card with this particular sponging/masking technique which I love, and this is the best of the bunch! I am reasonably pleased, but the phrase 'could do better' springs to mind. I was inspired by Heather in Canada, who has this technique down to a fine art and has posted a tutorial here.
The inks I used were Dusty Concord (Distress Ink) and Almost Amethyst and Bashful Blue from Stampin' Up. The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
The monthly challenge from Sir Stampalot is a Winter's Tale accompanied by a Blog Hop, so this is for that!
I did it creations - Favourite technique
The Pink Elephant - Winter Wonderland
Crafty Cardmaker's Challenge is entitled Oldest and Latest or Greatest. The sponged card is my latest style and the wedding invitations are what started me off in the world of cardmaking... my daughter's wedding stationery from 2007. I'm so glad she asked me to make it for her!!!

25 comments:

  1. Oh wow, Chrissie! This is totally stunning! I LOVE it! Thanks for joining us for the Sir stampalot challenge and good luck!

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  2. I think this is fabulous Chrissie.
    I'm going to check out the tutorial, thanks for the link and thank you for entering our "A Winter's Tale" challenge at Sir Stampalot.
    Clare x

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  3. Lovely card Chrissie :-)

    I keep looking at the SU Lovely as a Tree set and thinking how nice it is but I'm guessing you've spotted that one already?!

    Ciara
    xx

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  4. Happy New Year Chrissie! I must say this is absolutely beautiful. I too have been thinking I need a new tree stamp especially every time I see you post a card.

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  6. Your card is completely fabulous!!
    BUT always a 'need' for new stamps lol

    Happy New Year, we will catch up soon, now that things will be back to some sort of normality eh!
    mandi xx

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  7. Gorgeous card Chrissie, I really must invest in a tree set as you can do some wonderful cards with one, as you have shown. Thanks for sharing the tutorial x

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  8. WOW Chrissie I am in love with this card that scene is so beautiful, the different shading looks awesome this gives me the chills but in a good way, lol. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Sir Stampalot this month.
    Hugs
    Lorraine x

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  9. Chrissie it is just stunning, how i wish I could created effects like that, the trees look perfect to me:) Happy New Year to you. Thanks for playing along at Sir Stampalot this month.
    Pinky

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  10. You did a beautiful job, Chrissie. The colours and sponging are gorgeous and the slope of the hills works perfectly.

    I'm so glad the tutorial was helpful.

    I love tree stamps and am always looking at new ones!

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  11. It is gorgeous Chrissie...happy new year to you and your family.....I keep promising myself some tree stamps too....

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  12. Happy New Year Chrissie ;-)
    The card looks stunning to me :-)
    Anne xx

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  13. What a beautiful card Chrissie.

    Hugs Riet.x

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  14. Hi Chrissie I dont think this could be more perfect, I think you have PERFECTED it already its so so so so so gorgeous, and those trees are perfect(in fact I am on the look out for them now)its a stunner.
    hugs chris xx
    thanks for joining in the Sir Stampalot Challenge. hey guess what I love your card can you tell!!
    hope you have a happy and healthy 2011.

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  15. I think the card is excellent and atmosphric.EE

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  16. WOW this is so beautiful Chrissie.
    luv
    debby

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  17. Hi Chrissie

    Don't be so hard on yourself, it look beautiful from where I sit and the sponging and shadin perfect.

    But I know where you are coming from, I do the same and bin more than I should, I think we are all critical of our own work.

    Thank you for sharing with us at Stampalot Challenge this month and good luck.

    B x

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  18. Gorgeous scene. It almost makes me like winter. Happy New Year from I Did It Creations.

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  19. 'reasonably pleased' -are you kidding?!!!

    This is absolutely stunning - move over Barbara Gray I say!!!! When I saw this I was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the colours and the technique - one of your best cards ever in my opinion - and thats going some seeing as you never make a bad one!!!

    Paula x x x

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  20. Such a wonderful card!!!
    Beautiful work! :)

    Inger

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  21. I love your latest card (thanks for the tutorial link). I've got that set of Darkroom Door stamps and I just may have a go at this. And your daughter's wedding invitations are fab. Thanks for joining in the fun at Crafty Cardmakers this week. xx

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  22. I love your inking technique, your card is gorgeous. Thanks for joining Sir Stampalot’s challenge with this great entry, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  23. A beautiful creation Chrissie dont be so hard on yourself

    Thank you for sharing with us at Sir Stampalot Challenge this month and good luck.
    Hugs
    Francesca

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  24. Chrissie, what a lovely bunch of cards and invites. Your Daughter must have been thrilled with your invitations and I bet they helped make her day really special. As for your latest, it's a stunner.

    Thanks for joining in the fun at Crafty Cardmakers, hope we will see you back again.

    Lin - Lil Miss Chatterbox

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  25. Gorgeous card xx
    Love you technique. I have watched this on Create and Craft and the demonstrater makes it look easy peasy ..... Yours is of the same callibar, hats off to you x

    Your Daughters weddings invites are stunning, bet she was well proud.

    Hugs sally x
    sallysbitz.blogspot.com

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Thank you so much for popping by, I appreciate your comments!
Thanks,
Chrissie