my Crafty Corner

Cards and other handicrafts made by Jean Straw

Friday 25 April 2014

April Rudolph Day

It has been a little while since I posted a blog because I have been visiting my sister, Kate, in spain and enjoying some lovely warm sunshine. Before I went away I managed to make all the birthday cards I needed this month, and to make and post off all the swaps that I regularly take part in. I didn't have time to make my Rudolph Day cards though, but as I was due to return on the 24th I hoped I would be able to do them then. However while I was at Kate's she suggested I might like to make one while I was there and this is what I made. First I selected this lovely holly spray stamp by Posh Impressions from her extensive range of Christmas stamps, and stamped it on white paper with a green Memento ink pad, ( I'm sorry I don't remember which shade ).I coloured it with Copic Markers and then cut it out using a die from Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8, and then mounted it onto a snippet of dark green card. I cut and folded an A6 side opening card with the fold on the short edge, and added the stamped panel and the greeting which is a See D's stamp. When I got home I could see that I had smudged some glue on the corners of the die cut so I went all round the fancy edge with Starlight Stickles which covered the glue and added a bit of festive bling and I also added the red gem stones.
Another evening Kate asked me if I would like to try out her Pan Pastels, and I said yes please because I have wanted to get some for a while but I was  reluctant to splash out on them without trying them first.I cut a sheet of A4 paper into four and set about playing. I ended up with some pretty and usable backgrounds. This one I did intending it to be Christmassy  colours, it is a bit pale really but I decided to go ahead and use a Christmas stamp on it anyway. I believe this is an Indigo Blu stamp, again from one of Kates bulging stamp files, and stamped with Memento black ink. I brought it home with me like that and then last night I trimmed it down a bit  and using my Sakura sparkle pens added a little colour to the swirl and baubles. I highlighted the snowflakes with a white gel pen and Diamond stickles. The greeting is a Chocolate Baroque clear stamp.I fixed the whole thing to a piece of red glitter card and then to a top folded white A6 card.So that is how I spent two happy evenings with Kate in her craft room and with Arwin occupying 'her space on the work desk'. Those of you who follow Kate's blog Manualidades por mi  will know all about Arwin.                                                                 So now I am going to link this to  Rudolph Day at Sarn's blog Stamping For Pleasure.
Thank you for visiting my blog and for comments which I really appreciate. I will try and catch up with some commenting at the weekend.
Jean                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                     

12 comments:

  1. Well it looks like you had a fine time with Kate in the sunshine. Good idea to take Kate up on her offer to play with her Pan Pastels - you've made a lovely background with them and a nice stamped card on top! Loving your pretty holly card too with the lacy edged die.

    Thanks for joining in with Rudolph Day again Jean.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  2. Beautiful Christmas cards, lobe the pale shades on the background on the second card.
    Yvonne

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  3. How delightful to share a penchant for stamping with your sister. I love the way you coloured that greenery spray with the various greens & then picked out the berries through your use of those red gems. Brilliant idea to overcome the glue with Stickles. I felt very much the same way about Pan Pastels - one of the few craft shows I've been to had a workshop & I was able to have a go, the best spent £10 for I decided they weren't for me! I love the way you have matted your card with the red glitter card really bringing out the red tones. I was very touched by your thoughtful comments on my latest post - thank you.
    Paula (PEP)

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  4. Lovely cards, especially the bauble card, the colours are very pretty. xxx Jan xxx

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  5. Two beautiful cards Jean and I particularly love the second card with the Indigoblu stamp and the gorgeous soft pastel colouring in the background with the pretty glittery finish, and the red glitter card behind really makes it pop. It looks as though you had a lovely time with your sister in Spain, and it must be great to share the same crafting interests. x

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  6. wow jean two fab cards love the PP one - great colouring then for a first time certainly would not know it! your sister must give some good tips and great stamps.. Oyster stamps had good deal going when bought my PP and they have free post in Uk. Brenda of Floral fantasies put me onto them, love Shaz in oz.x

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  7. Two beautiful cards. The second one is my fave...the subtle shading you have obtained with teh PP is delightful. So suits the stamp you chose!
    I did not realize the Kate from Spain was your sister. What fun to have two sisters sharing a hobby!

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  8. Beautiful cards there Jean. I love that cut you have used on the first one. Very elegant.
    I also like the second one. Like you I fancy pan pastels but want to try them first. You have done a great job on this.
    Hugs
    xx

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  9. Hi Jean, I read on Kate's blog that her sister returned to Spain with her and said "Oh what fun". I can see that you had a grand crafting time. How wonderful you got to play in the stash. It certainly paid off with 2 beautiful cards. That holly spray on the white S/B die is stunning! Just love it, and you did a great save on the corners. Must remember that one! I can see that you had fun with the pans. Those are great, and I loved the blending of colors that you achieved. So very pretty with the delicate swirl. Adding in the sparkly bits really pulled the eye right around this lovely soft card. Well done. I'm so glad you got to enjoy some sister time, and that the 2 of you can share such a love of a hobby - not to mention, each other's supplies! TFS & Hugs.

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  10. Two beautiful Christmas cards Jean. I love the holy stamp on your first card, Jean your colouring is amazing. I love your second card the subtle background colours are gorgeous.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  11. two beautiful cards, Jean. Both different but both stunning! I love the elegance and traditional feel of the first and the different colours and that gorgeous stamp on the second. Wonderful!

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  12. Glad you got sunny sunshine...
    Both your cards are pretty. I like the delicacy of the first and the soft pastels in the second.
    Love,
    M

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