(PPA58 - Pretty in Pearls Sketch Challenge)

Here's today sample card for you, using Winter Post as the stamp set. If you look carefully, you'll see that the right-side front of the card has been trimmed by 1 1/4", so that the main image of the skaters is jutting out over that edge.



I'm sure some of you think that working on Christmas cards in the summer is kind of crazy, and maybe it is. I have to say though, these classes are so popular that year after year I have people asking me if I'll be holding them. How could I not?!

The colour combo I went with this time was a monochromatic mixing of Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso. I just loved how these all came together for a classic vintage look!


One of the ways I used to create a bit of an antiqued appearance was using some of the Vintage inks from the new Distressing Essentials kit!



Among with some other handy tools, there are 4 inks included that will help in creating an aged appearance: Tea Stain, Charcoal, Mahogany and Navy.

I gently rubbed the Tea Stain & Mahogany inks onto the cardstock using the flat rubber stamp that comes in the kit. The Tea Stain is a lighter, almost mustard-y kind of colour while the Mahogany was darker.

I have to say I was very pleased with how easy it was to work with these inks as I tend to have a heavy hand when I distress and often end up with more ink on my paper than I really wanted to have.

I chose to use the little strings of Pearls Jewels over the textured Soft Suede cardstock as accents, and then individual mini ones in the centre of the snowflakes that were stamped on both the front and inside of the card.

With 150 pearls per package, you don't have to be shy about using them! I've also included a full package of these for each attendee, so it's included in the class price already. You know what that means... you get to bring them home to play with some more afterwards. YIPPEE!!

Labels: Christmas cards, classes