More Christmas in July

I'm back on the Christmas card game today - I am determined NOT to be making cards on the 21st December this year....   The latest arrival from Colorado Craft Company gave me the perfect excuse to get started.   I only managed one this weekend as it's Rick's birthday today so we're having a nice relaxing weekend, but I'll be making more as I love this entire collection!

First off, I wanted to head to the north pole - the pole reminds me of the one from Elf, my fave Christmas movie, and I thought it would be fun to add some characters around it.  I used a few different sets - despite being from different artists, I think they mix and match well into one cohesive scene.  I wanted to practice my no-line colouring, not something I am great at, but I thought the white-ness of the arctic would show up better wtihout solid black lines.   So I stamped all the images using jellyfish ink which is nice a pale for no-line but not so pale that you can't see it.  I added the hedgehog from the Christmas Hats's set and roughly masked him off, before stamping the polar bear from Chillin' Gnomies behind him.  The gift at the hedgehog's feet is also from the Chillin' Gnomies set.  I finished with the snowman mini stamp on the other side.

I coloured the images with pencils - limiting my colour scheme mostly to reds and blues and neutrals from the animals.  I traced over the lettering on the sign with a very sharp pencil but you could selectively stamp that in colour over the jelly fish if you find that easier.   I traced over the lines of snow the characters were sitting on with stickles and added a few extra lines to tie the scene together.   I used the stickles over the blue colouring on the top of pole too for extra shimmer.

Once all the colouring was done I added a very soft sky using distress ink and water to make a light wash and added a few snowflakes again from the Chillin' Gnomies set.   The sentiment is from the North Pole set.

NEWS FROM THE STORE

We got our delivery of Stamping Bella on Friday afternoon - we'll get them processed and added to store asap, along with Art Impressions which we are still working on as it's a big delivery.

The vault release from MFT is in transit - due to arrive on Tuesday.

We've just ordered the upcoming releases from The Greetery (due early August); Waffle Flower; again due early August and Lawn Fawn's big festive release - due end of August.  

That's all for now, time to get back to the birthday boy.

Happy Crafting

Tara