Thursday, July 16, 2015

Christmas in July with a Hop



Happily, I felt able to participate in the July Blog Hop with the Wacky Watercooler gang. It's a circle ... I'm just saying ... you can go around, and around until you have imprinted every project in your long-term memory. Penny, bless her heart, is right before me, and actually starting the Hop (if you ignore the circular fashion). Love her style, by the way. It is filled with flowers and BUTTERFLIES. If you know me at all, you know I LOVE butterflies. And, she is Canadian, yeah!

My first card is a watercolour Christmas card. With the new Whisper White thick cardstock, watercolouring is super easy and super smooth. I am very, very happy about that. I used the technique of colouring markers on a block, spritzing them with water and then stamping the block on the cardstock. Wow! I am very happy with the results. Here is my Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas card:


stamps: sheltering tree, sassy salutations
ink: island indigo, bermuda bay, pool party, early espresso, *new incolor* mint macaron
paper: island indigo, *new incolor* mint macaron, whisper white thick, crumb cake
other: tree builder punch, stampin' spritzer, acrylic block



The next challenge involves choosing a card/project featured in the current catalogue. I just purchased the 12x12 kraft paper and have been dying to use it. When I saw a card using the kraft paper for a cardbase, I knew I wanted to try it. It uses the Traveler set. I think this train is wonderful. I use this set a lot. Here is a photo of the Stampin' Up! Traveler card on p. 83:



For my card, I wanted to offset the kraft paper with a brighter colour to embrace the "Thank You" sentiment. I thought adding the cherry cobbler bakers' twine added a brighter quality too. But I stayed true to the basic design elements. What do you think? 


stamps: traveler, tin of cards, gorgeous grunge
ink: cherry cobbler, soft suede, crumb cake
paper: *new* kraft cardstock, cherry cobbler, very vanilla
other: cherry cobbler bakers' twine


For the last blog challenge (feature a punch), I made a gift bag.
[Check back Sunday for another gift bag project -- Card Class Carryall -- full tutorial]  
A dear friend of mine looked after my kitty cat while I was away. I bought her a neat gift and wanted to enclose it in a special bag. The new Gift Bag Punch Board did the trick. I also included the Label Washi Punch as a feature:


stamps: an open heart
ink: *new incolor* cucumber crush
paper: *new* English garden dsp, whisper white, *new* cucumber crush, melon mambo
other: gift bag punch board, label washi punch, *new* 1" cucumber crush dotted lace trim, yellow tissue paper

Well, that was fun for me. Was it fun for you? Now you can navigate the Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop by using the linked buttons below. Kath is right after me. Her style is unique and fresh as the day is long. Enjoy!




11 comments:

  1. Bev, I LOVE the partridge in the pear tree! Your CASE is gorgeous (Traveler is one of my favorite sets) - and the gift bag is beautiful.

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  2. The watercolor Christmas card is my favorite! I just love it! Of course all your projects are great! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Bev I'm so impressed with all three of your projects and your wonderful blog. Your watercolour Christmas card is a real work of art! The partridge perched way up high on the tree, made me smile. I also like the addition of the Baker's twine for your CASEd card and the Cherry Cobbler mat really brings the whole card to life. Good choice. I really love butterflies, lace and floral designs, and you've brought all three together for your lovely gift bag. And finally, your very kind opening remarks about the link to my blog, made me blush, thanks so much. Enjoy the hop.

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  4. How did you make that adorable partridge?! Thanks for the tip about watercolouring on the new thick Whisper White cardstock, Bev - I'm going to try it out tomorrow! Thanks for sharing your 3 wonderful projects.

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    1. For the partridge, I punched out the bird from the tree builder punch, then added the details with an early espresso marker. The feather above his head was drawn onto the white cardstock.

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  5. Bev, I just love the bag with that big ole butterfly. What beautiful gift packaging. I like your other projects very much as well. I have been trying not to buy that set with the train!

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  6. Bev, I didn't think I needed that set with the train, but I love your card! I may have to add it to my next order....

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  7. Your partridge pear tree is wonderful use of that set. I love the simplicity of your traveler card.

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  8. Love all your projects. That little partridge is so cute. I also have that set with the train and I love it.
    I love that butterfly die and I actually cheated and got the precision cutting plate and it really works for that die. Cute little bag.

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  9. nice job on all your projects Bev!

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