Saturday, October 15, 2016

Merry Christmas Cardinal


The theme this week for the Merry Monday Christmas Challenge Blog is "Retro/Vintage." I just got the "Vintage Christmas Post" stamp set & dies, and figured they'd be perfect for this challenge! I also used one of the banners from the Avery Elle "Build a Banner" stamp set, as well as its coordinating die. I got the inspiration for the card design from Dawn Olchefske's tutorial for the Falliday Fest event at Splitcoaststampers.com.


I stamped my cardinal in Charcoal ink onto a piece of Strathmore Mixed Media Paper. I also stamped the greenery in Forever Green, the banner in Charcoal, the pine cones in Cup o' Joe, & the greeting in Red Royal (all Hero Arts shadow inks). I colored the cardinal with my Inktense pencils, using a damp paintbrush to apply the color. I discovered, looking at a photo of a cardinal for reference, that the black area around his face wasn't large enough as drawn on the stamp, so I extended it with a black Inktense pencil. After I finished coloring, I let that dry, and then die cut all my images with their coordinating dies.

I created my card base, following Dawn's instructions, from burgundy cardstock. I cut my patterned paper from one of the "Christmas Carol" 6x6" papers by Graphic45. The paper is double-sided, so I just flipped it over for the other triangle panels. After I adhered my paper panels, I went ahead & glued on my elements, with the banner overlapping the opening in the card. I made sure not to apply glue to the point that I would adhere my card shut, however!

Inside of card
For the inside, I cut a panel from more Mixed Media Paper, and stamped a greeting from Hero Arts' "Joy to the World" set in Red Royal ink. I adhered that inside the card, and this was done!

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking's October Challenge: "Layer It"
Through the Craft Room Door: "Anything Goes"

22 comments:

  1. WOW, what a unique card shape...!! I love your cardinal and the bough and ribbon he is sitting on...Gorgeous card and beautiful colors! Thank you for sharing this at Merry Monday!

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  2. Wow Andrea, this is beautiful! Thanks for joining us over at a2z! Really lovely!!!

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  3. What a great looking bird & interesting shape to your card.

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  4. Wow! What a gorgeous card. Love the special folds! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

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  5. Spectacular fun fold card!! Thanks for linking up to our challenge at a2z.

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  6. What a stunning fold! Love this card creation plus cardinals are one of my favorite birds! ;) Thank you so much for entering the Anything Goes challenge at Through The Craft Room Door this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.
    Happy crafting,
    AngelaTTCRD DT
    Taste Of Craftiness {My Blog}
    Through The Craft Room Door
    ttcrd.blogspot.com

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  7. WOW - what an absolutely gorgeous card!! Cardinals are my all-time fave birds and this is such a unique twist on a card. Love it!

    Thank you for joining us at a2z Scrapbooking! ~Michele, DT

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  8. Beautifully done Andrea. Thanks for joining us at A2Z this month.

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  9. Love the unique shape and fold of your card; Your care and attention to detail is exquisite. Thanks for joining us at a2z.

    sue n.

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  10. Beautiful card! Love the shape of the card and love the cardinal!!!! Thanks for playing along with a2z.

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  11. WoW! This is gorgeous. Even more WOW when you open the card. Thanks for playing along with a2z Challenge!

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