2016 Christmas Cards - May (Tutorial Included)

[pbp908]

I'm early starting this thread, but I'm leaving for the lake and will be gone over the weekend. (Last few days before returning to work.) I'm posting a tutorial of sorts, which I was going to do at the beach but....

For May cards, the challenge is to create a scene by masking. (Thought I would be easy on you, eh???) You can make your mask/s, use what you already have, use masking fluid, or a combination of any and all. I have one sample ready to go and a few others in various stages.

I went ahead and stamped my image using VersaFine black ink so it wouldn't smudge. You can do this at the beginning or at any step you choose.

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I decided what size I wanted the moon to be and punched it with a 1" circle punch. Don't throw away the other piece!

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Put a tiny bit of adhesive on the circle and place it on your card face. Begin inking, using your lightest color. You'll want to leave a lighter area around the moon. I had to grab an old mask (grungy, isn't it?) to add a little bit of hill to the right side.

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[pbp908]

When you have the sky the way you want it, remove the circle, and replace it with the other piece reserved from the punch.

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Using the circle stencil, sponge your moon color on. I used a combination of two colors. When you remove the stencil, you may still have a white outline. I used a wet brush to drag the moon color into the circle.

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[pbp908]

The last bit was just finishing touches. I added some black ink to create a definite ground line and colored parts of the fence with grey. Shadows were added using a wet brush and a grayish-blue ink. I then added some stars using Stickles and put a little bit of white Liquid Pearls on the fence to create a little bit of snow. Merry Christmas was embossed in navy blue. My background isn't pale blue - I just wanted something other than the grey work surface under the card.

All inks were TH Distress Inks. The sky is a combination of Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood, Chipped Sapphire, and Faded Jeans. The moon is Scattered Straw and Rusty Hinge. The shadows are Weathered Wood.

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I'm looking forward to seeing what you create! I'll add more cards when I get back. Maybe I can get Bonnie to make a few.

[pamcook]

It's so pretty!
Making cards is on my list to do at the beach. Yours and Marianne's

[pbp908]

I was hoping I'd get this posted in time for some of you to pack supplies to make one!

[mpizzazz]

That's so pretty, Pam.

[nancine]

that turned out so great - I have some new stamps I can try this with. Might not be a Christmas card, but who cares right?

[jmp1022]

Boy thats pretty
now I need April and May

[paddlegal]

Wow Pam! That is so stunning. Your step by step instructions are great. This is a terrific challenge and one I've done very little of. Thanks!

[mpizzazz]

Pam, Do you use any special paper for these cards?

[pbp908]

I use watercolor paper - the smooth side. I've used TH brand and the pads. I actually prefer the less expensive pads. It seems to take the ink better, is a slightly lighter weight, and doesn't upset me if I mess up because Wal Mart is only 5 miles from me. If I remember correctly, it's a Strathmore 140 pound cold pressed paper. Could be Canson. Whatever they have in stock at the time.

[mpizzazz]

Thanks, Pam.

[ScrappinJen]

Great tutorial, Pam. I've got my thinking cap on.

[Keitha]

Lovely card and excellent tut, Pam. Although I don't have any I've always liked scenic stamps, and you do such a great job with them. I think I'd far rather colour a background than colour in an outlined image.

[paddlegal]

Pam, your lovely card reminds me of Stampscapes. There seems to be revival of that style. A friend of mine has recently invested in new sets from that company that create those types of scenes.