Friday 11 October 2013

Miles to go ...

Hello All and thank-you for your visit.

I'm really on a Christmas card roll as here's another:



Stamps: Artistic Outpost (Snowy Woods), Crafty Individuals (Clock and numerals CI-354)
Papers: Pion Design 'Wintertime in Swedish Lapland' and cotton fabric for top edge
Dies: Memory Box 'Lantern', Memory Box 'Branch' and Bigz Snowflake On The Edge
Inks: Gesso, Distress glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy' (lots!) and 'Old Paper', UTEE, Adirondack Alcohol ink 'Rust', Brilliance 'Pearlescent Rust' and 'Pearlescent Chocolate', DI 'Tea Dye' and 'Vintage Photo', Prima Chalk 'Rust', Distress Stain 'Antique Bronze', Archival 'Coffee', Copper EP, 'Vintage Photo' EP, Frantage in 'Shabby White', Stickles 'Mercury Glass', 'White Fire' gilding wax, Glossy Accents, Dreamweaver paste. Paper Artsy Fresco paint 'Snowflake'
Stencil: Crafter's Workshop 'Art Is'
Punch: Woodware
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Ice Skates, bark heart, twine, pearls and clock charm from stash

Little details:

The adorable ideaology Ice Skates are 'aged' using the brilliant Tammy Tutterow's technique 'Distress stain on metal'. For the skates I used lots of rusty inks and metallic distress stain in 'antique bronze'. I opted to coat with UTEE instead of clear EP. Gesso is also on the blades.

The lantern has been aged to be 'Faux Rusted Copper' by adapting the always awesome Shelly Hickox technique for 'Faux Tarnished Silver' but instead using copper EP before the UTEE heat blast.

Before stamping the main image I painted the paper with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Snowflake' to have a matt 'snowy' base to stamp on once dry. The raised snow on the main image is done by sprinkling frantage onto wet gesso and drying with heat gun to puff nicely. All the 'snowy' edges are done with gesso and distress glitter.

To cut the cotton for the top edge I first needed to stiffen it ... so painted fabric with a coat of gesso and heat dried and then randomly dabbed chocolate ink. Once dry and stiff it was cut with the on the edge die.

I'm sorry I've not been blog visiting but I'm not too well this week. I hope to be properly back in action in a few days time.

Wishing everyone a warm and happy weekend,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Inspired by Tammy Tutterow
Crafts Too Challenge You - Christmas Festivities 'Scene'
Vintage Udfordring - Vintage card for a male with charm and twine
Vintage Card Cafe - Brown/Beige Colour Marathon
Artistic Outpost - October Referral Programme - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Use a mask or stencil
Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas is round the corner
Try It On Tuesdays - Texture
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Cards for Men
Simon Says Stamp - Use a rubber or clear stamp
Crafty Individuals - October - getting ready for Christmas

55 comments:

  1. Such a great vintage look and love the rusty techniques. Thanks for playing with us at TIOT.
    Hugz, Z

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  2. What a lovely C-card with so much detail. I'm sure the recipient will treasure it.

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  3. Wow! This is so sophisticated and just gorgeous. There's so much to look at on this tiny piece. Outstanding work.

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  4. Hallo,
    ich bin total begeistert von dieser tollen Karte,da stimmt einfach alles,man denkt wirklich das der Weihnachtmann gerade im Schneesturm unterwegs ist,
    lg Ulrike

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  5. The time spent on the little details on this card really show! This is a fabulous vintage design, Nicola, and I love this aged snowy and wintery look!

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  6. Wow, look at all the elements and details on this card. Just fabulous...and I adore the way the sentiment matches that Santa image so darned perfectly! This is an awesome card....FABULOUS guy card! Thanks for joining us at the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge! --Gail, CSS DT

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  7. wow that is a beautiful striking peice thank you for joining us at TIOT.EE

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  8. Love all the details on this, very nostalgic card :)

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  9. Hi Nicola, stunning card, love all your details and layers.
    Avril xx

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  10. How atmospheric Nicola! I can almost feel the 'nip in the air' from this. That snowy texture is wonderful. Jenny x

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  11. I think this is the loveliest Christmas card I have ever seen! It is truly beautiful and full of Christmas magic. Robert Frost is one of my favourite poets; I didn't realise until now how well his words go with winter holidays! Everything about this card is just perfect. I just want to hold it! Julie Ann xx

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  12. A stunning card, the details are beautiful. Thank you for joining us at TioT's this time.
    Yvonne

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  13. Lots of detail on this beautiful snowy card for Christmas Nicola, and thanks for joining in the Crafty Individuals Challenge. Jean x

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  14. Totally stunning Nicola! Love how you have layered all the elements and how you worked with that gorgeous stamp! Totally stunning card!!

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  15. Beautiful vintage style card Nicola, I love the image the snowflake border and the distressing.
    Kevin xx

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  16. Such a gorgeous card! Nicola. I love the great textures and beautiful color scheme. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Monday Challenge. :)

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  17. Absolutely stunning Nicola, such a fabulous card, I love every detail.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  18. Absolutely GORGEOUS Nicola, I love this card to bits - the ageing, the tones, the scene and those fab ice skates, thanks so much for tip on how to treat them - I will definitely be giving that a go. Wonderful inspiration from you, as always. Hugs, Anne x

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  19. My! Diving deep into winter wonderland by looking at your gorgeous card, Nicola!

    The textures really create that feeling when you walk through the Wienerwald with trees and branches covered with snow...almost can here the sound my steps make ;)

    Thank you for sharing this enchanting creation with us at TIOT!

    Claudia xx

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  20. Stunning card Nicola...the attention to detail is Beautiful.. Love that image & Gorgeous design....I adore the scene... Hugs May x x x

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  21. Such a beautiful card!
    Hugs from Gunn:)

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  22. Such a great, great card once again my lovely Nicola...wow ! and I love your small aged embellishments like the ice skates and the lantern !! Love all the "snow" also put here and there so beautifully. Thank you for the inspiration, and I think I must buy this lantern die Lol ! Big HUGS Coco xxxx

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  23. Beautiful card Nicola, love the monotone ! I really need to start thinking about Christmas too ! Thanks for joining us at FSC. Sue C x

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  24. Fabulous card Nicola, those monochromes look fab! Also love the Frost quote, goes very well with your 'frosty' card ;-) Thanks for joining us at Vintage Udfordring!
    Ira’s Crea Corner

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  25. What a beautiful card - must have taken you a lot of time to make all those layers. Thank you for sharing it with us at TioT! x

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  26. so stunning nicola.wonderful image and sentiment and i love your all the texture and gorgeous neutral colours :D

    xx coops xx

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  27. Pure delight as usual Nicola. Love everything that's going on especially the colour palette you have used. Just awesome comes to mind.

    Crafty hugs from Shirl and also thank you for sharing with us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.

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  28. Nicola...Oh my goodness....I am so in love with your Christmas cards! This one is another beauty! I so love the skates and the Tammy technique you used on them. The rusted feeling of this card is just amazing and it so works! :) Thanks for sharing this beauty with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. <3 Candy

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  29. Stunning! Love the distressed aged effect on the skates. Beautiful card! Love that image and you used it beautifully! Glad you joined us this week at SImon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

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  30. This is yet another beautiful creation (why am I not surprised??) I am always so amazed at the depth that you create and the layers that work together so beautifully. Your attention to detail is exquisite and every card is a masterpiece! Thank you so much for sharing this with us here at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog.

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  31. A fantastic card, just love the vintage look and all the elements you have used.

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  32. Wow, this is an amazing card. Love the dimensional snow look, metal pieces, all the texture and of course the wonderful stamping. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

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  33. Just saw your comment thank you Nicola and realise I've not been over in a while for which I apologised but still having problems with the fingers and hands. Wonderful creation here.

    B x

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  34. What a stunning card, Nicola! Thank you for joining in the Crafty Individuals' challenge,

    Lucy x

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  35. Wow Nicola! What a fabulous work of art! Love the snowflake border and your attention to detail!

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  36. Wowers, this is gorgeous! Hugs! xx

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  37. Nicola
    I simply find this to be an incredible creation with all that gorgeous distressing and what a beautiful stamp and all those precious details.
    Oh this is so special.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  38. I wanted to write another comment re the CI Challenge.
    Once again I see the stunning use of the CI clock face, so creative to use it is in this manner.
    Lovely to have you join us at the Crafty Individuals Challenge.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  39. LOVELY textured card... I just adore how you did the snow!
    ...thanks for joining us at TIOT,
    xxx Ellie xxx

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  40. This is just stunning! The texture is absolutely amazing and the entire design is just wonderful! I love it! Thank you so much for playing along with us over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

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  41. Incredible ideas here Nicola. I can't believe the texture you developed here and harmonized. Such an amazing card. Wow -- look at all the different techniques you used here. This is brilliant! -- Mary Elizabeth

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  42. Stunning card Nicola, I love the vintage feel, it adds real magic to this festive design. Superb my friend!!! xxx

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  43. This is not just a card, but a work of Art! FABULOUS in every vintage Christmas way! LOVE!

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  44. Great card, lots of lovely texture, hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for playing along with us over at TIOT Texture challenge! I have a mixed media give away on my blog, if you are interested :) http://inthehillsofnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2013/10/frosted-designs-mixed-media-kitand.html

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  45. Wow! An absolutely awesome creation Nichola. Really love the shabby effects and the soft colours too.
    Thanks for joining in with our FSC challenge.
    Fliss xx
    PS: Sorry for the lack of visiting lately - life got in the way!

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  46. Fabulous card, I love the design and gorgeous colours.
    Thank you for taking part in the Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge this month.
    Sue xx

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  47. Avesome card!!!)

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  48. Ciao, Nicola!! Your card is pretty amazing. I feel like I have my feet in snow!

    Hope you get well :-)

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  49. Wow - so glad I have a chance finally to catch up with this beauty - what an exquisite creation, Nicola! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Artistic Outpost.

    Thank you for your message, and absolutely no need to apologise. I've been pretty knocked out by the whole house move myself... but looking forward to catching up in Craftyblogland over the next days and weeks.
    Alison xx

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  50. Hi Nicola, just popped back to say thanks for linking your fabulous card to Crafts-Too Challenge You 'Create A Scene' theme.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  51. I must say this is a most stunning card--I have this stamp and am loving how you used it! Congrats on your win at Try It On Tuesday. Helene

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x