I usually have the end design already in mind before I start a card but then sometimes what was in my head turns up on my desk as a sorry mess! This card was one such example and several reworks were needed to eventually deem it passable. Having put in so much effort I then set up a little production line to make a few similar versions of the card.
The deer have been diecut using Sizzix 'Prancing Deer' and Sizzix Mini Movers and Shakers 'Mini Reindeer'. The paper I've used is SEI Velvet paper in 'Chocolate' so that the deer have a nice plush coat. For sturdiness the velvet paper is glued to a backing of corrugated cardboard. Their necks are adorned with gold tinsel and diecut/stamped tabs and jingle bells (Stamps by Cat's Life Press). Lots of gold stickles coat the antlers.
I've used TH/Sizzix 'Birch Trees' die to make the backing layer. This diecut's width is 4" which is a little narrow for my liking so I cut some extras and 'joined' them as seamlessly as possible so that the 'forest' is wider. Plain cream cardstock was used which I then inked with DIs 'Walnut Stain' and 'Ground Espresso'. Then splattered lots of 'Ground Espresso' paint over the trees to make them look more birch-like. Once heatset, coated them liberally with crackle in 'Clear Rock Candy' and left to dry overnight. This layer is affixed on top of foam pads for height.
Lots of frantage work has been done to the next 2 underlying layers. Dotted around several wood veneer stars by Studio Calico topped with little clear gems.
Cards still needed some glitzing so I diecut gold foil paper to make the star at top right and foliage underfoot. The gold foil is very thin (similar to that in cigarette packets) so for strenght I affixed it with glue stick to cardstock before diecutting. Dies are Sizzix 'Holiday Greens' and Memory Box 'Star of Wonder'.
That's it for today - hope you like!
Thanks so much for your visit,
Nicola x
I wish to enter cards to the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Throwback - to July 27th 'No Ordinary Paper'
Country View Challenges - Add some Texture
Eileen Hull Art with Heart - Hauntings and Holidays
Winter Wonderland - Jingle Bells
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes
Use Your Stuff - Diecuts / Punches
Try It On Tuesday - Lots of Layers
Oh wow, Nicola, they are absolutely stunning!! They might have taken some time but totally worth it!! I absolutely love the design and the sparkle you added!! They are so gorgeous!! I love, love them!! Wow!! Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Beautiful! Love the details! Thank you for joing us at Art with Heart October challenge!
ReplyDeleteHello, Nicola! This card is so beautiful! I love the colours and the elements that you have used.
ReplyDeleteBig hug from Norway :-)
This is so very beautiful! I especially love the star and the gold "greenery." Great touches!
ReplyDeleteNicola
ReplyDeletePassable! So much more than simply passable. Both version as so elegant and I love the idea of the reindeer having plush coats and the sweet tags hanging around their necks, so adorable.
Beautiful, beautiful creations.
Wishes
Lynne
this is a beautiful submission!!! i love using a plush fabric of any kind on my animals and especially love that part of your card. thanks for joining us over at Eileen Hulls challenge!
ReplyDeleteTrying so hard to resist these dies and you are not helping! Just gorgeous. Ger x
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! I love the stars and the little message tags around their necks.
ReplyDeleteDear Nicola, your card is stunning , I love what you did with the wood behind the deers, and all your golden shine,. so wonderful it is !!
ReplyDeleteDorthe, xxo
Wow.. beautiful cards! Thank you for sharing with us at TIOT!
ReplyDeleteStunning cards Nicola, beautiful elegant design.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
This is so pretty! Don't you just love that Birch Tree Die! Thanks for sharing with us at the Art for Heart Challenge! Cheers, Nicole
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards Nicola! Love the beautiful scenes that you created! All the shimmery detail looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely card! I think I NEED to copy this ;) Thanks for joining us at our challenge at UYS!
ReplyDeleteI love these! The trees, the reindeer, the colors and gold... Although you've used the same materials and layouts the subtle color challenges make a rather big difference. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely design and such an awesome card!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us at Christmas Card Challenge.
Nicola This is just stunning! What a gorgeous card. I do not have this die, but each time I see it I want it and you made me want it even more. I do not know if you Instagram from your phone, but I really suggest you do and tag #sizzix with it. I know they would share it on their feed!
ReplyDeleteAmazing card design beautiful ! thanks for sharing with us at Christmas Card Challenges
ReplyDeleteA new favorite!!! I love those trees. I'm breaking that die out this week too. LOVE the deer....the whole scene is pure beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning, Nicola. I love the soft muted background, with those beautiful chocolate coloured deer and the gold elements on top. Thank you for joining us at Winter Wonderland.
ReplyDeleteAlison x
These cards are so beautiful! (I pinned it!) Thanks for joining us at the Art with Heart Challenge. =)
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful! Really beautiful winter scenes with the trees and deer. Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog :) Wishing you a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteWow that is just an amazing card. Love the colours, the shimmery look and the black silhouette deer. Simply stunning. Thanks for playing along with us over at UYS - hugs DT Shirl
ReplyDeleteabsolutely brilliant - i adore this - thanks for joining us at countryview challenges and good luck! Hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteOh Nicola, this is a thousand times better than 'passable', it is quite stunning. The tree background looks fantastic - so very clever to put both deer together too. The stars look incredible, the glittery antlers take centre stage and I love how you added the gold 'greenery' - the whole card is wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in with us at Art With Heart too! Hugs, Anne xx
Absolutely gorgeous - I have those birch trees but haven't had a chance to play yet, and this is so inspiring! I love the aged crackly bark, and fabulous inking. The deer look wonderful in their forest setting. It'll be no surprise that the teal version is my favourite - a stunning Christmas design, Nicola.
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Oops, so carried away that I forgot to say thank you so much for playing along at Country View Challenges!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Gorgeous card Nicola, love the little woodland scene, love the soft background with the deer and textured trees. The gold sparkle details look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAvril xx
p.s. Thanks for sharing at TioT
These are gorgeous! I love the shimmer and shine and those teeny, tiny tags. Fabulous creation. Thank you so much for playing along with us over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog this week :)
ReplyDeleteOh boy Nicola, how I missed your gorgeous works!! Just popped my head in to say thanks so much for all of the kind comments you left for me while I was away, you are so sweet! I am mostly all settled in now and finally able to take some time to visit my favourite blogs!! Looking forward to all of your amazing Christmas creations this season! Doing another house?? Take care and I will see you again soon. hugs :)
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Nicola, what a great Christmas card, hun! I love the sparkle you have captured in that magic scene x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, love the birch trees ( and I've searched in vain for the join!) love all the splatters and frantage
ReplyDeleteJoan
Nicola, this card is truly beautiful...all of your reworks were worth the end result! I didn't think I needed the birch trees die but you are making me think differently! Beautiful job of distressing and aging but yet it does not look grungy...rather vintage elegance.,I always love your work but particularly your vintage Christmas pieces.
ReplyDeleteOh, oh, OH OH OH....this is outstanding!!!!! My eyeballs are HUGE. This is gorgeous. :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! Thank you for sharing details.
ReplyDelete