Sunday 15 August 2010

WARNING - contains Christmas

Finally got time to have a play and create something for my favourate challenges. I struggle with those that start on Monday because I don't really get much time to craft during the week so it's usually a last minute entry on a sunday afternoon but I love joining in. Here is my card for Linda's Compendium of Curiosities challenge over at Studio L3.
This week we were working from P42 of Tim Holtz's fabulous book - I have used the crackle paint on the background rather than a focal element, I thought it gave the impression of bark and tied in nicely with the tree theme. 
The base of the card is made using a great technique demonstrated by Katy at Gingersnaps Creations using Tim Holtz embossing folder and brown acrilic paint. The pattern reminded me of the rings that you see in  the cross section of a tree trunk. Katy warns about the paint staining the folders -but I found if I wiped the folder well, gave it a good spritz with water and ran through my machine again with some folded kitchen paper in, it cleaned no problem - and I got some great 'moulded' kitchen paper to use on something else!! So - this card is also going into the Gingersnaps Creations Spicy Supply Challenge which is 'Paint'
The Inspiration for the colours  came from this weeks Play Date Cafe challenge and this great photo. I used Bundled Sage, Antique Linen and Walnut Ink Distress inks. The trees were stamped with Timber Brown Stazon. The Tree scene stamp is from Crafty Individuals and the larger tree behind, which I stamped on acetate, is by Personal Impressions. 
I also made my first ATC today - as soon as I saw the photo this stamp came to mind and seeing as I've been intending to start Christmas Crafting, I thought no time like the present! I kept it CAS, just layered distress inks by masking, stamped the Three Kings over the top and added some more colour - you can't see on the photo but I've added some gold touches to the kings.
Finally while in the christmas spirit and loving this colour combination I kept with the basic supplies on my desk and swapped stamps to make a tag to enter (again at the last minute!) to the New Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge which has a 'things with wings' theme. The Background is stamped with Hero Arts Diamonds, Do-Crafts snowflake (forever Friends set) and Hero Arts script. The main image of Angels is from Dovecraft.  Well if you've made it this far thanks for sticking with such a  long post.....hope you've had a good weekend ! Esther xx

22 comments:

  1. Esther, your cards are gorgeous! The crackle paint looks awesome on the background, and it really does look like tree bark. In fact, it almost looks like the tree is "floating" on the background, which is such a cool effect!

    Your holiday cards are lovely, too. You've been a very busy artist!

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  2. You are TOO funny with the "warning." I laughed and laughed. I see you have succumbed to the C word, but why not, since you have so many gorgeous stamps to play with. Happy Sunday.

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  3. All fabulous Esther, terrific. Annette x

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  4. Beautiful work Esther and my goodness how busy have you been! Thank you so much for joining the team at Simon Says Stamp and Show for our very first challenge ... we hope to see you again next week!

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  5. Fabulous work Esther and I think your tree card is amazing. Thanks for joining in with Daring Cardmakers.

    Lynda xxx

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  6. soooo I have a question.....did you leave your "creatin" space at all this weekend...cause let me tell you girl.....YOUR CRANKED OUT SOME GOODNESS!!!

    thanks bunches for playin' along with the Design Teamies and Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!!

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  7. Lovely cards - wonderful use of this weeks PDCC, thanks for joining us!

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  8. Really beautiful work all the way around! So glad you placed some of your work in The Play Date Cafe : )

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  9. These are all wonderful, Esther! Thanks for playing along with the Play Date Cafe!

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  10. Love your cards Esther, tree one is stunning just love all the colours, you are definitely on a roll today, great work :D xx

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  11. These are all beautiful! I love the colors - some of my very favorites!
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp & Show's challenge! Hope you'll continue to do so.

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  12. oh really love these cards,hun you always put so much into,them such great designs,hugs cheryl xxxxxxx

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  13. OH WOW! All of these are fab--I really like that card with the camels--LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Thanks for playing along and joining in the fun at the PDCC:)

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  14. Fabulous cards and loved hearing what you did on them. Love the camels card and perfect to pair with the inspiration photo. glad you decided to play along with us at the PDCC.

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  15. That trees image is gorgeous. I love your other "makes" too

    Thanks for joining in with The Daring Cardmakers this week

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  16. Happy INSPIRATION, at last, I have found YOU! This is some SENSATIONAL work! I'm SUCH a lover of all things "T!M!" and I have to say I'm wagging like a puppy right now! Your work is WONDERFUL!!!! I love the use of the PDCC colors sprinkled though out these amazing creations! So many tips and ideas shared - YEAH, baby! What fun! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your talent with the PDCC this week!

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  17. You made the comment last week about being a coffee drinker, no tea for you. I only drink it once a week and didn't even do it this week as you can see if you stop by my Tea Tuesday post. This is what I drink day in, day out, day and night. The only difference is, it's normally in a big old ugly plastic mug that has a lid for safety that keeps me from spilling it or putting a paint brush in it accidentally. See you tomorrow.

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  18. An absolutely stunning card, love especially the background and the paint embossing - just brilliant.

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  19. Gorgeous work, Esther! The painted background you created is stunning. Thanks for playing the Gingersnaps paint challenge.

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Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts - they make me smile x

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