Nov 02 2007
A Real Challenge!
Today’s Limited Supply Challenge on Splitcoastampers.com was a little tricky for me. Why? You had to make a flat Christmas card! If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know how much I LOVE my embellishments! I know some other have put things like brads on their design but I tried my best to stick “to the letter of the law” LOL on this design. Flat ribbon, flat stitching and limited layers. And so…while this design is not bad…I’m totally missing adding on my little goodies! 
The reason behind hte challenge was keeping mailing costs down during the holidays…those embellishment laden cards CAN be expensive to mail.
Copper Reindeer
I love this stamp set from Flourishes and just in case you missed my post earlier in the week…Flourished Christmas is now back in stock! This reindeer is so easy to use and so festive and elegant…all at the same time. I just can’t bear to put him away! As I have very limited time this morning…I decided to pair up this quick challenge with this weeks SCS sketch challenge turned 90° to fit my reindeer stamp.
The mailperson brought me this gorgeous 6×6 Figgy Pudding patterned paper by Basic Grey yesterday and I couldn’t resist breaking it open to play. Wow! It is stunning and so many great patterns all in one inexpensive pad. I simply must order more as I can’t stand the thought of running out! LOL The two patterned papers were layered onto Soft Sky cardstock and then my Real Red card base before adding stitching details to the design.
Quick Tip: You can’t see it in the photo well. but I pulled out my Cosmic Copper Brilliance ink pad and inked all the edges of each layer with it. It adds a slightly distressed look but also the shimmer makes the design a little more special for the holidays.
For my main image layer… I stamped and embossed my reindeer with Copper embossing powder by Stampin UP. They actually discontinued it with the new catalogue…not sure why as it is gorgeous. I’m now seriously on the lookout for another great Copper embossing powder. I’d love a regular one and I’m not sure if any such thing exists but wouldn’t a Copper glitter embossing powder be stunning?! If you have a good source for either…I’d LOVE to hear from you!
After embossing the reindeer… it was quick to color him in with my Copic marker. To add a slight bit of shading, I just went over the areas I wanted a little darker with the same marker again. After stitching the design, I found I didn’t have any room left for a sentiment without covering up some of the design. Hmmmm…what to do? I came up with the idea to hide the sentiment UNDER the image panel on a little pull out tag. The tag was made smaller than the image layer so that I could adhere three sides of the image layer and still slip the tag underneath. Hope you like this fun variation! If you’d like to play along with this challenge…check out LSC 140 Holiday Mail.
And just to enable you a little…Jacksonbelle is having a weekend sale with tons of items 20% off.
Have a fabulous day!
Cornish Heritage Farms Design Team Coordinator
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Fabulous job with the challenge! This card is beautiful! I know you love your embellishments (and you do wonderful things with them too) but with the beautiful colors of the paper, all the stitching and the copper embossed reindeer this card really doesn’t need all those extras. It’s great without them.
Love the way you stamped the deer on the patterned paper. I bought this pad of paper a couple of weeks ago and still haven’t used it! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I pick it up and fan through it, just haven’t had time to play and design with my non-SU stuff. Hazards of being a demo I guess! Your pull out is cool too!
What a gorgeous card! I haven’t done the challenge yet, but I know I’ll miss the extras too. This card is your usual stunning mix of textures and patterns. Beautiful!
Good idea about the glittery copper embossing powder. I’ve mixed embossing powder with a bit of Pearl Ex and that works well. I know Pearl Ex comes in coppery tones (I have some) so that might work. Let me know if you would like me to mail you a sample to try. You only need to add a bit to the embossing powder.
Julia, every time you post a card with this reindeer, you make me want to buy it more! (Like I “need” to have more Christmas stamps…) As for the e.p., Judikins has one and it is available through Marco Papers, among others (http://marcopaper.com/embossingcolorchart.htm) I haven’t used their copper, but I love the egyptian gold and the detail powders of theirs that I have.
What a great idea to stamp the reindeer on the decorative paper! Your card is fantastic!
~Lynda
Pretty, the different pp gives it very nice dimension!
What a great idea to tuck the sentiment under the main image on a little pull-out tag! Love it! The reindeer looks gorgeous on that Figgy Paper. I bet the sparkle of the copper is just stunning!
Beautifully done! See, you don’t need all the bells & whistles to make an awesome piece of artwork! You’re very creative with & without them!!
I read your post before scanning down for the card (which is rare for me), and I’m glad I did because this deserved that “what for it, hold your breath, here it comes” anticipation. Wowzers wasn’t I pleasantly surprised. I soooooo love your card, Julia. I particularly like how the reindeer is stamped on the patterned paper. Yes, I agree that cards are so hard to do if one has to keep postage in mind. I got hit hard at Easter time when I sent 10 RAK’s and family Easter cards in the U.S.A. Because of the ribbon I had to pay $1.82 per card. Ouch! Bravo on your card. It is a winner.
Another fabulous design…and who would have thought you you had to leave off the emblishments…great and really loved the surprise pullout!
Julia, I simply love every little bit of this! I don’t think I would have even noticed the lack of extra embellishments if you hadn’t mentioned it. You made up for it in so many wonderful ways. I can’t wait to use the heck out of this paper for my Christmas cards. I love the way you stamped this fabulous reindeer directly on the paper. The pattern showing through looks marvelous!
Soooo…. lovely! Love that DP peeking through!
I’ve seen copper ep with metallic sparkles on ebay. Its made by Stampendous. It’s called Copper Tinsel. I might have to get some too!
I really LOVE that Reindeer image everytime I see it. Gorgeous work Julia
“I don’t need another Christmas set”, “I don’t need another Christmas set”… but Julia makes me want it.
I simply love what you are doing with this reindeer! Another beautiful work of art Julia! Thanks for the continued inspiration!
I just love that reindeer! He looks cool with the Figgy pattern on him!