Cardinal Christmas

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.

Tonight's card, was one of those that I made this weekend for a challenge.  The challenge?  Sweetstop.  It's one of those challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone… and that's the reason I do them.  I really find that I have grown as a card creator since forcing myself to use colors and sketches that are alien to my "fall to layouts".  I really suggest you pop along to the site and see the great inspiration cards from the design team and also the cards that have been submitted.

I looked at the layout and thought…. mmm..  this card calls for a vertical central element.  My newly arrived Cardinal Christmas came to mind.  That led me in all sorts of directions with embossing folders, DSP and, my favorite, coloring.

Card recipe – all supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
• Stamps:  Cardinal Christmas
• Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Concord Crush and a little Copic coloring to add dimension over the watercolored image of the Cardinal
• Accessories:  Nestabilities classic large rectangles; Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler seam binding; Regals Buttons, Gold Elastic cord
• Tools:  My Big Shot…. one of my best investments! Holly embossing folder (non-SU); Stampin' Dimensionals

This was another card that I felt didn't need a sentiment.  Thank you, Brenda, for freeing me from my obsession of always putting a sentiment on a card.

I did, however, add a little to the inside.  Something plain and simple and something to tie the outside to the inside.

So.. I had to take a quick photograph for you whilst I was doing my blog update!

Card instructions:

• Cut Always Artichoke card stock to A2 11 x 4 1/4.  Score and fold at 5 1/2 – fold on the top.
• Cut Cherry Cobbler layer to 4 1/8 x 5 3/8
• Cut DSP (Deck the Halls) to 4 x 5 1/4
• Adhere 3 base layers using snail.
• Cut 2nd Always Artichoke layer to 3 x 4 3/8
• Cut Cherry Cobbler layer to 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 and run through Big Shot with embossing folder.  Adhere these two layers using snail  Adhere these two layers to the card base – placing at an angle.  I used snail to secure the layers together
• Cut third Always Artichoke layer to 2 3/16 x 3 3/8
• Cut third Cherry Cobbler layer to 2 9/16 x 3 3/8.  Adhere these two layers using snail
• Cut Very Vanilla layer to fit the nestabilities and run through the Big Shot.  I then kept the frame of the nestabilities in place and, using my sponges, colored the inside area using Crumb Cake ink.  I left a darker Crumb Cake imprint on the outside and less on the inner parts of this layer.  Doing this with the nestabilities frame still in place, allows you to keep a crisp clean Very Vanilla border
• I inked up the Cardinal Stamp with Cherry Cobbler for the bird, Always Artichoke for the leaves and branches and Concord Crush for the berries.  I then went back in with my Cherry Cobbler classic ink and a blender pen and colored in the "white spaces".  I colored the face and chin in Basic Black and a very pale beak was created with a light application of Cherry Cobbler ink and my blender brush.  To add just a little dimension, I went in with a Copic marker and finished off the colors.  
• I know that they are not the traditional colors for a Cardinal – but I needed them to match with my card stock and ribbon.
• I snipped him out and adhered him using Stampin' Dimensionals to the Very Vanilla base. 
• The last thing that I did…. put the Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler ribbon together, tie around the base – underneath the focal layers and tie into a knot.
• Take a button, wrap a little Gold Elastic Cord through the button, underneath the knot on the ribbon and tie

I know it sounds like a lot of steps… but really – it was very simple and I think is a very pretty card.  The touch of Concord Crush is the unexpected touch on this card.   And, for me… the multiple layers.

On a personal note:

Well, my voice has finally gone and I have a temperature.  So… one minute I'm hot – and the next minute I'm cold.  Now…. add that to Menopausal hot flashes… and you have energy surges for sure.  Or, as my friend Brenda told me… they are my own little trips to somewhere tropical!  Me… I'm just looking forward to a trip somewhere cold!

Every time I have done a post for the past few months, I have wondered if Trish would be up to commenting – and also asked you for prayers for her.  It seems so strange not to consciously do that every post.  I really will miss her!  We were blessed to have her visit our blogs, support us all so wholeheartedly and to have her in our little "group".  Thank you to all of you who have said you will be sending a card of condolence to her family.  Her participation in our blogs and her support of or work, are not well known to her family.  It was Trish's little refuge.  So, anything you can do to show Bob and Nichole how much our stamping community appreciated Trish will be much appreciated.

NOW…. We are working our way to FEEL GOOD FRIDAY.  If any of you have a feel good link that you would like to submit, please send it my way.  I'd love to feature some of your choices for FEEL GOOD FRIDAY.  So, please think about it and send me an email.

NEXT…. you get to choose the next videos I make.  Adelle, I will do a quick video showing you how I made the flower on this Baja Wedding card.  

BUT… you have to let me know what video you would like me to do after that.  If my voice is back, I would like to do a couple of videos this weekend for placing on my blog over the next couple of weeks.  Just send me an email, or leave me a comment, on what you would like to see me do next.

To those of you who have viewed my videos – and commented – thank you so much.  Your feedback helps me tremendously.  Sue, I need to go check out Dawn's video to see how she ties a bow.  Adelle, thank you for noticing my "manicure"!  A quick coat of nail polish before I made my video.  What I hadn't realized though is how NEON the pink is.  I think a more subdued color for the next set of videos is in order!

Beth… you asked me why nestabilities vs Cricut.  This is my own personal feeling.  I LOVE… LOVE… LOVE… my Big Shot and love being able to use something else that goes with it.  requires no electiricity.  it is really simple. etc.   In fact, I donated my Cricuit to the local Ronald McDonald house, with all my paraphanalia.  I found I just didn't use it.  The nestabilities suit me because they work with my big shot and I love the fact that I can cut and emboss the same image.  Also, I can use the frame of the nestability – like I did on tonight's card – to use it as a way to contain the coloring.  So… my personal preference is nestabilities every time.  I think it really is a truly personal preference.  As I said, for me the Cricuit was a tool that I didn't use.  My mantra at home… if something comes in… something must go out.  So, once I had realized I loved my Big Shot… the Cricuit was the thing that went.  I know the Ronald McDonald guys will be loving it, though.  I hope that answered your question.

If any of you have any other questions…. please just leave me a comment or send me an email.  I am never short of opinions… as the guys I work with will attest!  But seriously, I am always happy to give an opinion on something I use or have tried, the techniques I use on my cards, or anything to do with card making!

Remember…… as Cam reminded us…. Hug someone… just because you can.  You never know how much longer you will have them to hug.  Appreciate every minute of this amazing life.  Even in the midst of the bad days, or the bad times, there is something positive to find in every day.

Prayers tonight for:  Bob and Nichole, Germaine, T, Pri, John & Sue, Lesley and Cyrus – and Arthur.

hugs to all of you

Jaydee