ALL THAT GLITTERS

Christmas and the Holiday Season is certainly a glittery time of the year. Those of us that would not normally have our homes decked out and sparkley certainly take on a new persona. All That Glitters is a new Marcella Hawley exclusive that features vintage ornaments. Each of the images in this Christmas-Holiday season stamp set is a stellar example of her abilities to capture these holiday ornaments at their best.

For my focus I took an unconventional look at both of the Christmas ornament images that I used to highlight today.

Here's a look at my first one:





I love the lady-like look of this card. It is so very pretty in real life. I know Marcella used vintage ornaments from her mother's own collection as the basis for this set, and here I go making it all contemporary and girlie. I just love the contrast....I love the sentiment-- SO SWIRLY-- the crispness of the hot pink and black -white check ribbon. The detail and depth are hidden here but again IRL the depth and tiny green rhinestones(Kaiser flat back from Flourishes too) make this card perfect for that very striking lady on your Christmas card list.

The card is a simple one layer card. I stamped the image using my Copic marker direct to the image (I know some say horrors) and I must say I had to work very quickly. Then using the Copic Colorless blender I gradually added the colors, line, and depth. I used only three Copics...Colorless Blender, RV17, and YG03. Star Dust Stickles added the wonderful glitter look. A Kaiser flat back rhinestone in green was the coup de grâce ! The black "hanger" was done with a small punch to the card and then black embrodiery thread and a knoted tie of black and white gigham ribbon from Flourishes. Hum, very Girlie-Girl !!

For my second card I chose a more traditional look and used this set again in an other than intended approach when it was first conceptualized.



For this card I used both of the branches from the All That Glitters set as well. The techniques used to the best advantage for the card were masking and sponging of colors to highlight some branches that were stamped with Versamark and embossed in white EP, others were stamped with Handsome Hunter and simply highlighted with sponging in the same color. To add more depth in shading I used my Copic Spica Bright green pen. I did this quite liberally on the dark green branches and around the white. This is a case where a lighter color adds the required spolight and give the illusion of more depth on a flat image. After a few critically placed branches, I stamped the pinecone ornament on the card then masked it while I worked on the other parts. It was then colored with my Copics, highlighted and then touched with the Ranger White Essential pen for that frosty look. The sentiment was stamped and embossed, more ink (Creamy Caramel) smudging with a sponge. The ribbon was done with the SU two hole punch. The card is white cardstock to start. The second layer is the Brushed Gold Leaf metallic paper from Flourishes and finally the card itself is SU Handsome Hunter.

The next time I work with these sets I am definitely using the LuminArte Twinkling H2Os....After I finished these I was fiddling here in the Atelier on a scrap piece of paper with them and these ornaments and Oh My were they pretty. You can bet that you will be seeing them all done up soon. They were so simple and vibrant and already had the sparkle of the mica in them. My trial piece will be my inspiration board for an upcoming card at my work space.

Today's card stamps, ribbons and emblishments are all from Flourishes.

Thanks so much for looking in over my shoulder today as I worked. I know your time is precious and am so grateful that you spent a few moments with me. My "teacher-facilitator" hope is that you found something to take with you.

Don't forget that Flourishes is still having the 10% off sale...the ENTIRE STORE---but you must rush to place that order as the sale IS OVER MONDAY NIGHT AT 12:00P.M. CST....the Promo code is RSC88.

Ciao,



"A great teacher never strives to explain his vision. He simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself." My Chineese fortune cookie today!