Day Eight - Simple Die Cutting

On Day Eight, guest teacher Amber Kemp-Gerstel gave us a simple die cut card using an inking technique. I cut a few corners and used embossed cardstock behind my opening rather than an ink technique. It's a simple card but very nice. The Holiday Card Workshop ends tomorrow and I have mixed feelings. The pressure of creating every day is stressful but also, a little bit exciting. I look forward to repeating some of these techniques in a more leisurely fashion, using stamps for other holidays or themes. I have learned a lot of new techniques and look forward to taking more of these great classes from Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner.

Base, panel, and sentiment stamp: Club Scrap

Day Nine - Stamp Layering

On Day Nine Julie Ebersole showed us how to make a card using stamp layering. Not sure I got this technique knocked but here's a card showing my meagre attempt. Washi tape and star brads complete the look. 

Card base and sentiment stamp: Club Scrap

Sentiment stamp: Club Scrap

Alpha Stamps and brads from my stash

Washi tape

Day Eight - Cards Using Dies

I really loved the sample Jennifer McGuire gave us today. It used a metallic paper from Tim Holtz. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the product in my stash but I did have a silver metallic cardstock in my metallic stash. Fantastic! I don't own an ornament die but, really, isn't everything better with a bird on it???

Card base and panel: Club Scrap

Bird die: Spellbinders nestie

Branch with Leaves die: Sizzix

Embossing folder: Spellbinders Holiday Magic

Bling from my stash

Panel inked with Distress Ink

Day Six - Gradient Inking

Another card shown to us in the Holiday Card Workshop was one using gradient inking. I was successful in that portion of the card, but suffered an Epic Fail for part two of the card. No matter, it still creates a lovely card. I copied the sample as well as I could using items from my stash. 

Card base and patterned paper: DCWV

Card panel: Bristol Smooth

Embossing folder: Spellbinders Holiday Magic

Distress Inks by Ranger

Day Six - Stained Glass Watercolor

On Day Six, Shari Carroll presented a sample using a watercolor effect on a heat-embossed image. I was at a loss as to which stamp I had in my possession to use for this card. Suddenly as I drifted off to sleep the other night, I remember a stamp I bought (and loved) years ago. Dug it out of the depths of my stash and went to work. For this card, I used Tim Holtz Distress Markers to color the star. I made quite a few of these images using other coloring media. You will see them in the coming weeks, I am sure. Thanks for looking.

Card base, banner and panel: Club Scrap

Star stamp: Great Impressions

Embossing folder: Spellbinders Holiday Magic

Sentiment Stamp: Club Scrap

Holiday Card Workshop - Day Four

On Day Four we covered coloring in outline stamp images. I used a cardinal stamp I bought in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, after Club Scrap's annual Retreat in 2010. I honestly don't think I had used it before this because I found the coloring to be daunting. Now that I've done several, I am really liking it and it isn't all that difficult. Takes me back to my coloring book days. Anyway, this one was colored with Tim Holtz Distress Markers. Thanks for looking.

Cardstock from Club Scrap Memoirs kit

Pattern Paper from DCWV Merry Christmas stack

Cardinal image by Jean Arneson for Northwoods Rubber Stamps

Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Day Five - Stamp + Die Combos

Day Five covers cards that feature stamp and die combinations. I have none of these lovelies in my stash so I turned to the beloved Silhouette where I cut the trees and stars. You probably can't tell from my photo, but the tree where no star appears is actually cut all the way through to the interior of the card where the star awaits. I used unmounted rubber from Club Scrap for my stamping. Comics was used on the trees. Comfort Zone in the sky. Bling from my stash. The hills were hand cut and then embossed with Cuttlebug. All edges inked. I like this card a lot and it probably would have been a lot faster if I just cut those triangle trees by hand. As my classmates are saying, we learn what we like and don't like during this class. I do like this card. Thanks for looking.