All done for this year.....

Hi folks... I seem to have developed a bit of a theme over the last couple of posts!! Bah Humbug!! Really, I do have the full Christmas Spirit!!

and this year’s Christmas Jumper will only go to prove that!!

But, I just couldn't resist these new Hobby Art Stamps when they arrived..
They fulfil a lot of requirements for my last few Christmas Cards for this year.. Humorous, Festive, Quick & easy, even if you aren't a great colourist!!

The images of the Sheep are great! And, as I said require very little work on them to bring them to life, especially as you can forget about colouring the "wool" and use a Glitter Glue instead to add some Christmas sparkle...
The stamp set also comes with a couple of Sentiments

and also some hats which will make them useful throughout the year... Although in hindsight, to make the cutting out of the Santa hat a tad easier, I would have used my Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamp & Die set..

That said, it didn't take long to get everything done...

I've changed the colours a little bit, just to theme them to friends who have a little penchant for Lilac

and Teal...

Have enjoyed getting back into a little bit of colouring for a change rather than the same old same old Die Cutting..

So much so that I have treated myself to a couple of other sets of Stamps from Hobby Art,

which also allowed me to get away from Christmas for a little bit.. Oooopppss, we're back to that Bah Humbug theme again!!!
Anyway, that's me all done now... Thanks for popping by this year.. I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and look forward to crafting with you in 2016...
See you soon.
Andy.

Bah Humbug.....

Hi folks.. Something a little different for today’s post...
I wasn't in a particularly "dark" mood when I was creating this.. It just took itself off in that direction..

It has the feeling of something about it, a bit "Bah Humbug" I think... But I kinda like it and enjoyed making it! Which, to all intense and purposes is what it’s all about right??
To start off with, I cut a circle in a piece of Brown card stock.. Initially a made a few mistakes with this part of the process, but if you don't make the mistakes then you'll never learn eh!!
First mistake was that I embossed the image first and then cut out the circle.. What does this do? You might well ask dear reader!! It flattens the embossing!!
Next mistake was that I cut the circle way to one side of the card; therefore the whole of the embossed image didn't fit on the card!!

Eventually, I got it right'ish!!

Lined up the Embossing Folder

and embossed the image..

Cutting off the excess card to achieve my favoured Square card..
Now for the fun bit!! Gilding Waxes at the ready...

First a little bit of Frosty Mink,

Then a little dabble of Autumn Bronze,

Maybe a little Chic Pumpkin,

and a little dab of Enchanted Gold...

Then a little bit more of each until I was happy with the result...

Once "buffed" the waxes do not need sealing, but I do find giving them a spritz of Spray and Shine

intensifies the colour by separating it from any non waxed areas...

For the centre hole Aperture I planned on using this Tree image which I had cut out in the same Brown card stock and coloured using Vintage Holly Gilding Wax.. It is such a delicate image, in fact I would say more of the card is waste than what's left to create the image... you only have to damage it slightly whilst applying the Gilding wax for it to lose all its structure and strength...

So, to give it some stability, I cut a circle of Acetate, slightly larger than the Aperture

and stuck it to the back,

so that the tree had something to support it,

although it looks like it hasn't!!

For the background, I deliberated, cogitated and digested (not really!!!) many, many different pieces of baking papers and card before seeking advice (thank you Lisa) and settling on this piece of Silk Mirror Card which I embossed...

Love the effect it has given...

Thinking I would be able to finish off the project by Mat and Layering in Gold then realising that there was not a piece of Gold anywhere in the shop as it all sold out at the weekend, I plumped for a piece of Black instead... Decorating the Tree and the Aperture with some Metallic Gems....

As I said earlier, it's got something, not quite sure what though!! Oh well, another sample for the window done!! Next!!!
Thanks for checking us out, see you soon.
Andy.

Ingredients used;
Gilding Wax - Frosty Mink, Autumn Bronze, Chic Pumpkin, Enchanted Gold, Vintage Holly
Embossing Folder XCU 515211 - Round Guilt Frame
Brown Card
Gold, Black & Red (Silk) Mirror Card
Metallic Effect Gems
Silent Night Collection - Fancy Tree