Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Mixed Media Card Challenge - A Celebration Card with Vellum

When it comes to Christmas cards, I am the quintessential Fiddler on the Roof crazy person shouting "TRADITION!" ...Speaking of, I really need to go watch that movie again. 



What I mean by "tradition" is that I cannot seem to get away from the classic green and red color scheme, and I'm not even sorry about it. It's the ONE time of the year that those colors can go together without someone looking at you all cross-eyed. 

And December 1 doesn't just mean the countdown to all things filled with sugar, family, love, and magic (also known as Christmastime). It ALSO means the start of a new challenge over at the Mixed Media Card Challenge




Since we know that everyone in the universe BESIDES good ol' Becca is totally on top of their holiday cards already, we opened it up to "CELEBRATION" cards - whatever you're celebrating, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanakkuh, birthdays, finally potty training your three-year-old -- it's pretty wide open! 

We also have the optional element of adding vellum, which I did. Because I'm awesome like that. Actually, it's solely because I wanted to try out my new Ornamental Add-on dies from Heartfelt Creations. 

I used heavy weight vellum and die cut some of the various ivy (holly?).  Then I spritzed the heck out of them with my Distress Spray Stains (Colors Mowed Lawn and Black Soot). **Please note that when working with spray stains on vellum it is SO important to use a heavy weight vellum or else it will just shrivel up into a little ball.** A big thank you to Jenn Shurkus for teaching me how beautiful spray stains look on vellum! 



Next, I got to work on the background. I used some vintagey song lyrics, added a doily that had been sponged with Vintage Photo and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks, dropped some splatters on it, then added a final layer of gold texture paste through the ARTplorations Confetti Circles stencil. I used my heat tool to dry the paste so that it bubbled and crackled. 

Et voila!


TRADITION! 

As you can see, I finished the card with a beautiful sentiment from the Holly Berry Cling Stamp set from Heartfelt Creations (which also happens to coordinate with the ornamental die. I added some gold curlicue metal things (painted with gesso to tone down their shine) and some red plastic thingamobobs for the "berries". I tied it all together with a gold sheer ribbon from the Paper Temptress. 

 I'm going to add my creations to the following lovely challenges: 
Mixed Media World - Anything Goes
Everybody Art - Music Note Paper 
Cards in Envy - Put Some Extra Layers on
Vintage Stamping Challenge - Traditional Christmas


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Thanks for popping by! On a more personal note... My good ol' trusty Henry who has been with me for years decided he'd wander into the eternal abyss of wirelessness. 


On the plus side, I think I can break him up and make some cool steampunk textures. On the not-so-plus side. Ay ay ay --- now the hunt is on for a new computer.

37 comments:

  1. I certainly agree with you on the color choices, Becca! But since I make over a hundred (sometimes two hundred) Christmas cards/tags each year, I don't mind playing around with the colors every now and then. Still, nothing makes me happier than a traditional Christmas! This card is just delightful. Love the grungy edges, the awesome layering, and the super die cut bundle. Gorgeous!!!

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  2. Really amazing festive mixed media design Becca!! Love the details with the distressing around your lace doily and the added gold texture!! It came together beautifully!! Great idea to use the old computer parts...can't wait to see what you'll come up with for that! :)

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  3. Fab card Becca so much texture. Shame about the laptop, hope you had a backup for your files. Husband got caught once now he backs up for England! I still find old discs and cassettes in places he forgot about. To show how old he is I found a 5 inch floppy in the extending part of the dining table! :)

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  4. WOW so beautiful it looks Becca and the bow is gorgeous !

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  5. Ooh, I can see you had a lovely inky session making this one Becca, so much lovely texture and rich colours.

    Many thanks for sharing your inspiring creation with us at FlozCraft Vintage Stamping Challenges.

    And look forward to seeing Henry in a new life.

    B x

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  6. So very sorry about Henry. I'm sure your attempts at recycling him will be awesome...and, hey, you have a new computer in your future. You can console yourself with that and the knowledge that you've created one stellar Christmas card. It's traditional, true, but what's wrong with that. It's gorgeous. I'll fight anyone who says different.

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  7. Love the stained vellum ivy and the bright spots of stenciled gold on this Becca - a beautiful creation in the 'traditional' colors! Julia xx

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  8. What a gorgeous card!! The texture is amazing!! I love the design and all of the details!! It's so beautiful my friend!! Oh, poor Henry :( At least he will live on in the afterlife (ie mixed media projects ;) Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  9. Oh my...loving the texture and the traditional colors on this, Becca! The bits and bobs of gold...the stunning ivy and that glorious sentiment! Wow! Cannot wait to see what you do with Henry's innards :)

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  10. WOW! Love this amazing design! So many great textures and elements!

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  11. Wow! Not only "extra layers" but layers of mixed media! Thanks for sharing your lovely card with us at Cards In Envy's challenge!

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  12. Your card is so pretty. Love the distress stain on the vellum and the layering is beautiful on this card. Fabulous card!!

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  13. Oh, wow, Becca! Your vintage Christmas card is absolutely beautiful. Love the leaves and berries, and the touches of gold. Poor Henry. I'll look forward to seeing him recycled :)

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  14. A gorgeous traditional Christmas card Becca with a lovely vintage feel....love it! Carol x

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  15. Becca, you have become the Mixed Media Queen! I love this to bits - wish I could touch it! Speaking of bits, sorry to hear about Henry! hugs

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  16. This is gorgeous, Becca. I agree with Jenny. You are the MM Queen!

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  17. OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!!! This is one of my very favorite cards of the season. Girl, all that hard work on this beautiful card was sooooo worth it; this is stunning!! Seriously. Dang! Brings such a nostalgic feel to the season. And Christmas cards done....hahahahaha! Not me! I only make a few and DH sends them out. Hope I'll have enough when he's ready to do them! And can I just say that I went from PC to an iMac and love it. Simple, follows my directions, and the screen is amazing. RIP Henry.... Bev

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  18. Fabulous card Becca. Love those leaves they so have the waxy texture look.

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  19. I never thought I would see such a traditional and beautiful Christmas card in the 'hand made' world Becca - this is an absolutely stunning creation!!
    So sorry to hear of Henry's departure, but steampunk parts - oh yes!!! And you are being environmentally friendly ;-)
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  20. Oh wow, this is incredible Becca!! The depth, layers, texture...it all adds up to FABulous!!!

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  21. Gorgeous card Becca! so many yummy details there!
    and oh my! Bye Bye Henry...good luck with your search, i hope you are on Santa's good list?!
    xx

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  22. Becca...u r so funny! (For the lappy part) :P I saw this card when you posted it on FB...and it caught my attention...the green vellum die cuts looks amazing with traditional colors! :)
    Suchi xx

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  23. Wow..those vellum eaves and red gem stones are fabulous Becca ! Lovely traditional Chritmas card !

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  24. I love traditional green and red for Christmas cards...and I love this distressed card...so very pretty.

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  25. Gorgeous make again Becca xx

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  26. Love your beautiful card and the technique you used to get the layers! Thanks for sharing with us at Cards in Envy!

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  27. I'm old school and love the traditional colours of Christmas too! Nothing wrong with that! Love what you did with the vellum and the gorgeous card you created! Beautiful and festive! ;-)

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  28. Good luck with the new computer search - I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice!!! I do love your card. FAB vellum, lovely gold bits & all round gorgeousness for The Season!!!

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  29. Thanks for the tutorial~looks amazing and beautiful!!!

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  30. I just stumbled upon your blog. I just had to say what a beautiful card. Love it!.

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  31. Awesome project, Becca! LOVE the colours and the texture... fabulously festive!
    x Asha

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  32. Super Becca, as always an interesting place to visit and learn....Your wonderful coffee stamps are all sold out so I have missed out....sad LOL...x
     { aNNie}

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  33. This card is so beautiful with the vellum leaves and the music background-I love the old world look. Good luck with finding a new computer

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  34. Becca, I'm so not good at multi media cards, but you sure do rock them! This is gorgeous, and I love how all your elements serve to highlight that beautifully done sentiment. Thanks for joining us at Cards in Envy. :)

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  35. Thank you for all the wonderful projects and the links to the very talented designers. Hope you and Mario have a wonderful holiday season. Have a good rest.

    Regards
    Deep Web Sites Best app for Android feedegg Howmate techlazy

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  36. What a beautiful Christmas card. Love all of the texture from the doily and gold texture paste. Your Vellum leaves turned out great... I may have to try that technique.

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