Friday, December 18, 2015

Quick, Simple, and Impressive Christmas Cards with Gelatos

So there I was. December 15. And not one Christmas card in the mail. 

Every. Year.

Sigh... someday I'll get better about procraftinating. Anywho, on this particular day, I wrote out my what turned out to be measly stack of Christmas cards and then panicked. Because it was December 15. And I needed a whole lot more.

BEHOLD! The 5-minute Christmas card.


Seriously - I did 12 of these cards and it took me roughly an hour. But the thing is... I still think they are kinda impressive-looking. 

This card started out for two reasons. Number one, STAMPlorations wants me to remind you that we have a reeeeeeeeeallllly cool challenge. If you've uploaded a holiday card to your blog (any holiday) come link it up at STAMPlorations too for another chance to win. OR if you are looking for a sketch inspiration, you can just use that instead. 



As you can see, I did not choose to use the sketch, but went with the theme instead. We've got really great prizes, and you can use ANY stamp so get over there already!

The second reason for this card, though, was a genius blog post written by the uber-talented Miss Jenn Shurkus.
http://shurkus.com/cards/3-tips-to-create-more-cards-in-a-short-time

As a mixed media inclined card maker, I have a tendency to layer and fuss and layer some more, then cry, then layer again and VIOLA! Finished. Jenn said something in her post that really stuck out to me - Clear the clutter from your desk and only give yourself a small amount of product to work with. 

So this card had very minimal products - cardstock, 5 sticks of gelatos, glue, and the HOLIDAY SKETCHES: Christmas Candles stamp set.


Now gelatos are reallllllly good for making impressive cards in an easy way. Here's how I did mine. 


Step one: Stamp your stuff



Easy enough - right?

Step two: Scribble on your Gelatos




The trick to gelatos, I think, is scribbling them on in a small, circular fashion. It seems to help them blend better. I also have found that either gessoing your paper OR using Copic cardstock helps the gelatos to blend soooooo much better. Don't worry about getting things perfect... The end result is going to be a little impressionistic and that's great! Just scribble away, and have fun. 

Step three: Smudge to blend




Ooooooo! As you can see, colors are going outside the line, there's reds in the yellow, there's reds in the gray, there's green in the red. That's Ok! The end result looks fab anyway! 



So now I have a smallish stack of Christmas cards and can feel a little better about myself. :) 

I'm going to send this card over to the following challenges:
Craft Stamper Magazine - Take a Technique (and stamping)
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Make your own background 
Color Throwdown - Any Christmas Card, any colors
Artistic Stamping - Christmas Creation

Thanks for popping by! Be sure to stop by the STAMPlorations blog to check out what the rest of the designers made!

27 comments:

  1. Wow, love the drama of this! Quite impressive indeed!

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  2. Ah, that's what you did with it, fab and quick to boot!
    Congrats on your new job too and a merry Christmas. :) xx

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  3. Very dramatic design with the light and black - great technique with the Gelatos Becca! Julia xx

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  4. Wow! Very cool glow you gave the candles!! Love your design and congrats on your new job! :) Merry Christmas!

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  5. Yes, they are impressive looking! Love the glow Becca, wonderful work!

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  6. The results are fab Becca, great design. Carol x

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  7. It's a good thing you have that amazing index finger because you absolutely NAILED this challenge. It really looks as though you painted an impressionists painting. Amazing. Good going.

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  8. What a stunner Becca - and thanks for the hints regarding which paper to use, or using gesso.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  9. WoW!! Pure genius Becca!
    And just like that you have managed to demystify the whole process of card making and create a real master piece!
    I must try!!
    Thank You!

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  10. Good on you! You're getting there. My Mum is sending New Year's Greeting cards she reckons;) So you're ahead of her....love the candle light effect. Looks brill!! Not going to make you roll your eyes by saying I had my 60 odd hand crafted ones in the post by December 1st. Course I wouldn't say that....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. WHOA!!!!That is AMAZING!!
    Good Going...

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  12. That 15 minute card is VERY impressive, looks great ! and thank you for the tutorial , I need to use my gelato's more
    Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the New Year
    Mary

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  13. Wow, 15 minutes! Gorgeous! Just popped in to send you big hugs and wishes for a very Merry Christmas!! :)

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  14. Wow Becca, these are absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  15. Becca, your card is beautiful and stunning!!! Love how you created the background around the candle!

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  16. What just 5 mins for such amazing effect on cards ? WOW..loved them

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  17. Great BIG Crafty Thanks!!! What a simple but oh so fabulous idea....love it!

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  18. These are all amazing! I caught a little “bug” last week, which knocked me flat and put an end to the decorating! This display of gorgeousness makes me want to do some more. Merry Christmas!

    Regards
    Deep Web Sites Best app for Android feedegg Howmate techlazy

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  19. Strikingly beautiful card, Becca! You make me want to use my Gelatos!

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  20. Innovative and imaginative impressionistic, Becca! How fabulous that you found - and followed - Jen's advice, because the results are gorgeous! Congratulations on your new job, too...way to go! Looks like 2016 will be off to an amazing start for you! Happy dancing!
    Hugs~c

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  21. That was fun to watch you make this card...I have not tried gelatos before-so this was interesting to see how they worked! Great card! Thanks for popping in to say Hello too! ♥ Sue Kment

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  22. Cool. Love this. Off to check out Jenn's post cos quick is a rare thing. Hugz

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  23. LOVE your creation for our challenge at Craft Stamper.
    Thanks for joining in the fun.
    xxx Ellie xxx

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  24. So impressive, Becca! I love the glow of the candle light. I've been a bit underwhelmed with gelato - must give them another try. Thanks for playing along at Craft Stamper Take It Make It :)

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