Tuesday 23 November 2010

A bit of blue


Hi peeps, what gloomy weather here in the Fens, not sure if its the same all over but I'm not much liking what the weather forecast promises for later this week. Time for my three months winter break in the Caribbean me thinks...........I wish...........I can but dream.

Getting decent photos has been pretty impossible today, I even took my cards into the office in the hope I could take a couple if we got a glimmer of sun, but no such luck. So apols in advance for the poor picture quality.


There seems to be a distinct blue feel to Christmas this year and although it's not a colour I use a great deal, I quite like what I came up with for a couple of challenge with the blue theme.

Both cards have been made in the same way using Penny Black 2800K Sound of Snow, but one is intended for a man whilst the other is a bit more feminine. Before stamping I created a background by simply dragging a distress inkpad across a piece of card, in this case Tim Holtz broken china, then the image stamped with versafine black and embossed with detail clear.


The box, not that you would really know from the picture !

The larger background piece has been stamped all over using Hero Arts CG229 Classic Holly with versamark, embossed with detail clear then distressed with TH broken china and stormy sky. I gave the edges a think paining of Windsor and Newton silver acrylic pain then heated to make it bubble. The same sentiment added to both, flowers (I coloured these with the same inks and silver) and punched holly on one and just the holly and a couple of bells on the other. I also made a box for one, but the picture is pretty appalling. These cards are for the following challenges:

Midnight Madness - Sketch (I went with the simple one and added a few bits so hope it's OK)
Pollycraft - Feeling Blue
Wild Orchid - Blue Christmas
Cards for Men - Christmas (the second blue card)
Incy Wincy - Blue and White


My second card is a really simple one using some DP from stash punched with Martha Stewart double loop round the page, some flowers, pearls, punched leaves and a sentiment tag using Penny Black 4075F For the Stars. This card is for the following challenges:

Paper Playtime - Thank You
My time to Craft - Tag Along




47 comments:

Jacee said...

Oh my Brenda, so gorgeous, both of them! but I really love the first, simply stunning!!!

Gloomy day here too Brenda, been like night all day, oh for a bit of sunshine!

lisa said...

We've had the sun today, Brenda which lifts the spirits now end although it's been chilly. The forecast sounds interesting doesn't it and we're not even in December yet!!! I'll share that Carribbean dream with you!!
Your Christmas cards are stunning. I love the deer in the woods. I saw a penny black stamp very similar to that at the Harrogate show but had run out of pennies, maybe next year!!! It certainly makes a gorgeous card.
The holly is beautiful too. So simple and elegant.
Your paint technique is very interesting. I shall have to give that a go.
Keep warm
Hugs Lisax

craftymum said...

Hi Brenda
if you have a 3 month break in the Caribbean, c an I come with you?!!!!!

I ADORE the first card. It is stunning, elegant and every other positive word I can think of
Hope you are well and keeping warm
Hugs Sarah x

craftymum said...

Me Again. Just realised card 2 not the same but similar. that one is stunning too!
Sarah x

Linapyssel said...

Mmmmm sublime Brenda, your work is allways inspiering. love the painted edges and the blue!!!
The green card is very romantic I think!!

Have a great thuesday!
Hugs Lina

Lisa said...

Hi Brenda, Beautiful cards! I love the blue Christmas cards.

It has been much the same here today. Cold and wet :-(

Lisa x

Lisa Jane said...

HI Brenda - can i come with you for 3 months lol
Love those blue cards .,, the holly with bells looks fab
Love the sentiment on the 3rd one ... when i was single and looking for a man lol.. my Aunt used to say reach for the moon and you might find a star along the way .. and you know what i think i did lol
Lisa ;)

Christine said...

Ohhh Brenda this blue scene Xmas card is awesome I couldnt bear to give it away..LOL
love the clean & simple style to the second one & the sentiment is great..
BTW weve had hail showers on the N./east coast brrrr. cold too.

smiles Christine xx

mueppi said...

Wow.... Brenda
both cards are gorgeous!!!
Hugs Gisela

Hazeyj said...

Brenda, your cards are smashing. I love the colours on the deer-scapes and the embellishments make the cards 'male' & 'female'. I also love the richness of the colours in the thanks card - nice and autumn-y. Sun was shining on Merseyside but it was bloomin' cold - I'd rather be in the fens - its more picturesque than industrial! Hazel x

Nannieflash said...

Hi Brenda, wow that first card is stunning, I love what youve done not only with the image but the edges are fabulous.
The second card might be simple (your words) but its really effective and bright and pretty, the flowers are gorgeous.
The weather has been quite kind here today but it feels a bit icy in the wind. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

Fleur said...

Oh B. they're gorgeous. love the image really beautiful
Hugz Fleur xXx

Zoechaos said...

Don't think I've seen that PB stamp think its wonderful. Love blue and white at this time of year even if it does make things feel colder LOL
Hope you are all tucked up and warm xx Zoe

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda, I have to say I'm in a 'blue' mood at the moment too. Think my Broken China will need replacing soon ! Sue C x

Helen said...

So lovely, Brenda, even with the gloomy light for photography! It was sunny here for a while, but I think that's probably it for the week! Hope they got the forecast wrong this time, for sure!

Anonymous said...

sorry you said carribbean and I immediate thought of johnny depp and the pirates movie! *goes off into dreamland* LOL

LOVE the icy blue and silver of the top one, really cool!

Awesome sentiment and punch used on the second too, great flowers!

Sarah A said...

Oh Brenda, bad light or not your card is stunning! Love the soft shades you have used ;-)

Weather has been blooming freezing here and we are forcast snow this week... that's something to look forward to (not)

We also have a blue and white theme over on Incy Wincy this week if you would like to join in there ;-)

Sarah x

pinky said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda. Love the image in the first too and how you added the silver paint, very effective. The third one is so beautifully punched, love the floral paper.
Pinky

Unknown said...

hi brenda this really caught my eye,,what a stunning card absoloutly love it hugs sassy

Sally H said...

All three stunning, Brenda! I am loving those blue ones - gorgoeus stamps! Not long till we see you again, hopefully. I remember there was the threat of snow when we came to the Demo day last year!

Merry said...

Beautiful cards Brenda...love all the holly.

Lynda said...

Another new PB image - haven't seen that one before Brenda. Love the icy feel to the 1st two cards and the pretty cottage feel to the last one.

Love Lynda xxx

cheryl said...

oh wow hun what a feast for the eyes these are all simply stunning each,and everyone,hugs cheryl xxxxx

Beryl said...

Two fab cards Brenda. Love the way you've added just a touch of colour to the background with the distress ink and the snow scene stamp is gorgeous. Also really like the sentiment on the second card.
Beryl xx

Sadilla said...

Stunning cards dear...
the first one is so smart... Your style is always so elegant, I love your projects!
hugs
Sadia

Mervi said...

Hi Brenda, I'm drooling here - so beautiful cards!
Never seen that PB image either, is a beauty.
And it's very challenging time to take photos.
The third card is so lovely too.
It's snowing and cold wind here,
but I send warm thoughts to you;-))m

debby4000 said...

Love your gorgeous cards Brenda especially the first one its stunning.
luv
Debby

Silli said...

OM, this is very pretty Brenda, love all your creations...

Mandy said...

Hi Brenda,
I love the first card,it's gorgeous...and the second one with the box and the holly is beautiful..th third one is just as lovely I love the sentiment and the punched border..How do you find the time to make all these gorgeous cards and projects...
Mandy xx

KarenB said...

Beautiful work! The first one really grabbed my attention with the gorgeous blue and silver. The embossing looks amazing!

Unknown said...

Brenda I'm loving the blue& silver card it 'lush'

Love Dawn xx

mum of two said...

What great cards! Love the intricacy. You do beautiful work. Thanks so much for playing with us this week at Paper Playtime :)

michelle

Sarah said...

Wow, I love your blue Christmas cards, they are stunning. Thank you for joining us at Cards for Men, good luck with the challenge xxx

Marianne said...

Love this blue cards!! They are very lovely!! Nice flowers too!

Dea said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
patriziawithaz said...

Such a pretty card Brenda.It is lovely to see your work at MTTCC this week and I hope you share your work with us again soon x

Nicola said...

Brenda another couple of beautiful cards. Loving the first one it looks just like a photo rather than a stamped image. Hugs Nicola xx

Lovely Linda said...

Heloo Brenda - this is so fabulous! I love the soft colours and the blue hue! So elegant! Thank you for playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge this week - we appreciate you support! {{{hugs}}}
Linda MMSC Design Team

jem (jane elizabeth middleton) said...

beautiful cards, the first one is full of winter magic. Bet you have snow now, my Neice has in s Yorkshire.
stay warm. janex

Claire Phillips said...

Lovely Cards Brenda! Know what you mean - we are forecast for snow at the weekend - it's certainly looks possible. Wrap up warm! Cheers Claire x

Patricia St Martin said...

Adorable christmas cards. Thanks for Playing with us at Cards for Men. Good luck on the challenge. Happy Crafting. Hugs, Patricia

Carol Hurlock said...

Your cards are just exquisite. Fabulous work. Great job with the sketch. Thank you so much for playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.

Bear Hugs,
Carol
Midnight Madness Design Team

Sandra said...

Beautiful cards....love the image and what you've done with it on the blue card...thanks for joining us this week at Pollycraft.

Take care
San x

365 Days of Cricut said...

Gorgeous cards! I love the flowers. TFS @ PPT, Sandra

Denise @ kc242 said...

What a beautiful Christmas card. I simply love the wonderful winter scene. Thanks so much for joining us this week at Midnight Madness!
Denise
MMDT

Connie M. said...

Oh my, these are both just so beautiful! I love the stunning blue and silver on the first! WOW!! Thanks so much for playing this week in the midnight madness sketch challenge! Hugs!!

Connie
MMSCDT

Gunn (MsPlum) said...

Congratulations on winning our Remarkable award!
I am sorry for being so late with this, but I am creating a gallery on Facebook with all of our Remarkable award winners and was wondering if you would let me put your card up there. Please?

Mvh
Gunn
MMSCDT
e-mail: gunn@k1-a.net