Cross-stitched Poppet

Isn't the new Paintbox Poppets Winter Collection by Christine Haworth too sweet?  I really like the nostalgic feel to these images.  Today I decided to use the Yuletide Logs set.

For a change, I picked out my background paper first.  I had a big slab of Christmas paper and I decided to use it.  So, I used my Spectrum Noir alcohol-ink markers to color the poppet's dress to coordinate in shades of moss, olive, rose red and pale blue.  (You'll understand why I used blue when you see the envelope.)  I used my oval die to cut and emboss, and then cut a scalloped oval from rose red for the layer.

Before adhering the layers, I hand-stitched with white embroidery floss.  I did cross stitches along the left side of the oval; satin stitched the hat's pompom; and tied a little white bow on her vest.  Use a piercing tool and a template for even stitches.

The stitched image was then adhered to the red scalloped layer.  This went on to a dry embossed white layer (doesn't this embossing folder remind you of a knit Norwegian sweater?), then on to the patterned paper, then layered on olive, and finally on to a folded white card base.  

Inside, I used coordinating paper and mounted the greeting on a moss scallop-punched oval.  The final touch was a coordinating envelope made with the Envelobox Creator.  It is so easy to make coordinating envelopes, and doesn't even take a full sheet of paper!

Hope you enjoyed today's card.  Have you started your Christmas cards yet?  ;-)

Another Purple Bear

Here's another card using the new Meadow Cottage Bears by Christine Haworth. Last week I shared a card in purples with this adorable little guy.  I liked him so much that I did a variation in purple and sage green with this Happy Birthday bear set for today's post.

Once again, this is a simple and classic symmetrical layout, using a large central image and a greeting underneath.

First I stamped the image in black, and colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I did pick out my designer background paper first, so that I could be sure to color the bows to match.  The main image was matted on to a scalloped purple card stock.  I layered two coordinating purple print papers, a stripe and a paisley,  onto a folded white card base. Don't you love the way a stripe adds structure to a coordinating paisley or floral? Lastly, I added the greeting, a pearl and a little ribbon on the right of the greeting.

Hope you're inspired to do a little creating of your own this week,  Have a wonderful summer Sunday!

Happy Birthday Bear

OMG, aren't these brand new Meadow Cottage Bears by Christine Haworth so much fun? Today I'm using the Happy Birthday bear set.

This is a simple and classic symmetrical layout, using a large central image and a greeting underneath. I wanted the focus to be on that adorable bear!

First I stamped the image in black, and colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  For a change, I picked out my designer background paper first, so that I could be sure to color his bow to match. I used a Cuttlebug dry embossing folder and embossed a white quarter sheet.  From the center, I die cut the white scalloped layer, and I used what was left as a frame layer behind the designer paper. No waste! In person this adds just a touch of subtle texture. I added the greeting, two pearls that as serendipity would have it, matched perfectly, and a tiny pearl in the center of the little card that he is holding.  This was all matted onto a magenta card base.

I've noticed that when I use white as a layer, the card seems lighter and has a softer feel overall.  Using black as a layer, which I often do, makes for higher contrast and pops colors more. When I want something more dramatic or am using brighter colors, I use black.