Good Morning Fellow Stampers -
TGIF!! And my last working Friday of 2015 -- oh man, I am definitely counting the days now. At this time next week, I'll be snug at home, relaxing with my cup of coffee, and putting my slippered feet up on the coffee table with not a care -- okay, well, I'll have a few cares . . . like how on earth am I going to get everything done in time for Christmas -- LOL !
Today is Mojo Monday [MOJO427] challenge time! I think today's sketch challenge leaves the proverbial door wide-open for a lot of ideas and design fun. Did you know that I often design my cards while I'm taking a shower?? LOL Yes, indeed! Especially if I'm having trouble; a creative block so to speak. Last night was such a night -- I knew I wanted to use our "window" out of the Hearth & Home framelits set; but I was having trouble from there getting set in my mind how I wanted this to look. So I went and took a shower -- LOL. It works!!
Now this lovely sketch could be a front door, or a window, or even a collage. I chose the window, just because it seemed easiest at the moment. Then I made it really hard, and had trouble getting the design to come together -- LOL. Typical!! Actually, as I thought about this, I really wanted to change things up. I think so often we take this cute little window framelit and think of "looking out" the window. I wanted to look "In." What would we see, especially this time of year?
This card base is cut from Crumb Cake cardstock, 4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2" - a vertical, top fold card. I created a background mat of Soft Suede measuring 4" x 5 1/4". Then I cut a piece of watercolor paper just 1/8" smaller around, and embossed it with the Brick Wall textured impressions embossing folder. Using an AquaPainter, I created a "wash" for my brick wall of Soft Suede and Tangerine Tango. I love how my bricks turned out!!
I cut the window frame from Soft Suede; and a backing from Very Vanilla cut 2 1/2" x 3 1/4". I sponged the piece with Soft Suede, and stamped a cute little "Christmas tree" using the Lovely As a Tree stamp set. I then created little "ornaments" using Dazzling Details glitter glue in Cherry Cobbler and Gold Glitz. Set that aside to dry for awhile - trust me on that one -- LOL ;-)
I cut a piece of window sheet to back my frame; then I created a "wash" with Kraft Whisper White pigment ink and water, and created "frost" for the corners of my window panes. That was kind of fun and frustrating all at the same time. I didn't want to "cover" the scene behind, and yet I definitely wanted the effect. It was a fine balance between being too opaque, and not opaque enough. I think I accomplished what I wanted in the end. A little bit of Sahara Sand "fine lace" (LOL) creates a little valance curtain at the top.
A pine bough was stamped and cut from the Festive Fireplace bundle set - all in Always Artichoke. I created "snow" again like I did on my other design earlier this week, by using Liquid Applique that puffs when you heat it. My window is "popped" with dimensionals over the background piece to give a little dimension from the scene "inside" the "house." I love Christmas time, and seeing everyone's trees sitting in their front windows. There is something warm and inviting about that twinkling tree in the window.
Inside the card, I used the Six Sayings hostess set, and the cute little pine branch from Lovely As a Tree, also in Always Artichoke for a simple and clean sentiment. I love it!! How about you?
I hope you have enjoyed my interpretation of this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I had a lot of fun designing and creating it!! I think this would be a fun card to give as your Christmas card this year -- but you'd have to get started on creating them right away!! LOL
Have a fabulous Friday everyone!!
Until Next Time . . .