Thursday, January 15, 2015

Frosty!

Hello, again!  I'm back to use some more of my Christmas leftovers for the challenge at   Our Creative Corner.  And now it's back to that Tim Holtz snowflake again, as I made a wintry card for my sister, who is coming for a visit.  I wanted to make her a special card, and since it does not have to go through the mail, it can be really dimensional.  I used some fragile embellishments here, too, that would probably not survive a postal trip.


Nancy, at Frilly and Funkie chose "Winter Wishes" for this fortnight's theme, and I was instantly reminded of the cold frosty (not snowy) days we've been having here lately.  I've attempted to achieve that frosted look through use of glitters, sprays, embossing powders, metallic paints and color choices. This is one of those projects that just does not photograph well--perhaps with a better camera and a better photographer!

As for the Christmas leftovers, mine are from my Christmas tree and from some Christmas crafts I've posted throughout the year. (yes, even one from September-- my Christmas Assemblage Clock).  To list them:  Balsa wood leftover from a snowflake die cut--negative piece (shown below), snowflakes die cut from acetate waste packaging and hung on my tree, the silver cord I hung them with, some  pieces of a glittery, gold Christmas stem, some pieces cut from a glittery, gold vintage snowflake I used in my Assemblage Clock (still on my desk from September!!), acetate negatives from Movers and Shapers snowflakes I die cut, and a die cut poinsettia I was practicing Pamellia's UTEE techniques on (which can be found here in her amazing tutorial). I can guarantee you, these things did not look so good strewn all over my worktop, so this was a good opportunity for me to clean up!  I also needed my card QUICK, because my sister will be here tonight! It's great to have these pieces to build on.

Now, for some new stuff...Pumice Stone Distress glitter (LOVE!!!), and that cute little gumdrop (50% off at Hobby Lobby yesterday) both purchased specially for this card with my gift card I received from my generous family for Christmas. I did not know glitter until I found Distress Glitter, even though I have a drawer FULL.

Let's get started with how I did this!  First I gave the balsa wood a coat of gesso. Once dry, I painted with Distress paints to get an old barn-wood look (my sister is a barn-girl, but their barn is red--not the look I wanted). When that dried, I used texture paste through a TCW stencil, and while the paste was still wet, sprinkled on some Pumice Stone glitter.  Set that aside to dry.

This is the one I didn't use!

Next, I made 2 background papers, well actually a few more than that, but the others will be for a future project or 5.  The first BG paper is on a good quality gloss paper, using various Distress Paints spritzed with water to get my snowflake background (in the balsa wood cut out of finished card) drying between layers.  Once I achieved the look I wanted,  I  spritzed with Dylusions white spray and Ranger Perfect Pearls sprays, spritzed with water, and dried with a heat tool.  I used the included texture fade from the Layered Snowflake die set to emboss the snowflake.

The second background paper (shown below) is made with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Tattered Leather spray (gorgeous sparkle in person) through a Recollections stencil.  While still slightly wet, I spritzed with water to get a faded look.  When dry I inked with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, and distressed edges with my distressing tool.


Now for those embellishments!  I took off the silver cord from my acetate snowflake ornaments I made for my Christmas tree (now safely taken away in the sanitation truck).  The little snowflakes were completely covered in Diamond Dust, and all I had to do is spritz them with Perfect Pearls spray.  The larger flake was made with the Layered Snowflake die and only the tips had been Diamond Dust-ed.  I left that one just as it was fresh from the tree.


If you look real hard you can see the clear acetate snowflake peeking out. And some of that red reflecting off the underlying layers! UGH!

I gussied up the gold foliage with embossing powder and chunky glitter using my new embossing dabber for the embossing powder and multi matte medium for the glitter.  Coverage wasn't the best, but it looked close to the effect  the gold glittery vintage snowflake parts had, so I stopped there.


The poinsettia (chosen because my sister is a grower in Missouri at her/hubby's farm Hilltop Farms, and in the fall they grow and sell gazillions of poinsettias) was red/white (again, not the look I was going for--so I had to alter it) and had a few layers of UTEE on it.  I spritzed the daylights out of it with Perfect Pearls Turquoise spray, and allowed it to puddle and dry.  Still not completely out of the red zone yet, so I wiped on some Brushed Pewter Distress paint, and sprinkled on some Pumice Stone glitter randomly.  It still has hints of red, but I'm happy with the look (I think it shows more with the lighting I used to photograph the card than in real life). The gumdrop was added without any further embellishment--perfect from the package.


I choose a light blue cardstock for the card base, and using an acetate negative (like a stencil) from the Movers and Shapers snowflakes I die cut for my tree in December (yep, I keep everything!),  I used the embossing dabber and white embossing powder to add a few snowflakes for my frosty scene.  We do get to see a flake or two here in the south.



The Christmas leftovers, all frosted up, were assembled, and now I have a beautiful card to gift my sister with when she arrives in a few hours!  I'm so excited!

This shot captures some of the layering and glittery-ness, as well as the larger clear acetate snowflake.  I snapped this in the morning natural light, but it is quite cloudy today, so not the best photo.

Thank you for visiting and if you leave a comment, it will be treasured! I will be guesting for Country View Challenges at the end of the month, so be sure to stop back--I have something really unique in store for you!

Warm Crafty Hugs!

I would like to enter this in the following inspiring challenges:
Our Creative Corner "Christmas Leftovers" Please see my list above for all the leftovers I used.

Frilly and Funkie "Winter Wishes Challenge" Winter here means lots of frost, but only a flake or two of snow.

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" My new products are in bold text above.

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start"  I've given my old leftovers a fresh start, and I've used a few fresh new  products.  I'm also giving my work top a fresh start by cleaning up all the leftovers!

Crafting By Designs "Anything Goes"

Love to Create #149 "Add Snow Flakes"

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog #95 "Winter Dreams"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #68 "Anything Goes. With A Twist-Use Something Re-Cycled" I've used re-cycled balsa wood off cuts from another project and other project rejects, re-cycled acetate waste packaging,  re-cycled bits from craft floral and snowflakes, re-cycled cording from ornaments, acetate die cut off cuts for stencils.

Craft Hoarders Anonymous January Challenge "Choose Your Challenge"  Coloring Medium:  Paint, spray mist, ink.  Fiber: cord.  Technique: Die cuts and Mixed Media.  Texture:  Distressing tool, embossing (heat and dry) and wood.  Embellish:  Bling and lots of found items!

Mixed Media Monthly #8 "Something New For the New Year" My newly acquired products are in bold text above. I also tried something new with old leftovers from previous projects.

60 comments:

  1. Haha, I just got some new pumice stone distress glitter too!! I've not played with mine yet, but I will... soon!! You've so carefully thought out this card, the accent snowflake in the background perfectly shows off the poinsettia. The texture and style in this is beautiful and must have taken you hours... Don't how you do it Sara but everything you do is just incredible xx

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    1. Georgie, You are one quick girl! I just posted and coming back to see if it looked alright (OCD)! You are SOOO kind! Not thought out at ALL! I am a flinger! That's why I have so many leftovers. Eventually they get used, even it they end up looking very different...this project is case in point! I'm happy you can see the acetate snowflake! You are sweet to visit, and your comments always bring a huge smile to my face! Hugs!

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    2. Just checking in with Blogger before bed - lol!! So glad you have the follow button up there for it, means I shouldn't miss a post... xx

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  2. Seems you, me and Georgie all had the same product in mind for January! I just ordered my Pumice Stone glitter, should be here any day!! HA!! This is just spectacular Sara, I have already been staring at it for goodness knows how long! Thanks for the shout out, I'm so glad you are getting some use out of my UTEE experiment, and oh boy are you creating magic with it!!!! The wood background is spectacular, and everything is just so frosty and shimmery, WOW!! Can't get enough of this beauty!!

    I am so happy you joined us at Frilly and Funkie for our 'Winter Wishes' challenge! AND... I'm also super excited you joined in again at Our Creative Corner for our 'Christmas Leftovers' challenge! Pamellia DT

    Happy weekend and big bear hugs to you until next time :)

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    1. Pamellia, you always say the nicest things! I'm so happy you can see the beauty in it...even though the photos do it no justice at all. In fact, I look at it and say, what was I THINKING! But Amy loved it! And it was my pleasure to join in with Frilly and Funkie "Winter Wishes" and Our Creative Corner "Christmas Leftovers" with this winter card. Big hugs!

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  3. Gorgeous card Sara! I am so done with Christmas cards and I admire the fact you can still make them! Regarding shipping dimensional cards, I make a box for each of my cards because they would not fit envelope and then ship them either as a package in another box or in over sized padded envelope. It always costs me alot to ship those, but if a person is special then they are worth it...just a suggestion on shipping, that's all...

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    1. Thank you, Samra, for your really nice comment and very helpful suggestion on mailing. I'm going over to your blog to inquire about the boxes you make. I absolutely agree that no amount of postage is too great for someone special, but getting to the post office is difficult for me, because I work during the day. Anyway this one was fun to give her in person!!! The balsa wood is SO fragile--it actually originally was a left over from one of my kids school projects years ago, then I had a go with an ornament with it that ended up falling apart! :)! So this is it's third life! Thanks again for visiting and your great suggestion! I will certainly give it a try for my next big card.Hugs!

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  4. Ummmm where do I start because there is a party going on! My word there is a lot of creative yumminess going on. Love the snowflake, colors and layers! Thank you for joining the fun at Frilly and Funkie :)

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    1. Hi Nicole, thank you for your uplifting comment! I admit, there's a lot going on here! But what a fun card to make! One of my favorites so far! My photography skills are lacking, and the pics absolutely do it no justice!

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  5. A stunning card Sara and I love how this was made out of mainly leftovers. I bet your sister loved it.
    Julie x

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    1. Thank you, Julie. Yes, my sister loved it! Any it was a pleasure to see her reaction in PERSON! The best part!

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  6. What a gorgeous wintry card! I love the colors and the shimmer. Thanks for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

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    1. Thank you, Donna, for your sweet comment on my wintry card! I' happy you can see the shimmer and appreciate the colors!

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  7. This is one creative wintry card! I love the blues and all the pretty pieces you have used! Thanks for joining us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Thank you, Glenda, and what a pleasure it was to finally link back up to Craft Hoarders Anonymous. This certainly was a great way to purge the hoard!

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  8. A fabulous frosty card, Sara! Thanks for playing with us at Our Creative Corner!

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    1. Thank you, Lys! It was my pleasure to play along!

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  9. Love yoru card! Love the colors and all the elements you added. Thanks for sharing with Craft Hoarders Anonymous.

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    1. Thank you, Donna! It's always such a pleasure to receive a comment from you!

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  10. Hello Sara,
    Great looking card, and I know it will look amazing in real life as I have made many flowers/elements with the UTEE technique...it can be messy but so worth it for the results.
    Thanks for joining us at CVC with this entry.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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    1. Hi Sue,
      It's is always a pleasure to read one of your comments! The UTEE technique has got to be my favorite learning experience in 2014! I will certainly be using it more, since I've hoarded so much of the product! I agree, it is quite messy, but oh, so well worth it!

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  11. WOW Sara this is fabulous- such amazing textures. I love all the sparkle and frostiness. Sorry not been around and visiting - just back from my hols and looking forward to catching up. You left a lovely message on my blog while I was away - thank you so much. Nikki xx

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    1. Hello, Nikki, and welcome home! I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Thank you for taking some of your time to come visit my blog today and leaving this sweet comment! Hugs!

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  12. Thank you, Rachel! :) It was my pleasure to find your challenge and participate this time!

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  13. What a gorgeous card, Sara...I love different textures and winter look! Thank you for joining us at Our Creative Corner
    Greetings from Slovenia

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    1. Thank you, Ana! Our winter has suddenly turned to spring here! Hugs!

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  14. Beautiful card, love the design, soft colors and dimension! Your sister is a lucky girl, I bet she loved it!
    Thanks for joining us in the Inspiration Journal monthly challenge!

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    1. Thank you, Pam! Yes, my sister loved her card! It was great to see the expression on her face when she received it!

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  15. I LOVE your frosty card, which is truly a work of art. The colors, composition and execution are truly outstanding. Blessings!

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  16. Thank you, Arnoldo! You are so kind! :)

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  17. Well, if this is what leftovers look like at your house, I'm coming for dinner! Wow...this doesn't even look like paper...it looks like wood and metal...and ice...which is very cool....and frost....I am so impressed with the way you put this together, and the way you used up all those bits and bobs in this one lovely piece. This had to have taken hours and hours to create....and it is just magnificent. It needs a shadowbox frame. I hope your sister loved it...I know I do!
    Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Kathy, you always say the nicest things! But I'm afraid dinner leftovers wouldn't be the same! This piece is one of those that just came together from the things that were laying on my worktop. So happy you liked it, and my sister loved it! PS the piece that looks like wood IS wood! I just gave it a little step up from balsa to a sturdier tree. It was the toughest thing to work with because it kept falling apart! Thank you for taking time to stop by my blog and to leave such a sweet comment. I know you are a busy girl! Hugs!

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  18. What a work of art, Sara Emily! Gorgeous colors and you have captured the icy feel perfectly. Love all the layers and the glitz. Sensational piece of work. Thanks so much for sharing it with us over at Frilly and Funkie!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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    1. Linda, what a wonderful surprise to have you visit my blog and leave such a sweet comment! You've left me with a great big smile on my face and a big fat head! Hugs!

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  19. This is such a beauty, My friend! Clever use of left overs! I just loved the dimensional look and yes, lucky you it din't have to go thru the mail. Such lovely wintery and metallic sheen to the whole card. Love it. Big hugs.

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    1. Awe, Rupa, I'm always left smiling when I read one of your sweet, thoughtful comments! You are the best! Hugs!

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  20. OOh, pumice stone distress GLITTER? I haven't seen that yet ... I guess I will be taking a trip to Hobby Lobby tomorrow!! And I just love how you used the balsa wood as the background, I was just looking at that at Michael's this week and wondering how I could use it - thank you for the inspiration! And thank you so much for playing with us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!!

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  21. Love the Pumice Stone glitter! Thank you for your gracious comment! I'm happy to have inspired you on the balsa wood! This piece is now on it's third and final life...First life as part of my son's school project several years ago, then punched out to make a 3D snowflake (which was super fragile!--I recommend using corrugated card board instead which also looks nicer) which hung on my tree.And now as old barn siding! It was a blast to link up to The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

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  22. Sara! Oh my lands! This is amazing. I love the texture and the color and the vintage look of this! The glitter!!!! Thanks for playing in our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Goria, you certainly made me smile with your lovely comment! So happy you like it! Hugs!

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  23. Oh my goodness, Sara!! You've pulled out all the stops with this frosty beauty!! I don't even know where to begin! All the marvelous texture, layering, and sparkling accents! I was amazed to read that the poinsettia started out as red. I would never have guessed it. It really steals the show with all this amazing layers of color! Your sister will treasure this for years to come!
    Thanks for joining in the challenges at the Frilly and Funkie and Craft Hoarders Anonymous!!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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    1. Oh, My Goodness, Nancy! Now I've done it TWICE! I went to your blog to leave you a thank you note for this wonderful, sweet, head expanding comment, and realized I hadn't left you some love when I visited before, and NOW, I've not left you a reply! I think that happens when I get interrupted at the computer--I need one in my Closet, but there's no room!

      Thank you for your very generous praise! And yes, the poinsettia was red and white. I guess I could have made a new white one, but I wanted to use my Christmas leftovers! It was a pleasure to join Frilly and Funky for your challenge and Craft Hoarders Anonymous with the new format! Hugs!

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  24. What an amazing piece. I absolutely love the distressing, layering glittery goodness.
    Thanks for sharing with us at Craft Hoarders Anon :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Christy! You really made my day!

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  25. Breathtaking, love all the hues of blue and distressing goodness. Thanks for playing in our challenge at Craft Hoarders Anonymous!

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    1. Thank you, Pammejo! I'm so happy you like my winter card!

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  26. And I'm in love... this is absolutely a joy to behold and really captures the beauty of winter. The clear layer over the snowflake and the dimension of that beautiful poinsettia are wonderful. Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  27. Wow, Thank you, Jenny, for your very generous praise! And pretty soon we'll get to say the beauty of winter is in the past, and I for one, will be longing for it! Hugs!

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  28. this is truly beautiful! i love the cool colors and the shimmer and the layers... love it all! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
    -Rachel
    rwkrafts.com

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    1. Thank you, Rachel, for your very sweet comment! It was great to play along!

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  29. I so love all the neat things that you did to make this piece of art. It's just gorgeous and i am glad that you shared it with us on the Craft Hoarders Challenge so we can all see it!! Hope to see you again next month.

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    1. Thank you,Teresa! I had so much fun making it and joining up at Craft Hoarders Anonymous! I'm sure I'll play along next month, too!

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  30. Fabulous project Sara ! The frosty feeling really does come over loud and clear ! Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Sue C x

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    1. Thank you, Sue! I hope it's not too loud! Seems like most folks are tired of the frosty feeling and ready for some warm sun!

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  32. Congratulations on your win at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Sara! This was one of my favourites as I'm sure you know!! hugs :)

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    1. Thank you, Pamellia! Just saw this comment when I'm counting heads for my lucky draw tomorrow! Good luck!

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  33. Hi Sara, I just popped back over to take another peek at this gorgeous card and realized my comment from the first time wasn't showing up, I might have forgot to click on the publish button... opps! This card is so amazing and I'm learning a few new techniques on the way you put this together which is always great to learn new things. Thanks for your inspiration to try this and congratulations on being winner at the OCC challenge. xxx Laurie

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    1. Hi Laurie, Thank you so much for this lovely note. The oops thing sounds just like something I would do! I'm so happy to have provided some inspiration to you! I hope to be joining in again! Hugs!

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Thank you for leaving your comments...they mean so much to me.