Anything But Cute Mixed Media Challenge # 9 "Ring Out the Old, Bring in the New"

Happy New Year everyone!  It's time for our first challenge of 2016 at Anything But Cute, and this time  the uber-talented and always sweet Anne is our hostess. Her theme is "Ring Out the Old , Bring in the New".  I used my not so new, but never used before Impression Obsession deer dies to adorn this money wallet I made for my son. I tried making a pun by using the big buck on the inside...get it??? A big buck for the big "bucks".

To celebrate the New Year, we would like you to create a mixed media card or project using something 'new'. Perhaps you got some fabulous new craft item for Christmas or you have something new that you have not used yet - just remember to tell us what the new item is!

I started with Ranger manila card stock and my go-to grunge colors of Distress ink.  I squished some on my craft mat and spritzed with water, and swiped the card through the puddle, drying between layers, until I was happy with the way it looked...pretty much like a dirty craft mat! Next, I blended on some more inks and flicked on some water for a real grungy look.

I did the same on the inside, but kept the colors a little lighter. Next I scored  several times in two places for the folds, added some stenciling using Tim Holtz Snowflakes stencil and Iced Spruce and Evergreen Bough Distress inks and some stamping using Tim Holtz Christmas stamps and Archival ink, Watering Can. Lastly, I flicked on Picket Fence Distress paint. Wishes is Tim Holtz Handwritten Holidays Thinlits, which I heat embossed in gold.

 

 

Back to the front, I added more stamping and again used the Snowflakes stencil, this time with Ranger Sticky embossing powder and Pumice Stone Distress Glitter. I swiped on Rock Candy Crackle paint randomly and along the bottom edge. When dry, I swiped Picket Fence Distress paint on the crackle with my finger to show off the cracks. Again, I splattered on Picket Fence paint. All edges were blended with Ground Expresso and Hickory Smoke Distress inks.

I accordion folded heavy vellum to make gussets for the sides and glued them in place to keep the bucks from getting away. I added the buck to the inside pocket and the fawn and deer to the front, layering up on a second black card die cut for a shadow. The three deer were embossed with Antique Linen and Tea Stain Distress Powders and inked with Vintage Photo and a bit of paint for the fawn's spots.

I tied it up with a piece of hand died string and added a sparkly snowflake from my stash.  My son loved his gift of money, but he loved the wallet even more. Sorry for the poor photography.  I literally made this Christmas Eve after being up since 4:30 am preparing meals for the homeless at our church, after the evening church service and dinner, and yet more Christmas light peeping (how we celebrate every Christmas Eve), and by the time I finished it was well into the wee hours of Christmas day. Next year I will start earlier!

We hope you will join us in our challenge by using that new crafty goodie Santa brought you or something you've been hoarding that you've never used before. Just be sure to mention that new item in your post! 

I would like to enter my son's wallet into the following inspiring challenges:

The Artistic Stamper January 2016-New Creative Challenge Anything Goes

Card and Scrap Challenge # 109 Stamps

Our Creative Corner Make Time Moodboard Challenge Claudia, what can I say?  I love the colors of your mood board; evidently two great minds think alike!

Mixed Media World MMW # 10 Inspirational Image

Emerald Creek Dares Celebrations Around the World

Frilly and Funkie Holiday Hues

Die Cut Divas NEW Technique, Die, Stamp, Colors new die cut by Impression Obsession

Live and Love Crafts Challenge # 43 Something New I used a new die.

Southern Ridge January Winter Challenge Anything Winter

Sparkles Monthly Challenge # 75 Your Favorite Christmas Colors  I love grungy neutral colors for every time of the year, but I love it on a snowy card made for a masculine Christmas gift.