Feb 22 2009
All Wrapped Up For Christmas
Today, I have two cards to share and they are, of all things, Christmas cards. They’re in answer to my personal challenge to produce one or more Christmas cards per month, all year, in an effort to take some of the crunch out of the holidays. I didn’t meet my challenge in January, so I was determined to stamp at least two this month to make up for it.
When I decided upon this challenge, I thought I’d be using last year’s stamps for the most part. Well, gee…along came All Wrapped Up with all its possibilities, and now I have new stamps for Christmas!
The first card is fun, cheerful, feminine, and I especially love this particular pile of presents from the set. The little gift bag dangling from the ribbon is also from All Wrapped Up, and the sentiment is from Flourishes O Christmas Tree. The presents are stamped in Palette Noir and watercolored with Stampin’ Up! inks — Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Taken With Teal.
- Paper: Cool Carribean, Whisper White, watercolor, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding designer paper
- Accessories: Stampin’ Up! Riding Hood Red ribbon, gold cord, snowflake brads, Martha Stewart lace border punch, 1 1/4″ & 1 3/8″ circle punches, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
I didn’t think I’d be much in the mood for Christmas cards and I had to give myself a little pep talk to get started. As soon as I began coloring, though, I realized I’d be happy no matter what I was stamping, as long as I enjoyed the stamps.
This card has an entirely different character from the first, with colors and style more elegant, but still festive. I used the beautiful Damask stamp in the background on Shimmery White cardstock, with a border of Figgy Pudding paper. The pine boughs are from All That Glitters, and the greeting is from Holiday Greetings.
The coloring was done with Prismacolor markers. Box: Henna, Mahogany Red Bow: Goldenrod, Yellow Ochre, Tulip Yellow Floor (or tabletop, however your eye perceives it): Goldenrod, Dark Brown, Tulip Yellow Pine Boughs: Forest Green, Goldenrod
Other card details — The card base is Handsome Hunter. The box image was stamped in Ranger Distress Walnut, and the greeting in Handsome Hunter. Damask was stamped in SU!’s retired Baroque Burgundy. The ribbon and pearls are from Flourishes.
Well, that wraps up this month’s Christmas cards. I have other projects to move on to — several special orders for cards, among other things I’ll be sharing later. I hope you’re enjoying a restful weekend. Take care!
Both of these are wonderful. I especially love the one with the stack of gifts - your coloring is so superb on those gifts. I should probably begin my Christmas cards as well because when October/November arrive I usually am too busy to catch up.
Gorgeous cards! I just love this set. It’s on my wish list.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!Got me into the Christmas spirit, LOL. I also lOVE the coloring on the stacked gifts, the set is wonderful.
Leslie,
Both cards are absolutely amazing! I’m seriously considering ordering the All Wrapped Up stamp set now after seeing what a great job you did on your card. Keep up the good work!
Oh Leslie they are both gorgeousbut I have to say the second is my favorite love the rich colors of this one.
Great idea getting a head start-both cards are beautiful especially the last one-love the colors on that one. tfs
HA!!!! Who’d have thought I’d enjoy looking at Christmas cards in February, the day after ANOTHER snowfall in the Midwest….. yet I do! Gorgeous, Leslie!!! Just gorgeous!! And the card or two each month all year is a great goal setting idea. I may just “borrow” that idea myself!! Thanks for sharing with us!!
Love the colors in the presents on the first card and did you add dimension to the bow or is that your awesome coloring abilities? Love it!
So like how you have the present behind your tree, terrific stamping, and lovely!
Now you know you’re making me want this set, right?! Since I’m attending the special Flourishes week-end I must put this on my shopping list. I love both cards, but the second one with the pine branch really caught my eye. I will mention to Jan-Marie that you “pushed me over”…LOL. Thanks for letting us see such gorgeous cards and now you’re two for two. Great job!
I am always so impressed when I get your subscription in my email…It does not matter what time of year or what season…your cards are simply the BEST! I wish all of you who are going to the Flourishes week end fun time the best…wish I could go, but alas, work has me planted firmly lately….Also, Leslie…your designs…just beautiful!
Stunning,Gorgeous and Elegant!
These are just gorgeous! This set is fabulous for Christmas! Love the sweet colour combo in the first and the richness of the second! Awesome!
Wow…these are ’stop me in my tracks ‘ cards…I love your coloring and these stamps are wonderful!
Oh my gosh, how beautiful! Both of them inspire me to get my Christmas stuff back out! I love how you combined the pine bough on the second stamp, it looks like the gift is under a Christmas tree!
jennifer
Both cards are absolutely gorgeous…they are the bomb!! Your cards just sold me on this set.
both are very pretty love the one with the pine branches
Hugs
Norine
I adore your first card, it is so pretty (if you did not have merry Christmas or changed out the snowflakes if not winter, you could this for many occasions) SO LOVELY, and your 2nd card has almost an old world charm. wow! Very well done.
both absolutely STRIKING cards! What a nice set. Gorgeous coloring!
Very pretty holiday gifts Leslie! Your coloring is fantastic as always! I especially like the Christmas tree branch on one edge!
My, oh my! These are so scrumptious!! You’re so smart to be making Christmas cards all year!
They are just gorgeous! I love your paper choice and all the wonderful details! And of course water coloring is beautiful!
You’re always so good to keep making your Christmas cards year-round, Leslie! Both of these are gorgeous, and your coloring is remarkable with both coloring mediums!! I love the images, patterned papers, and everything about these beauties!!
Wow, these are both stunning!!! I’m not stamping for Christmas, yet but I am planning in my head what I’m going to do
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous cards - they’re very inspiring!
Oh, these are gorgeous, and that new Flourishes set is perfect! I’ve been doing a Christmas card a week, and so far staying on track. : ) Will definitely be using this set for some of mine too!
These are beautiful! TFS!!
OMG Leslie, your Xmas cards are both so different even though you used the same pkg. stamp set. Your prismacolor marker coloring is just stunning!!!! What a great idea to do a couple cards a month. TFS and inspiring
Oh my both are gorgeous Leslie, love the image of the stacked presents!! Fabulous coloring as always!!
These two cards are really beautiful!! Great, great work, Leslie!!!!
Christmas is OVER. I am ready for spring. I live in the dark tundra of N Michigan and I have had all I can stamd of snow as well as xmas.
Otherwise Beautiful Cards! :o)
Blessings,
Beth F
leslie, your extraordinary artwork just continues to touch and inspire me with it’s beauty. all i can say is ‘wow’!
Fabulous, as always, Leslie! (I love the little “bag” hanging from the ribbon on the first card! Such a nice little addition!)
Greetings from Buffalo, NY! I love seeing cards out of season, no matter what the season is. I wish I was as diligent at doing my Christmas cards! Your coloring is awesome and I like the way you double layered your picture in the first card (it looks like you used the same color for both layers?) Thanks for sharing! debbie
Beautiful cards. So glad you listed the marker colors you used. This will be very helpful to see what colors you use to achieve the blending that you do so well. Sure will help those of us just starting out to get an idea of the colors we need. Thanks so much for the details.
Absolutely gorgeous cards, Leslie!! Your coloring is fabulous! Thanks for the motivation!
Both are gorgeous Leslie. And one can even look rather springy if you aren’t careful. Hee hee ;0)
Oh my — these cards are beautiful! The depth in your coloring is gorgeous!
Both are beautiful! I love the coloring though on the first one…stunning!
Such a beautiful job of coloring on both of these, and I really like the designs also. Two very special cards for your Christmas stash. Very worthwhile project, but I assume these are not of the “production Christmas cards” type. Thanks for the inspiration. Linda