Good morning, everyone! It's Tuesday and that means it's time to "Take it to the Top"! Color inspiration today came from this cool pair of slipper socks that I received recently -- aren't they something! They are unbelievably soft and warm, which is great, but these colors are ... WOW! that's a lot of bright colors -- Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Green Galore, Whisper White, Pink Passion and Real Red! Humm...can I possibly combine all those colors into one project ... and a Christmas card at that? Well, I decided to try and you will have to tell me if I was successful! I welcome your comments and know you will give it to me straight!!!
I decided to use the Berry Christmas Set from the Holiday Mini catalog and I went to work to create three cards using these crazy colors for Takin' It To the Top today! Here's the first card -- basic, but quite festive, don't you think? All three cards stand up and open at the bottom which is a nice change from the norm. As you can see, I stamped the snowflake image in Bashful Blue and just stamped the wreath, bird and bow over that for a quick and easy card. The ribbon is 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain and I used the Eyelet Border Punch on the Gable Green for the lacy edge. I stamped the sentiment in Black Stazon Ink. And that's it -- quick and easy! How am I doing so far?
For this second card, we're stepping it up a little with an extra layer (see the turquoise frame around the card), some 5/8" Polka Dot Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and the sentiment stamped and then punched and mounted with the Modern Label Punch and Die (used with the Movers & Shapers Die and the Big Shot). The tag is attached with two Real Red Brads. The wreath is stamped on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock and I punched out the center with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch (that was easy) and then cut randomly along the outside edge. It is attached with Stampin' Dimensionals, as is the Bird that is cut out using the Big Shot and the Merry Details Sizzlet Die (don't you just love how it coordinates with the Stamp Set?). I added a real bow, tied with 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain and attached with a dot of Crystal Effects. And that's the extent of the changes to the second card. Just those few changes made quite a difference, don't' you think?
Are you ready to "Take it to the Top"? Well, I've said it before and I'm going to say it again today -- when you want to make a dramatic difference in the way your finished projects look, there is no simpler, quicker and more effective way than adding some sponging to give depth and contrast to your artwork. This third card has only two changes made from the second -- I embossed it with the Big Shot and the Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder - and - I added some sponging around the edges and lightly over the embossed images to help them pop off the page! I sponged Passion pink Ink over the pink cardstock and Gable Green Ink over the green. 
That's it ... and look at the difference it makes! I'm always amazed that such a quick technique can make such a difference (and it's cheep too -- how much does a little ink cost?). Of course, a little stamping on the inside of the card always helps to dress it up as well!
So, what do you think? Did I manage to use all those crazy colors in a Christmas Card that you would want to send or receive? I can't wait to read your comments!
Remember, both the Angel Basket Kits and the Santa & His Sidekicks kits are in stock and waiting to come to your house! Orders placed this week will be mailed by Friday, Dec. 11th and tutorials will be sent out within 12 hours! You've still got plenty of time to bring these delightful little characters into your home for the holidays!
Order Angel Kits and Tutorials HERE.
Order Santa & His Sidekicks Kits and Tutorials HERE.
That will be it for today! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again soon!
Hi Gretchen! I think they work AND I was just at Target and they have a line of decorations that are EXACTLY these colors!
Posted by: Mindy Bingamon | December 08, 2009 at 02:28 PM
I really enjoy your projects, thank you so much for sharing. My favorite part that has inspired me is showing the 3 levels of cards and how just a few simple techniques take a simple card to a dazzling card. Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Sue Stenzel | December 09, 2009 at 02:32 PM