Up on the Housetop July 14, 2012

Good evening!  Mynnette told me about the "Just Us Girls" Challenge blog and as soon as I saw the current challenge I had to play along.  The current Just Us Girls challenge is a technique challenge and the technique is called faux window.

I also made this card for:  Christmas Stampin' All Year Long blog challenge which was to use any stamp that has not been inked yet and this is the first time I'm using this Christmas image, the Little Red Wagon challenge which is Christmas in July, and the CCEE Stampers challenge which is to use the reverse masking technique.

This is one of the more complicated cards that I've ever made and by the time I was finished hubby was calling me 'inky fingers'.  I used an older retired Stampin' Up! stamp set called 'Up on the Housetop'.  I began by stamping my image using black stazon and then I cut out a 2" circle for the mask for the moon part of my image.  Once I had my mask in place I began sponging my background.  I sponged all around my main image keeping the ink darker towards the top and lighter near the bottom.  To ink my background I used pacific point and bashful blue ink and then I used Summer Starfruit for the yellowish glowing area just above the village part of my image.

Then I must have spent about 20 minutes coloring my image.  I probably had about 20 different color markers lying on my crafting table!  There is such amazing detail in this image- everything from the windows in the houses in the village to the antlers on the reindeer.  Once I was finished coloring my image I decided to add some dazzling diamonds glitter along the rooftops.

The trickiest part of my card was trying to figure out how to equally cut up my image and I had to be careful that my measurements were correct since I spent so much time coloring my image and I didn't want to make a mistake.  This is a larger image so I decided to cut my image into 9 squares rather that the traditional 4 window squares.  My finished card size measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".

Below is a close up photo of the image on my card.  To finish off my window technique I decided to add a valance using a scrap piece of designer series paper and I punched it using my scallop border punch.  I also decided to add some real red ribbon with my Merry Christmas sentiment tied onto it.  My sentiment was punched using my word window punch and then I tied it onto my red ribbon using a small piece of white twine.  My entire window valance was placed onto my card using dimensionals.


I hope you like the Christmas card that I made!  I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I was happy to have finally inked up this stamp!  Have a great rest of the night!

*card #38 out of 100 cards in 100 days goal

Stamps:  Up on the Housetop, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock:  Pacific Point, White, Crumb Cake, Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink:  Black Stazon, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Summer Starfruit
Supplies:  Ribbon, Twine, Hole Punch- for twine, Word Window Punch, Coluzzle Circle Template- for cutting out 2" circle, Scallop Border Punch, Dimensionals, SU Markers, Sponge, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, White Gel Pen- for the white coloring on the Santa
Technique: Reverse Masking, Sponging, Window Technique

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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22 comments:

Mynn xx said...

I'm SO glad you played along!!! This is AMAZING, Patty! LOVE the coloring and the paper and ribbon up top look like a valance! FABULOUS! :)

Lynn said...

All the detail was worth it. Your card is beyond incredible. I'm in love with the gorgeous scene you created. Thanks so much for playing with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

Lynn said...

PS. Thanks so much for playing with us at Just Us Girls! Had my challenges mixed up :)

Karen Howard said...

Wow, this is stunning! I LOVE this card and all your time spent is so well worth it! The valance really is the perfect touch and makes it look like a window! Great job, I'll have to try this sometime! Hugs, Karen

P.S. Thank you for grabbing the inspiration badge!

Patricia Chalas said...

your card is delightful!!
thanks for playing with us at CSAYL!

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

Patty, this is so adorable! Love the window! Too cute!

Mynn xx said...

PS from me, too! Thanks for joining us at CSAYL!!! :)

Heather said...

great card and an awesome use of the JUGS technique challenge. The added valence is a cute finishing touch. Thanks for playing with CSAYL.

Kay said...

Stunning! I can only imagine the time and effort that went in to this but it was so worth it. Beautiful work!

Melina said...

Wow! Wow! This is beautiful! Great card :)

Lisa Kind said...

Oh Wow! This is gorgeous! I love all the detail and work you put into this lovely card! It's stunning and I love how you used the technique! Thanks for playing with Just Us Girls! I'm glad you found us!

Fabiola said...

hello Patty, your card is wonderfull so creative, i love it, thanks to participate to CSAYL, hope to see you next week,biz

chrissy xx said...

JUst Gorgeous. This is one FABulous image....LOve it.
Thank you soooo much for joining us at CSAYL.
Chrissyxx

Becky said...

All the work was worth it, this just fabulous. Love the shading and image.

Anonymous said...

Great card...Thanks for joining us over at LRW!

Anonymous said...

Great card...lots of work! Thanks for joining us over at LRW!

Michelle (aka Meechelle) said...

Wow! Your faux window is gorgeous. Thanks for playing along with us over at CSAYL!

Mervi said...

Gorgeous project, lovely card!
Thanks for sharing at Christmas Stampin All Year Long;-))m

Marisa said...

Lvoe the vallance you added to the window! Great image and use of this week's technique. Thanks for joining us int his week's JUGS challenge :)

Deanne Saunders said...

Amazing card!!! Thanks for participating in CSAYL's challenge! Hope to see you again!!!
~DEANNE~

Julie said...

Great card. Love everything about it. The window effect is perfect.

Marie said...

Love your card. The detail is incredible. I am a new follower.