Sunday 5 November 2017

And panic is beginning to set in.......!

Well, there are about seven weeks to go until Christmas, and I have made the grand total of TWO Christmas cards! Don't know where the time has gone this year, but I can now understand why retired people say they wonder how they ever had time to go to work! I seem to be busier than ever, not that I'm complaining! Much better than having nothing to do!

Anyway, one of the cards I have managed to produce so far is for our November Challenge at Stamping Sensations, where our theme is

* * * * *  ONE LAYER CHRISTMAS * * * * *

We would like to see Christmas designs which are one layer only, ie. stamped directly on the base card, with no matting or layering and no die cuts or embellishments. Also, may I remind you that we are a stamping challenge, so we must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artwork. This means that stamping must be the central point of attention and interest.

For our main winner, we have a fabulous prize, this super storage collection by Tattered Lace!



I made my robin card with Hobby Art stamps. The robin, branch and leaves are from the gorgeous new "Robins" Set, which has been designed by the wonderfully talented Janie Burnett-Bleach. The little background scene uses stamps from various Hobby Art Scene-it sets.

NB. The black edge around my photo is not part of the card! It is definitely one layer, I promise! I tend to photograph my cards against a dark surface so that they stand out better and the background of the photo doesn't detract from the card.

To build up the picture I used no less than 18 masks! The robin was stamped and masked first, followed by the branch, then the background scene and finally the leaves, with each mask left in place until the final leaf was stamped. Then the nerve-wracking bit - removing all the masks to reveal the finished picture. That's when you find out if it has worked or not!

Fortunately, I think it did! A fiddly technique (lots of cutting out of masks!) but worth it. I completed the design by adding some shading with pencils around the various elements to define them, and giving the berries highlights with a white gel pen.

If you've never tried one layer cards  before, don't be afraid to have a go. They can be as simple or as complicated as you wish! Masking does not have to be involved! A clean and simple design would work equally well. You could add some subtle colouring or go for a monochrome effect.

My teamies have risen magnificently to the challenge, and you can see their beautiful results on the Challenge Blog. I look forward to seeing yours!

11 comments:

brenda said...

Great stamping and use of colour to create a layered effect Lynne. But I know this one was time consuming so probably not one to emulate to build on the two already made ?

Have a good Sunday.

B x

pinky said...

Wow the colours in this card are just gorgeous Lynne. I love how you coloured the robin and your backdrop scene is beautiful. You have made one more card than me then lol

Joan said...

A fab card Lynne, I love the inset scene and that gorgeous Robin.


Joan

Sally H said...

A stunning card, Lynne! I love it. Your colouring is so beautiful! I am going for a CAS Christmas this year, although Rudolf day has helped no end 😁

Marlies said...

A gorgeous card and fantastic how you made this look layerd by usung the masking technique. Lovely stamps used too! Marlies

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

A beautiful Christmas card Lynne and you can really see how much work you’ve put into in. The Robin looks gorgeous and I love the foliage that you’ve used around the edge too. The variation in colour and the red berries look fabulous together. I know what you mean about the panic starting to set in about Christmas. I’m okay with my cards as i made them while we are away in the Lakes in September but that’s as far as I’ve got. I definitely need to start some Christmas shopping this week. Crafty hugs, Sandra x

Viv said...

Perfect Christmas card Lynne.. the robin is wonderful! Not one for impatient me to do I don't think as I suspect this took ages...!!

Jannet said...

All of your masking work was so very worth it. Your one layer card is gorgeous! The darling Robin looks beautiful. I have made a few keepsake type Christmas cards, but I have lots more to go!

Tracy said...

I'm with you Lynne, hardly any Christmas cards made, we know it's coming each year but I seem to be less prepared each year with my cards LOl!
You've created a fabulous one layer card, love the stamps you've used.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Dora said...

Beautiful, lynne. And so good the background behind the bird. just a second scene in the card. Beautiful!!!

Let's Art Journal said...

Wonderful Christmas card! I love all the detail you created with the stamps and colouring - beautiful 😁. Happy November! J 😊