Thursday, July 28, 2011

Penny Black Christmas in July

I had promised myself to not get caught up with this Christmas in July phenomenon in the US!  But what is a girl to do when one of your favourite stamp companies, Penny Black, has this as a theme for a challenge!  Well, you put your differences aside and get on with the job!  I just could not pass up a Penny Black challenge.  I have very few of theirs stamps but I am on a mission to get a collection going.  I especially love all their older wood mounted floral sets.  However, for today's card, I had to use a hedgie and I had to figure out a Christmas scene of some sort.  I also decided not to go with traditional red and green.  I hope it passes the grade!

Paper: PTI cardstock; Neenah
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers; HA Soft Pool ink; Versamark
Stamps: Penny Black "Critter Party"
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder; Gem (Recollections); Crinkle Ribbon; Dimensional squares; Clear embossing powder

I inked up the embossing folder, on the debossed side with Soft Pool ink and ran my white cardstock through the Cuttlebug to create a "faux letterpress" effect for the background.

I stamped the hedgie twice and pieced back the feet, hands and gift.  The feet and hands are popped up with dimensionals.

I had an extra piece of the snowflake embossed paper, not inked, and decided to cut out one snowflake.  I then pressed that snowflake into my Versamark inkpad and clear embossed it.  The gem is coloured in with a matching Copic marker. I then adhered that to the home dyed crinkle ribbon.

I am not entirely sure whether this is Chrismassy enough, perhaps more a winter card - aagh, I hate it when I doubt myself.  If I have time I might give this challenge another bash!  Can you tell that I am in desperate need of some Penny Black stamps!

16 comments:

Alice said...

love love the letterpress background. beautiful holiday card in July, Brenda!

Stella said...

Your hedgie is a cutie patootie :) And the idea of inking up an embossing folder is just brilliant. Such a gorgeous way to create your own patterned background paper. It looks amazing!

In my opinion it's a lovely christmas card. I love non traditional colors on Christmas cards and this one is a beauty!

Barb said...

Absolutely adorable, Brenda! Just love these colors for Christmas!

Cathy A said...

Lovely card Brenda, love how you have inked the debased side!

Thanks for sharing your blog with Penny Circle at flickr, I have enjoyed visiting you.

Rosemary said...

you card is just too cute, brenda!!! i, too, am on a mission to acquire more pb stamps!

stampingandstitching said...

Brenda, this is absolutely adorable! The snowflake background is gorgeous and I love the snowflake embellishment! Love the cute hedgehog too!

Joanne Leddy said...

How cute it this?!?! Who couldn't love a hedgehog? Thanks for sharing!

cherryblossom said...

Love how you did with the background!!

Donna B. said...

Such a cute card! Love how you did the background - great colors!!

Dawn T said...

Don't doubt yourself Brenda, It is the perfect Christmas in July card. Love the letterpress look. I must get some of the Soft Pool ink as it seems to work well with the folders.

Sanne said...

Cute as can be Brenda!

Trinh said...

This adorable, Brenda! I love the letterpress effect on your background.

Jill said...

So cute, Brenda! So glad you're loving PB (I'm addicted! LOL!) The background on this card of yours is really awesome! The letterpress look is PERFECT with those snowflakes! HUGS!

Lisa said...

I think this is sooo cute! Love the green and blues together- it's perfectly xmas-y if you ask me :)
Love how you created the snowflake center for the ribbon!

walchowDesign said...

Such a sweet X'mas card! Definitely love the bg blue with the stand out embossed!

Michelle said...

adorable little guy! Love the snowflakes...I wish it were a bit cooler here!