Soft Snowman

Inspiration: As You See It #280 (My Favorite Christmas in July Creation is cards!) + 52 Christmas Card Throwdown (August Sketch)

I found the new Mintay Christmas collection when I stopped by my local scrapbook store - Merry Little Christmas. It's not like I need more Christmas craft supplies, but I liked the softness of this collection and it was different enough from other papers I have to let myself get tempted. I also like how their 12" x 12" papers don't have the same patterns as the ones in the 6" x 8" paper pad do. The pad has complementary patterns, so I sprang for both. What's nice is that both paper sizes also have different cut-apart images, which adds to the value as well. The images you see on this card came from the 6" x 8" paper pad.

I had my Opalescent Green ombre cardstock from Tonic sitting not too far and I realized the mint colour would pair very nicely, so I used some to back one of the cut-apart frames. I hung a Christmas bauble from the snowman's hand and added a bigger bauble at the top as well. I layered branches and berries around the image and underneath the little note. I decided to leave it blank and I plan to pencil in the name of the person I'll be sending the card to when I'm ready to send my Christmas cards.

I used my square card bases and matching envelopes. This purchase was an interesting one. Years ago, I was out of white square envelopes and asked my local store if she could order some for me. She found a pack of 10 envelopes with card bases for $4.25 CAD. I really just needed envelopes, but as the store owner pointed out, at this low price, the card bases were practically included for free! We were both curious how the quality would be and shocked to discover that the cardstock was really thick and high quality. That pack lasted me quite a while (I do make square cards fairly regularly, but the card bases are not always white, so that's why.) Anyway, when I ran out, I asked my store if it was something that could be reordered but sadly, she couldn't get those specific cards and envelopes anymore. I went hunting on the Internet and found some through Amazon. I could only get a pack of 50, for a fair price, but when they got here, I found out the card base is not the same quality cardstock as what it was before. It's not crappy quality, either, but it just doesn't feel as luxurious as the previous cards did, and I'm wondering how much layering it will take before the card base starts to buckle. When you put the card bases and envelopes side by side, the white is also not exactly the same (envelopes seem brighter than the cards). It's subtle, but that is the kind of details that disappoint me when something is sold as an actual set. Anyway, I have them, I will use them and if/when I get through the whole pack, I will move on to another source to replenish my stash.

To make the background more interesting, I cut the edges using the deckle trimmer and then I ran my VersaMark pad along the edges, embossing them with White Glitz embossing powder from Wow! This powder is so pretty in the container - it's white with long rectangular clear glitter in it. Which you cannot tell looking at my card because none of the glitter stayed on the edges when I embossed them. The company seems to have used fine white embossing powder and it does not seem to have enough hold to keep the glitter in place. This is unfortunately not the first project I have had this problem with on. It's sad, because when the powder does stay in place with the glitter, the result is absolutely gorgeous. I thought about going back and adding more VersaMark, but I wanted to stick to the dainty frosted edges, so right now, they are just plain white. In exchange, I added Frosted Lace Stickles on my berries and snowman, and I also added Glossy Accents to the eyes and buttons. I added sequins and seed beads around the card, and Poppy Parade ribbon to ground the images and add texture to the card.

I like making cards with Mintay papers, the result is always a nice departure from my usual cutesy projects. This gives me more variety to choose from when I'm sending cards to friends and family, as I always pick something that somehow reminds me of them or their personality. Don't know if I always end up getting their tastes right, but it's more based on a gut feeling of which card should go to which person.

 

 

 

  

 

Supplies
5¼" x 5¼" Square Card Bases and Envelopes: Anita's (DoCrafts)
Patterned Papers: Merry LIttle Christmas - 12" x 12" and 6" x 8" (Mintay)
Cardstock: Opalescent Green Ombre (Tonic)
Accessories: Deckle Trimmer (Tim Holtz for Tonic); 
White Glitz Embossing Powder (Wow!); Frosted Lace Stickles (Ranger);
Poppy Parade Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!);
Pastel Dreams and Deck the Halls Sequin Mixes (28 Lilac Lane - Buttons Galore & More)

 

Comments

[Heather Heroldt]

Wow, Cindy, what a gorgeous Christmas collection! I can totally see how it caught your eye, and this design is stunning! Love that White Glitz on the edges especially! Thanks so much for playing at As You See It!

[Jan Clothier]

What an absolute beauty! There's such a sense of depth that at first i thought you'd made a diorama. There's such a lot of detailing and I love the vintage feel. The colours are fabulous. Thanks for joining in with us at As You See It.

[Heather Cooper]

I can see why you were so attracted to these papers! That subtle mint colour is so effective with the red and a little vintage as well. I can see a little of the White Glitz around the edges, but it is disappointing when products let you down. I was wondering if you could get a hold of some Heat & Stick powder, if that would work better for you. You've created a project that I could look at for awhile with all the elements you've included! Thanks for getting your jingle bells on in August for us at As You See It Challenges!

[LeAnne Pugliese]

This is GORGEOUS! Those papers and elements are wonderful, and even if your glitter didn't cooperate, this is still a stunning project! I keep looking at it, it's so fun to see all that you've combined! Wonderful! Thanks for playing with our AYSI challenge this week!

[AndrejaM]

Beautiful Christmas card, thanks for playing at 52CCT colour challenge

[Jane Knudsen]

Stunning card! Those papers and using mint green with the red was a great stroke of genius. I am totally stealing these colors for a Christmas card! What a work of art! Thanks for joining us at As You See It!

[Jenny Martin]

So much beautiful detail! Gorgeous card. Thanks for joining us at 52CCt:)