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Tuesday 5 July 2016

Clean and simple Christmas sketch

It's a sketch week at the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.

52CCT July 16 sketch challenge

My idea for this one is a CAS (clean and simple) design, just using a tree stamp, sentiment and some ink. I've done a few versions - easy to do when it's so simple!

The first couple have a free form ink background forming the circle. I used chipped sapphire and salty ocean distress inks for the sky, and mowed lawn and bundled sage for the ground.

I then simply stamped a Hobby Art tree and ClarityStamp Noel in black archival ink. I don't think I've used the tree before, so have achieved my personal "something unused from my stash" challenge. I haven't used the Noel before either, but only got that last month so doesn't really count!

I worked straight onto the card bases to emphasise the simplicity.

Messy inky circle with black tree and Noel

This was the first try...


Messy inky circle with black tree and Noel version 2

.. and this is the second.

I also tried a slightly "fancier" version.

Instead of the messy inky background, I die cut a circle from copy paper as a mask (none of my circle stencils were the right size), stamped snowflakes in versa mark, then added the ink with a blending tool. I used the same colours as above.

Inked circle with snowflake resist

This gave a much neater circle for my background. I went straight onto the card base again.

I then stamped, using black pigment ink this time, and heat embossed with clear powder to give a glossy finish.

Inked circle with black tree and Noel

I really don't know which I prefer! I think probably the first one, for the composition, it seems to work best to me. So that's the one I'll enter into the challenge.

Given these are so easy, you could sit and make a whole set of them in a sitting - the only hold up is waiting for the background to dry. My Christmas card stash is looking pretty healthy this year, but if I get requests for more, this might be what I end up doing! They'd also look cute as tags.

4 comments:

  1. Such a stylish interpretation of the sketch - I love it! Thanks for joining us at 52CCT, April x

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    1. Thanks April, feeling very "less is more" this week!

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  2. Yes really nice cards. I can't choose between. I like a simple design which you can easily repeat but vary a little.

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    1. It's handy, isn't it? I'm not sure I have other trees I could swap in (have to check!), but could do other colours and greetings for a veritable range of options!

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Lucinda