Alternative gifts

Andreja's theme challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is 'Gifts"

I had a rummage through my stamps for this one, and found a wooden block stamp of a tower of presents - probably acquired at a charity shop at some point.

I used this with black archival to cover my card to start my background.

I love this as a pattern.

My next step was to stamp three large presents from a set, and heat emboss in gold.

I then spritzed with blue and purple, then spritzed water to encourage them to run down the card. I wanted the embossing to act as a resist and barrier, so the colours pooled.

This was the first attempt, while wet - I love the different shades! But... can you see where I mucked up the stamping in versamark and it's acted as a resist as well?

But I liked this enough to have another go, and got my stamping right this time!

However, I then fell out with it completely - I didn't like the big presents, the background shows through too much, it just doesn't work!

But I did like the background, and I hate waste. So, I cut the top and bottom away from one of the sheets, tore one side, and made a reverse panel card. (I don't know if that's a real thing, but hopefully you can see what I mean.)

I cut a sentiment and present from black card (the gift is a Tattered Lace die, the smaller of the set). Using the silhouette left where I'd cut the gift, I marked and cut out white card to go behind the gift so the background didn't show through the swirls.

Then constructed on a 6x6 card blank, and edged with a black sharpie.

I'm really happy with how this has turned out. I love the background, I think the repeated gifts look great and the colour is gorgeous.




Over to you - how will you make a "Gifts" themed Christmas card? Please share with us on the 52CCT blog - you have until Friday 24th to join in.