Beautiful Baubles Christmas Card

Got another Christmas card idea for your today! I love this stampset, Beautiful Baubles! Used Stampin Blends alcohol markers for this card.  I love how the Stampin Blends allows you to create shading in the colors.

 

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Heat Emboss the Bauble

Prepare the watercolor paper with the Embossing Buddy.  The Embossing Buddy is an antistatic bag that allows you to clean the paper and prevent embossing powder from adhering to the paper where you do not want it to.  Stamp the bauble image on watercolor paper with versamark.  Because the stamp is photopolymer, I like to stamp on the paper piercing mat to give it extra cushion to get a clear image.

Spread the embossing powder over the stamped image.  I like to use a coffee filter to collect any excess powder.  Check out this blog post where I discuss how I like to store embossing powder.

Use the heat tool to set up the embossing powder.  You will know when it has set when the powder turns colors and looks shiney.

Color the Bauble Using Stampin Blends

I used the stampin blends on this project.  These are the colors I used, Cherry Cobbler, Call Me Clover, Night of Navy, Rich Razzelberry, Real Red, and Mango Melody. If you intend to use the blending technique taught here, you will need both the light and dark markers of each color.

You will want to work in sections so you can work with the ink while it is wet.  I like to start with the light color because it is easier to add ink and color than to take it away.  So color the entire section with the light color.  Do not press down heavy when coloring. I use a light touch to move the color around.

When shading with the Stampin Blends or any other alcohol marker, try to envision where the light source would be coming from to determine where the shading should appear.  In this case, I image the light source coming from the top so I wanted the bottom edges of the decorations on the bauble would have shadows and therefore darker.  I laid down a very thin line of the darker marker along the edge. Again trying not to press down too heaving and adding more ink than I wanted to.  It is always easy to add ink than to pick it up.

Then use the light marker to move the dark color upwards to blend in.  I use a flicking motion to blend the dark color with the lighter color.

I added a little glimmer by using the Wink of Stella pen.  Just paint it on and it automatically brings card up a notch.

Fussy cut the bauble out. I try to trim it as close as possible but if you like you can leave a 1/8′ border of the white paper around. I struggle with cutting evenly so I just try to trim it up close to the embossed edge.

Dry Emboss the Card Mat

I love matting my cards to give pops of color and dimension.  And I love this embossing folder, Swirls & Curls.  I used the cherry cobbler cardstock for this panel.  When I was setting up the folder, I noticed there was a printed line at the bottom of the folder, so I decided to use this to line up my paper to get a straight embossed image.

Stamp the String & Bow Image

You will want to stamp the string hanging from the top of the paper, but before doing that, pace the ornament where you want it to appear on the page to get the placement correct.  Then move the ornament away and stamp the string.  I stamped mine off the paper so it would look like it was hanging from some place not seen.

Stamp the Sentiment

If you follow the cut instructions I provide below, (click here to get the dimensions of this project), then stamp the sentiment as close to the right side of the paper as possible.  Then use your triple banner punch to cut out a notch on the left side.

Notch out the left side of the green piece of cardstock and adhere it to the back side of the sentiment slightly cockeyed. Then add a little glimmer with the wink of stella pen.

Create a Custom Colored Embellishment

One thing I love about the Stampin' Blends markers is that you can use them to color embellishments like these mini peals to create a custom colored accent. I used one in Call Me Clover (dark) for the bow on the string and the Cherry Cobbler (dark) for the smaller peals on the sentiment.

Stamp the inside

I stamped the top of the paper with the image that had multiple ornaments on it. I stamped it twice across the top to get this border effect.

Add Some Dimension

I've been using craft foam lately to my bigger diecuts to give them more support.  For the bauble I use my big shot and circle die to cut a piece of craft foam to adhere to the back of the bauble.  You will want to use a strong adhesive such as the Tear and Tape or if you have any of our retired Fast Fuse left, that will work too.  You can also use our wet Tombow Mono Glue, just make sure to set a clear block on it to help it dry and form the bond between the foam and the paper.

Assemble the card

I find it is easiest to adhere flat sheets of paper that does not have embellishments on it.  So in this project I adhered the Cherry Cobbler panel to the Call Me Clover card base 1st.  I used my Tear and Tape because I wanted to make sure it stayed on.

Then adhere the stamped panel to front using tear and tape.

Adhere the ornament to the stamped card.

Adhere the sentiment with dimensionals so it pops up and drapes just slightly over the ornament.

Final Project

Watch the Video Tutorial

Get the Dimensions of this Card

Want to recreate this card for yourself? Fill out the form below and you will get access to my Free Resource Library where I have a pdf with all of the cut dimensions to this card.

>>ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY HERE ~~ YOU WILL NEED THE SECRET CODE<<

Join the Thank You Card Swap

Would love for you to join me in my Thank You card swap that is taking place January 11, 2019. It's a mail in swap.  You can get details here.

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