Saturday 1 October 2011

Christmas Card Blog Hop

Welcome to the Card A Day Blog World Card Making Day Christmas Card Blog Hop!  This is the very first blog hop I’ve contributed to, and I am so excited!
I am SO happy you have decided to hop along with us!! Make sure to check out the Christmas Card Blog Hop Challenge at the first post of this blog hop, at the Card a Day Blog!

With every card I do, I try to challenge myself with trying a new technique or item.  Today's card was intended to inspire the magical thoughts you may have when looking at your Christmas tree.  I always take pictures of my favorite ornaments on my Christmas tree, and saw how some "Sookwang" was used at my local scrap-booking store.   I hope you in turn are inspired too!

First, print a favorite picture that is clearly defined (good contrast).  Print it out two or three times, depending upon how you want to "finish" the card. 
Cut a piece of Sookwang to cover the picture, just larger on one side (my photo was 4 x 5 inches, and I cut the Sookwang 4 x 5 1/4 inches).
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Apply the Sookwang carefully, to limit the possibility of air bubbles.  I just lifted the edge of one side of the adhesive cover, and aligned it with the edge of the photo... working it out as I pulled the adhesive cover towards the opposite edge.
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Firmly rub the Sookwang onto the photo before removing the back adhesive cover.
Take a peek underneath the adhesive cover, it should appear smooth before you remove the adhesive cover.
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Sprinkle clear transparent glitter (your choice of highlight)... I used "Glitter Ritz" Cool Highlight.  Rub off the excess glitter onto a scrap piece of paper and return the excess to the glitter container.
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Trim the paper to card size, making sure to be careful when trimming along the glittered card front.  Use a bone folder or Scor-Pal to fold the card.
At this point I was not in love with the effect --- lesson learned, the picture has to have better contrast.  The background of the card does not photograph well… it really is stunning in a low light situation!
To improve the card for regular light viewing, I cut out the focal snowman from one of my photo prints.  I adhered it using my tape runner, careful to match it to the snowman on the card.  It just "popped out"! Yippee!
I then cut a bracket shape 1 x 2 inches, with my Friskars shape cutter, and stamped Happy Holidays with a versamark ink and applied white embossing powder to it.  I used some dimensional glue dots to apply the bracket to the card front.  I just love how it looks like the snowman is holding the sentiment!


 

Summary:
Card name: Happy Holidays!
Card base size: 8 x 10
Card base material: White
Card front size: 4 x 5
Card front material: Photo, covered with Sookwang and glitter
Die cut shape(s) 1 x 2 inch bracket, made with Friskars Shape Cutter
Stamp(s) used: “Happy Holidays” (I was considering hand writing “Wishing you…” on the outside and “a Merry Christmas” on the inside).
Ink used: Versamark clear
Embossing materials used: Glitter Ritz Micro Fine
Other details (fonts, programs, etc):      I used CraftArtist to print my card front... it also enabled me to play with layout and ideas I had when arranging the photo on the card.
Comments I really like the way the card looks in a low light condition.

Make sure to see the next blog on the list! Its from Tina Campbell from Tina's Scrap Corner! 

Below is some great information about challenges you can enter! Also about some blog candy I am giving away.

CHRISTMAS CARD BLOG HOP CHALLENGE
A two-day extravaganza of Christmas Cards and prizes.
Each of our designers will be choosing something special for our followers and adding it to the grand prize package. You will receive something from each designer.
To join in the challenge go to Card a Day Blog and enter and see who wins!

MY BLOG CANDY FOR THIS HOP!
Every person who leaves a comment for me by October 2nd (midnight), will be entered into a draw for ,the card posted and 4 additional pieces of Sookwang to make your own creation! If you are a follower, and leave a comment, you will receive two entries into the draw! I will make the draw on Monday, October 3rd, at 5pm Pacific time, and will email the winner to arrange for mailing the prize to them!

The designers from Card a Day Blog  participating in this blog hop are:


Thanks for visiting my blog!
Shelley

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful card, Shelley, so creative! I'd never heard of the Sookwang before. I'll have to check it out. I'm following, so maybe I'll get lucky and win some from you!! :)

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  2. Such a great card I am a new follower. TFS

    mjblahnik56@hotmail.com

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  3. Pretty card Shelley like the concept and may have to try it out. It gave a nice background for the card. I get the Sookwang but I didn't know they sold it in full blocks I'll have to look into that.

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  4. Wow, this is aThanks for joining Robyn's My Pink Stamper Christmas Card Challenge! great card--what a cool technique!!

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  5. Such a beautiful card and interesting technique!
    Diana B.
    mogardener47 at gmail dot com

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  6. I love the glitter effect that you created with this card. It's truly beautiful.

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  7. I didn't get here by Oct. 2 but I still love your card.

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  8. Thank you all for your kind words! I had such fun making this card, and am glad I could share with you! I was a bit late doing the official draw. Congratulations goes to mjblahnik56! Thanks so much again!

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