Distressed Background Blue Christmas Card

I don’t know about you but I am WAY behind on my holiday everything!  I have tons of shopping left to do and just  ordered my photo cards this morning! (Don’t tell anyone I’m sending some Photo Cards!)  Sheesh!  Thanksgiving flew right by and now Christmas is sneaking up right behind!  I love to bake for friends and mail it to their homes.  It makes me happy to think of them opening the box and having a treat with their coffee!  I’m a little more organized with that because it has to go in the mail right away so it can arrive fresh.  The baking is not a problem for me but, of course, I angst over the card that accompanies the treats.  This card was for a dear friend who knows his way around a craft room!  That makes me try a little harder LOL – but also intimidates me.  At the end of the day, I had to get the box in the mail so the card was sent as is.  I hope they like it!

• The base card is SU! Basic Black Card Stock cut to 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ and scored at 4-1/4″.
• I smushed Distress Stains onto a Craft Sheet – Picket Fence, Stormy Sky, Peacock Feathers, Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass – and then spritzed a little water on top.
• I dragged a piece of Manila Card Stock cut to 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ through the inks and heat set.
• I applied additional Distress Ink to the background with a Blending Tool and then used the Spritz and Flick Technique to create water droplets.
• A Distressing Tool was used on the edges of the post card and then Black Soot Distress Ink was applied with a Blending Tool.
• I stamped “Merry Christmas” from TH’s 2014 Handwritten Holidays 1 Stamp Set in Black Archival Ink onto the background repeatedly.
• I used a paint brush to splatter Picket Fence and Brushed Pewter Distress Stains onto the background as well.

• TH’s Sizzix Paper Snowflakes Thinlits Dies were used to cut out Card Stock Vellum.  They were then painted with Clear Crackle Paint and allowed to dry.  Once dry, I applied Brushed Pewter Stain to the tops of them and then adhered Gumdrops to the centers.
• The same color Distress Stains were used to dye Crinkle Ribbon which was then adhered to the front of the post card.  I tied a Double Bow using the How To Tie a Double Bow Using Your Fingers Technique (VIDEO HERE) and attached it with Glue Dots.
• A “Merry Christmas” Tidings Token was attached to the bow using Jump Rings.

• The word “believe” was cut from Silver Foil Paper using TH’s Holiday Word Script Thinlits Dies and adhered to the ribbon.
• Little Mirrored Stars were adhered to the card front with Glue Dots.
• The post card was then adhered to the card front using Foam Tape.

Of course, the moment I mailed it, I realized I should have used a Stencil on the background for a little added interest!  Don’t you hate when that happens!  I hope you got an idea or two from this project.  If you’d like exclusive samples, Click Here To Join My Mailing List.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp – Wednesday – Bling It On (Mirrored Stars)

Craft Hoarder’s Anonymous – Celebrate the Season

VirginiaLu’sChallengeBlog – All Things Distressed

DieCuttinDivas – Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

613 Avenue Create – Anything Goes (Column #2)