Hello, sweet friends, and happy December to you all!
It's time to really get going on my Christmas cards. I have been making cards and have been making duplicate cards, printing off four on a page and cutting them down to color. Then I begin constructing them, one process at a time. We'll see how many I actually finish.
Today's sweet digital stamp set is a darling sprig of mistletoe called Stand Here: "When you just need to have that Christmas kiss, like, right now. All you have to do is print out this bunch of mistletoe tied up in a bow! With two sentiments for your holiday loves. Illustrated with a whole lotta love by Marcella Hawley."
I started by pulling the larger sentiment into GIMP (the free photo-editing software available for both Windows and the Mac). I wanted to make the "with extra kisses" green to match my designer paper. I did a "save as" so as not to overwrite the original image. Then I pulled in my altered image along with the mistletoe into Microsoft Word and resized them to fit my layout.
I colored the mistletoe with Copic markers and then used some colored pencils to add some shading. (My sweet husband bought me an early Christmas gift of Prismacolor pencils, and I am just starting to get used to them.) I then used color pencils to color in "Merry Christmas" to give it an ombre look. The pencils left a nice waxy/shiny finish, and I added some Wink of Stella in strategic places on the bow and the berries. Then the fun (for me at least...not really...hehe!) begins in constructing the card, making sure the mats are even with my Mini Perfect Layers tool. The finishing touch was the little heart button threaded with some DMC floss. Obviously, this is for my dear husband (who has seen it), but he will still enjoy it on Christmas day!
During this Advent season, with all of the festivities and celebration, there are many who are feeling heightened grief at the loss of family and friends. However, we remember the consummate gift that God our Father gave us in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While we celebrate the birth of Christ, it's also a time to remember God's deep love and promise to always take care of His beloved children.
My God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call His name Immanuel [God with us].
Isaiah 7:14
It's time to really get going on my Christmas cards. I have been making cards and have been making duplicate cards, printing off four on a page and cutting them down to color. Then I begin constructing them, one process at a time. We'll see how many I actually finish.
Today's sweet digital stamp set is a darling sprig of mistletoe called Stand Here: "When you just need to have that Christmas kiss, like, right now. All you have to do is print out this bunch of mistletoe tied up in a bow! With two sentiments for your holiday loves. Illustrated with a whole lotta love by Marcella Hawley."
I started by pulling the larger sentiment into GIMP (the free photo-editing software available for both Windows and the Mac). I wanted to make the "with extra kisses" green to match my designer paper. I did a "save as" so as not to overwrite the original image. Then I pulled in my altered image along with the mistletoe into Microsoft Word and resized them to fit my layout.
I colored the mistletoe with Copic markers and then used some colored pencils to add some shading. (My sweet husband bought me an early Christmas gift of Prismacolor pencils, and I am just starting to get used to them.) I then used color pencils to color in "Merry Christmas" to give it an ombre look. The pencils left a nice waxy/shiny finish, and I added some Wink of Stella in strategic places on the bow and the berries. Then the fun (for me at least...not really...hehe!) begins in constructing the card, making sure the mats are even with my Mini Perfect Layers tool. The finishing touch was the little heart button threaded with some DMC floss. Obviously, this is for my dear husband (who has seen it), but he will still enjoy it on Christmas day!
During this Advent season, with all of the festivities and celebration, there are many who are feeling heightened grief at the loss of family and friends. However, we remember the consummate gift that God our Father gave us in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While we celebrate the birth of Christ, it's also a time to remember God's deep love and promise to always take care of His beloved children.
My God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call His name Immanuel [God with us].
Isaiah 7:14
Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to Power Poppy and purchase this delightful digital image and use it today. But first, be sure to visit my teammates to see what delightful cards they've made and to read what Marcy has shared about mistletoe...you just might be surprised and fascinated as I was!
As always, sweet friends, I am so grateful for your visits and love reading your comments. I am always happy to answer questions. (I am entering my card in this week's Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.)
Blessings, dear friends,
Stamps: Stand Here (Power Poppy)
Paper: Solar White 80# and 110# (Neenah), Pure Poppy (PTI), Comfort and Joy (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Stitched Square STAX dies (MFT), Heart Buttons dies (Memory Box), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white DMC floss, Wink of Stella, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), white tape
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Stitched Square STAX dies (MFT), Heart Buttons dies (Memory Box), Mini Perfect Layers tool, white DMC floss, Wink of Stella, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), white tape
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word
Card Size: A-2
Copic markers used: Bow - R21, R14, R35, R46, R59; Leaves - YG61, G46, YG01; Berries - Y11, G20; Stems - YG91; Shading - Prismacolor pencils; "Merry Christmas" letters - Prismacolor pencils
Copic markers used: Bow - R21, R14, R35, R46, R59; Leaves - YG61, G46, YG01; Berries - Y11, G20; Stems - YG91; Shading - Prismacolor pencils; "Merry Christmas" letters - Prismacolor pencils
29 comments:
Just beautiful! The coloring and shading leaves the impression that you could actually pluck the mistletoe right from the card. I actually enlarged it to see if you did some fussy cutting (or used the silhouette hehe). Fantastic card, Cheryl.
What a fun new digi image! I love the perfect coloring. I always forget the mistletoe berries are white and I love how you colored them. Markers and pencils is a fun way to color and I like your perfect layers too. I should look up that tool, my layers are never near perfect.
Thanks for sharing, Cheryl! And have a lovely holiday season.
GORGEOUS Cheryl! Your card designs are perfect to the T! What an amazing image, and one that I might actually be able to color. :) And sweet girl, please pray fervently for my former coworker Cheryl, who is a strong believer and fighting for her life in a battle against cancer. We are all in prayer and fasting this week and since you share a name (and a Father!) I wanted to reach out to you on her behalf. Biggest hugs, Autumn
As always, beautifully illustrated and colored card. this is a fun digi and you really tested it out. Love the background papers and the addition of the Prismacolor pencils.
This is such a special design my friend! Your little heart on the corner with the stitch lines is perfect!! :) I am trying like CRAZY to get my Christmas making done so that I can get started on my cookies!! LOL!! I think I'm still trying to "recover" from the last six months!! LOL!! Sending hugs
Beautiful my friend ... I love it, and so will hubby.
Cheryl, you continue to amaze me with your coloring skills and sweet designs. Now you've added Prismas and I can see you're going to have a good time with those, as well. Your card is even more beautiful in the close up. I think I see a little sparkle, too. Beautiful!
Gorgeous mistletoe and love the heart you added to the card - perfect! Yes, it is a busy time of year for sure. Got 80% done - Christmas cards are always the hardest to get done for some reason and I just may have to skip them this year as it has been an insanely busy year this year and all I can think about right now is my time off over Christmas LOL! We will see - may do a last minute rally LOL! Huge ((hugs)) to you my friend :)
Where exactly do I stand for my kisses? 😜 Big hugs and virtual kisses to you, Cheryl! I love this card!
Such a sweet card and I'm always impressed with your editing expertise!
Your card is gorgeous, Cheryl!! I just love your coloring of the mistletoe and the crisp white with the designer paper. Gorgeous Christmas card my friend!! Sweet sentiment and the added heart is perfect!! I look forward to talking to you real soon. Miss you sweet friend!!!
This is Such a fun set and colored so beautifully Cheryl.
Another gorgeous card! Great image and coloring!
Hmmm? I wonder how many times he will be enjoying it. LOL He may be holding that card over your head every time you turn around. You did an awesome job adding the shadows and highlights to the ribbon. Hugs!
Dear Cheryl, I am always amazed at your perfect layering and pristine coloring and design. This just sings Christmas, and is oh so festive and cheerful! I also appreciate your words of reminder of scripture...as we lost my dear husband's father and other family is separated at the present. We do need to remember the reason for Christ's coming...not only a Savior,which is such a precious gift; but also a now and forever friend and intercessor for our needs to God the Father. Beautiful card and thoughts. Hugs!
Oh wow Cheryl, that bg paper is sooo perfect for your beautiful mistletoe!! What a fabulous card sweet friend! I Love your coloring like always and the overall beautiful of the card is a wow!
Cheryl this is lovely, gorgeous colouring as always.
Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge x
Cheryl, I love your new card with that great mistletoe image. I knew you would love those Prisma pencils and I think you have already mastered them.
Beautiful card! Your colourng is outstanding xx
I have not tried GIMP yet, Cheryl. I need to do that, it would be great to have a tried-and-proven-for-mac freebie to use! Your creation is gorgeous! I love the softness, and pretty traditional colors! hugs, de
Gorgeous coloring, I have never tried using pencils to shade with my markers! such pretty paper and lovely gradient colors on the sentiment, which is cute for your hubby.
Yes Christmas can be a rough time for many, I know that since my Dad died the night of Christmas and was found the following morning, this time of year always brings thoughts of that Christmas morning being the last time I talked to him.
Oh, Cheryl, this card is outstanding, as usual, my special sister and friend! Your coloring of the mistletoe is magnificent. I love the heart in the corner! The card exhibits such love for your DH, and I'm sure he'll love it. You're such an outstanding artist, sis!! God Bless You!!
Gorgeous design and colors! They're so rich and deep and fabulous! Really love this beautiful layout!
Oh such a beauty Cheryl. I love your layout and how you did your sentiment. What a fun digi.
What a lovely card Cheryl. That holly image is so pretty. Great coloring... love the fonts on the greeting... and oh, that sweet little heart... perfect touch!
Cheryl, this is so pretty! I love every single thing about this creation, from the elegance of the colors to the perfection of your coloring! And...I'm jealous of your Gimp skills :) Hugs!!!
Wow, Cheryl, your card is lovely! Your coloring is so exquisite, the bow and mistletoe just leap off the page. Love that final touch of the heart button, it's a very sweet touch.
Thanks for your comment today on my Merry Mice card. I would be honored if you CASEd my card. :-) Merry Christmas, my friend!
Hi dear sister and friend Cheryl, I fo hope you're okay as you've not blogged for a while, mind you I can't see my comment on this post do I must've been too busy when it came out. I love the way you colour coordinate your image and card colours, beautifully done.
I also think of you each day as I read the Quiet Place. Thank you for being s blessing in my life. Lord bless and keep you in 2017, till He comes!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration,
Shaz in Oz.x
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Just popping in to wish you a Blessed New Year! Miss your creations! Praying all is well with you. :)
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