Tuesday 22 December 2015

Last of the Christmas cards

Hello all, welcome and I hope you are surviving this busy time of year.
This will be my last post before the big day as I am taking a blogging break while spending time with my grandchildren and other family.
I thought I would share my final Christmas cards with you today. These were made a while back and are now safely on their way to their recipients.


I have been having great fun experimenting with different kinds of backgrounds this year. These ones were made with the help of foil, using sticky embossing powder, and a mix of Distress Paints and Decoart, both the Media Fluid Acrylics and the Antiquing Creams.

Each one is similar but subtly different and they are all only 4 x 4" in size.

The colours are not traditionally Christmassy, but I have been attracted to Blues Greens and Browns this year for my cards. Unfortunately the weather has been so dark here, it's been impossible to get decent pictures, and of course the gold shimmer of the foil has totally disappeared....
This one uses pretty much the same techniques, just different die cuts and background stamps. Here you can see the additional texture achieved with some Decoart Snow Tex a bit better.
This one is almost the same as number one, just using a different stamp for the background with the Sticky Embossing powder.
For this one finally, I used some of Tim Holtz's Gilded Holidays remnant rubs. Beware, you need to apply these before doing anything else to your background or they are likely to get lost. Tim has a great video of how to use them here.
Below is a close up, I love these rubs, and will definitely use them again!

Well, that's it for today, thank you so much for all your support and your lovely comments, they are always very much appreciated !!!

Thanks for your visit like always and I hope you will have a peaceful, joyful and blessed season!!

28 comments:

Words and Pictures said...

Ah look, there's mine! Not only on the way, but safely arrived and proudly displayed on my "gloat board"! I can confirm that the shimmer is gorgeous, as are the colour tones. Thank you so much, and have a wonderful time with your family.
Alison xx

experiments in paper said...

What a lovely collection of cards, Astrid! Wondrous colors and thanks for the reminder about the new gilded remnant rubs - have them, haven't used them - what else is new, lol! Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with your family and look forward to seeing you and your wonderful projects in the new year! And many thanks for taking the time to visit and comment during this incredibly busy time, especially as you ready for a trip! Much appreciated, as is your inspiration throughout the year! xxx Lynn

Dortesjs said...

They are gorgeous. Merry christmas to you and your family.
xx Dorte

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely cards, have fun, happy Christmas, hugs, Valerie

Nikki Acton said...

And there is mine! Like Alison it has pride of place in my living room in the handmade section! Love the backgrounds and colour... Subtle glimmer for Christmas with a wonderful vintage feel. Happy Christmas to you! Xxxxx

Suzi B said...

Great cards Astrid for the lucky recipients! Have a happy family Christma
Suzi B xx

chrissie said...

All of these are terrific with wonderful texturesmade me want to touch them.

Have a great time with your family

Love Chrissie xx

Maryann Laursen said...

All your cards here are as usual just stunning and sooo fabulous made. I just love all the texture you always add to your work and amazing backgrounds you manage to create every time.
You too have a wonderful holiday with your precious family arounbd, I´m taking a break myself, as I get all mine home here this year too, which hasn´t happended for several years, so I´m sooo looking forward to that too. See you again in the new year with new fun and energy.

Jackie PN said...

With just a few hints of gold- these are stunners! Beautiful cards my friend! xo

froebelsternchen said...

These cards are so amazingly beautiufll Astrid!
Sending all good wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year! Enjoy the time with your kids and grandchildren!
♥♥♥
oxo
Susi

Naomi said...

These are just gorgeous! You are so talented and such an inspiration! Have a wonderful holiday !

Meggymay said...

Beautiful cards Astrid. Have a wonderful time with your family.
Yvonne xx

rachel said...

these are beautiful cards astrid. really gorgeous. such a tiny size too. they look much bigger! have a wonderful christmas and enjoy yourself with your family. hugs rachel x

Juliz Design Post said...

Beautiful festive cards. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Hugs, Julie x

Paper Profusion said...

These look gorgeous Astrid, especially with the gold highlights. Have a wonderful Christmas in Australia. May 2016 be a fantastic year for you. Nicola x

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful cards! Merry Christmas!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Ohhhh these are so gloriously gorgeous! I would rather see these with such a unique color combo than traditional reds/greens. Awesome sauce! And the gold is breathtaking! Merry Christmas to you and yours! ~Niki

Redanne said...

Gorgeous cards Astrid, each and every one and the one you send to me is gorgeous - thank you so much! I hope you are enjoying the family (and the heat). Have a wonderful Christmas day with the children and all the very best for 2016! Hugs, Anne xx

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Beautiful cards.

Merry Christmas!
Joanna

Julia Aston said...

Such beautiful textures and techniques on these lovely cards Astrid! I just received one of these for my very own in the mail yesterday! thank you so much! I'm glad to see here exactly how you made it! I'm sure you are having a wonderful visit with your family 'down under'!! Merry Christmas!!! Julia xx

Suzanne C said...

Stunning Christmas cards! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family! Wishing you a blessed and wonderful 2016!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful Christmas cards you did! My co-workers at stilusessaywriting.com says they're totally amazing. As for me I like the color scheme you used. Best wishes to you!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous as always! I LOVE the gold. Merry merry Christmas!!!

Barbara said...

These cards are absolutely stunning! I'm in love with them! I love the shades of blue/green and the gold! Wonderful mix! BArbarayaya

pearshapedcrafting said...

These cards are all so beautiful! Chrisx

A Pink said...

Stunning Cards ! Love the colour ways with the touches of opulent gold . So original ! xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

I love all of these Astrid!! Beautiful backgrounds and, although the colours are not traditional, they are simply gorgeous!! Love the touches of gold and, of course, all the yummy textures as well!! Scrumptious!! xx

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh how gorgeous! I'm a little late but hope you had a wonderful Holiday season! When I saw your embossing it reminded me that THAT is what got me hooked on stamping! The magic of embossing! :) I haven't stamped in ages! I need to get back to it!

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