Winter Card Tutorial

Happy 2014 everyone!!!  Up on the blog today is a HUGE card tutorial to kick off the new year, so grab a cup of coffee and have a seat.

For the base of the card, I used Bazzill Kraft cardstock cut 9 1/8 x 5 3/4 and scored down the center.  Then I used 140lb cold press watercolor paper for my snowflake background paper.  Cut your watercolor paper 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, then sandwich between the Tim Holtz Snow Flurries Texture Tread and run through your Vagabond or Big Shot.  What you end up with is a wonderful deep emboss of a snowflake pattern for your background.

Now you're going to take 3 different blues and lightly swipe on color only to the raised surface of the snowflakes, using an ink blending tool.  I used Broken China, Stormy Sky and Faded Jean Distress Ink.

This is where we really use a lot of water on the paper.  Take a wide water brush filled with water, I'm using the Tim Holtz 1/2" flat tip water brush.  Brush the entire watercolor paper surface with the water brush, once everything is wet you will see the ink start to blend.  Now take your heat tool and dry the watercolor paper until completely dry.

Now we are going to stamp on top of the embossed snowflakes to add another dimension to the background.  I used Pumice Stone Distress Ink and Tim Holtz's Mini Holidays 4 #CMS142 music from the set.  I also shaded edges of watercolor paper and snowflakes with brown distress ink (Walnut Stain).  I  also took this opportunity to sew a border as well.

Diecut a pair of ice skates out of grungeboard using the Tim Holtz Ice Skate die and a Vagabond or Big Shot.  Then paint the grungeboard with brown, white and silver paint.  I used Picket Fence, Walnut Stain and Brushed Pewter Distress Paint.  Let air dry.

Now you are going to take the sanding grip/sandpaper and sand off some of the color you just painted.  It's going to expose some of that grungeboard, to give it a distressed look.  Then shade around some of the edges of the skates with a brown ink and blending tool, I used Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  After doing that, you will lace the skates with cording of your choice.  I used waxed linen cord, you can find it at your local craft store in the jewelry isle.  Here's a tip for you,I used a doll threading needle to sew laces on (it's much faster and it's what I had on hand).  You can find them at your local craft or sewing store.

Using the Tim Holtz Festive Greenery die cut 2 swirls & a pine twig out of Bazzill Kraft cardstock and 2 holly leaves & a pine twig out of watercolor paper.

On a non stick craft sheet smear 2 blue inks, I used Stormy Sky & Faded Jeans Distress Ink.  Using a fine detailed water brush, pick up some ink and paint onto leaves and twig lightly.  Heat to dry with heat tool.

It's really hard to see in the photo, but all the snowflakes, holly and pine twig was coated with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  I adhered the glitter with glossy accents, it has a fine tip nozzle that is just perfect for the job.  Now let air dry, this might take a while.

Here's a close up!

Now you are ready to assemble!  You are going to need a good strong glue for this, I like Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive, but you use what you like best.  Layer everything as seen in 1st photo.  The finishing touch is a hand dyed ribbon and a couple of pearl baubles.  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and have fun with the techniques.  Thanks for looking.