Friday, November 14, 2008

Flourishes Friday - Festive Christmas Topiary

Here we are at the end of another week! Only 6 weeks from yesterday till Christmas. Can you believe it? Any Christmas shopping done? NONE here...I'm just not even there yet.

But I've been making Christmas cards like crazy...and I think it's a great opportunity to look at your stamps in a new way, how can you use a non-Christmas stamp in a new way to give it a Christmas feel?

A lot of it comes down to paper and color choice, and rich embellishments for me if it isn't an obvious Christmas stamp.




This gorgeous Topiary stamp from the Siberian Iris set can absolutely have a festive Christmas look. I began with Basic Grey Mistletoe and Pear designer paper. The plaid pattern in these traditional colors is so great. And doesn't a plaid look so much more interesting on the diagonal?

I also used Prism papers for perfect color matching. I stamped the pretty flourish on the background, and on the sentiment ornament. I stamped the Topiary in Stazon on watercolor paper and colored with reinkers and SW Markers, even giving it a shadow effect. I didn't have a sentiment that would work for me so I wrote festive in a gold pen (Creative Memories I think).




Be sure to stop by my Flourish friend and DT member Cindy Lawrence 's blog...she has wonderful Flourishes blog candy...you don't want to miss it because it includes NEWLY released stamps!

And be sure to check out the other talented Friends of Flourishes Blog Team members have put together for today: Cindy Haffner, Becca Fekkan, Betty Wright and the Friday round-up on the Flourishes Newsletter



Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes Siberian Iris Ink: Black Stazon, Old Olive Paper: Prism Papers: Classic Red, Birchtone Dark, Spring Willow Medium, Watercolor Paper, Basic Grey: Mistletoe and Pear Accessories: Reinkers, SW Markers, Slit Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Circle Punch, 1/16 punch, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Gold Cording, Gold Pen, Dimensionals.

9 comments:

Betty Wright said...

Christine!!!!!! Good morning and Happy Florishes Friday to you!!!!!

I love how you made this set have a Christmas Feel!!!! Your coloring as always is just fabulous!!!! I love the layered ribbon with the sentiment and gold cording. The way you did the top really does give it an ornament look...I must try that!!! Love the partial circle cut out in the main panel with the bling brad accenting, too. Great looking card!!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Christine, this is gorgeous!! You're right, the topiary makes a stunning Christmas card!
--Becca

Anonymous said...

Your watercolored image is over-the-top gorgeous! I love the papers you've chosen and the design! Well, as far as that tag is concerned, I'm casing girlfriend, I love it!

Cindy Lawrence said...

Christine, you use that topiary image like NO ONE else!!!!! You are gonna make me buy that set just so I can get the topiary! This card is gorgeous...love the Christmas-y look!!!

Joan Ervin said...

Soooo beautiful, Christine...I just love the topiary and your gorgeous coloring!!! I love the circle corner, too, with the gen....how cool is that!!!!! I agree with Jerri about the tag....it is a case waiting to happen!!!

Anonymous said...

I love this as a Christmas card! It's so beautifully colored and what a wonderful design, too. It has such a warm and cozy feel to it.

Christina Ammann said...

Eine wunderschöne Karte. Gefällt mir sehr gut.
LG Christina

Linda Carson said...

Quite LOVELY! That little stamp is one of my all time favorites!

Rose Ann said...

What a lovely Christmas look with that beautiful image!! I love your card, Christine!!