Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Christmas Candles Peace and Merry & Bright...Addicted to Stamps and More # #113, STAMPlorations September Challenge~Stamps and Markers. My Perfect Life~Festive 48~#36, NBUS #2

Hello! Welcome to my post for Addicted to Stamps and More #113~Holidays challenge.

I'm excited, and a bit nervous, to share my cards with you (yes, still on the 'twofer' kick). The excited part = one lovely stamp  used two ways. The nail-biting part, an 'attempted' new background technique in the second card. Fingers crossed you'll like them...

With the unexpected, wild snow storm of last week (it's melted, thankfully), little wonder that my thoughts turned to Christmas as my initial holiday-inspiration; add the arrival of new STAMPlorations Christmas- themed stamp and my decision was pretty much sealed.

Both cards showcase the oh-so-pretty Christmas candle image, coloured with distress markers (yes...yes, I did!) and in the case of the first, joined by a new Memory Box word die...



The second features my 'attempt' at replicating backgrounds inspired by Loll, at Stamping with Loll. This was likely trial #576, and after a bit of staring (and glaring) at it, I decided, what the hey, let's do something with it.  So, something I did...


The background is too blotchy, but I'm kind of getting the hang of what to do to improve.  Or so I hope!

Head on over to the ATSM blog to see what the DT has created just. for. you!  Hopefully, you'll join us in the gallery with your own holiday-themed card.  The winner will receive 3 digis from this week's sponsor:


I'm also adding my cards to the following challenges

STAMPlorations September Challenge~Stamps and Markers (I did use a bit of water, but only distress markers; no inks allowed *grin*)


My Perfect Life 48~Week 36, where the talented and ambitious Marina is challenging herself to create one Christmas card per week, until Dec. 1, at which time she'll have 48. We're invited to join her, so my two 'first' cards of the season are headed that way.

Of course, since pretty much everything on my cards is NBUS, I'm sharing at the awesome Darnell's NBUS #2 Challenge,  She's offering an optional challenge:
1.  Christmas
2.  Make two cards using the same stamp.
3.  Both of the above.
4.  None of the above.

Obviously, I'm going with #1, 2 and 3...yayyy!!!


Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!


38 comments:

Tenia Nelson said...

Awesome!

Dana said...

Um.... WOW!! Both are Gorgeous!! I love the coloring on the first one and the blotchyness on the second card, i love!!!!

Katie Melhus said...

These are both lovely :) love the watercolor background!

*Vicki* said...

WOW!! Two gorgeous designs!! Really love the colors in your design!! Hugs & Smiles - *Vicki*
My Blog: Stamp Smiles

Kylie said...

Two wonderful cards, Carol. I love seeing the same stamp used a different way. I really like your watercoloured background xx

Darnell said...

I just love seeing that classic candle adorning Christmas cards throughout Blogland this time of the year and I must say you have showcased them brilliantly with your cards, Carol! And I think your background using Loll's tutorial is perfectly fine; kudos to you!! Thank you so much for playing again in my NBUS Challenge and for using those options!! Hugs, Darnell

sandie said...

Carol, you need to believe more in your amazing talent! This background is fabulous and I love the pink is picked up in the candles x

Kylie said...

Wow, that candle stamp is gorgeous, isn't it?! And you've made it shine! The first card is so pretty and elegant. And the second card is so lovely with your beautiful background. I like it! No idea why you don't. :)

Shery Russ said...

I can see your MO now, Carol. You're pretty sly, but I think I know what you're trying to do here: get me to have bruises on my chin too! It's so amazing to see two cards using the same stamps and each be so breathtakingly gorgeous! You did more than well, my friend! The first card is so perfectly CAS and so divine -- coloring them with distress markers. As for the second card, it just speaks to my artsy loving heart! Seriously, you rock! You have no idea how fulfilling it is for me to see super-talented peeps like you put your magic and your own style onto the images I draw! Okay, I better attend to these bruises. I'm sure I'm going to have some more at the rate you're going!

Julie B said...

Two fab cards Carol, both different and brill in their own way. Love the soft shading to suggest candle light and what is wrong with the delicious w/c one?
Great work. :)

Anita in France said...

So lovely, Carol ... gorgeous colours and the candles are so beautifully showcased ... couldn't choose a fave between the two, it'd be tooooooo difficult! Hugs, Anita :)

Sue said...

Two beautiful cards, Carol. The candles image is gorgeous!

Lee-Anne said...

You are funny, Carol! I think you did a beautiful job of both...no glaring necessary :) The first one has such a beautiful glow the way you've colored it! And the second is such a gorgeous color combo!

Sue - said...

Two lovely cards - I love the blotchy background!

Unknown said...

Like???? LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! They are fantastic Carol. Fabulous colouring and blending. Beautiful xxxx

Unknown said...

I think your Distress Markers and you might be approaching a mutual acceptance here that is heading straight for love story. Super awesome christmas cards and super sweet coloring! I love the yellow halo you have the candles on the first card, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy … even though that could also be the totally unexpected 26 degrees celsius outside. Didn't see that coming, but it's kinda nice and it means that the grapes will remain out in the vineyards for a few more weeks, giving me the chance to … err, borrow some.

As for your second card: I love the splotchiness! When I attempt that technique, I usually end up with an undefined mess, but I want the same splotches as you got! Can I borrow some? I simply don't get it right. I usually end up coloring myself, the entire desk, and my cat (if in the vicinity), but the card either remains virginally white or completed messed up. See, here's a thing I less than excel at :)

Susanne Vargas said...

Both of your cards are so pretty! Love the glow of the candles on the first one and the background on the second one. Totally artsy!

Brenda said...

Oh Carol, you cracked me up! I love, love your coloring with Distress Markers and I've got to get me some of them. I think though I will buy marker by marker. lol I love how your coloring turned out because I had sworn at first glance that you watercolored this beauty. Love it!! Now I love your second card too, and even though you call the back ground blotchy, I call it beautiful! I know what you mean though because I don't think I could ever get a background to look like Loll can. She amazes me with everything too. But my friend, this card is amazing too and I just love it too! Big hugs, Brenda

Barb Ghig said...

Two really gorgeous cards, Carol! I love how you created the soft glow on the first one, and how you got really creative on the second one! So glad you just 'went for it'...I might even have to try this technique myself after seeing how amazing it looks here! Thanks so much for sharing both of them with us...you ROCK!!!

Marisa said...

Way to keep at those distressed markers!! Persistence will pay off :) Lovely Christmas cards.

Florence said...

Gorgeous cards! x

Rahmat said...

Wow Carol, two stunning cards, I love both , cannot pin down which one I like more!

Katie Ann Brooks said...

Love the clean lines on the first card and the more "messy" (but lovely!) Look of the second!

Kay Miller said...

Oh both are beautiful Carol! I love the background on the second one. Blotchy is good! You have colored the candles wonderfully and the sponging around the candles on the first one makes it look like it's all aglow! Lovely work on both of these! ((Hugs))

Geri said...

Two more beauties dear friend! I love the vibrant pink shade you have chosen for the candles! GOR-GEE-OUS shading on the first card and A-MAZ-ING background technique on the second card...which I love and do not think that it is at all "too blotchy". Nice touch with the three wee blinds in the corner!

Becca Cruger said...

Love the stamp set and your cards are gorgeous. Great job! Thank for sharing!

Unknown said...

Beautiful, just beautiful! :)

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Just wonderful what you always create with those STAMPlorations stamps!

Marina said...

Two great Christmas cards Carol - well done getting started!! I love the backgrounds on both of these - the top one is so subtly yet beautifully done, the card is perfect!

Thanks a lot for joining in with my Festive 48. Hope you can link up again next week. Marina http://myperfectlifeuk.blogspot.co.uk

Deborah Frings said...

I think both cards are super. Love the beautiful candles. I think the second is my favourite, I like the soft colours!

Monika Reeck said...

I look at your first card and feel really peace....Great using the stamplorations stamp lovely stamp that Sherri made right...I love her stamp too but too bad its not sell in germany I must order it in the USA...yeah...must be patient...lovely post my dear..hugs, Monika

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol. Both cards are so stunning. Love the serene and calm feel of your first one and the artsy look of your second one. Have a great week! hugs Monika xxx

Greta said...

I love these, Carol--gorgeous work!

Tracey McNeely said...

Pretty pretty candle stamps! Fabulous card!

JD/ Jill said...

Pretty cards!

Taunya Butler said...

Each one of these cards is just plain amazing!! Love the colors - your coloring looks so good!! Cool backgrounds for both of them and you just continually have me gasping over your beautiful and well-designed cards!! Thank you for being a friend!!

Shannon J said...

Well, these are drop dead gorgeous!! Wowza! The beautiful ambient glow you've created for the candle gives an air of peacefulness and serenity...just perfect for Christmas! And oh my I really, REALLY love the background of the second card. Love the juxta position of the traditional candle and the funky background. Just awesome!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fabulous use of the STAMPlorations images!! Thanks for joining in at STAMPLorations!