Less Is More: Clean And Simple Christmas Cards

I have a video for you today to show you how I created 3 clean and simple (CAS) one layer Christmas cards using the same basic layout for all 3, but each uses a different coloring medium.

I am participating in this week’s Less Is More Challenge which is Old Holiday.  They are also having a design team call so I’ve decided to add my name to the list for that as well.

I feel like I’ve been on journey of self-discovery for the last year since leaving Stampin’ Up!  I’ve discovered new stamp companies, new coloring mediums and new affiliations and communities.  I have been loving every minute of it.  Throwing myself into learning new things has been one of the most relaxing endeavors that I’ve ever had.  I find myself immersed in discovering new talents and skills while I find my own style for each.

If you are a long time blog reader of mine, you know that I’ve been taking a lot of classes this past year.  I have enjoyed all of them, but I definitely have had some favorites.

I took a One Layer card class a while back and I loved it.  I got so many ideas from that class and it made me realize how much I can really do with just paper, ink and stamps.  It is like a back to basics trip with a lot more skills in my back pocket.  I’m not afraid of white space and I do way more shading to create dimension in my cards now.  (Hence all the fussing when I colored the bear!)

I also took a Boutique Card class that I enjoyed quite a bit.  That class also focused on single layer cards that we added details to. I used one of those details in this set of cards.  The hand drawn line to frame my images is one of those details.  It isn’t specifically about framing, the instructor pointed out that hand drawing with a liner pen, writing the sentiment with a liner pen, or even adding details to images with that same liner pen is a detail you see on cards you find in boutiques.  I actually browsed the boutiques in town after taking the class and discovered that was very true. The cards were all a very simple colored image, a short sentiment and some hand drawn artsy detail like the imperfect lines I’ve used to frame in the cards.  All of the cards had a lot of white space.

I also have taken a number of classes in the use of various coloring mediums.  I’ve been practicing my watercoloring and Copic coloring and find it really relaxing.

The first card that I’m sharing uses a fun stamp set from Sunny Studio Stamps called Holiday Style.

Don’t you just love how that bell looks metallic?  It is simply a 3 layered stamp set in various shades of gray with some white gel pen highlights.

The inks are all from Altenew and their November release.  That is my new favorite Pine Mountain green ink.  That is the perfect pine bough color!  The grays are all from the same release.  Altenew release 16 inks: 4 sets of 4 shades of gray, green, chocolate and purples.  I’m in love.

Sunny Studio actually released this stamp set last year with the coordinating die and I admired it for months before I finally bought it over the summer.  That bell…it was irresistible to me!  It just looks so real and dimensional.  The stamp set is so fabulous, all I had to do was line it up.  Plus, isn’t that sentiment wonderful?

My next card is also from Sunny Studio and it is called Mug Hugs.

This set was also released last year, but I love it.  Old Holiday to  me includes lots of snow and riding sleds on the fields behind the house.  After sled riding or ice skating came hot chocolate and toast.  Mom made homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows.  It was truly a cup of cheer.

This card uses a watercolor technique to give the mug an old feel.  I used the chocolate inks from the Altenew release for this card.  I’ve also used Brutus Monroe’s Christmas Eve glitter embossing powder that is so pretty close up.  It’s sparkles.  That is all I need to say about that!

The last card uses a Gerda Steiner Designs stamp that I couldn’t resist adding to my collection on CyberMonday.

I used my Copics for this.  I’m embracing the imperfections on this one!  Honestly, I’ve come a long way with my Copic coloring in the last year.  I’m getting braver with the darker shades.  Now if I could only leave some white space for highlights!  I’m working on it!

The stamp set is called Warm Fuzzies.  I was actually browsing the site for some digi stamps to add to my very small collection that I could practice coloring.  Needless to say, I got distracted by the fabulous stamp sets and the 30% off coupon code.

What can I say?  I’m a sucker for a good deal!

Here is the challenge and DT call that I am participating in:

 

I have a  video that I created to share with you that includes the details for making the cards:

 

 

Supply List:

Are you interested in the products I used?  To make them easier for you to find, I have linked them below. (Affiliate disclosure ) Your purchases help keep my blog running at no additional cost to you and I thank you for the support!

 

I am absolutely delighted that you stopped by today!  I hope you feel inspired to get creative today or to just do something that you find relaxing even just for 15 or 20 minutes.  Take care of yourself during this busy holiday season!

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