CARDINALS IN A WINTER TREE

The Snow Front stamp set, on page 45 of the Holiday Catalog, is perfect when you are looking to portray a typical wintry scene -- at least, where there's snow! It is a set that allows you to be as minimal or as maximal (?) as you wish to be. I love that versatility in a set.

For a card my girls made at the November Stamp-In, I definitely went with the minimalist look. Simple but effective.

A closeup of the stamped portion of the card:

Another cool thing about this card is that it is just one layer. And even though it is almost square and an odd size, 4 1/4" x 4 1/2", it still fits within a standard A2 envelope, both features that make it easy to mail.

I do wish I hadn't had my Christmas cards already made when I designed this card. Because this is an example of a card that would be easy enough to make in a quantity. 

The fact that you never know what your sky will look like on each of the cards is another reason I love to do this technique. Each one is unique. You'd never be able to duplicate it exactly.

Following is a quick and easy tutorial on how to make this type of card.

SUPPLIES:

Whisper White cardstock

Pool Party cardstock

Snow Front (page 45, Holiday Catalog)

Retired "Peace" or any small-sized stamp you may have

Pool Party ink

Real Red ink

Early Espresso ink

Clear Block D

Water Spritzer

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fold a piece of Pool Party cardstock that measures 4 1/4" x 9" in half, creasing it well with a bone folder.

You will be doing the rest of the work on a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 4" x 4 1/4".

Use a 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" clear block (Clear Block D) for the next step.

Bringing the Pool Party ink pad directly to the clear block, stamp on the block until it is covered with ink. Spritz the inked block with enough water so there are bubbles of water over the entire block. Turning the block with the ink towards the paper, stamp the color block in about center. Lift the block straight up. If there are pools of ink anywhere, dab them with a corner of paper towel.

Dry the piece with the Heat Tool so you can move on to the next step. It needs to be completely dry at this point.

Stamp the winter tree in Early Espresso ink so the top and bottom of the tree extend past the inked area.

Add cardinals to the tree branches as desired in Real Red ink.

Add a little mound of snow beneath the tree in Pool Party ink.

Stamp "peace" or any other small sentiment you may have on hand in the white space created by the snow.

Adhere to the card base.

Snowy

Smiles.