I'm gettin' NO DP for Christmas.... (JB18)

Hey there! I hope you are having a good Saturday, I am busy BUSY this weekend, so I figured I'd get this done first thing, so I didn't run out of time. This is for the challenge at Jingle Belles this week, which is to use NO DP (designer paper)/patterned paper on your project! **GASP** This is a tough one for me, I always use patterned paper! Also, I realized after my card was done, I didn't use any punches either, that is a total departure from the norm for me, lol!

So, I made a light blue card base and a red mat and I dry embossed an olive piece of cardstock for the main panel. I did use my trick where I brayered ink on the embossing folder to give it that extra richness and dimension. I really like that look, and it's such an easy technique.

Close up on the flower.

The blue panel was made using a layered stamping technique that I LOVE. Sometimes you will see this technique called a "Joseph's Coat" technique and it's a wonderful technique to use if you want a patterned paper look, but don't have the right color DP, etc. So, in this case I took a white rectangle of cardstock, and I stamped it all over with the "be merry" sentiment in olive ink.

Then (and this step is IMPORTANT with this technique!) I rubbed my Embossing Buddy/ static bag all over the white stamped piece. If you do not have an Embossing Buddy, or static bag, or if you do not have ANY clue what gibberish I'm talkin' here, sprinkle some cornstarch or baby powder on the cardstock and make sure it covers the whole piece. then just tap it off, like you would glitter or flocking powder. (As a side note, if you have a sewing machine, you could make your own Embossing Buddy/Embossing Magic/static bag by using a loose weave fabric and filling it with cornstarch, and closing it up like a teeny pillow, voila!)

ANYWAY, I digress, back to the technique! Then stamp the tree down in Versamark or other clear ink. Heat emboss it with clear powder. So, you now have a CLEAR tree on top of a stamped panel that is still white. Ink a brayer up with light blue ink. Roll the brayer all over the white, and after you roll over the tree a few times, you'll start to see it resist the blue. When you have saturated the card to your desired shade of blue with the brayer, take a tissue and wipe the tree off, just any ink that might still be on there from the brayer. And that's a great resist technique you should try at home!

For embellishments, I used some ribbon that matched along the top, and I made a layered poinsettia with some stamps from the same set. I stamped a red solid poinsettia on red cardstock and cut it out. Then I stamped a dotted poinsettia on clear acetate in a brown StazOn ink and cut that out. I adhered them together and added a gem on top. And that's my card, have a super weekend! -Noelle

PS: Still trying to reach my goal of 60 followers by my blog anniversary in May. I'm only 4 shy, so if you like my work, I'd LOVE it if you joined me! Thanks.

Supply list: stamps: Inkadinkadoo; solid cardstock and ribbon in Real Red, Old Olive, and Bashful Blue:SU!; inkpads in same colors: SU!; red gem: Martha Stewart Crafts; embossing bag; Versamark inkpad; StazOn inkpad in brown; embossing folder: Cuttlebug; rubber brayer  

DUST IT OFF!: Embossing folders work even cooler with some ink brayered on :) Try making a card with no DP, you might be surprised with how cute it turns out!