Thursday, December 2, 2010

Hero Arts color challenge and a share of my Christmas decorations

The monthly challenge at the Hero Arts Blog is to use these colors: kraft, cranberry, slate blue, pine, and snow - all great Christmas colors.  We can also make something that has lots of shine.  I tried to combine both of these criteria in my submission:

You can click on any picture for a better view.  I started with white cardstock, and stamped one of the flourish borders in stormy sky distress ink, then sponged on more of the same to make the sky. This was overstamped with the trees. Then I paper-pieced each of the houses, adding glitter to each roof with a glue pen and prisma glitter. The fence was punched out of kraft cardstock, and I added Crystal Stickles along the top and dipped that in glitter for more sparkle. Then I cut it apart to make my fence openings, lined it back up, glued it down and then added more crystal stickles along the bottom. To finish I used Shari's idea of adding stickles throughout the sky to simulate glittery snow. It really adds a lovely dimension!

Here's a little closer look. 


Supplies:  white, cranberry, pine, slate blue, and kraft cardstocks, Hero Arts CL464 Sending Holiday Cheer, LP107 Flourish Borders, Versafine onyx black, stormy sky and pine needles distress, and Adirondack cranberry inks, Prismacolor pencils, Martha Stewart picket fence punch, Crystal Stickles, glue pen and Prisma Glitter

I thought I'd also show you our Christmas decorations.  This is the outside of our house at this time of year:

                          

And inside, each window has a candle.  The nativity scene here is made of parchment paper, an old art called scherenschnitte.  It is cut with very tiny scissors.


And another closer look.  I did this years and years ago and put it up every year.  Amazingly enough, it has held up very well.


I hope to share more pictures as the house is decorated.  The tree is up, with lights and wood cranberry roping, and now it's my job to add all the decorations.  That will be my next share!  Thanks so much for sticking with me throughout this long post!

11 comments:

cheryl said...

oh this is one beautiful card you have created wow its so full of beautiful detail just love it hugs cheryl xxxxx

Nancy said...

First of all your card is too wonderful for words, just wow! And your house is exactly what I would picture for you; traditional, charming and neat as a pin! I love your decorations; the old ones made with love are always the most special!
blessings to you!

Wanda G (stampcat) said...

OMG Lin! I just bought that stamp set! You are so inspiring...and I think we have the exact same taste in stamps. I love the tiny little fence and the snow. It's an awesome card!! Your home is pretty too...looks peaceful. Have a great day bloggy friend!

mimijudy1975 said...

I love how you made your little houses to look like a neighborhood. It's such a sweet scene the way each one glitters with "snow".
I love the pictures of your home and beautiful nativity scene you created using the intricate technique of scherenschnitte. It is just beautiful.

Virginia L. said...

BEAUTIFUL card and house! No wonder you can create such a masterpiece...because your house looks just like the one in the card! Love how your house is decorated :)

Sue McRae said...

Your little winter scene is so charming, just as charming as your house! And your nativity scene looks amazing in the window!

Barb said...

Lin, that card is amazing! Love the sky and trees! The houses are so full of sparkly goodness! Love it! And I'm so glad you're sharing photos of your house all decorated! Looking forward to seeing your tree!

Alice said...

love the sweet now scene on your card and the fence is such a wonderful touch. fabulous card, Lin! and wow! the paper nativity scene is amazing! so pretty and it gives a peaceful feel. thanks for sharing!

Arlene said...

Talented lady! Love the card and your household decorations. Elegant.

Suzanne C said...

WOW! That is a gorgeous neighborhood you created on the card. Fabulous. Love that you shared your windows and house. Beautiful decorations.

judkajudi said...

Awesome card, Lin. Love your pretty home, too. Looks like a good place to have a hot chocolate and share stories with good friends. Hugs.