Create a Mixed Media Background for a Christmas Wreath Card:

 I made a mixed media background for this card that is interesting but not too distracting. If you have Distress Spray Stains, you know how fun it is to use them. 

I came up with the way to make this background during 2020, I had watched Tim Holtz show his technique called "Eroded Metallic". During Covid, I couldn't find the metallic Distress Paint he used, so I I used metallic Distress Spray Stain with Distress Resist Spray over it to resist the patina colored sprays I used over it.

I have a YouTube video link below to show you how I used the sprays to create the background. In the video I used a lot of different colors. It's not necessary to use so many. I would say the Tarnished Brass or Antiqued Bronze would be ideal, and then I'd used at least one blue and 1 green. I like the brown and the Rusty Hinge but I've done this technique without them and it still looks good.

I also used one Oxide Spray, Speckled Egg but this isn't a must. I just like the chalky look it provides.

Some people don't like the Distress Resist Spray. You have to spray it into a box or it could stick to whatever surface you spray it on, it's permanent, so don't get it on your table or glass mat. Also, you have to clean out the sprayer after using it or it clogs the sprayer. Watch Tim Holtz's video on how to clean out the sprayer. So if you don't like the spray I'd recommend using clear embossing powder, you'd just have to apply it so it sticks to some of the background. You could use an embossing pen or even spray a little water apply the embossing powder and quickly heat it before the water evaporates.

In my video I also show how to put together the Vault Rosette I use for the back of the wreath. It's pretty easy, I used gold wrapping paper from Michaels and glue. Gold cardstock didn't work, it was too thick. A good alternative would be gold scrapbook paper.

The diecuts are all cut from inked paper. I take Distress Mixed Media Paper and dip it into Distress Inks in various colors I have on hand. I applied some Distress Rock Candy with Glossy Accents in a few of the areas for shine. You could also used glitter or clear Stickles.

The sentiment is a Tim Holtz stamp, called Tiny Text Christmas. I stamped the entire set on black cardstock and white heat embossed it. Then I cut the pieces with a trimmer and always have a bunch of sentiments on hand.

Supplies: the supplies listed below have clickable links to take you to my affiliate stores. If you use my link to make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no charge to you! Thank you for using it, it helps me to provide new content.

                    Tim Holtz/Sizzix Vault Festive Wreath

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1r4  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1r9  [SSS]

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Vault Rosette

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1ri  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1rn  [SSS]

Tim Holtz Tiny Text Christmas Stamp Set

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4sv  [Simon Says Stamp]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4t4  [Scrapbookcom]

Distress Mixed Media Heavystock

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1sy  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p1sq  [SSS]

Distress Spray Stains

(I used Tarnished Brass, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Unchartered Mariner, Faded Jeans, Salvaged Patina, Rusty Hinge.)

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4s6  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4s7  [Simon Says Stamp]

Distress Oxide Spray (Speckled Egg)

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4s4  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4s3  [Simon Says Stamp]

Distress Resist Spray

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4sg  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4sf  [Simon Says Stamp]

Artis Glue

----  http://shrsl.com/4p4sa  [Scrapbookcom]

Click on the photo above to go to the COUPON section of Scrapbookcom. As of today, they have 10% off on some brands (including Sizzix and Ranger Ink) and some free gifts with purchase.

Thank you for looking! I can be found on 

Instagram @Susanbcards

Simon Says Stamp Delicate Blooms Embossing Folder Faux Copper Relief

 

I've done this technique before, Pearlescence Cardstock embossed. You can see the video HERE, using a different embossing folder and gold cardstock (same process but I didn't add any pastes over the top today).

I rubbed a Black Archival Ink Pad over the Simon Says Stamp Delicate Blooms embossing folder. There are so many good SSS STAMPtember embossing folders, see them HERE.

I used a piece of Neenah Pearlescent Cardstock in Copper. That's all I did to get this great effect. In the video I linked above, I also used some Lunar Paste over the top, this time I felt it looked perfect without it.

If you Google "Copper Relief" you'll see images very much like this one, but made from copper. Mine you can use on a card!

Supplies, with clickable links. Using my links gives me a small commission at no charge to you, I really appreciate those that have used my links. I purchased the embossing folder I used here.

Delicate Blooms Embossing Folder

----  http://shrsl.com/4oxtt  [SSS]

Neenah Pearlescent Copper Cardstock

  ----  https://tinyurl.com/yhwsksyh  [12x12 Cardstock Shop]

Black Archival Ink

---- http://shrsl.com/499bm [Scrapbookcom]

                    ---- http://shrsl.com/4oxst [Simon Says Stamp]

Thanks for looking! I can be found on 

Instagram @Susanbcards

Spellbinders Withered Verburnum

 

This lovely flower is called the "Withered Verburnum". I follwed Susan Tierney-Cockburn's YouTube tutorial for shaping the pieces and putting it together. She designs the dies for Spellbinders and the tutorial can be found under the Spellbinders YouTube channel. This flower is part of the Winter's Grace Collection and it can be found by clicking HERE.

The shaping is fairly easy, it's mostly a reverse tweezer and a small ball stylus. I use the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Shaping Kit but there's one specifically for Spellbinders which Susan Tierney-Cockburn uses in her video. Basically for the berries, after I colored them with Copic markers, I used the small ball stylus to round the bud from the back. When you flip it over, it gives a rounded look. I used a white gel pen to give a small dot highlight on each bud. For the leaves, I used the stylus to draw veining and around the edges of the leaves to give a bit of crinkly shape. I used the tweezers to round the edges of the leaves and pinch the leaves in the center lengthwise to keep it from sitting flat.

The background is from the same collection, the "Norwegian Rosemailing" 3D embossing folder. I embossed lightly misted white cardstock before embossing it.

Supplies with direct links:

Spellbinders Withered Verburnum

----  https://tinyurl.com/2xat7xsy  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ooz9  [Scrapbookcom]

Norwegian Rosemailing 3D embossing folder

----  https://tinyurl.com/3sbbw4za  [Spellbinders]

-----  http://shrsl.com/4oozi  [Scrapbookcom]

Spellbinders/Susan Tierney-Cockburn Tool Kit

----  https://tinyurl.com/2zsppcdf  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4oozn  [Scrapbookcom]

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Shaping Kit

----  https://shrsl.com/4oozr  [Scrapbookcom]

Click the images below to go to these stores:

Thank you for visiting!

Simple Cards! Rub-Ons, Patterned Paper and Diecuts

 

These cute cards were a breeze to make! I used patterned paper, rub-ons for the sentiments and leaves, and diecuts!

The rub-ons are from Scrapbookcom. I chose the cute "Hello Pumpkin" and added random leaves. The "Sweater Weather" sentiment included the pretty fall wreath around it, but I cut it apart so I could fit the wiener dog. He's a diecut, I cut him an additional time from a patterned paper scrap, trimmed it off to look like a sweater and glued him to my brown dog diecut. Just so he fit the theme.

The gray paper they sit on looks like cement. I took that from the same paper pad (linked below). Although this pad is Halloween themed, the backside of some of the papers can be used anytime.

The ghost dog is cut from a Spellbinders set called "Woof-or-Treat which has been very popular, it's sold out on the Spellbinders site, but I'll link it where you can find it. I cut him from black paper to look like my dog. I used him before, you can see him on my August 18 post, click HERE to see it. I can understand why this dog sold out!

The Hello Pumpkin sentiment is from the same rub-on set. The background paper is from the same Halloween pad. I used a Spellbinders arch die to cut the cement paper for this card. It does look a bit like a tombstone, but it's not.

That's all, so simple!

Products are linked below under SUPPLIES. Using my links to purchase will allow me to continue to provide content and share. This is done at no additional cost to you!

SUPPLIES:

Cozy Autumn Rub-Ons

----  http://shrsl.com/4ony2  [Scrapbookcom]

Willow Lane Paper Pad

----  http://shrsl.com/4ony5  [Scrapbookcom]

Mini Hello Dog Dieset

----  http://shrsl.com/4ony8  [Scrapbookcom]

Woof-Or-Treat Dieset (Sold out at Spellbinders and SSS)

----  http://shrsl.com/4onyb  [Scrapbookcom]

Make a Wish Arch Labels

----  http://shrsl.com/4onyf  [Scrapbookcom]

----  https://tinyurl.com/3ukydyde  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4onyj  [Simon Says Stamp]

My affiliate stores, click on the images to go to the stores:

MY LINK GOES TO COUPONS-FREEBIES AND DISCOUNTS ON SCRAPBOOKCOM!

Thanks for looking! I can be found on

 Instagram @Susanbcards

The Stampendous "Season of Wonder" Collection for Spellbinders

 

The Stampendous Season of Wonder Collection is small but stunning. You can see it by clicking HERE. The collection is 2 die sets and 2 stamp sets. I've made 2 cards so you can see what you can make with them. 

My nativity scene card is A2 size (4.25" x 5.5"). As you can see it fills the entire card, the black cardstock is black sparkle, hard to photograph. I didn't include a stamped sentiment. I think for this it would be nicer to stamp the sentiment inside. The image is so beautiful, it would be a shame to cover it at all. The stamps in the collection are nice, there are some religious ones included.

The window is a piece of alcohol ink on Yupo that was in my stash. I have a lot of backgrounds that are ready to go, I don't even remember how long ago I made it but it was convenient to have on hand. 

This card is using the "Peace Dove". There's a larger dove die that can be made into an ornament, in the set there is a die to cut a loop for a string, and a way to make the dove's wings dimensional. Both diecut sentiments Peace and To you and yours are included in this set. That makes an all in one dieset and a great value. 

The background is Spellbinder's cardstock, such beautiful paper, heavyweight and I love the deep dark navy. I used the Argyle Plaid 3D embossing folder, misting the paper which helped give a deep embossing. I added white highlights to the leaves and ornaments, it seemed a bit plain without it. I also put glossy accents on the ornaments for a bit of shine and dimension

These were very easy cards to make, you can make them as elaborate or simple as you like. Supplies are listed below, if you click my  links I receive a small commission for any purchases you make at no additional cost to you. It helps me provide content and I greatly appreciate it.

SUPPLIES

Christmas Morn Nativity Dieset

----  https://tinyurl.com/k8f4jy59  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohd3  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohda  [SSS]

Peace Dove Dieset

----  https://tinyurl.com/k8f4jy59  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohd3  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohda  [SSS]

Argyle Plaid Embossing Folder

----  https://tinyurl.com/9esfkt9y  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohd3  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohda  [SSS]

Indigo Cardstock

----  https://tinyurl.com/pmunzwyz  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohdj  [Scrapbookcom]

Christmas Blessings Stamp Set

====  https://tinyurl.com/9esfkt9y  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohd3  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohda  [SSS]

Seasons of Wonder Sentiments

----  https://tinyurl.com/9esfkt9y  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohd3  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ohda  [SSS]

Click the images below to go directly to these stores:

Thanks for looking! I can be found on Instagram @Susanbcards

Spellbinders "Not Your Ordinary Card Collection" by Wendy Vecchi

A whimsical set from Wendy Vecchi, called "Not Your Ordinary Card Collection" for Spellbinders, you can see the entire collection HERE.  The star of the show is this cute pocket envelope die that can be used any time of year, birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, just change the decorations.

I envelope cuts in one piece with 2 tabs at the side and bottom to glue to form the envelope. You can use it alone or adhere it to a card. It's super easy to put together.

I used the Halloween add-on set to decorate the envelope. There's lots of dies in this set and it has some stamps for the sentiments. I like that they include the dies to cut out the sentiments. I have a problem getting stamped sentiments straight, so cutting them out and attaching them is great for me. I had a bunch of glitter cardstock scraps and felt all these diecuts just needed special paper. I added a piece of black thread to the spiders so I could attach one that would fall out of the envelope when the card was pulled out. Just a bit of BOO.

The card was cut from the Pinking Edge Birthday add-on set, the card fits perfectly into the envelope. I used the plaid stencil from the collection and some Distress Oxide inks in shades of purple.

That's it for today! Supplies are listed below with my clickable links. Using these links to make a purchase help me continue providing content.

 SUPPLIES: The entire collection can be found by clicking HERE.

                                        Essential Envelope Die Set

----  https://tinyurl.com/bdhrfhns  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofp9  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpb  [SSS]

Halloween Add On Stamps and Dies

----  https://tinyurl.com/p7jcz56w  {Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpp  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpl   [SSS]

Plaid Builder Stencils

----  https://tinyurl.com/muh7pd4p  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpt  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpv  [SSS]

Pinking Edge Birthday Add-On

---- https://tinyurl.com/bd6hfmsw  [Spellbinders]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofpz  [Scrapbookcom]

----  http://shrsl.com/4ofq2  [SSS]

Click on the images below to go to these stores:

Thank you for looking! I can be found on 

Instagram @Susanbcards