Saturday 10 February 2018

Merry Monday Challenge

I'm playing along with Merry Monday's Christmas Challenge #276 with this inspiration photo.


I've chosen the window as the focus of the card using a stamp and die cut from Local king, this is such a great stamp but unfortunately it's now on the retired list and no longer available 😞

I stamped the window on Watercolour paper in distress inks, watercoloured and re-stamped to sharpen up the detail.  The die cuts out the window opening and the glass pieces giving you an option of opening the window.  I also watercoloured the inside of the window frame because the window can be opened.

The background scene is a Deep Red (winter pines) stamp on watercolour paper.  I stamped the pines in distress inks, and blended with some water.  To add the detail again, I used my mini Archival inks.  I've suddenly discovered them with watercolouring for adding a little detail as they don't react with water.  I watercoloured  and blended some clouds in the sky then sprinkled some chunky white Frantage for the snow.  The sentiment is from Paper Smooches, I love the quirky lettering in this set.


I'm so sad they are retiring this window set, it really is versatile.







Card Recipe
Stamps: Local King, Deep Red, Paper Smooches
Paper: 110lb white, Watercolour
Ink: Ranger Distress inks, Ranger Archival inks
Accessories: MISTI, matching die for window stamp
Techniques: Watercolouring

15 comments:

MaryH said...

That is a shame the set is retiring. You've certainly used it so well in this pretty card. Love the snowy fir trees against the blue sky and truly this is 'windows to the winter world' in this beautiful card. Love how the wooden window frame is aged with the coloration. TFS

Colleen said...

LOVE LOVE your card and that window frame...such a delightful picture you have created with it! Thank you for joining us at Merry Monday!

Trina P. said...

Gorgeous card, Christine, Fabulous watercoloring. Such a cool stamp and die bundle set... too bad it is retired. Love this card!

nancy littrell said...

Your watercoloured window frame is so realistic and beautiful, Christine. How fun to be able to open the window to look out at the fir trees and falling snow. I love the funky font for the sentiment too. TFS my friend. So glad you got the set before it retired. Hugs...

Nstiz said...

OH ny gosh you have mastered weathered wood in watercolor! Never saw this done before and done so well. LOVE the sky- nothing like a dramatic winter sky and here we see a lot of those. Your artistry is amazing! Note- there is always ebay to get retired sets.

Darnell said...

Stunning, Christine! Such a beautiful and realistic window and scene in every way! Hugs, Darnell

Loll said...

WOW ... what a cool die! And you have made the most of it, Christine. LOVE your watercoloured woodgrain window frame, and the sweet snowy scene outside. Gorgeous! xx

Susan said...

Glad I got to see this in real life as it is even lovelier than in the photo. Great take on the inspiration photo and so well done!

BożenA said...

WOW !! Christine, this card is so unusual that for a long time I sat in silence admiring the card. And then I ran to my husband with a computer to share this beauty. I love this card is so amazing, so realistic ... It's hard to capture in words how great impression made on me this card !!! It's one of those cards that you will never forget.
Hugs,
BożenA

Marcia Hill said...

WOW...this is CAS perfection Christine! Absolutely LOVE everything about this lovely little scene you created and the opened windows are FABULOUS! Lovely, lovely card!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday!! :0)

Mac Mable said...

Ohhh so clever and so unique and what a fabulous effect and gorgeous little scene x

Kim Heggins said...

Wow...this is one stunning card. Love your window and that is opens, simply genius! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday!

Bonnie said...

What a wonderful window! I love that it opens and the sweet scene you've painted! A very special card and the winner!

Trina P. said...

Congrats on getting HM at MM.

Papercraft Boutique said...

Beautiful wooden window frame and outside snowy scene, Christine!
I love the combination of the realistic watercoloring image and the quirky & cheerful font of the sentiment.
Congratulations on being selected as Honorable Mentions!
Hideko :-)