2017 #19 Fave Things: Easy Tags and Xmas Cards with I&D {by Autumn Clark}

2017 Topic 19: My Favourite Things

I'm about a month behind Christmas this year, so I need to learn from this post! Autumn has some quick and easy last minute card ideas - what a life saver!! Shhh 10 days!! WHAT!!!

Hi friends!  Autumn Clark with you today to share some last minute greeting cards and gift tags inspiration featuring my favorite thing, stamped backgrounds.  The PaperArtsy Ink & the Dog Collection: Noel is right up my grungy alley, with timeless icons and sentiments.

With less than ten days until Christmas, many of us will find the need to hand deliver a few cards that didn’t quite make it in the post.  Take a couple of hours to unwind and get inky, with these simple techniques in mind…

The process for each card is basically the same.  Tap your Distress Inks onto your kraft mat and spritz with water, then dip your panels into the wet ink.  Let the colors pool and spritz with more water if needed to help blend.  Dry before dipping into another color.  Use your sponge tool to sponge color where needed.  A good flick of water onto the panels and dabbed off with a cloth produce great variations.  Here I used a background stamp from PaperArtsy Ink & the Dog Collection: Noel Plate 4 and the largest image as my focal element, with simple layered cardstock to create “Santa’s belt.”

Ink and the Dog: Noel Plate 4 (N4)

Embossing becomes one’s new best friend when making backgrounds.  A simple 'bundles string' compliments the silver powder.  Sponging allows you to add multiple colors without muddying your color.  Repeating images is a great trick.

I was inspired to create an assortment of colors representative of a traditional Christmas.  The stamps certainly lend themselves to the desired effect.  This regal, more masculine design features a favorite sentiment and background (which can be used all year long, needless to say) from PaperArtsy Ink & the Dog Collection: Noel Plate 3.

Ink and the Dog: Noel Plate 3 (N3)

The more I worked, the merrier my designs became.  I broke out the tinsel embossing powder and did a trio of colored baubles with PaperArtsy Ink & the Dog Collection: Noel Plate 6, using the same background stamp from Plate 4.  I added some punched greenery and flecks of Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Snowflake). 

Ink and the Dog: Noel Plate 6 (N6)

It was just as simple to make a few gift tags to coordinate with my cards.  I think these will easily hang over a bag handle or bottle top.  There are so many ways to mix and match these beautiful stamp sets.  Perhaps you’re inspired to play with the images in a different color palette?  Our current topic, Favorite Things gives you just the opportunity!  Thanks so much for your visit today, Autumn

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These are my go-to stamps for quick cards at Christmas too!! I have used them year after year for tags, cards and wrapping paper! Lovely to see your take on them!Awesome as ever! Have a lovely Christmas Autumn! Thankyou ~ Leandra

As this is the final topic of the year, there is not a challenge as we know you are all super busy, so sit back, enjoy and be inspired.

Season's Greetings and best wishes to you all from all of us here at PaperArtsy