2018 #22 C&S Christmas: A very happy Christmas with ESN {by Nikki Acton}

 2018 Topic 22: Clean and Simple Christmas Ideas

As we are working through this topic it has struck me how many of our mixed media designers have struggled to strip back what they do most naturally - layers and layers of paint...down to a couple of colours of ink, and allowing more white space. Nikki has executed the brief perfectly, and in the process she also realises how one stamp set can stretch to many different cards so beautifully! Love how she shows different colourways too! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Nikki from Addicted to Art with you today. I'd like to share with you a few cards I have made using one of Sara Naumann's 2018 stamp releases.

I love all the elements of this stamp set inspiring lots of different designs. I run a local card making class and one of the ladies there was equally taken with this set, commenting 'I didn't realise there were so many things you can do with one stamp set'.

The topic this time is Clean and Simple - not my natural style, and for some I am sure these cards aren't quite clean and simple enough. But there is still some white card I haven't covered with ink or paint, so I am going with it!

Sometimes I like to cut stamps (scary!) - I have done this for the long greeting on this set (ESN29) to allow me to use it in a smaller space.

On the 4x4 inch cards above I added some stencilling in the background using PS018 - perfect for Christmas.

The Christmas song lyrics work well for the background too. This card is a little bigger but the design similar.

I loved using the '25 December' raised with foam pads as a feature on these cards.

Finally a slightly different design using some of the other stamps in the set - and I can see myself using some these stamps all year round. The background here uses Sara's stencil - PS092.

The big day is nearly upon us, so I wish you a very Happy Christmas! If you need some last minute cards, I hope these have inspired you. 

Nikki

Blog: Addicted to Art
Instagram: @A2Acardscraft
Pinterest: nikacton

There will be no challenge for this topic as we know you are super busy in the lead up to Christmas! So kick back and enjoy the inspiration from our designers instead!