PaperArtsy: 2020 Topic 22 Icy Cards with XHP (by Claire Snowdon)

2020 Topic 22: Icy Christmas

Creating unexpected and uncontrolled results is one of the joys of creating art. Claire has whipped up some modern and cool Christmas greetings which would be a great template if you need some creating in a flash. Using Infusions creates wonderful results that are a great contrast to the stamped images.
~ Keren.

Hi everyone, it's Claire Snowdon back with you again today. I'd like to share some quick and easy Christmas cards - perfect for this time of year!

This is a quick and easy technique however each card will be completely unique - which is why I love it so much...if you like to have total control over your projects this one might not be for you!

I started by creating a watercolour look on a series of squares of PaperArtsy Smoothy card. I did this by wetting the card with a spray bottle then adding slightly watered down Fresco Finish paint in three colours - Aqua Duck Egg, Azure and Cerulean.

After thoroughly drying the paint I added two colours of Paperartsy Infusions - Violet Storms and Sleight Blue. I liberally sprayed with water, drying with paper towel and heat gun until I was happy with the look.

Next I added the images from HPXM08 to all the pieces of cards using VersaMark and Wow white embossing powder. I added the images over the darkest areas in the background so the white would really pop.

I then stamped the sentiments onto each card using Versafine Clair black ink. These are all from the same stamp set HPXM08.

I matted all the toppers onto (very!) shiny silver mirror card; I think this gives them a really modern Christmas vibe. Then I added them to the square card blanks.

I added a variety of different colours and sizes of sparkly gems and liquid pearls to the cards as a final, festive finishing touch!

I made each of my cards in a different design, but of course if you have a lot to make this can be a quick technique once you have all your base colours down and dried to just add the same stamping to each card.

I really love how the colours in the background have turned out, it's a modern Christmas colour scheme but the Infusions have given it a depth and a little bit of a different twist on modern Christmas.