Recently I shared a post for a project that I did with the South Burlington stamp club featuring the cool background technique using the Stampin’ Blends. I really love the different looks that you can create with this technique and I really wanted to do another project using it. I’ve been envisioning doing a Christmas card with the technique since I first experimented and I finally got around to doing it. I was originally planning on making a batch of these cards, but decided to have this be one-of-a-kind. The artistic background doesn’t take too long to create, but it does need to sit for a bit to dry, and you don’t want to shift it around while it’s still wet. I hadn’t set up the space where I was creating to do this effectively hence my decision to stick with just one of these. I have some ideas to create another card in the future and I’ll be sure to think ahead to allow me to make multiple. I love the look from these backgrounds, and I’m sure that my friends and family members would really enjoy getting one with this element.

This current sketch challenge was the inspiration for my card design. I immediately thought of creating the Stampin’ Blends’ background for the light gray layer on this design. I did add a couple of extra elements – the tree diecut and ribbon, and I moved the sentiment lower so that a more contiguous view of the pretty background would show.

I also wanted to emboss the main background layer to add some texture to the card. I love the Timeworn Type 3D folder for some subtle extra goodness on the card. This folder is great for a rustic or grungy look to any project, for any season or purpose. I definitely encourage you to check it out in the July – December mini catalog on page 55.

Poinsettia Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [158251] $27.00	Simply Elegant Trim [155766] $7.50	Metallic Pearls [146282] $7.00	Timeworn Type 3 D Embossing Folder [156505] $10.00
Majestic Mountain Dies [151608] $36.00	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820] $35.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154892] $9.00
Evening Evergreen Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [155517] $9.00	Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154903] $9.00	Evening Evergreen 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155574] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75
Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119685] $8.75	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856] $10.00	Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981] $8.75	Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad [155576] $7.50