OLS29 Christmas in July
Posted: July 1, 2016 Filed under: CAS, One-Layer Simplicity challenge, Spread Cheer | Tags: Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolour pencils, Penny Black stamps, Speedball elegant writer, Tsukineko Memento inks, Tsukineko Versafine inks 18 Comments
I am hosting the One Layer Simplicity Challenge this month and the theme is ‘Christmas in July’. I know some of you make Christmas cards all year but I usually start around now and keep going until December! If you haven’t even thought about Christmas cards then perhaps this challenge will be a motivator. Perhaps you want to enjoy the summer sun and not think about December at all – that is totally fine too!
To make this one layer card I tore a piece of painter’s tape lengthwise into two strips and positioned them on my watercolour paper card base. I painted some blue along the torn tape edge and faded it to white. Keeping the tape in place I stamped a few trees in Memento Northern Pine ink and added a few dabs of black elegant writer pen. After stamping I painted over the tree to blend the ink. Northern Pine separates into brown and green when diluted which gives the foliage some variety in colour.
I’ve been reading a book called ‘The Non-Designer’s Design Book’ which has made me think about layout in terms of alignment, repetition, contrast and proximity. The book is concerned mainly with text documents like business cards, menus, ads, etc but the principles are relevant to art layout too. I found myself trying to apply what I’ve learnt when working out where my sentiment would go.
Supplies:
Stamps: Spread Cheer(PB)
Inks: Northern Pine Memento ink, Versafine Olympia green (Imagine Craft/Tsukineko)
Pencils & Pens: blue watercolour pencil (Faber Castell), elegant writer pen (Speedball)
Cardstock: Canson Moulin du Roy 100% cotton hot pressed watercolour paper
Heather Telford 
LOVE it Heather – you’ve got my snow drift mojo kicking in now…. 🙂 🙂
Love this and even more when each time I look I can see details I missed first time of looking 🙂
Thanks for the idea and info on how you are learning about positioning etc.
That really is lovely, clean and simple and very well done. Love the color variations you got in the trees.
I live the simplicity, tranquility and colors. Thanks again.
Oops! I wish I did live that simple life… Make that I love your card. 😊
I always love Christmas cards, especiellay yours! I love that one!!!
Such a peaceful card card. That book must have some good tips because I find your design to be eye-catching and simply pleasant to look at. Thanks for details on how you made it and for the tip on the book!
So pretty! I’m one of those people who is making Christmas cards all year long. Looks like I’m keeping up nicely this year, but I still have many more cards to make, so I’m hoping to play along this month.
Love your card, love Christmas cards. I am really surprised the stamp companies do not release Christmas stamps earlier. Some wait till Aug and Sept then if they run out to hard to get in time for holiday card making. Hopefully they read that u like to make them throughout the year.
I used to make Christmas cards in the summer… but now I find it very difficult! This is perfect, as it doesn’t yell Christmas, just a beautiful winter scene.
P.S. I borrowed The Non-Designer’s Design Book from the library, and was impressed enough that I bought my own. Some really great advice; particularly, I thought, about font use.
Love it, and your tips. Wish I could dash out and make a snow angel in July. Well, for a minute or two. Love that snow effect.
Gorgeous, love the way the trees turned out
Simple and very pretty Heather, I just adore the design. x
Awesome card!
Gorgeous technique and effect on this one layer card. Didn’t realise some of the colours separate a little so will be trying this out and see which ones do that. Thank you for the inspiration x
Just saw this on Pinterest and love it! Would so make a great Christmas card… wondering about painting without the stamping…
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