Oh So Jolly!!

My mom bought a new stamp set, "Jolliest Time of the Year". She's letting me borrow it so I can make some samples. This is the first card I made with this set. Anyone who "knows" me on this blog knows that adore watercoloring. This set is PERFECT for watercoloring. I used a variety of watercoloring methods on this card. The red on Santa's jacket, pants and hat are colored with my aquapainter and reinkers. His face and buckle are watercolored using my aquapainter and SU markers. The black is all watercolored with my aquapainter (see a trend here?) and my watercolor crayons.

This card is intended to hold a family photo in the center panel. I really like to design a photo card each year. I love getting Christmas cards with updated pictures. I save all the old ones to see how the kids have grown over the years.

The inspiration for the card's design was from Santa's belt. The black band represents his belt and it "buckles" under the focal image.

Anyhow, the base card is Real Red. I did use my Christmas Chatter wheel with Real Red ink (which should've been reinked before I rolled because you can hardly see it). The 1 1/2" strip of Basic Black is sponged with Whisper White craft ink to soften the edges. I added some white gel pen doodled linework for added visual interest.

How I colored Santa is mentioned above, but I didn't mention that he was colored on watercolor paper. That step is very important!!!! I used my Corner Rounder punch on each of the corners of the focal image and also on the Summer Sun buckle piece. I formed the buckle by using my Word Window punch to make a slot for the belt to hook in to.

I did use something non-Stampin' Up! SU used to carry Liquid Applique a few years ago. I wish they would bring it back because it really "made" this card. I know you can still purchase it at your local craft store though.

The sentiment comes from the "Many Merry Messages" stamp set. I embossed it with my Gold embossing powder.

I think I babbled long enough about this card.......I hope you like it!!!

Happy Stamping everyone!!!