Thursday, December 2, 2010

Jolly Holly!

Happy Friday!

I've been playing around with my blog header. Love this one with the falling snow, but may change it again before Christmas.

I've also been playing around with the Hero Arts Classic Holly stamp. I love it because there are so many different ways to use it! This first card was done in all silver and white. I found the ribbon wrapped around some ornaments that came in with an order for the floral department where I work. I was not going to let it get thrown away!



On the next card, I stamped the holly on a piece of vellum and colored the image with markers. The card base is Hero Hues and is stamped with the Graph Background, using Fired Brick distress ink. I added some Xmas Red Stickles for the berries and also added some red gems here and there. The little green trees are metal accents from The Paper Company with some tiny gems added. I noticed after taking a photo of the card that a gem has fallen off the tree on the left. Why is it that I don't see those things until AFTER everything is uploaded and posted?! :)




I have one last card, using the holly stamp. I used another Hero Hues note card, stamped the holly with VersaMark and white embossed. I gave each leaf some shading with a dark green marker and dotted the berries with a red one. Then I overstamped the Friend Definition using Peeled Paint distress ink, leaving the area clean where the holly is. The red ribbon is also Hero Hues with some added little green gems.



There is some shine on each card, from embossing, to gems to shiny ribbon, so I'll be entering these into this month's Hero Arts challenge.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm hoping to share some photos of the store where I work soon. It's all decorated for the holidays with lots of fun stuff so stay tuned! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, filled with lots of creative time! :)

25 comments:

Anita Rex said...

Love all the different cards with the same stamp! Such great styles! :>

Lin said...

Your cards are wonderful! I know this Holly stamp is going to be a staple for me each Christmas. And I love your new blog header and the blue lusciousness! I'm with you, I like to change things up every now and again!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Beautiful Barb! Love the 1st one. It's so classy! Can't wait to see your photos of the store.

Sue McRae said...

The silver card is so elegant Barb and love the holly embossed in white, it's so striking on the green card!

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Barb, all of them are gorgeous. I love how shimmery & pretty the silver one.

Caryl @ cinnamon holiday workshop said...

Oh Barb...I love that header....and your cards are WOW..WOW...WOW!!! I love how you used the same stamp to get total different effects...you are so talented!!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Good Morning Barb
You are doing far better than me at the moment with your cards, I just love the silver and white card it is so classic, the music background looks wonderful with the holly stamp, I think you have combined the two stamps so well. I also like your White embossed card too, you have given me a few ideas thank you, I am looking forward to the photos of the shop Barb.
Smiles :)

Sanne said...

You did magic with that beautiful Holly stamp - gorgeous cards!

Love your new header - so cute!

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful cards! Love the silver one it is just so elegant! Love that holly stamp. You might have enabled me into putting it on the list. :)
Love your new blog header! Way too cute!

Rosemary said...

pretty cards, barb! the silver one is so elegant!

Dawn T said...

Love them all... but my favourite is the last one Barb. I wish I had bought this stamp now I've seen all your wonderful cards.

donna mikasa said...

Oh, Barb! Love the different looks from the same stamp! The silver is so elegant, the second card is so cheery, and the third card--genius! Have a wonderful weekend!

alexandra s.m. said...

I'm always amazed to see how much you excel in so many various styles!
This post is the perfect example!

ivy said...

wow, you demonstrated how versatile this holly stamp is! love the one embossed in silver! and glad to hear you rescued that silver ribbon! i do the same all the time too!

Jacqueline said...

I so wish I had ordered that holly stamp - have seen it used so many times in so many different ways - how versatile it is!! Beautiful cards Barb - that silver decorated card just shows the beauty of this stamp!!

Joy said...

Just love your beautiful Holly cards Barb, they are all so gorgeous and so Christmassy, hugs my sweet friend.

Barbara said...

Your blog header is so cute. Just had to comment! Love your holly cards! They show how one stamp can be used in so many great ways!!!

Nancy said...

I love your new blog header...I bet it's a pretty close representation of your snowy landscape!
I am loving all the gorgeous cards you are making with the Holly stamp, each one is so unique and so perfectly designed! Really wonderful inspiration, Barb, thanks for sharing your amazing talent!
blessings to you!

Michelle said...

Hi Barb! Love the new header on your blog! I also love what you have done with that holly stamp! All your cards are so beautiful!

Monika Reeck said...

3 different colors and 3 different lovely card Barb, love all your design...how are u ...miss you...hugs..

Karina Beck said...

So beautiful work with the Holly stamp!!!!

Deirdre said...

Barb, adore your cards - love them all.

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Barb, all of your cards are beautiful--love that holly stamp. You did a great job.

Nat said...

hi Barb, love all these awesome cards!! Hope all is going well with you. Sorry I have not been by in a bit, life has been so crazy. Just one more week of work until I am off for 3 weeks and I look forward to spending more time visiting :) hugs to you!! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! These are soo gorgeous Barb! I love the different ways you used that holly stamp - especially the silver embossed card! I always love stopping by your blog :)