3 November 2013

メリークリスマス皆

メリークリスマス皆 - Merry Christmas everyone! I know, it's way too early. Having said that so many people are already fully immersed in making their cards and gifts ready for the oncoming festive season so maybe it's not totally out of place.


This greeting could also be considered totally wrong if you bear in mind my choice of focal images - Zojoji Temple, a Buddhist temple in Toyko, Japan! However, with the colours used and my love of all things Japanese I forged ahead with this unconventional selection.


These beautiful images were actually freebies from the incredibly generous Ignacio Molina of Nicecrane Designs!! You can find them HERE alongside more wonderful samples from some of the Design Team.


If like me you are a fan of all things Oriental you will find a very reasonably priced selection of images at the Nicecrane Designs store HERE. As well as sheets of ATC's there are envelopes, b&w digital images to colour and beautiful prints which are easily resized.


Did you notice the background layers directly under each image? That's something else I'm really excited about. As you will be aware my Wendy Vecchi stencils and paste are a source of great enjoyment and experimentation. It occurred to me that the flower in the 'From The Garden' stencil looks just like a chrysanthemum.


The Japanese are so enamoured with this bloom that it has the status of royalty and it is used on the Emperor's official seal and crest. They even have a National Chrysanthemum Day, the Festival of Happiness! There, you've possibly learned something new today.


Before applying the translucent paste through this portion of the stencil I mixed it with a little Distress Paint to add colour. Unlike the white paste this means you get a 'true' colour, and when dry it acts as a perfect resist to any inks or stains. On the first card I applied Tarnished Brass Distress Stain over the top to give a very dramatic and regal effect. The second card is slightly more subtle - red on red - with the addition of Watering Can Archival Ink flowers as a contrast.


The first card also makes use of some 'Brayered Stains' card, embossing and of course lots of layering. Matting each layer adds a more professional framed finish. For the second card I employed the very popular 'chalkboard' look with this Hero Arts background stamp called 'Chinese Thank You'. OK, so that bit is a little politically incorrect but it looks good, especially when layered onto some Maja Design blue card which has been distressed with Antique Linen and Spun Sugar.


Both cards were completed with some festive sprigs, a quick and effective way of adding those festive finishing touches without them detracting from the main images.


The 'ingredients' for these cards are listed below and I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit Ignacio's super digital store, Nicecrane Designs.

I'm entering these into The Sunday Stamper challenge - You Raise Me Up - it's been a while since what I've produced has matched with one of Hels' fabulous themes so I'm thrilled our two worlds have collided for once this week!

Thank you so much for the positive response to my first video; I will be working on more for the future.
An update on my wonderful friend Anne - thankfully she has been released from hospital and is now under very strict orders to do nothing and let the healing process happen. As a result you won't/shouldn't be hearing from her for a while, but she wanted me to let you know your kind wishes, thoughts and prayers mean the world to her. Thank you so much everyone.

Take care of yourselves and enjoy what remains of the weekend, Jenny xxx




20 comments:

  1. fantastic! I certainly didn't see this as oriental...but you sure had a great vision.
    well done!

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  2. Gorgeous cards, Love how you have used these fantastic images... Simply Beautiful... Hugs May x x x

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  3. Jenny
    Kudos to you for creating Christmas cards that are so unique in design yet still convey winter/Christmas with the snowy images and your use of the beautiful red.
    Very special creations using Ignacio's designs.
    So glad to read Anne is home and let's hope she pays heed and listens to the advice to take it easy. Please tell her I am thinking of her and wishing a speedy recovery.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  4. Conventional or not Jenny the images are fabulous and they are displayed wonderfully on the layers you have collaged together, especially that beautiful WV one.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  5. Fantastic card Jenny. It's colourful and certainly makes a beautiful background too. Hugs Rita xxx

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  6. These are great, Jenny - so elegant and beautifully composed... The post title threw me at first - but makes lots of sense now!!
    Alison xx

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  7. OMG Jenny,absolutely gorgeus my friend,,,,I am a ukityop-e fan,,,and all over from the Hasui Kawase master,,,,,,.Love these cards,,,,,,love it, klove , love it,,REally I´ll be designing special Japanese Ukiyo-e sheets in High resolution to use,,,,,,,on any ocassion,,, you are so creative Jenny

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  8. Stunning cards Jenny, so much detail

    Sam xx

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  9. Love all the different papers, that fit so well...great collage Jenny

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  10. Good evening Jenny,
    Absolutely stunning, beautiful colours, image and design.
    Brilliant details.
    Sorry I missed your past couple of posts which are also stunning. Free time for crafting seems to have evaded me these past few days.
    Have a great week

    Patricia xxx

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  11. Stunning card Jenny and such great use of those beautiful images! And I have to say, I always think it's a good idea to start Christmas cards early, much better than getting into a panic at the last minute. These are just beautiful!

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  12. This card is very different and the image is wonderful.

    Chrissie x

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  13. This is certainly an unusual card design for Christmas as I'm used to but it's fantastic! You've used such a lovely image. Gorgeous card Jenny! xxxx

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  14. Love it precisely because it is so different. And beautifully put together, of course.

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  15. This is fab Jenny, very creative, love your originality! Chris xxx

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  16. Fabulous and unusual Christmas card - I just love the mix of oriental and seasonal. Can't go wrong with Nice Crane either!

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  17. Actually starting now is key to being ready!!!! What a great collection and beautiful at that of Christmas cards! Love them all! Hugs!

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  18. Fabulous Christmas makes Jenny. The images are perfect for Christmas makes

    TFS Annie x

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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