The First Noel... for IndigoBlu

Hi everyone and thanks for returning for my second post of the day (the first can be seen HERE and includes news... ) As you'll be aware (I hope!) it's the 21st of the month so that means the launch of a new challenge over at the IndigoBlu Challenge Blog and the theme this month is 'Christmas in July'. Yep, that's my personal nemesis! Frankly the thought of having to create anything festive at this time of year is not a prospect I relish, but when the DT call you gotta "pull on those big girl knickers" (to quote the wonderful Rita :)

You'll not have seen these stamp designs before as they are quite literally hot of the press (a press I've now seen and boy, is it hot!) The main A6 design is called 'Rockin' Robin'. What can I tell you about it... well it's incredibly detailed and beautifully designed which means all you need to do is stamp it onto a coloured background and you've got something that looks fantastic. That's ideal when you need to get those A6 cards made in a jiffy, and it's one you'll be reaching for time and again.

Clearly you're expecting to see something a little more detailed from me so I heat embossed the stamping before blending various Distress Inks over the card. The robin was fussy cut, inked, clear embossed and overlaid onto the image to give it even more impact and definition. The 'Noel' Dinkie stamp (used for the sentiment) matches the lettering on the Design Alphabet, Design Numbers and latest Design Merry Christmas stamp sets, making it perfect for personalising your cards and projects.

Normally I wouldn't even consider stamping detailed wording with Distress Inks as these inks are designed to remain fluid and therefore have the potential to 'bleed out' before drying, but actually as I only wanted to use the word in the middle of the stamp I used a Distress Marker and you can see I hope how clear and crisp the result was on plain white card.

To finish some festive greenery was die cut and I painted with with some of the English Cottage Artist's Acrylic paints to make sure it coordinated (with Glossy Accents on the berries). And then there's that embossed background... now then, can I spy 'Snow White' getting in on the act?!!!

There are lots of teasers here to whet your appetite for the new releases and I hope you love what you see as much as I do. For your part I'm hoping you'll be joining in with the new IndigoBlu challenge 'Christmas in July' to be in with a chance of winning some fabulous prizes and even get a jump on those festive cards into the bargain!

Time to vamoose - lots to do, people to visit (washing to get done - booooo) and I'm not getting any younger - lol!
Here's hoping you have a great week ahead whatever that entails.
Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx