Hi everyone and thank for for looking in here today.
Well, I am in full swing with my Christmas cards at the moment, but today wanted to play with something a little different.
A while back I discovered a new way of using pastels, you can read about it
HERE if you are interested. Well, I decided to use the same technique for my cards and here is the result:
The background was created with the pastels and stamping with embossing ink. These are not pan pastels by the way, but ordinary art pastels. Love how the colours blend and bring out the stamped design. Here is a close up of the background:
For my vocal image I decided to use the Tim Holtz Layered Wing die. I painted them with Fresco in French Roast, then added Crackle Glaze and when that was dry added Snowflake mixed with a little Vanilla and then let the crackle do its magic. Once everything was dry I rubbed some pastel crayon around the edges.
The sentiment was done in the same way, but this time I stamped with Coffee archival which I then clear embossed, The star was covered with sticky embossing powder by ranger and then I added some Rock Candy Distress Glitter
Here is the finished card
While my pastels were out I decided to do a second card, this time the vocal image was a stamp:
The side of the card was run through an embossing folder and then the raised bits were highlighted with Treasure Gold in White Fire.
Here you can see a bit of the background again. The pastel became very intense so I toned it down a bit with watered down Picket Fence Distress Paint.
The vocal image was stamped first and then masked, before adding the background stamping.
I high lighted the branches of his crown a bit with a white pen and added some holly berries with Twinkling H2Os.
I couldn't help myself and just had to add a few embellishments. This time the sentiment was created just with the pastels over the embossing ink.
Well, there you are, two more to tick off my list, - onto the next ones I guess......
Hope you are all keeping creative and getting on with your own preparations, I have seen some amazing cards around and I have to say, I do love this time of year and am determined not to get stressed out.......
Thanks for visiting
37 comments:
Wow, Astrid , Mystcism,mysterious, the pstels give a very special effect on your cards!! I really love it, it's so special and original!!!
Greetings
Maria
Yr cards are truly stunning, I admire and love your style which has such gorgeous alsmost effortless beauty and yet the talent and technique in there is amazing! Two more gorgeous makes, particularly love the first one x hugs trace x
Both of the cards are amazing with a vintage feel to them and such beauty
Chrissie x
Both cards here today are absolutely stunning Astrid. I love the first one, but also the second one gives you such a wonderful special feeling, when you look at it. Soo gorgeous work here again, you are truly amazing my friend.
these look amazing Astrid - really fabulous - loving the backgrounds on both - beautiful work xx
Both cards are absolutely wonderful Astrid, I love how you use the pastel technique. I so wish my mojo would return so that I could get started on my Christmas cards too... Hugs, Anne x
Love these cards!! The crackle on the wings, the darkness of the 2nd card with the face lighter. LOVE THEM!!
Gorgeous cards, Astrid! I love the backgrounds on both cards. I've never used pastels but you have mastered this technique. Very, very beautiful!
What Fantastic cards Astrid. I love them both and could not pick a favourite. You're doing well at the moment with your Christmas cards. Hugs Rita xxxx
You are so hard-working with your cards, dear Astrid, and again something all new. That pastel colour tecnique is amazing, and looks real beautiful,- also I love the embossed snowflakes, so gorgeous with treasure gold,-and the highlight of the wreaths on Father Christmas.Two wonderful cards to your collection.
Hugs from Dorthe
Just beautiful as always!! Love the colors and background!!
truly stunning cards Astrid!
I own a very great box of hard pastels (from a good austrian brand) and like them also very much..but I have to try your tip with the fabric covered finger to blend them....
thank you for sharing here!
I love them to use like a watercolorpalette ...with brush and water---
since I have a great set of them with many different colors it's great for watercolortechique forme because I am not the patient colormixing-girl I should be.
With the Pan Pastels I am also not so happy... don't know why - but maybe they are to creamy for me..
Love the softness of the pastels for these beautiful Christmas cards! Love the delicate crackle on the wings! Fabulous creations! Hugs!
Love love love them both so don't ya dare make me choose just one. ^_^
Hugs,
Regi
Both of your cards are stunning but oh, how I love the beautiful Santa. You have definitely mastered the use of the forgotten pastel.
What wonderful cards again! Soft and elegant - very stunning! I love to visit your blog, there I can find always new inspirations, technics and beautiful art! Thank you Astrid!
Wunderbare Farbspiele und zwei sehr schöne Weihnachtskarten mit interessanten Hintergründen.
Both beautiful cards Astrid, they must take you ages to make, Annette x
I'm missing words, these are wonderful cards.
The beauty of both cards is remarkable, so different but the backgrounds have a dreamy, nostalgic feel to them.
Outstanding cards.
Wishes
Lynne
Love the soft shades on the backgrounds. Two gorgeous cards.
Yvonne
Very beautiful, the pastels give the cards a truly magical feel.
I do so love your art Astrid!! Beautiful soft backgrounds and gorgeous detailing. Love how you blend your colours and the beautiful stamps you use. The wings on the first card just seem to glow and the way you coloured the Santa image on the second is perfection. Absolutely love both of these ... stunning!!! oxox
They're beautiful, Astrid - such gorgeous blending effects and the wings look just stunning in the first one. You've definitely inspired me to dig out my set of pastels (bought when I was about 15, and obsessed with sets of pencils and pastels - oh, the foreshadowing - that I never did anything with!)... Gorgeous work.
Alison x
I love this technique but missed your earlier tutorial so thanks for the link to that and the cheesecloth tip. The effect on these cards is amazing and so beautiful. Margie x
I love this technique but missed your earlier tutorial so thanks for the link to that and the cheesecloth tip. The effect on these cards is amazing and so beautiful. Margie x
Such wonderful and inspiring cards Astrid. Beautiful colours and I love them both
Best wishes
Annie x
These are both fabulous Astrid, such wonderful effects with the pastels, gorgeous colours and textures too.
Hugs {brenda} x0x
Beautiful cards Astrid, love the blended colours and the crackle is fabulous ! Sue C x
Your cards are stunning, as usual !
thanks for letting me know my mistake on pinecones ! I have corrected it in the text ! sometimes I am so sure of the words I use that I don't check if they are correct... and.... anyway ! made you laugh, that's a good point, isn't it ?
xoxoxo
What I love about your style, Astrid,
is that it always looks heavenly shabby AND delicate at the same time. Your X-mas cards are a wonderful proof.
Lovely makes!!!!
Hugs,
Claudia x
Wonderful!! I am always in awe of your creations ... I love the santa here ... perfect colours ... these ought to be framed!
I just love the shimmery subltle hues here Astrid. They both have a wonderful vintage essence. Nicola x
Hi Astrid, these are stunning. The colours and the embossing on the second are just gorgeous
Rosie x
Stunning cards Astrid and so inspirational...love your crackle wings and embossing on your second card
Fantastic colours
Anne
What gorgeous cards! Love the wings, especially. I can see why you went on to make a second one... looks like a lot of fun with those pastels!
Beautiful cards, you create such gorgeous colours and textures. The colour and crackle on the wings is stunning
I've only recently got this dye, will try to recreate the effect
Jools x
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