What's your favourite technique? ........

Hello there .......

Welcome to December's  Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge.   It's a nice easy one to end the year with ....... we'd simply like you to use

Your Favourite Technique

(OK ...... maybe not so easy ......... now, you have a decision to make ...... good luck!)

The challenge is sponsored by the Happy Little Stampers store

and the winner will receive the fabulous Big Bold Numbers stamp set 

OK ...... so what is your favourite technique? 

Mine ..... hmmmm ..... there's so many to choose from ...... rubber stamping (obviously, goes without saying!) Could it be embossing, stencilling, using colour or adding texture.  Paper piecing, smooshing backgrounds, distressing .... the list goes on.

In the end I decided to go with  Embossing Resist 

I never get tired of using this technique....  use clear or white embossing powder on your stamped images, add some form of colour over top ...... I like to use my Distress Inks ....... then watch the magic happen when you polish off the excess ...... gets me everytime!

I'm still making Christmas cards I'm afraid.  I've already put one lot in the post today ........ and there's still more to go.  And here's me thinking I'd been really good and kept the embellishments (and the weight of my cards) down to a minimum ....... yeah right, it still cost me a small fortune!  Next year everyone will be getting one layer cards, with NO embellies!!! 

Sorry ...... where was I? ....... ah yes ........ Embossing Resist

I started by stamping the snowflakes and the word 'Merry' (from the HLS Everyday Sentiments) onto a piece of white card, using Versamark ink and a white, fine detail, embossing powder.

White/clear embossing doesn't really show up that well on white card so ....... a little bit of colour is needed in the background to make the white 'pop'!

I blended two or three shades of blue Distress Ink over the top of the embossing .... starting with the palest shade first, virtually all over the card then adding the darker shades around the edges and in towards the centre.
Once I was happy with the colour I spritzed over the top with a little clean water, let it sit for a few seconds then mopped up the excess with paper towel, leaving this gorgeous speckled effect on the background ...... perfect for the snowy sky look (I suppose that's another of my favourite techniques!)

I polished over the embossed snowflakes and the 'Merry' with a paper towel to remove any excess ink .... the embossing powder acts as a resist to the Distress Inks, they won't dry on the embossed images.  As you wipe away the ink the white really shows through .... gorgeous!

I stamped a few more snowflakes to fill in any gaps, this time using one of the Blue Distress Inks, and also added the word 'Christmas' to complete the greeting (again from the Everyday Sentiments)

A little more of the same inside ....... 

Snowflakes stamped first, a touch of colour added over the top, then polished over to remove any excess ink.

We've got a fabulous Guest Designer on the challenge this month.  The lovely TaeEun (rainbow in november) is joining in the fun, and she has a fantastic inspiration piece for you. Pop over to her blog and take a peek.

I can't wait to see what all your favourite techniques are.  Have fun with the challenge ..... and Happy Stamping!!

Yeah!! We have one finished Christmas tree ...... well ..... almost.  It needs more baubles!!

Why is it that last year it was the same tree, with the same lights and decorations on it, and it looked fine. This year it definitely needs more on it!!  Oh well ..... bauble shopping it is then .... whoo hoo!!

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day. 

Cheerio until next time.

PS  

I've just realised that this fits in perfectly with the latest Wednesday Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp.  

As their theme is .......

'Let it Snow'

it would be a shame not to link up there don't you think!