One Layer Card

Last minute entry to this week's Dynamic Duo Challenge #30: Navy and Silver.

I also wanted to try Jackie Rockwell's challenge, to create a one-layer holiday card.
The colours I used are Close-to-My-Heart's "Outdoor Denim" and the "Brushed Silver" Distress Stain from Ranger. This is a new Tim Holtz product which was showcased in the "Holiday Card Workshop" online class I followed last month.  It is basically a paint-dauber which deposits fluid pigment; you can make it as translucent or as dark as you like, depending on how much you apply.
I spread a layer of pewter across the lower half of my card, then used CTMH's "The Season Defined"(C1334) to stamp the definition of "Noel" on top, using Staz-On black ink.
I used a pigment ink to stamp the larger "Noel" and the holly leaf on top of THAT, and heat-set using clear embossing powder.  The border punch is from Martha Stewart. I placed a strip of navy paper inside the card base, to help emphasize the  detail on the punch.

So, some observations:

1. Wetting the paper with the stain resulted in a buckled card front. I weighed it down to dry, but not thoroughly enough. Add more weight next time.
2. Stamping with Staz-On (which is supposed to stamp on ANYTHING) doesn't work so well unless your surface is perfectly dry! Allow longer for drying next time.
3. Make sure your stamping blocks and fingers have not picked up extra ink, when working with a white card base. This version is Take #2 as the first one acquired some navy finger prints... This version is not completely clean either... Watch and wash meticulously next time!

So, off to link up this effort. Hope your holiday crafting is going more smoothly!

Happily, 

Caroline