Monday 28 October 2013

Nicecrane Christmas Birds and a Baby

With so many bird lovers amongst friends and family, I saw these Christmas bird images at Nicecrane designs and had to have them! The Bullfinches are some of my favourites, and it is especially nice to have birds other than robins on there too! I've printed the images onto matte photo paper, then mounted on scraps of card. The base card has been dusted and stamped with Distress inks in Festive berries, Chipped sapphire and tumbled glass, using Inkylicious background stamps (worn paint and Damask).

This second card is much the same, but this time I used the Inkylicious holly panel, and Memento inks in Cottage ivy and Ladybug. I dusted the background with Shabby shutters Distress ink and used distress markers to colour the Holly. I am entering these into Sarn's Rudolf  Day challenge, which I am going to try and follow more religiously next year so I am not behind on my Christmas cards! I am also entering them into the anything goes challenge at Penny Black and More
After the success with the Easel calendar I made yesterday, I thought I would try it with Spellbinders and another of Ignacio's gorgeous images, this time from the colourful nature sheet
I love the colours on this one, and the bluebells and daisies are so pretty. Weasels always remind me of some of the fabulous descriptions of the 'wild wood' from 'Wind in the willows'.
I am also going to show you the baby card I have made for my new Great Nephew (crikey that makes me feel old!) Elliot was 8lb 14oz and arrived a little later than expected!
I love the vintage feel of Ignacio's gorgeous images by Bessie Gutmann, and used antique linen and tea dye distress inks to age my papers to match the image.
I hope you are all okay out there. Did you have a dreadful stormy night? If we did, I am afraid I slept through it, and there is not a lot of evidence to say we did either! It was fairly wet and windy yesterday afternoon, but nothing noteworthy. Hope you are keeping warm and dry. Thanks for looking!
P.S. If you haven't done it yet, I have blog candy for followers here

16 comments:

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Another gorgeous collection of cards Sally. I love the Christmas birds (I don't think you can go wrong with this sort of Christmas card), and your second Calendar is great too. Such a beautiful new baby card as well. You had a busy day yesterday.

Sue x

brenda said...

Beautiful colours and design as always a super creation.

Congrats on the baby and totally approve of the name although a couple of pounds smaller than my Eliot (just one t for us).

B x

Sarn said...

The Christmas cards, the calendar and the baby card are all wonderful Sally. Those bird images are superb.

Thanks for joining in with Rudolph Day.

We did have a VERY stormy night and I'm feeling a little groggy from lack of sleep. No damage tho thank goodness!

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Doreen said...

Beautiful card Sally,love them all.xxx

Tracy Harris said...

Fantastic cards sally - i especially like the calendar
Thank you for sharing
X

Nicecrane Designs said...

OMG Sally,,,,,I am falling in love with your Bird Cards,,,so vibrant colors, so bright ones,,,,,,and my fav one is the one with you calendar and really stunning die cut,,,,,it is amazing Sally,,,,you are Rock my friend,,, Thanks a million for sharing,,,,,,,,,,,,woww,wowwwwww,

Paula (PEP) said...

I love the way you have taken the colours from these images & brought them into your background stamping so effectively. I agree it's lovely to have birds other tahan robins on show too. Your weasel calendar is delightful with the way those little gems bring out the blue matting but allow the bluebell colour to really pop.
Congratulations upon the new addition too.
Paula (PEP)

Di said...

Oh what gorgeous cards Sally. Love the bullfinches and baby card especially! Off to peek at your candy now.

Hugs, Di xx

pinky said...

Wow what a bunch of stunners Sally, absolutely beautiful! I love the baby card and somehow great aunt sounds even older than granny...doesn't it lol?

Sue said...

What beautiful Christmas cards Sally, I really like Nicecrane's designs. Your easel card is fabulous too, what a clever idea, and the new baby card is so sweet Great Auntie! Xxx

MaryH said...

Please don't ask me to pick a fav out of the gorgeous cards you've posted here. (well, the sweet baby one would win fer sure!). As you know I'm a sucker for the bird images, and I keep saying I'm going to order from Nicecrane, then get off track somewhere else! These are fantastic images, and I love the way you have showcased them. The holly coloring was marvelous. You've done some wonderful cards here (as usual!) but these are really special. TFS & Hugs.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Sally these are just just GORGEOUS creations, you always come up with such fabulous ideas, love the cards and photos of past posts I haven't got time to comment on, but you already know I admire ALL your work.

Congratulations on 5 years in Blogland :)

Jean said...

A lovely set of cards here. The bird images make great Christmas cards and I love the holly background on the second one. The new baby card is beautiful, such a lovely image.
Jean x

Carola Bartz said...

I'm one of those people who love birds, and these images are just wonderful! I love how you worked them into your beautiful cards. As always, a delight.

scrappymo! said...

These are all beautiful...every single one.

We have a bird lover in our English family so I need still to make one for them...I could certainly learn a thing or two about bird cards from you!

Beautiful cards!

Eret said...

Congrats on a new baby in your family, Sally!
How fabulous use of Nicecranen images. Each and every card are truly magnificent!
Hugs,
Eret