Hello, everyone!
I hope you are well and have a wonderful time!
I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner! For me, this is the most wonderful time of year, a time to share with family and friends!
We decided to have a Secret Santa exchange on the Anything But Cute Design Team this year! How fun is that?
We all love to get a lovely surprise at Christmas, right?
I would like to share what I sent and what I received!
I created a Christmas card for my lovely blog friend and a teamie, a super talented Niki!
She loves rustic glam so I decided to go in that direction in creating a card for her and this is the result.
I started with a piece of manila cardstock and a coat of some craft acrylic paint in brown color.
Next I applied my Decoart media crackle white paint on top. I applied a thicker layer of paint on some spots to achieve the more interesting look.
I cut the paper in stripes.
I distressed the edges using my Vintage photo DI.
I was inspired by THIS brilliant Pamellia's card to create my background.
I glued down some cheesecloth onto my kraft card base and then glued down my stripes on top of it trying to create some space between them allowing my cheesecloth to peek through that space.
I created my poinsettia by using the Tim Holtz's Tattered poinsettia die and a piece of fabric. I distressed it with my Distress stain spray in Vintage photo. Then I assembled the flower and added some gold glitter paste and some small jingle bells in the centre of my poinsettia.
I used my Thinlits Holiday greens dies and my kraft and white cardstock to cut out some greenery. Then I started to arrange all my elements together. I added a Christmas branch I had in my stash, some pine cones, my greenery die cuts and my poinsettia. I also added a twine bow and some sisal basket filler. I dry brushed my elements with a white gesso.
More close up photos.
I added some glittery drops on some spots of my background.
I am so pleased to tell you that Niki loved her rustic glam Christmas card! I enjoyed so much making it for her!
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NOW THE BEST PART! WHAT I RECEIVED!
I am so pleased to tell you that Niki loved her rustic glam Christmas card! I enjoyed so much making it for her!
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NOW THE BEST PART! WHAT I RECEIVED!
I was so thrilled and excited when parcel arrived from my lovely blog friend and a teamie, a hugely talented Lisa!
I have received an absolutely stunning and glorious Christmas card and lots of amazing goodies!
Here is a sneak peek photo of Lisa's spectacular card. Oooh, I can't take my eyes of this beauty!
Please pop over to her amazing BLOG to see this masterpiece of art! I am sure you are going to be impressed by her amazing talent as much as I do! She made my Christmas even more special and festive and I am so thankful and blessed to have such a generous and a super talented friend like Lisa! She is simply awesome!
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I love doing this Secret Santa and I really enjoyed making a Christmas card for Niki!
I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to work on a Design Team with such a super talented and lovely bunch of team mates!
Please visit my team mates's blogs to see all the incredibly beautiful gifts given and received by the team! Feast your eyes!
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving lovely comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them!
Hugs! Branka xx
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Challenges:
Scrapy Land - challenge #55 - Anything goes - I used Sizzix Tettered poinsettia die and Thinlits Holiday greens dies.
GORGEOUS, Branka! Wow, Niki must have had to pull her jaw up off the floor when she opened this! You have nailed the Rustic Glam look with this amazing dimensional card! I can certainly see the influence from Pamellia, but you added your own twist on hers. The poinsettia is so beautiful, and certainly the most unique I've seen this season! I love that glitter paste! You are so talented, and I'm so proud to call you friend! Sending big hugs your way! PS Now I'm off to see what the lovely Lisa sent you!
ReplyDeleteWow Branka, this is rustic glam at it's very best - this is more than a card, it is a gift to be treasured - and framed!! Your background is stunning, so beautifully rustic - I love the crackle so much and that poinsettia is 'to die for' gorgeous!! Nikki must have been SO thrilled to receive this work of art from you. As Sara has already said, I feel so proud too, to call you a friend, you are such a talented lady!! Big hugs, Anne xxx
ReplyDeleteWhilst I am here, thank you so much for joining in our Winter Magic challenge at A Vintage Journey! xxx
ReplyDeleteWOW this is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing in our ‘CHRISTMAS’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!
ReplyDeleteDarlene (DRU Blog Leader)
DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit.
Wow Branka, I think this may be one of my favourite cards of yours ever!! I just adore all the natural tones, natural elements and natural textures, wow!! Thank you for the shout out, I am so honoured to be even a small part of your inspiration for this beauty! The pops of red are just glorious, love love love!! Niki must have been over the moon when she opened this amazing package!! You really wowed me for sure! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Branka, this is rustic glam perfection!! Wow!! I am in total awe of this and I'm printing out a picture so I can try that background!! It looks amazing!! I love the wintry bouquet of poinsettias, pine branches and pine cones!! It is so spectacular and I love, love it!! Wow!! I know Niki treasures this!! Stunning my dear friend!! Thank you so much for playing along at Scrapy Land!! And thank you for the sweet word, too :) Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Completely and utterly stunning, Branka - one of my favourite Christmas cards I've seen ever! The crackled planks are a wonderful backdrop for your beautiful winter gatherings - a real showstopper. Lucky Niki!!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Love your rustic Christmas card! The way you created that background with the strips is wonderful! I love the pinecones and berries too! Thanks for playing along with us at Scrapy Land Challenges!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Branka this is absolutely breathtaking make!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up this gorgeousness to Scrapy Land challenge.
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
Gorgeous rustic piece. Adore the crackle and design. Tracy X
ReplyDeleteThis is so terrific!
ReplyDeleteI admire this work and have often seen it over and over again!
I am amazed by so much creativity.
Admiring greetings from Germany
Oh my gosh Branka! I just love those to die for planks! After all this time, I have yet to recreate these, but have it high on my to do list. You combined every beautiful texture into a project so filled with Christmas warmth, it exudes elegance and love! Fantastic crafting and inspiration! This is right up Niki's alley and she is so very lucky to have received it from you! Big Christmas hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your win at Deep Oceans! Woo hoo and Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteAhhhhhhh!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE this card B! It is everything I enjoy all rolled into one. I have this card hanging up on my Christmas garland (some people hang mistletoe) and it is gorgeous! The pictures are beautiful but this looks even more beautiful in real life! The sparkle and the crackle are splendid and so fantabulous! The planks are done to perfection. I can see how Bubbles influenced but then you put your spin on it. Stunningly wonderously splendidly awesome sauce card! Thank you so very much for the gift and for being amazeballs! Huge Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki
ReplyDeleteWow, stunning shabby chic Christnas card Branka. Your design is gorgeous, love the distressed planks and your wondrful floral arrangement. Thank you for playing along with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.
ReplyDeleteDionne
An amazing shabby Christmas Card, beautifully designed.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
Wow! This...is...gorgeous! You have totally created a fabulous work of mixed media art. Love the vintage look and all of your details. Thanks for joining the Craft-Dee BowZ December Challenge, "Anything goes and include a handmade bow".
ReplyDeleteLovely project, thanks for sharing with Inspiration Destination and good luck. Wendy DT xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Love all the crackle and the different Christmassy elements. Thank you for joining us a Creative Artiste to month, Jane (DT) :) x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful design, Nicki. I love the pine cones and berries and the distressed wood. Using the bells in the center of the poinsettia was genius. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Dies R Us Anything Goes Christmas Challenge. We hope to see more of your creations in future challenges.
ReplyDeleteKathy DRU DT A
Wowzers! This is stunning! Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous!! Amazing work!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!
hugs...
Melissa
Oh this card is so gorgeous!!! I love the rustic and vintage look so this really makes me smile!!! Thank you for playing in our Christmas challenge at Dies R Us! We hope to see you in the next challenge too! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jo-DT
♥ Dies R Us Challenges ♥
♥ Jo's Scrap Shack ♥
Yippee! Congratulations on your win at Live and Love! You deserve it! Hurry, if you've not checked this out...you have 7 days to claim your prize! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOops! That's Deep Ocean!
ReplyDeleteAND Scrapy Land Top three! Wow! Congratulations!
ReplyDeletestunning make Branka - absolutely joyous crackle and the rest - wow - I love it all! Thanks for joining us at Countryview challenges and good luck! Hugs rachel xx
ReplyDeleteCongrats once more for Top Three at We Love to Create! Happy New Year, my lovely friend!
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous winter magic challenge entry. Love the crackle. Thanks for hopping on board with us at AVJ this month
ReplyDeleteHugs Annie x