Rustic Christmas Inspiration Challenge

Welcome to this week’s challenge with the Paper Craft Crew! This week we have a Rustic Christmas Inspiration Challenge for you, so put those thinking caps on! When I think ‘rustic’, I think of bringing the outdoors in, or being outdoors. You know, woodsy, cozy and maybe a bit rough. Here’s our inspiration picture for you.

RUSTIC CHRISTMAS

What comes to mind when you hear the words ‘rustic Christmas’? Now, translate that to your project!

SNOWY SWING SET

I recently became an affiliate for Art Impressions, and they were so kind to send me some free stamps to play with!  This set called Swing Set captured my imagination. I thought – well, if it’s an outdoor swing set, it would stay outside year-round, right? So I can simply adjust my colours and background to make it winter time!

I’ve always wanted one of these outdoor swings; with big comfy cushions to curl up on. With a good book, preferably! Although this set was designed as one of Ai’s ‘watercolour’ sets, I used a combination of ink pads, markers and paint to create this project.

CARD DETAILS

Start with a white cardstock panel. Stamp the Swing Set image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Next, stamp it again onto a large Post-it Note or masking paper, and cut it out with scissors. Lay the mask over the stamped image, and then stamp the evergreen tree from the Penny Black Season’s Marvel stamp set. For inks, I chose to use both Moss from Hero Arts and Fresh Asparagus from Gina K.  Remove the mask, and colour the swing. I pulled markers from different sets that I have – sorry I didn’t mark down which ones they were! Once the swing is coloured, use a blending tool to first apply Broken China Distress Oxide for the sky. Next, blend on Chipped Sapphire Distress Oxide around the top edges. Blend Shabby Shutters for the ground, and then blend Tea Dye ink on top. It’s winter, and where the swing is there wouldn’t be as much grass growing, right? That’s my rationale, anyway!

Finally, add some snow to the scene. Put a bit of white Gouache paint onto a slick surface, and add some water. Pick up the thinned paint with a small brush, and create snow by tapping the brush with your finger. To give the illusion of built up snow, I applied it directly to the swing cushions,structure, ground and trees with the tip of the brush. Next, I add some finer snowflakes with a white gel pen.

The sentiment, from Concord & 9TH Mistletoe Message stamp set, is stamped onto white cardstock in Chipped Sapphire ink.

PUT IT TOGETHER

Create a light blue card base, and attach a dark red cardstock panel on top. Layer the image panel on top with foam tape. Finally, add the sentiment strip with more foam tape, for dimension.  You know, if it wasn’t too cold, I could see myself sitting on this swing, just watching the snow fall! (yeah, I’m a bit odd that way!)

JOIN THE CHALLENGE

For more ideas on our Rustic Christmas inspiration challenge, head over to the Paper Craft Crew blog, and see what the rest of the Design Team have created. Everyone is so imaginative – you’ll love seeing their projects! You’ll also find the link, to add your project, there.

For ordering supplies, I’ve included links below for online shopping. Thanks for spending some time with me today; I hope you’ve enjoying seeing my card. Now go be creative!

Affiliate links provided without any cost to you.