NOT a Christmas Card!

I had to get that disclaimer out of the way immediately! Why? Let me explain. :) This is another of my new Kim Hughes stamp sets. I think it is just adorable! I purchased it recently and in my quest to stop "collecting" stamp sets without using them, I figured I would ink it up before it found it's way to the "trees" drawer. :) I masked and colored and made this card that I thought was so cute! LOL Then.... I showed it to my dear husband. Want to know what his response was?

Me: Look at this cute card honey. Isn't it cuuuuuuute? (said in a high pitched cooing voice)
Hubby: Ya... isn't it out of season though?
Me: No, it's a gnome, not Santa Clause!
Hubby: Oh, it looks out of season to me.
Me: Honey, it's a gnome... you know... the little things that go on vacation?

*sigh* LOL Maybe I'll pull this stamp set out again around Christmas? LOL AFTER I show you the other card I made with it tomorrow of course! LOL My other NOT a Christmas card!

To make this card I created lots of masks so everything could be on one layer. Then, I screwed up when I colored the trees, so I ended up making them dimensional so I could cover the mistake. :) OOPS! I kinda like the dimensional trees though. :) Remember, always try to salvage your card before you scrap it. I gave my GNOME a furry brimmed red SANTA CAP LMBO and gave him a furry mustache ala Fun Flock. You know... now that I am looking at this card, it looks like Santa! LOL NO... he doesn't... does he? *snickering*

I used the rag and blender solution technique again for the grass, tree trunks, sky and GNOME cap. See where I placed my watermark? Under that is a SMEAR of ink. I accidentally used the wrong ink and the blender solution made the ink smear. *sigh* Typically, I would scrap it and start over, but I had spent so much time working on it, so I let it slide. If you squint, it looks like a shadow from the tree. :)

I love making wispy skies. The blender solution mixed with BG10 just makes it so light and airy and blotting with a rag even makes it better!

This card is another example of letting the images lead the card size! You guessed it! By the time I was done, this was an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of card stock scored in half. LOL OOPS! Sometimes you just have to roll with it. :) I'd rather have a balanced GARGANTUAN card, than one that becomes a victim of a forced layout. Walk on the wild side and try it some day. :) You might have to mail it in a big ol' yellow envelope, but SO WHAT! :)

Stamps: Forest Friendzy, polka dot BG

Ink: Stazon Black (an OOPS choice with my Copics, do NOT use this ink with Copics), white craft

Paper: Real Red, black, white

Accessories: oval punch, scalloped oval punch, white embossing powder, twill, button (Hobby Lobby), Copic markers, rag, blender solution, refill, fun flock, quickie glue pen, red line dimensionals, glue dots, white gel pen