Sparkly Seasons for GDP002

Last week’s debut of the Global Design Project was absolutely amazing.  Not only were there fireworks, parade drums to accompany the around-the-world celebrations, but LOTS of talented paper crafters played along with the challenge.  What an amazing turnout!  As it so happens, the non-seasonal color combination of Smoky Slate, Pink Pirouette and So Saffron was quite the hit.  With all the participants, the gallery was filled with gorgeous, soft projects.  Kudos, all, and congratulations to the winners of that challenge – you can see them here.

The Global Design Project is back again this week with a sketch challenge – and I love this one as much as the last.  With a sketch, you can make just about any type of card – baby, birthday, congratulatory.  I really wanted to use some of the new products from Stampin’ Up!’s 2015 Holiday Catalog, so I went with a Christmas-themed thank you card.  Here’s my card for GDP002:

Sparkly Seasons, Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, Stampin' Up!, Brian King, GDP002

And here’s the banner for the challenge that inspired my card:

GDP002

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Honoring the Sketch.  This sketch (created by my talented friend Louise Sharp) includes a little heart in the lower, right portion of the circle.  As a general rule with challenges, you can change up the shape if you like.  You might think I totally disregarded Louise’s work (I would never do that), but look closer.  I added the sentiment, a small “thanks,” on the banner that touches the lower portion of the circle.  That thanks is my substitute for the heart.  The sentiment is a part of a longer sentiment from Sparkly Season stamp set that says “give thanks.”  I masked the sentiment to just showcase “thanks.”  If you missed my video about isolating images on a stamp, you can watch it here.

    Sparkly Seasons stamp set, Stampin' Up!

    Sparkly Seasons stamp set, Stampin’ Up!

  • Coloring.  There’s so much joy to be found in coloring!  To color the nutcracker and his festive packages, I used a Stampin’ Write Marker to paint on a clear acrylic block.  I pulled the ink from the block with a Blender Pen to achieve a light coat of ink.  I shared this technique in my video yesterday (if you missed it, you can see it here), along with two other ways to paint with a Blender Pen.
  • Color Inspiration.  I love the pairing of colors in this Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper.  The Real Red and Mossy Meadow are very traditional colors for Christmas, but the addition of Pacific Point and Pool Party make these colors fun and new again.  If you like this combination of colors, feel free to save this: Stampin' Up! Color Inspiration: Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Pool Party, Pacific Point

Stamp Sets:  Sparkly Season  Papers:  Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla  Inks:  Archival Basic Black, Mossy Meadow, Stampin’ Write Markers (Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Pacific Point, Pool Party,  Crumb Cake)  Accessories:  2-1/2″ Circle punch, Circles Collection Framelits, Blender Pen, Hexagon punch (for banner tips), Stampin’ Dimensionals

I hope you’ll pop over to The Global Design Project site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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30 Comments

  1. I love the clean lines of your card Brian and you did a great job with the colouring and blending! May I also compliment you on your fantastic, easy to read and very inforative blog – you are an inspiration x

  2. I love the sketch and your card Brian. I have to play along this week!

  3. Adorable card Brian, I love your interpretation of the sketch. I could even hear the celebrations here in Australia. What an incredible start to the GDP!

  4. The stamp is wonderful staged. I like the coloring!

  5. I’m so glad you too could hear the fireworks and parade drums!! I adore you and I adore this card! I love how you put your own spin on it , exceptional colouring…I love how you squinted and stayed inside the lines, it’s beauitiful. xo

  6. Mr King, I beyond love this card and want to pull out this stamp set to play. I was not totally sure if I was going to like this set, I only really brought it for the ballerina image but now I think I like the nutcracker more. Still feel Star struck have your and Michelle Last on the team.

  7. Ah, the Nutcracker returns. Love how you colored him, both the technique and colors. Looking forward to the new GDP sketch. Looks like fun.

  8. Gorgeous card Brian – Toy Soldiers are my favourite Christmas ornament. I’m loving the complimenting soft colouring you’ve added. TFS xx

  9. Fabulous coloring of your little friend!

  10. Brian, this card ist STUNNING! Love each detail on it <3
    Hugs Tanja

  11. Truly fabulous card Brian, I love the soft colors of the images inside the globe and the beautiful DSP in the background.

  12. Cute ! Love this stamp set and dies . your Nutcrackers look so handsome !

  13. Love the stripes and the little nutcracker Beautiful coloring?

  14. I think this is the first card I have seen with the nutcracker and it was worth the wait! Gorgeous coloring! Totally love it! So fun that you made it a thank you card too!

  15. OVER THE TOP….love everything about it!

  16. Brian you are a King!!! 🙂 Such a great inspiration not only as a carfter and designer but as a business man. I love all your projects and now I’m suscribing to your YouTube Channel. Everything looks so organized in your blog and videos. I have to learn from you! TFS

  17. Another fabulous card, Brian. I am one step closer to buying this stamp set. Thanks for the inspiration.

  18. Saw all of the designers cards…yours and Tanja’s are definitely my favorites!

  19. Cute, cute, cute, cute and more cute!

  20. I love the striped background behind your Christmas toys and I never would have thought to do a Christmas Thank You card – clever thinking Brian. Love your card ♥

  21. Another perfectly executed card, every detail from color to layout is considered. I love that about your work and this is no exception. Look at those borders; sheesh!

  22. Thanks for showcasing the Nutcracker. I adore them and have several hundred I display during Christmas. This stamp set was overlooked when I received my new catalog, but glad to see the possibilities. Great job as always, Brian!

  23. OMIGOSH! Totes adorable Brian, I’m now in love with this stamp set xo

  24. Patrice Halliday-Larsen

    Have always loved your work Brian and this card is no exception, it is fabulous.

  25. WONDERFUL, Brian….love the subtle colors!

  26. Pingback: 17 Paper Crafting Picks of the Week | Mary Fish - Stampin' Up!

  27. I love what you did with this card! I would love to share this on my blog for ‘My Crafty Friends Monday’! Please let me know if you would prefer that I didn’t share it.
    Inky Hugs!

  28. I love what you did with this card! I would love to share this on my blog for ‘My Crafty Friends Monday’! Please let me know if you would prefer that I didn’t share it.
    Inky Hugs!

  29. I love what you did with this card! I would love to share this on my blog for ‘My Crafty Friends Monday’! Please let me know if you would prefer that I didn’t share it.
    Inky Hugs!

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