Christmas Carolers in Spring

Are you ready for another CCEE Stampers' challenge?  This week JoJo has challenged us to get a start on our Christmas cards by making one.  After all, it's ONLY nine months away!

I stamped my carolers (Rubbernecker) on SU watercolor cardstock in Versmark and embossed them with black embossing powder.  I masked the carolers and then stamped the tree.  I used a mixture of Copic markers and watercoloring with reinkers to color my scene.  Specifically, I used Copic markers for the skin tones, boots, and the lamp post.  Everything else was watercolored.  I like how well the watercoloring stays within the lines of the image when I heat emboss the images first.  However, I did note that you have to be careful with the Copic markers because they seem to want to smear the black embossing even after it's cooled.   I used white acrylic paint for the base of my snow and then added liquid applique for texture in the snow.  Using a blending tool, I applied Weathered Wood distress ink and Night of Navy dye ink for the sky.  I first watercolored the tree with Certainly Celery and then dabbed with Pine Needles distress ink over that.

Why not get a start, if you haven't already, on your Christmas cards and join us in our challenge?  You can get all the details, as well as see the fab creations of Shirley, Cindy, Frances, Tosh, and Joanne on our CCEE Stampers' blog.

Stamps:  Caroler with Dog (#337-09); Trees with Snow Set (#52-0206) by Rubbernecker
Cardstock:  Brocade Blue, Black, SU watercolor cardstock
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up); Pine Needles and Weathered Wood Distress Inks (Ranger)
Accessories:  Copic markers, watercolor brush, gingham ribbon, Bow Easy, black embossing powder, heat tool, white acrylic paint, liquid applique, versamark, Aleene's Tacky Glue