Monday, January 13, 2014

Merry Monday Snow Day

Some of my favorite images for Christmas cards are snowmen.  I wasn't going to get this guy, but I broke down at the last minute and ordered him.  When I saw the Merry Monday challenge for today, I knew this was the image I wanted to use.


And this week's Merry Monday challenge is....



I want to work on some techniques this year.  One of them is sponging.  Another is sponging and masking. I can do it, but I don't feel like I have the control I'd like to have.  Hopefully practice will make perfect.  Or at least better.

This is the first time I "splattered" water on the sponging and I love the effect!

First step was to stamp the snowman in VersaMark and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  After masking an area with sticky notes, I sponged around the snowman with Soft Sky, Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy.  I splattered the sponged area with water and blotted dry with a paper towel.  

I had to stamp the arms, buttons and face with StazOn ink since it was so shiny.  The nose, hat and scarf were paper pieced. (I added a brim to the hat by cutting a strip from the DSP and drawing lines with my marker.

A little bit of Dazzling Details added some "iciness" to the scene.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Snow Day, Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Ink:  VersaMark, Jet Black StazOn, Marina Mist, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy
Paper:  Heavy White (Pip)
Other:  Dazzling Details

Edited to Add:  I don't know how I could have forgotten.....

Pixie's Snippet Playground since I used some snippets for his hat, nose, scarf and snowbank. Sorry I missed the Monday morning fun!

Just us Girls is asking for Paperpiecing and I think this snowman's hat and scarf qualify.

Cute Card Thursday, a new to me challenge is asking for "Cold and Frosty"

Shopping Our Stash is asking us to use Something New. This stamp is new.  From my old stash are inks, Dazzling Details and cardstock.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is "Ice Inspiration".  I have icy edges on the snowman and snowbanks.

Now it's your turn. Check out the fantastic designs that the team has come up with and share a snowman with us at Merry Monday.  The winner will be our next Guest Designer.

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!

47 comments:

Benzi said...

Oh my goodness, this is adorable, Bonnie. First, you know I love that snowman. Second, your sponging and water splats look awesome. What a great job with super results.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card Bonnie-That Snowman is juust adorable-no wonder your resolve crumbled LOL!I love how you made the background snowy sky-fabulous effect.
Hugs,Nessa xxx

jimlynn said...

Bonnie, the sponging AND the splattering are wonderful on this! SO cute and yes, "icy" looking! Precious card and am loving that cute snowman.
Lynn

Marisa said...

This little guy just makes me smile :) LOVE the water splatter effect!

Joni Andaya said...

What a Darling card Bonnie :) So pretty the way you colored the snowman.

Wendy said...

This snowman is so adorable and I could kick myself in the butt for not ordering him....but that's a another story! LOL Love your sponging and splatter techniques you used on this. Terrific sentiment too!
Have a wonderful week, Bonnie! :)

Loll said...

Your snowman is so sweet Bonnie. You did a fantastic job of masking and sponging! It really looks like there's a snow storm happening. Great job with the techniques! Loll xx

Kristie Goulet said...

I LOVE the sponging and especially the splattering. It is so fun isn't it?! Cute snowman image! Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

This has been one of my favorite stamp sets this season...I love what you did with it, and I'm I awe of the background. I'm a new stamper so don't know how to do fancy techniques, but I want to learn this one! Have a great week,Dawn

Sharyn Polesel said...

Well, I have to agree with everyone else and say that I love the sponging and splattering. What a perfect background for that sweet snowman! Lovely card! Thanks for joining us at Just Us Girls!

Donna said...

Adorable card Bonnie! That snowman is just too cute! Thanks for joining us for the "something new" challenge at Shopping Our Stash!

Lindsey said...

Fab card! Love the snowy background & glitter! X

Doris said...

What a cool snowman! ;)

Bobby said...

I can see why you wanted this snowman. He is so cute. I think your sponging and splattering turned out wonderfully.

Cynthia said...

Yeah, I'd have trouble saying no to that little snowman too!! How cute!!! Love the card--the colors are just fabulous!

Nancy said...

Great background and great snowman. In agreement with all, a really nice card! Thanks for joining the girls and I over at Just Us Girls!

Karen Davis said...

So many wonderful techniques on your sweet snowman Bonnie. I love how he seems to rise out of the snow. The sponging is so effective and the water splats have worked perfectly. Love the paper piecing too. All round gorgeousness. Happy Creating.

Debbie Henderson Debbie's Designs said...

I think you are pretty darn good at sponging and I love the water droplets effect!

Susan Joyce said...

Hi Bonnie, love the sponging and water splatter, I have been going to try it myself but just haven't got there yet. Lovely Holiday card.

Karren said...

Wow, your sponging and splattering really paid off, Bonnie. This card is gorgeous and so rich-looking.

Greta said...

Wow--such a cute image & such an artistic card--fabulous work, Bonnie!

Sue VanDeVusse said...

Fun card! I love his darling hat, it really looks like it is knitted. Your water splattered background turned out fantastic. Thanks for playing with us at JUGS!

Irene said...

Oh Wow Bonnie, your card is brilliant and I love your splattered background. And what an icy looking snowman.
luv
irene
xxxx

Di said...

Wahoo Bonnie - amaaaazing splattering and sponging! And I can see why you fell for that fabulous snowman - he just makes you want to smile :))

And thank you soooo much for your beautiful thank you card which arrived yesterday - I LOVE it!

Hugs, Di xx

Susan said...

Well done with your sponging and splattering! And I love all the sparkle!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I like your water splashes on the sponged part. That rocks! The paper piecing is really nifty too. Great card!

Greta said...

Been having trouble with blogger, so came to see if you got my comment & apparently not--argh! I love how you took this adorable snowman & made an artistic & beautiful card, Bonnie! I love the splotches--only tried it once, but need to do it again as you've inspired me!

Cathy said...

Beautiful card Bonnie, the sponging and spattering look fantastic. Really looks like it's snowing! The snowman is just gorgeous too, Cathy x

Vicki Dutcher said...

What a super fun card -- love that hat! Thanks for joining in with JUGS!

Colleen Dietrich said...

This is precious, Bonnie! Your method of coloring him really rocks, too.

Darnell said...

Wonderful snowman, Bonnie, with his real-looking hat and scarf! I love the water splatters, too. This reminds me a lot of a Penny Black Stickeroo. But mostly I love the size of that coal grin ~ I couldn't help but smile back from ear-to-ear!! Hope you're having a great week! Hugs, Darnell

Kay Miller said...

Oh Bonnie this is gorgeous!!! Your sponging and splattering looks so wonderful and that snowman is just adorable! Really beautiful work!!

Shirley said...

OMGosh, Bonnie, what an artful and wonderful snowman. Pretty and fun at the same time!!

LeAnne said...

Your creativity and willingness to experiment amazes me! I just wish I could even THINK of the techniques to do! This is amazing!

Katie Melhus said...

This is great, that sponged panel is perfect way to highlight the snowman. Great use of those techniques! :)

MaryH said...

Bonnie, this is awesome! Thanks ever so for the explanation. My water splatters never look like anything but spilled water. Reckon my fingers just don't have the knack. Yours is divine. I love your snowman sparklies & your sponging is terrific. You got such depth of color with the 2 colors you chose. Would have missed the Not Quite Navy, because your blues are like the NC winter skies I've seen. Loved the pop of red on his textured hat & scarf too. Great card. Looking forward to your technique goals for the year. TFS & Hugs

Narelle Farrugia said...

I just love this card Bonnie! Your snowman is just so cute! I too have wanted this set but am yet to buy it, but you make me want it more now!

scrappymo! said...

What a cutie! Great card as always, Bonnie!

♥Gemma♥ said...

This is gorgeous with that super cute snowman and loving the background behind your image...
hugs and xxx
Gemma

Mrs A. said...

I love the sponging and splattering effect. Looks just like it is snowing on your card. I want to try new techniques this year along with new card shapes.
The splattering is one I haven't had a go at yet. Hugs Mrs A.

Notes by Nina said...

Fabulous card Bonnie, your snowman is adorable and I love the added sparkle.

Barbara Godden said...

Wow so many techniques and yes practice makes perfect but yours is awesome. thanks for playing along with Shopping our Stash for the use something new challenge.

Jill Norwood said...

Oh my goodness I ADORE your card and pinned it to my pinterest board! So fun and sweet and precious! :)

Judy1223 said...

Bonnie, that sponging and splattering is amazing...such a cool effect and perfect for this snowy scene!

Brenda said...

Adorable card!! Love that spattered background sky!

Margaret Moody said...

Such a great card, Bonnie! I love your happy snowman! Nice job with the technique you used for the background too!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Another beauty, love the background for you whimsical snowman :) Shirleyx