Saturday, January 6, 2018

Embossed Berry Branch for Merry Monday

Hello, friends.

I hope you are warm, safe and snug with this frigid weather we're having!


I thought I was keeping up with Christmas cards pretty well last year, but...
I was short and had to make more at the last minute.

So I'm hoping to do better this year and do 2 at a time.

My good friend Linda is hosting the challenge at Merry Monday this week and
she picked a favorite of mine.

I cut some of the berry branch with my NBUS Penny Black die from 
mixed media paper and also used the die to emboss on a card front.

I watercolored the die cut pieces using a combination of Distress markers and
my Real Red SU marker.

When everything was dry, I popped one watercolor piece over the embossing,
stamped a sentiment and mounted to a card base.

I added some Glossy Accents to the berries for a shine and added dimension.

Now for my twofer.


I used a previously embossed snowflake piece from my UFO box for this card.

I die cut and watercolored several of these branches so you'll no doubt 
be seeing more of them in the future.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Something New (Berry Branch die)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Something New (Berry Branch die)


Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!




Card Recipe (card 1)
Stamps:  Season's Wishes (PB)
Ink:  Onyx Black (VersaFine), Pine Needles, Crushed Corduroy Markers (Dist.), Real Red Marker (SU)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strath.), Garden Green (SU), Neena 110 lb.
Other:  Berry Branch die (PB), Waterbrush, Twine, Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Card Recipe (card 2)
Stamps:  Season's Gifts (PB)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU), Pine Needles, Crushed Corduroy Markers (Dist.), Real Red Marker (SU)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strath.), Crumb Cake (SU), Neena 110 lb.
Other: Berry Branch die (PB), Waterbrush, Snowflake EF (Dar.), Glossy Accents (Ranger)



28 comments:

Betty said...

two great cards, Bonnie - great start on the Christmas cards!

Marcia Hill said...

Two BEAUTIFUL cards Bonnie! LOVE how you used the die to do the embossing on your first card and then adding the actual die cut over top...just lovely!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday!! :0)

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Just love both berry branch cards, Bonnie! Especially love the embossed berries with the colorful ones atop!!

Christine Alexander said...

Great plan for next Christmas, I need to do the same.
Love your embossed background, great effect from the die imprint and love your winter sprig with it's shiny berries :)

Liz said...

Two beautiful cards, Bonnie, my favourite is the second one, I love the embossed background. xx

Kathy said...

both are "simply" stunning and so elegant

Daria said...

I can't pick a favorite--love them both. Thank you for sharing these.

Trina P. said...

Both cards are beautiful, Bonnie. Love the dry embossed background, especially with the die. Great effect... will have to add that to my crafting arsenal to try.

Loll said...

Two beautiful designs Bonnie!! LOVE that berry branch die ... hmmm ... need to add to my wish list! :) I am trying to make two cards at once as well for Christmas. After making 100 Christmas cards ... yes 100! cards last year (donated 36), I was short for my list and scrambled last minute to make quick cards. Hoping that making more two at a time will mean I'll be better prepared. xx

Mac Mable said...

Love the abundance of berries on your realistic holly branches. What a treat you popping on the two fabulous cards...Thank you x

JosieD said...

I like a holly branch theme on a card and these 2 are great examples. Love the coloring and the glossy accents on the berries -- nice touch.

JoAnn said...

Beautiful cards Bonnie. Love the berry branch with the glossy accents. Great design on each of the cards. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.

Sue - said...

You’re getting off to a great start with your Christmas cards! I love these two!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

LOVE these beautiful cards. Love how you have used the die as an embossed piece. Gorgeous colouring.
Faith
x

Susan said...

Both are fabulous, Bonnie!! Love the way you used the die to emboss the background on the first one - and then overlapped the die cut piece - a great effect. And the second is so pretty against the snowflake embossed background. I've made a New Year's resolution to try to get at least two cards done using the same supplies everytime I make a Christmas card - really need to build my stash earlier this year!

MaryH said...

So pretty, and love how you've done 2 cards with the same elements and made such a different look (Great for our Darnell's new challenge..but too early I guess). I especially liked the way you've overlaid the embossed image of the die shape with the colored die, slightly off setting it. Brilliant idea! Good for you on doing 2 cards with each effort. I'm impressed (as I'm doing good to just get one finished!) Stay warm. We didn't get any snow, don't think we've gotten as cold as you have either. TFS & Hugs

JD/ Jill said...

Both cards are really lovely! And so nicely done!
Happy New Year to you!

Linda said...

Both of your cards are so beautiful, Bonnie. So glad you joined me in my first challenge of the year at Merry Monday.
I love how you used the die to emboss it on the card first. Lovely.

Nstiz said...

This is gorgeous, Bonnie! I so admire those of you who can watercolor so beautifully! Love the rich color green on this. Both cards are so beautifully designed and the die cuts are perfectly painted!

TK said...

What a wonderful card, your holly sprig is just gorgeous!

Meihsia Liu said...

Your card is gorgeous! Great design! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

Susan Joyce said...

Love how you used your die for the embossing Bonnie, and the sprig of holly is just perfect to finish off your cards. Thanks for playing at Merry Monday this week.

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

This is just fabulous Bonnie my friend! I love how you coloured that gorgeous leaf sprig with the berries and how you dry embossed with it too! Great inspiration . . . talking of inspiration . . . that card in the inspiration photo is one of mine (on my Pinterest board) :O Imagine my surprise! I also love the second one, you really have made those leaves and berries look so realistic! Have a great week my friend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Leanne said...

So pretty, love this card, the embossing is such a nice touch. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.

Leanne DT/MM

Bobby said...

Those berries look like you could pick them off the branch, Bonnie, and you know I always love your embossing.

Melissa Bove said...

Beautiful cards! Such fabulous designs!! So very pretty!

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

hugs...
Melissa

BożenA said...

Your berry twig looks excellent on a pressed white background. Great inspiration.
Hugs,
BożenA

Pat said...

These berry branch cards are both so pretty Bonnie and I love the glossy berries, and the embossed die technique has worked well on the first and love the sentiment and the bit of twine finishes it beautifully, whilst the second has that sweet snowflake embossing in the background and another super sentiment. I adore your colouring too. x