Saturday, 1 November 2025

Season’s Greetings


Hi everyone, I’m back today with another Christmas card, still working my way through my  new stash from Port Sunlight. This card was broadly inspired by a recent video tutorial by Heidi the Yorkshire Crafter. It’s my first attempt at using masking fluid as I’ve had some for ages, but have always felt a bit nervous about using it as I know some crafters report they don’t get on with it! 


I already had a die cut 6” x 4” stitched rectangle of white card to hand, so I decided to use that for my base layer. I stamped the Inkylicious tree in Morning Mist VFC then masked it with masking fluid and allowed to dry. I masked the edges of the rectangle with low tack tape and used a circle mask for the moon and torn paper for the snow line, then created the sky by blending a mix of Distress Oxide and Memento inks. I removed the snow line mask and blended ink lightly around the bottom edges to define the rectangle, then used the edge of the paper to create a couple more snowdrifts and wispy clouds across the moon. I stamped the stag using Nocturne VFC, and extended the grass at the base of the tree in grey. I outlined the moon and snowdrifts using a Sakura Stardust pen, then removed the mask from the trees and coloured the trunks with Spectrum Noir sparkle pen, which I also added to the moon and snow. I added some white Posca spatters for snow, then removed the low tack tape round the borders. When dry I matted onto a dark blue border and 7” x 5” card blank, and added a stamped sentiment.

I did have a bit of an issue with the masking fluid - although I let it dry, when I started to blend my inks the blending brush rubbed a bit of the fluid off so I later had to touch up with a white pen! I guess I need more practice! 

Stamps: Inkylicious Elegant Birch Trees, Island Trees (small grass extension), Stag/Deer Set 1; Uniko Christmas Sentiments;
Media: Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks (Tumbled Glass, Blueprint Sketch); Memento (Paris Dusk, Nautical Blue); Versafine Clair (Nocturne, Morning Mist); Sakura Stardust pen (clear); Spectrum Noir sparkle pen (clear);  Posca pen (white);
Tools: Hunkydory Moonstone Duo-Stitched Rectangle die.

Challenges I would like to enter:

ABC Christmas - V is for Vertical
As You Like It - Favourite Critter (and why)
(I don’t have a real favourite, but I do like a stag on Christmas cards)
C.R.A.F.T. #767 - Christmas
Crafter’s Cafe #324 - Anything Goes with option Christmas (3rd entry)
Die Cut Divas (November) - Critters
FarmQuest Country Christmas #10 2025 - Anything Country Christmas Goes (4th entry)
FarmQuest General Store #10 2025 - Anything Farm or Country Goes (4th entry)
(Moonlight)
Jingle Belles - Dashing Through the Snow (2nd entry)
Little Red Wagon #831 - Candle in the Wind (light source)
Simon Says (Wednesday) - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday #722/723 - Anything Goes (5th entry)

I’m trying to really get a move on with my Christmas cards now, so I reckon they will be the main focus of my blog posts over the next few weeks.

Take care, and thanks for visiting.
Hugs,

16 comments:

Chris said...

A beautiful, peaceful winter scene Pauline, love the icy colours and those gorgeous stamps.
xx

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful Wintry scene, great masking and love the new stamps.
Carol x

HilaryJane said...

In my experience every new thing takes some practice, but I think your masking worked really well. You have created such a lovely wintry scene and I love how you have done the edge. It looks great xx

Barb Finnical said...

Pauline, this is such an amazing card! I love the blue. You can really feel the stillness of a winter evening. I will have to watch the video that you were talking about. Masking fluid sounds very interesting and I’d love to give that a try. I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful talents with us at Word Art Wednesday. We really appreciate you!

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

This is a gorgeous card!

Becca S said...

What a distinguished fellow!! And he's proudly standing there protecting his kingdom on a calm cool night! Marvelous! Thanks for creating and sharing with FQCCCB for anything goes country Christmas theme! -- Becca

Aquarius said...

A beautiful scenic card - love it

Kathyk said...

Fabulous Christmas card, Pauline

Kathyk

Sheryl said...

A beautiful Christmas card. Thank you so much for entering our challenge at CRAFT Challenge, looking forward to see you again next challenge.
Hugs Sheryl xx CRAFT DT

Sarn said...

A beautiful stag card for Christmas. I have some masking fluid but have never used it! xxx

Becca S said...

Thanks #2 for FarmQuest General Store for the anything farm and/or country goes theme!! FQGS is not limited to any season of the year or weather/climate, so it's wonderful for you to share this proud stag standing in the snow card with us! -- Becca

SmilynStef said...

the silhouette really pops ... thanks so much for dashing through the SNOW with us at Jingle Belles.

Kate said...

What a gorgeous winter scene! Stunning!

Thanks for joining us at Little Red Wagon for our "Candle in the Wind" challenge this week!

Kate
Small Bits of Paper

EmmaT said...

Wonderful wintery card and scene. My top tip for masking fluid is to make sure the card/paper is 100% dry before trying to remove it or it can remove the top layer of the damp paper with it as i once found out:-) I use mine quite a bit.

lauren bergold said...

What an utterly amazing, elegant, ethereal card! So happy you could join our SNOWY fun this fortnight at Jingle Belles! ♥

Brenda said...

You have created such a beautiful scene! Thanks so much for sharing your process. Thanks so much for joining us at As You Like It Challenge for our Favorite Critter challenge!