Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Group of Seven to the rescue!

When a girl starts making Christmas cards in July, she's bound to run out of ideas - and steam!  Group of Seven Cardmakers to the rescue with a fun technique from GinaK!  And I did indeed need a rescue...

THIS was the view from my window yesterday:


WAY too early for this - I was hoping that our weather patterns 
from the last few years would continue and we'd be snow-free until January!

I started by looking through my stash of background stamps and landed on a crackle stamp from Simon Says, and a French Script from Sugar Pea Designs.  Many of the Group used Poinsettia stencils - you know I just had to reach for one of my own, right?  I couldn't stop at one:


This gorgeous stencil is from The Ton - I only used two of its three layers 
which left more white space to shine!

These purples are the newest from The Stamp Market: Sugarplum, and Plum.


Loll used a crackle stamp - who knew I actually owned one??  Why hasn't it been used??  I'm happy to rectify that situation and found a few stencils to add the pizzaz!


I can't believe it's the first time I'm using these gorgeous deer this year!
That crackle really jazzed up the sky behind the trees from Artplorations and
this lovely GinaK Snowflake, too.


I really need to watch a video [if there is one] on how to use this layering stencil
from Pinkfresh ... I like it but I'm never sure I'm using it correctly!
What IS right is that silver embossing powder and lovely sage-y greens - so cool!


Now, if that doesn't just make a girl feel better, I don't know what would!  Thanks Group of Seven!
=] Michele

25 comments:

JoAnn said...

Your poinsettia cards are beautiful as are the ones with the crackle background, especially the deer card. It really jazzed up the sky.

Bonnie said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this fun technique, my friend, and what beautiful results! I am loving that poinsettia stencil! You have the best poinsettias! The white deer look so elegant with that crackle background that looks like lots and lots of branches in the forest. The snowflake and second forest scene are just as lovely. You certainly made the most of a snow day!

LeAnne said...

These are gorgeous! And I DO have a crackle stamp and I may just have to CASE one of those gorgeous creations!! (You know I have that deer too...you enabler, you!) They're stunning!

Darnell said...

Yay, great to see how Go7 inspired you, M! You really rocked the technique with all four of your beautiful Christmas cards! (That delightful deer design wants to come join the gallery at NBUS!) I hope your Halloween snow doesn't mean you are in for it this winter.πŸ™ Stay warm! Hugs, Darnell

Julia Aston said...

Oh my goodness Michele, what gorgeous cards you created using this technique! The text and crackle white embossed backgrounds look wonderful with your beautiful stencilings (I have a crackle stamp and will track it down use it now!) Those die cut dear are so lovely too. Love the green/gray on your pine tree card as well - I'm so glad you linked these up for our inspiration! Julia xx

nancy littrell said...

OMG...All 5 of your Christmas cards using this months Group of 7 Technique are Gorgeous, my friend. Now you no too, why it is impossible to stop at only 1 card and how perfect the technique is for Christmas cards:-) All your choices of background stamps and stencils turned out beautifully. You have me inspired to make more Christmas cards using the technique, my friend. TFS and...Happy you had such a fun and productive Snow Day...we have rain, which is not as cold and you do not have to wait for it to melt or be shoveled out of the way:-) Love and Hugs, dear friend...BTW..I have made 43 cards using the Pinkfresh poinsettia Washi Tape set:-) I will post some eventually:-)

HilaryJane said...

I am glad you were able to do something to take your mind off that dreaded snow. We just have more wind and rain, but still, that's better than snow. This is such a great technique and you have showcased it perfectly four times. That's so impressive. I am still trying to work out if I have any suitable stamps and stencils. Well done for using some NBUS too. The deer are my favourite, such a fantastic background xx

Cat Craig said...

gorgeous collection of cards, and you make that technique look awesome, Michele.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Super fun technique! Those two poinsettia cards were stunning 🀩

Bobby said...

I'm hoping to have a day to do these techniques too, Michele, but without the _ _ _ _, please. You had some great stencils and background stamps to use and all your cards are fantastic. I have an Altenew/Pinkfresh class this weekend and then thumb surgery on Wednesday so I don't know how much I can get done but I'll try.

lostinpaper said...

Wow! Good to see you made the most out of your snow day my friend, this technique looks like fun and you have definitely rolled with it in style! Hope things warm up just a little Hugs Tx

Lisa Elton said...

Wowee, you might great use of your snow day! Each one is a beautiful as the next, Michele! The poinsettias are my favorite. The angled placement of the script adds so much interest!

Aileen said...

These are all amazing, I love this idea. So many beautiful designsπŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–

Marcia Hill said...

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! All of these are absolutely GORGEOUS Michele but I think my favorite is the Poinsettia in the deeper purples...such beautiful shades!! Might need to set that stencil out for next time I come over! Love, LOVE the deer card too with the crackle background! You definitely were on a roll with all these beauties my friend...love them all!! Hugs. :0)

Leslie Miller said...

Gosh, it does seem way too early for snow like that. There are still leaves on the trees! It's a pretty sight, though. Speaking of pretty, your cards are a fabulous quad of pretty! I want to try this technique and do have it bookmarked for someday. Love the script and colors on your poinsettias, and the blues for the forest and snowflake are icily perfect. Super gorgeous, Michele!

Virginia L. said...

Oh my, I love the scripty/text background along with the gorgeous stenciled designs. You are so creative, Michele!

Birgit said...

Oh my goodness Michele, these cards are amazing! I love the script and crackles embossed over the stenciled images. They're all so stunning! You can keep that snow in your neck of the woods. ;0)

Jeanne said...

You are incredibly amazing in that you create THE most beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing these festive delights. I'm glad you had so much fun.

JulieP said...

Your view is gorgeous but I can't even begin to fathom it. We did get a little front push through so we're currently down to 74 degrees. I won't be happy until it's 64. These cards are gorgeous and thank you for introducing me to a new challenge blog!!!

Jeanne H said...

Every one of your cards are just wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing them. You are an inspiration.

Loll said...

WOW! Amazing cards Michele. I LOVE every design you've done using the layering of heat embossing and stenciling. Your cards are gorgeous and your friends and family are going to love receiving them! Great work!! Thanks for the shout out for Group of Seven AND sharing these beauties with us! xx

Christine Alexander said...

Michele, I'm so glad you played along with us this month. Your Christmas cards are stunning. I absolutely adore the layered poinsettia they are so pretty.
Bundle up that's quite the dump of snow :)

Papercraft Boutique said...

Michele, snowing at the end of October!? It IS way too early!
But it seems like you turned those snowy lemons into a blizzard of creative lemonade. ;-)
All five of these cards are fantastic, and I especially love the crackle backgrounds. The unique crackle pattern adds so much interest to the sky and backgrounds. And those deer are just adorable!
Hideko xx

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

What a wonderful technique and a fabulous take on it!!!

Linda Callahan said...

Nothing like a beautiful snow storm for inspiration - these cards are gorgeous!