Want to start cardmaking without spending a lot? New to digital stamps and papers and would like to give them a try? Assuming you have a home computer and color printer, today's card is for you!
The freebie Let It Snow digital stamp used here is from illustrator Mary Ellen Smith's Dearie Dolls blog. There's been nothing new posted since 2018 when she announced her digi illustrating retirement, but the blog is still up and her sweet free digis are still there. I have used quite a few of them (e.g. this Kitties Thanksgiving card). To see the Dearie Dolls creations I've posted to Paperesse enter Dearie Dolls in the SEARCH THIS BLOG box in the column on the right. If you'd like to see a list of my favorite freebie digital stamp sites check out this post.
The free digital paper used on this card is Coffee Shop Paper Christmas. I've made other cards with Rita's freebies (like this cherry topped cupcake card – featuring another free digi by the way), but I noticed in grabbing the link that some of her older freebies don't seem to want to download anymore. Hmmm. As of his date though, the Paper Christmas one does still work.
The sentiment was created with Amelie font (which you can find free, too). Some little wooden hearts and matt enamel dots dress it up.
I used my no-brand ragged edge dies to create this card, but you don't have to use dies. You could cut rectangle layers and glue them down to a card base and as for coloring, you can get good results from inexpensive pencils. The pencils I used on this colorful autumn card cost only €4.99 for a box of 24.
You might also note the thickness of my paper layers. I used to use foam tape to achieve this effect, but now I simply glue my patterned paper to chipboard rectangles cut from upcycled cereal and other type boxes before running through my die cutting machine. Works a charm! See this Beccy's Place Hot Tip Tuesday post for more info.
But, having said all this, although I like a good freebie as much as the next gal, I also love my favorite digital stamp artists and I know if I want them to stay in business, I need to give them my business.
Paper – cardstock, Coffee Shop Paper Christmas digital paper freebies
Digital stamp – Dearie Dolls Let It Snow Freebie
Dies – no-brand ragged edge
Embellishments – wooden hearts, matt enamel dots
Gelly white pen
Unipin .05 black fine line pen
Beautiful happy snowman Shani and I love your papers layers and colours and fabulous colouring, what a super card..
ReplyDeleteLuv CHRISSYxx
Shana: Hello! The snowman image is SO adorable or should I say SNOW adorable!! And the patterned papers are fabulous!!! They just complement each other very much! A spectacular Christmas card! Thanks for sharing at FarmQuest Country Christmas!!! --Becca
ReplyDeleteA fun Christmas card for Allsorts, many thanks for joining in.
ReplyDeleteB x
Such a fun snowman and pretty papers. Love how this turned out! Thanks so much for sharing at Allsorts challenge!
ReplyDeleteSuch a joyful card!! And how wonderful that you could find just the right papers to complement your little scene. A great post to show that we don't always have to make a purchase to put something wonderful together!
ReplyDeleteLovely card, Shani! Such a wonderful freebie digi and all the layers are fantastic. I know there's lots of wonderful stamp/digi artists out there, and pretty papers, and tools and machines....but all that can be daunting for newcomers! Love that you explained how to make a card for cheap.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Thanks for joining the challenge at Polkadoodles Polkadoodles challenge this week! x Nikky, Polkadoodles x
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Dearie Dolls also, so many cute images. This snowman is darling and (I sound like a broken record but) I absolutely love your coloring.
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