Monday, September 14, 2015

Southern Santa


Beach related cards is the theme this month at Sparkle N Sprinkle.  For today's card, I decided to do something I have never done before, but for a good reason :-).  If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you know how much I love to color, especially with Copic markers.  Well, a friend of mine was saying how she wished she had time to color and but she didn't like pre-colored images because that felt like she was cheating (almost as if she went and bought a store-bought card. Gasp!)  So this card is dedicated to her.  You can use a pre-colored image and "make it your own" by adding to it.

My card uses the digi version of Southern Santa and after printing it out in color, I went about "making it my own".  I started out by die cutting the image with Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles die.  Gypsy Red velvet glitter was added to Santa's hat and the flowers on his swimsuit.  Cyclamen was added to the cute umbrella in his cocktail and each of the Christmas lights has glitter on them: Sunny DazeElegant Emerald, and Gypsy Red.  I also used a Sakura glue pen to add adhesive around the stitching and this was covered with Neon Flamingo glitter.   The wiring for the strand of Christmas lights was heat embossed with Black Detail.  I used a black gel pen and traced over the wire, covered it with Black Detail, and heat embossed.  Demo Donna has used this same trick in one of her videos using a regular ball point pen.  Glossy Accents was also added to both flamingos' beaks as well as Santa's shades.

The edge of my sentiment, which was part of a kit I received once upon a time, was also covered in Gypsy Red glitter.

So what do you think?  Is this an acceptable alternative for when you don't think you have enough time to color your own image, or do you think it's sort of cheating?  I have to fess up that this is probably the only time you will see me using a pre-colored image...I love coloring with my Copics too much :-).


11 comments:

Donna Ellis said...

Love how you made this card your own, Anne! And the colors really are wonderful! The candy cane strip background is fabulous with your beachy Santa! Hope you are feeling better and better each day, Annie. hugs, de

Shona Erlenborn said...

You did a fabulous job on "cheating"!! With all the sparkly additions who would have known how the scene began. Really cute Anne!

Lisa said...

This is so gorgeous, Anne!! I love the fun image!! The touches you added are just perfect!! I wish I could, but I can't color very well, so I don't think the pre-colored images are cheating :) You've showcased this fun image perfectly!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Lori Kobular said...

Anne this is a great Beach and Christmas card! I love all the extra details that you added to the digi! The glitter is awesome! What a fun image with Santa relaxing!

jimlynn said...

Love your card Anne - and this is going to be us this year if we don't hurry up and get cooler weather. I always thought the same thing about pre-colored images too and then discovered, like you did, that all you have to do is add something to them. Sure makes the cards go quicker when you're in a hurry too!
Lynn

McCrafty's Cards said...

Brilliant Christmas card Anne, I love this fun image
Kevin xx

Annie said...

Looks like Santa is on vacation Anne x Love the card and what a great digi stamp. Your colouring is always wonderful

Sending best wishes
Annie xx

MiamiKel said...

Oh Annie, this is absolutely darling! And being in Miami, Florida - you know this is our real Santa every year, lol! Cute coloring and background paper and card design!!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Love all of the embellishing you did to the image- fun to personalize it- love the glimmer and color you added. Santa looks so relaxed and enjoying his drink- this is our dream at Christmas when we are buried in snow : )

NanaConnie said...

If Santa was at my house right now, this is what he'd be doing in all our sunshine! :-D Fab card, my friend, and The glittery lights are delightful.

Donna said...

What a fun and cheery change card Anne, brightened my day!