Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Altered Playing Cards, Week 14: Christmas Reindeer

For Week 14 of our APCs hosted by Claudine at Claudine's Art Corner, I am once again (for the second week in a row, in fact) without any of the necessary tools, products, and supplies to make these cards.  Claudine wants us to make Christmas Reindeer.  One of the things that caught my attention was a comment Claudine made:
if you do not have this die you can use any die that you have it doesn't even have to be a snowflake
I hate to tell you Claudine, but I don't have ANY dies, so I'm not even sure why I'm trying desperately to follow these prompts.  Instead, I fear this whole adventure has turned into a nightmare that causes me more frustration than happiness.  And these challenges should NOT be about product over prompt or happiness.

However, on Tuesday, when my friend Kathy and I went shopping (I'll show photos of our day out next week), I did something I swore I would NOT do: I bought a rubber stamp of a deer.  I DO promise, though, if I don't have the proper products, tools, or images  needed for the remaining prompts, I will come up with my own theme for that week.  No more buying something I will probably only use once, then have it languish in my stamp drawer, never to be used again.

Sorry, I am in a hurry to finish these, so there are no step-out photos this week.

Here are my Christmas reindeer.

Card 1 shows my new reindeer stamp.  I stamped it twice before I applied it to the card, but I probably should have inked and stamped it a few more times before I made the final stamping.  I started with a gessoed card where the gesso pooled to the middle of the card.  I applied some lovely blue fluid acrylic paint, then when it was dry, I stamped the snowflakes I've been using during December.  When the pigment ink was dry, I applied the two dictionary definitions and I named the card "Deer Santa."  Finally, I added the new deer stamped image.  I couldn't find a manufacturer name on the stamp, so it may have been made by Joanie at Mrs. O'Leary's, then adhered to a wood block.

For my second card, I started with a dictionary page.  I couldn't find the word reindeer.  In fact, I couldn't find most of the "R" words/definitions.   I liked this page because of the word December and deception, which fit nicely with the sentiment.    I colored the background of the page with pigment ink, then cut three trees from paint chip samples.  I got out my Stampin' Up giraffe, part of a set I bought a few years ago at the thrift store and turned him into a faux reindeer by adding his "rack."  As an aside, I spent less money on the set of six animals from the thrift store than I spent on ONE new stamp at Mrs. O'Leary's. The problem with this Stampin' Up stamp was it was on a very large wooden block and the rubber didn't line up with the  image on the front of the block.  As a result, I miscalculated where to stamp and stamped over the trees which I had intended to leave plain.  All that was left was to write the sentiment, "Reindeer in training" and hope for the best.

You would think after spending all that money on the new deer stamp, I would be super happy with this week's entry.  However, I was disappointed all the way around.  So what made me happy, you ask? All the lovely comments you have been leaving, even when I was so busy I was unable to return the favor.  Thanks for looking, commenting, and enjoying.

Please remember, the Word Verification is only there to confuse you.  Ignore it and hit publish.  Your comment will magically appear without the need to show you are not a robot.

16 thoughtful remarks:

Nan G said...

Love the reindeer in training! Both turned out great. Don't be so hard on yourself, E. Hugs to you and Bleubird from me and the Girls.

Nan G said...

p.s. No worries, E. I have your address and when I find my Christmas cards makings I'll be sending them out. So they too will be more Happy Holidays than Merry Christmas arriving after the special day. I'll be sure to put my new address inside for you. Have a good rest of the week. Hugs again. T sends a special hug to Bleubeard ( she had to get all combed and be pretty first....tehe)

massofhair said...

Both APC's are fab Elizabeth, lovely new stamp & i like your giraffe/reindeer very much!

Am enjoying seeing your creative efforts, shows you don't always need the correct stamps. I've not used reindeers but more traditional images on mine.

Sounds like you need to slow down & take a breath... Take care:-) xxx

Divers and Sundry said...

When I see all the art people make I wonder how they get all their supplies. I have no art supplies at all except for a few prismacolor colored pencils, and I wouldn't know where to start. I could really sympathize with your die-less dilemma lol I got a kick out of your reindeer-in-training :)

Dianne said...

hey, I love the 'reindeer in training!' Pretty cute and quite ingenious...and believe me, you are just one of many to get sucked into buying stuff for a challenge! *sigh* seeing a bit of myself here...:) great cards. BTW I sent an envelope your way yesterday, so keep an eye out. hugs!

Helen said...

I agree with the others, Reindeer in Training is great!

johanna said...

hahaha (or hohoho?)... the reindeer in Training is fantastic, love that Humor!!

massofhair said...

Hi Elizabeth thank you for your kind comments, i will DEFINITELY keep in touch as i enjoy visiting your blog, i am a follower so will be kept up to date with your posts.

Looked for email to contact you but found that you have removed your addy, how do i contact you?

You have my permission to add me to your left hand side and thank you for the honour of being included :-) xxx

TwinkleToes2day said...

Love love love both of these cards. The Deer stamp is lovely but the girreindeer is inspired! Great humour, great hART (hugs)
I too am awaiting the reveal of the new CB challenge before I commit. I am determined not to get so bogged down next year. Thank you for all your lovely comments and unstinting encouragement Elizabeth :o))

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I truly think both of these are fun and very unique! I love that reindeer in training! You know I don't have any/or many supplies including the inks or other name brand supplies she uses. I also don't have access to any other the machines as I have no local friends who scrap.I just do my own thing.

I agree though, that a challenge should be fun and not frustrating.

Anonymous said...

Sweetest ever reindeer in training. Would love to see a whole herd out back, wouldn't that be fun. Have the bird ballet today as I call it. Put a small feeder out and it is covered with tiny birds of all kinds. Makes me have a happy heart this time of year. Hope you are going to have a marvelous Christmas with friends. xox

Krisha said...

We've had the discussion about challenges before.....so I'll leave it at that.
It seems to unanimous about the reindeer in training card! But I think you will find a way to use your new stamp many times, it doesn't have to be a reindeer, it could be just a buck out in the woods.......oh, you'll think of something..LOL

pearshapedcrafting said...

These are both a joy to see! I'm betting that your expensive stamp will have a few non-Christmassy outings next year! Like you I don't like product guided challenges- I have just missed the chance of joining in something because I refuse to go off and buy something I wouldn't get use out of! Hugs Chrisx

froebelsternchen said...

SO funny! Love your humor Elzabeth!
Both are gorgeous!

Darla said...

You will probably use your new stamp in some unexpected and creative way. Just look what you did with the giraffe. Clever you! This challenge isn't one I'd enjoy, I'd only end up feeling my art supplies were lacking.

Darla

Claudine said...

These are both fabulous, loving the giraffe too. Your humor is wonderful!!