Christmas stenciling!

Hello all! I've have been in the christmas crafting mode for days now. I signed up for a bazaar in December so I have a lot of stuff to make. Plus I have classes and a My Digital Studio presentation coming up. I absolutely love the MDS software! It is so cool. I've had some cards printed already and very soon I will have a photo album done as well. Very exciting!

Here's a little project for you. If you need any of the supplies, click on the Shop Now link on the right. Enjoy!

	First step was to make a stencil using the ornament punch and acetate (transparency). You can get that at any office supply store. I laid my new stencil over a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 4 x 5.25".
	I masked the top of the ornament and sponged the rest with Sahara Sand. I added more color to the left and lower left and very little color to the center and upper right to give the ornament some depth.
	I moved the mask so that I could sponge the top with Soft Suede. I sponged it heavily to give it lots of color.
	Next I stamped one of the stamps from the Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 set in Old Olive. I used a blender pen to remove the color from the cardinal at the top.
	Here I used a Real Red marker to color in the cardinal. I used the huffing technique to moisten the stamp. Yes, huffing is a technique - have you ever gotten the stamp too close to your mouth and ended up with ink on your lips?
	Take a look at the ornament all stamped up and pretty. You can use a Stamp-a-majig but I just eyeballed it.
	The base of the card is 5.5 x 8.5 Old Olive textured cardstock. There is also a piece of Old Olive that is 1.25 x 4". Embellishments are a vintage brad, a mini library clip and ribbon from the Masterpiece Ribbon Originals.
	In this photo the card is put together but it's missing a little something.
	I punched a 1" circle out of Whisper White cardstock. Then using the same stamp and Old Olive ink I added a little flourish to the bottom of the circle. I used my Sizzix Bigshot and the Merry Details Sizzlit to cut this cute little bird out of Real Red cardstock. It's clipped to the strip of Old Olive.

Viola! The finished card! Simple, easy, yet so pretty!

I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step guide. I am thinking of doing them more often. I'd love to get inot video like some of the other bloggers out there however I don't have a video camera nor the funds to buy one. So for now it'll just be one photo at a time!

Have a great weekend!

Happy crafting!

Desiree