Each Sunday on the High Hopes blog, one of the designers posts a challenge. This week the challenge was to use buttons AND brads on our projects. I don't use brads all that often, so this was a bit of a challenge for me!
I decided to use one of my nice Making Memories fancy metal brads as the center for my button. The posts on the brad were far too wide to go through the button holes though, so I had to get creative. I thought about just cutting off the brad posts and using glue to adhere it to the button, but that seemed like it was kind of "cheating" and not really using the brad as a brad. Instead, I used some of my old scissors to cut the brad posts in half, lengthwise, making the two original posts into four! My button had four center holes, so it was a cinch to thread the new, smaller posts through the button holes and secure them on the backside.
Here's a closer look at the snowflake embellishment. You can't see the four brad posts, but trust me, they're there. *grin*
The Santa face is one of the images from the recent release at High Hopes. The image is stamped in black StazOn and painted with re-inkers and a water brush. The "Love, Santa" sentiment is from my North Pole Post set from Whipper Snapper. There's another crystal snowflake for you! (Addicted...) I used the same chunky glass glitter on Santa's hat. Ooooh, sparkles!
Totally gorgeous - so warm and cozy -- LOVE your watercoloring -- those deep tones on Santa's face are wonderful!!!
Posted by: Sharon (notimetostamp) | November 18, 2009 at 04:34 PM
I love this Santa...
so Beautifully colored!!
Great Card!!
Snowflake is Perfect :)
TFS
Posted by: Dee | November 30, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I am overwhelmed by the joy of your creations, fabulous card!! TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | November 19, 2008 at 11:56 AM
What punch do you have for such a big snowflake?
I ordered the glitter from eBay...
Thanks for all your good ideas. :-)
Gramma_Dar
Posted by: Gramma_Dar | November 18, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I wanna colour like you when I grow up!!! Stunning!! If this card needs a new home, its always welcome at my house :) lol
I cant wait to meet you at CHA :D
hugs,
Kim
Posted by: Kim Teasdale | November 18, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Wowie Zowie! This is sooo why I come to your blog for coloring inspiration!
Posted by: Novell | November 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
gorgeous! just gorgeous! love those big crystals!!!
Hugs
Posted by: Heather | November 18, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Gorgeous card! I love, love, love your coloring! The colors are so rich.....
Posted by: Michele | November 18, 2008 at 06:17 AM
This is just stunning!
Posted by: Jennifer Love | November 18, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Boy, you should use brads more often! This card is incredible! Best, Curt
Posted by: Curt OBrien | November 18, 2008 at 01:41 AM
Already said, but worth repeating, STUNNING!
Posted by: Sherri D. | November 17, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Love it! And I am really lovin your use of brown snowflakes - hmmmm... Maybe there were visiting your chickens first???? LOL
Posted by: kat | November 17, 2008 at 07:46 PM
I love Christmas in browns....so cute! I mentioned you on my blog today, so just wanted to say thanks for the touches on my card that you inspired. Come check it out if you want...
http://mamadinis.blogspot.com/2008/11/apple-barrel.html
Hugs, Dina
Posted by: dini | November 17, 2008 at 04:33 PM
This is just amazing Anna! I stalk your blog every day and I dont think Ive ever posted a comment and Im so sorry too because your work so inspires me! You got me thinking today too; I like to watercolor my images and I have had the same 12 SU ink pads for over a year now. Im getting a liiiiittle bit bored of those colors so Im looking to expand my collection. But Im wondering if I should just buy the reinkers and watercolor that way or should I get the SU spots incase I actually want to stamp an image with the new colors. Do you just have reinkers or do you have all the SU color ink pads? Sorry for the long winded comment!
Posted by: Sandra_MacLean | November 17, 2008 at 03:23 PM
What a sweet Santa. That sounds like a lot of work to make that brad work, but it sure looks nice.
Posted by: Troy Louise | November 17, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Anna, Santas face is sooooo cute. Love all the embellishments on this card. Beautiful card!
Posted by: Trena in Naperville | November 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Gorgeous! What a fun Santa and such fabulous coloring. The snowflake and brad a divine.
Posted by: Ida | November 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Wow, what a fabulous card!!! Your coloring, as always, is amazing! That button/brad/snowflake is awesome! When reading and looking at the image, at first I saw no button, just a big beautiful brad on a snowflake. I thought you were calling the snowflake your button, lol. Your closeup showed me the error of my thinking :) Clever, very clever! TFS
Posted by: Cindy H. | November 17, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Love the fancy brad with the button, snowflake and ribbon! Your coloring is amazing as always! Fabulous card!
Posted by: Beth M | November 17, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I LOVE it! Dang, your button/brad/snowflake/twig embellishment turned out great. The chunky glitter is fabulous. Of course, your coloring is amazing, too. Wow!
Posted by: Leslie Miller | November 17, 2008 at 08:43 AM
I love this card. Santa look so happy. I am hooked on your snowflakes. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: karen | November 17, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Stunning, Anna! Your watercoloring is perfection as alway and I am lovin me some chunky glitter these days. Such a wonderful vintage look!
Posted by: Beth | November 17, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Youre killin me with your crystal snowflakes! I need to make a trip to the store to get some chunky glitter! Love this little santa, youre coloring is amazing!
Posted by: Tami McBeain (tmarie) | November 17, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Oooh Sparkles is right! I just love this. What a happy Santa face! The snowflake is outstanding and very creative use of the brad. I think I might have whacked the prongs off! :-)
Another outstanding project! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Darlene | November 17, 2008 at 07:52 AM
oh wow what you did with that image is amazing!! totally love it, tfs
Posted by: Etha | November 17, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Your embellished snowflake was featured on http://www.oneprettything.com/! Really cool idea!
Posted by: Janine | November 17, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Love, Love, LOVE this card - its like diving into chocolate! :D :D Gorgeous colours, so warm and rich and makes me want to have him as my santa on christmas eve! :D xxxxx
Posted by: hello gorgeous | November 17, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Awwwww!!! Hes so cute!!! Love your coloring!
Posted by: Diane | November 17, 2008 at 05:56 AM
Great card! It looks gorgeous!
~ Leonie ~
Posted by: Leonie | November 17, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Absolutely love this Santa Card! Your coloring is the Best! I cant believe how cute the snowflake looks in Kraft cardstock with the chunky glitter....Im going to have to make some flakes out of the kraft! Your so clever to cute the brad stems in half. I would of cut them off, but not thought of the splitting....Very ingenious!
Thanks for the Great Inspiration Anna!!
Posted by: Cynde | November 16, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Your Santa Wowed me. What a great artist you are. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration.
Posted by: Roxie green | November 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Such a gloriously warm and wonderful Christmas card! Fabulous! How do you stick your brad/button to the ribbon?
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | November 16, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Gorgeous, girl!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | November 16, 2008 at 10:02 PM
There is that RICH colouring that gives me the Canadian Shivers!!! Love this Anna!!!!
Posted by: Vicki | November 16, 2008 at 09:58 PM
This is stunning, your coloring is ALWAYS phenomenal! This one should be framed my friend!!
Posted by: Dotty | November 16, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Anna, your watercoloring makes me jealous! (Not in a bad way--I just think you are fabulously talented!) This card is so rich and gorgeous!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | November 16, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Oh Wow, seriously I want every stamp you use. This Santa hat is adorable! Love the use of the brad! Those little posts are pretty easy to cut. Ive had to cut them shorter before. Thanks for sharing!
Chris
Posted by: Chris Hauck | November 16, 2008 at 06:54 PM
This card is beautiful!!!
Posted by: Tracey | November 16, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Awwwwwww, I love this card! I know, I must say that all the time....but its true. That ribbon with the distressed snowflake and large brad, the colors, and your awesome coloring. Youre such a HUGE inspiration, Anna!
Posted by: denise (peanutbee) | November 16, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Wow, this is gorgeous! You get such a wonderful, vintage look with the way you use color...its fantastic! I wish talent could be bought and sold! haha :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | November 16, 2008 at 03:57 PM
This is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!
I love the coloring--and that snowflake-button--brad accent is WONDERFUL!
Posted by: Juliana | November 16, 2008 at 03:29 PM
this is such a gorgeous card! love the detail work.
Posted by: Rachel Arambula | November 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
WOWZERS! this is FABTASTICAL! Love the snowflake/button/brad combo. I cant even imagine how many little goodies and embellies you must have. I want to come over to your house to play! ;) LOL!
Posted by: Kerry D-C | November 16, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Very cute! Love the sparkle! I bought some Martha Stewart snow glitter and it is similar without the danger of poking yourself. I do that enough without the help of glitter! LOL
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | November 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
This is totally awesome. Love the colors and of course your button/ribbon/brad/snowflake treatment is exceptional...Love this card, just love it...
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | November 16, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Great card. I like howyou colored Santas face.
Now I have to check out High Hopes and Whipper Snapper.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | November 16, 2008 at 02:27 PM
How awesome!! I LOVE this!!
Posted by: Jessie/knightrone | November 16, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I adore what youve done with Santas aura. Looks like this is a very old picture of Santa. You must have dug him out of your great great grandmothers old trunk you found in the attic and dusted off. Hes aged rather well. Awesome ribbon, twine and intricate brad. Bravo, Anna!
Posted by: Gabriela | November 16, 2008 at 02:09 PM
I am loving this rustic winter/holiday look youve been working with lately, Anna. This card is just fabulous. Makes me want to go get some of that chunky glitter and some brown inks!
Posted by: Michelle | November 16, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Oh what a beautiful card!!! I love the sparkly snowflake with your button-brad. And of course your coloring is just gorgeous!!! Your work is so inspiring!
Posted by: sue | November 16, 2008 at 01:41 PM
How cute, love the tag you have made, coloring, ribbon, well I guess kind of everything :o)
Posted by: Ann Hedvig | November 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
OMGoodness!!!! i adore this card...perfect in every way! the details are fabulous! i cant stop looking at it...it totally speaks to me!
thank you!!
chelle
Posted by: Chelle | November 16, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Absolutely stunning Anna!! Your colouration style is out of this world!
Katharina
Posted by: Katharina Frei | November 16, 2008 at 11:53 AM