Today's a new High Hopes Challenge day. Hope you can join the fun! This week, Crissy challenges us to use non-traditional colors for a Christmas card. What a great challenge!
For my card I chose Woodland Santa, one of my favorites from the recent holiday release. I stamped the image in black StazOn and painted it with re-inkers. I used a white gel pen to add some white highlights to the image. I used some Ranger Distress Ink to warm up the image a bit by sponging around the edges of all the layers. I was even able to add a bit of color to the white thread I used for the sewing lines. The white thread was very "stark", so I was happy that the ink I used to age the paper also aged the thread.
If you check out the High Hopes blog, you'll find more non-traditional color samples from the other designers, and you might even find some surprises in the form of GOODIES! Goodies you won't want to miss out on if your a fan of High Hopes!

This is one of my favorite new images too! I have yet to have him in my hands, though I am working on it. He reminds me of my grandpa. I love this card. Your coloring and choice of colors is fantastic!
Posted by: Danielle | November 10, 2008 at 07:01 AM
OH MY GOSH...now he is just too dang adorable!
Love it!
Posted by: Patty W | November 06, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Adorable!! Love those colors.
Posted by: ulrika L | November 05, 2008 at 02:01 AM
I LOVE this card, Anna! So warm and "homespun" kind of looking which is why I enjoy your work so much and your down to earth drawings...the chickens, snowmen, etc. Absolutely charming!
Posted by: Sherri D. | November 04, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Hi Anna, just wanted to say what a STUNNING blog - stunning illustrations, cards and photography - who could fail to be inspired by it!!! :D xxxxx
Posted by: hello gorgeous | November 04, 2008 at 02:02 AM
Hi Anna ~ How sweet does Old Saint Nick look in a different colour palette?
Your sewing on this card adds such depth, especially when you go from a perfect straight stitched line, to a sudden
....... [[[{{===> SPLAT <===}}}]]] .....
of zig-zag stitches (they are zig-zag right? lol). Or perhaps you just sneezed and everything went haywire! :0)
Truely Adorable,
Posted by: Robb_eeie | November 03, 2008 at 09:23 PM
Love your fantastic painting/highlighting on this adorable Santa! Your distressing always looks so perfect too--I think I need lessons. Great choice of non-traditional Christmas colors.
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | November 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
A stunning card, and coloured to perfection!
Clairex
Posted by: CraftyC | November 03, 2008 at 03:40 PM
I just love the warm colors on this otherwise cold scene!! I love also the way your stitching went from straight to zig zag. I want to case that idea fur shur! Gorgeous details, gorgeous card!!
Posted by: Crissy | November 03, 2008 at 02:22 PM
He's a keeper! I'm sure that's how Santa looks in my dreams -- slightly distressed!
Posted by: nise | November 03, 2008 at 01:34 PM
What an adorable card! You really did a fabulous job using "non traditional" colors. I whould have had an impossible time with that, but you did an amazing job! Best, Curt
Posted by: Curt OBrien | November 03, 2008 at 12:07 PM
How very sweet!! This is just as cute as can be!! :) TFS!
Posted by: Vicki | November 03, 2008 at 08:57 AM
This is so charming!! TFS
Posted by: Cindy H. | November 03, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Oh I just love this card!! To me it says "warmth". I love the little details like the stitching and the gel pen.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Darlene | November 03, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Beautiful coloring. Love that image, too!!! Great card!
Posted by: Kirsten | November 03, 2008 at 05:21 AM
Anna your card to so wonderful! I think you have such a gift...your coloring is phenominal, but your skills of putting your art all together is just out of this world!! I am always so inspired by your blog and artwork! Thanks...Cynde
Posted by: Cynde | November 03, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Beautiful card! I love everything about this card. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Shari | November 02, 2008 at 06:13 PM
beautiful Anna! I just love the cool stitching and of course your fabulous coloring- wonderful job
Posted by: Janette Olen | November 02, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I'm in awe of your coloring...complete awe. This is amazing!
Posted by: denise (peanutbee) | November 02, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I love everything about this card! He is fantastic!
Posted by: Kerry | November 02, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I love, love, love this card! The image is adorable! Your coloring is awesome and I love the colors you chose. Fabulous card!
Posted by: Mary Davidson | November 02, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Ana, your coloring is so amazing!!!!! This is just way too cute!
Posted by: Joy Kennedy (JoyOfStamping) | November 02, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Wow.... what a great card!
I love this cute image!
Hugs Gisela
Posted by: mueppi | November 02, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I love this! Your coloring gives it a whole new personality!! What are your snowflakes...die cuts...whose? I need to find some about 2 inches or larger.
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | November 02, 2008 at 12:35 PM
wow! I love the woodsy look to this! great coloring job!
Posted by: Debbie | November 02, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Stunning card ,fabulous colouring and detail xxx
Posted by: Dawn | November 02, 2008 at 10:46 AM
This card is too cute. I love the colors you used and the distressing. It is an adorable card and image. Naturally the coloring is wonderful.
Posted by: Linda Palmer | November 02, 2008 at 10:00 AM
super cute! I just LOVE your vintage looking cards!
Posted by: Jennifer Scull | November 02, 2008 at 09:27 AM
What a great card. I love all your details and your fantastic coloring.
Posted by: Linda McClain | November 02, 2008 at 09:16 AM
B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L card!!! The colors are gorgeous,and your woodland santa is superb! You really should submit this for publication!!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | November 02, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Fabulous coloring as always ~ beautifully done!
Posted by: Dotty | November 02, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Loooooove this!!! Just lovely!
Posted by: Kerry D-C | November 02, 2008 at 08:54 AM
OMGosh, Anna! Is that ever CUTE?! Love the rich colors, fabulous stitching, and adorable image! Fantastic card!!!
Posted by: Cindy Lawrence | November 02, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Anna, this is SO dreamy. Absolutely gorgeous colour combo and colouring.
Posted by: Alli Miles | November 02, 2008 at 08:23 AM
SHUT UP!! This is fabulous!!!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | November 02, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Love, love, love it!! :0)
Posted by: Tracy | November 02, 2008 at 07:29 AM
These colors are GORGEOUS ~~~ loooove blue & brown together. And I love your stitching ~ something I'm trying hard to get a handle on!
Posted by: Michelle (MilwaukeeMommy on SCS) | November 02, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Cute! I love the lumberjack image! The colors you chose are awesome! It looks like a warm fuzzy flannel shirt
Posted by: Michelle | November 02, 2008 at 07:24 AM