Larissa Heskett Designs: Clean & Simple Genius Holly Jolly Cardinal Card for MFT 2020 Card Design Superstar Challenge!!

HELLO CRAFTY FRIENDS!!

So I actually wasn't going to make anything for the MFT 2020 Card Design Superstar Challenge, but then I changed my mind with a little encouragement!! I'm one of those Designers who doesn't have as much confidence in my talents as I probably should have!! I get really intimidated and I question my talents then I talk myself out of entering!! After making a Card just for me for the challenge, my AMAZINGLY Supportive Husband and Boys talked me in to entering it!!

So here's my Entry for the Clean & Simple Genius Category!!

I Started by Die Cutting the Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame Die-Namics from some of the MFT Positively Preppy 6x6 Patterned Paper!! I chose the Rainbow Diagonal Strip as I LOVE the idea of Rainbow even in the Winter Months!!

Next I Die Cut all of the Parts to the Cardinal using the NEW Holly Jolly Cardinals Die-Namics Set!! I used ALL MFT Cardstocks that I'll have linked below!! I actually Cut 2 of the Body Pieces so I could have a more layered Tail and Body!! I think the Dimension really adds to the overall look of the Cardinal!! I also used Copic Markers to add some Dimension to the Cardstock!! I used Cardinal: R43, R46 & R89 Beak: E99 & YR68 Tummy: N0 & N2 Holly Leaves: G19 & YG17 Center of Holly Berries: R89 Branch: E43 & E47 I also Layered 2 Die Cuts of the Branch for more dimension too!!

I LOVE this Die Set because there are so MANY ways you could create the Cardinal!! With or without the Santa Hat and with or with out the Wings!! I think BOTH ways are FUN and that's one thing I like about investing in Pieced Die Cut Images!! The options are ENDLESS!!

These IMAGES are ALL the SAME Card, I just wanted to take Photos during my process of putting the Cardinal together to show the differences when you use the Cardinal with and without the Wings and adding White Gel Pen Details for MORE INSPIRATION when using this Set!! Sometimes if you're like me you have to SEE something in order to be INSPIRED to use something in different ways other than the way they were intended to be used!! I HAVE TO SEE it when I'm creating so I'll put things together before adhering anything and take Photos so I can see what I like BEST!! I KNOW this isn't everyone's process, but I thought I'd share mine with you just in case it HELPS you when you're trying to create or deciding on the finished Design of your Projects!!

Although I LOVE the Cardinal with his Wings and the Cross Hatched Tummy, I ended up LOVING the Vintage feel of the Cardinal WITHOUT the Wings or added White Gel Pen details added to the Tummy for this Design!! So after assembling all of the Colored Die Cut parts of the Cardinal I wanted to add some Texture to my Cardinal so I added some White Pen Details to her Eyes and Cheeks and I LOVE the way they make her Face POP!! I added some Sparkle to the Holly Berries and the Beak so I added some Midas Touch Shimmer Pen and then added some Morning Dew Nuvo Drops for some Shine and Dimension!! I set it aside to dry while I created the background!! I've used some Distress Oxide Ink in Tumbled Glass and Peacock Feathers then added some Water Splatters and some Black Soot Distress Paint Splatters!!

I adhered the Branch onto the Card Panel and then I Stamped and Embossed the Sentiment from the BB Unicorns and Glitter Stamp Set!! I chose this sentiment because I thought it fit the Card Design and it nested perfectly in between the opening of the Branch!! I adhered everything together and my Card was finished!! I just LOVE how HAPPY and PLAYFUL it is and it really makes me think about my MIL who would have LOVED to have received this Card!! Cardinals were her FAVORITE Bird and every time the Boys and I see one the boys say "Mom Grandma's watching over us and telling us she LOVES us from Heaven!!"

THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by today and I hope you have a FABULOUS WEEK!!

COUNTRY HUGS-N-KISSES

LARISSA 💖

S U P P L I E S

Below you will find links to the supplies used to create this project(s). Click the icon for the store underneath the thumbnails to start shopping. Where available I use compensated affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me to keep bringing you new projects. Thank you!