Tired of traditional red and green holiday cards?  Me too, so I decided to try something a little different this year.

This new background “Medallion” stamp is a very versatile addition to anyone’s collection.  And it’s the perfect stamp for what’s called the “thumping” technique.  Here’s how it’s done:

1. Ink up the stamp with a Classic Stampin’ Pad.  Here I used Ballet Blue.
   
2. Take a Stampin’ Write Marker and tap or “thump” the side of the marker randomely over the stamp.  For this step, you want to use a color that’s darker than the color used in step 1.  I used Old Olive.
3. Before you stamp the image on paper, give the stamp a little “huff” to remoisten the ink.
4. Stamp the image.  Here the image was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.

Next, I sent my Snowflakes Sizzlits die through the Big Shot Die Cut Machine with Ballet Blue cardstock.  Then I fastened it to the center of the image using a clear rhinestone brad.

The sentiment from the Sincere Salutations set is stamped in Old Olive.  The edges of the the VV cardstock are sponged in Ballet Blue.

Did you notice the shimmer on this card?  Take a closer look… it adds a nice little bling to this holiday masterpiece and so simple to do.  Here’s what you do:

1. Take some Shimmer Paint (I used Champagne Mist) and a sponge dauber.  Shake the Shimmer Paint and take the cover off.  Tap the sponge dauber on the inside of the cover to pick up just a small amount.
2. Lightly tap the dauber over the card, wherever you want a little extra somethin’-somethin’.
3. I daubed over the snowflake completely, but it’s still translucent enough to see the blue.

And that’s it!  If you want to make your own holiday cards and you don’t have a lot of time–this is the perfect card to make–it’s Easy Stampin’ !!

To order Stampin’ Up! products on-line — 24/7 — CLICK HERE

Stamps:  Medallion background (115223), Sincere Salutations (115068)

Ink:  Old Olive (102277), Ballet Blue (100907)

Paper: Ballet Blue (100613), Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories:   Snowflakes #2 Sizzlits die (113449), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Shimmer Paint – Champagne Mist (116806 Holiday Mini) ,1/16″ Circle Punch (101227), Clear Rhinestone Brad (113144), Sponge (101610)