Category: Watercoloring

Day 25 – Yule Be Amazed – Color combo

Playful Woodland Critters + Witty Wordplay + Color Challenge #5

Today’s challenge brought together two fun themes: Yule Be Amazed—full of playful woodland critters and witty wordplay—and Color Challenge #5 using the Concord & 9th palette of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.

To match this with Stampin’ Up! colors, I chose a bright, cheerful combination of Lost Lagoon, Balmy Blue, and Melon Mambo. At first, I wasn’t sure how to bring both themes into one card. Woodland critters made me think browns and greens… not exactly what this color combo offers!

So I turned to my wall of retired stamp sets in search of inspiration—and that’s when the answer practically jumped off the shelf.

⛄️ When Snowmen Become Woodland Critters

I spotted the retired Spirited Snowmen Set (#148072) and instantly thought of one of my favorite children’s books—
“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner.

In the story, the snowmen come to life and play outside in the woods after dark. And that’s when it hit me:
If snowmen can play in the woods at night… why can’t they count as playful woodland critters?

With that little spark, everything fell into place.

A handmade card featuring a whimsical snowman skating on ice, surrounded by a soft, snowy background with blue hues. The snowman is wearing a colorful scarf and a hat, and there is a sentiment that reads, 'your friendship warms my heart.' The card is adorned with a sheer ribbon and decorative elements inspired by a playful woodland theme.
A greeting card featuring the phrase 'winter cheer' in bold red text on a light blue banner, surrounded by decorative snowflakes.

🎨 Coloring the Scene

To get a soft, playful look, I stamped the snowman in Black StazOn (#101406) on Watercolor Paper (#149612).

Then I used my Water Painters (#168253) and the ink pads in my three challenge colors to bring him to life. Watercoloring gave the image a gentle, whimsical feel—perfect for the theme—and made it easy to blend shadowing under him so it looks like he’s skating on ice.

For additional details, I used:

  • Pumpkin Pie (nose)
  • Pecan Pie (arms)
  • Basic Gray (skates)

A touch of Wink of Stella on the snowman and skates added the perfect shimmer.

❄️ Building the Background

To create the snowy nighttime feel, I used the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks (#165808) with a blending brush. The soft Balmy Blue and Lost Lagoon inks blended beautifully behind the snowman and tied the entire color combo together.

🎀 Finishing Touches

The final details pulled everything together:

  • Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon (#165767)
  • Three Banner Punch (#167050) for the sentiment
  • A soft matting layer in challenge colors

The finished card is sweet, whimsical, and full of playful charm—perfect for sharing a little holiday cheer.

A whimsical snowman with a pink and teal scarf and a carrot nose, smiling while skating. The image is outlined with glitter for added shimmer.
A promotional image for the 30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge, featuring color challenge #5 with swatches of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.
A graphic displaying 'Day 25 Yule Be Amazed' for a card making challenge, featuring a snowy background with blue and white snowflakes.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #christmaschallenge

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Day 19 – Hope & Light Meets North Pole Workshop?

Today’s Christmas Challenge brought two themes that couldn’t be more different: Hope and Light and North Pole Workshop. Instead of trying to force both themes into one design, I decided to lean into the contrast and create two separate cards—each with its own mood and message, but both built using the same layout and the same product focus:
Watercolor Pencils (#161700 & #149014) paired with Water Painters (#168234).

This turned out to be such a fun creative experiment—one layout, two techniques, and two completely different looks!

The Shared Layout

To keep a unified feel between the two designs, I started with a simple, versatile layout:

  • Horizontal card base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, scored at 4-1/4
  • Accent strip behind the focal point: 1-3/4″ x 5-1/2″
  • Focal image panel: Die-cut using the Textured Notes Dies (#165555) — a perfect little frame for any image
  • Layered background: 4-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ with the sentiment stamped along the bottom

It’s an easy formula that works for just about any stamp set or technique, which made it perfect for today’s theme split.

⭐ Card 1: North Pole Workshop

For my first card, I reached for a fun retired favorite—Christmas Crowd. It’s full of cheerful, whimsical North Pole characters, and it was the perfect set for a bright, playful look.

A festive holiday card featuring Santa and a group of cheerful North Pole characters, adorned with a vibrant color palette and playful design elements.
A graphic promoting Day 19 of a 30-day Christmas card making challenge, highlighting the theme 'North Pole Workshop' with decorative winter elements.

Technique: Coloring In the Image

For this card, I used the watercolor pencils in the most traditional way—coloring the entire image before blending it out slightly with my Water Painter. This gave everything a soft yet vibrant finish without overwhelming the line art.

Finishing Touches:

  • Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine (#164051)
  • Real Red & White Peppermint Embellishments (#164050)

These little elements really pull together that Santa’s-workshop, peppermint-candy vibe.

⭐ Card 2: Hope & Light (Silent Night Style)

For the second theme, I chose the retired Come to Bethlehem (#120591) set—a beautiful, solid-image stamp that has always felt powerful and peaceful to me.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a watercolor silhouette of three camels journeying across a hillside, with a bright star above and a village in the background, paired with a black accent strip and black twine.
Graphic promoting a card making challenge for Christmas featuring the title 'Hope & Light' and 'Day 19' with a snowy background.

Technique: Background Shading with Watercolor Pencils

Since the main image is a silhouette, I used the watercolor pencils differently for this card. Instead of coloring in the image, I lightly shaded a glowing backdrop behind the figures. With a soft wash from the Water Painter, it created a beautiful halo of color that makes the silhouette pop.

Finishing Touches:

  • Black Baker’s Twine (#155475)
  • Rhinestone Basic Jewels (#144220)

A little sparkle keeps the “light” theme present while keeping the card simple and serene.

⭐ The Result: One Layout, Two Techniques, Two Totally Different Looks

It always amazes me how using the same basic card design can produce completely different moods depending on the stamp set, colors, and technique.

  • North Pole Workshop → bright, fun, colorful
  • Hope & Light → soft, meaningful, peaceful

Both simple.
Both beautiful.
And both incredibly easy to create with supplies you already have.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

📺 YouTube
📘 Facebook
📸 Instagram
📌 Pinterest

#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #sketchchallenge #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment

Gather Together Class

Join me for my online technique class – Gathered Together

Spend a little time crafting this fall by joining me for my first online technique class. This class is designed around the “Gather Together” stamp featured in August – December 2020 Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog. This is such an elegant set paired with the Brushed Metallic Paper and heat embossing/watercolor wash technique I think you will fall in love with this set as much as I have.

The projects are designed to be completed in the comfort of your own home.  There will be a zoom meeting you can join live for tips and tricks that will also be recorded for your use later or if you cannot make the live meeting.  The number of kits and time to purchase them is limited so be sure to order today.

Kit Information:

Includes: Materials to complete 8 cards ( 2 each of 4 different cards)
Colors: Cajun Craze, Mint Macaron, Very Vanilla
Cost: $12.00 per set of 8 cards (2 each of 4 different cards)
Click here for a PDF flyer listing details along with product ordering information.

Gather Together Class Kit

Includes paper materials to create 8 cards (2 each of 4 different cards). Kits are limited so order today before they are gone.

$12.00

To Order additional products needed:

Call or Text: 435-232-2655
Order products needed online at: candiceanderson.stampinup.net
        Use Hostess Code:  VTS62BFU
Email: andersoncandice@hotmail.com

Dates to Remember:

Order by: November 17, 2020
Zoom Live Demo: November 24, 2020
Time: 7:00 PM MST

I will be shipping kits on November 19. When placing your order for additional items needed please keep in mind shipping times from Stampin Up! vary so allow enough time for your products to arrive to you in time. If you are local and would like to order them through me to pick up with your kit call, text or email me. I will place a local order on the 17th and kits will be available to pick up with orders by the 22nd. I will send an email out on the 19th after kits have been shipped that will include the Zoom link as well as instructions for your kit.

Order online
Click on the shop now button.
Contact me today to place your order
or book your party!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

CandiceLeave a comment

Eastern Palace Suite

We were able to pre-order some products from the catalog so I’ve had some time to play with them.  I hope you enjoy these samples.  They also feature some of the new in-colors.

Here’s some samples that I’ve created with my pre-order and I’m having a difficult time trying to decided what I want to order first now that I can order anything from the new catalog.  I would love to hear what your favorite new items are from the catalog.  All of these samples were created using the new Eastern Palace Suite on pages 18-19 of the new catalog.

This first one is my own creation.  I was struggling with this set so I spent time on-line to get other ideas.  A big thanks to everyone who is willing to share.

If you want to create any of these cards

Colors – Dapper Denim – Fresh Fig – Tranquil Tide – Lemon Lime Twist –Whisper White

The next two were cases from other talented demonstrators.  I’m grateful for all the wonderful samples that others are willing to share for all of us.  I hope you will enjoy my twist on these fun projects.  Sorry I don’t have there names to give them credit, but I do thank them.   For this card I used the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies to create the circles in the center project.

This last card is created by using the aqua painter to brush ink on watercolor paper.  This is then allowed to show through the intricate designs of the Easter Palace Suites dies.  These dies are fun because there are so many different designs you can make from the few designs just by mixing and matching them.

Tag SignatureOrder online 24/7
Contact me today to place your order or book your party!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

CandiceLeave a comment

Watercolor Winter Simply Created Card Kit Fun

I had a wonderful time at Stampin’ Up! Convention and I will be posting fun news and pictures about it soon.  But first I wanted to share with you the project I’ve been working on today.  At Convention I attended a specialty class where we were able to play with the new Watercolor Winter Simply Created Card Kit. I loved this class and getting to work with the watercolor projects.  I came home and just had to finish all the cute cards.  Now while I can’t show you the cute Card Kit or Stamp set yet I can share with you the finished project which is way better anyway right?

So here’s what I came with.  The kit comes with enough stuff to make 5 each of 4 different designs, however I didn’t want the same cards so I decided to see what else I could make with it.  As you can see there is so much you can do with this kit and I still have stuff left over.

Water Color Winter Cards

 

So I thought I would showcase up close one of my favorites.  It’s kind of hard to see but the white has a fun would texture background.  Just so you know all these cards were created using just what comes in the kit along with adhesive and ink.  The stamp set is sold separately as well it’s called Watercolor Winter Too.  I’m entering this one in Stampin’ Up!’s contest.  Please do me a favor and help me win by going here and liking and pining my card.

Joy Card Watercolor Winter Kit

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Tag SignatureOrder online 24/7
Contact me to order or book your party today!
435-245-5321 Home
435-232-2655 Cell (Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

Stampin’ Supplies:

Colors:
Pad-Bermuda Bay
Reinkers-Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate & Old Olive

Stamps:
Watercolor Winter Too
Photopolymer- #136819 $11.95

Others:
Watercolor Winter Simply Created Card Kit- #135869 $24.95

Just a reminder both the Stamp Set and the kit will be available in the Holiday Catalog starting August 28th.  Oh and you are totally going to love it!

CandiceLeave a comment

Thrifty Thursday 3-12-09

We really had fun at club last night doing these great projects using the Circle Cutter.  I decided that it was a good one for Thrifty Thursday because the circle cutter can really save you a lot of money.  I cuts circles from I think one inch up to 6″ and anywhere in-between.  I also love that it cuts rings.  I have seen fun papers made with circles and I love that now I can create my own in any color combination that I want.  I also love the texture that it adds.

march-09-club-pagesNow I will be honest the circle cutter does take a little practice as they quickly found out at club.  However once you get it down I think you will love it as much as I do.  It is so smooth and fast.  I’ve really enjoyed playing with it and I’m sure I will enjoy it for many years to come.  Right now is the perfect time to get this great product because when you by the cutter and the mat plus replacement blades it puts you over $50.00 so you can get a sale-a-bration set.  This item has been on back order so you may not be able to order it on-line, however you can place an order through me.  Be sure to get your orders in early as I leave on the 20th and won’t be back until the 30th.

congrats-march-club-1I really love how I could use the punches to work with the circle cutter.  On this card I punched out the Congratulations (from the new spring mini).  I also punched the Chocolate Chip and Old Olive back ground papers.  Then I used the circle cutter for the larger Cameo Coral circle.

We also focused on texture on the projects.  The Old Olive papers are all textured card-stock.  On many of the Chocolate Chip papers we ran them through the big shot using the circle texture plates.  It’s hard to see but it really adds to the pages and card.

Products Used:
112531 Glass Mat $19.95
112530 Circle Scissor Plus $29.95
103954 Aqua Painter $16.95
113439 Big Shot Die-Cut Machine $99.95
114614 Texturz Impression Pad $5.95
114615 Texturz Silicone Rubber $5.95
113464 Serif Essential Alphabet Die $149.95
114512 Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz plates $11.95
109051 Chocolate Chip 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon $7.95
111367 Chocolate Chip 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon $4.95
114333 Button Latte $7.95
112092 Button Bouquet $7.95
105447 Clear Buttons $4.95
103683 Mini Glue Dots $4.95
104401 1-3/8″ Circle Punch $15.95
104403 1-1/4″ Circle Punch $15.95
109046 1″ Circle Punch $10.95
112004 1-3/4″ Circle punch $15.95
108341 Spiral Punch $10.95
106697 Soft Subtles Water Color Wonder™ Crayons $19.95
106696 Earth Elements Water Color Wonder™ Crayons $19.95
115086 Taffy Alphabet Set $43.95
113822 Eight Great Greetings $27.95 (Mini)
113262 Wagon Full of Fun $34.95 (Mini)

Colors- Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

Note- The two Mini Catalog sets we used are available now through the mini-catalog pre-order.  Click here for more details.  The rest of the catalog will be available April 1st.

To learn more about club and how you can make great projects like these for free click here.

Click here to start placing your on-line order.  Click on the “Shop Now” in the top right corner

Click here to see more weekly Challenge Projects

CandiceLeave a comment