Borders & Corners Holiday

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This is the card that I sent into Papertrey Ink's Guest Star Stamper contest this month. I'm kicking myself that I didn't make more than one entry this time. I've just been SO busy! When I first saw this set online, I thought 'This set would make perfect holiday ornaments!!!'. So, I took a picture of my boys, scanned it and printed it in black and white - just onto regular computer paper. It looked really dull and I was trying to think of a way to liven it up a little. I just love the photos that are mainly black and white - but the photographer adds color to only certain parts of the picture once developed. I can't think of what this technique is called, so hopefully you guys will understand what I'm trying to describe. :) I had just purchased a few Copic markers and decided to give it a try. I couldn't believe the results! The markers didn't smear the toner at all! And... the color looked perfect! I couldn't get a great photo of it, but I added color to their skin and shirts. Dark colors don't work well (I know this because I tried to add dark brown to Eli's hair and he looked like something from the Adam's family)... but the lighter tones work just as I'd hoped!

I added a stamped border around the photo and to the scalloped matting with the Oval Borders & Corners set from Papertrey Ink. The layers are held together with dimensionals. I added some silver cord between the layers for the 'ornament' to hang by. It's adhered to the card front by a self-adhesive velcro dot! Hopefully the recipient will enjoy the card and then hang the ornament on their tree.

For the card, I used some left-over poinsettia paper from last years SU holiday designer series pack. I made coordinating ribbon by stamping an image from the stamp set onto twill -- and then added a little color to the image centers with a red Copic marker. I love how the holly image fits perfectly in a scalloped border! I added a little holly to the corners of the cards too. The sentiment is from Papertrey's Faux Ribbon set. Between that set and the Paper Tray set, I always find the sentiment that I need! Love it! :) I stamped a border (from the Borders & Corners set, of course!) around the sentiment and adhered with another dimensional.

I really like these new sets (surprise, surprise!) :) These stamps are SO versatile! I love them!!! And... I love that this card has the little unexpected twist to it!