Peace Be Unto You

 Today's card was inspired by sketch #158 @ Sunday Stamps and will be entered @ Penny Black and More for "All Creatures Great and Small", @ Jingle Belles for "Peace on Earth", @ Holly and Ivy for "Anything Christmas Goes", @ Sweet Stampin' Christmas for "Anything Christmas Goes" and @ Craft Rocket Challenges for "Animal Kingdom". 

I've been having fun starting my Christmas cards early and making them all different, instead of multiples of the same design like I usually do. This card was done as a square card that is just shy of 6" x 6" and the patterned paper (I think) was from CTMH at one time -many years ago. The stamp set is a long retired one from Stampin' Up!

Adding color to the beautifully detailed stamp was as easy as picking out a few watercolor pencils and digging out my blender pen.

To add some interest and lend an antique look to the card, I used the Vintage Photo distress ink around the edges of the patterned paper on the card front and all around the main image panel. I just loved the soft touch it added!

Here you can see the depth that the distress ink added to the card front. 

I trimmed both glittery washi tapes into banners according to the sketch and I love the interest this texture added to the design.

Inside I simply stamped the sentiment and dove from the same stamp set and lightly colored the dove with gray watercolors.

Until next time~