The current Festive Friday challenge is a theme challenge:
I gave that word some thought. Retro. I mean if you really want Retro Christmas, you should go right back to the first one and have a manger, right? But based on the inspiration photo, I thought I should do something a little more recent.
Remember those aluminum Christmas trees? I used a Hero Arts tree and a retro-feeling sentiment, stamped in Versamark and embossed in silver. Then, taking a cue from my friend Susan at Simplicity, who reminded us this week that one way to get rid of some of our old supplies is to actually use them, I used some brads as ornaments to add some colour and texture. I'm glad I didn't follow up on my "promise/threat" to mail all my old embellishments to her, since she's using hers so well! Besides, as I said to her, based on the amount I've got, I don't think I could afford the shipping!
So pretty, Ardyth! I love all the silver with the coloured baubles!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Ardyth! I laughed when you talked about the aluminum trees. They aren't aluminum now but are still silver and every other colour under the sun. What is wrong with a green tree?? LOL. I like your silver tree though. On the card that is! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this tree...it is gorgeous! And...I'd have the same problem if I tried to wrap up all my supplies I don't use! Ridiculous!
ReplyDeletevery eye catching
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Brings back memories of my aunt & uncle's aluminum tree. Us kids thought it was so mod. Love how you've used the brads. Tres retro and tres cool card! Love it. Bev
ReplyDeletePerfect! It had to be embossed, and those brads are just right for retro pearlised baubles. (Is it too early in the year to say "baubles"?)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very retro look indeed. And, what a super way to use those brads. They look just like those cute embellishments that are sold now--you know the kind that are cheap, until you buy 25 packs so you can have all the colors.
ReplyDeleteRetro is going back to an earlier time, and you captured the early 60's perfectly. My brother used to go looking for old aluminum trees to decorate their house. Such a fun look - and card.
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law had a silver tree and your card looks just like it...you captured it perfectly! Awesome job! :0)
ReplyDeleteI remember those cheesy aluminum trees quite well, and although I didn't much care for them, I really like your card with the "retro" theme! All those pretty "ornaments make it A-OK and quite pretty :)
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This is beautiful..no stunning. It even makes me want to pull out some of my brads and use them. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful..no stunning. It even makes me want to pull out some of my brads and use them. :)
ReplyDeleteTerrific, retro/nostalgic card! I adore the tree and the brad bulbs. My G'ma had a silver aluminum tree,. She also had one of those electric color wheels which you set in front of the tree. The wheel would spin, reflecting the colors on the tree. They made it shine and shimmer. I think it was the 60s fore-runner of the fiber optic trees of late. Sigh ... fond, childhood, Christmas memories. :D
ReplyDeleteSo cool and gorgeously retro, Ardyth ... and I thought those baubles (yep, I said it!) were dew drops ... they're perfect with the tree! Susan's really started something, giving a new lease of life to brads, hasn't she?! Anita :)
ReplyDeleteLove your card,Very pretty!Love how you used the brads...
ReplyDeleteThis just popped out in my google reader! I LOVE this and think it is my favorite card of yours ever!!!
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt had one of these trees that would sit on the...ready for this... the Hi-Fi every Christmas. (Hi-Fi may need to be googled by some!) I love the metallic glaze on these brads - they really do make gorgeous ornaments!
ReplyDeletePerfectly embossed and balanced. I absolutely love this card - seriously stunning!
oh does this bring back some amazing memories! We had one of those trees but used only two different colors for the ornaments, hot pink and gold and a multi colored spinning flood light. So much fun to see your idea of a retro Christmas tree and you are spot on! Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fun, Ardy! I read Kim's comment above - same with us. My foster mother was "modern" and got one of those trees with the colored light wheel. It was God-awful, but your tree is anything but! Also excellent way to use your brads!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, LOVE this!! So very retro. SO very modern. How can that be?
ReplyDeleteNever knew an aluminum tree could look so gorgeous!!! Great idea Ardyth...it IS retro, and it's gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this design Ardyth, this will be my Christmas card this year... I have a similar tree :0)
ReplyDeleteLoving that silver tree - it has so much dimension! Fun coloured brads too. :)
ReplyDeleteArdyth, this is AWESOME! I love the idea of the tinsel tree, and the font of your sentiment is perfect for the theme, too. I love the idea that it's time to just use what I have - I am trying to refrain from buying much other than stamps (I can't turn down stamps!!) until the shelves around me start to feel more bare!!
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