Surfin' Santa

My little brother has been asking me since last Christmas if I would make his Christmas cards this year. He wants twenty, and he wants to pay me to make them (isn't he a sweetie :-). Anyhoo...I've been 'crastinating and 'crastinating and 'crastinating...and finally he says to me last week...'Sam, I need 'em in 7 weeks!' Hokey Smokes! My little bro works 4 weeks on/4 weeks off and commutes between Oz and West Africa for each shift (yes he has frequent fliers!!!!!!!!). He knows people all over the world due to his work and travels, and he has advised me that he wants to put his O/S Christmas cards in the mail during his next stop here (late Oct/Early November)......HOW ORGANISED IS THAT? Rate I'm going I'll be lucky to get mine in the mail before Christmas, let alone in OCTOBER!

Anyway, last night I decided to stop the 'crastinating and get to it. I'd already ordered the stamp set that I thought he would like, and a few other bits and pieces that I fancied I'd give a whirl...and last night with a BRAND NEW SEASON OF NCIS on the telly to keep me company (YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH), and an icy cold Vanilla Coke :-)...I knuckled down and started. I did have a few directives...no fluffy fussy stuff, or bling (BOOOHOOO)..he even said no ribbon..WT? That's not on, so I just ignored that bit ;-).

I've just now finished my first attempt, and wanted to see what you thought...Mum, you especially...whaddaya reckon? Will it pass muster?



I realise I've set the bar high. Watercolouring twenty of these Surfin' Santa's will probably put an end to any desire to watercolour for at least the next 2 years...but I really like the look! Mum, who is a fabulous watercolourist herself, has also very kindly offered to sub-contract some of the watercolouring for me...so its not as big a job as it might seem.

The cardstock colours are: Whisper White, Real Red and Old Olive. I've used Real Red, Old Olive, Blue Bayou and Creamy Caramel Classic Inks (this Santa has spent a wee bit of time in the sun...I was going to colour him Blush Blossom.....which I fancy is a more likely body colour for him given his Arctic abode..but Creamy Caramel looked better IMO).

The Old Olive layer has been Cuttlebugged (yes, and the sky is blue Sam!!), and I have stamped the sentiment on Twill Tape in Black Stazon (and I was surprised how well it came out). I've attached the Twill and 5/8" Real Red ribbon strips using Red Eyelets.

Last but not least, I purchased some Liquid Applique for Santa's beard, mo and Christmas hat trim. This stuff is FABULOUS! What a groovy look. Gotta get me some more of that :-).



So what do you reckon...will he be happy with this?

Thanks for looking,
Sam.