I did a workshop on Sunday for some experienced papercrafters who I see quite regularly, and since I hadn't had the chance to show them the new Shimmer Paints (on page 143 of the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Ideas Book & Catalogue), I thought I'd give a bit of Christmas shimmer a go.

The adorable Dasher stamp (available individually at $14.95) has been very popular, and I had a sample card from a swap, that included the Dasher image in a very simple, easy to replicate card layout. The sample was created by Judy May and there is a photo of it in my gallery in the right hand column of this blog.

I wanted to use the divine flocked paper from the Christmas Cocoa DSP pack (only available in SU! Wrapping Up Christmas bundles until 30th November), and I wanted to spray the whole card with a fine mist of shimmer, which is created with the Shimmer Paints.

Dasher is great, as you can ink up his body normally, then use a sponge dauber to ink up his antlers, and once stamped, add more sparkle to his artistic antlers with a big of bling - in this case we used the SU! self adhesive rhinestones.

I have added a bling-ey bit of silver string - from my substantial ribbon collection, punched the centre border with the scallop border punch, stamped a greeting from Many Merry Messages, in Early Espresso Ink, which is the same one used for the reindeer, then shimmer sprizted the whole card to complete it.

Notice the fine mist of silver over the real read card stock.  The ladies on Sunday did a beautiful job creating this card, especially the hostess's mother Trudy, who tied the most gorgeous bow in the silver thread, and used the Scallop Trim border punch instead.  It was a stunning result!

There are two Dasher cards in my gallery, using the exact same card layout, just changing the colours and tools -  very inspiring, and since it is near the end of November, dare I ask . . . how many Christmas cards have you completed for the coming Christmas season??