Traveler Train - The Polar Express Christmas Card

by Joanne James2. November 2014 07:00

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players, where this week LeAnne has an interesting challenge for us:

  

I had a minor panic when I saw this week's challenge, for two reasons: firstly, vintage as a style is not my forte, and secondly, when I looked through my (extensive!) stamp collection, it was obvious I didn't have much in the way of vintage stamps either!! In fact, I only have one set that looks even remotely 'vintage' and that's my Traveler set - at that moment though, I relaxed. I love this set and suddenly remembered an idea I'd had way back when it first came out in July. I wondered what the vintage steam train would look like converted into the Polar Express, the famous train in the Christmas movie starring Tom Hanks - well wonder no more, here's my card:

I used Night of Navy for my card base, stamped with some grunge spatters from Gorgeous Grunge in Gold Encore ink, and matted my focal image with an offset piece of Brushed Gold cardstock. I stamped my image in black Stazon on watercolour paper, then sponged in my sky using Night of Navy and a little Pacific Point. I added more colour to the train using my Aquapainter and a touch of gold, then I used Whisper White kraft ink for the snow on the ground, the smoke from the train's funnel and I masked off an area and sponged white for the beam of light coming from the front of the train. I also stamped some falling snow using the snow stamp in the 'White Christmas' set. I wanted to frame my image with the 'On Film' framelit as per the sketch from The Paper Craft Crew because I wanted the connection to the movie, but in truth it does crop the image a little small and you lose some of the detail. I will probably make another version of this without such a tight crop, but as I was racing towards my deadline I didn't have time to make another for today so had to go with this one. I do love the overall effect though. The flags are made from striped gold vellum and gold foil, and the sentiment from 'Good Greetings', in keeping with one of the famous straplines from the movie, 'The bell still rings for all who truly believe', which I punched out with a small oval punch and finished with a small brushed gold star.

I hope you like my vintage festive train today; do check out the other design team cards over at The Paper Players - there is, as always, some fantastic inspiration to be found there.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

 

Comments (16) -

Gale S.
Gale S.United States
11/2/2014 1:22:19 PM #

I immediately thought Polar Express when I saw your card! Thank you for explaining how you achieved such a fantastic card! My daughters all loved this movie and this may be their Christmas card this year! Absolutely beautiful!

Yapha
YaphaUnited States
11/2/2014 2:47:50 PM #

Fantastic Polar Express card! That train image is perfect!

Doris
DorisCanada
11/2/2014 4:59:36 PM #

Absolutely love this card!!  Thanks for showcasing this fabulous set in such an imaginative and creative way!  (I've never seen the movie, but now I might have to.)

Donna Wakefield
Donna WakefieldUnited States
11/2/2014 5:34:58 PM #

Joanne, this is simply gorgeous. I know some grandsons who would love to receive a Polar Express card.

Claire Broadwater
Claire BroadwaterUnited States
11/2/2014 5:39:52 PM #

I couldn't wait to comment on your card!  The Polar Express was my first thought!  I don't own this stamp set, but I may have to purchase now!  This card is just perfect!  AMAZING, My Friend!  XX

LeAnne Pugliese
LeAnne PuglieseUnited States
11/2/2014 6:55:31 PM #

LOL, I immediately thought of The Polar Express when I saw your card, so your interpretation was spot on!  Wonderful way to interpret the challenge, it's just awesome!

Laurie schmidt
Laurie schmidtUnited States
11/2/2014 7:03:19 PM #

You really had a good idea,there. It does look like the Polar Express! What a fun and creative card!

Jodi McKinney
Jodi McKinneyUnited States
11/3/2014 12:14:04 AM #

Polar Express Geniusness!!!!  So clever, unique, and wonderful!

Andrea W
Andrea WUnited States
11/3/2014 12:50:03 AM #

Very cool! I LOVE how you made the train look like the Polar Express. Great take on the challenge.

Jenny Engelke
Jenny EngelkeUnited States
11/3/2014 3:28:22 AM #

Wow, wow, and wow!!!! LOVE this card! What a great way to use the traveler set.

Nance Leedy
Nance LeedyUnited States
11/4/2014 1:14:00 AM #

Like everyone else, the Polar Express was my first thought as soon as I saw your card!  Wicked clever, Joanne and such a great way to show the versatility of this stamps set.  Love the colors and the banners too!

Carolyn Lindenmayer
Carolyn LindenmayerAustralia
11/5/2014 6:51:27 AM #

I just love your colour choices Joanne.  Great job with our sketch this week.  Thanks for joining us at the Paper Craft Crew.  Carolyn xx

Jan M
Jan MAustralia
11/5/2014 12:18:23 PM #

Such a gorgeous card Joanne! I love the way you've stamped your train image and then sponged colour over. Thanks for joining us at The Paper Craft Crew this week Smile

Judy1223
Judy1223United States
11/6/2014 3:35:33 PM #

Joanne, I love this Polar Express card!  Definitely a vintage feel...love the gold speckles, too!

jaydee
jaydeeUnited States
11/8/2014 4:52:36 AM #

The polar express, the offset frames and the sentiment.... all bring me joy.  I just love this card
Hugs
Jaydee

Pam Staples
Pam StaplesUnited States
11/10/2014 4:12:25 PM #

Joanne, gorgeous card.  Love the coloring and feel of the train.  I immediately thought of the Polar Express.  I can just feel the training going through the night with the peacefulness of snow falling.  Very cool.  Thank for playing along with the Paper Craft Crew.

Comments are closed

Current Promotions

Stampin Cut and Emboss

Save up to 30% off on all your favourite kits from 1 to 31 October! 

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

Join My Team

It's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! During October you can get even more in your starter kit! New team members can get £160 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! Stampin' Up! has something for everyone: join my growing team and benefit from my support to enjoy Stampin' Up! however you choose.

If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

Shop Online

Access my online shop 24 x 7, 365 days of the year:

Current October hostess code:

4XPEYCB9

Shop Online

Scrapbooking

Stampin' Up! has introduced a new range of 12x12" scrapbooking product and kit - the full range is now available to purchase online. To download a copy of the new digital Scrapbooking Catalogue click here.

Mini Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

'Tis The Season - the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue is here! For more details and to download your copy click here

2024-25 Annual Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

Latest Kits!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The Christmas Ornaments Kit and Card Keeper Kit are the latest kits in the online store - get yours here!

New Online Exclusives

There are new products available exclusively in the online store from 5 November - check them out here.

About Me

Hi I'm Joanne and live in Northampton and when I'm not looking after my husband and two beautiful children, am an avid crafter with a passion for all things Stampin' Up!

I must confess that I have never been a big rubber stamper - until I discovered Stampin' Up! that is. I love the fact that I can get such great results with co-ordinating stamps, inks, papers and punches - the possibilities are endless! Join me on my stamping journey as I share the things I love and be inspired to create amazing things yourself!

Follow Me

Monthly Newsletter

Box Builder

Click the button above to use Box Buster to create your custom box design using the Envelope Punch Board!

Kits Collection Now Available!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The new Kits Collection from Stampin' Up! is now available!

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

I Design For

 

 

 

Stampin' Up Stuff

This is my personal blog and is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up! I hope you find it a plentiful source of ideas and personal inspiration but please don't copy my designs for contest submission or use for classes, publication or sale without express permission.