Night In Bethlehem Sunrise & Sunset Cards

The first thing I think about when creating with silhouette images is a beautiful sunrise or sunset behind that silhouette.  For the last Night in Bethlehem class projects, I thought it would be fun to create a sponged sky with pretty color blends. 

Background Basics—I started by adhering a 5-1/2" x 1" strip of Silver Foil along the bottom of an Island Indigo card base.

Sponged Sky—The sponged sky starts with a 5" x 3-1/4" piece of Whisper White.  I laid a larger piece of Whisper White card stock down on the original piece to create a mask.  I lined it up so that it was horizontally covering just a little less than half of the card stock.  I had to hold that mask in place firmly, so that it wouldn't move while sponging.  You may want to use some sort of temporary adhesive, as well as your fingers, to prevent it from moving. 

Here is how I added color using a Stampin' Sponge or Foam Brayer.  TIP: Always start the sponge or brayer off of the card stock first, so you don't get a harsh "blob" of ink on the background.

• Sponge Pool Party ink over the whole sky.
• Sponge Bermuda Bay ink over the outside of the sky, leaving some Pool Party ink untouched in the center.
• Sponge Island Indigo ink over the edges only.

I stamped the Night In Bethlehem city in Basic Gray over the top of the sponged sky, as close to the edge as possible.  I also stamped some stars across the sky with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Sweet Sentiment—I stamped the Night In Bethlehem sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink under the skyline, then added a strip of Basics Washi Tape.  I love that little subtle pattern!  The layer is mounted onto a 5-1/8" x 3-3/8" mat in Basic Black card stock., then popped up with Dimensionals. I also added a Silver Foil star with the Bethlehem Edgelits, popped up with Dimensionals.

Holy Family—I stamped the Night In Bethlehem couple silhouette in Memento Black onto Whisper White, then die-cut with the edgelits  They are popped up, as well.

Bundle It & Save—Purchase the Night In Bethlehem stamp set and Bethlehem Edgelits Dies together in a Bundle and save 10% off the cost of ordering them separately.

Two Cool—The second card features a gorgeous sunset.  Here's how I created it:

• Sponge Peekaboo Peach ink over the whole sky.
• Sponge Calypso Coral ink over the outside of the sky, leaving some Pool Party ink untouched in the center.
• Sponge Rich Razzleberry ink over the edges only.