Winter Foliage Mandala
The rubber stamp that has been used to create this card features holly and ivy and is obviously intended for Christmas cards and decorations. I have used this stamp for Christmas cards but would also use it for the Solstice, and for midwinter birthdays. This particular card was made for my husband to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were married around Christmas time nineteen years ago.
The rubber stamp is a ‘mandala’. Normally, you would stamp this type of design several times (perhaps on different coloured card, as I have done here), look for the ‘layers’ hidden in the design and cut away progressively more on each layer, so that your bottom layer is the full image and the top later is a tiny central part of the image. You can see what I mean here, since I certainly haven’t explained it very well!
But on this occasion I cut away my layers on the inside. There’s a lot more work this way, as you can see from the side view below, because you have to cut the inside and the outer edge of the design. But when I’m in the mood I quite enjoy this detailed cutting, and it certainly creates a card with impact.
I need to be sure the recipient will keep the card for ever before I would go to all this trouble!
(And yes, my husband has a large box full of all the cards I’ve made for him over the years.)
Thank you 
Merci beaucoup 
Thank you 
What a brilliant idea – the ‘reverse’ mandala is really effective.
It looks fabulous – and yes, only to be done for those who would appreciate it!
that is beautiful, I’m glad your husband appreciates your efforts. Happy Anniversary.
I like it!!! And I’m sure he did too.
Me too, I’ve done some paper crafter to my husband, but not so beautiful. Fortunaly, he had not others to make the comparaison!
Kisses. XX
Ah, I have seen your husband’s appreciative comments on Facebook – and I agreed with him that it was very beautiful!
so very beautiful. how fun that he has a box of them, i can not imagine anyone throwing them away!
Lovely anniversary to the two of you~
I can imagine that this technique is a good one to use if you feel like ”losing” yourself in the work..its gorgeous.
I’ve loved looking round your blog just now – your needlework is beautiful. And your cards just stunning – I think I prefer the outer edges raised as it draws you into the centre of the design more than if the centre were poking out from the middle (if you see what I mean!).
Joyeux Anniversaire, Janice and husband ! Your card is absolutely gorgeous. How patient and creative you are ! A very beautiful gift indeed.
Pretty. Absolutely pretty and happy anniversary to you and your husband. You know, if i ever receive anything from you now, I would keep it lock and key and under strict supervision. I so feel those lines are for me
I have lost a couple of very precious things in my life.
Anywho! Where I grew up I saw a lot of Mandalas. The monks used to make with colored flour. And I have to agree that its come out reallllllly well
No, of course it wasn’t aimed at you! It was, though, a reflection on people getting to the end of festivities and then throwing away all the cards! I know many of mine have gone that way, and really it’s what stops me making as many cards as I used to. These days I usually do larger projects and keep what I make. This holly and ivy ‘mandala’ would take an entire evening to make.
I have never seen the sort of mandala you grew up with and would love to see one. There again, that shows the difference between my frame of mind and the monks, who do it for the contemplation and the being in the moment, knowing it will soon be gone forever. See, I can’t do that. I do it for the enjoyment but also for the end product.
So gorgeous! And it is so sweet that your hubby has saved all your cards, how romantic!
Thank you everyone!