Three more for Christmas!

I've had fun this month creating "Partial Cards" for the Power Poppy Challenge. For my final entree, I am using their adorable Gingerbread Family Digi set. The sentiment on the inside is from the Power Poppy set, the "Hi sweetie" greeting on the front is from a wonderful Beccy's Place digi set named "Sweet Shoppe". The images are colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and white gel pen. Sweet it is! (The second photo is from the inside of the card.) 

Entered into:                      

Power Poppy- Portion Control                               (powerpoppy.blogspot.com/2017/11/power-up-with-portion-control.html)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes   (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- #271 Anything Goes                            (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Doing Life- Create with TLC Challenge                         (desiref.blogspot.co.za)

Christmas Cards All Year Round- Candies, Cookies or Gingerbread        (christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk)

The final challenge in Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge is "Do What You Love." When it comes to stamping, I love coloring and fussy-cutting. And I also love making cards that are a little unusual. This card meets all of those categories. A few weeks ago I made a card similar to this, but with a different sketch. For this card, I added vellum "curtains" (made the curtain rod from a wooden skewer cut to size and glued gold beads on the ends) and the girl and her younger brother are kneeling by the window watching Santa's reindeer fly through the sky. Once again, Rudolph's nose glows red. This time with a small rhinestone. The Santa and his sleigh stamp is from a Michaels set, the sentiment on the inside section of the card is from SU, the tree stamp is from Embossing Arts. Am entering it into several other challenges, including the Cutie Pie Challenge, because the card includes a bear and it also cute! (I added a close up so that you can see all the details.) 

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                    (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Deep Ocean Challenge- Santa Clause is Coming to Town          (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov      (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

The Cutie Pie Challenge-#117 Bear Hugs                           (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)

                             

I love the deep Victorian colors in current Bugaboo Challenge. They look wonderful on a tag, don't you agree? I'm also entering tis in the Paper Shelter Challenge, with the three kinds of embellishments being ribbon, die cut and pearls.

Entered into: 

Bugaboo Stamps- Color                                                     (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

The Paper Shelter- #320 3 Diff Kinds of Embellies    (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #191           (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Three S's of Christmas

This posting involves three very different symbols of Christmas that start with the letter "s"- Santa, the Star and [elf] Shoe. (Okay... the last one is a bit of a stretch! But it is a cute shoe!) 

My entry in Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge for the letter "Z" includes an adorable Lili Of The Valley digi image of Santa and a sweet kitty sharing some "Zzzzzzzs!" I laughed when I saw that Beccy had included snoring in her list of suggestions for the letter Z since I'd made my card last weekend. It really is true that great minds think alike!

Added a bit of translucency to my card by writing the words on vellum scraps, detail with a white gel pen on his beard and mustache, and texture with Polar White Flower Soft on hat, collar, and cuffs. (And the Dec 25^th scrapbook sticker is a perfect sentiment… since this is what Santa would be doing on the day after his big adventure every year!)

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                           (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Deep Ocean Challenge- Santa Clause is Coming to Town     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes               (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #191                      (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                               

In my last posting, I shared a card inspired by entries in the Crafty Christmas Collaboration (CCC). While surfing that site, I was inspired by many of the card, especially those created by Jessica at allthesparkle.com. Decided to CASE one of her cards. Here is her original and my CASE. I love the simplicity of the card and, of course, the bling! The star is a wood mounted stamp but with no company name, the Love die-cut is SU. The star shine is made with a sponge and white craft ink. The stars and die are cut from white glitter paper. 

And this is Jessica's card that I am CASEing-

Entered into: 

AAA Card Challenges- Christmas                                           (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Less is More Challenge- Let It Shine                                     (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Star Light, Star Bright    (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge- Let It Shine          (wecraftcards.com/forum)

Cute Card Thursday- #505 Stars                                            (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

                             

Years ago, before I had collected enough stamps to open my own store, I made cards with paper, fussy cutting and little else. Often I would hand letter the sentiments. This card is dedicated to those days. When I found the sentiment on Pinterest I just knew that I had to put it to use. The wonderful colors on the SumMoreFun mood board gave me the push I needed to be creative. So fun!

Entered into:

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Color Challenge- Let it Snow      (summorefun.com)  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes      (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov      (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

More Winter Cards

My entry in Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge for the letter "Y" as in "Ya sure. You betcha." The card requires a bit of explanation.Forty-one years ago I spent Christmas with my soon-to-be husband's family. It was a wonderful evening except for one thing… I got my first taste of the Norwegian delicacy named Lutefisk. Actually, what I remember more than the taste was the smell! Lutefisk is actually cod (fish) preserved in lye. It has very little taste, mainly the butter that is poured on it. And it has an odd, gelatinous texture, and smells horrendous! I understand that it is an acquainted taste... but one that I never plan to acquire! And am thankful that my sweet hubby has never acquired the taste either! Several years ago I made refrigerator magnets for all my in-laws using one of my own mini Viking drawings. Decided to make one again that would decorate a card. Attached a little vellum half-envelope to the front that the little magnet slips into.  

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November               (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

                               

Recently discovered a new challenge called Crafty Christmas Collaboration (CCC). It provides the challenge to CASE a variety of cards made by talented bloggers.  My first card is actually inspired by two cards, made in Jan 2017 using similar items. The sponged frame for my image was inspired by Jessica's card, and the snowy scenery was inspired by Emily's card. (For more details about the CCC visit www.allthesparkle.com/ccc1-emily-midgett)
The branch is hand cut and the sweet little owl is a freebie from Paper Smooches (papersmooches.blogspot.com)

Here are the cards that inspired me-

Entered into: 

Crafty Christmas Collaboration (CCC)- January           (allthesparkle.com/ccc1-emily-midgett)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #191            (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

My final card this posting is a pretty trio of ornaments made with a wood mount stamp from Northwood's. Colored with Tombow markers, I added Judikins Diamond Glaze to provide a glossy finish to the ornaments. It caused the colors to bleed a bit… but I think that adds a little bit of an aged vintage feeling. (At least that is how I am trying to live with the oops!) The sentiment is unlabeled.  (The colors of the ornaments allow me to enter it into the SumMorFun Color Challenge.)

Entered into: 

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Color Challenge- Let it Snow    (summorefun.com)  

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes    (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov    (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

A Trio of Christmas Cards

My entry in Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge for the letter "X" involves a bit of holiday humor. My card inspired by one I found on Pinterest years ago when I was making cards for Operation Write Home.  Remembered this cute idea when pondering this X challenge thinking Santa's belt is probably a size XXX! Remembered that it was actually a pretty simple card to put together so got to work. The beard is made the beard with a dry embossing folder (Swirls from Cuddlebug) which I clipped apart and fussy cut to make layers of luxurious "chin locks"! I made the belt with a strip of leather that I cut from an old purse (in my stash), stapler,  and an aluminum pop tab (also from my stash.) Printed off the sentiment on my computer. The insides sentiment says, "…. Just beCLAUS!"

PS I speak of my stash quite often but I don't think non-crafters can fathom just how many treasures a stash can hold. My DH hubby can attest to its breadth and depth and often teases me about it. Here is a conversation that we had years ago when I started collecting can tabs. 

    Me- Please save your pop can and beer tabs for me.

    DH- Why?

    Me- I’m using them in card making.

    DH- Oh, I thought maybe you were saving them for some kind of cause or fundraising.

    Me- They’ll be buckles on Santa cards that I am making for soldiers in Afghanistan.

    DH- Oh, Santa belt buckles. That was my second guess!
I have amassed quite a few since then (although most go to Ronald McDonald House for their recycling fundraising.)

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                       (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

AAA Card Challenges- Christmas                                           (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

                               

Love the cute little reindeer blocks from Bugaboo. For this card, I just used one of the sweet little guys for Stella's Sketch. Printed sentiment on the computer. The inside reads, "Thanks so much for helping to make our holidays merry and bright!"

Entered into: 

Bugaboo Stamp- Stella Says Sketch Challenge       (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

CAS-ual Fridays- Gratitude & Attitude                     (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge #191      (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                             

When I was growing up, I remember my mom making quilts… lots of them. She called the little bits and pieces of fabric that were often leftover "snipples." And, since she believed in trying to use everything, very few snipples ended up in the garbage can. So, when I discovered a challenge named "Pixies Snippets" that encourages the use of all the little bits and pieces we amass when making cards, I knew I had to join!  For this card, I used some precious snippets. One scrap is from a collection of vintage music sheets (inherited from my husband's grandmother. Actually, rescued from the trash when her home was being cleaned out!) Also used scraps of vellum… which I love to use but hate to waste, especially the one with white swirls. So pretty. And the sentiment was upcycled from an old Christmas card.
(Also entering the card in the Bugaboo color challenge since I used a few of the shades from that color palette and Word Art Wednesday because of the scripture verse.) 

 
Entered into: 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes       (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Bugaboo Stamps- Color                                                   (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)
Pixie's Snippets-Week 309&310                                   (pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com)

Fall and Winter cards

My final entry into the Simon Says Monday challenge is a Thanksgiving card that features a stamped tree (clear, unknown company), leaves punched from assorted color scraps, cardstock base plus two types of torn paper- parchment stationary and the waxy paper from a bakery cookie bag. (Yep… I find treasures that I can craft with everywhere! Oh, and the rich brown bow is from a gift box of Dove chocolates that I received last Christmas.)

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Tear It Up          (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes                              (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

My final entry into the Simon Says Wednesday challenge is a mug card that holds a tea bag.  I made the template for this card so that it would fit into a regular A2 envelope. The cute image, from Stampendous, is one that I've had for many years. It's a favorite to use on Valentine cards, but works for other occasions, too.  And who doesn't love cute bears? 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Food and/or Drink   (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

CAS-ual Fridays- Gratitude & Attitude                                 (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

The Cutie Pie Challenge-#117 Bear Hugs                             (cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com)

My entry in Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge for the letter "W is for "Wisemen." I used a Hero Arts sentiment stamp that I've had for a few years that was a perfect fit for this card. I attached a small die cut scene to a box fold card base that is a variation of a design that I found here http://stampladee.com/collapsible-box-card-with-deb-valder.) The beautiful Christmas star background paper is from my scrapbooking stash. And, the "sand" is actually a strip of textured wallpaper, also from my stash of treasures!

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                      (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

The Paper Shelter- #319 A Christmas Card                         (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes               (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Cute Card Thursday- #505 Stars                                            (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)
A2zscrapbooking Monthly Challenge- Winter                    (a2zscrapbookingblog.com)  

More and More Christmas Cards

Have been happily stamping the last few days during Thanksgiving break. Want to get a few of my new creations posted before heading to bed.

This first one is for the current Bugaboo Bingo Challenge. It meets the requirements of the vertical row on the right: Charm, Stitching, and Sparkle. Also used the color scheme on the Let it Snow Mood board at SumMoreFun challenge (Shades of aqua and teal, plus a pop of fuchsia. Love that color combo!) And since I used the sweet little fox from the Lawn Fawn "Warm Winter Wishes" set enjoying a warm brew, I can enter it into the Wednesday Simon Says Challenge. 

(I'm providing a close up of the little fox, because I paper pieced him and love the ridged texture of the tan paper. It didn't really show up until I started adding the shading with my alcohol markers. Then... wow!) 

Entered into: 

Bugaboo Stamps- Bingo                                                            (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Color Challenge                           (summorefun.com)  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Food and/or Drink    (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 190                    (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                             

Today's challenge at Beccy's Place Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge was to create a card/item using one of Beccy's Freebies. I decided to make another card using the one that warmly says, "With Love at Christmas."  (You can find it here http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/margies-Christmas-freebie.html).

This time I printed the image on kraft cardstock, added just a bit of color on the leaves and berries, added white contrasts with a gel pen, and finally mounted it on berry red patterned paper. Fast and so very pretty!

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                       (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

The Paper Shelter- #319 A Christmas Card                          (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

Assorted Creations

Had fun using my Whimsy Stamps set "Meowy Kiss-mas" to make a card for their current challenge, plus two CAS challenges, (Less is More Challenge and also the AAA "Celebrate" Challenge, too. Because… well… Christmas is the perfect reason to celebrate. Actually, since Christmas, my birthday, and wedding anniversary all fall within a week, there is a lot of celebrating going on that time of the year at the Asper house!)

I hadn't intended to add the white snowflakes to the light grey background. But… when I was done I noticed a small grey smudge on the left edge. Thought the white craft ink would cover it… and it did! Hope it still qualifies as CAS since the snowflakes are so very light?

Also, when I added the photo of the Meowy Kiss-mas set, I realized that I've only used this one kitten image from this set. Need to rectify that in the near future since ALL of the kittens are so adorable! 

Entered into: 

Whimsy Stamps Challenge- #101 Anything Goes               (whimsyinspires.blogspot.com)

AAA Card Challenges- Celebrate                                            (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Less is More Challenge- # 355 Susan's CASE                      (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

                  

I am a bit of a coffee fiend, so was just natural that I'd make a coffee themed card for the current Simon Says Wednesday Challenge. This image, a freebie from freedeariedollsdigistamps.blogspot.com is a favorite of mine. The sentiment, printed off on my computer, is also a favorite of mine! And it is TRUTH!

Oh, and the background scene is cut from a magnetic memo pad (that is… I should say WAS… attached to my fridge.) It seemed the perfect fit for the dapper chef. However, it was a bit overpowering. A layer of my beloved vellum provided the solution to that problem!  

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Food and/or Drink       (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 190                        (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                  

The Stampscapes Lakeside Cove Large stamp (www.stampscapes.com/stamp) helped me to make a card to enter into the current color inspiration challenge at Calling All Sistas. I used black Memento ink to stamp the scene onto an upcycled calendar page. I love the beautiful and peaceful sunrise. Added some highlights with a white gel pen and finished it off with an encouraging sentiment embossed with black sparkle powder on a punched circle of vellum. Since the inside greeting reads, "And I'm so thankful you are in my life" I am also entering the card into the CAS-usal Fridays "Gratitude & Attitude" Challenge.

                  

Entered into: 

Calling All Sista’s- Color Challenge                                     (callingallsistahs.blogspot.com)
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes            (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)
CAS-ual Fridays- Gratitude & Attitude                              (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)