Snowflakes are falling .....

... not literally of course!  Although, it did look like sleet a while ago.  No, these snowflakes are on my cards.  I've made two more Christmas cards for this year's collection and they are for two challenges; Less is More - LIM45 where we must make a one layer card with the theme Let it snow, and CAS-ual Fridays - CFC31 where the DT would like us to use a misting technique.

My first card is for both challenges.  I started off with a square card with a soft pearly finish.  I used a bit of scrap from my favourite Spellbinder set - Fleur de Lis Squares - and attached that to my card.  I used Faded Jeans to colour the inside of the shape, using a stipple technique.  To give the impression of snow I lightly sprayed the ink and added a few larger drops to the card, allowed the ink to react and then dried off the water.  It looks super - like a snow blizzard!  Next, using the same ink, I stamped snowflakes across the top corner of the card and finally added a simple sentiment in the opposite corner.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up - Serene Snowflakes; Waltzingmouse - Nordic Christmas
Inks:  Distress - Faded Jeans
Spellbinders:  Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) - negative of largest square
Accessories:  Card from stash

The second card is only for the Less is More challenge.  This time I stared with a dark blue pearl card base and used the scrap waste from a scalloped circle.  I coloured the inside of the circle with pearlescent ice-blue ink and then stamped snowflakes around the edge.  Once I'd removed the stencil, I realised that I couldn't actually see the snowflakes.  So I stamped more in Versamark and heat set with clear embossing powder.  Finally I added the sentiment and embossed with silver detail powder.  It's not turned out quite as I'd planned, as the snowflakes are incredibly subtle!!!  Yes, that does mean you really have to look for them!  Still it's quite pretty, but I think I should have embossed the snowflakes in silver!  Oh yes, it's also been really difficult to get a decent photo!

Stamps:  Docrafts - Christmas Greetings; Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes
Inks:  Brilliance - Pearlescent Ice Blue; Versamark
Accessories: Clear and detail silver embossing powder

I think you can see the snowflakes better in the picture above, but you can really see the fabulous shimmer on the card base in the picture below!!  Sometimes ideas are better in your head than on the finished version!

It's been a busy few days, I haven't posted anything since last Friday!  I did get to the shops on Saturday to get some new ink cartridges for the printer.  I put them in, sadly it didn't fix the problem with the lack of reds.  So now I have a printer that works but only in black, yellow, green and blue! 

As you know we are hoping to move next year to the US.  As part of the move, I need to prepare an inventory of our household bits and pieces - both for insurance purposes and also for customs.  I started in my craft room.  I started by listing all my inks and punches, and making some reference sheets too.  Working out the replacement costs for just these two groups was very scary!  You know, you only buy a few bits a week, but it mounts up so quickly!!  Anyway, I'm getting on with it reasonably well - just dies, embossing folders, papers, gems, etc to do!!!  Then I have to catalogue all of our CDs and DVDs - that could take a while.

And today I finally made a start on my Christmas shopping.  I'm not normally this late, but going away at the end of December has completely thrown my organisation.  It was a successful shopping trip and this afternoon I'm starting to write my Christmas cards.  Despite making Christmas cards all year, I still don't have enough ready, so I'm going to pick one of my designs (probably a one layer, CAS design) and make lots!!!

That's all for now.  See you tomorrow.