WMS February Christmas hearts ....

... Good afternoon - I'm late posting today - I've been playing in my craft room.  I've made a card for February's Waltzingmouse Christmas Card Challenge - WMSCCC02-13.  This month the challenge is being hosted by Lynn and she has asked that we make a Christmas card but, as it's February and Valentine's is just round the corner, include a heart or two!!  Seems a perfect combination to me.  Here's my card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter, Ornate Ornaments, My Heart, Seasons of Love - Tags
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Early Espresso; Distress - Fired Brick, Evergreen Bough, Antique Linen; Versamark
Dies: Hearts - Cameo die cuts by Lori Whitlock
Accessories: Design Paper - My Mind's Eye Snowed In (Free with Cardmaking & Papercraft); White Lustre card from stash

 

For the layout I used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday - MOJO279.  I decided to try and use some of the designer paper I have in my stash cupboard and I'm really pleased how it turned out. 

The pad of My Mind's Eye paper was free with a UK craft magazine last year and this is the first time I've used it!  I used a sheet of the robins and sentiment as the backing paper.  The red paper actually has some very subtle snowflakes on it, but I decided to over stamp with these sweet little hearts from Nordic Winter.  The banner was cut from another sheet in the pack - I cut around the scallops and used my hole punch to cut the holes!  The hearts were die cut on my new Cameo (which I think is wonderful!).  I shaded the large heart with Evergreen Bough and over stamped (second impression) with another of the border stamps from Nordic Winter.  I kept the greeting very simple inking it first with Versamark and then Fired Brick which allowed me to clear emboss the sentiment - you can see the shine in the photo!  I finished off with a couple more die cut hearts which I covered with the red paper.  I finished the front with this sweet robin cut from another of the papers in the pack. 

For the inside I cut another sheet of paper to make the backing mat and a piece of plain white card for the greeting.  I stamped the lovely wood grain leaf heart in Antique Linen and this gorgeous sentiment in Fried Brick.  I just love the way all Claire's stamp work so well together.

I know it might seem strange making Christmas cards in February, but it really does make sense to try and get ahead.  I don't want to have to spend most of November rushing around making cards like I did last year (and the year before!).  So do try to join the fun!!

I'm off back to my craft room to make a few more cards - I might even do another Christmas Heart card!  See you tomorrow.