C24C - Winter Birds ....

.... Hello! I'm not sure I can quite believe that it's October already. This year is flying by. It's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#19 and for the next couple of weeks we want to see WINTER BIRDS on your Christmas cards. Here's my first card:

Stamps: 12 Days of Christmas (free with Creative Stamping Magazine)

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Claire - Nocturne

Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Green Glitter Paper; Copic Markers; Sakura Stardust Pens; Nuvo - Clear & Gold Aquashimmer Brush

My inspiration came from the Christmas song - The Twelve Days of Christmas - and I just happened to have the perfect set that I got free a while ago. I started off with the partridge in a pear tree. I stamped it on a piece of white card, coloured with Copic markers, restamped with Versafine and embossed with clear powder. I added some sparkle to the pears and to the sparkly feathers on the bird's breast. I added the words all round the panel, adhered it to some green glitter paper and added it to the front of a square card.

Now, there are several birds in the song, so I made cards for each of them. Three are in this style - image with layering, and three are ultra clean and simple. Here they are:

I had lots of fun making these cards. I did some masking and layering on the three French hens card. I also stamped one hen on some white card, coloured with Copics, embossed, and fussy cut her out and added her to the front of the card. I did the same with the good and pile of eggs, and the swan. I've decorated the inside of all the cards with a simple Christmas greeting and small holly stamp. I'm submitting the partridge card to The Holly & Ivy Christmas Card Challenge - H&ICC#80, where it's anything Christmas Goes.

I'm submitting the Seven Swans card to CAS Christmas Challenge - CASX#10 where, this month, they want to see Christmas birds. Done!!

I don't want to worry anyone, but there are only 12 weeks until Christmas!! If you joined in with us at the beginning of the year you will have at least 18 cards in your stash - I have more as I sometimes do multiples. If you haven't made a start, this is a fun challenge to get you going. I look forward to seeing your creations. Don't forget to visit our blog to see more inspiration from the rest of the team. Bye for now!