Candy Cane Christmas - 52CCT Guest Designer

... Good Morning!!! I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be joining the Design Team at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown as Guest Designer today. We have such a fun challenge for you. The team have picked - Candy Cane - 52CCT2026-11 - and here's my card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Elf Made, Half Baked Gingerbread Joy, Jolly Old Elf, Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy, Candy Jar Christmas Fillers, Nordic Christmas

Inks: Gina K - Kelly Green, Red Hot, Lucky Clover, Lipstick, Soft Stone; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White & Black Card; Copic Markers; Gold Glitter Pen

I had such fun making this card. At Christmas, I do find myself going back to some of my favourite stamp sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps (now, sadly, closed). Claire's stamps are perfect for this challenge. I made the background pattern using various candy can images and stamped them in shades of green and red directly onto the A2 note card. I used my MISTI to stamp the cute elf on white card. I removed the image from the MISTI and coloured it with Copic markers. I returned the image to the MISTI and restamped the image with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink - such a dark black. I then fussy cut the image out. I used dies to cut the mat layers, added a simple greetings and used dimensional pads to adhere the elf and his candy cane. On the inside, I cut a mat layer in black and on the white panel, I stamped candy cane in soft grey ink, coloured with Copic markers, and finished with a warm Christmas greeting.

I'm building my Christmas card stash quite nicely. I made a few more candy cane cards, and I'll be sharing those during the week. I'm entering this card to ABC Christmas Card Challenge - ABCXMAS#0326 where they have E = for Elf, and also to Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#67 where it's anything Christmas goes.

I'd like to thank the 52CCT DT for inviting me to join them this week - it's always a pleasure to play along; this challenge has a very special place in my heart!!

That's all for now. I look forward to seeing all the cards for this challenge. See you soon.

Christmas Blues

... Good afternoon! Somehow I got rather recently, and I've only just managed to get this card made in time. The title of my post might be a bit misleading, not feeling sad at all, I just have a pretty blue, white and silver Christmas card to share:

Stamps: Woodware - Berry Sprays

Inks: Gina K - Blue Denim

Dies: Winnie & Walter - Noel Cutaway

Accessories: White Card; Pinkfresh Studio DP - December Days; Copic Markers; Silver Mirri Card

This card was so quick to make. I've been meaning to join in with the latest 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge - 52CCT2026-10 all week, and only now have had the chance. So I found the perfect piece of design paper - well almost perfect. I coloured the red berries with a navy marker, to make dark blue berries. I used tape to add it to the front of the note card. Then I used an old die from Winnie & Walter to cut out a bold greeting in silver textured mirri card. I cut two white ones which I layered behind the silver die cut, and then added them to the card. Inside, I cut a piece of white card to fit, edged it with a dark blue marker, added a strip of the design paper along the bottom edge, stamped on a berry spray and greeting in blue ink. 

I'm also submitting this card to ABC Christmas Challenge - ABCXMAS#0326 where they have F for foliage, and to Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#67 where it's always anything Christmas goes.

That's all for now - see you soon.

Set of Five Christmas Cards

.... Good afternoon, it's another lovely day and I've been indoors! I've made a set of five Christmas cards for my stash - they are all inspired by the current challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown to use letters and/or numbers - 52CCT2026-07. 

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Date; Hero Arts - Christmas Messages, Stylized Christmas Trees

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Jelly Bean Green

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel Pens; Kaisercraft DP - Home for Christmas

This card is also being submitted The Neglected Stuff Challenge - NSC#0226 - it's been a very long time since I used any of my design paper pads!!

The same process was used for all the cards. I used my MISTI to stamp the image on white card, removed them from the MISTI and coloured each image with Copic markers. I returned the coloured images to the MISTI and restamped with Versafine Clair Nocture ink - it is a really dark black. I carefully cut out all the images and then added some shimmer to each image with Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel pens. I had put the images aside overnight to make sure gel ink dried completely. I used a die to cut out the front panel from design paper - to match the colours on the focal image - and adhered to an A2 notecard. I used dimensional tape to add the focal image. On the inside of each card, there is a mat layer of design paper, and on the white panel a simple greeting with a couple of stars to match the main colour.

The next card in the set is being entered into AAA Colourful - AAAC#25 -  these are such lovely colours.

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Date; Hero Arts - Christmas Messages, Stylized Christmas Trees

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Blue Sky

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel Pens; Kaisercraft DP - Violet Crush

Next is a card inspired by the image at Time Out Challenge - TOC#307 - I like the soft colours and the dotty pattern:

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Date; Hero Arts - Christmas Messages, Stylized Christmas Trees

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Lovely Lavender

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel Pens; Kaisercraft DP - Silver Bells

For the next card I used the colours at The Color Hues Challenge - CH#127 - peach and teal are such a pretty combination and make for an unusual Christmas card:

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Date; Hero Arts - Christmas Messages, Stylized Christmas Trees

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Sweet Mango

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel Pens; Kaisercraft DP - Storyteller

And the final card in this set of five, is inspired by ABC Christmas Challenge - ABCXMAS#02 where I've picked C for the colour crimson:

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Date; Hero Arts - Christmas Messages, Stylized Christmas Trees

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gina K - Red Hot

Dies: Gina K - Master Layouts 2

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Grabie Jumbo Glitter Gel Pens; Kaisercraft DP - Home for Christmas

Sorry there are so many photos in this post! I had fun with them and I'm building my Christmas stash nicely. See you soon.

O Christmas Tree ....

.... Hello again! I've ended February with an almost full week of cards - go me!! Today I'm sharing a Christmas card. It's never to early to start on your stash for this year - it makes thing so much less frantic in November!! This card is a bit out of my comfort zone.

Stamps: Visible Image - O Christmas Tree, Sentimental Christmas

Inks: Distress - Black Soot, Chipped Sapphire, Shaded Lilac, Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters, Twisted Citron; Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Lulu Lavender

Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Imagine Crafts - Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz; Tim Holtz Stencil - Stars THS115; Viva - Iridescent Glitter Paste

I'm submitting this card to Just Us Girls - JUGS#573 - that inspiration photo is just gorgeous and inspired my ink blended background. I'm also playing along with 52Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT08-21 where they want Mixed Media on your card - done!! Finally, I'm joining in with Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#31 where it's Anything Christmas Goes.

I used a top-folding A2 card for the base. I used several shades of Distress ink to blend the background. I used Tim's water drop method to add some subtle dot texture on the background and then I spritzed the whole thing with frost shimmer spray - it's absolutely beautiful in sunshine!! Once the background was dry, I stamped the Christmas tree in black Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. To give better definition of the tree, I repeated this step (one of the great things about using a MISTI). I finished the front by applying a layer of iridescent glitter paste through a Tim Holtz star stencil. On the inside, I stamped a Christmas greeting in black and added a tiny lilac start.

I took a photo of the card in direct sunlight - you can really see all the shimmer and sparkle - so pleased with it.

Isn't it wonderful how much better everything feels when the sun shines? And getting decent photos is a real plus too! I'm very pleased how this turned out. I don't usually go full mixed media on a card, but this was fun. That's all for today. Hope to see you again soon.

C24C - Cute Animals ....

...Good morning all! We're already half-way through February, time seems to be flying by. Your red, green and gold cards were absolutely lovely last time. This time at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#28 we have a theme that's always popular. We want to see CUTE ANIMALS on your Christmas cards. I have to admit that for me this was tough. In all my vast stash I only have three "cute" animals. I think this bear is adorable:

Stamps: Docrafts - Forever Friends G Stamp; MFT - Bitty Holiday Wishes

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Memento - Summer Sky; Versafine Claire - Nocturne; Gina K - Soft Stone, Stormy Sky

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder; Uniko Stencil - Let It Snow; Martha Stewart - Frosty Glitter

I'm submitting this card to CASology - CAS#383 where the cue word is Envelope - my little guy is clutching his Christmas envelope and is ready to hand it over.

I stamped the bear in black Versafine ink onto white card and heat embossed the image with clear powder. I used my Copics to colour him in and then I fussy cut him out. I sponged pale blue ink through a snowflake stencil to give a wintery background. I added a simple sentiment in black along the bottom of the card and the adhered the bear on the line. I finished the front by adding some sparkly glitter to the hat. On the inside, I kept things really simple. I stamped the bear image again in pale grey and added a greeting in darker grey.

I decided to make another card for the challenge - this one features a cat, more snarky than cute, but I think he's great:

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Snarky Cat Christmas CMS416

Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Versafine Claire - Nocturne; Gina K - Stormy Sky

Dies: Lawn Fawn - Stitched Hillside Borders

Accessories: White Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Copic Markers; Glitter

I'm submitting this card to CAS Christmas Card Challenge - CASXMAS#02 where they want us to use a Dog and/or Cat, and to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT06-21 where they have the colour pink, blue and purple.

I stamped the cat onto white card, embossed the image with clear powder and coloured him with Copic makers. I then fussy cut him out. I used a stitched edge die to cut the hillside border, stamped a sentiment on the left corner and adhered it to the card. I added the cat and some glitter. Perfectly clean and simple and just a bit snarky! On the inside, I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the card. I stamped another of the cats and the matching sentiment in grey, added a touch of colour to the image, edged the panel with a blue marker and adhered it inside.

So, I had fun with our challenge of 'Cute Animals' and I'm looking forward to seeing your creations. Don't forget to visit our blog, Christmas 24 Challenge, to see lots more inspiration cards from the rest of the team.

That's all for now - see you again soon.

C24C - Christmas Ornament ....

.... Morning! It's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#18. We have a sketch for you to use. You can turn it (as I did) but we must be able to see the sketch in your card. Here's mine:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Ornate Ornaments, Alpine Christmas
Inks: Versamark; Delicata - Golden Glitz; Versafine Clair - Summertime; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Spellbinders - 2010 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-283) #5
Accessories: White Card; Kasiercraft DP - A Touch of Gold, Chase Rainbows; Gold Embossing Powder; Black Ribbon; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT34-20 - where they have a fun colour combination - Black, Orange and Gold (white is allowed). Also playing along with The Holly & Ivy Christmas  Challenge - H&ICC#79 where it's Anything Goes.

I started by stamping the large ornament on white card. I removed the card from the MISTI and coloured the area under the pattern with an orange marker. I repositioned the card, stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with gold powder. Before cutting out the image with the matching die, I stamped the sentiment and little snowflake. I cut a panel of black and gold design paper to cover the front of the card and added a strip of orange patterned paper down the centre. I then added the ornament and finished the front with a little black bow. On the inside, I cut a mat layer of orange design paper and on the white panel added a Christmas greeting and some tiny snowflakes.

This card uses some of my older, much loved stamp sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Claire your designs are as fresh now as they were then!

Don't forget to visit our blog to see more inspiration cards from the rest of the design team. I hope you have fun playing with the sketch and I look forward to visiting and leaving a comment. Bye for now - have fun!

C24C - Season's Greetings ...

... Good morning! Can you believe that we're already half-way through June? Me neither!! Anyway, it being the 15th means that it's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#12. We have a sketch for to use on your Christmas cards. Here's my take:

Stamps: Altenew - Bells & Bows; MFT - Bitty Holiday Wishes
Inks: Gina K - Jet Black Amalgam, Lovely Lavender, Wild Wisteria, Innocent Pink, Dusty Rose, Passionate Pink; Stampin' Up! - Highland Heather
Dies: Altenew - Bells & Bows; Die-namics - Stitched Fishtail Flags Stax #1
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; Anita's Vellum - Classic Gold Christmas

I'm submitting this card to a couple of challenges - Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#393 where the theme is Holiday, and to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT22-20 where they have these fabulous colours.

I love these cute layered bows from Altenew, they are so easy to stamp. I used cream cardstock as I think it works beautifully with these colours. I stamped the large bow using shades of purple and the two smaller one with shades of pink, and cut out the images with the matching dies. I found some gold festive vellum in my stash and cut a panel to go on the front of the card. I adhered the top bow and sentiment banner flat to the card, and used dimensional pads to add the large bow and the smaller bottom bow. On the inside, I cut another panel of vellum and on the cream card stamped a festive greeting and another little purple bow.

That's all from me for now. Do have a go at using this sketch for your Christmas cards and visit our blog to see more inspirational cards from the rest of the design team. See you soon.