52CCT - Sketch ....

... Morning! I don't want to worry anyone, but there are only 16 Saturdays until Christmas! Today is the start of our new challenge at 52 Christmas Card Thowdown - 52CCT35-16. Our host this month is Fabiola and she has a super sketch to inspire you. I've gone for an ultra clean and simple look for my cards - yes, I made three!!!

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Delightful Decorations, Christmas Messages, December Wonder; Clearly Besotted - All Occasion Sentiments
Inks: SU - Real Red, Crushed Curry, Dapper Denim; Versamark
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Crushed Curry, Dapper Denim; SU DP - Real Red; SU Punch - Ornament; Iridescent Embossing Powder

I like the sketch - it can be simple or dressed up, but I decided to let the pretty Christmas ornaments shine! I was inspired to use primary colours by the challenge at Inkspirational - INK#116 and I'm playing along with Addicted to Stamps and More! - ATSM#209 where the theme is CAS.

To create the centre ornaments which have some sparkle, I first inked with Versamark and then the colour, stamped the image and heat embossed with iridescent embossing powder - I do love this look. For the remaining ornaments I simply stamped the coloured image. I used the matching punch to cut out the ornaments. I used the MISTI to stamp the sentiment - it makes stamping multiple images so easy - they are all perfectly lined up! I adhered the two plain ornaments flat to the card and used dimensional gel to attached the sparkly ornament. On the inside I cut mat layers to match the ink used and on the white panel added a greeting and some snowflakes.

I think I might make some more cards based on this design - it's quick, it's easy and it'll mail easily too. Here's a photo of all the cards together:

Do visit our blog to see more inspiration from the rest of the design team. You've got plenty of time to play along, deadline for submission is midnight (BST) Friday 9th September (7.00pm EDT). That's all for now - see you tomorrow!

All I want for Christmas ....

.... is you!  Hello!   I hope that you all had a great day yesterday.  It's Boxing Day today - something that is celebrated in the UK and former British colonies.  It used to be when employees got a "Christmas Box" from their bosses - not so much now!  It is however another fun day being spent with family.

Today I'm sharing the card that I made for my wonderful husband, Jonathan.  He's an amazing man - great dad, friend, partner, supporter and my love!  Here's the card:

Stamps:  Dylusions - Shrooms, Seasonal Christmas Set; Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU - Real Red, Crumb Cake
Dies: Waltzingmouse - Stitched Tag, Folding Tag
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Home for Christmas; Copic Markers, Raffia

I had fun with this card.  I used a few challenges in the design.  Merry Monday - MM#185 want to see boots on the card - done.  I've used the layout from Mojo Monday - MOJO#428.  And, of course, the theme at The Male Room - TMR#25-15 is masculine Christmas.

I used several different papers to cover the card.  I stamped Santa's (Jonathan's) boots on white card, coloured them with Copic markers and cut them out.  I die cut a couple of stitched tags.  I stamped a tree, some holly, a heart and Ho Ho Ho on the tag in the background, and on the foreground tag I stamped the sentiment - which continues inside the card.  I used a mat of design paper and on the white panel added another tree and some parcels.

And that's all from me today!  Bye for now.

Deck the Halls - 12DOC ....

.... Hello again!  We've reached day 5 of the 12 Days of Creepmas sponsored by Smeared Ink.  I don't make 3D projects and tend towards clean and simple.  This card is a cute Creepmas card and is certainly clean and simple!

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Creepmas Tree Lights; Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages, One Tag Fits All; Uniko - Jolly Christmas
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Lil Inkers - Dual Stitched Ovals #4
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Real Red; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; Glossy Accents

I think this is one of my favourite images from Rick - he's a cute little demon who just wants to put up the lights!  Shame he gets into such a mess.  I printed him on white card, coloured him with Copic markers and cut him out with a stitch edge die.  I added clear sparkle to the lights, his eyes and horns and added glossy accents to the lights and his eyes.  I finished by drawing an eerie green glow around him.  I used bold red card for the base and adhered the image flat to the card.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the bold sentiment in the corner of the card, and added a few words on the image.  He's singing as he works!!  On the inside I cut a panel of white card and added some Christmas lights in the corner along with a Christmas greeting.

I'm submitting this card to Left of Centre - LOC#107 where the theme is Baa! Humbug! with Rick St Dennis.  I'm also playing along with Cardz for Guys - C4G#100 where the team want us to make Christmas cards with traditional colours, and you can't get much more traditional than red!!  I took a close-up photo of the image to show how the glossy accents really adds great detail:

I guess that some of you might be wondering what I plan to do with my Creepmas/Christmas cards. Fortunately I have several friends and some member of my family who just love the quirky nature of these cards.  They will be winging their way soon!  Listed below is the full 12 Days of Creepmas Blog Roll - do drop by and check out the creations.

Fiona
Black Dragon
Susan R
Jessica
Suzi
Airless Chambers
Deborah
Susan S
Val
Sarah
Kat
Leigh
Lady Brayton
Sue

That's all for today - I really need to write some Christmas cards today and get them in the post - most have a very long journey to the UK!  See you tomorrow.

52CCT - Colours ....

.... Wow, where is this month going?  It's already time for our second challenge of the month here at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  Our hostess, Gill, has picked some wonderful colours for us to play with - she wants us to use WHITE, CREAM, GOLD AND SILVER on our cards.  I ended up making two cards:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: Archival - Jet Black; SU - Early Espresso
Dies: Memory Box - Tall Taper Candle
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Cream Lustre Card; Gold and Silver Mirri Card; Gold and Silver Peeloffs

I used my new candle die for the cards - it's perfect for the inlaid die cut method.  I ended up cutting out four candles - one white, one cream, one silver and one gold.  I would have had four cards, but the silver and gold candles didn't work out!  I cut out the candle on each card and then had lots of fun putting the pieces back.  I've a cream candle, silver ribbon and gold border on the white card and on the cream card, it's a white candle, gold ribbon and silver border.  I added some ornate corners to finish the fronts.  On the inside I stamped a simple sentiment.  I've only shown the inside of the cream card.

 For more inspiration using our wonderfully elegant colour scheme, do visit the blog to see what the rest of the team have made.  I'm looking forward to seeing your creations - have fun!

52CCT - Sketch ....

....  Hello all!  First of all - I'd like to thank everyone who played along with our Christmas in July Blog Hop, I hope you had as much fun as I did.  It was a pleasure to stop by and visit everyone.  Now the hard part is to pick our winners.

It's now time for our first challenge of August at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown and, as always, we have a sketch challenge for you.  Our hostess for the month is, Gill, and she has a super sketch for us to play with.  I liked it so much that I made three cards!  Here's the first:

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Stunning Snowflakes
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black; Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue, Blue Brocade, Smokey Slate
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Anita's DP - Classic Blue Christmas Paper, Classic Silver Vellum Christmas Paper; Copic Marker; Sequins

I made the faux stitching with the largest of the stitched square dies - it simply cuts the dashes.  I cut a panel of very, very pale blue design paper to go inside the stitched line.  I cut the fishtail flags from some coordinating papers and adhered them directly on top of the design paper.  I stamped the sentiment in black and added sequins of varying sizes.  On the inside I cut a mat layer dark blue paper and on the white panel stamped a blizzard of snowflakes and a Christmas sentiment.

Next I decided on a green theme and used some papers that I got free with a British craft magazine, Cardmaking & Papercraft. 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: SU - Early Espresso
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; My Mind's Eye DP - Snowed In; Doodlebug Sprinkles - Fall Assortment; Wink of Stella Brush - Clear

I flipped the sketch for this card and have the sentiment at the top and flags to the side.  This was really easy to make as it's just design paper on the front.  I cut the main panel to feature the robin and bird cage, added a touch of sparkle to the snowflakes and then added the flags.  I used enamel dots instead of sequins on this card.  On the inside I used a coordinating piece of design paper for the mat and on the white panel stamped a bold sentiment.

My last card is the set has a contemporary feel and is shades of pink and lilac.  I used another set of papers that I've had for a while.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: SU - Rose Red
Dies: Lil Inkers - Stitched Squares #7; Die-namics - Fishtail Flags STAX #2, #3 and #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; DCWV DP - Rose Tinted Christmas; Doodlebug Sprinkles - Cupcake, Lilac and Bubblegum Assortments

I cut the purple paper to fit inside the faux stitched square, added the flags and then made a simple Christmas tree from a bit of scrap paper.  I adhered a ribbon of sentiments (from another bit of paper) and finished by adding some enamel dots.  On the inside I cut a mat layer in striped design paper and stamped a bold sentiment in the middle of the white card.

For more inspiration using Gill's sketch, check the blog to see what my team mates have made - it's a wonderful collection of cards in varying styles.  Have fun!!

52CCT - Stash ....

....  Hi all - can you believe that we've arrived at the last Saturday in June?  It also means that it's time for our new challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  Louise's final challenge for us is a fun one - she'd like us to use charm(s) on our cards.  Here's my card:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: Spellbinders - Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) #4, Squares Lg (S4-128) #7
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Red Mirri Card; Red Ribbon; Charm - from Godiva Chocolate Box

Last Christmas we were given a box of Godiva Chocolates (absolutely yummy) as a present.  On the box was this magnificent charm - it's die cut metal with a beautiful faceted gem.  It was attached with green ribbon (you've seen that on a previous card of mine) and I kept it, know that it would be useful.  I die cut the red mirri card to create the frame, a square of white card and then simply attached the charm using extra strong double-sided tape.  I added the red bow with a sticky dot.  I decided to leave the front of the card and put a simple, but bold, sentiment on the inside.

Edited:  This week's challenge at Less is More - LIM#178  is to use a recycled element on your card.  I'd say this counts - so, hoping that Chrissie allows, I'm adding this to the challenge.

More more inspirational using charms, check out the cards from the rest of the team and from our Guest Designer, Marie of NJ Stamping Queen.  I hope you all have fun with this week's challenge and I look forward to seeing what you make.  Bye for now.

52CCT - Stash challenge ...

.....  Good morning!!  For our last challenge in February at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown, Jacqueline has come up with a stash challenge - we must use metallic papers on our card.  Here's my take:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Delightful Decorations, Contempo Christmas, Christmas Messages
Inks: Versamark; Real Red
Accessories: SU Card - Basic Black; White Lustre Card; Red Metallic Card; Red Satin Card; SU Punch - Christmas Ornament; Lakeland Christmas Banner; Clear Embossing Powder

I've used a number of challenges to make this card.  The layout is based on this week's CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#65, the theme of bauble is from the inspiration photo at Festive Friday - FFC#25 and the colour is from Jingle Belles - JB:14:04 where the ladies want us to feature RED.  I made the card base from black card, cut a mat panel in bright red mirri card and a white panel.  I used red satin card for two ornaments; I stamped them both with Versamark, heat embossed with clear powder and then punched them out.  One of the baubles is a little distressed, which I rather like as you can still see the satin finish.  I stamped the centre ornament on white card.  I attached string to the back and adhered them with dimensional tape.  I ran the black strings over the white card, taped them in place and then used dimensional tape to attach the white panel.  So this card has some depth!!  I finished the front with a simple banner sentiment on red mirri card.  On the inside I cut a white panel, added a couple of ornaments and a simple verse.

For more inspiration with metallic papers, check out the cards from the rest of the Design Team.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what you make.  Last week's Christmas Landscape challenge was fab - so many lovely cards!  See you soon!

Family Christmas cards ....

....  Hello everyone, time for another scheduled post.   I do hope that you all had a super day yesterday.  Today I can share with you the cards I made for my family.  First, the card I made for Jonathan:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Festive Foliage; Stampin' Up! - Christmas Messages
Inks: SU - Cherry Cobbler, Pistachio Pudding, Pink Pirouette
Dies: WMS - Mistletoe Dies
Accessories:  White Lustre Card; SEI DP - Berry Melody; SU Card - Pistachio Pudding

I made this card just before we flew back to the UK.  When I saw the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS#58 - I knew that I had the layout.  Jonathan likes the colours red and green and in my stash of papers I found this lovely sheet of stylised snowflakes and used that for the background.  In the sketch there is some holly; in my card I opted for some mistletoe - appropriate for my husband!  And the sentiment is just perfect (and part of the reason I got this set).  I stamped the mistletoe and berries onto white card and cut them out with the matching dies - thank you Claire!  For the inside I cut a mat layer of pale green card and on the white panel stamped some more mistletoe hanging down and the partner to the sentiment above.

Next up is Kathryn's card - again I made it just before we left the States.

Stamps: Funstamps - Scribble Snowman; My Favourite Things - Ornament Banner Builder
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Melon Mambo, Island Indigo
Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Banner, Fishtail Flags Layers Stax #2, Fishtail Flags Stax #2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Melon Mambo; Glitter Paper; Promarkers and Copics

For the layout I used the sketch from Seize the Sketch - STS#10, sadly I'm too late to submit the card, but I love the layout.  I made a really bright, vibrant card.  I made the base from Melon Mambo and cut a panel of white glitter card - to suggest a field of snow.  I used my all time favourite snowman stamp, colouring the image with a mixture of Promarkers and Copics.  I die cut the ornament banner and stamped on the snowflake ornaments.  I finished the front with a clean, simple and bold sentiment.  For the inside I simply cut a white panel and stamped another snowman - he's much more subtle inside!  I think the sentiment is totally appropriate for our girl.

And last, but by now means least, the card we gave to Ben.  You saw this one yesterday.  I made it last Friday, day we flew back to the UK.  I'd chatted, via Facebook, with Ben in the morning and he told me he hadn't received the card we posted to him.  I couldn't leave him without a card.

Details for the Santa card are on yesterday's post.  Below is the card we sent to Ben at the beginning of November, but didn't get to him. I actually made this as my card for 52CCT at the beginning of August - if you click the link you'll find all the details there.  I had originally thought it was going to be for Jonathan, but actually it works perfectly for our boy too!!

That's all for now - our Boxing day plans include playing games, chatting, eating and drinking - a perfect way to spend the day!