Let it Snow ....

....  Good morning!  It feels really strange not having a card to post for 52 Christmas Card Throwdown today.  Our challenge this month is PICK ANY PREVIOUS 2015 CHALLENGE and the deadline for submission is midnight (GMT) Friday 18th December (that's 7.00pm EDT).  That doesn't mean I don't have a Christmas card to share with you this morning, here it is:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Seasonally Scattered, Endless Wishes
Inks: Versamark; SU - Bashful Blue; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Dies: Memory Box - Postage Rectangle Layers #4; Waltzingmouse - Snowflake #2
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Bashful Blue; Silver & Holographic Embossing Powder; SU DP - Bashful Blue; Star Gems

The inspiration for this card comes from the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - CIC#339 photo - the soft blue, the snowflakes and the little blue gems.  I've actually picked the January 2015 colour combination at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - 52CCT02-15, shades of blue.  And, as I've got little stars on this card, I'm submitting to Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - HLSDecXmas where they want to see stars.

I stamped the image in Versamark on white card and used a mixture of silver and holographic powders (see the photo at the end of the post to see the shimmer) and heat embossed the image.  I used a fancy edge die to cut out the image and adhered it flat to a pale blue card base.  Sadly, this shade of blue has been discontinued at Stampin' Up! and this is my last sheet of card (sob!).  I die cut a small snowflake from design paper, stamped a few snowflakes in pale blue and finished by added tiny little stars to the card.  I cut a panel of white card for the inside and finished the greeting as well as adding some more snowflakes.

Here's that close-up of the stamped image - I love the iridescent shimmer and play of colours that the holographic embossing powder gives:

I've actually got most of my cards posted, which is a good thing as the last day for international posting is today!  I can't believe that there are only 12 days to go before the big day.  I tend to find that Christmas always seems a long way off, and then suddenly it's here!  I hope you all have a good weekend.  See you soon.

Autumn Leaves ....

.... are falling!  Well, not quite yet!!  Although it does feel distinctly autumnal here in Northville today. It's only 19°C (that's 66°F for my American friends) which is considered nice and warm in the UK, but not so much here.  So as it's getting towards that time of year, here's my first Thanksgiving/Autumn themed card of the year:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Gently Falling, Seasonally Scattered
Inks: SU - Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Marina Mist; SU Card - Marina Mist; Martha Stewart Border Punch - Leaves; String

 I've used three challenges making this card:

• CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#138 - love these colours
• Retro Sketches - RS#178 - for the layout
• Just Us Girls - JUGS#307 - photo inspiration - autumnal leaves

I cut a panel of blue design paper and adhered it flat to the card.  I cut the white panel slightly smaller and punched the bottom edge with falling leaves.  I then stamped leaves randomly over the panel.  I used the rock and roll technique to add different colours to the edge of the leaves and also used the second and third impressions to give lighter leaves.  I wrapped some string around the panel and used dimensional tape to adhere it to the card.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of blue card and stamped a bold sentiment on the white panel.

My desk is right by the window, which is super on a bright sunny day, but I've just looked out to see that it's finally started raining.  It's not heavy but it is dull.  However, the plus side is that I don't feel like going out, so I might just head back into my craft room and play some more.  Of course, I could do the ironing - NO!!!  That way lies madness :)

Be Merry ....

....  Morning all!  I've another Christmas card to share with you this morning.  I need to make lots of Christmas cards to post to family and friends in the UK and I'm almost there!  This is good, as the last posting date for the UK is 9th December and we have got to get all the cards written and stamped before then!  This is a really simple card:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Seasonally Scattered
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Peacock Feathers, Broken China, Tumbled Glass
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Clear Embossing Powder; Martha Stewart Punch -Snowflake; Glitter Paper; Doodlebug - Lily White Dots

I'm submitting this to the Fusion Challenge - FUSION#22 where you can take inspiration from the photo, use the sketch or both.  I've taken inspiration from the photo.  I stamped the word Merry in the centre of the card, embossed it with clear powder and then shaded with several shades of blue ink.  I love the way the word pops out.  I adhered the panel directly to the card base and added a few punched snowflakes and enamel dots.   On the inside I've a mat in turquoise and a plain white panel for my own greeting.

That's all for now!