Green and white Christmas

For this card I used new hunter green cs and fairly new embossing folders.  The green gems are from a large supply of neglected embellishments!  I also used some gold paper from my stash for the star.
Beccy Muir's 30th challenge of the month is to do something we love.  It is a joy to create Christmas cards - we like to remind our friends and family of the birth of Jesus - the reason for the season.  On another level, I love to use embossing folders.  Though I have LOTS of pattern paper, I really like the clean look of cream or white and a dark color.  Another thing I really like to do is to follow sketches and combine with other challenges - and to create many different looks with the same image.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
What I love to do: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
Any Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/

Embossing in cream

From my stash:  tiny half pearls - one of the first prizes I received (Pizzazz Aplenty) several years ago.  The image is from my leftover stack, and I have had the snowflake folder a long time.  The other two embossing folders are fairly new. 
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/challenge-94-any-sentiment.html
Any Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com/2013/10/chnc-challenge-extra-for-october.html?showComment=1381358679049#c2166906042903339106 
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Any Christmas:  http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/

The last few cards will be mainly "leftovers" - pretty appropriate as out dinner will be leftovers as well - which we are very happy to have!
The DP has been in my stash for a couple of years, as have the gems.  The image is one I stamped a few years ago - I added some sparkly glitter from Studio G - to create garlands on the trees.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Sparkle: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november.html
Any:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Sparkly snowflakes

     

I have almost finished the cards I need to make for this year.  Since I will be taking a couple of weeks off (more on this later - it is a good thing for me!) I am glad I completed what I wanted to do.  I am not sure you can see the glittery, sparkly snowflakes - as well as a bit of glitter to edge the sentiment and to highlight the Basic Grey paper strip (I trimmed the edge as it was too wide for this layout). 
Sketch  #79:   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/
Glitter/sparkle:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
                          http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
                          http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
                          http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
                          http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
The shepherds are counting down, waiting to visit the Christ child:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Here are the three cards of my set - see previous posts for individual descriptions.
Set of three:  http://tsgclearstamps.blogspot.com/

Third of three

This is the third card in a collection.  I will post them together soon.  This one is colored with pastel chalk pencils.  Although the layout and image are the same, I varied other elements.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
          http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/

2nd of three

One of the challenges is to do a set of at least 3 cards - thanks to Sketch Sat. I found an easy sketch to use -  pretty important for me right now!  I had pre-stamped and colored several images, and prepared other materials - now my goal is to try to use only what is in that stash - I don't want too many left overs for next year, and it is totally against my nature to discard anything!  The stamps are Stampendous, and dp Paper Studio Faith.  I used Prismas for this one.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.anonymousstamps.blogspot.co.uk/
Any, with uplifting message (any Christmas message is that):  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Countdown for Christmas - the shepherds are certainly doing that:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

Oval window

 I have a lovely Madison window die - but it has decided to go into hiding - or maybe it is in the witness protection program.  So I cut a "window" with the oval nestie, and added a scalloped border on the outside - not really too visible on the screen.  (and the mysterious blotches have reappeared.  I need to do some serious checking on that.)  Coloring is by Pastel chalk pencils, and the sentiment from my computer.  DP is Paper Studio.Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
Pencils:  http://www.beccysplace.com/
 Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/

Traditional Vintage Christmas

Today I am back to Christmas cards! 
There is SO much to do - and now we are adding phone shopping to the list - apparently the battery has died as it will not keep a charge.  This is not the time to be without a phone - we only have one!
Back to the card - this is the Stampendous set used for most cards this year.  The DP is from the Paper Studio pad called Faith, and the faux stitched ribbon is by Ribbon Boutique.  I used chalk pencils for coloring, and distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Shabby chic: http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.com/

For Margaret

Here is a little break from Christmas cards...  DH's sister is  having major back surgery so we are sending this a bit in advance.  The image is SU, from my WishRAK stash.  I cut the vase and adhered it over the flowers - I could have left the stems a bit longer...  The coloring is chalk pastel pencils, with a touch of gold gel pen..  I used chalk for a bit of sponging - once again the image looks too blotchy on the screen.  I also chalked the embossing on the circles - all cuttlebug mini folders.  The sentiment is a $ stamp, and the bg is DVine Swirls. 
Sketch: http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Inspiration/color:   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Chalk/circles:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

White on White Christmas

Another bad scan - I am wondering if there is a printer problem.  Sorry - this is really white and not nearly so distressed!  I did distress the edges, and dry embossed the main image for more texture.  I used the snowflake EF (glittered) for the bg and embossed the banner strips with Textile.  A bit of lace adds to the vintage feel.  The sentiment is computer generated.
Sketch:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Glitter: http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Any:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
          http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com/
White on white:  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/?p=1179
           http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/           
           http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html

Non-Christmas Christmas card

Yes, I know this is not a cardinal.  As far as I know, I do not have any cardinals in my stash of stamps and images - so this works for a non-Christmas image used as a Christmas card, right?  It is an image from ODB (Sing to the Lord) - the sentiment is by computer.  I colored with Prismas, added a glittery snowflake and a Martha Steward border.  If you adjust your screen just so you can see that the DP (DCWV) is tone on tone green.
CHALLENGES:
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Non-Christmas image:  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any (with comment):  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/

Glittery shadow

http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/

Once again, the glitter has caused a huge shadow - I just have a bit of it in that corner  The glitter on the path did not cast a shadow.  This is a new Nellie Snellen embossing folder (Snowy Stairs) - a prize from Joan's Garden.  It is a larger size, so the final card is 5.75x7.5.  (If any  one has card samples of this, please let me know!).  I made a frame from a Martha Stewart edging punch - did a little surgery on the corners.    The sentiment is by computer.
CHALLENGES:
 http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/ - #20 - punches
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html - B&W Christmas, with a frame
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/ - sparkle
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ - any, with comments
http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/ - glitter

Glittery wreath/frame

As soon as I saw a challenge for a wreath I thought of creating one with the Cheery Lynn leafy die (from Joan's Gardens).  I think it works - and serves as a frame for the Stampabilities sentiment as well.  I hope the Lifestyle EF is not too busy as the bg.  I added glitter to the wreath and snowflakes - the sparkle does not appear to show here.
CHALLENGES:
Black and white Christmas, with frame: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Wreath: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
Sparkle:  http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/
Mystery - the mystery of Christ's birth (as well as the "mystery" glitter you cannot see on the screen!):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Snowflake - using glitter and snowflake punch  I have had for a LONG time:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Thinking of a friend

A cyber friend (through SCS) is going through a rough time and I want to write her a note.  I thought I would use this Thanksgiving scene - but the greeting needs to be simple.  This EF is from Sizzix, and I colored with chalk.   My friend, be well and strong.
Fall:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/
Any (with a comment for Pinky): http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
By the way - something happened between the card and the computer screen - I lightly sponged the sky, but IRL it does not have a dark cloud LOL!!!

Praise God this Thanksgiving

We should of course be thankful at all times, but it is worthwhile having a special day to remind us - and to remember this holiday is more than a turkey dinner and shopping for bargains. This image is in my stash from Wish RAK - colored with Prismas.  The word strip is DCWV Thanksgiving Words and the lattice DP is DCWV Fall stack. 
http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/:  Inspired by the sketch, the food, and the lattice pie crust.
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/  Thanksgiving
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/  Giving thanks
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/  Thanksgiving

Thankful

Time for a couple of Thanksgiving cards - it will be here soon.  We have SO MUCH to be thankful for - we have been richly blessed by God and want to show our thankfulness.  This is a set by SU, colored with Prismas.  The dp is a fall stack by DCWV, and I used a bit of mesh I have had for a long time, as well as some time.  The image is cut with a new Lifestyle Crafts die (Hello, Goodbye).  I improvised for the sentiment - it is a small Labels 4 die - it seemed too wide, so I turned the die the other direction and cut off about 1/8 inch on top and bottom - I am ok with the result.  All the cards I see seem to be made with just the right materials and tools - I often don't seem to have the right size or color - in spite of having tons of supplies.
http://www.mftstamps.com/blog/stamp-and-win-with-this-weeks-card-sketch-150/:  sketch
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/:  Giving thanks
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/:  Thanksgiving
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/#comment-4305:  Thanksgiving
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/:  With thanks
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/ - Thanksgiving

I'm back!

Whew!  It has been a long time - a month, in fact...  I have almost forgotten how to do this.  I will not bore you with all the details - if I get ambitious I will do another travel blog or place photos somewhere.  DH and I just returned from a fabulous 28 day cruise.  We were on the beautiful Sapphire Princess, and cruised round trip out of San Pedro, CA.  We had 4 stops in Hawaii and 5 in the South Pacific, including Samoa and Tahiti - and we had about 18 sea days.   The ports were beautiful, and the sea days were wonderful - food, entertainment, and speakers were all great.  Now it is time to get back to somewhat of a routine - for a while, at least.
Needless to say - Christmas will be here soon and I have a lot to do!  This card features the Stampendous stamp, and misc. papers and ribbon.
Here are the challenges:
http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/:  Sketch
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html:  Black and white Christmas, with a frame; the Cuttlebug frame folder is available at her store.
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/:  Christmas theme
http://blog.ribboncarousel.com/:  Holidays, with ribbon.
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html:  #7, non traditional colors