Christmas 2015 #31

I had a bit to complete on this card - today has not gone as planned so I am rushing before leaving for a Christmas concert.  We went for brunch after church and the service was soooo slow... details later!  (Monday a.m....This is much later!)
Stamp - Ann-ticipations; embossing by LifeStyle; Cheery Lynn branch die; Spellbinder circle dies;  red pom=poms;  white crystals.
Sketch:        http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Emboss:      http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas (with die):            http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/
Red and green Christmas:   http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/ 
Christmas - simple:               http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com/
Warm Christmas wishes:      http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/
Christmas - (decorate with greens):    http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:                                         http://yourscrapbookplace.blogspot.com/
                                                 http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.nl/
                          

Merry Christmas to you

I know that I will not "see" many of you again this week - or maybe this year - Thanks to all the DT members and others who visit my blog.  I am not very good at getting back to you, but you are so appreciated.  May you have a most blessed holiday season, whatever it is you celebrate.  I am especially thankful for the assurance that the Christ child came to sacrifice Himself for us.
This is one more card for me - I heard the other day that someone being visited by a member of our church visitation team needed to have his mail picked up.  When that was done, all he received in a week's worth of mail was a couple of pieces of junk.  I am sending something so he does get mail.  He does not see well, so I printed a greeting inside in super large font.
Snowflakes - CB folder plus glitter;  Stamp - no name;  Chevron washi tape;  Cheery Lynn Blessings die; shimmery aubergine cs for bg.
Sketch:  http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
 Snow/Christmas:   http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/2014/12/decembers-challenge-is-snow-and.html
                                http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Special occasions:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Shimmer/glitter/sparkle:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
                   http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Uplifting:  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Non-traditional Christmas colors:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas with a twist - non traditional colors with glitter and snow:  http://suzysmarty1.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Any:   http://livelaughstamp.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge%20at%20MCM
           http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/11/december-2014-challenge-links.html

One more sparkly Christmas card

Today I will take this to Bible Class so others can sign - it will be sent to former members.  Phyllis recently stopped chemo treatment - she is feeling better now but we know that she is in need of support.  (It is 4,75 x 6.5).  Stamp: Santa Rosa; computer sentiment; NestabilitiesMajestic Element circle; Recollections snowflake punches; ribbon, CB snowflake EF; lots of glitter (that is probably not visible).
Sketch (enlarged to make room for signatures):  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (white cupcakes=embossed snow):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
                   http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/
Christmas Carol:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
White:   http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Snowflakes and ribbon:  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/
Any:  http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/

Another easel card - closed view

I will have 9 easel cards for family members this year.  I hope to make it a tradition.  This year there is some variety - now the trick is to remember which card goes where.  I am wondering ijust do nof I should follow the same color scheme for each person next year - or make sure it is different?  Or not worry about it...?  For this one I used the aubergine shimmery cs as a base - it is white backed to that works well.  I have a whole drawer full of colored ink and do not use it often, but this time I stamped in SU Eggplant Envy.  The DP is Paper Studio (Faith collection).  When I sponged with Eggplant chalk it did not look right, so I added some soft gold - IRL it looks good against the DP.  One more experiment for me...  The edges of the Stampabilites verse are distressed.  The image is Stampendous.  Not visitble - some punched shiny gold stars to support the easel, and above that a Cuttlebug border die cut.  
Sketch (turned):  http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Vintage (10CH) :  http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/p/our-challenge-roolz.html
                   http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/
                  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/
Song - We Three Kings of Orient are...:  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Unusual Christmas colors:  http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/

Green and white with a bit of red - Easel card

Another easel card.  Top view is the outside; lower view the inside.  The image by stampendous and sentiment by StaLmpabilities.  The embossed bg is Vines by Lifestyle; branch is a Cheery Lynn die, the inside scroll is DieNamics.  I added a few half pearls for a stop when the card is open.  A bit of glittery ribbon completes the card.

Sketch (top view):  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Special occasion - that would be Christmas: http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/
More than one fold:  http://scor-pal.blogspot.com/
Nature:   http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/ltscb-44-when-nature-calls.html
Any:  http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
            http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Christmas 2014 - nearly done

Am I the only one still working on Christmas cards?  Some of you who comment on a lot o-  is the year of the wise men!  I like the stamp - great with no coloring as a time saver - but it is long and narrow so harder to fit some sketches.  I elongated this sketch but otherwise stayed true... I used a scalloped rectangle (Nestabilites) but cut three edges, then repositioned in the die to cut the 4th edge - to result in a more narrow rectangle to fit the image.
BG - shiny augergine cs; stamp - Stampendous; Sentiment - Stampouri; ric rac - very old metallic gold; gold stars; unknown EF.  The use of chalk is sort of hidden but I like the result.  I have a bag of metallic chipboard (adhesive backed) stars that are just a bit too shiny.  I rubbed in a bit of glue and then some powdered chalk.  Voila - a subdued shine much more to my liking.
Sketch:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/ 
Bingo - center: punch/die cut, stap, bling; sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 
Christmas:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
             http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Any, w/ non-traditional Christmas colors:  http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/:

Easel #6 - open view

glit

One of these days I will learn how to do photos!  Please use your imagination... The easel part rests on the stems of the branches (at the top) - this one, to me, looks much better IRL, in the easel position.  Glitter added to the snowflakes.  The image is by Santa Rosa, and the Rejoice by Stampabilities.  The branches are Cheery Lynn dies.  The silvery tabs are a metallic loopy ribbon, and the glittery silver star is from a packet of embellishments.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Glitter:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
 More than one fold:  http://scor-pal.blogspot.com/
Frosty:   http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.ca/2014/12/challenge-149-feeling-frosty-challenge.html
 Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
Bling:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Song:   (Vintage)    http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Easel #5

This is another in a series of easel cards I am making for family - similar, but not identical.  Hard to see but I used the shimmery aubergine cs for the base and mat glittered the snowflake embossing and punches that are the "stops" for the open easel.  There are bits of white lace for the tabs at the left of the image - looks like they are not visible here (See sketch).   Stamp by Stampendous.
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
                http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Celebration:  http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Sing it to me:   (We Three Kings):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
         http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/ 

 I chose this as my favorite for 2014 - it is really hard to select one, but I made several of the easel cards for family - now I have their reactions and the cards were a hit!  Actually, I think they are a bit impressed that their old grandma can come up with such a thing! LOL!  I did admit that I had a lot of help on line...!!!   Challenge here:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/\   
     
Favorite:  http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Non traditional colors:  http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/

Recycled Christmas

Each year I plan to use cards received in previous years as a recycling project - probably to give to a nursing home, etc.  And each year I put it off.  I did try one today - maybe I will be inspired to start in January!  The "spotlight".
Recipe:  Nestie with embossed edge sponged in Platinum ink; sheer silver ribbon (used for strips on sketch); snowflake brad with added glitter; computer sentiment.
Sketch; Diagonal Bingo - brad, emboss, glitter :  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspired by the Wise Men:  http://giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.ca/Sparkle:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
Non traditional colors:  http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
transport - camels:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Festive Christmas:  http://wedodoobadoo.blogspot.co.uk/

Another easel - closed view

I am making several easel cards - they are similar but usually follow different sketches.  This is a closed view - the row of punched branches (Cheery Lynn) serves as a "stop" for the open card. I added a strip of Washi tape at the bottom of the inside layer. The inside is stamped with a Rejoice stamp - it can be seen in previous posts.   The top layer is bordered in black, and has a layer of Distressed Stripes embossing.  The main image is called a Far Voyage by Stampendous; the sentiment is by SU - not sure what set.
Sketch:  http://joannamunster.com/2014/11/15/ibsic-88/
Free Sketch (any - see line above):   http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Festive:  http://wedodoobadoo.blogspot.co.uk/
Transport (they are riding camels):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Die cut with no red or green:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Merry Christmas :  http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
          http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/

Easel #4 - Open

I will be making at least 6 easel cards - similar but not quite the same.  They are for our grandchildren.  (you can see others in previous posts).  The chevron Washi tape marks the top of the inside, and the row of glittery snowflakes provides the "stop" for propping the card open.  Top - Stampabilities;  Kraft cs (mat):  Snowflake EF;  Circle, scallop and flower dies, white lace.
Sketch:  http://yournextstamp.com/blog/
Wings:  http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
              http://justinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Modern Christmas colors (no red/green):  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
               http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Loose glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com/
White on white, with Kraft:   http://www.thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/
Chevrons:  http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
Any:   http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
More than one fold (easel):  http://scor-pal.blogspot.com/
 Christmas song:  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/
Make embellishments (glitter snowflakes):   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Easel #3

This is an easel card - at the very bottom inside are punched, glittery snowflakes - a double row that provides a bit of a "shelf" to hold the open card.  I am pretty new at easel cards so I keep experimenting.  Each grandchild will get one - I am hoping they will keep them to use as decorations.  A side note - our 24 year  old grandson just told me that he has a stack of previous cards from us - he knows how to make Grandma feel good!
Stamp - Stampabilites; Scroll - DieNamics; Metallic gold mesh; Snowflake embossing and punches; glitter, Paper Studio DP
About my favorite color - it seems to be whatever I am using.  Black and cream has become a favorite card making combination.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Song (the words - a shining star):  http://asonginyourart.blogspot.com/
Fav color:  http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/
Let it snow:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
"Chunky" snow (embossed and punched):  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/
Non traditional colors:   http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
                   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Christmas with sparkle

Products used:  Kolette Hall stamp;  Paper Studio DP; snowflake punch, red cs; gift bag for gold to bak image and red dp (it does not look gold here!);  very old gold rick-rack; snowflake punch - clear glitter added; gold gel pen for star; gold glitter on star and sentiment layer; Nestabilities ovals (CB to cut)
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Glitter/sparkle:  http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
                http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges
              http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/
             http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
 Dazzle:  http://www.addalittledazzle.com/dazzling-diva-challenge-54/
Bingo (middle row):   http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Snow and a die cut:   http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Bright colors:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/
Traditional colors:  http://a-crafty-mess.blogspot.co.uk/
                                  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/

Shabby Aubergine and Cream

I distressed the edges of the sentiment tag directly from the ink pad - it distressed a bit more than I intended - true to my style, I will do almost anything rather than discard pieces!  So I distressed the other edges, and rolled the top of the tag to make it look a bit like an ancient scroll.  The rest:  strip - Spellbinder die; stars - punch; sentiment - Kolette Hall; DP - Faith by Paper Studio.
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Sentiment is focal point:  http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/
Christmas - non traditional colors:  http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
 Layers and a sentiment:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
God's gift to us (presents):  http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Embossing:  http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/

Cream and Aubergine

I nearly forgot I have quite a few sheets of DP left in a stack called "Faith", by Paper Studio.  The colors will work well with this Aubergine cs - I have a good supply of that as .  The stamp is by Stampendous.  I distressed the edges - the white does not show well here but it provides contrast and dimension.  From my stash:  the dp, the geometric EF, Cheery Lynn pine branch die, and the set of Ribbon Buckle dies by Spellbinder. 
Sketch: http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Presents (from the Wise Men):  http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
(Christmas) celebration:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
 Christmas:   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
                     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Distress:     http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html
Inspired by the Nativity (wise men) and earthtones:  http://giveacrafteracookie.blogspot.ca/
Any:  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/12/dlart-december-linky-challenge.html
          http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Another blue Christmas

We have had a fun couple of days visiting with our oldest grandson, his new wife, and his younger brother.  It is the first time they have visited us in our AZ home.  Now back to crafting!  I really simplified this layout - added LifeStyle crafts die cuts for the corner pieces, and some ivory half pearls in the corners.  I need a different embossing folder for Christmas - here are the snowflakes again!
Sketch:  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/
Inspiration (blue, cream):  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/Freestyle:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
Any:  http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.com/
         http://craftcreatoins.blogspot.com/p/new-challenge.html
         http://avenue613.blogspot.com/

Christmas 2014 in blue

Since I do use the same image for most of our cards for the year, I am tiring a bit of the same look!  I did change out the colors here - thanks to the inspiration of this card:  http://www.rosemary-reflections.blogspot.com/2014/12/mojo-monday-374.html    It is one of the DT cards at Mojo Monday.  I added glitter to the snowflakes, and a bit of a metallic sticker strip between the DP panels.  The image is Stampendous, and the sentiment computer generated.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
"s" for snow, star:  http://suzysmarty1.blogspot.co.uk/
Snowflakes & glitter:  http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Present - brought by the Magi:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Dec. holiday:  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/11/dlart-thankful-thursday-145-any-winter.html
Traditional - the scene:  http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/
Tis the season:  http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/
Anything uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/http:
No red or green:  http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 
Freestyle:   http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/

Easel gift #1

 December 1 and time to get serious about the rest of the cards.  A couple of grandsons are visiting this week so there will be a break in card making.  This is the outside of an easel card - only the second I have made.  I plan to make one for each of our grandchildren - to give them a bit of a memento from each Christmas - so they will be quite similar, with different layouts.  Since I do not have the photography mastered, these will be posted in two different posts.  The stamp is Stampendous, and the sentiment is inside the easel.  I used three different embossing folders - snowflake, leaves, and a geometric pattern.  I added some gold metallic mesh for one of the layers, as well as gold ribbon and a gold star.  Inside (next photo) there is the sentiment by Stampabilities, Cheery Lynn pine branch die cuts, half pearls and glitter on the branches.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Seasonal sentiment:  http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/Sparkle:  http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.ca/
Any:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Tree (branches added inside):   http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.com/
Tis the season:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
Easel:  http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/
Pine (branches):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Winter:  http://justinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

snowflakes and metal

Double snowflakes here - embossed on the white layer, and on the DP.  The stamp is Kolette Hall.  I bought a huge roll of this shiny mesh several years ago and the wire edge ribbon is also from my stash.
Sketch #4:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Uplifting:    http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
 Challenge #4:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
Metallic (mesh and ribbon):  http://liastampz.blogspot.com/ 
                          http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/
 Any:  http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
              http://wedodoobadoo.blogspot.co.uk/
          http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
            http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/ 
Winter:   http://justinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Better CAS look

This CAS card is at least better than my last!  (Note - the black bg is to enhance the picture and is not a part of the card.)  I  used Distressed stripes, and lightly chalked the edges for a bit of a distressed look.  The image is Stampendous, and the sentiment by my computer. The main color is cream.
Sketch:  http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/challenge-52-sketch-and-happy-2nd.html
Distress:   http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com
Shabby chic:    http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Stripes:  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
CAS:   http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html
Inspiration - cream color and traditional Christmas scene:  http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca/
Inspired by the mostly cream color:   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Non-traditional Christmas colors:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
 Any:  http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.com/
       http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com/
Christmas present (brought by the Wise Men):  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/