Christmas Collage

Today's post is one I stamped just for fun!!  Today is the first day in a VERY long time that I've been able to just create for the sake of creating and not with a particular class or event in mind.  This card isn't one I would do in a class...a wee bit too fussy for that...but I sure do like it! 

Vintage-y Christmas Card using Christmas Collage background stamp, Winter Post and sentiment from Bells and Boughs sets.

Inside of view using sentiment from Many Merry Messages and image from Bells and Boughs.

So, whaddya think of the colour scheme?  Not exactly your traditional red and green Christmas card...but I have to say I really like it!  I was inspired by a card by Linda Creech that I saw on our demonstrator forum.  Linda's card also used soft colours and pewter embossing powder...such a great combination!  The colours I used were blushing bride, baja breeze, crumb cake and sahara sand (card base).  The background image was embossed using the pewter embossing powder (sure hope THAT stuff carries over when this mini is done!), as was the deer image from the Winter Post set.  The rest of the images on the inside and the sentiment on the front were stamped in crumb cake.  I finished it off with yet another package-tied ribbon treatment (I seem to be on a roll with that lately!) using very vanilla seam binding ribbon and an antique brad.  I am really pleased with the way this turned out...who would have thought such non-traditional colours would combine to create such a beautiful holiday card?!?

Drum Roll, Please...

...and the winner is:  Karen Gilman!!  Congratulations, Karen!  Please send me an email with your shipping info and I will get your goodies in the mail this week!

A HUGE thank you to all who helped me celebrate my Bloggaversary and took the time to leave kind comments.  It has been a crazy year...can't wait to see what the next year holds! 

Now for some stamping!  One of the things I most enjoy about participating in online challenges is the way they jump-start my mojo.  The week up north was a frustrating one and I had kind of been putting off going down to prep for my classes this week and next because I was worried it would again be an exercise in mediocrity.  Thankfully, some of my favourite challenge sites had sketch challenges this week!  They sure did get the creative juices flowing!!  The card I'm going to show you is based on one of the two sketches over at Stamping 411 this week.  Here is the simple sketch...

Since I am in full Christmas mode these days, it was only natural that I do a holiday card (yes, I know, its only August!).  So, here is my version:

Holiday card for SSC217 using the Jolly Bingo Bits and Contempo Christmas sets

Inside sentiment from the Many Merry Messages set

 This sketch was so CAS I had to try my best to reflect that in my card.  Since those of you who follow my blog know what a hard time I have with CAS, I hope you're impressed! This card actually came together quite easily and will likely make my fall line-up.  The poinsettia image is from Jolly Bingo Bits (so handy, that set!)  I also used some of the silver glimmer paper from the upcoming Holiday Mini...so sparkly and no mess!  The sentiment is from Contempo Christmas and is heat embossed in silver.

On another note, there is still time to register for my Christmas Club.  The first class is this Thursday, so don't delay!  I need to confirm attendance by Wednesday so that I can be sure I have enough supplies on hand.  For more information click on the Upcoming Events tab at the top of this page and then call to register today!

Busy, busy, busy!

Ah...help!  The summer is disappearing faster than I can keep up!  I have SO MUCH work to do before I go back to work and there just isn't enough time to get it all done!  I need my Fairy Godmother to stop time for a while so I can catch up! 
Ok...enough whining...I know the non-teachers out there are thinking "What's she complaining about...she just had 2 months off...?"  and they're right.  I shouldn't complain.  So here I am not complaining.

Now to today's post.  This is another Christmas card I did.  I call this "Over-the-top" Christmas because it took me nearly two hours to make.  I don't think I'll be doing many more of these and it likely won't find it's way into my class line-up, but it is pretty and was fun to make.

I started by stamping the Christmas Collage background stamp from the new Holiday Mini in Early Espresso.  I didn't worry too much about getting really even ink coverage because I wanted it to look somewhat faded.  I coloured the image using Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler markers.  I painted the bells using Platinum shimmer paint.  The centres of the flowers were dabbed with Gold Lamme Smooch accent ink.  I then punched out the "25" with the 2 3/8" scalloped circle punch.  I wove the Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon and adhered it behind the punched opening.  The whole thing is layered on Cherry Cobbler and then mounted on an Always Artichoke card base.  Not exactly easy or simple, but the end result was worth the effort.

Don't forget, the new mini goes live on September 1st, so request your copy today!