Frozen!

I almost called this post "Let it snow", but I'm pretty sure I've used that one before ;) While this guy doesn't fully resemble Olaf with his misshapen head, he does remind me of him still, so it makes me think of the Disney movie Frozen, (which is FABULOUS by the way!!!). And it's definitely an icy, snowy scene. I used a folder from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration for snow again, and the trees behind the Button Buddies snowman is from the cutest forest animal sets yet, Life in the Forest, from the 2014 Occasions catalogue. I also used the retired waffle paper (on a spool) for the layers of snow, and Versamark with Iridescent Ice for all the heat embossing. And the Encore Silver ink for the sponged edges on the Basic Gray and the Deco Labels diecut. I'm also particularly proud of myself, because, although I've known how to do the masking technique for double layered stamping for years, this is the first time I actually used it, lol!

As sometimes happens, I can't decide between two different shot settings of my image, and am including both for the sake of accurate preservation...

Challenges I used:
Pals Paper Arts - (see sketch below) Flipped and using the layers of snow instead of layers of DSP/Ribbon
SUO Challenges - It's Almost the "Last Minute"
Inky Chicks - Christmas
Little Red Wagon - Merry Christmas, Anything Christmas
Nutcrafters - Snow, snow, everywhere
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

Cheers!

Usually I'm more of a Merry Christmas kind of girl, but this Happy Holiday stamp was just so cute and colorable, I had to get it! And this new paper from the Occasions Catty is perfect for this sketch, and for a fun Christmas vibe. Overall, I'm very happy with the look of this simple card :)

Challenges I used:

Pals Paper Arts - (see sketch below)
Inky Chicks - Christmas
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes
ABC Challenges - Blue, Bows and Bling

Sale-A-Bration Christmas!!

I'm still making Christmas cards, but I'm also playing with stuff from the new Occasions catalogue and the Sale-A-Bration items I have so far... it's fun seeing how I can use them for Christmas, like this embossing folder from SAB that is PERFECT for the snow outside this "window", and the banner stamps and punches to add a festive look for any party!



Challenges I used:

Mojo Monday - (see sketch below)
Colour Q - (see below)
SUO Challenges - It's Almost the "Last Minute"
Paper Playtime - Winter Fun
Pile It On - P is for... Pink, Pennants, Piercing
Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes
Just Add Ink - Christmas Projects

Simply Merry

I think I'm getting the hang of this Clean and Simple thing... although I'll never stop going overboard on a regular basis ;)

Being a clean card, it needs little explanation, aside from the Crumb Cake layer, which I gave a light "whitewashing" by inking up the embossing folder before running it through the Big Shot... with the craft ink, it gives a different, imperfect look, compared to with a classic ink.

 

Challenges I used:

CAS(E) This Sketch - (see below)

Dynamic Duos - (see below)

ABC Challenges - B for Blue, Bows and Bling

Southern Girls - Christmas Wishes

Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

Envelope Punch Board Gift Box and Bow (12x12)

I cannot say enough good things about our new Envelope Punch Board!!! I consider myself to be creative with design and style, and love spending time creating and perfecting each card and don't usually like the idea of CASEing, because it takes the fun out of it. (To clarify, I don't mind being CASEd, preferably with a link to credit me, but I prefer to design my cards on my own). But I am NOT that person who can easily use a selection of punches and create something totally different, or the one who can see how most tools can be used outside of their intended purpose to make something new and different. Thankfully though, there are tons of great crafty people who DO that  and have made a bunch of videos and tutorials showing me what to do with this awesome tool... thank you ladies!!! (PS, I'll include those links at the bottom, so you can learn what I did from them!)

We made these quick and easy boxes at Club with a 12"x12" sheet, (a great way to use up those leftovers), but with just a plain bow on top, secured on each side of the bow to close the box. When I got home to make another one, I decided to step it up a notch, and add a removable band to close it, (which I punched with the board, center top, to match the center of the bow), so it could be opened and then easily re-used. I also embossed the bow and added some bling.

Challenges I used:

The Cat's Pajamas - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Use it Tuesday - Anything Goes (Used hoarded Sale-A-Bration paper from almost 2 years ago)
Inky Chicks - Buttons, Bling and Bows
Paper Playtime - Anything Goes
Pile it On - P is for... (Present, Package, Pretty, Paper)

Tutorial videos I used:

Box - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2peYeFKpZk&noredirect=1
Bow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwMv0zo9vJ8&noredirect=1

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

This is the last Christmas card for my Club this year... now time to get to work on my own stash for everyone else ;) I love the color combo here and the Soft Sky (ink on sentiment and sky sponging) and Pool Party (cardstock and ribbon) play very nicely together :)

Challenges I used:

Mojo Monday - (see sketch below)

Southern Girls - Embrace your Lumps and Bumps

ABC Challenges - A for Almost Christmas

Paper Playtime - Anything Goes

Ribbon Carousel - Anything Goes

Pile it On - P is for... Pool Party, Punches, Pizzazz (sparkly tree and rhinestone)