Christmas Card Challenge - Nov - Navy Square

This is my card for the Christmas Card Challenge this month.  I have chosen Navy and Square for this card.

I chose a navy card.  I created a vellum greeting layer with a frame where the greeting is placed at the bottom of frame replacing the line. I printed it then embossed with gold powder.  It was trimmed to leave a small border of navy.

I cut the holy family with the Penny Black Manger thin die from gold card stock.

The frame was cut from white card stock with the Stitched Square Frames by Die-Namics.  I adhered the frame on the diagonal to the vellum then placed adhesive behind the frame on the back of the vellum to ensure that the adhesive does not show through the vellum.  The vellum was then adhered to the card front.

I then placed the gold holy family die cut in the center of the diamond square and attached it with a tiny gold star brad in the center of the star of the die. I have over 100 cards in my box so I am ready to start addressing.

I have posted an alternative with a clear vellum and banner greeting which was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Card Challenge - Oct - Banner Turquoise

My blog`s Christmas Card challenge for October is Banner and Turquoise.  I`m sorry this is late.

I chose a warm turquoise card and found some Christmas designer paper from Best Creation Inc. It features a warm snowflake background with purple glittered snowflakes.  It was cut to leave a small border.

I created a banner with the Stampin Up Banner Triple punch.  The blue banner is cut to 2 inches wide then the white is 1.5 inches wide.  I stamped the greeting with a stamp from Stampin Up - Four the Holidays stamp set.  I used the Baja Breeze stamp pad.  The two banners were layered and then trimmed to 5 inches long.  I adhered it to the card front. 

I adhered a 1 inch circle punchie in deep purple to the left of the greeting.  I then added a white metal dove brad by making a hole with a push pin for the prongs. 

Christmas Card Challenge - Scallop Oval / Lavender

This is my card for my blog Christmas Card Challenge.  The theme for September is Scallop Oval and Lavender.   I chose a white card then layered a piece lavender designer paper cut to leave a small border.  I then cut a scallop oval from lavender card stock with Spellbinder Nestabilities die.  I placed a iridescent fabric snowflake on every other scallop with a light purple tiny brad.  I placed a large white snowflake created with a Martha Stewart snowflake punch, the layered a medium snowflake again cut with a Martha Stewart punch then an iridescent fabric snowflake all held in place with a light purple tiny brad.  I chose not to include a sentiment as the snowflake says winter very nicely.  Sometimes I have folks on my Christmas Card list which do not celebrate so a winter card works in that situation.

Have you started your Christmas Card Making?  Get started today!

Christmas Card Challenge - Aug - Copper/Square

This is my card for the Christmas Card blog challenge.  The challenge this month is Copper and Square.  I ensure that I get all my Christmas cards by November 1st.  Will you join me?

I started with the metallic copper card stock. I cut it with the Sizzix Dove die and Stitched Squares Frame.

I selected a medium purple card.

I created a star background which I printed on vellum, embossed with copper powder and trimmed it to leave a small border.

I placed the square on the angle and adhered it to the vellum and centered the dove in the middle.  I then applied adhesive behind the vellum under the same places and placed it on the card front.

I then selected 4 places to add a tiny copper star  brad to ensure all pieces stay in place, in 2 stars at the top and the 2 stars beside the greeting.

You can check this link to see the cards so far and the first post contains all the challenge. Pick the one that inspires you.   If  make a card leave me a comment. 

Joining the summer Christmas Card link up at Merry Monday.

Christmas Card Challenge - White Circle - Doily Wreath

This card is for my blog Christmas Card Challenge for July which is White Circle.

I chose a white doily for the main element which measures 4.5 inches.  I chose to put it on an A6 white card.  I glued some white fabric snowflakes around the interior circle of the doily.  I then put a few iridescent sequins held in place with tiny white brads.

I used a greeting from my stash in a purple color and tacked it below the wreath and trimmed it to the card edges. 

I placed a few more fabric snowflakes & sequin combos with a couple on the greeting and a couple in each top corners.

I wanted a subtle white on white textured card.  I really like the texture the doily provides.



I am pairing this card with a Pop Tone Black Licorice A6 black envelope which was provided by Paper Garden.

Have you started on your Christmas cards?  Summer time with a slower pace is a good time to get started or get a stack of cards made.

Christmas Card Challenge - June - Green/Triangle

The challenge this month is Green and Triangle.  I found a green and red designer paper by A2Z Essentials Pollinate Collection - Burst.  This paper was cut into triangles measuring 5 tall x 2 inches wide.

I chose a hunter green card.  I added an light green embossed layer.  It was embossed with the Starry Night Background Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder.  

I added a red sequin star at the top of the tree and 3 gold sequins spread around the background.  I added 3 wraps of red cotton fiber which is knotted on the front.

The triangle tree is mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape over the red fiber.  

I added a coordinating Stampin Up Word Window greeting in the bottom right hand corner.
64 Christmas Cards in my box today.

Christmas Card Challenge - May - Oval/Black

The challenge for the May Christmas Card Challenge was Oval and Black. 

I chose some Anna Griffin designer paper featuring ornaments.  It has various neutral colors in greys, warm whites, and river rock. 
I chose black for the card base, cut the ornament paper to leave a small border. 

I added a length of black grosgrain ribbon across the bottom of the decorative layer taping the ends to the back.  I adhered it to the card front.

The black oval greeting was printed on river rock card stock.  It was then punched with the 2 inch oval paper punch.  It was adhered with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Scallop Circle Purple

This is the card for my monthly blog Christmas Card Challenge.  The theme for April is Scallop Circle and Purple.

I started with a tall top fold card measuring 4.25 x 11 inches. I printed the greeting onto the card front and folded it at 5.5 inches. I then selected a thin die from the Spellbinder Nestabilities Scallop Circle set and cut a hole in the card front. 
I used my Tim Holtz Distress Stain background method to make the sky paper with purples and blues.  The colors used are Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord and a bottle which changed colors over time so it's a turquoise like color.  Ranger replaced the bottles but if I am not aiming for a certain color they do the trick.  I designed some triangle trees which I printed onto my background paper.
I cut the little house from white card stock at 2" with my Cricut and the Winter Woodland cartridge. I adhered the house next to the trees. I ripped the snow bank which I placed in front of the house.  This layer was then adhere to the back of the card front with double sided tape.  Once the card was assembled, I used a couple drops of the distress stains a drop of water and dipped a old toothbrush into and spattered the card front to add a bit of texture.

Christmas Card Challenge - Ornament Silver

The challenge for March is Ornament and Silver.

I chose to use my recent purchase again. I cut the Penny Black Creative Die 51-254 Manger from black card stock.  I cut a circle from sparkly paper with a Spellbinder Nestabilities Smooth Round from the small set.  I cut an ornament with the Sizzix Ornament #2 from the same black card stock. I assembled the ornament by gluing the sparkly paper onto the ornament then attaching the manger die cut with a pewter star brad.

I printed the greeting layer onto warm grey card stock then trimmed close to the border.  I then adhered the ornament to that layer aligning it with the branch.  I cut a length of silver cord, made a bow and adhered it to the ornament hanger. I trimmed the ends with scissors.

I placed 2 lengths of silver glitter washi tape onto the black card front aligning them near the top and bottom. The greeting layer was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  I think I will try a couple with cooler grey card stock.

I made a couple with the same non shed silver glitter paper and the manger scene shows up much better on those.   Those also have the cooler toned card stock greeting layer. 

Christmas Card Challenge - February - Red / Hearts

The theme for my blog Christmas Card Challenge for February is Red and Hearts.

I chose an Always Artichoke card base which has some texture.  The glitter designer paper is from Sweet Dreams Holiday Avenue by My Mind`s Eye.  It was trimmed to leave a small border.  I cut a length of blue seam binding and placed it just left of center and taped the ends to the back of the designer paper.

I cut a large heart from red velvet paper with the Sizzix Hearts#2 thin lits. I cut some warm white card stock with the next size down.  I cut one from the smallest size, placed onto the white one and used a push pin to create a pierced heart shape.

I used a red crystal brad to hold the heart element onto the card front.

I designed the greeting and color printed it onto warm white card stock.   I fussy cut the greeting banner and adhered it to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Christmas Card Challenge - January - Gold / Star

Card making is not as popular as it used to be. In my card making classes, attendance is dwindling.  My Stack Classes are in serious decline.   The cost of postage and electronic methods of communication has affected how many cards are sent each year. All Occasion cards in my classes have been in declined but Christmas cards hung on for longer. I gave 140 handmade Christmas cards this year but received about 20% of that.  I have to say that result affected my card making mojo. I hope that people are still connecting.  I was raised to send thank you cards for the gifts I receive but I would say that it is not a prevalent practice these days. 

Christmas is such a special time for me that I cannot stop sending Christmas greetings but I think in 2017 I will embrace some the new ways.  I can see a photo card and an electronic letters are possibilities.

After some serious self talk, I finally got my card making mojo working.  I learned many years ago that I need to make my Christmas card throughout the year so come Dec 1st they are ready to address. In that effort, I run a blog challenge every month.  January`s theme was gold and star.

I chose a script background I designed a few years ago which includes scripture.  I added a large word in the bottom right hand corner `Joy`.  This was printed on red card stock and trimmed to leave a small border.
I mounted that to the front of a black card.

I cut a gold star from non shed glitter paper with the Sizzix Star #2 die.  I  mounted that onto the card front with 3D foam tape. 

2017 Christmas Card Challenge

I challenge myself every year to make my Christmas Card throughout the year so there is no panic on December 1st when I start to address my cards to friends and family.

I am going back to basics this year and featuring elementary shapes and colors which will allow a wide variety of interpretations of the theme.

2017 Christmas Card Challenge
	Shape	Color
January	Star (5 or 6 points)	Gold
February	Heart	Red
March	Ornament	Silver
April	Scallop Circle	Purple
May	Oval	Black
June	Triangle	Green
July	Circle	White
August	Square	Copper
September	Scallop Oval	Lavender
October	Banner	Turquoise
November	Scallop Square	Navy
December	Rectangle	Brown

Subject matter

Nativity, Trees, Snowflake, Snowbank, Sled, Moon, Trio, Tag, Polar bear, Wreath, Poinsettia, Twig,
Starry Night, Bethlehem, Wisemen, Manger, Cmas Tree, Jingle Bell,

Techniques 
Painting, Die Cutting or Embossing