Another die cut Christmas card

This is a card I made earlier but did not get posted.

Final Christmas 2017

I thought I had finished cards for 2017, but here is one more, using the same image I have already used a lot - it is an older freebie on a blog called Beyond the Fringe.  Thank you!  This card is alrady in the mail as of yesterday so I cannot re-do the photo - I just noticed that the gold sticker strips I used along the edge (below the stars) is not visible.  For the integrity of the sketch - they are there!  I printed the inside verse on a sheet of paper, and used the gold cord to hold it in place.
Sketch:  Feeling-sketchy
Inspiration:   House that Stamps Built
Christmas:   Star Stampz 
                      Sinkin Inkers
                      Fussy and Fancy 
                      Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
                      Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                      Pink Gem  
Spirit of the Season:   Dare 2b Artzy
Red and Green:   Incy Wincy
Pattern Paper:    Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper
Any:     Morgans Artworld 
             C.R.A.F.T.  
             Tuesday Morning Sketches 
              Word Art Wednesday
            

 

QKR Stampede - DT card for challenge #275 - ATG with a Santa option

MERRY CHRISTMAS!   I am sending wishes that all of you will have a blessed Christmas season, and all the best in the new year.  We have had our share of health issues in our family this year as well as the loss of friends and family members.  In spite of the sadness, we have had more than our share of joy, and are thankful to God for the many blessings we receive each day.

This is probably my first Christmas card for 2018.  I do have one final card ready to mail for 2017 - just waiting for an address.  I think we are not receiving as many cards, and I am trying to cut back a little - and sending some by e-mail.
The weekly challenge at  QKR Stampede is the usual anything goes, with the option of including Santa.  My version, called "Bringing a Tree", shows a Santa about as far behind in preparations as I am.  At least his miniature tree will not take long to decorate LOL!  I used Twinkling H20 ink, markers, and stickles (for the fur and tiny snowflakes) to finish him.  The sentiment is also available through the QKR Stampede Store.  The dies are Spellbinder Labels 4, and the snowflake is a punch.  The strip is glittery wire edged ribbon.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:   Sketch-Tanten
Christmas:    Cuttlebug Mania 
                       Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge  
                       Come and get It
Traditional Christmas Colors:   Glitter n Sparkle
                                                       Incy Wincy
Holiday:    Die Cuttin Divas
Holiday Fun:    Paper Girls
Inspiration (Santa):   Cupcake Inspirations
Snowflakes:    Crafty Sentiments
Glittery:   Southern Girls
Winter:   Die-Cut-Divas
Use a digi:   Hiding in my Craft Room 
Any:   Lil Patch of Crafty Friends

Christmas '17 for family

Once again I used an image found through Pinterest.  See previous blogs for a link to this old blog.  The bg is Cuttlebug Stars.
Sketch:    Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Christmas:   Simon Says Stamp Monday

Christmas 2017 - Easel card

This is why I do not usually take photos to upload - scanning works so much better for me.  The colors are so unreal - but the card went in the mail yesterday so I cannot re do it.  IRL the main color is a lovey dark burgundy, and the die cut is Kraft.  Oh, well - use your imagination.  Both die cuts are from unnamed dies.  Inside I have a pocket for the enclosed check.  Thanks to Lois Bak for the reminder tutorial on making the easel design - her DT sample is on the Scor-Pal blog (see below).
More than one score:  Scor-Pal
Christmas:    Christmas Cards all Year Round

Christmas 2017

Rcipe ;  Star embossing folder - Cuttlebug; half pearls by Pizzazz Aplenty, punched stars, and another example using an image I saw on Pinterest, and an old freebie from the blog Beyond the Fringe.
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Red and white, touch of green:   Dar and Diane

 I will be making several gate fold cards, including an inside pocket to hold checks and/or certificates.  We have made special donations to international relief efforts of Samaritan's Purse - to honor our children and grandkids, so we include that certificate for them.  I used "nameless" dies for the sentiment and the nativity.
More than one fold:  Scor-Pal
Christmas:  Cuttlebug Mania

Snow Fun - DT card for Crafter's Cafe challenge #187

This image from Scribbles, Snow Fun, is great for this challenge - any Christmas or using white, red and green.  The challenge is open through Jan 12.   Find details and the entry link here.  The image is available here.  I used a variety of markers for coloring the image - including shiny metallics - and added a computer generated sentiment.  The red snowflakes are punches. The star is enhanced with gold glitter.
Challenges entered:
Sketch:    Sketch Saturday
Winter:       Glitter n Sparkle
Snowflakes:    Allsorts
                        Crafty Sentiments 
Red, white; touch of green:   Dar and Diane
  Christmas:    Crafty Calendar:  
              A Perfect Time to Craft 
              Cards Galore 
              Corrosive Challenges
              Inspiration Destination
              Through the Craft Room Door
Tic-Tac-Toe - Christmas, red & green, glitter:   House that Stamps Built

Christmas Blessings 2017

Another design for this no name nativity die.  The bg is the Cuttlebug Star folder, and I used the Cheery Lynn Blessings die.  The oval is Kraft cs, and the bg is a rusty burgundy.
Sketch:    Tuesday Morning
Christmas:   Christmas Cards All Year Round
                      Cuttlebug Mania
                      Gem Challenge
                      Simon Says Stamp Monday  
                      Winter Wonderland
Non-traditional colors:    Mod Squad
                                           Dragonfly Dreams
                                           Pile it On 
 Any:       Word Art Wednesday

Silent Night

This is a great piece of DP, but hard to use on a card and terrible for the photo - it is the words to Silent Night.  The sparkly ribbon and stars don't help the photo.
Sketch:    Sketch Saturday
Christmas:   Gem Challenge
                      Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2 
                      Simon Says Stamp Monday
Christmas with sparkle:   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
 
 

Christmas 2017 12-12

I have settled on using this image for several more cards - getting down to the wire.  It is an image I saw on Pinterest, and an old freebie from the blog Beyond the Fringe.  I have not had much time to check - I did see a long list of freebies, but I don't think she is doing many currently.  I used this dp with dots, and a strip of ribbon.  The background uses a cuttlebug snowflake folder.
Sketch:   Sketch-Tanten
Dots:  CCC Digi Creations
Christmas:     Aloha Friday 
                        Cards Galore
 
 
 

Christmas - 12-11-17

When I bought this die I thought I had a great item for this year's Christmas cards, but I find it difficult to find a design that works well.  But I do keep trying!  It does not seem to show in the photo but there is shiny gold paper behind the star at the top of the stable.  I used a snow flake embossing folder, and the distressed stripes as well.  There is a bit of DP, some burlap looking ribbon, a glittery star, and an unnamed sentiment stamp.
Sketch:   VLV Sketches
Christmas:   Pink Gem Challenge 
                      Christmas Blog
                      Simon Says Stamp Monday  
                      Christmas cards all Year Round
Snowflakes:    Allsorts
                        Mod Squad
Christmas Carol (O Holy Night)    Cut it Up
Red and white with a pop of green:   Dar and Diane

Recycled Christmas card 2017 - 12/9

All the cream colored pieces are cut or punched from an old card.  The sentiment stamp is Studio G.  The gold strips are both metallic ribbon.  The embossed images are shiny IRL.  The circles are cut from dies.
Note:  it is so sad to see a few more challenges closing at the end of the year.  All the best - but the challenges will be missed.
Sketch (reversed):  Verve sketches
Christmas:   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
                      Aloha Friday Challenges
Christmas Scene:  Tuesday Throwdown
Carol - O Holy Night:   Dies R Us
Any:    Come and Get It

Starry Bethlehem - QKR Stampede challenge #272 ~ option: Non-traditional Christmas colors

The weekly challenge at QKR Stampede is always anything goes.  This week, the optional twist is to use non-traditional Christmas colors.  I used black, white and gold rather than the traditional red and green.  The image from Eureka/QKR Stampede is called Bethlehem, and the sentiment is also Eureka.  I added the starry embossed background (folder by Cuttlebug), some glittery gold cs, gold metallic ribbon, and gold gems.  The stars are colored with a metallic gold marker.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Sketch:   Catch the Bug
It's Christmas:    Crafty Calendar
Non-traditional Christmas colors:   Pile it on
                                                             Delicious Doodles Challenge 2
Spirit of the Season:   Dare 2b Artzy
 Any:   Cards Galore
            Crafting Circle  
            A Bit More Time to Craft
            Crafty Gals Corner
            Through the Craft Room Door
            Classic Design Team
            Morgans Artworld
            Crafting by Designs
            Word Art Wednesday
            Perfect Time to Craft
           












 

Scribbles Designs ` Guest DT card for Christmas Carol Celebration Dec. 1-5

This uses the lovely image The Tolling of the Bells, available here.

                                                                
The Scribbles Design team is holding a special 5 day challenge.  Note the specifics:

Christmas is on its way and this time of year, everywhere you go or every radio you turn on, you can hear the dulcet tones of beautiful Christmas carols emanating from the speakers around you. As such, this year we want to celebrate the coming of Christmas with the theme of Christmas Carols.

Each day for the next five days at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog, you'll be given a task to do related to a Christmas Carol. Complete the task of the day and have a chance to win a special prize.This event is an extra event in addition to our challenges which will still be taking place during their regular time slots.

Day 2: The Tolling of the Bells

The word 'bell' or 'bells' is part of several Christmas carols. Many people are familiar with the song Jingle Bells, A definite classic during the holidays. However, there are some other carols both popular and more obscure where bells are featured. For your chance to win today's image, email us a list of FIVE Christmas Carols other than Jingle Bells, with the word 'bell' or 'bells' as part of the title.

Please email Lisa (DT Coordinator) at decossesdynamitedoodles@yahoo.com 

All entries that contain a list of five carols with the word bell or bells will be entered into a random draw. One winner will win the image pictured above.


Back to my card.  I colored with Twinkling H2o's.  Since I started printing digis I have avoided using water based coloring due to the smearing of the ink.  I decided to try this, and - no smearing!  Has the ink formula changed?  At any rate, I like the shiny look for the bell.  The bg paper looks brown on my screen, but is actually more of a deep burgundy.   I added shiny gold ribbon and a computer generated image.  
Sketch challenge:   Incy Wincy
Christmas:   Aud Sentiments
Any:   Classic Design Team
             World Wide Open Design Team

QKR Stampede challenge #272 ~ Anything Goes / Option - Christmas Tag

This week, the Anything Goes challenge at QKR Stampede has the option of creating a Christmas tag. You may enter up to 3 times before 3 p.m,. EST on Thursday for a chance to win some QKR images.  There is also a winner for some one using QKR/Eureka images.
I must admit that hubby and I need more gift card holders than tags, but this was fun to make.  I used the Spellbinder Labels 1 die. The DP is double sided - great for a tag.  I used the Holly image (from the QKR Stampede store) which I colored and fussy cut.  Now cutting is not really my thing, but I am pleased with the result - including leaving a bit of white to provide contrast.  The sentiment is also from the QKR - Stamp On It store.  I added metallic cord for the tie.
Challenges:  
Tag:     Tag You're It
Tag for a present:    C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
Spots/stripes:    Creative Craft Cottage
Red & Green - Christmas:   Christmas blog Challenge - Winter Wonderland
Any:    House That Stamps Built

Crafters Cafe DT card for Challenge #186 - Embossing

The theme for the current challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is Embossing - wet or dry.  Easy Peasy for me - I could use an embossing folder for almost any card I make!  This time I selected the swirls (Cuttlebug) to echo one of the designs on the teacups.  The best wishes is from a Spellbinders die - and is kind of generic, when I do not know how the card will be used.  I added a crinkly embossed ribbon.  I kind of decided on red and white as the main colors thinking it could be used around Valentine's Day.  You may find details of the Crafter's Cafe challenge here, and the image, by My Stitch Back in Twine,  is available here.
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches
Colors:   Your Next Stamp
Any:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

R for recycle - Christmas 2017

Another Recycled Christmas card.
Sketch:  Sketch Saturday
"R" for recycle:  Beccy's
Christmas Carol - "O Holy Night"   Allsorts

Christmas 2017 - Isaiah 9:6

Hubby and I send cards celebrating the birth of Christ.  I just found this image on Pinterest - It came from this blog.  I think I will use it several times.  I already have about 3 dozen cards made but I need more, and will donate some to  our church Quilter's group who are having a craft sale this week.  The stars embossing folder is by Cuttlebug; the tree punch is from the Paper Studio and the ribbon is Offray.  I used bits of gold sequins to trim the little trees.  This verse evokes for me a portion of Handel's Messiah - included in my list of favorite Christmas music.
Sketch (part of a month of Christmas challenges):   Beccy's Place
Christmas carol:  Allsorts 
Red and Green:   Christmas Blog Challenge
Large sentiment:   Pile it On
Christmas:    Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
                       Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
Any:    Word Art Wednesday
            Corrosive Challenges

M is for Music - Christmas 2017

At one time I hoped to do most of  the "month of Christmas" alphabet challenge at Beccy's Place.  Well, more visitors than usual, then an unexpected hospital stay by hubby put an end to that idea.  (Hubby is back to normal now - they think he had a reaction to medication that caused disorientation.)  So, rather than do the A, B, C's in order I will just try to do a few more - here, M is for Music.   Inspired by Christmas Carol:  Angels we have Heard on High.

Image - Christmas Carol Angel by Lemon Shortbread; Snowflake embossing folder by Cuttlebug; Misc. DP; metallic silver ribbon (WalMart).
Sketch:   VLV Sketches
M ~ Music:  Beccys Challenges 
Christmas:   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
Christmas Carol:   Allsorts 
Any:   Lemon Shortbread
            Scrappers- Delights
           Word Art Wednesday