Shabby Peppermint Christmas Card

Howdy!  Wow, I've posted a few times already this week.  You would think that I have a better 'understanding' of my new photo editing software.  Well, before we start to celebrate, I still can't figure out how to add text to my photos.  {ugh.  deep breathes.  One step at a time.}

Anyways, I am still playing with this beautiful pattern paper from Prima; Sweet Peppermint.  It is simply beautiful!  

I am entering a few challenges with a card I made this morning.  I used some scraps and added a bit of machine stitching, and viola!

The first challenge I am entering is a new challenge for me.  It's the Paper Play Sketch Challenge.  They have a straight forward sketch.  But, you know me.  I love layers!  here is their sketch:

The second challenge I am entering is a theme challenge: Get Ready for Christmas @ Crafting by Designs.  And at this time of year, that is pretty much all I do during my waking hours.  Craft, craft, and a bit more crafting.  Almost all Christmas themed.  I'm getting ready for holiday craft fairs.

The third, and last (for today) is a challenge site that is near and dear to my heart:  Word Art Wednesday.  Their theme is typically Anything Goes.  But they have a 'family friendly' site, so super friendly and easy to look at.  They always provide a scripture that is NOT required, but very inspirational!

and here is what I created:

The blank-inside greeting card is the typical A2 size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  It will be for sale at my holiday craft show.  I just loved it next to the little shabby house I made with the same digital Bingo card.  {smile}

Recipe:  The card base is made from cream heavy weight card stock from Paper Trey Ink. (notice how the card stands on it's own, even with the layers.)

I used two match-y pattern papers from the Sweet Peppermint holiday collection by Prima - the mint polka dots, and the white snowflakes on a mint background.  (there are polka dots on the snowflake pattern paper, to help repeat the polka dots on the initial pattern paper.)

I adhered these two patterns together and ran it through my sewing machine.  I just love how the stitching adds such a warmth and homespun look to my paper crafts.  I wrapped a scrap piece of this beautiful black houndstooth pattern paper from the Christmas Delivery collection by Carta Bella.  I just love the contrast between the black and cream and the mint and white patterns.

I wrapped a scrap piece of Mint Macaron ribbon by Stampin' Up! around the middle of the card.  I just love the color and the added texture.  I also wrapped another new ribbon from Stampin' Up! it's their silver stripe ribbon.  The metallic really adds some elegance to the card.

I added a shabby Bingo card, as my focal piece.  (foam tape helps elevate this piece off the front of the card.)  I printed my digital Bingo card onto linen card stock by Paper Trey Ink, to help give it some texture and keep it from looking 'flat'.  I thought that the pink and green color scheme of the Bingo card really added a feminine touch.  

I wanted a sentiment but just couldn't figure out where to stamp it!  So, I made a quick tag from a scrap piece of the initial matt pattern paper.  (repeating the pattern and design.)  I stamped my sentiment on the tag and tied a simple bow with the silver stripe ribbon.  (repeat, is my middle name! ya'll)  I used a new-to-me stamp for the sentiment.  I just love the font.  It's so pretty, and elegant, and flow-y.  And I didn't have to purchase a $17/$22 stamp set to get it.  It is the Mini Christmas Holiday polymer stamp from CTMH, and it was under $3.  Perfect.  Right?

My final 'touch' was the pair of dual rhinestones at opposite corners of the Bingo card.  Yep, silver rhinestones to repeat the metallic in the silver stripe ribbon.

I used the edge of my scissors to 'rough' the edges of all of the papers.  I then sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink by Stampin' Up!.  

Well, thank you so much for stopping by my little piece of Blog-Land.  I appreciate the company.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with any or all of these challenges. {smile}

Traditional Holiday Card

Howdy!  I know that it feels like  f o r e v e r  since I last posted my crafting.   And I apologize for not getting photos uploaded earlier.  But, I am still not completely happy with my upgraded photo editing software.  Maybe I'll get use to it soon, and quite all this belly aching.  {smile}

I am creating some beautiful {to me} holiday paper crafts.  And I actually look some photos.  {smile}.  So, please have patience, and stay tuned.

I created some cards that I want to enter in a Christmas Card Challenge, over @ Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - Dig out your Plaid.  What a fun theme, right!

*at the time of this post, the challenge has already closed.

I used some new pattern paper Christmas Delivery by Carta Bella.  It uses traditional red and green, with some black accents thrown in.  Black?  Black.  They managed to made it very chic and stylish!

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used Cherry Cobbler card stock by Stampin' Up! to create the card base.  I also used this card stock to matt the journaling piece.  

The pattern paper with presents and white polka dots on green, and the journalling piece are all from this collection.  I found it to be traditional with a bit of uptown style with the black accents.  Very chic and very stylish - I think.  The plaid ribbon is left over from last years holiday crafting.  I purchased it at one of those big box craft stores (M).  

I sponged crumb cake classic ink on all the edges, to help give each piece of softer line.  I don't really like how abrupt and stark card stock looks once its cut.  

I did make an 'adjustment' to my pattern papers.  The journalling cards are 3" x 4".  And that is just too large for my A2 size card.  So, I copied them @ 75% onto white linen card stock.  This reduced their size to 2 1/4" x 3".  Much more 'workable' for tis size of card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

here are a few more:

I ended up making a total of 8 cards, with the four sheets of 12" x 12" pattern paper of Christmas Delivery by Carta Bella.  I wanted to make several different cards.  I was very observant as to how I cut my pattern papers, because I won't have another opportunity to purchase more.  And I have enough paper left to create a few gift bags and a few gift card holders.  I'll post a photo of them soon.

Thank you for stopping by.  I will be posting some photos of some crafts I have been working on, soon.  Please stay tuned.  I will be sharing my photos with you here, on InstaGram, and on Facebook. But please be aware, these won't be going into my Etsy shop, as I am working on increasing my inventory for holiday craft fairs.