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.

Homemade Fancy Christmas

I had so much fun making my last gift bag, that I decided to continue working with the latest sketch from Mojo Monday.

I also stopped by the Merry Monday Christmas Challenge site.  Because let's face it, I'm working on Christmas crafts, so why not let them help inspire me to create something beautiful!

The folks over @ Merry Monday Christmas Challenge,  have a inspiration photo, and a color challenge: pink, green, and white.  I can do that!

here is what I made:

I rotated the sketch.  I also changed the circle element for another square element.  I used ribbon and trim for the long banner piece.  I did add a floral element but I tied on an ice skate!  I used a holiday image and sentiment.  Both of which are heat embossed with early espresso embossing powder, on shimmer white card stock.  

close-up

For the 'panels' I matted each of the pattern papers with kraft card stock.  I also added some machine stitching to these pieces.  I think this adds a homespun look and feel.  I used Happiness is Homemade pattern paper from Tilda.  The large pink blossom is a Melissa Frances item.  I used a light champagne shimmer textured card stock for the base of the bag.  

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired.  Now, I'm headed back into my craft room, to finish some jar toppers, desk top calendars, and some magnetic monograms.  Oh, and my trophy cups, and some altered salt shakers.  Whew, sounds like a lot, but once I get started, it moves along quickly.