Five Favourite Christmas Cards

Good morning all.

Debby is once again hosting a "Five Favourite Christmas Cards" event....thank you Debby, not sure my five will live up to the standard of yours!

Here are mine after I eventually narrowed it down:

Crazy Bird

Good morning all.

Parcels all arrived safe and sound yesterday so I'm off down home today to deliver presents and meet up with my brother and nephew for lunch. 

Had to whip up an extra card at the weekend...I still had some leftovers and have some made for next year but they weren't suitable. So it was out with the crazy birds and gelli prints again.

Mat dies are from Wplus9 and Spellbinders. All other dies and stamps are from the Tim Holz Crazy Bird sets. Stickles and googly eyes from my stash.

Challenges entered:

613 Avenue Create - anything goes

Amusing - anything goes

Come and Get it - anything Christmas

Fashionable Stamping - make your own background

The Glory of Christmas - anything goes

CHNC - anything Christmas

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas

Sweet Stampin' - Merry Christmas

Simon Says Stamp - die crazy

Holly Jolly - anything Christmas

Little Boxes

Good morning all....how many of you are singing now!

Hoping the last of my parcels arrives today...once they're wrapped I'm done! A little light cleaning and some cooking to do and the jobs a good one :)

Here are some of the boxes I made at the weekend.

These are just basic rectangular origami boxes which I found a tutorial for online. Paper is from Papermania. This box can be made to fit your object and I used my box maker to score the lines. Ond holds a gift voucher and the other some Euros.

These are also origami (tutorial here) and are made with a piece of square light card/paper. These ones are made with 12x12 papers from Papermania and hold two travel size bottles of Molton Brown toiletries.

Challenges entered:

A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas

My Time to Craft - last minute Christmas

Daring Cardmakers - all wrapped up

Crafting for all Seasons - anything Christmas but a card

Season's Greetings

Good morning all.

Feeling a little better today after drinking copious amounts of honey, lemon and ginger in boiling water yesterday...it certainly soothed the throat.

I think this is my final Christmas card for 2015!

Die from Wplus9. Stamps all from PaperArtsy stamped and heat embossed, then returned to die and inked with various DI and splashed with water. Bow from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Fussy and Fancy - happy holidays

That's Crafty - anything goes

Scrap & Craft - anything Christmas

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Christmas cards

Where the HeART is - Christmas colours

Merry Christmas

Good morning all.

I had a lovely long lunch yesterday with my friend, which ended in an impromptu singsong with the four older gents on the table next to us...it was so funny! Luckily my friends husband didn't arrive to pick us up until 5 minutes after the gents left otherwise he may have turned around and left us there!

Another Christmas card today....I think this is the penultimate one.

Sentiment die from Poppy Stamps, die cut with a Spellbinders die and filled with glitter!!! Who's idea this was I'll never know...I really should throw out all my loose glitter as I hate the stuff with a vengeance! Me and the dust are sparkling now.

Challenges entered:

UnstampaBelles - sparkle and smile

CHNC - anything Christmas goes

CHNC extra - anything Christmas goes

Live and Love Crafts - sparkle

Sparkles Forum Christmas - die cuts

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - anything goes twist make it sparkle

Dream Valley - die cuts and punches

Sparkle n Sprinkle - anything goes with loose glitter/embossing powder/flocking

Simon Says Stamp - just a pinch

Christmas Wishes

Good morning all.

Yesterday I got the house tidied, beds changed, washing done and marzipan on the cake...today I'm off out for lunch with a friend.

A cute Christmas card for 2015 to show today!

Stamps from Wild Rose Studio, part paper pieced and part coloured with promarkers. Die from Wplus9.

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps - Christmas

Amusing - happy holidays

Great Impressions - anything goes

OSAAT - anything goes with red

Christmas Cards all Year Round - keep it simple

Through the Purple Haze - Christmas

Cardz for Galz - cute Christmas

Addicted to Stamps & More - CAS

I Love Promarkers - anything goes

Christmas

Good morning all.

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday with some of the family...14 of us for lunch! Today I'm hoping to put the marzipan on my Christmas cake and get the last of my Christmas cards in the post.

My final few Christmas cards to share with you this week...I'm already making next years!!

Stamp and sentiment from Crafty Impressions, heat embossed with white detail EP then inked with DI. Die from Wplus9.

Challenges entered:

Craft Stamper - take it make it sharing the season

A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas

Crafting with Dragonflies - anything Christmas

Crafty Calendar - let it snow

CHNC - anything Christmas

My Time to Craft - Christmas animals

The Glory of Christmas - anything goes

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Father Christmas

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas

Addicted to Stamps - Christmas

Christmas Card Club "Anything Goes"

Good morning all.

My baby is 18 years old today...I can't believe they're all grown up now! Some of the family are coming around for lunch so I'd best get my skates on and get organised. If I don't see you all later I'll catch up tomorrow.

Our final challenge for the year at the Christmas Card Club...EEEK! Zoe has given us an "Anything Goes" to end the year.

I needed a card for a swap with the theme of "Wreathed in Smiles" and when I came across this decoupage sheet from Joanna Sheen I thought it fitted the bill perfectly. I decided to make a stepper card using my die from Cheery Lynn Designs. Fancy rectangular die from Spellbinders, embossing folders from Cuttlebug and gems from my stash.

You'll find the links for the other girls on my side bar if you'd like to see what they've made. Many thanks to all the girls for the great themes they've provided and their friendship throughout the year....here's to getting our 2016 Christmas cards made in a timely fashion too!

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

CHNC -anything Christmas goes

Winter Wonderland - snow people

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - previous challenge July snowman

Holly Jolly Christmas - anything goes

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - day three

Good afternoon all.

Had a lovely trip to Edinburgh yesterday with my niece and a couple of my sisters albeit it was a tad breezy. We had a leisurely stroll around the markets sampling the Gluwein (just to keep us warm!), then headed down to George Street for a late lunch. At this point the weather became wet and windy, so we enjoyed a leisurely lunch before heading back to the station. 

My train was stranded at the station on the way home....we had no driver as he was delayed trying to get over from Fife!!

A reminder! We're on day three of the blog hop...come and join in the fun.

Prizes:

• FIVE (5) winners will receive their choice of ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs.
• ONE (1) winner will receive a $15 gift certificate OR her choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog.

Extra prizes for those who participate in the Flash Stencil Project Linky Party and link up by December 13: 

• TWO (2) winners whose projects feature stencils (any brand) will each receive their choice of one (1) ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7)
• ONE (1) winner whose project features an ARTplorations stencil will receive her choice of three (3) ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7) OR a $15 gift certificate to the shop.

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to today's projects here.

Using a smooshed distress paint background I stencilled one of the trees from the ARTploration Christmas Trees stencil with sparkle medium from Imagination Crafts. Sentiment is from STAMPlorations Vignette: Christmas Block set. Scalloped die from Wplu9, smaller stitched die from Spellbinders.

Challenges entered:

Anything but Cute Mixed Media - happy mail

Crafty Creations - happy holiday

Creative Card Crew - holiday season

Holly Jolly Christmas - anything Christmas

That Craft Place - Christmas

Virginia's View - all about glitter

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - day two

Good afternoon all.

A reminder! We're on day two of the blog hop...come and join in the fun.

Prizes:

• FIVE (5) winners will receive their choice of ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs.
• ONE (1) winner will receive a $15 gift certificate OR her choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog.

Extra prizes for those who participate in the Flash Stencil Project Linky Party and link up by December 13:

• TWO (2) winners whose projects feature stencils (any brand) will each receive their choice of one (1) ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7)
• ONE (1) winner whose project features an ARTplorations stencil will receive her choice of three (3) ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7) OR a $15 gift certificate to the shop.

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to todays projects here.

Background was created using Silk Acrylic paints from ColourArte and my gelli plate....I won't be using them again with the gelli plate as I've had better results with other paints. I then ran the ARTplorations Holly Background stencil through the GC and inked with a green DI, I then carefully inked the berries with red DI. Sentiments are from STAMPlorations Vignette: Christmas Block set and were stamped onto tissue before being applied with gel medium. Ribbon from my stash.

Challenges entered:

613 Avenue Create - bags, tags and boxes

Come and Get it - anything Christmas goes

Pile it On - anything goes Christmas

HLS Mixed Media Challenge December "Anything Goes"

Good evening all.

This is my second post tonight if you'd like to see my make for Stencil Sunday click here.

Time for our second mixed media challenge at Happy Little Stampers, we've loved seeing all your entries last month. Our theme this month gives you plenty of scope, but please remember mixed media projects only.

We're being sponsored by Happy Little Stampers

and the winner will receive one set of stamps.

Here is my project:

Background started as a piece of smooshing with distress paints. I then used a Memory Box stencil and embossed it through the GC before inking with broken china DI, after removing the stencil I inked again with shaded lilac DI. The penguin, snow and tree dies are all from Lawn Fawn. Snowflake from Spellbinders. Sentiment from Mixed Christmas Sentiments. 

Gems, cord and brad from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the other girls, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Craft Stamper - take it make it sharing the season

A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas goes

Sparkles Forum Christmas - die cuts

Through the Purple Haze - Christmas

CHNC extra -  anything Christmas goes

Artistic Stampers - Christmas

That Craft Place - Christmas

HLS Christmas Challenge December "Stars"

Good evening all. It's blowing an absolute hoolie outside tonight, glad I'm inside! All ready for the Christmas tree in the morning then hubby can shampoo the rest of the sitting room carpet. Christmas cards all written and overseas ones posted...I must have forgotten something very important - I can't be this organised!!!

Another month has passed and it's time once again for a new Christmas challenge at Happy Little Stampers. The theme this month is:

This challenge is sponsored by



Winner will receive this stamp set



Here is my card:

I love the script stamp from the Thinking of You set, it's perfect for any type of card....I've stamped it twice here and heat embossed with silver EP. The greeting from Mixed Christmas Sentiments is also heat embossed. The star die is a Signature Die from Joanna Sheen. Mat dies are from Spellbinders. Gem from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. 

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps & More - holiday

Christmas Cards all Year Round - keep it simple

Creative Corner - sparkle and shine

That's Crafty - season's greetings

Creative Knockouts - tis the season

Christmas at Sweet Stampin - stars

Holly Jolly Christmas - embossing (I used heat)

Sweet Stamps - anything goes

Sparkles Christmas - die cuts

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Let it Snow

Good morning all.

Managed to make a Christmas cake yesterday, my first for many a year and first gluten free one. The proof as they say will be in the eating...is it Christmas yet?

Christmas card again today :)

Stamp was a magazine freebie, stamped and heat embossed. Background is stamped with a EF from Cuttlebug and heat embossed. Dies from Spellbinders. A great one for the guys methinks!

Challenges entered:

Artistic Stamper - Christmas

Cardz 4 Guyz - Christmas CAS

Creative Card Crew - cold outside

Simon Says Stamp - gentlemen

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - winter tones

Where the HeART is - winter blues

My Time to Craft - let it snow

Simon Says Stamp - let it snow

Eclectic Ellapu "The 12 Days of Christmas"

Good morning all.

I managed to tackle the ironing mountain yesterday....a mammoth task which had to be done in three parts as my back just couldn't stand up to it. I really need to make a resolution to do it more often in smaller batches in future! Hoping to get the cards written today and get them in the post this week, then it's onto the Christmas cleaning...urgggh.

Another new month and December already, so it must be time for a new challenge at Eclectic Ellapu! The Pink Team were set the challenge of "The 12 Days of Christmas" by Asha. This challenge will last for two months and our next new challenge will begin on the 1st February next year.

I've had these images on my computer for several years from my days as a Cub leader. I printed them out on sticky back canvas. Dies used are from Spellbinders.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team, you won't be disappointed. Alternatively the purple team have a challenge of "Cards to Die For" (so use your dies).

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes

Artistic Inspirations - anything goes twist Christmas

Craft Your Passion - anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge - inspired by Christmas song

Crazy 4 Challenges - square cards or elements

Jingle Bells

Good morning all.

Yesterday's weather didn't turn out to be as bad as forecast but we had a bit of everything in the space of about an hour...Scotland at it's best! Kids loved the house...thankfully! One even gave us a list of modifications needed to his room including a second window and a carpet....kids these days...what's wrong with straw!!

Christmas again today and a cute little CAS card.

Image from Stampendous, part coloured with promarkers with added Glossy Accents to Rudolph's nose. Die from Wplus9 cut twice to give some dimension to the card.

Challenges entered:

Christmas Stampin' all Year Round - Christmas gift

Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes

Addicted to Stamps - make your mark

Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

AAA - anything goes

CAS on Sunday - Christmas

Christmas Card Club "Holly and Ivy"

Good morning all.

I went round all day yesterday thinking it was Sunday, so I guess today is a bonus! The weather forecast for today is appalling...we're off out shortly to take the kids to see the house we're buying so we should see it at it's worst! I think the rest of the day will be spent in the craft room.

Two weeks have fairly flown by  and it's Christmas Card Club time once again. Today Asha set us the theme of "Holly and Ivy".

Topper from Wild Rose Studio; paper from Papermania; ivy die from Joanna Sheen; snowflake, bow and button from my stash. Card and paper all came from my bit box.

If you'd like to see how the other girls interpreted the theme you'll find the list in my sidebar.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes

Jingle Belles - holiday leftovers

DLArt - Christmas

Paper Shelter - Christmas card

Country View Crafts - blue

CHNC - use diecuts or punches

Let it Snow....

Good morning all and welcome to my new followers...I hope you enjoy what you see here.

Well Black Friday was definitely black weatherwise! I did some Christmas shopping and bought some bits to go to New Zealand and enjoyed spending my voucher at Simon Says Stamp which I won this week but certainly didn't manage any bargains of the century.

Another Christmas card to share today, one of the ones I made last weekend.

Image and sentiment from Imagination Crafts. Image is heat embossed with white EP and shaded with a white pencil. Die'sire EF folder from Crafter's Companion used on the base layer. Gem from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Holly Jolly - embossing

A Snowflakes Promise - anything Christmas

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas

Fairy Tale - Christmas, no red or green

Polkadoodles - white + one

CRAFT - winter

Crafting by Design - getting ready for Christmas

Sisterhood of Crafters - snowman

White on White

Good morning all and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends over the water....have a slice of pumpkin pie for me!

Spent an afternoon in the kitchen yesterday and made a moussaka for dinner and a minced beef and veg pie for today...I hope the pie goes down better than the moussaka did!! Suffice to say it won't appear again on a menu near here anytime soon...you win some, you lose some!

Christmas again today.....

Dies and EF all from Spellbinders. Sentiment from LOTV heat embossed with silver EP. Background has been stamped with snowflakes from STAMPlorations heat embossed with Snow Glitter EP. Gems from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Polka Doodles - white + one (silver)

Simply Create Too - snow (mostly white)

Rudolph Day - Christmas

Work it Wednesday - holiday

Simon Says Stamp -anything goes