Peace & Joy

Hello, and good morning!

Can you believe it's December 1st already?  Where in the world did 2012 go?!?  It sure doesn't seem like almost Christmas to me, but maybe that's because the weather is a full 10 degrees warmer lately than it's supposed to be here in North Texas at this time of year.  Supposed to be 79 today, but I'll be spending the day inside crafting with my DD.  The final countdown is on, and we've still got a few gifts left to make.  Eeek!

In the meantime, I'd like to share my newest creation.

This card was made for several challenges, one being the color challenge over at There She Goes.  We were to use the photo below for our inspiration, and I chose to use the colors and the evergreens.

This was a fun card to make because I knew going in that I wanted lots of bling.  Christmas brings it out in me.  OK, ANY occasion brings it out in me, but especially Christmas.

I started out with green cardstock, then cut some hot pink into four equal squares, some white into squares 1/8" inch larger,  and I embossed the pink squares with my trusty SU Snow Burst ef.  Of course I had to dab on some Glimmer Paint with a sponge dauber.  Of course.

I diecut the image using SB Lables One and the "out of the box" method and, once colored, popped it up on Decorative Labels One.  I stamped it with Staz-On and colored it mostly with watercolor pencils except for the jingle bells and ornaments.  Those were colored with Sakura Gelly Roll pens for a bit of metallic shine.  

Tip:  That SB die, Decorative Labels One, is tricky with all of its tiny pieces that tend to stay stuck in the die.  I used a piece of wax paper to help get the paper out of the die.  If you're having trouble with those intricate dies, try putting a sheet of wax paper between the CS and the die before running it through your cutting machine.  Works like a charm.

Of course I had to add a pin and a bow.  The bow is white seam binding, and the pin is one of my own handmade pieces.  I couldn't resist adding a couple of charms (or danglies) to it, one handmade, and one a tiny snowflake.I used a clutch at the bottom so that the recipient may use it as a lapel pin, or just so that she doesn't get stuck by it!

The sentiment has the same die treatment as the image and was popped up on dimensionals.  I added a couple of hot pink rhinestones for added bling.

I applied some corner pieces from the SB Antique Frame and Accents set, and repeated the treatment on the inside, as seen below.

I hope you've enjoyed this card - I certainly enjoyed making it.  Thank you for joining me, and have a lovely Saturday.  Until next time...

Happy crafting!

Ingredients:

Stamp: Christmas Classics (Flourishes)
Ink: Staz-On, Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Whisper White (All SU)
Accessories:  SB Labels One and Decorative Labels One, rhinestones, watercolor pencils, custom stick pin, dimensionals, SB Antique Frame and Accents die, seam binding, SU Glimmer Paint, Sakura Gelly Roll pens,

Challenges Entered:

TSG183 - Inspiration (Photo) Challenge
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday 197 - Silver or Gold
Tuesday Throwdown #125 - Lots of Layers
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Snowflake Challenge
Simon Says...Anything Goes!
Divas By Design Challenge 63 - Glitter and Sparkle
Crafty Ribbons Challenge 33 - Use Two Ribbons (I used seam binding and an image of a ribbon)
Fussy and Fancy Challenge 77 - I Love Christmas
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge 48 - Forgotten Stash (I forgot I had the snowflake charm)

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #99 - 'Tis the Season