Our first challenge is up! - Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog

Our very first challenge at the Merry Little Christmas Challenge blog is posted - yay!  We will post a challenge the first of every month and you have until 6pm on the last day of the month to enter your  project.  It's always an "anything goes" challenge, as long as it is Christmas themed

For my first project, I experimented with stamping on book pages.  This is a page from an old songbook that I received in a scrapbooking kit a year or two ago.   I distressed the edges, then stamped the image with Versamark ink and heat embossed with Distress Embossing powder in Vintage Photo.

I added just a touch of color to the halo and baby blanket with markers, added a tiny gem sticker to the star and added the die cut "joy" from copper shimmer paper.  I love the vintage look on this!  This technique would also work on bookprint or other subtle patterned paper.

Please check out the Merry Little Christmas challenge blog.  We'd love to have you join us in our Christmas challenges!  

Christmas in July

This week's challenge @ Cut It Up is to create a Christmas project with a die cut.   I decided to make a little Christmas ornament (or tag), using a design from Designbundles.net.

I cut the design svg with my Cricut, then duplicated the design and welded it to get a solid backing in the shape of the ornament.   I cut three of the backings from white cardstock and adhered them to the back of the design.  Then I punched a hole in the top hat and added some twine, so this can either be hung on the tree or used as a gift tag.   Either way, this will be perfect for my six year old baseball-crazy grandson!

Sketches in Thyme - sketch #334

Here is the last July sketch from Sketches in Thyme:

I love the mix of vertical and horizontal lines in this sketch and the use of a large photo.   Here's my layout from the sketch:

The papers are from Pebbles.  They're part of their 4th of July collection, but I used the non-holiday sides because I love the reds and blues in this collection.  

Time to "Bundle Up" @ Jingle Belles!

The current challenge @ Jingle Belles is to create a Christmas card with three or more layers. I ended up about four or five layers on this one.

Star die: Simon Says Stamp; Arched window die: My Favorite Things; Stamps: Avery Elle

The background was diecut from blue cardstock, with gold glitter paper underneath for the stars.  Then I layered some white cardstock for the snow, and the stamped and Copic colored images.  The window was diecut from kraft cardstock and embossed with a woodgrain embossing folder. I added a little clear Stickles to the snow for some Winter sparkle!

I'm also entering this in the July challenge at Christmas Crafts All Year Round - the challenge is to include a tree on your project.  

Merry Little Christmas challenge blog coming up!

My friend Leslie has created a new Christmas challenge blog:  Merry Little Christmas challenges.  The challenges will start on August 1st, so just a couple more weeks to wait!   I'm excited to be a part of this new challenge group, because I just love everything Christmas!

Here's the link to the challenge blog, so you can see all the designers and get ready for the fun ahead.  Hope to see you there, starting August 1st!

My Favorite Things sketch challenge

Here is this week's sketch challenge @ My Favorite Things:
Here's my card based on the sketch:

The stamped images and sentiment are from MFT Witch Way is the Candy set.  The bat and moon were colored with Copics, and then I added a few sequins and some black Nuvo drops.  The sentiment was stamped in white ink and embossed with white detail powder.  I love that cute little bat!

My Sketch World - July sketch

I'm so glad to see that Lucy Chesna has brought back her sketch blog - My Sketch World is back!  There is also a Facebook group so you can share your creations from the sketches.

Here is the July sketch.  I love the way the circle border adds such a fun touch!

Here's my layout from the sketch:

The papers are from Pebbles Land That I Love collection.  I die cut the circles and hearts for the top border and sprinkled in some clear sequins (because my granddaughter loves bling!).  The title tag is a Cricut die cut.  

You have all month to play along with the sketch.  Just join in with the My Sketch World Facebook group and post your creations!