Friday, October 10, 2014

Two Sparkly Trees


Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two cards that are exactly the same layout and design, just different shades of blue.  Way back in February, my friend Susan came over to hang out with me in the studio for a day.  She brought a whole bunch of Christmas-themed embossing folders, dies, stencils and stamps.  We spent the day mostly cutting, embossing and stamping images from each other's stash ... it was a lot of fun.  Fast forward six months ... I've only used a couple of things ... the rest have sat patiently waiting for me :)

Today is the day!! :)  I just LOVE this snowy stencil of Susan's ... and inked up two backgrounds (the darker version is below).  I also die-cut several sets of trees used on today's cards.  The first card is sponged with a light blue (Baja Breeze) and I sponged the same color around the tree to tie the two elements together.  I also coated the tree in Dazzling Detail (clear glitter glue from SU!) and added little dots to the background in the center of each snowflake.  A fun and easy card to make with some of Susan's goodies. :)

Here's the darker version ...



I try to make two of all the Christmas cards I make (one for me and one to give away).  I know I've mentioned before that I donate Christmas cards, but the story is worth repeating ...

Susan volunteers at The Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society (STARS) in Vancouver B.C., which provides programs for children and adults with disabilities.  Not only does she donate her time each week to help with the programs, but she makes Christmas cards all year and then holds a sale in November, with all proceeds being donated back to the riding program.  When she told me about it last year, I offered to make some cards as well for her sale.  Through all of Susan's hard work (she makes over 100 Christmas cards to sell every year!), and the support of a few friends that help with making cards and baking, she donated over $1000 to the program ... amazing, right??!! :)

I'm helping again this year with making cards and currently have about three dozen ready to go.  I hope to make a lot more before the sale happens in November.  :)









27 comments:

JJ said...

These are two beautiful cards Loll. love both colours.

Love & Hugs

Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Margaret said...

Both cards are lovely and what a good cause to raise funds for.

sandie said...

Sparkly joy! What a wonderful cause, I so admire people you give up their precious time to help others in this way. It is so kind of you to do this x

Betty said...

beautiful cards Loll! fantastic way to donate your cards - i'm sending mine to jennifer mcguire again this year for her nursing home drive.

Susan said...

Loll, I love both of your cards - great use of my stencil!!! And thank you for mentioning my fundraising and the cause I believe in so much. I'm honoured to have a friend like you who so willingly contributes to it by donating some of your gorgeous Christmas cards to my sale.

cm said...

Stunning cards, Loll...and your generosity in helping Susan's cause is so fabulous! My mom volunteers at a nursing home, so I'm aiming to make a bunch of cards for their annual Christmas Bazaar for her to sell, with all proceeds (fingers crossed they'll sell...) going to her Extended Hands group, who make purchases to benefit the residents. Gives me the 'perfect' excuse to add to my Christmas stash collection...love making cards that I know will go to 'good' homes.
Hugs~c

Julie B said...

So pretty Loll. It's great to have a get together with crafty friends and have a swap of stamps and dies. A couple of friends and I like to get together in the school holidays and have a crafty day and use everyone's stash! x

Stamps and Paper said...

Two stunning cards Loll...gorgeous colours

Anne

Anonymous said...

I love blue, and these cards are beautiful... dazz diamonds really set off the trees

Cathy said...

Beautiful cards Loll, love the way you've shaded the trees. What a great cause too, Cathy x

denmo said...

Gorgeous cards both! Just bought the die...a "must have"..TFS hugs..Denise (UK) x

Bonnie said...

What a wonderful stencil!!! I think I could get into stenciling snowflakes! The die cut tree is so perfect against them. I can't decide if I like the light or dark better so I'm just going to love them both!

Unknown said...

Wonderful cards, Loll! I love the fact that you give them out for a good cause too! How lovely, you're such a sweet soul, Loll! xxx

Unknown said...

Two amazing cards and one AMAZING story Loll. Does the heart good to hear things like this and well done for contributing to the cause.

Karen x

Darlene Gabriel said...

These cards are both gorgeous - if I had to choose - I think I love the darker one the best though;)
I love the sparkle on the trees. That stencil is beautiful and it makes the perfect background for these wintery scenes.

Brawny x said...

Wow stunning. I love theses x

Maura said...

Just lovely, Loll! The sparkle is what seals the deal for me! Love them.

Bobby said...

Both cards are wonderful, Loll, and so are you for contributing to such a worthy cause.

Sandy said...

Such a beautiful card and peaceful too!
Sandy xx

Kylie said...

Two amazing cards. What a wonderful cause as well. You and Susan are angels xx

Lee-Anne said...

Love them both...how wonderful that they go to such a worthy cause, Loll!

Anita in France said...

These are both stunning, Loll ... how fabulous to craft with a friend and raise money for such a wonderful cause! Anita :)

Karen M said...

Love both versions of your gorgeous christmas cards Loll - stunning design and I love the blue theme:) Hugs xx

Lisa Lara said...

I love them both. That is so awesome of Susan and you too for helping!

maria f. said...

First, your crafty time with a pal sounds fantastic. Second, what a great cause that sounds like. And third, love your blue trees. So sweet.

Pamellia said...

Another Christmas stunner! Aqua is my fav for holiday cards and I love both versions! The layered tree is fantastic and your background is really eye catching! hugs :)

Brenda said...

Hi Loll, I'm must apologize to you and hope that you will forgive me for not being around in so long! I'm not getting my email notifications on many of the blogs that I am following, so I have been trying to get around to everyone that I can remember and catch up. It has taken me the past week and a half and I still have you to catch up with you and Darnell. I think that is it after that, I think...That's my problem, I can't always remember. lol I also wanted to thank you for the beautiful card and water color paper. I look at it all the time and just can't believe how beautiful it is in real life!! It will hang out in my crafty room with me so I can look at it all the time! lol Now on these sparkly trees! I am so loving them and the backgrounds you have created! The tree is just fabulous, such a great die and I love how you have sponged the color on them both. That background just blows me away and I really can't decided which card I like the best, the lighter or darker one because they are both equally beautiful!! Wow, your friend Susan is an amazing person!! Kudos to her for doing all she does and to you for helping her out with the Christmas cards!! Hugs, Brenda