Saturday, March 03, 2018

CAS Christmas March Challenge

Welcome to the first challenge for CAS Christmas Card Challenge!!  I'm so excited to launch this new challenge with my dear friend Bonnie.  And I'm happy about getting more Christmas cards made throughout the year so that I have plenty when it comes time to send them off to family and friends.

Our first challenge is being hosted by me. :)  And I have chosen ...


I have used an old Stampin' Up! stamp to create my card above.  It's called Watercolor Winter and I've stamped the image three times along the bottom of my mixed media paper card front.

I watercoloured the holly and berries with my Zig markers, using a waterbrush to move the colour around.  I've stamped the sentiment in red ink, then in Versamark so that I could heat emboss using red embossing powder.

To finish, I added a piece of metallic green cording tied around the front with a bow and added glossy accents to the berries.  Here's a close-up of my card ...

While I had the stamp still on my desk, I decided to make a couple more versions of this card.  Used the same products to colour and heat emboss.  Each progressive card gets more CAS (clean and simple). :)

... and one more ...

Now I have one card to donate and two for my own Christmas card stash. :)

You only need to enter one card.  I hope you'll come join us.  We have a great team of talented Designers.  Please click HERE to check out the cards from the rest of the Design Team.  I hope you'll play along with us!







Stamps:  Watercolor Winter (Stampin' Up!);
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. Series 400)
Ink:  Archival Black (Ranger); Zigs; Real Red ink (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  waterbrush, Red embossing powder (WOW!), heat tool, green metallic cording (AliExpress)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas March Challenge - Holly

27 comments:

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous holly Christmas card, my friend. You used one of my favorite SU holly sets. I may have to CASE you:-) I love how you made 3 cards with each more CAS. Such a great idea. TFS and Congratulations to you and Bonnie for another awesome CAS challenge. You girls chose and awesome DT too! Hugs

Julia Aston said...

Three beautiful designs using this sweet holly branch Loll! the red embossed sentiment really shines and your watercoloring is lovely!

Mac Mable said...

Three eye catching and the most beautiful CAS cards. Fabulous new challenge and what an amazing design team x

Marcia Hill said...

Three absolutely GORGEOUS cards Loll!! LOVE the stamp you used and your coloring with the Zigs is beautiful!! Love your sentiment in the bold red too!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend and congrats again on this new venture!! :0)

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Great use of that stamp set Loll! Love the colouring and the three different, but fresh designs! Have a great weekend my friend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Darnell said...

Your set of threefer Christmas cards are all stunning and classic, Lolly! I love them! Thank you and Bonnie for starting a third challenge in your series to help us build our stash all year long and avoid the last-minute panic from September-December 1st, when cards really should be ready for mailing, especially overseas, and especially if you have more than a dozen cards to make! I also know that if you make cards all year, it's easier to donate them, because hospitals and other charities often want your cards 2-3 months before the holiday. Bless you! Hugs, Dolly

Cathy said...

Gorgeous trio of cards Loll, beautifully CAS. I'm hoping to play along in this challenge to avoid the mad rush to make cards in November and December so I can enjoy the lead up to Christmas more :) Cathy x

Papercraft Boutique said...

Congratulations on the launch of the CAS Christmas Card Challenge, Loll! I’m so happy to be part of this celebration!
All three CAS holly cards are beautiful! Their designs are all wonderful using the same stamps. The heat-embossed sentiment and the berries coated with Glossy Accents add the festive flair to the card! It’s interesting to see the cards get more CAS from the 1st one to the 3rd one. Hideko :-)

Nstiz said...

I love all three of these, Loll! Love that green cord as well as the elegant look of the red embossed sentiment. I may have to use your idea and do three cards with the same stamp too. What a great way to build that Christmas stash!

Bonnie said...

What beautiful holly cards, my friend! Each one of the three cards is unique and beautiful! I love that green cord! I'm so excited to continue our adventure with this challenge!

Christine Alexander said...

Loll, the three are so different but equally stunning. Even thought they get progressively CAS as individual cards they are all so prettily CAS. I love them all, and a great way to create 3 different cards with one stamp.

Barb Ghig said...

Congrats again on your newest challenge, Loll! Your cards are absolutely gorgeous! I love how you added green cord to the first one and how you kept all of your designs CAS! I'm very excited to play along!!!

MaryH said...

Definitely CAS, but oh so bright & colorful. Amazing watercolor effects and I loved ALL 3 of 'em! Good luck with the new challenge. TFS & Hugs.

Colleen said...

Amazing cards, Loll!! I am working on my holly...so I am going to get this one in on time before the month is over!! And maybe like you, I will make several at one time...good idea!! Heart Hugs, Col

Trina P. said...

Oh wow, Loll. Three beautiful holly cards. Love how progressively CAS it ended up... and that last one is probably my favourite. 😉
Eeeek! I’m still pinching myself and am so grateful you have asked me to join your team. I’m buckling up for the adventure! 😊 xx

Jeanne said...

So very pretty, Loll! I really like each rendition. Great inspiration on how to stretch a stamp to get some beautiful cards. Thank you! Gosh, I can't believe you've got another challenge going. You are amazing. Hugs!

BożenA said...

A wonderful Loll card. I love how you divided the panel into 2 parts. Lower panel brings me to the winter garden, where holly berries redden. It looks amazing. A string so nicely complements and highlights the card division. The unique card, Loll!
And the other cards are just as stunning. I can not find favors, they are all unique!
Hugs,
BozenA

Jo said...

A big CONGRATS dear friend on this new challenge addition. Each card has it's distinction, that is truly the artist in you. The red embossed sentiment always creates a beautiful impact. I really like the third one. One creative artist that inspires me xx

Pia S said...

These are beautiful, elegant and festive. Great inspiration on how to use the same stamp in different ways.

Bobby said...

I can't wait to participate in your new challenge, Loll. Your holly is lovely whether on top, on the bottom or all by itself.

Ina G said...

Gorgeous cas cards Loll. Such a simple traditional stamp that created such beauty. Need to go digging to see if I can find some holly to make my first Christmas card of the year.

Karen Dunbrook said...

both lovely and crisp...
xx Karen

Susan said...

What a great post, Loll - so interesting to see the cards getting more and more CAS! Love that old SU holly stamp and really enjoyed seeing it used (and it's inspired me to get it out and use it). Beautiful watercolouring with your Zigs!

scrappymo! said...

Stunning cards! I love both versions.

scrappymo! said...

Me again...I meant all the versions....

Anita in France said...

Congratulations on the launch of another delicious CAS inspired challenge, Loll ... I do hope to play along! A fabulous trio ... crisp, fresh, festive ... and I love the increasing CASness as you introduced them to us! Hugs, Anita :)

Nance said...

I love these cards, Loll! I need to remember to do different versions of cards, particularly CAS, it's so quick and easy and the stamps get more love. I owe a HUGE thank you to you and Bonnie for inviting me to join this team! Looking forward to more fun and learning ALOT! XX