Peace at Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the Happy Little Stampers December Sketch Challenge.

This challenge is sponsored by

Plus

I made a Christmas card using the sketch ... but remember that the sketch can be any style of card and any subject, as long as you use the general design.  It doesn't have to be a Christmas card. :)

I decided to create a small winter scene within the circle aperture.  I heat embossed some Shabby white (with gold glitter) Frantage for the falling snow ... and carried that onto the card front as well, representing the stars in the sketch.  A hill of snow with two embossed trees was added inside the aperture, and a simple sentiment as stamped and heat embossed on the card front.

We are excited to have the very talented Darnell (djkardkreations) as our Guest Designer this month for HLS Christmas.  Welcome Darnell!

Please click HERE to see Darnell's sketch card, along with the cards from the rest of our amazing design team.  I hope you'll make a card using our fun and easy sketch, and join in the challenge.

Thanks for dropping by!

Stamps:  Mixed Christmas Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Ink:  Gumball Green re-inker (SU!); Peacock Feathers re-inker (Tim Holtz), Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Shabby White Frantage (Stampendous), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Holiday Cheer tree dies (Sizzix), Snowdrift die (My Favorite Things), Inka Gold wax (Platinum), water mister, Musical Flourish embossing folder (Cuttlebug), gold embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:

HLS December Sketch Challenge

Twelve Tags of Christmas ... Wrap-Up

Hi everyone.  Back today with the winners of the Twelve Tags of Christmas event.  I am thrilled to say that there were over 150 entries this year --- WOW! :)

Each and every tag is creative and unique.  I really enjoyed visiting each entry to find out how you made your tags.  Thank you for sharing your creative gift with all of us!! :)

Here are a few words from Judge Jeremy ...

"The second annual 12 Tags of Christmas event was an overwhelming success!  I am inspired by how all participants mixed, layered, stamped, inked, and embellished their way to thoughtful and beautiful results.  Similar to last year, the winning decision was not an easy one.  Congratulations go to ... "

Winning Tag

#28 - Tanja

Tanja, your design is modern and sophisticated, with a touch of romance.  You remind us how a neutral colour palette can achieve a strong impact.  Well done!  -Jeremy

Top Three Tags

(in order of entry)


#11 - Nancy S.




#40 - Toni




#91 - Mac Mable

Honourable Mentions

Random Draw Prizes

Winner of the HLS $20 Gift Certificate ----- #86 Nancy

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:86

Winner of the Christmas Bell Medley stamp set from Dee's Arsty Impressions - #116 Marcia

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:116

Congratulations to everyone!
Please email me at stampingwithloll@gmail.com to claim your prize.

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Prizes

  $40 STAMPlorations gift certificate for Winning Tag

$20 STAMPlorations gift certificate for each of the Top Three Tags

$20 Happy Little Stampers gift certificate - random prize draw

Dee's Arsty Impressions Christmas Bell Medley stamp set - random prize draw

Random prizes donated by:

          

    Happy Little Stampers                       Dee's Arsty Impressions

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Thanks to everyone that entered.  I hope you had fun making your mixed media Christmas tags.  There's so much amazing inspiration in the gallery from my guest designers and challenge participants, and hope that you'll find yourself wanting to make more tags for this upcoming holiday season.  Check out the Twelve Tags of Christmas 2015 Pinterest Board for inspiration ... and there's lots of amazing tags on the Twelve Tags of Christmas 2014 Pinterest Board as well.  :)

I hope to be back next year with the "Twelve Tags of Christmas" 2016 edition! :)

Happy Birthday Susan!

Hi everyone.  Whew ... I was without internet for the past day and can't believe how much I rely on it.  I'm SO HAPPY that it is back working ... along with our TV which is tied to the service. :)

Today I'm sharing a CAS birthday card I made for my good friend, Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).  Susan loves blue ... so I just HAD to make her a blue card. :) The background is smooshed with three colours of Inka Gold, and then stamped and heat embossed with white.  I used clear glitter glue to add some sparkle to the tree branches, but it's hard to see in the photo.

Have a wonderful birthday Susan!!  :)

I've been experimenting with my photography ... just trying to figure out how to get better quality photos.  With the low light of winter, and the dreary, cloudy days this season brings, it is especially hard to get any good shots of cards with embossing.  I still have shadows on the photo above, but at least you can see the design of the card. :)  I have ordered a photo tent, so looking forward to giving it a try to see if it will help.

I always appreciate you dropping by for a visit.  And a special thank you to those that take the time to leave me a message ... it always makes my day.

Stamps:  Etched Branches (Penny Black); Butterfly Birthday (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White card stock (Neenah)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold wax pastes (Steel Blue, Jade, Platinum), white embossing powder, heat tool, dazzling details (clear glitter glue from SU!), paint brush

Stitched Snowflake

Hi everyone.  I had a bit of time to play in my studio yesterday.  I didn't get much else accomplished, except for making a batch of Christmas sugar cookies.  It's my third batch and they are in the freezer, ready to be thawed, iced and decorated close to Christmas.  It's a tradition in our family to have these sweet delights.  Each batch makes seven dozen ... and I'll be making four batches this year.  Yep, that's a LOT of sugar cookies. :)  Most will be given to family for gifts.

On to my card.  First, I want to thank my sweet friend, Karen (Snippets).  She sent me these stitched snowflakes LAST year and I'm just getting around to using them. Thank you so much Karen! :)

I saw the challenge at Merry Monday (#181 - blue, white with texture)  and this idea popped into my head.  It actually turned out how I expected, which is unusual for me. :)

I used a background stamp that is all Christmas sayings (love it), and heat embossed in white onto soft blue card stock.  I love the texture and dimension from the embossing.  Then I layered three white snowflakes to create a thick die to "lift" it from the tag, adding a smaller blue snowflake on top.  A simple stamped sentiment (this is very pale blue ink, so it's actually better in real life than in the photo), and some baker's twine and my card was done.  Easy, peasy and so fun! :)

Check out the challenge at Merry Monday to see all the amazing cards from their very talented design team.  I know you'll be inspired to play along. :)

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Snowman Sayings (Amy R); Christmas Story (Penny Black)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Bashful Blue (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark; Bashful Blue (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Stitched tag die (Lil' Inkers), Stitched snowflake die-cuts from my friend Karen, white embossing powder, heat tool, white baker's twine (SU!)

Challenges:

Merry Monday #181