I hope all of you had an absolutely lovely holiday. Mine was quiet after a week spent with Mom, who is recovering quite nicely, thanks to all of you who sent well wishes! =) As my grandfather always told my mom, be careful what you do on the 1st as you'll be doing it all year, so I was extra super careful to spend time doing all the things I want to do this year. I listened to music, read a little, cleaned (a very little), balanced my checkbook and was oh-so-financially responsible, crafted a bit, watched a movie, talked to my Mom, checked in on Facebook, read blogs, did some tidying up and redesigning bits and planning my blog, wrote a letter, ate healthy foods, and exercised a bit. A very full day indeed. But I rather enjoyed myself. I missed a few activities, but we can't have everything. LOL
So... one of the crafty bits I worked on was the first Christmas card for 2012. Christmas All Year Round is on Non-traditional Christmas colors this month and I thought perhaps a bit of a stretch might be good for me, so my card is in pink and brown - a color combo I've never used before (...and only ever worn once!) - and follows this week's sketch challenge at Card Patterns...
I used one of the images and a sentiment from my brand new Wonderful Winter Wishes clear stamp set designed by Torico for There She Goes. The whole set is totally sweet!
I used another new item in my arsenal, picot edge nestie circle, to layer my image. (Forgive my photos, but my card is a little wonky as the Stickles dried a little tight.A few months in an envelope or in a stack of cards and it should be fine. I hope!) My image is colored with Copics - I tried for a sort of suede or fleecy texture to the girl's bear poncho. Got a little too inky - still not patiently waiting for my Copics layers to dry, but I'll keep practicing! =)
I used white enamel for snow falling and Stardust Stickles for the snowy ground. I used liquid applique for her ruff and pom-poms. That was the first time I'd used the product ... and I'm here to say, enamel, glossy accents, stickles, applique... this stuff is addictingly FUN! =) I originally intended to work with some digital papers, but my printer suggested I buy a new color ink cartridge, so on to Plan B. I embossed textured white cardstock, then used Spun Sugar and Walnut Distress Inks to match up with a pink sheet I'd had from an earlier project. The brown bit is from Recollections' The Ballet pad. I punched a Martha Stewart snowflake and sparkled it up with Cinnamon Stickles and added a button I've had from back in the needlepointing days of old and some DMC pink floss. A few brown and pink pearls around the corners and twas done.So, for the Challenges...
Craft Your Days Away - #35 Snowmen (Even though he's only a wee one! ha!)
Glitter Geek - #30 Brand Spanking New (Nestie and Stamp)
Card Patterns - Sketch #146
One Stop Crafting - #163 Winter Wishes
Hiding In My Craft Room - #27 Freestyle
Christmas Cards All Year Round - January Non Traditional Colors (Card #1)
Paper Sundaes - #101 Something Old & Something New (Old = Button Floss, New = Stamp, Nestie)
That's it for tonight... I look forward to a great year of crafting with all my blogland friends. =) See you soon!
Christy
