Saturday, December 20, 2014

More Christmas and some challenges

I've been having fun (cough) -- ok, mostly fun, playing around with Christmas cards. It hasn't felt as much like playing while feeling the pressure of needing them in the mail PRONTO. I am swearing to myself that I will handle this differently next year! (Someone please be a lamb and shoot me a note next year on Nov. 1 reminding me of this vow.) It has just been so crazy busy lately, but I can't for the life of me figure out why! I've even had less gifts to buy as we have paired down some of our family swaps. AND as usual, I had all that shopping finished before Thanksgiving and only lacked our Piglets and Big Daddy. So weird. But, nonetheless, here I am. Scrambling to finish things up and yet to have wrapped a thing!!! Aaaaccckkkk!

Today, we had some fun in the kitchen making some Christmas candy goodies. We are going to make some little gift packages for Big Daddy to take and share with his work pals. And, I squeezed in a few cards to get those finalized (FINALLY), as well.

I played along with a few challenges to make it fun. 8-) (nerd smiley!)

The first card I'm sharing was inspired by the Curtain Call Candy Cane inspiration challenge. I have this years Simon Says Stamp Candy Cane Christmas stamp set and have stained it ALL up. It has been a fun addition to my stash!




 
 
All of the images are stamped from that stamp set. The patterned paper and bow came in the Limited Edition Christmas Card kit from SSS in December. I added dabs of Liquid Glass to my candy canes for some extra dimension and a little shine.
 
 
The next card is based on this weeks CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge. (FUN sketch by Ms. Leigh Penner! LOVE her style!)
 
 
 
I used a piece of PTI Pure Poppy cardstock for my card base and the patterned paper is from the SSS card kit I mentioned. I heat embossed the sentiment using CTMH's Magical Moments stamp set. (love that font!). I added a button (Teresa Collins, also provided in SSS kit) and tied on some red twine.
 
 
One more card and I'll stop - I promise!
This one I combined inspiration from Colour Q and this week's Muse challenge. (I was looking everywhere to get inspired!) 8-)
 

 


I used more of the SSS Candy Cane stamp set to make these lollipops in the Colour Q colors.

 
I used CTMH Olive and Lagoon and SSS Lipstick red for the lollipops, CTMH Desert Sand for the sticks. The sentiment and bow (Jolee's) are also part of the SSS Christmas kit.
 
Ok that's it! If you hung with me for the whole post, thank you! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from TN!
 
God Bless,
Mandy

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8 comments:

  1. All your cards are gorgeous and I love the sentiment on the last one:) Merry Christmas xx

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  2. Like the lolly card the best - so perfectly stamped!

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  3. I like how you've used Marion's layout to make your sweet Christmas card! So glad you joined us at Muse this week!

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  4. What a great card Mandy! I LOVE those lollipops! And that bow holding them all together is the perfect finishing touch... thanks for sharing!

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  5. Great collection of Christmas cards! Fab idea to use the lollipop image in those colours! Thanks for playing along with the ColourQ this week!

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  6. Hi Mandy, all your cards are stunning! I'm unsure if I've visited your blog before but I love everything I see! Great job with the challenges -I voted for you in Muse. :)

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  7. What a beautiful selection of cards!
    So glad to see one of them in the gallery at CAS(E) this sketch!

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  8. Oh, these are all wonderful! I especially love your take on my sketch! Fabulous!

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