Merry Monday Color Challenge

When I saw this inspiration photo that Lesley chose for the Merry Monday challenge this week, I oohed and aahed!

Take a peek

I went more toward the turquoise because that's how it looked on my computer.

It's funny how the picture sticks with me much longer than the words!

Here's my card.

Then I did this one.

I can't decide which one I like best so I'll share both.

The little tags are a CASE from Kristie.  She had added some little tags on my Christmas card.  Loved that little detail that made a beautiful card extra special.

The tree was stamped with Encore Silver and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.

I inked the "balls" with VersaMark then the Tempting Turquoise and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

A little hint.  No matter whether I embossed the tree or the balls first, the balls kind of drifted to the background.  I found the I could scrape off the silver embossing on top of the balls to let them shine through a bit more.  I actually found that out quite by accident.  That's a whole 'nother story!

Addicted to Stamps and More

is in the midst of a HOLIDAY CHALLENGE.

Pixie's Snippet Playground

is always a fun place to visit and I have a few snippets on my card.

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge

is to have a sentiment on a Christmas Card.

Christmas Card Challenges #13

is Anything Goes.

Winter Wonderland

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

just create a Christmas card

I'm so glad you could stop by today.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Warmth and Wonder, Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Encore Silver, VersaMark, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Silver Foil

Other:  (Card 1) Silver EP, Clear EP, Snowflake EF (Darice), Oval Frame (Spellbinders), Crystal Effects, (Card 2) Stitched Mats Rectangles (Lil Inker), Silver Taffeta Ribbon, Jewelry Tag Punch (retired)

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Merry Monday Chalkboard Technique

If you've been playing along at Merry Monday all year, you have a full box of Christmas cards.  Two years ago, I was just getting into the 'make the Christmas cards' mode and in a panic.  

Thanks to Lesley's challenge, I have my Christmas cards done in plenty of time this year. 

Sigh, it's so nice!

Here's my card for this week's challenge.

The challenge this week is

Chalkboard Technique?

I have not been a fan of this technique because I never have liked a dirty dusty chalkboard! Even when I was a little girl, I would ask to stay after school and clean the chalkboards!  How could I intentionally smear up a chalkboard?

But, in looking at this lovely inspiration photo, I noticed the Kraft background and thought that would be a good idea.  It won't show the smears so bad maybe.

Then I thought of blowing snow and thought if I created a snowy scene I could trick myself into not seeing a dirty chalkboard.

Hence a Kraft colored chalkboard with blowing snow not chalk dust.  I'm almost convinced that I like this technique.

After seeing the rest of the design team's cards, I'm liking this technique even better.  Do go and check them out.

Then smear chalk up a card of your own and bring it over to Merry Monday to share with us.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Warmth and Wonder, Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Whisper White
Paper:  Naturals White, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Other:  White EP, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Stitched Frames Rectangles (Lil Inkers)

Thanks for the visit and for all your encouragement with your comments.  That means so much to me!

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Warmth and Wonder

Another Merry Monday.  Can you guess what the prompt is this time?

Lesley comes up with the best challenges!  This week it's...

photo source

I love birds on Christmas cards.  The rest of the design team has done a fabulous job to inspire you.  Be sure to take a peek.

And I just happened to have this little bird that hadn't been inked yet (NBUS).  I haven't had him long.  He came from the Warmth and Wonder hostess set.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Warmth and Wonder

Ink:  SU Markers (Real Red, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black)

Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, DSP

Other:  Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Square Lattice EF, Extra Large Oval Punch, Ovals Bigz Die (retired)

I inked the stamp with markers then hightlighted the wing with a Cherry Cobbler marker and around the eye with black. 

The banner was already embossed in my red snippets and the DP is the last piece of this sheet of paper that retired several years ago.

I'll take this over to Pixie's Snippets Playground since I got to use several snippets.  And many thanks Di for spotlighting my card from last week. I was super excited to see it there and I think I bumped Parsnip with my excited jumping.

I'll take my dotty outline over to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge that's GOING DOTTY this week.

My friend and fellow Merry Maker, Loll, is on the Design Team for a new Christmas Challenge that Nonni is holding.  She says Let's Get Inky - Stamp a Happy Christmas. I hope there's enough stamping on this.

I hope you'll stamp a bird on a Christmas card and bring it over to share at Merry Monday.  Christmas will be here before you know it!

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!