Salted background Christmas tag - QKR Stampede challenge #220

This week the challenge at QKR Stampede is to create a tag for Christmas.  Since we are now Arizonans, I thought a Christmas cactus would be appropriate.  You may enter your Christmas tags (up to 3) by Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. EDT.
In order to showcase the Christmas cactus I used the salted background   You might find the tutorial here.  Briefly:  spritz glossy cardstock with water; add reinker as desired (I used an aqua brush); sprinkle with salt.  When dry, brush off the excess salt. The remaining salt adds texture.  I am hoping my colors remind you of the desert sand and sky.   I used a stencil for the stars, and glittery pens to add color.  The edging is done with stickles.  The shape is a Nestabilities die cut.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Christmas:   Allsorts
                       Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                       Fab n Funky  
Holiday:        Hiding in my craftroom
Non-traditional:   Stamping Boutique
Different coloring technique:   Julia Spiri
Die or punch:    Jo's Scrapshack
Tag:       Morgans Art World
Any:      Inspiration Destination
               Love to Scrap       

SCS DTGD Benzi - z fold Christmas Card

Front view -Double Z

The card opens in the center, and the ribbon keeps it closed.
This card was so easy to make - I will probably make several for family members. The cs is dark blue and white.

First posted in my SCS gallery on Aug. 7

Below - view of open card.
CHALLENGES:
 Favorite color combo:  Creative Knockouts
 Any:   Great Impressions
Any, with stamp:   Penny Black at Allsorts 

Traditional Christmas

Creating a traditional Christmas card is second nature - nearly all of mine are traditional with a message reminding us of the importance of the first Christmas.  I think this stamp is by Santa Rosa, and the sentiment is a yard sale find from today - by Stampoori (dated 1995!).  I used the last scrap of this ribbon (it has a metallic edge), some pearls,  and the Cuttlebug snowflake EF.  The star is enhanced with glitter.
Sketch:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
Any, with sparkle:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Song:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Glitter/sparkle:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
Bling:  http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Christmas:  http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards.html?showComment=1414839841807#c3699530758315813145
Add a sentiment:   http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Let's see some blue (Christmas):   http://suzysmarty1.blogspot.co.uk/   (completely Christmas)

Christmas 2013

This will be part of a set of 5 cards but I am uploading a couple of them individually.  Impossible to see, but the green bg layer is Swiss Dots.  Stamp set is by Stampendous; Martha Steward border punch.
Sketch:  http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Dots:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Any:  http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/

Emerald Christmas tree

First of all, I am not sure what has happened to this photo.  The tree and edging are a pale emerald green.  The snowflake layer has no coloring.  The branch and mats are a darker emerald.  When I packed the RV for the summer I did not include any Christmas items - ecept the embossing folders.  So any Christmas items I make will have a tree and snowflakes!  I used the emerald chalk, a piece of DP, cord and a crystal - all items I have had for a long time.  The flower and leaves (Cheery Lynn) are fairly new.
Sketch:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas, using chalk: http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/

Christmas in July

I left nearly all of my Christmas stamps and supplies at our home in an effort to cut back on what I packed in the motor home for this summer.  I do have this Christmas tree embossing folder, and my 7Gypsies stamp that includes the word JOY - tied with a bit of Martha Stewart cord. I know the tree is very hard to see - there is glitter added for the baubles.   Branches from the Cheery Lynn Wreath die are in the corners - also with glitter added.  This die is from Joan's Gardens store - I am so happy to have found it.
Christmas, with red and green, and tree and branches from nature:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/07/this-weeks-challenge_18.html
Christmas in July:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Christmas tag

I need a number of tag/gift card holders for grandkids.  Since time is short, I am going for a simple design - though the letter cutting does take some time.  I have more to post later.
Embossed tree -  QuicKutz; snowflake - Recollections puinch;  letters - CB Olivia; glitter, ribbon, tiny punch.  Thanks to a couple of Design Team members for ideas and inspiration.
Tags:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
           http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas::  http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/
snowflakes:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

Merry Christmas, every one - my favorite holiday.

I should soon be finished with Christmas cards for 2012!  This stamp is Kolette Hall - I think from the $ bin at Michael's.  The dp is from Paper Studio's Faith pad, and I used a favorite tool - the Cuttlebug embossing folder (snowflakes).  More favorites are the nesties and the Spica pen (gold).
 But the favorite I wish to highlight is the celebration of Christmas, and the message on this card.  This year we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior, but with heavy hearts, as we try to understand the tragedy in Connecticut.  We keep all those families in our prayers.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Favorites:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Glittery White for Christmas

I discovered more names on my Christmas card list!  This was fairly quick, and still meets some challenges, I think.  I added glitter to the snowflake bg, and used shimmery white cs for that layer.  The stars are punched from shimmery off white cs with a Recollections punch.
For this ODB challenge:  N= New punch, Nativity;  O= old lace (that was a hard one);  E= embossing;  L= lace, layers.
NOEL -  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch:  http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com.au/
White:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Sparkle and shine (more IRL than you can see here!):  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-18-sparkle-and-shine.html
Snow: http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
      http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 

Christmas Cards 15, 16

I have added several Christmas cards to my SCS gallery, but I am still behind LOL!  I am using the Paper Studio Faith stack (dp), my unknown rubber stamp, and the Snowflake EF.  The sentiment at the bottom is JustRite.
TOP card:
Sketch - http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
BOTTOM card:
Sketch:  http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
And:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Christmas #10,11

Here are two more!  I am finding that I am able to make this image work for any number of sketches LOL!!!

The top card: 
Sketch #74 (we had our choice of sketches):   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Christmas: http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
The second card:
Sketch:  http://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challengeshttp://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
CAS - the image is stamped on cs cut slightly smaller than the base.  The sentiment is from an older SU angel set.  I wove narrow ribbon through the Martha Stewart trellis punched piece.  For the sketch, I used a corner embossing folder from Cuttlebug. -  for:  http://www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Clearly%20Inspired%20Challenge

Christmas#8

Are you tired of my Christmas cards yet?  I do have trouble making all of mine - and usually end up sending several "store bought" cards - I prefer using the same image so I do not have to remember for next year!  Since I am making them anyway, it is a good way to meet some of the challenges - though I like some results much better than others.  BTW, this is the last "big" silhouette for me!   The DP I am using is from a stack called Faith by Paper Studio - much of it can be used for other subjects as well.  The downside is that there is no blue.  If you are wondering about counting the cards - there are a few others in my SCS gallery!
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
The star in the night sky:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Die cuts:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/

High Hopes ~ Guest designer

I was honored to be selected guest designer for the High Hopes challenge this week.  My supply of High Hopes stamps is limited, so I wanted to use this verse.  I see the reproduction did not come out very well.
Since the verse says there is an angel by your side, I added the angel image (an older SU stamp) at the back.  I placed it in the center for viewing when the card holder is removed.  In retrospect, I should have placed it more to the side.
 I made the card holder with my own pattern.  I cut the card stock (double sided cs from Costco) 1/4 inch larger than needed, and twice as long as the gift card, with a bit extra at the top.  I folded the piece lengthwise, leaving the extra quarter inch as shown above.  I trimmed the extra quarter inch off the "back" of the holder, then folded the excess from the front and glued.  Careful not to glue the top!!!  I added the strip of lace - I had a piece the exact length I needed in my scraps.
The sentiment panel is lightly sponged, with half pearls added.  This is made as a card, with a verse on the inside as well.  I will probably make some more of these - including some to hold (folded) checks for the grandkids.  Or maybe we should decide on gift cards this year???
Here is the High Hopes challenge site, including this week's challenge to make a gift box or card holder.  what great ideas you will find.
http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/

Christmas #6

I have seen so many gorgeous sponged and chalked back grounds, especially the sky, so I have tried one.  I used SU Brilliant Blue and Night of Navy chalk.  I outlined the star (SU Bitty Bolds) with a gold Spica pen. The sentiment is Studio G.
I was inspired by one of the examples here, and I used the sketch:  http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/
A challenge for Clean & Simple:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
And for anything:  http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.co.uk/
Use chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/

Christmas #5

I discovered I have very little in traditional red and green for Christmas, as I have been using burgundy and gold tones.  I am not sure this plaid fits, but it will do!  The image is from an unmarked cube.  I added green with a Spica pen, and some glitter.  The embossing folder is CB;s snowflakes.
Sketch:   http://skippingstonesdesign.com/
Traditional Christmas (red and green):  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon and pearls (white pearls did not look right, so I used pale green pearl like rhinestones!!):                                 http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Christmas #4

DP is from The Paper Studio ("Faith" collection); image is my unknown unmounted rubber stamp.  The ribbon and half pearls are Pizzazz Aplenty.  I still have lots of Christmas cards to make!
Using Kraft cs (embossed with CB Snowflakes): http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet.html
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/http

Christmas

http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

I was hoping I could do the 20 card challenge from Card a Day on Splitcoaststampers, but lots of events have taken my time.  I will start over in a few days!  This dp is the same Faith collection (Paper Studio) I have been using.
Challenge for a holiday card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
I used this sketch as a base, but after a couple of interruptions I forgot just how I intended to complete it - I think I stayed true enough to the sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/

Christmas 20 in 20 days #2

I used a Just Rite sentiment as well as the tag dies (2 of them) from the Every Day Tag Making Kit.  It is backed with the CB Snowflake dry embossing.  I added a bit of blue and silver embossing, and some glitter on the tag.
Christmas, using a Just Rite stamp and dies:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/

Christmas

The card a day blog group (SCS) has a challenge to do 20 Christmas cards in 20 days (if I recall correctly) - I need that!  Here is #1 for that mini challenge.  This is the stamp I will use for most of our cards, and I have forgotten where I got this unmounted stamp.  For some reason, it is very difficult to get a solid image.  I added reinker to the Memento pad.  I have decided some of this will have to look like shading or light reflection on the silhouette!
The DP is from a stack called Faith, by the Paper Studio.
Sketch:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/
Favorite Christmas stamp (well, it is my fave this year!):  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

White for Christmas

It is time to get more serious about completing Christmas cards!  I like this CB embossing frame, but seldom think to use it.  I do not have any fancy ovals, so the scalloped one had to do.  The sentiment is computer generated.  (What looks like a smudge is really a sheer ribbon and bow.)
White card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch (rotated)   http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/