A Couple of Challenge Cards to Post Before the Year Ends

I've had these two cards done for a while but just didn't get them posted. The first was a Christmas card for a special friend and the second was my hubby's birthday card for a couple of days after Christmas.

I knew the instant I saw the Fusion Challenge inspiration that I would use my PTI Winter Woods set. Nichole designed a trio of birds in Charley Harper style. And I absolutely love them! The only problem now is wishing Nichole would design more birds in the same style! The background is embossed with a Sizzix snowflake folder, the oval is Lil' Inkers Stitched Ovals, sentiment is a PTI die cut and the patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket. Greenery is from WPlus9's Merry & Bright and the birch trees are Avery Elle. I tried several reds for the cardinal and found the best is Avery Elle's Strawberry, a gift from a very sweet friend. I wanted the bird's head to be black with the wing/tail stamp to be a dark gray so I cut my stamp apart to stamp. 

The Freshly Made Sketches Challenge led me to this design. Guess what, a snowflake! Mine is a Memory Box Bianca Snowflake, cut from glittery paper. The embossing is a Lifestyle Snowflake pattern. I made my own sentiment which is computer generated. The cup (done in green-hubby's favorite color) is from a Christmas present set, MFT's Birdie Brown Merry Christmouse.

 And below is the inside. Stamp from the same set.

A Little Side Note:

I helped at our botanical gardens before Christmas making greenery arrangements to sell at the holiday Illuminations. There were a lot of assorted decorations to use for accents but when we started to run low I decided to make some using stamps. I used all kinds of stamps but this particular one is from MFT Birdie Brown's Santa's Elves. I bought the smallest plastic ornaments from Michaels and PTI's Tag Sale #4 fit perfectly. I just had to cut off the top tag part so we could use the more sturdy plastic one. I added artificiaI snow purchased at a local nursery. If you are ever looking for winter decorations for your home, fresh greenery works better than anything else as it will last for ages by just adding a little water to the oasis. I bought this one to bring home. It was made 3 weeks ago and is still fresh as new!

Have a safe evening if you are going to be out and about, and a very blessed New Year!!

See you next year,

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Occasions: Walking in a Winter Wonderland with Lindsey

It's that time again!! This month the members of the 12 Kits of Occasions are playing in a Winter Wonderland, courtesy of our sweet hostess, Lindsey, Occasional Crafting! Below is a picture of some things in her kit. I so wish you could see this in real life. The colors are absolutely gorgeous and there is LOTS of sparkle!! I knew when I took photos of my cards that they weren't going to even be close to what they really look like. Lindsey did such an amazing job of selecting papers and elements. There is something for everyone--from elegant to whimsical! You are going to love touring all the blogs!

I know everyone has been super busy lately but I hope you can take some time to see all the wonderful projects. Lindsey also asked two people to be guest designers so there is lots to see. Click here to go to the 12 Kits blog. There are links to the members blogs as well as the blogs of our two wonderful guests. There is also a contest where Lindsey is giving visitors a chance to win a fantastic Clearly Besotted stamp set. It's one that has been discontinued so you don't want to miss this chance!

PHOTO BY LINDSEY

THe SPARKLE ON THE PINK PAPER IS AWESOME!

I'M GOING TO ENTER THIS CARD IS THE CAS-OLOGY CHALLENGE WHICH FEATURES 'MERRY'.  THE  MERRY DIE I USED IS FROM SSS.

LINK TO CHALLENGE

I LOVED THE AVERY ELLE WREATH THAT LINDSEY SENT US BUT UNFORTUNATELY MESSED IT UP.
I WAS SET ON USING THESE WONDERFUL COMPANION ELEMENTS SO USED MY CHISHOLM WREATH BY SSS AS A FILL-IN. SENTIMENT AND STARS ARE FROM MFT HAND LETTERED HOLIDAY SET.

Don't you love the adorable deer on this last card! He is one of the stamps in the set Lindsey is giving away so be sure to leave a comment over on the 12 Kits blog to have a chance to win.

Enjoy the hop! Wishing everyone a very blessed 2016!!

Sharron