Sunday, November 24, 2013

Christmas Is Coming

We see it all around us....shoppers scurrying about, decorations popping up, cookies getting baked, and people (like me) stressing out that they're super behind on all their shopping and preparations.  I know that I'll get it all done.....somehow.....eventually.  But right now, not so much!  It's a work in progress.  I have Thanksgiving coming up - with an expected houseful of guests, and my big craft boutique at our church the first weekend in December.  Once I get those two BIG milestones out of the way, I will be able to breathe, and start really focusing on Christmas. Until then, I remain a bit frazzled.  Yesterday was another cold, rainy and gloomy day here in Las Vegas.  We get very little rain, but our share of annual rainfall seems to have all fallen in the past three days.   I didn't even want to leave the house, so I put on a big pot of chili and then sat down and created a few Christmas cards.  I couldn't even photograph them until today because it was SO gloomy outside.
This first card was created using some vintage sheet music, Simple Stories Handmade Holiday patterned paper (red plaid) and the green snowflake print is from my stash (not sure of the brand).  The snowman is from a very old October Afternoon Christmas collection.  I used some vintage lace, black buttons, machine stitching, a row of green stars cut from a PTI die-cut, and the holly and ivy sticker and sentiment sticker on the snowman's hat are also from the Simple Stories Handmade Holiday collection.  I just love that thick May Arts striped ribbon, so I just decided to add a little tab on of it on the side.
This second card was totally "lifted" from the very talented Melissa Phillips.  I found it on Pinterest when I did a search there for Simple Stories Handmade Holiday.  As soon as I saw it, I knew it was her card.  She has inspired me so many times, and I always love to recreate her designs.  Again, most of what you see in this card is from the Simple Stories Handmade Holiday collection.  I also did some machine stitching, added some May Arts green silk ribbon, some vintage buttons dusted in ultra-fine diamond glitter, and a Maya Road chipboard circle with heart that I painted and glittered.  I added a little pearl sticker to the heart.  So sweet!  Here's a closer look at that sweet element:
And finally, here is the third card I made.  I also found the inspiration for this one on Pinterest but I couldn't find the name of who originally created it.  It's all Simple Stories Handmade Holiday collection as well, with the exception of the sentiment which is a stamp from Papertrey Ink.  This one below was made following this week's sketch at Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog.
I hope that all of you are having fun preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and that you find plenty of time to stay crafty and create some hand-made gifts for your friends and family.  I hope to send out all hand-made cards again this year, so I've got my work cut out for me.

ABC Christmas Challenge - W is for Winter Wishes - Can you tell what I'm "wishing" for?  SNOW!  I live in the middle of the desert, and I WISH so desperately for snow so that I can build a snowman.

Christmas Cards All Year Round - November Challenge - Thank you, Cindy, for offering this amazing prize package!

Little Scrap Pieces - Friday Linky Party - Let It Snow

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog - Wednesday Challenge - Follow Heather's Sketch (This would be the third/bottom card).
 
Have a blessed day!
Karen

21 comments:

  1. Super cute cards. Since you want snow and I don't I will send all that we get there to you. Ha!

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  2. Would you like some of our very hot end-of-spring weather?? Now we are due for several days of rain, starting with thunderstorms tomorrow....
    Love our cute cards.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  3. Very pretty cards Karen. I joust loved the first one. I like vintage style :)

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  4. Very festive and pretty! Love that music paper on the first one!

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  5. Gorgeous card! I love it!
    Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges this week!
    Monica - CCC DT

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  6. I love the style of these two cards with their kind of rustic looks. Card no 2 stands out with the uneven stitching and the way you've divided the card into sections with different embellishments.

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  7. Cute cards! I love vitage look :)

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  8. Wow, love all your cards! Love your stitching!

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  9. I always love seeing your stitching, and I made a card with stitching on it, too. If you want to stop by and take a look at it, I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Sierra
    www.sierrasgift.blogspot.com

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  10. Hi Karen, yes let's have some fun in the snow- my wish as well ;)
    Lovely festive cards you have made, pretty colours and details.
    Thanks for joining our W challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge, and good luck,
    Dorte x

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  11. These are fabulous, vintagey, pretty! Thanks for sharing at Christmas Card Challenges! (Karen N, DT)

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  12. Fabulous card! Thanks of much for playing along with the ABC Christmas Challenge. We will have another one tomorrow and hope you will play along again soon!
    ~Lacey
    www.stampandcreate.com
    ABC Christmas Challenge DT

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  13. I love all of these cards an their great vintage looks! Thanks for playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Use A Sketch challenge this week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

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  14. What a wonderful collection! Thanks for playing with us at Christmas Cards All Year 'Round!

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  15. Those are adorable! Thanks for linking up at Christmas Card Challenge! Karen N (DT)

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  16. I love all 3 cards, they are so pretty! That is my all time favorite Christmas paper pack. Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges.

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  17. That is unique christmas card design. I love how you put those craft all together and create this magnificent project. My merry Christmas wishes to you and to all wonderful crafters. Happy holidays and Happy New Year.

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Thanks for your comments. They mean so much to me.