Second Post! Medallion Wreath.

What a awesome day it has been! I'm having a blast in my crafting room. The snow is still coming down and blowing all over the place. I told hubby, no way I am shoveling 'til the wind dies down. Yes, we shovel. We do NOT have a snowblower! Another consequence of living with a weather buff, he actually likes to shovel! I won't like moving the 12" that is on the driveway but I try to look at it as good exercise.

So, here's my second card today using Medallion. This time I've paired it with Berry Christmas.I think I like this one better than the last! That's usually what happens once I start creating. As I'm "working" I think of more and more ideas! My 12 year old daughter actually had a hand in this one. I told her my plans and we discussed what colors to use. Luckily, we were thinking the same and liked the combo of Garden Green and Certainly Celery. The little birdie is from the Sizzlet Merry Details (I used Riding Hood Red.) However, the berries were colored with the fine tip of my Ruby Red marker.

I'm still not done yet. I have more cards in mind. Stay tuned!

A Berry Christmas Topiary

Good Sunday to all! I have another simple Christmas card to share with you today. It's not my idea, it's a card I saw on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website. The original inspiration came from Dawn Byers (check out her blog, too!) Thanks Dawn!I really love this set Berry Christmas. It has proven to be very versatile. I haven't had nearly enough time to play with it. I have plenty of ideas I have yet to try. Now that we are down to crunch time, I'm guessing those ideas will be put on the shelf 'til next year. We'll see.

I know it doesn't show up in the photo at all, but I sprayed the entire cardstock base with my Champagne Mist and rubbing alcohol spray. I used about a half a teaspoon of paint and ounce of rubbing alcohol (91% not the lower percentage.) I didn't measure so this is approximate. I put mine in a small 2 oz. spray bottle from the dollar store. If you haven't tried it, it's AMAZING! I completely saturated my card and it a very short time it dries and lays flat! The results are incredible, so give it a try! One little tidbit, though. Give it a shake before you spray, the paint tends to sink to the bottom after a short while.

OK, I do have another thing to share. I was chosen as a featured designer on Our Creative Corner just yesterday! For my Ornament Punch card. I was so tickled! I was so excited! I was just bubbling with happiness! I don't recall what I was saying (out loud) but my husband overheard and wondered what all the commotion was about! So, thanks gals at the OCC for making my day!

Ornament Punch.....Priceless

It took me a month or so to warm up to the Ornament Punch. I couldn't see buying a punch that I could only use at one time of the year. Well, all it took to change my mind was seeing a card using the punch out as a vase and that thought was out the window. I started to think of all the different ways I could decorate my ornaments and next thing I know, it's on my next order!Here's my first card using it. I didn't have a great branch to hang my ornaments from so I used the swirls from Priceless. The berries were added from Berry Christmas. It seemed a little bare and that's when I added the crimped, scalloped top. I always like to put a sentiment on the outside of the card, but it just didn't seem appropriate here, so I stopped.

Now I'm off to have a little leftover turkey dinner! It's me, my daughter and my mother-in-law tonight. The guys took a little jaunt to the Mississippi today to fish for walleye. They haven't returned yet, so they'll be picking up dinner on their way home. I guess they did OK, though. So, it was a good day for everybody. I hope it was the same for you!

Sweet Sunday Sketch #42

Well, it's about time for me to start Christmas cards. I'm a little behind most bloggers. I've had this set Berry Christmas since September, but it's hard for me to get in the mood when I enjoy Halloween so much.

Thursday always seems to be quiet for me and a great day to to some challenges. I have a few more to try but Karen's always seems to go to the top of my list. I think it's because she uses such clean lines and it can make for a quick card. I still struggle with card sketches more than color challenges, but with repetition it has become easier. So, get out there and try some challenges!The one slight adjustment I've made to Karen's directions is the size. She recommends a 6 1/2" square folded in half. Well, that card is just a tad tall to fit into my envelopes. So, I cut the top down by 1/8". Hardly worth mentioning, just check out your envelopes before you give yours a try.I'm lovin' the new Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper. It has just a little bit of shimmer to it. Speaking of shimmer, I almost for got to mention. I sprayed my Ruby Red cardstock with the Stampin' Up! Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. It is so GORGEOUS! I don't know if it will show up but it makes any color cardstock you spray it on look like shimmer paper! The trick is mixing about 1/2 teaspoon shimmer paint with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Initially the paper curls but it's amazing how quickly it dries and how it goes back to lying flat. LOVE THIS TECHNIQUE!

Order it, you won't be sorry!