Paper Weaving

Weaving strips of paper together to create a background is a fantastic way to use up some of those scraps that have no doubt accumulated during the year. If you're feeling particularly creative, you could try altering the width of each strip for an interesting effect.

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Stamped Background

I used a piece of watercolor paper and three different oxide inks to create a pretty background for my card. After stamping the image multiple times, I used a water brush to drag some of the ink around, softening the lines and adding a little more interest. 

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Joy

I combined a couple of the images from the Sleigh Bells set to create a pretty embellishment for my card. Some silver cardstock, sparkly rhinestones, and a die cut sentiment finished the project nicely.

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Season's Greetings

I used some pretty blue glitter card to add a little extra sparkle and shine to my Christmas card. I think it works nicely with the pop of bright red from the berries.

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Sleigh Bells Panel

A black background provides the perfect contrast for these brightly coloured sleigh bells.

I started by stamping the single bell (minus the string) multiple times on a panel of white blending card and coloured them with alcohol markers. A solid black marker was then used to fill in the background and make my colours pop!

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Day 25 - "V"

I mentioned earlier in the month that I enjoy colouring the bells with different markers to simulate a variety of shiny metals. Today, I've opted for a vintage vibe by giving the bells a healthy layer of rust!

YOUR TURN: Create a project using the letter "V" as your prompt.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Vintage, Vixen, visitors, view-master card, Venetian blind card, velvet, vermilion, violet, verdigris, vellum

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Day 11 - Create a Background

Drag out your stamps, threads, paints, stencils, markers, and whatever else you want to play with today...

We're making backgrounds!

YOUR TURN: Create a card with a hand-made background.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

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Day 2 - "B"

I enjoy colouring the sleigh bells with different markers to indicate particular types of metal. Today's effort uses several of the red-tinged E colours from my collection of alcohol markers for a warm and rustic vibe. The sentiment is made up of three individual stamps, stacked together and embossed with white to help break up the background.

YOUR TURN: Create a project using the letter "B" as your prompt.

Upload a photo of your creation to the

Challenge Gallery

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Blitzen, boots, bows, box cards, bendy cards, building block cards, bleaching, beads, brads, burnishing, blue, brown, black, baubles

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Simple Step Card

A simple step card makes a festive display for the sideboard or mantelpiece, and they're pretty easy to make... just move the centre fold up a little and add a couple more at the bottom!

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Merry and Bright

Most water based inks and paints retain their vibrancy when you add water, unlike oxide inks, which become chalky and muted creating a nice contrast for elements placed over them, like the gold embossed sentiment I added to this card. 

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Black and White

I achieved a kind of chalk-board look with today's card by stamping and painting my images with white oxide ink on black cardstock. I did have to paint fairly quickly without too much water to prevent my cardstock from tearing, but the ink went on quite easily.

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Day 2 - "B"

Today is all about the letter "B"... one of my personal favourites 😉. There are lots of words starting with B that relate in some way to card making or the holidays, so it wasn't too difficult to complete today's project. As you can see from the photo below, I decided to create a card featuring a beautiful brass bell.

YOUR TURN: Create a card using the letter "B" as your prompt.

Click on the link to upload a photo of your creation:

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Blitzen, boots, bows, box cards, bendy cards, building block cards, bleaching, beads, brads, burnishing, blue, brown, black

Stamps: Christmas Bells

Day 20 - Pencils

Crack open your pencil case, stamp up your favourite image and get colouring!

YOUR TURN: Colour your image with coloured pencils.

Upload a photo of your project HERE.

Stamps: "Christmas Bells" by Beccy's Place

New Release: Christmas Bells Set

The Christmas Bells set of clear stamps features two traditional holiday images that are perfect for cards with a slightly vintage flavour. They are great for card makers who love to colour and they also work well for paper tole projects.

Available in Store Now

Some of my designers have used the set to make gorgeous holiday projects for friends and family. I'm sure you'll find some inspiration in what they've done.

Both of Carla's cards are beautifully traditional with rich, deep greens and beautiful shades of red. She coloured the images with pencil and matched them with an assortment of patterned papers, embellishments and ribbons.

Petra made this wonderful, triangular-shaped treat box from hand-painted card stock. She decorated it with the little jingle bell stamped in blue ink, coloured and fussy cut with a small pair of scissors. The twine and tag finish her project perfectly.

Both of Anesha's cards have a gorgeous vintage quality that works perfectly with the traditional style of the images. The colours she chose are wonderfully rich and vibrant with a definite old world feel.

Day 9 - Mirror, Mirror

I had forgotten all about the beautiful mirror card that's available in my local stationery supply store... they have all the colours of the rainbow, from bright pink to a beautiful deep blue, but silver and gold are always the most popular, particularly when the holidays are just around the corner. If you've never used it, I highly recommend grabbing a couple of sheets, it's easy to work with and comes up a treat when embossed.

YOUR TURN: Let your project shine with some mirror card.

Upload a photo of your creation HERE.

Stamps: "Christmas Bells" by Beccy's Place

New Release: Mr. Snowflake Set

I'm sure I've said it many times before, but I just love snowmen, especially when they're a little bit quirky and unusual. This new digital stamp set features Mr. Snowman complete with corn cob pipe and jingly hat. I have a feeling he'll be popping up several more times this month!

Mr. Snowflake Set

Available in Store Now

And, of course, I have some creative inspiration to share with you from my designers...

A.J.'s collection of fabulous cards and gift tags.

A sweet card from Judy with a pretty snowflake trim.

Karin has created a colourful Christmas greeting card.

Anesha has created a wine bottle cover, a gorgeous gift bag

to put it in, and a card to complete the gift set.

Carla's beautiful card, done in shades of blue with hints of red and green.

Two Christmas creations from Petra - one in traditional Christmas

colours and the second is shades of blue and green.