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Day 8 - "G"

There's nothing like a cute little gnome, decked out in his Christmas finery, to bring a smile to someone's face. The background has been embossed with a snowflake folder layered with small, punched snowflakes coated with a touch of Stickle Frosted Lace.

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

Click the link below to upload your creation to the challenge:

CLICK HERE

INSPIRATION WORDS:

gifts, garland, gingerbread, green, gold, gamsol, gesso, gap card, gate fold card, gilding, gold leaf, glitter, glass, glossy accents.

Stamps:

Day 1 - "A"

I'm starting this year's challenge with a little snow angel. I've never had the opportunity to make one of these myself, since it doesn't snow where I live, but I imagine it would be good, freezing fun!

YOUR TURN: Create a card or papercraft project using the letter "A" as your prompt.

Click on the link below to add a photo of your creation to the challenge:

CLICK HERE

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Angel, accordion cards, a-frame cards, altered, aperture, A2, acetate, acrylic, alcohol ink, aqua, alabaster, almonds, apricots, apples, amethyst, antique, Arctic

Day 10 - "I"

Although Christmas in Australia is hot, I'm still going with an icy cold theme for my card today... mostly because there aren't a lot of "I" words associated with the holidays and also because I enjoy the idea of a white Christmas.

YOUR TURN: Create a paper craft project using the letter "I" as your prompt.

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

INSPIRATION WORDS: 

Ice, ice skating, icicle, imagination, iridescent, inking, italic, iris folding, indigo, ivory.

Stamps: Christmas Cardinals

Day 1 - "A"

Let's get the party started with an "A" for angel.

This little guy is so cold that his carrot nose has turned a rather pretty shade of purple, but he doesn't seem to mind too much.

YOUR TURN: Create a card or project using the letter "A" as your prompt.

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

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Angel, accordion cards, a-frame cards, altered, aperture, A2, acetate, acrylic, alcohol ink, aqua, alabaster, almonds, apricots, apples, amethyst, antique, Arctic.

Black and White

I kept the colouring to a minimum for this design, just a little bit of black pencil to deepen the shadows and a hint of pink for his little cheeks.

Stamps: Snow Drifters

Tutorial - Bridge Fold Cards

Bridge Fold or U-Fold cards are fairly simple to make and can be decorated in lots of really fun and interesting ways. While researching, I came across cards made to look like kitchens, dressing tables and even a woodworking bench! The "U" section in the centre allows for some great 3D embellishing and this is where your creativity really gets to shine.

1. Start with a piece of card stock measuring 6" x 10".

2. Score at 11/2", 3", 7" and 81/2". The measurements I've used will give you a card measuring 6" tall x 7" long when folded.

3. Fold along the score lines beginning with a mountain fold, then a valley fold, another valley fold and ending with a mountain fold.

4. If desired, you can add some patterned paper and stamps at this point. Once you add the bottom panel it will be a lot more difficult to add embellishments to the background.

5. Cut a piece of card stock measuring 2" x 7". If desired, use a pair of scissors or a border punch to give a decorative edge. Since I'm creating a snow scene, I decided to cut a couple of snow banks.

Apply glue or double sided tape to the back of the last 11/2" of the card stock as shown in the photo below.

6. Secure the card stock to the bottom of one end of your card. Stand the card upright to make aligning the bottom easier - you want it to be flush with the bottom edge of your card.

7. Now repeat with the other end of the card stock strip to complete base of your U-Fold card. You can embellish as desired or continue on to create a card similar to mine.

8. To decorate, you'll need two strips of card stock measuring 3/4" x 7". I used a snowflake border punch to give them some added interest. You'll also need another bottom strip of card stock, the same size and shape as the first, a reel of thread, a coloured and fussy cut image, some little punched snowflakes and some very strong, fast drying glue.

9. Attach the punched card stock strip to the top of the card is the same manner as you did the bottom. Apply a strip of double sided tape at the top of the card over the punched card stock, and another strip at the bottom of the card. These will hold your thread in place.

10. Cut several lengths of thread approximately 6" long. Press them onto the strip of double sided tape at the top of the card. When they're in place, apply another strip of double sided tape over the top. Don't space the threads evenly, the design will look better if they are different distances from each other.

11. Now secure them at the bottom in the same way. I applied a piece of sticky tape across the threads to make them extra secure.

12. Now add the extra strips of card stock over the top and bottom pieces so that the threads are secured between and you can no longer see the tape.

13. Here comes the fiddly bit.... Using strong, fast drying glue, fix the little snowflakes to the twine in random places. You'll need two snowflakes in each position so that the thread is sandwiched between. I used some pointy tweezers to help place each one.

14. All that's left now is to add your image, sentiment and any extra embellishments you'd like. Have fun!

Stamps:

Day 24 - "V"

"V" is one of those tricky letters that take some thinking time and a little bit of interpretation. I've used the word vintage as the prompt for my card today, which to me, means lots of muted colours and classic patterns.

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

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

INSPIRATION WORDS:

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

Stamps: Sugar and Spice

Day 21 - "S"

It's another easy letter today - there are lots of great "S" words that relate to the holidays, including snow, for those in the northern hemisphere, or sunshine, for those in the south. Even though I live in Australia, where there isn't a hint of snow to be seen at this time of year, I've still gone with snowflakes. Mostly because of these gorgeous stickers that my Mum-in-law sent me last year... how could I resist?

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

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

INSPIRATION WORDS:

Santa, stockings, star, snowman, shepherd, s-fold card, shutter card, shaped card, step card, star fold, scallops, stitching, sponging, stamping, stencils, scarlet, sepia, silver. 

Day 15 - "N"

I really enjoyed making this CAS style card and I love the end result, I may even make a few more since it was relatively quick and easy. If you haven't already invested in a bottle of puff paint then do yourself a favour and grab some the next time you're in a craft store. It works great for snow, beards, fur, little flowers, cream, frosting, etc., etc....

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

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

INSPIRATION WORDS:

North Pole, noel, nativity, naughty, nice, nutcracker, northern lights, no-line colouring, napkin fold, never ending card, naples yellow, navy, neon

Stamps: Christmas Candy

Let It Snow

For many years I've been intending to experiment with cutting felt or fabric with metal dies, and I'm happy to report that I have finally achieved my goal! These snowflakes are made from white felt, heavy thread, beads and kindy glitz. The thread is a couple of feet long so the snowflakes can be hung from the ceiling to make a beautiful snowy display.

This is how they looked pre-construction.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

I really enjoyed doing some fabric based crafts for a change, but as always, I gravitated back to what I love... not that I'm packing up the fabrics and thread just yet.

This little album was created using papers from the gorgeous "Home for the Holidays" stack by Maja Design. The big snowflakes poking out all over the place were made with a big punch and white card stock that I strengthened with some glossy accents. All the other bits and bobs were scavenged from my stash.