Friday, November 3, 2023

A few more challenges

Fun challenges, I should say!  I've been a crafty little Christmas card-maker the last few days - two I made to fit into a few of my favorite places to play cards!  

Let's start with Color Hues #75 where Julie B. has a fun non-traditional color combo for Christmas - well, I'm making nothing but Christmas cards these days - you can do anything that suits your fancy!


It started with this pretty Pigment Craft Co. wreath set I snagged over at Scrapbook.com and the new plum inks from The Stamp Market.  When cut with the dies, you get three pieces to arrange as you wish.  I topped my wreath with a few blue snowflakes, and the gorgeous bow that is part of the PCC set.  I popped it up on a window die [Mama Elephant] and the whole shebang was glued over top of that good old Richard Garay embossing folder - that thing has been a faithful friend for years - and another of my PF Holiday sentiment banners.


I've been trying to work through the Christmas patterned papers I've had for years - it seems they just don't fit my CAS style very well.  But one 12x12 piece was cut into 4 x 5.25" panels then I topped them with die cut deer and snowflakes using paper and inks that matched some of the details in the print.  Hope you like it... and so do Darlene and Diane over at the Double D Oh, Deer challenge!


I love the drama of the dark teal against the nearly white.  All the snowflakes on this
panel are printed on the paper - if you look closely, there is even a bit of newsprint on some of the birch trees - isn't it cool?  See if you can find my inspiration...


Okay!  That's it for me today!  Hope you all have a crafty plan for the weekend - our snow is all melted now but this is what November 1st, 2023 looked like:


=] Michele

25 comments:

Lisa Elton said...

Oh, what a pretty wreath! This is a fabulous card in those non-traditional colors. My card for this challenge is in parts, I keep getting interrupted LOL! I like all of the white on your pretty deer card too!

Bonnie said...

What a beautiful wreath, Michele! I LOVE how you've used these colors! And I knew immediately which picture you used for your inspiration! Your sweet deer looks beautiful against this paper!

lostinpaper said...

Both of your cards are magical my friend! I am in awe of the light blue and purple combo, I don't think it's one I have ever used before... and for Christmas too, perfectly fun!

!neke said...

Great card !!!!
Love the snow picture !
We have a lot of rain ....
groeten Ineke

Julie B said...

Love what you've done with my colours Michele, simply gorgeous. I can quite see why you love that EF, so pretty, I have EF envy if that's a thing!
I also love what you've done with your DP, I have boxes of the stuff and my BFF keeps passing hers onto me too. :)

Birgit said...

Two beautiful cards Michele! I love the texture on the first card as well as the cool color palette. The deep blue and white with the deer is stunning!

Jeanne said...

Michele your cards always delight!! What a pretty wreath card. So many fun details. And your elegant deer card is magical. So is the scene outside your home. Bet it puts you right in the mood for creating all these wonderful Christmas cards!

Cindy Beach said...

gasp* SNOW! Your beautiful cards are a delight to the eyes Michele! Kudos for using that pretty paper to sett off the deer die. Your wreath card is fabulous! Those soft colors and snowflakes are gorgeous!

HilaryJane said...

Glad to hear that your snow is melted. Hope it is a long long time before you get any more. You are making great progress with your Christmas cards with these beauties xx

TK said...

Oh my, that plum wreath is gorgeous! Love the colors and layers. As for the deer? I was just revisiting mine, no ideas yet but yours is a keeper!

donna mikasa said...

Light blue and purple never looked so good, and I LOVE seeing that deer as often as you can share him! And may I say that photo is hauntingly beautiful--like a scene from a movie!

LeAnne said...

These are gorgeous! I would never think to use purple for a Christmas card...but of course, you made it work! And your deer is delightful. Somehow I missed that challenge...may have to work on that one for sure! I know the snow is a pain, but it sure is pretty!

Marcia Hill said...

Your wreath card is absolutely GORGEOUS Michele...never thought light blue & purple would be Christmas colors but you're showing just how perfectly they work on this stunning card! LOVE every little detail!! Your deer card is also fabulous...he totally stands out against all that wonderful dark blue/teal dsp! Two awesome cards my friend! Thanks so much for sharing with us at The Color Hues Challenge...you know we always love it when you play along!! Hugs. :0)

Tracey McNeely said...

Michele, has your snow melted yet? I don't even know where to start with all the lovely details you included. The cover plate, embossing and beautiful layered wreath! Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us at the Color Hues!

Bobby said...

Your snowflake decorated wreath is beautiful, Michele, and a great way to use the challenge colors. Great way to use up that patterned paper too.

JulieP said...

Dang! Only you could make purple look this good. LOL!!! This is gorgeous Michele. Thanks for playing with us at Color Hues.

Dotty Jo said...

Your wreath card looks amazing, so pretty! How interesting that you are working with that paper for your other card. I have some gelli prints that look very similar and are not playing ball at all! I've saved them especially to use for Christmas but they are beginning to look like something I may end up throwing away! Hugs, Jo x

Linda Callahan said...

Wow you have been busy with those holiday cards! They are gorgeous!

Cat Craig said...

We're having summers last gasp with highs in the low 70's this week and down to the 50's next...Perfect cards for the two challenges.

Leslie Miller said...

Two beauties and I love one just as much as the other. Being a total nature/critter/patterned paper lover I'm agog over the deer card, but that purple-leaved wreath is fabulous. Love the added snowflakes and bow. Inspiring!

Darlene said...

BEAUTIFUL creations Michele! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Co-Owner … Can You Handle the Pressure, Double D, Four Seasons, Peace On Earth, Stencil Fun, Simply Clean & Simple, Two Old Bats, Triple B

Karen said...

The Light Blue/Purple combo may be non-traditional, but you've created a beautiful Christmas card with it. Every element adds to it's beauty! So lovely to find you in the gallery again at Color Hues!

Nancy said...

First of all your snow picture was really pretty, but I am sure you are glad it has melted away. Next, your reindeer card is wonderful as is the paper you found. Finally, the card for Color Hues is just as lovely as can be. I love the pretty snowflake dies and that flowing ribbon too! Thanks for the wonderful post and for playing at Color Hues.

Barbara said...

Beautiful cards! Your nontraditional colors for the wreath came out so elegant and that deer mixed media card is beautiful!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful design and project, love the colours for our current challenge … Thanks for joining in at Double D challenges aNNie Design Team
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