Christmas Is A Feeling

Hi there!

So sorry I'm a little late with my posting today.  Life just seems to get in the way sometimes.  

I'm back today with a card I've created for the new challenge starting at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog.  

Our theme for this challenge is ...

"Use Three Flowers on Your Creation"

What a great theme!  I love flowers!

I had an idea in my head from the first time I read about this challenge.  I knew that I had a new poinsettia die made by Memory Box that I was just dying to try out...so I knew I was going to go with a Christmas Card.  

Here's a photo of how it came out...

I love how the cluster of poinsettias turned out.  I was lucky enough to work with one of sponsors, Decosses Dynamites Doodles, who created a collection just for us to work with.  The beige and pink solid papers used in this card are all from her collection...as well as the patterned papers the poinsettias have been cut from.  There is also a doily image that I have incorporated into the design.  I cut the image in half and used part under the poinsettias (you can barely see part of it peeking through), and the other half is in the upper corner under the holly and berries die cuts.  I've also used an fancy oval die cut for the background under the sentiment.  After the addition of the chipboard swirls, and some stickles to the flowers and berries and I was finished.  I really like how this one turned out.  So much so, that I've added it to my new Art Fire Store.  Be sure to pay me a visit there and see if there's a purchase you'd like to make!  I've only opened it this week, and there will be more stock being added all the time.  Be sure to do me the favor of sharing with your non card making friends as well as liking my page on FaceBook!

The last bit I need to share with you today is our sponsors for the week....

as well as...

and last but not least...



Be sure to check out the Cafe to see what kinds of goodies these awesome companies are offering to a few select lucky winners.

Now it's your turn...go through your flower stash, get die cutting flowers with your machine!  This is a great challenge and I'm sure we're bound to have tons of amazing entries!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Crafty Creations Challenge Blog..."All about the S" (chipboard Swirls)
Fab 'n' Funky..."Christmas"
Hambo Hoedown..."Flowers"
Hobbybook..."Show us Your Flowers (use at least 3)
Whimsy Stamps Challenges..."Use 2 or More Die Cuts"
Christmas Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Completely Christmas..."Anything Goes"

An Attempt at Steam Punk...

Do you ever have one of those cards that you just put off creating until just the last minute because you frankly don't know where to go with it? 

Well, if you do I'm happy to say that you are in good company.  I usually like to have my cards done well ahead of time for challenges that are being posted, but this time I got it done just barely in time.  It's not that I hadn't been thinking about what I could do...I just dreaded doing it because it was a theme I had never attempted before.  

I'm sharing the new challenge with you today that starts at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog.

"Steam Punk"

(must include one metal piece)

Our awesome sponsors for this challenge are...

as well as...



Be sure to check out The Cafe Blog to see what juicy prizes they are tempting you with this go round!

Now, back to the card making business...
I hope I haven't scared you with the challenge.  I've never dabbled in the world of steam punk before.  I love the way it looks...it's just not really my thing.
That being said...here's a peek at what I finally came  up with...

I was lucky to be able to work with the Bugaboo image "Frame It One Day at a Time" which I sprayed down with my Mr. Huey's manilla colored spray.  I cut out a border with the Cameo that has gears running all the way around it.  (Sorry this picture is so crappy...I used Goosebumps for texture on the card and now it's hard to photograph because it's all shiny!)  I've embossed a metal sheet with a Tim Holtz embossing folder which is tucked in behind the digi stamp.  I've also used the metal sheet to cut out some gears with my Memory Box die (also did some in brown card stock).  I've added a few numbers to the side of the card as well as a vintage photo of a couple on a motorcycle.  The sentiment at the bottom of the card says "Live a little, life is an adventure".  The vintage photo and small sentiment come from a Heartwarming Vintage sheet.  I've added a few metal brads to the top corner, as well as the pointed finger, the mustache, and a male head die cut.  Then I sprayed it down with the goosebumps as mentioned above to give it some texture. 

As I was working on the card, I actually started to enjoy creating it.  It seems the key to steam punk for me was to just keep adding more elements.  I hope you think it came out ok....I likely won't be trying my hand at this again anytime soon!  LOL

It's your turn now...dig around in your stash and see what you can come up with to create a card with that Steam Punk feel.  It's good to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile and stretch your crafting abilities.  Just don't wait too long like I did...the challenge only runs for a week!
Can't wait to see what you come up with!

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Lexi's Creations..."For the Man/Boy in Your Life"
Cardz 4 Guyz..."Time"
Quirky Crafts Challenges..."The Letter S"  (steam punk)