Winter fun

Well, we have plenty of snow after a winter storm this weekend. So it's fitting that Lori's challenge on Merry Monday is to showcase winter fun on your Christmas card.

Photo credit

I couldn't wait to use a darling ice skating penguin for my card. I've mentioned in the past that my dad used to flood the backyard when we were small so we could ice skate. Of course we outgrew that rink after a few years and ended up at the city park's rink. It had an old wooden shack for a warming house and we always had the best time. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White, BoBunny Altitude, DCWV foil
Stamps - Whimsy Stamps Penguin Fun
Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Salty Ocean, Black Soot, Festive Berries)
Embossing folder - Darice Snowflakes and Flourishes
Dies - Whimsy Stamps Penguin Fun, My Favorite Things Blueprints 13, 20 & 21 and Oval Shadows

Well, all my Christmas cards are mailed except one to Aunt Dorothy who moved. I still haven't managed to track down her address so will wait until I get something from her with a return address. How's everyone else doing on their cards?

Thanks for stopping by and hope you're having a crafty week!

Candy canes!

I love a good candy cane around the holidays but even better - Lindt peppermint flavored chocolate truffles - yum!! I went to the Mall of America on Sunday and bought a big bag of their Lindor balls. This week Merry Monday brings a challenge from Linda to include a candy cane on your Christmas card - I started right away Monday morning on my card but got a bit sidetracked and didn't finish until today - more on that later...

Photo Credit

Last year Kristie, a former Merry Monday Design Team member, enabled me to buy some Whimsy Stamps. One of the cling images I ordered was this darling penguin quartet - yay, the sign they're holding is lettered with candy canes - perfect! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White, American Crafts Christmas from Target Hot Spot

Stamp - Whimsy Stamp's Penguin Joy; Die - My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 (stitched rectangle)

Other - Copic Markers, Hickory Smoke Distress Marker, foam tape; Ink - Ranger Archival "Watering Can"

Below is a card I made while being sidetracked from Merry Monday. I was looking through my overwhelming stash of stuff for something for my sister. Instead I found a little decorated Christmas box containing a bunch of dies and an old Sizzix metal emboss & cut folder. I didn't remember owning this item and don't think I had ever used until now! No surprise... I included the folder in the photo - it's black metal on the outside and silver on the inside - such a fun item and I'm sure they don't make them anymore! Do any of you have one? I couldn't resist making a card with it. After embossing, I ran an ink cube over the raised paper - black on the deer and silver on the frame. A bunch of us from chorus were heading to sing at a couple senior living centers; one is where a long-time member Jean lives. So I took this card to give to her. She arranged a holiday song we sing "Straw Carol". We had a great time singing and Jean loved hearing her arrangement!

I'm doing well on my goal of writing out 5 Christmas cards per day for mailing. Will be done soon - yay - but like Bonnie points out, there's nothing wrong with getting some cards made for next year! Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty week!!