2 for 1 on Christmas cards...

Welcome all at this incredibly busy time of year. Don't know of anyone who is ready yet (mind you, I guess there are always things you could do extra and doesn't everyone overestimate how much they want to achieve/how much they can achieve?) Humble apologies for not joining WOYWW - helping to serve 250 Christmas dinners and then making 54 iced cupcakes sort of took up Wednesday but I intend to be in touch individually with all the wonderful friends I have made through this wonderful 'blog hop' over the coming day or so. Cardmaking has still been a part of life - just no time to post them 'til now, so there are two on this post (get a cuppa/mince pie/bar of chocolate/nice glass of something to keep off the chill to sustain you!)

It was made for my work colleagues and doubles as an entry for;

Our Creative Corner - It's a Purple and Silver Christmas

Moneysupermarket Christmas Card Craft Off

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Merry Christmas

That's better. It was totally inspired by a midwinter card created by Linda Coughlin HERE. Layers included handmade paper on the base with embossed corners overstamped with VersaColor silver pigment ink, distressed Basic Grey Jovial text paper, net curtaining stamped with the pinecone image, and an embossed piece of paper from the same Basic Grey set highlighted with the same silver pigment ink.

Yep, that's a real blank postcard (found them whilst looking for something for a neice to record her grandma's baking recipes on - they work a treat). Obviously I Distress Inked this lovely Stampendous pinecone image/the pine needles background, and then dragged out some of the colour with water  to soften the whole thing.

You could say this is a 'chocolate box' card!? Final silver and purple ribbon flourishes completed the look.

And now, as promised/threatened, card no. 2.

I have several friends moving during this festive period, so this was an attempt to combine the two sentiments in one. One of them is the aforementioned Linda Coughlin who will hopefully be on her way to a new abode very soon. Linda, I hope everything runs smoothly and according to plan so you can really enjoy a fabulous Christmas and be prepared for the year ahead.

It came straight after the green tag (see previous post) as evidenced by the glittery paste masked texture background. See, it works on card/paper too. Using modelling paste has really added a whole new dimension to my crafting and I intend to play with this next year as I undertake the large ancesty project that's been churning around in my head for weeks.

Ranger Snowflake tinsel embossing powder used here on antique gold card which has been spritzed with red ink and embossed with Walnut Stain Distress embossing powder (love this stuff!)

My 'area for improvement' (don't you love education jargon!) is definitely alcohol inks. It took oodles of messing and layering to get this where I wanted it and there are some far more stunning examples out there (have you seen the work of Claudia at Von Pappe 2 - now there's a level of expertise to aim for).

The Crafty-emblies MDF fence and Woodware lock and key brads rounded the card off nicely.

Hurrah! You've made it (though I've no idea in what state!) Thank you so much for dropping by.

There will be one last post, but in case you are beyond busy may your Christmas be filled with wonder and warmth, and may you have the chance to spend time with cherised friends and family.

Huge Christmas hugs, Jenny xx