Sunday 20 November 2011

Christmas Alphabet - Y for You and Z for Zero Temperatures

Evening Everyone,

Well, here they are, the last two cards in the Alphabet series. First up is Y for You.


This is for my sweetie. The digital stamp is another of those I coloured in with ProMarkers (sorry, once again I can't remember the colours) whilst on holiday in Wales. I really had no plans for it at the time, however, when I saw this paper, from Memory Box (in the pack included in the recently won blog candy from Jude) I remembered the image ... and it has all come together perfectly to make this card ... serendipitously, you might say :

My rediscovered B-C-E layering template has been pressed into service again to mat the image using a scrap of brown card and some of the co-ordinating paper. The same paper together with a second co-ordinating paper have been cut into strips and scalloped with a border punch to form the trims.


And that is about it - some glitter, gems, card candy and an embossed greeting finish the card off.


The trim is repeated inside and on the back just to finish it off.

Materials Used:
  • Cardstock: Stampin' Up 12"x12" card, Whisper White, trimmed to make a 6" square card base; Neenah Solar Smooth white card for stamped topper; Papermania textured card, brown for matting
  • Design Paper: Memory Cox 6x6 paper collection, Mistletoe
  • Stamps: Digi Stamp Boutique, Henry & Zoe Xmas Kiss; Docrafts Penelope & Percy Christmas Greetings
  • Tools: B-C-E Layering Template, Baby Nesties Square; X-cut scalloped border punch
  • Sundries: ProMarkers; VersaMark; Sheena Wow EP, Burgundy Red Regular; Iridescent Glitter; Card candy, Vintage Berries red, Anita's tiny gems, red
The only snippet used in this card was the brown card in the matting, I wonder if  this qualifies for the snippet challenge? It does prove that even when I'm creating yet more leftovers I'm still trying to make something of a dent in the snippet mountain.  I'll let the lady herself decide by submitting it to:

Jules Crafty Snippet Challenge - Week 46

Last, but perhaps not least, here's the Z for Zero Temperatures card.


This shaped card was printed from Joanna Sheen's CD-ROM, Jane Shasky, From the Heart of the Garden, onto Neenah Solar smooth white card.


The front is decoupaged and embellished with Polar White Flower Soft, iridescent glitter, snowflakes punched from holographic mirri card, and Anita's gloss for the holly berries.


Although the finished card is A6 in size from the top of the red cardinal to the bottom, the inside is actually about half the size. To reduce the insert to fit I imported it into a graphic programme and re-sized it to fit the inside, then printed it onto copy paper.



The instructions on the CD-ROM do not include decorating the back but when the card was completed I was not happy with it. The back of the 'fence' was just white card and and, to my mind, did not look good so what to do? Well, what I did was to capture the front of the card using the snap tool in Adobe and import it into the graphic programme too. Once there, I was able to re-size and flip the image, then cut out and adhere it to the top half. If I were to make this card again, I would do this bit first before attaching it to the front ... having left it to the last, I had to nudge the bottom edge of the 'fence' down below the back - very fiddly!

The bottom half of back is simply decorated with part of an insert cut to size.
It might have taken twice as long to make as anticipated but it's a cute wee card and I love red cardinals ... I wish they came to live in this country during the winter as, with their vivid red colour, they are a pleasure to watch. However, I'm not sure what our very own little robin redbreasts would take kindly to such stiff competition in the colour department :)

So that's it - the Alphabet Series is complete for 2011 and, added to the one/two a week I've been making since Week 1 this year, I now have a sizeable stash of cards ready to send/hand out to family and friends - yeah!! I'm so pleased to have finished early this year because I can now concentrate on making some handmade gifts - there's 5 weeks left in which to do this ... hopefully, I'll be able to complete a few nice projects in that time.

In the meantime, the weekend is almost done, Russell has been voted off Strictly and we are left with the real contenders, and the lights were switched on in Ayr tonight ... and I missed it :(  I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend, and if you haven't, I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.

Take care everyone and happy crafting,

11 comments:

Crafty Loops said...

Hi Elizabeth. Your cards are so beautiful, you have been busy. I love how you continued the gorgeous paper trim all through your first card. Thats a lovely little touch. Lee x

Jules said...

Hi Elizabeth

Loving the card you have made for your "sweetie"!!!

Gorgeous backing papers and love the sentiment.

If nothing else the snippet playground has got us into the habit of always checking our leftovers before cutting into another new sheet!!

Your "Z" card made me smile. I would never have thought of going for zero temperatures .. .. you are clever!!!

Thank you for sharing in the snippet playground again this week. I am very envious that all of your Christmas cards are now complete.

Love Jules xx

Jackie said...

What a wonderful selection of projects you have produced while I have been out of action :o)
Jackie xx

Di said...

Wonderful Elizabeth! I was wondering what Z would be for :) And, you've finished all your cards too - phew. Do give me a few nudges next year please. I adore both cards and your patience amazes me!! Di xx

PS Did you think up doing the Christmas Alphabet idea? It's a fab one for sure! xx

coops said...

both fabulous cards elizabeth.gorgeous image and papers on your 1st card and i really love your 2nd card,the design is stunning ;D

xx coops xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Well done Elizabeth, it's been a lovely alphabetty trip! Love what you did to finish the fence off on the Zero temp card - inspired indeed.

Bonnie said...

This is the most amazing card! Beautiful, just beautiful!

lisa said...

Hi Elizabeth
I'm playing catch up today checking out what I've missed while I've been busy with DT work and as always there is so much.
Your alphabet cards are all beautiful. I would have struggled with ideas for some of the difficult letters but you've done a brilliant job.
I got the fright of my life when someone said it's Advent Sunday next week. How did that happen. Isn't it still August!!!!!!
Strictly was brilliant this week wasn't it. What a show.
Hope all is good with you.
Hugs Lisax

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth, these are just beautiful! And I should have recognised that memory Box paper before as I have that pack and have been waxing lyrical about that company for quite a few weeks now! You were right to finish off the back of the fence. I'm off to have a look at a few of the others as I know I didn't see all of them! See you tomorrow for WOYWW no doubt!

Hugs
Brenda

Sarn said...

Super cards Elizabeth. x

Louise said...

Beautiful cards Elizabeth! Well done on completing your set of alphabet cards! x