Jingling Bells of Christmas

Sorry, no sewing updates this week.  I'm on Christmas card crunch time.  My goal is to have all my cards done so that I can ship them the first week of December.  To help me reach my goal, and not get bored, I'm entering in lots of challenges.  :)

If you check out the design team samples at Merry Monday Challenge you will see that I was completely taken with Kristie Goulet's sample.   Let me tell you, it wasn't easy getting baker's twine through the tiny bells, but I knew it would be worth it!  The entire design team did a fabulous job, be sure to check them out if you want some inspiration for yourself.

Two Tips for creating this card:
1) Use a needle threader to get the twine through the hole at the top of the bell.

2) Swipe ink on the edges of white cardstock to get a perfectly matched mat.

3.) Use same ink to lightly sponge the edges of DSP and cardstock to add depth and contrast between the layers.

I'm also linking this card up with the current CASology challenge.  The little flag in the top left corner wasn't in my head in the original design, but I think it's the detail that finishes off the card.   I considered adding sequins, but wanted to keep my card "clean" and have the jingle bells be the star of the show.

Supplies:
Stamps: Peace On Earth (Verve)
Ink: Lost Lagoon (SU)
Paper: Winter in the Woods DSP Stack (DVWV); Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Tiny Jingle Bells, White Baker's Twine (SU)

Festive Tags

Tracey McNeely's 25 tags of Christmas blog hop has me so inspired that I've made 3 more tags and put them on some Christmas cards.

Punches and dies made these tags super simple!  I used my Stampin' UP! Pennant Punch for the triangle banners, then used my sewing machine to attach them to a stitched tag I cut out using the Stitched Duo 1 tag from Pretty Pink Posh.

One of the tags leans to the left, the other one is straight.

Both fit the sketch for CASE this Sketch.  Which one do you prefer?

 

For good measure, I made a 3rd card and changed up the sketch a bit by adding a narrow border on each side.  I smudged my sentiment on this 3rd tag, so I used that as an opportunity to embellish.  ;)  The little sentiment strip was sewn on with my sewing machine to tie into the stitching on the pennants.

All 3 tags fit the current challenge on Addicted to CAS.   Festive makes me think "Christmas & Happy".  Pennant scream FUN to me. 

eta: I just have to link up to one more challenge in honor of my friend, Kristie Goulet's new design team spot over at the Card Concept.  This is an awesome challenge that inspires me every time I visit their blog.  I'm so proud of Kristie in her new role on their design team.  They are lucky to have her with her trendy CAS style!  My cards look like they were created with this challenge and CAS style in mind.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Peace On Earth (Verve)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Nordic Noel DSP, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, Pennant Punch (SU); Black Baker's Twine, Stitched Duo 1 Die (Pretty Pink Posh); Sewing Machine