It's OLW time...and I thought Christmas was over! Not so...this week Susan at Simplicity has challenged us... to make a Christmas (or Season's Greetings, if you prefer) card, but you must use green and red on white or cream. Feel free to be creative with the shades of green and red...you don't have to stay traditional. You can also use natural-style cardstock, watercolor paper, or textured paper as long as it's white or cream. Keep embellishments to a minimum. Extra points if you do like I did and use an image that isn't specifically holiday!
What to do? What to do?! GAAH!! My Christmas mojo has flown the coop!
For this first card I used a Papertrey Ink set called Dot Spots. It's definitely NOT Christmas-y, but I thought it would work. After stamping the different sized circles in Memento Cottage Ivy green, I decided that the card could use a little bling....WRONG!! Now that it's on there, of course, it must stay...but I really don't like it! I don't know why...it's just wrong! The sentiment is also a PTI stamp from the Signature Christmas collection.
So...not being happy with the first card, I decided to make a second card. This time I used a nice big flourish.
The flourish is actually from the Papertrey Ink collection - Silent Night (a Christmas set - although the flourish in and of itself is definitely not Christmas-y). I stamped the flourish in SU! Real Red and the sentiment is from Flourishes - Sweets of the Season Set. The sentiment is stamped in Memento Cottage Ivy green. Not able to leave well enough alone...I once again added a few pieces of bling to the card, only this time, I'm more pleased with the end result.
I'm not sure why, but I struggle with stamping with "colors". I'm much more comfortable when I can stamp in black or brown and color my image with markers. Nevertheless, I did manage to create two cards for the challenge...just wish I liked them more. Maybe I'll put my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with something else...or maybe I'll just go see what everyone else is creating and soak up some of YOUR mojo! LOL!!
Oh, before I go, I thought I would share my newest layout. A totally silly layout...but maybe it will be effective blackmail material! LOL! This my baby boy and my oldest daughter. (He's 32 and she's 36). At a recent family dinner, I asked them to move closer to each other so I could get a photo...THIS is what I got! So, what's a mother to do...I scrapped it, of course. Let them try to explain that to their children! LOL!
I used a sketch from Creative Scrappers (#143) for this layout. The papers are from October Afternoon - Fly a Kite. A very simple layout...I just cut the diamond shapes from the patterned paper, then stitched it down with a little hand stitching (which is crooked, but that's one of those things you can't really "fix".) I wasn't sure how to spell "euwww" but I think you get my drift. The journaling reads:
Really?!! You’re really planning to lick your sister’s face? Euwwwwww!! I don’t know what made me believe that when you two were over 30 years old that you would behave somewhat more “grown-up.” Duh! This photo is proof that the old saying “Growing older is mandatory …. Growing up is optional” is true. Even though you still do things like this to each other, I still love you!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate all the comments! Until next time!
Hugs!
13 comments:
I like both cards Susan...the first is a clever non traditional one and the second is so pretty with the elegant scroll.
I love the family photo too.....moments to remember.......lovely!
Love those green dot spots Susan,and the flourish with the bling too! Had a chuckle at the photo of your kids and the way you made the comment that they can explain that to their kids - priceless.
Lovely One Layer card. I'm sure you'll enjoy watching your kids squirm as they explain that scrap layout!!!
Kathyk
Great cards Susan, I think the second one is my favourite!
Chrissie
both cards are great susan, but i do really like the 2nd one the best... so elegant!! what a great layout (and perfect for blackmail later on.. hee hee!)!
That's a great push to get your Christmas cards done, and wonderful simple designs at that! Your scrapbook page is hilarious! Love the expression on your daughter's face!
Two fab cards, I love the flourish it's so elegant!
Ha, ha, ha, I love your scrapbook pages! Both of these cards are beautiful! I know how frustrating it is when you add something and like it less, then can't go back. It's still a very pretty card. I love the red swirl! You get the extra points!
Both cards great. The first one really was different and gave me some new ideas. I loved the flourishes on the second one. I thought you did great. TFS
I LOVE the Dot Spots card....I actually just got that set this week...and I think you nailed the challenge using a non-Christmas something or other! Not to be outdone, your flourish-y card is quite elegant. 2 cards done and how many to go???
Susan, I wish I had a dollar for every card I blinged and regretted! But I think both your cards are lovely, and the scrapbook page is hysterical!
You know sometimes it's hard to work out why a card doesn't quite work. I know what you mean about the first card - I really like it. It's funky, a bit retro and quite modern. But! Mmm! However, your second card is just fabulous!!! Love that swirl and the sentiment is lovely.
Your LO made me laugh out loud! The expression on your daughter's face is so funny! Kids! Great to see they don't grow up!!! :)
Thank you for sharing some wonderful family memory making moments .
Love your Christmas cards , Mini works of art.
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