Santa nestled in the greenery

    Months ago I saw a card on Pinterest that fascinated and inspired me.  I had only recently purchased the Spellbinders Ornament die, but realized the shape of the card was nothing close to what I owned.  So the picture was filed away until recently when I decided I would just have to make my own background to replace die used in my inspiration piece.  Why own a Silhouette Cameo if you can't get creative.

     I designed my own shape for the easel background and then started playing.....I am in love with this sweet half moon Santa from Sassy Cheryl and I thought he would look great.  However, he just looked SO plain sitting on the ornament - next thing you know I drew upon my inner Kiitie Caracciola  (oooh I love her work - you can check out her gallery here) and out came the Martha Stewart punch, some snowflake dies, blinginty bling and soon Santa was nestled amongst the greenery with snowflakes falling.  I do have to admit that at one point I had to tell myself 'step away from the bling' as I was afraid I might be getting to carried away.  Below I have posted the inspiration image and a second card I made using this same easel background I created and the Spellbinders Ornament die.....it amazes me how changing things like paper, and images can make three very similar cards look so different.

This is the inspiration piece, now watermark can't remember who did it, but they are talented. 

This is my second card using the shapes from my first one at the top of the page. 

     Just love how both of my cards turned out - beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  I have about 13 ornaments painted and finished and ready to go.  Thanks for looking. 

Materials:  Silhouette Cameo, Spellbinders Ornament Die, Bling, Martha Stewart Punch, Designed2 Delight Digital, Sassy Cheryl Digital, Designer Cardstock, Copic Markers, IO Snowflake Die

Challenges:  Just myself :)

Bethlehem....

        I recently found this awesome digi at Designed2Delight.  For whatever reason I became obsessed with creating a 3-D look with this.  My original plan was to do a Diorama card, but as I tried to think of the layout, I wasn't impressed with my ideas.  Then I saw this modified version of a frame card that folds flat.  This seemed perfect for my little city.

      I printed the image out three times.  Colored the main image then cut out and colored the front wall.  I also cut out the small building directly behind the wall and colored it, as well as cutting and coloring the two small buildings one each side of the top building.  I used various size pop ups, and some rolled pot dots to create a 3-D look.

      I have a picture tutorial on the layout and sizes, you can go to the bar at the top of my blog and click on tutorials to see it.   This was a challenge and for sure will go to someone special, but overall it wasn't hard once I figured out my measurements and the paper I wanted to use.  The overall size of the card is 5.5 by 5.5 and because it is a bit thick, due to the 3-D effect and layering, it will need a 6 x 6 envelope for mailing.  Or you could use a padded envelope to protect it more.  It was great fun and to do and I already have ideas for a few more with totally different image in them.

Supplies:  Cardstock, Stampabilities sentiment, Designed2Delight Digi, Snowflake Embellishments, Pop Ups, Copics, Spellbinders, Corner Chomper

Challenges:  The Paper Players 118 Framed, Oozak Die Cuts, Stampin' Sisters in Christ Peace