Thursday, September 8, 2016

Gold, Black, and White for Christmas

So... there I was this morning, browsing blogs, when I came across the Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #212, which is to use gold, black, and white only.  I no sooner saw that when I came upon the brand new CAS(E) this Sketch #189.  Put the two together and it creates an ultra-simple Christmas card.
 
 
 
 
These two challenges combined were like a license for simplicity, which I love, but struggle with.  I used a Tutti die called Wreath with Bow, and a Stampin' Up! Wonderful Wreath Framelits die for the "Noel".  The white card base is Neenah 110 lb, so very sturdy.  A simple sentiment inside finished it off in no time at all.
 
I wanted to do more with this color combo and different dies, but I spent a good part of the afternoon trying out a new banana crumb cake recipe so I could use up some overripe bananas.  Sheesh!  I used nearly every mixing bowl in the house, had a tub o' dishes to wash because our 22 yr old dishwasher conked out (new one on the way), and immediately had to start cooking dinner afterward.  More dishes to wash and still had to mix up a glaze for the cake and take the dogs for a walk.  This is why a CAS card is nice once in a while, and just think how many more Christmas cards I have yet to make!
 
Here are those challenges again:
 
 
 
 
 
Oh, and, by the way, the cake is yummy.  Recipe is here.
 
Thanks for dropping in, and have a great weekend!
 
 

33 comments:

Pauline said...

Oh WOW, CAS but very elegant. Love the gold wreath against the white background. What a beautiful die cut this is. And the black Noel is a very nice touch to finish off your card. This would be a nice card to mass produce! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe, it looks delicious! Have a great weekend.

Lisa Lara said...

Oh this is one gorgeous Christmas card Leslie. I just love that gold wreath.

Robyn said...

It's ultra beautiful as well....

Creating with Susan said...

This is so pretty! What a beautiful wreath!

KimCreate said...

Hey Leslie! You played in Merry Monday! Ya, this color combo is too pretty to pass up. Your card came out gorgeous, you could make a bunch of these to catch up a little if you wanted. Those die cuts together are perfect. Don't ya hate when a recipe takes forever? I have zucchini waiting for me to make into bread but I too will have to take out many bowls! :)

Yogi said...

Beautiful. Love the simplicity. have a great day

Kathy Krug said...

Beautiful card, Leslie. Nobody would not realize that you struggle with CAS. I think that it is the hardest type of card to design. Your two challenges really worked together fabulously.

nancy littrell said...

Simply Beautiful and elegant Leslie. TFS my friend. Hugs, Nancy

Leigh Penner said...

This is gorgeous! Wonderful take on the sketch!

Darlene said...

WOW what a beautiful creation Leslie! SIMPLE yet GORGEOUS!! Yes at this point I just might need to head this direction for my personal holiday cards ... especially if I do like I've done the past couple of years and sold out of holiday cards at the Fall shows and had to scurry to have enough made for myself! Not complaining mind you! LOL
Oh and that recipe sounds yummy! Bet your hands were nice and soft after all that dish washing! LOL Have a fabulous weekend my friend! HUGS to ya!

Stacy Morgan said...

Classy looking! that gold wreath look awesome and I like that it was a quick card!

Notes by Nina said...

Stunning CAS card, Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

Stampingcountry said...

Beautiful Clean and Simple Card!

Margaret said...

So elegant! Love gold on white with the pop of black. Must look into cas'ing this.

Sherri said...

Absolutely stunning ! And I do love a simple card too, but I seem to struggle trying to make one . And you have come up with the perfect card . And it sounds like you have come up with the perfect recipe as well . My mouth is watering just thinking about it ! If I lived closer I would be stopping for a piece! Good luck with the dishes! I feel your pain .....daily, in fact! I have never had a dishwasher!

Jen Mitchell said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! The gold wreath and the black sentiment are so striking! Thanks for playing along with us at CAS(E) This Sketch!

Donna Ellis said...

Everything you touch is elegant, Leslie - Love the way you were inspired by the challenge, and nothing is more classy than gold and black! Beautiful card! hugs, de

Jan Clothier said...

Simple yet stunning! So beautiful.

Marcia Hill said...

Lovely, lovely CAS card...perfection! Thanks so much for sharing with us this week at Merry Mondays! :0)

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

This card is stunning - and I love the color combination! The die cut is beautiful - so simple but so elegant! You are washing dishes and we are looking for a refrigerator! Fun times!

Colleen said...

WOW, don't you love it when 'things' fall together for you...first the wonderful color combo at Merry Monday, then bam...the awesome sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! You put together a beautiful card following all the rules! AWESOME! And thank you for playing with us at Merry Monday!!

Robyn Oliver said...

Stunning card Leslie, fabulous dies

Glenda said...

Leslie this is lovely! I love the white and gold with the black making it very elegant. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Perfect example of CAS elegance, Leslie! I love the wreath die! Sue (suen)

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Oooooooohhh - gorgeous! Love the colours with that sketch!!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Merry Monday.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Leslie, this CAS couldn't be more beautiful or elegant! I love the black, gold, and white together, and what stunning dies! And what a great take on the sketch. It's GORGEOUS, Leslie, and you rock with simple cards and more complex. You are amazing! Hugs, sweet friend!

Mildred said...

Thanks for the reminder that your blog had moved. I get Gardens and Goldens but haven't been getting your cards. Hopefully, I will now. Very nice card.

Kath said...

A fabulous card - very stylish.
Kath x

Ros Crawford said...

This is so beautiful ... I love the simplicity and the elegance! I know what you mean about the dishes ... whenever I bake there are a ton of dishes! I must check out your recipe ...

Lynette said...

What a fabulous CAS card, Leslie! Your crumb cake sounds like a lot of work, but so delicious! Enjoy your new dishwasher.

Conniecrafter said...

You did a great job with both of these challenges, I never would think of putting black with gold but it looks great together. Love that wreath die.
Sounds like it was perfect for the day you had, the cake sounds delicious though, hopefully with all that work :) Bummer about your dishwasher, our dishwasher is getting close to that age, but would be nice to have a machine that wasn't quite so loud, if the tv is on we have to turn it up to hear over it.

Pam Sparks said...

Beautiful Leslie! I love black and gold together! Bummer on your dishwasher... this happened to us a few years ago. I was so sad. We had to get new. The new ones do not dry the dishes near like the old ones, especially plastic. So annoying. I hope you have good luck and I'm curious what brand you bought? We had Maytag so bought another but man, I miss my old one. : (

Diane said...

Simple elegance and classy all rolled into one, gorgeous and a nice easy mailer for Christmas that packs a punch!! Recipe sounds great, and I have a dishwasher but always seem to have dishes....I have a lemon sheet cake I am goign to try, it has real lemons in it...when I have time, hopefully before the lemons 'croak'..LOL!!