Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Candy Cane Christmas

I've been waiting with bated breath for the new CAS Christmas Card Challenge and it's finally here!    It should be great encouragement, not only for getting some Christmas cards done, but for practicing clean and simple simultaneously.  The theme this month is "Holly".

Now, I'll admit I've had these cards in the works for a while, but quickly finished them up so I could play along.  I used one of my new (sort of) stamp sets.  I'll call it new because I've only had it since just before Christmas and hadn't used it yet.  That's new by my way of thinking.  The stamp set is Power Poppy's Berry Sweet Holiday.  I made two cards with this clean and simple design:




Colored with Copics, cut out and popped up.  Glitter on the berries.  All the white is Neenah 110 lb.  The peppermint candies are one of the stamps in the set.  Gloss was added.  I was thinking along the lines of large-ish enamel dots.




So, the first card is my entry in the CAS challenge, but I also made two of these:




CAS gals, turn your heads 'cause there's a lot going on with this design.  Ribbon, layers, designer paper... on a semi-tall card.  Still mailable with one postage stamp, though.





I'm always trying to figure ways to use my massive hoard of ribbon without adding a big, bulky bow.  In the photo below you can see an idea that worked well for this card.  I used an old SU double rectangle punch to create slots through which to thread the ribbon.  I placed an enamel dot over top so it looks like the ribbon is all cinched up in a brad. 




Here's that challenge link again.  The DT has some fantastically inspiring cards:

CAS Christmas Card Challenge:  Holly




I hope to play again before the month is over.  Thanks so much for visiting today.  I'll be back with more "playing with new stuff" later this week.  Stay well!


Stamps:  Power Poppy Berry Sweet Holiday  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, textured white, SU Real Red and Polka Dot Parade designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Real Red, Copics  Accessories:  Diamond Glaze, Diamond Stickles, enamel dots, double rectangle punch, Fiskars scallop edge scissors, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

26 comments:

Glenda said...

Oh you clever girl! First I want to comment on your use of the ribbon. It's is definitely a different twist and I really love it! Your cards are beautiful; sometimes clean and simple is just the ticket! Beautiful!

Joan B said...

gorgeous!!!

Diane said...

Oh so very pretty....yes a great start on your Christmas cards and a great idea to do it NOW! Very pretty stamp and of course colored gorgeously! The peppermints I thought were brads as I have some, they looked so real!! I might just have to do this challenge myself, I saw they were going to start and then forgot about it, so thank you for the reminder. Good idea about the ribbon as I seem to use bows a lot (by spells) and they sure do add to the mailing cost, but I seem to keep doing it lol!! Have a wonderful day!!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a wonderful start for your Xmas cards!! Love how these cards turned out, especially the unique way you did your ribbons. I have to check and see if I have that punch. The peppermints are adorable as well. It is nice to be able to mail the card with one stamp.

Darlene said...

FANTASTIC!!! Oh girlfriend I give you credit! I can't even think about holiday cards right now ... just can't! LOL But you sure have shared some awesome inspiration (if I were in the mood!) LOVE that ribbon treatment idea ... putting that into my holiday memory bank. Very clever! Both cards are beautiful but you know I struggle with CAS design ... though beautiful, I squealed in delight when I saw your second card! LOL Just goofy that way! Hugs and Happy Day! Awesome share!

Evelyn S. said...

You do the Power Poppy images proud! And personally, I love all the detail on that second card...sometimes, CAS is too CAS for me. ;-) These are such terrific Christmas cards.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both cards are so beautiful using this wonderful image. Great coloring and details added to them as well.

Yogi said...

I definitely do not want to think Christmas... We've had record breaking snowfalls and I'm fed up...

Very pretty card though. Have a great day

Kathy Krug said...

Fabulous coloring on the candy canes. I love both designs. The CAS is gorgeous, but the papers and ribbon are gorgeous too. Love that you showed us one stamp two ways.

Donna Ellis said...

Wow! Both cards are fabulous! What a difference in the CAS and more ornate card, Leslie. I love both. Thanks for the tip about the ribbon - great idea and it looks really great with your matching green "dot" to match the dotted borders! Lovely! hugs, de

Loll said...

This is a beautiful image Leslie and you've colour it to perfection!! LOVE the CAS design of your first card. The glossy candies are a wonderful detail to tie into the sentiment. Great design!!

LOVE the second card. Why not make two while the supplies are out??!! Now you have more in your Christmas card stash. I've been trying to do that too. The mix of patterned paper with the image is so pretty. Love the tall size as well. But the ribbon is what I noticed right away ... so cool how you've added it. LOVE this very unique and creative detail. Must keep that in mind as I have a huge stash of ribbons that never sees the light of day. :)

Thanks for sharing your first card with us at CAS Christmas! xx

Lynette said...

Wow to both cards, Leslie! I always, always love looking at your colored images. I love the simplicity of the first one (of course :) ) and the second one is amazing. Love what you did with the perfect ribbon, too.

laurie said...

Aren't you the clever one!I love that ribbon idea. It looks just perfect. Both cards are so pretty too!

CherylQuilts said...

Leslie, I love both of your cards, and it's such a great idea to color two images and make two cards. I love the CAS and the other "more is more" - remember that? :) Beautifully colored and fussy cut, and what stunning cards they are -- yet different. Love your fabulous twist with the ribbon...mental note of that one, and I love your use of the sweet little candies! Hugs!! xoxo

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Leslie these are just beautiful, your clean and simple is just gorgeous, all that it needs is your outstanding coloring, love the glossy added to the candies for a touch of embellishing, that sentiment is so sweet and delicate looking.
Now you know how my mind thinks more is better and your second card shows that, fantastic hint about using the ribbon without the bulk, I totally love it, looks terrific and like your patterned paper borders, I believe I have this one in a digital image, you have given me such inspiration!!

KimCreate said...

Leslie, super pretty xmas cards! Your coloring is fabby as usual. :) Love the red and white mint candies.

pam said...

Two beautiful Christmas cards Leslie, you amaze me with your gorgeous colouring and wonderful clean looking cards.
Pam x

Bonnie said...

Wow! You have done a fantastic job of coloring this beautiful Christmas bouquet, Leslie! I love the peppermints scattered about! I love the second card too! Polka dots always make me smile and I love the ribbon treatment! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Christmas!

Christine Alexander said...

Leslie, I love that stamp and your awesome colouring :). Both are such beautiful cards from the simplicity of the first with all that white space framing the holly, to the super clever way of cinching the ribbon and great use of DP. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas :)

Cindy Beach said...

Ooh, what a gorgeous image and your coloring shows it off beautifully! Your CAS is perfectly lovely, as are the others. I am fondest of the pretty way you used the ribbon. This is one of my favs of your recent Christmas cards, I just love holly and traditional colors.

Ros Crawford said...

You did it again... left me speechless... Wonderful cards Leslie and so beautifully coloured!

Lisa Lara said...

oh such gorgeous Christmas cards Leslie. I love how you colored the candy to look so real with the highlights.

Pam Sparks said...

It's beginning... oh, I'll stop singing! hoho I love both your cards! What fun...the spirit of Christmas lives inside us all year long! Gorgeous coloring and creating!

Stacy Morgan said...

Oh these are awesome... Wonderful CAS designs! I think that ribbon is the bomb with the candy cane and clever way to hook the ribbon, might need to try that sometime. Glad you are enjoying your Christmas cards and getting a head start. :-)

Vicki Dutcher said...

Beautiful cards! I love the one with that fun candy cane ribbon.

Nance said...

Fabulous cards, Leslie! Love that image and both cards are beautiful. Thanks for playing with us at CAS Christmas in our first monthly challenge!