Thursday, December 6, 2018

Stitched Christmas Critters

Hello, friends!  I'm on a roll with simple die cut Christmas cards.  'Tis the season for the cards to get quick and easy, isn't it?  Today is the first of several designs for in between the coloring.

I could not resist this Stitched Christmas Characters die set.  They're so ultra-playful and fun I made nine cards -- three with each character.  I was able to cut all the dies for all three critters in one pass through my Big Shot.  Just did that three times on white card stock and my critter parts were ready to color.  First is the reindeer.




I found it easiest and most enjoyable to cut them in white, then sit on the couch with my Copics, my glue pen, and my own real life cuddly critters tucked up close.  In no time I had the die cut characters colored and assembled.

Here's the polar bear:




The parts are not so small as to be unmanageable.  Even the noses and pom poms were easy enough.  I balked, however, at the eyes.  Those were added with a black marker.   I love the fox, but I'm not thrilled with how my drawing of his closed eyes turned out.  Seems like it should have been so easy, sheesh.  Maybe next time I'll try the die cuts.




Neenah 110 lb white for the card base.  I made frames with Die-namics Wonky Stitched Squares and backed them with designer papers.  Added a snowflake with circle-punched sentiment.  The "joy" is an old SU Glad Tidings set.  It's a solid square stamp, but I almost always punch it into a circle.

It took all my control to keep from varying the designs or adding more, but I'm glad I managed.  I like them just like this.  Maybe I'm learning.  Have a happy day!



27 comments:

Glenda said...

These are all super cute! I really love the first one with those big eyes! Also the word JOY and it's frame really caught my eye!

Sherri said...

Omg! How adorable are all these cute, cute critters! Another die set for my wish list! I love them all! Especially the fox who reminds me of mine! Since two of the neighbor ladies started feeding her, I rarely see her now . I miss her morning visits to my house ! I tried to explain to them how wrong it is to feed wild animals but they just ignore me and continue to do it ! These are divine, Leslie!!

aussie aNNie said...

Absolutely adorable, lovely designs and awesome dies.... brilliantly created.xx

Diane said...

Well here are those little critters and oh my, they are so darn CUTE!! I love them all but that Bear with the blue polka dot background is calling to me...now I need to get mine back out and use them!! I am trying so hard to not put in an order until next year, but I saw several dies that I
'just have to have'...you know how that is!!!

Cindy Beach said...

I LOVE these cards so much, Leslie! Critters make for fun and funky cards and the simplicity of your designs highlights these adorable animals. Checked out the dies, and they are on sale today - a really good value! What a great idea to cut in white and then add color. I will have to try that!
Quick cards, maybe. But they are delightful, every one.

Yogi said...

they're all cute. good to see your resistance... Have a great day

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Ohh!! this is an overload of adorableness!!!
Love the beautiful pattern papers behind your sweet little critters Leslie, and the snowflake proclaiming nothing but JOY!!
Beautiful work, my friend.
XO
Maria.

Traci M said...

Oh my goodness...these are the very essence of cuteness, Leslie!! I love the colors and design! Makes me wish I had those...but am thinking if I ordered now I wouldn’t have them in time to make and assemble...which is really a good thing to show even a teensy bit of restraint when it comes to Christmas related stamps and such. You really added just the right amount of color and design! Love the polar bear with those cute blue polka dotted background!! They are all so sweet and festive!

nancy littrell said...

Such cute characters and adorable CAS designs, Leslie. I thought all your drawn eyes turned out perfectly. TFS my friend. I have either mailed or got all my cards ready to hand deliver and discovered I am 5 short..I am planning on making 5 multiples with a few differences today:-) It sure is a busy season, but fun sharing and connecting with old and new friends:-)

Merry Christmas my dear forever friend, Hugs..Nancy

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love all these cards with those cute critters. They make such fun cards! Thanks for sharing.

Lynette said...

OH, these are all so sweet and cute, Leslie! I love them all. They are perfect just the way you left them:)

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous CAS cards love all the stitched dies and cute critters -love them all but the polar bear is my favourite --Christmas is defintely a time for CAS quick and cards-you just have to remember which ones you sent to who so you don't send the same next year!!!Think next year I am doing one design and send to all problem solved (if I remember that is lol)
Carol x

pam said...

Love your beautiful Christmas critters Leslie, fabulous cards you created.
Hugs Pam x

Donna Ellis said...

Cuteness personified as bear, fox, deer! Love your tiny stitched critters, Leslie! I especially like Rudolph's nose and the happy designer backgrounds for each of your framed fur friends! Darling! hugs, de

Darlene said...

These are AWESOME! (Just added them to my cart! lol) And, you've showcased them beautifully! GREAT job my friend!

Pauline said...

These are awesome! You make it sound so easy to whip these up! I would have to say my favourite is the fox, there is just something about fox images I love, but I don't own any, I guess I'll need to add one or two to my inventory. Each one is delightful with the wonky stitched border square, snowflake and the lovely papers. My gosh, they are so adorable. Thanks for sharing today Leslie, these sure made me smile. It's nice to have some quick cards to produce in between the colouring.

Christine Alexander said...

Leslie, these guys are so adorable. I love that polar bear image and think I might just have to get this set :)

Conniecrafter said...

These are all terrific, so cute, I love how you did the eyes on the fox too, I can't even pick a favorite! So smart to keep them all the same design to make it go quicker and I love the coloring!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

Your little critters are so cute! I love it when you can cut a bunch out at once - makes life a little easier! The framed die is just perfect to show them off! I think the bear is my favorite!

Papercraft Boutique said...

These are super cute, Leslie! I love the fabulous CAS design with the adorable critters! Great color & pattern choice for each background!
Hideko xx

Pam Sparks said...

Love them! Now you're making me want more dies! So, so cute, festive and fun Leslie!

laurie said...

I LOVE your cards! They are on my list...so adorable. They are ALL so fun I could never pick a favorite.

Darnell said...

Oh, my friend, you have SO much more engerny than I do! Your definition of "quick and easy" is so different than mine which is pretty much stamping an image and tying a bow on it, lol! I'm not always lazy, however, so I would definitely love playing with these adorable critters! They are showcased perfectly with their pp backgrounds and stitched frames ~ and I think you did a great job on their eyes! 🎄Happy Holiday Hugs, Darnell

Ros Crawford said...

Oh I do love your cards and especially the one that arrive in the post! Thank you!! These are adorable and so beautifully done

Susie said...

Now I'm going to be honest here. I have never been a fan of the new "Storybook" character dies that are sold through SimonSaysStamp and seem to be all the rage, but... these characters and your cards are ADORABLE! I LOVE the Polar Bear! No wait, the Fox, Ah, I love em' all!!

These sweet cards put a smile on my face this evening! Cute, cute, cute!!!

Hugs,
Susie ~

NickScrapShack said...

These are gorgeous. So cute!

Stacy Morgan said...

Hee hee oh these are totally adorable. Lots of die cutting I would agree, doing them in white then coloring might be easiest. That reindeer is just totally cute... Adorable all around.