When I Grow Up

Hello and welcome.  Today was mum's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mother.  I sent a card and a little something and Mr Postman actually delivered it on the right day.  Fantastic.  Isn't it great when it all comes together.  

I'm still working with Christmas in unusual colours.  Why not indeed....

Picked this box out of the plastic recycling bag the other day.  My man bought something electrical and threw it away.  I'll have that.  It looks like it wants to be something else.....

I covered it in this peachy coloured handmade paper with batik style stars.  So not my colour but the box loves it.   Added a piece of lace around the top.  

Over at Altered Pages it's all about elves.  So here's my elf.  I used a Rick St Denis image called Klub Kid Elf.  I've coloured her with sharpies and a violet Wink of Stella brush from Altered Pages.  If you look close you might see the sparkle.  I'm not so good at colouring but I think I might be getting better at last.  I admit to a having a couple of fussy cut accidents with a couple of her bells so I decided to used some rhinestones on the bells.  Got to have some bling at Christmas.  

I added another piece of lace to ground my elf.  The holly picture is from Altered Pages Collage Sheet 1050D Christmas Ivy which I layered on gold mirror card.  I did think this would have more embellishments but when I got to here it seemed a shame to hide any more of the gorgeous paper so there it is.  A recycled box.  All ready for some Christmas goodies. 

Joining the fun at 
Altered Pages Challenges - Elves
Eclectic Paperie Eteam Picks Challenge - Recycling 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you are having a great weekend.   See you in December..... 

Blame It On The Cat

Hello and welcome.  My crafting frenzy continues.  Starting to get complaints about not having been seen for days.  That's an exaggeration surely!!  Ah well soon December.  OMG, is that supposed to make it better?  Full speed ahead to the silly season.  I think this year needs to be arrested for speeding.  That said I am hoping for a better 2014.   2013 has been a bit of one crisis to another.  Unbelievable.  The law of threes cubed. 

I am getting a bit repetitious so apologies for that but things come out and get used and then I'm thinking I'll try that as well, while I can still find it in the chaos my craft room is becoming.  LOL.  OK, has become.  I'd roll on the floor laughing if I could find it!!

I started by selecting 2 snowflake shapes from Basic Grey Undressed chipboards Holiday Ornaments.  I forgot to take a picture of them so I took a picture of where they used to be!  Har, har.  These are basically diecut self adhesive chipboard that you get to colour yourself.  I decided to layer them to make a hanging ornament.  Before that I went a little crazy with the glittery stuff.  Just warning you. 

I decided I wanted an image in the middle of my ornament so I stamped using Hero Arts Snowman and cut him out with the matching Siziix framelit dies.  This set is called Joy Snowman.  Cute. 

I told you.  Bling.  IRL it shines, it shimmers.  The base snowflake was painted blue, still not the shade I was looking for.  I wanted something a bit cooler, but it seems to work.  I used Tando Ink Splatters mask and Imagination Crafts Jade Sparkle Medium for the pattern.  It's a lovely green colour but it's not showing so well in the photo.  It needed more bling so I filled in with irridescent glitter glue.  The top snowflake is painted white and then covered with irridescent glitter glue.  I added a bit of blue to the snowman and stuck him in the middle. Then I punched a hole in each point and added a Storyteller star to each one. 

Joining the fun at
Storyteller Utfordring 5 - Jul Uten Fargen Rød
That Craft Place Challenge - Stars
Basic Grey Challenges 108 - Cold and Frosty 
Hero Arts Holiday Challenge - A Few of My Favourite Things
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team November Challenge - Christmas
Imagination Crafts Challenge 5 - Glitter and Sparkle 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hurrah for the weekend. 

How the Dead Donkey Died

Hello.  Welcome.  Second post of the day.  It's that time of the month.  The end. LOL  I always focus well when the deadlines are looming.  

Working on some unusual colours for Christmas.  Unusual colours for me.  What fun......
I've used the November DCWV Stack-a-holic Ornament Challenge sketch and made a tag.
  

All the papers are from DCWV Cherry Limeade Stack.  I cut the ornament using Cheery Lynn Celtic Fire Doily.  I fussy cut Santa from LOTV Winter Wonderland art pad.  Looks like Santa's getting ready for Christmas.  I suppose the countdown to Christmas is even more important to him than to most of us.  Looks like Mrs Claus is going to be making a wreath.  LOL  The two stars are cut from green foam.  God Jul is Happy Christmas in Norwegian.  The metal stars are from Storyteller.  

 

I used some almost glow in the dark neon coloured wool that I bought at the local cheap shop.  I can't see anyone wanting to make a jumper from it, unless you want to knit a fluorescent safety jacket.  It seemed perfect with this colour scheme though.  


Joining the fun at
DCWV - November Stack-a-holic Challenge
That Craft Place Challenge - Stars 
Country View Challenges Challenge 9 - Letters 
Die Cut Divas - Let's Celebrate 

Thanks for your visit.  I appreciate it and any comments you might care to leave.  Take care, soon the weekend........

Wonderful Tree

Hello and welcome.  Just a quick post for a card I made for the final challenge at Joan's Garden.  Joan is retiring and Terri is taking over so this is Joan's final challenge.  I wish you a happy retirement Joan and thank you for the wonderful challenges and your generousity.

 

I used a base card I bought with this lovely round window detail.  It reminded me of a port hole and I did think about doing an underwater scene but as you see........  I've used Distress Inks Salty Ocean, Pine Needles and Mowed Lawn.  The window is backed with some patterned paper from Tilda.  The tree is Memory Box Tree of Wonder cut from gold mirror card.

Joining the fun at
Joan's Garden - window, tree, any colours
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for dropping by.  See you soon.  

Seven Swans a Swimming

Hello.  Welcome.  Glad you dropped by on this grey and misty day.  It's warmed up a bit but very yukky outside.  So here I sit, crafting like a good one. Well, trying.  

I folded a piece of A4 white card, stamped Hero Arts Stunning Snowflakes and embossed with pale blue embossing powder.  Then I covered the whole sheet with DI Salty Ocean and wiped the embossed areas to remove the ink. 

I

I cut a white panel and used Cheery Lynn Emperor Swan die to cut the aperture.  I mounted the panel on foam pads and layered it on the base card.  Using the Emperor Swan die I cut the fancy frame from some Tilda patterned paper and stuck it to the base card.  The dimension is totally lost in the photo. 

Over at Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge they were looking for non-traditional Christmas colours.  I though blue and white was perfect.  I've cut Pixie Guardian twice, once out of dark blue and once out of the same Tilda paper as the fancy frame.  I paper pieced the two die-cuts and mounted her on foam pads.  I added some ribbon top and bottom and a triple tied bow.  I think this is acrylic ribbon but it looks a bit like blue green shot silk and it's gone a bit strange in the photo.  The sentiment is computer generated.  It's Christmas.  Unto us a child is born.  

This card joining the fun at

Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 108 - Non-traditional Christmas Colours

 

I liked the base card so much I made another variation. 

The bauble is a Basic Grey undressed chipboard from the Holiday Ornaments set chp-358.  I painted it with a colour called chalky blue but it's a bit more purple than I was expecting.  I used a Prima stencil and Teal Sparkle Medium from Imagination Crafts.  Then I used silver glitter glue at the top of the ornament.  I added it to the card and a piece of fancy wool along the top.  The sparkle medium doesn't dry flat like the glitter glue but holds it's texture.  Also it dries fast.  Unlike the glitter glue.  So it's great for impatient crafters like me. Also, I had to take the photo to try and avoid the bling factor but that sparkle medium surely does sparkle. 

This card joining the fun at
Imagination Crafts Challenge 5 - Glitter and Sparkle
Basic Grey Challenges # 108 - Cold and Frosty
Hero Arts Holiday Challenge - A Few of my Favourite Things
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Kort o Mania Utfordring 97 - Lag et Julekort 

Thanks for visiting.  I appreciate that you took the time.  Hope the mojo is with you....

Six Ends Against the Middle

Hello.  Welcome.  I decided to get a bit organised LOL and made a list of the challenges I want to enter that are finishing this week.  Ooops!  That many?  Uhhhh....   So now I have a whole host of beginnings and middles.  Hoping to have some ends very soon.  The good news is it's cold, dark and wet.  Perfect craft weather.  

The chickens are very unhappy.  Especially Ashes who decided to do a major moult while I was on holiday.  She looks almost oven ready.  The new feathers are coming through, so actually she looks like a cross between an oven ready hen and a pin cushion! I do feel sorry for her as she stands there shivering.  I've tried to keep her inside but she's having none of that and would prefer to be out with the others in the cold and wet.  Actually maybe it's good it's wet cos then the hens all try to get under cover and huddle together, so she is probably warmer than if it was nice and they were all wandering all over the place.  I'm sure she'll be fine and in a few weeks she will look splendid.  I should try and get a before and after photo....

Hurrah got the birthday card finished.  I've used the sketch from this months Die-Namites Challenge and pink and white for the LOTV challenge.  The image is from LOTV Just for Girls Art Pad.  I cut it out using Cheery Lynn Dutch Tulip Angel Wing and added some DI Worn Lipstick.  Then I added some lace.  I layered this on a piece of white card I embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder and edged it with worn lipstick.  The base card is MME, also edged with worn lipstick.    

I used Die-Namites Wide Vase die cutting it multiple times from pink, white and green glitter card.  I paper pieced the flowers and the wide vase.    I loosely rolled a piece of white gauze and stuck it along the bottom of the image before gluing on the vase.  It looked a bit white so I added some iridescent glitter glue.  Then I thought the white card looked a bit bare so I added glitter glue to the embossed dots.  Then I decided my image needed some bling so on with the glitter glue........

 

Joining the fun at

LOTV - Pink and White 

Die-Namites November Sketch Challenge - Add Bling

Bunny Zoe's Crafts November Challenge - Shabby Chic / Vintage 

Crafting Musketeers Challenge 7 - Pretty Pastels 

Thanks for dropping by.  All comments loved and cherished.  Hugs and crafty wishes to you.

On a Cold and Frosty Evening

Hello.  Welcome.  Sitting in my craft room with cold toes.  The too hot to be indoors days of the summer seem so far away.  It's dark and cold and a good night for hot chocolate with marshmallows in front of a roaring fire.  The only roaring fire I'm likely to see tonight is the one on the DVD we bought LOL.  Also got a DVD of fish swimming in an aquarium.  Very zen........

I am supposed to be making a birthday card for Mum.  Uhhhhh...   OK, so we got a Christmas ATC instead.  Say La Doo Da.  After all, only a month til Christmas.  No, no, don't run away in a panic.  Deep breath, fish swimming, thoughts of chocolate and cosy toes.  There, much better.  I cut my ATC from some dotty glitter paper.  No idea who made this but it's delicious.  The image is from LOTV Winter Wonderland art pad.  I fussy cut it and gave the robin at the front a special stripy parcel to stand on.  I've also used a mini sparkly pom-pom on Santa's hat.



Joining the fun at
Papirdokkene Utfordring 53 - Nisse
Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge 111 - Spots and Stripes
Hjerteboden Utfordring 11 - Jul

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to make a birthday card.  Hopefully...........

Stamp Stamp

Hello and welcome to my little crafty corner.  I'm running a bit late today after my man needed a little help this morning.  So a very quick post cos it's almost closing time over at PaperArtsy.  Darcy made wrapping paper.  I thought great idea.

I started with a sheet of handmade paper from IKEA and stamped with DI Dusty Concord using the large stamp from LPC003

I filled in using DI Barn Door and the script , hat and crown stamps from LPC003.  Love that hat.....

A pretty package with some wool to wrap and one of the cute tags I made for Darcy's challenge last week.  Incidentally this tag was made using a blend of Fresco finish paints which Liz has demonstrated so well this week.  Will definitely be doing more painty mixes in the future.....

Joining the fun at

PaperArtsy

Thanks for dropping by.  Back soon to share more crafty fun with you

Jiggy Pig

Hello.  Welcome.  I'm home!  It's lovely to visit and see the family but it is nice to come home.  Back to my man, the cat, the rabbits, the chickens, the slightly frozen garden and the stash!  The embossing dance is OK for emergencies but now me and Big Shot get to really check out the new dies and embossing folders I picked up whilst in England.  Fun, fun, fun.  I decided to start with my new Cheery Lynn dies.  Love the intricate details with these.  Their challenge is Tag You're It so I decided to use the CLD Celtic Fire Doily Die to make a tag.  Bling warning......

I used gold mirror card for the die cut and red glitter card for the backing circle and the inner circle.  The letters are stickers and I used 10mm red satin ribbon for the bow and the hanger.   I liked this a lot so I decided to try some different colours....

I didn't get such a good colour match on the ribbon with the green one but I think these will make a great addition to a special gift.  You could always hang them on the tree once the surprise is unwrapped........

My tags are joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge - Tag You're It
Kort o Mania Utfordring 97 - Lag et Julekort eller Prosjekt
Die Cut Divas - Let's Celebrate
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Its a Mystery 

Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great weekend.  

Happy Wednesday

Hello.  Welcome.  Another quick post.  Over at Joan's Garden the recipe this week is black and white, a frame and Christmas.  I thought I could attempt this with my limited stash.  The result is a bit unusual but I kind of like it.  Maybe not a card for everyone.  Definitely not traditional colours.  It's growing on me.  

I started with a white card.  Embossed with Sizzix Tall Pines embossing folder and highlighted the whole with black ink.  Then I added a wooden frame which I coloured black with the white Merry Christmas sentiment.   Monochrome and moody.  What do you think??

Joining the fun at
Joan's Garden 
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra 

Thanks for dropping by.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.  Take care. 

Call Me Doll. Art Doll

Hello.  Welcome.  Isn't it always fun to try new techniques?   Over at Eclectic Paperie the challenge is to make an art doll.  Never tried this before but it sounded fun.  Looked through the limited stash and with a little help from my sister, who has found some little treasures, Art Doll is born......

I started with this piece of ribbon.  I decided it would make a good head and body so cut off one of the pieces.   Then I used a PaperArtsy stamp from Kids Plate 3 for her face. 

The legs and arms are the Christmas tree stamp from PaperArtsy SIEN10F coloured with sharpies.  Guess how I made them shine.  The heart and metal flower button are supplied by my lovely sister.  I had a vision of a daisy or gerbera behind her head.  Unfortunately a trip to town failed to turn up such a flower so I resorted to a gerbera sticker.  So, this is Art Doll.  Hope you like her.  My sister says she would make a good tree decoration so I am sure she will have a loving home here.  Isn't it great when our family and friends may not totally understand our art but offer support and appreciation anyway.  

Art Doll is joining the fun at
Eclectic Paperie Get Altered Challenge - Art Doll
Crafty Ribbons Challenge 70 - Anything Goes 
ALBC - Sparkle and Shine 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - It's a Mystery

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you are having a fun and crafty time.  

If you are wondering why there is such a radical difference between the ribbon colour the first photo was taken in natural light verses the second in artificial.  Sorry about that.  6 out of 10, must try harder.  Didn't realise there was such a shade difference until I had already posted.  Maybe I should try and get a daylight picture of Art Doll....

I Want To Be

Hello.  Welcome.  Just a quick little ATC to share.  Working still with a limited stash.  Kind of frustrating and liberating at the same time.  

 

This is a piece of card I embossed using Sizzix Carnival embossing.  I wasn't sure that the embossing dance had been successful but after going over with charcoal and using a tissue to blend it's pretty good.  I cut to ATC size and then added some black ink around the edge.  The tree is stamped from PaperArtsy SIEN10F set.  The letters are silver and came from a sheet I got at the pound shop with some added rhinestones.  

Joining the fun at
Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge - Anything Goes
Country View Challenges Challenge 9 - Letters 
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team November Challenge - Christmas 

Thanks for dropping by.  Back soon with more exciting art..........

Where You Bean

Hello.  Welcome.  A while since my last post.  I'm on holiday.  Yeah.  Forgot to put my desert island essentials in the travel bag.  Luckily I'm not actually on a desert island.  ROFL.  I had done a little retail web therapy so there were a couple of little parcels waiting at mummy's.    Ooh, look, did I order that? and that?? and really???  Ooh some goodies, some lovelies and some little gems.  Not many basics though.  A little trip to the Range and the pound shop and we are operational...... in a limited sort of way.........  gosh, I miss my stash.  

Darcy has set her one stamp six ways challenge again this week.  Such fun.  I haven't been so inventive with my stamp but am pretty pleased with my backgrounds.  I used a Docrafts stamp called Gold Star and Docraft pigment ink pads in black, white and chocolate.   Warning - long post, many pictures, occasional after midnight madness.   

Tag 1 - Teddy CAS

Darcy said keep it simple so here's my CAS version.  Teddy stamped in chocolate, distressed edge with added chocolate and a simple string tie.  

CAS Teddy tag joining the fun at
Stampotique Designers Challenge 125 - One Layer



Tag 2 - Cirque Teddy

One of my packages awaiting me was a selection of sizzix dies and embossing folders.  I am without my bigshot so have improvised with a couple of hardcover books.  I find that sandwiching the embossing folder and card between the books and doing the magical and fun embossing dance on top gives good to fair results, depending on the design and the quality of the dancing.  This is sizzix cirque which I applied chocolate ink to before embossing.  Was hoping for more solid colour blocks but pleased with just highlights.  

I stamped teddy in chocolate on a piece of card and fussy cut him.  Then stuck him over a stamped image and made good use of the fur on the first image as per Joanne's tutorial over at the PaperArtsy blog this week.  Two pieces of pink organza for a tie and another tag ready to go....

Cirque Teddy Tag joining the fun at
PaperArtsy

Tag 3 - Tick Tick Teddy

This is a triboss folder from Docrafts, Clocks.  A lot of detail to this one and the embossing dance wasn't so successful here.  Just main details which I have highlighted using a make-up sponge and some chocolate ink.  Then I stamp teddy in black.  Oops, missing a foot but that's OK cos I'm using Joanne's technique again.... 

Stamped teddy in black on a piece of card and fussy cut him.  Then stuck him over the bad stamped image but made good use of the fur on the first image.  Perfect.  Another chocolate distressed edge and a bit of black and white gingham ribbon.  

This tag joining the fun at
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Got Ink 

Tag 4 - Holo Teddy

I bought some scratch art kits for my nephew Jack, he's 4.  He loved them and my mum asked if you could just buy the sheets.  If you don't know what they are basically it's a sheet of card covered in colour with a black wax layer over the top.  Then you scratch a pattern and expose the colours.  Anyway, I've been keeping my eyes open and found some sheets and decided to make a tag and use white ink.  I think this one is wow.....

Turns out the under colour was holographic.  Might have to stock up on these!!  Stamped teddy in white then scratched the bottom of the tag using a distressing tool.  I haven't had much luck distressing things with it but it worked beautifully on the scratch art paper.  I also removed the black inside the star.  The sentiment is a silver sticker.  No hole punch at this location so no hole punched. 

Blue is the color of my true love's hair and blogger just ate all my photo's......

Tag 5 - Think Pink

This one is painted with PaperArtsy fresco finish Rose and then I mixed rose and butternut and applied it thickly through a TCW mini numerals mask.  

It's that chocolate ted again!  I've cut his star from patterned paper and folded it to give some extra dimension.  The tie and bell are from a chocolate box.  My sister has been very helpful in finding out small treasures to help the crafting crazies craft on.......

Tag 6 - Teddy Blues

I applied a strip of drywall tape and then got busy with the fresco finish Peacoat. Then I peeled off the tape.  This wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it's pretty cool so we will go with it.  Great texture.

I've added a teddy, some letters from a sheet I found in the pound shop and a ribbon tie.  Oh, that's Happy Christmas in Norwegian.  

Teddy Blues joining the fun at
Hjerteboden Utfordring 11 - Jul
Country View Challenges Challenge 9 - Letters
Kort o Mania - Jul Prosjekt 

Group hug

Here's the whole gang.  Cute or what.  

Got to love holo teddy.  Glad I caught that sparkle.  

These tags joining the fun at
Art and Sole - Gift Tag Challenge
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team November Challenge - Christmas 
Stamping Sensations - Christmas


Thanks for dropping by.  Leave a little love if you have the time and the inclination.  Wishing you crafty days.....

Legs Fell Off, Brain Exploded, Gorilla Ate the Bananas

Hello.  Welcome.  A special hi to Yvonne.  So glad you joined our merry little band.  I have been working on a mega-project.  It's all Darcy's fault!!  Hi Darcy :-)  Over at Art and Soul Darcy has used one stamp to make 6 different Christmas cards and challenged us to do the same.  Now sometimes an idea just grabs you and won't let go.  This is one of those ideas.  Not the best time for me.  I am supposed to be getting myself organised for my trip to the old country in a few days but needs must when the craft mojo rides......  Warning this is going to be a looooong post. 

I decided to use Ding Dong bird from PaperArtsy SIDD5 set.  Not a Christmas stamp but what's a challenge if you don't make it a bit challenging......
 
I started with some backgrounds.....

Hero Arts Stunning Snowflakes stamp embossed in white on blue card and blue on white card.

I used this metal art flower as a mask and used the technique shown by Alison over at PaperArtsy.

I used PaperArtsy fresco finish Pansy paint over the mask then flipped it over to get the positive print.

Then I added distress inks Dusty Concord, Mowed Lawn, Tattered Shutters and Pine Needles.

Card 1- Snowflake Ding Dong

I've added Distress Ink Salty Ocean to a pale blue base card and to the white embossed snowflake background.  I wiped excess ink off the embossed areas.   I stamped Ding Dong bird using blue ink on white card, fussy cut and stuck him on.  He's obviously impressed by those snowflakes.

This card joining the fun at
Hjerteboden - Jul
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Card 2 - Twinchie Ding Dong

Hurrah, my first go at twinchies.  I stamped Ding Dong bird using DI Salty Ocean, Barn Door and Dusty Concord onto three twinchies.  Then I masked and sponged on DI Tattered Shutters, Mowed Lawn and Pine Needles.  Mounted the three on a white base card and stamped a tiny happy under each one.  Happy Happy Happy Christmas

This card joining the fun at
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - CAS


Card 3 - Inspired by Alison

This background was so gorgeous I really didn't want to hide it too much.  I was going to try some holly leaves and berries but in the end decided green and purple was Christmas enough.  The frame has been sponged with fresco finish Pansy.  This Ding Dong bird was actually the mask for the twinchies card.  I just added some more ink to his body and tail.  I was going to cut his tail but decided I liked the way his tail is down under and his beak is up and over.  Not sure the Merry Christmas is totally right, made by Gail, but I wanted something bold.  These colours are fantastic.  You need to try this technique.

This card is joining the fun at
PaperArtsy 
Craft-room Challenge - Stencils and Masks
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Challenge - Christmas
Stamping Sensations - Christmas

Card 4 - House of Ding Dong

I've used red corrugated card as the base for my house.  I stamped Ding Dong four times onto white card and cut out the window apertures, frames and birds using Provo Craft mini frames dies.   The roof was cut from wallpaper using a spellbinders mini border die.  I added a handwritten sentiment and some snowflake confetti.

House of Ding Dong is joining the fun at
Joan's Garden -  red, white and a hint of green, negative die cut, snowflakes
That Craft Place - Sentiment
Kort o Manis Utfordring 96 - Alt Gar Sa Lenge Det er Jul

The whole gang.

Joining this set over at
Art and Sole Christmas Card Challenge
Me and Mine BtCR total 37

Was hoping to do more but run out of time.  Got to catch a plane in a few hours and so many things I still haven't done.  Story of my life.  Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great Sunday.  Still haven't heard from two of my candy winners.  Is it you????

Many Shades of Gold

Hello.  Welcome.  Chilly here tonight.  My man drove to town today and said it was white going over the top.  Good job we changed the tyres yesterday.  They have a very sensible habit in Northern Europe of having a set of summer and a set of winter tyres.  In the UK a splash of snow on the ground and everything grinds to a halt.  Norwegians just don't understand that.  There's got to be power outages and so much snow you can't find the house before things stop here.  Then we just stay in, drink hot chocolate, eat waffles and wait for the snow plough.  Or the farmer.  You can always rely on the farmers to be driving around with a plough because they have to keep working.  Animals and all that jazz.  

I think I have previously done a post about the shades of white.  Since I was doing another white and gold extravagance I have been struck by the variations in gold as well.  My gold mirror card that I love and have been using for many years is coming to an end and the chances of sourcing the same type are thin.  It's a lovely yellow gold with a shine almost good enough to see yourself in, but it does scratch very easily. 

I used my gold mirror card and Poppystamps Diamond Background die.  Isn't it gorgeous.  This arrived today.  I was very lucky and won this in their recent release celebration and had been waiting patiently, OK, a bit impatiently LOL, for it to arrive.  I was taking out all the negative cuts when I paused to admire it and thought it looked quite interesting with some of the cut outs still in.   Incidentally the negative cuts are a very interesting shape and may make a reappearance in another project.  I've used Memorybox's Frosted Christmas Tree cut and embossed from gold metal.  Against my mirror card it looks almost like copper but it is gold, brown side of gold.  I highlighted the embossed areas with WOW White Puff embossing powder.  Great raised texture.  The tree stand is a metal embellishment from Korthobby.  The star is a brad and I've used a pre-printed sentiment.  I added some tiny white pearls at each of the branches.  

My tree is joining the fun at
WOW! - Christmas or Winter
Korthobby - Jul
Hjerteboden Utfordring 11 - Jul
Kort o Mania Utfordring 96 - Alt Gar Sa Lenge Det er Jul
ALBC - Sparkle and Shine
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 149 - Bling it Up
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra For November
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Thanks for dropping by.  Back soon with a very interesting challenge project, I hope.......