Happy Holidays of Peace Love Joy ~ and Magic

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? I don't know about you, but my bottom is fitting more snugly into my chair today! We missed being with family and friends on Thanksgiving as we traditionally do, but we've been strong so far in 2020 and we don't want to falter now ~ especially with promising vaccines on the horizon. I'd rather be temporarily sad than dead forever! 💀

Fortunately, making cards helps me feel less sad and with so many Christmas cards to make, I'm positively giddy!

I saw this post by my friend Lisa Elton and her colorful Christmas trees schparked this design in my head. The tree and house die is CUTplorations Stitched Winter Landscape. The sediment is stamped in CP Black Jack. I thought it still needed a little sumpin sumpin so I masked and blended a ray of yellow shining on the house. A modern day take on the manger, if you will. Hammy winked the trees.

It turned out that the bottom stitched panel was a little wider than the card base. I could have cut another card base, but I thought it might be fun to add a little dementia, so I stuffed a piece of fun foam behind the hill like a padded bra. Here is another photo to better show you the curvation of the hill with the padding:

Challenges

• Rudolph Days: Anything Christmas goes.
  
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Anything goes.
  
• STAMPlorations November CAS: Anything CAS goes.
  
• Watercooler Wednesday: Heidi's all about occasions.
  

Twofer

This OLC was made using a NBUS wreath stamp from Spellbinders. I needed another wreath stamp like a hole in the head, but I love red rubber stamps that have the shading etched in the rubber to make it easy for you to look like an expert no-line watercolorist. The sediment is from Fiskars. 

I used markers and the 'direct-to-stamp' technique which I love and which is so easy with this stamp. Of course, Hammy was ready with his winker. Even with the red and white accenting, the whole card only took 15 minutes to make.

Challenges

• Less Is More: OLC "Festive."
  
• The Card Concept: I used the Clean and Simple style and I was inspired by the greenery and berries.
  
• TIME OUT: "Quick."

Threefer

Today is my friend Susan's 70th birthday and our mutual friend Lolly is acknowledging the happy occasion with a post and a linkup on her blog Stamping With Loll. Here is my card for Susan which I'm linking at Lolly's.

This nearly OLC card is the result of our last Zoom session where we did a technique of applying Versamark to a stamp, then gently pouncing powdered inks directly on the stamp, spritzing it lightly, and then stamping it onto paper. I used the Passionate stamp by Penny Black, Lindsey Magical powders (which leave wonderful glimmer and schparkle), and mixed media paper. 

At first I thought this would be a bit of a muddy mess because I couldn't really be precise with the powder, but I went along. After I stamped the first card panel, I was surprised and delighted to see how successful the technique was! 

As we all chatted away, I continued spritzing and stamping panel after panel, liking the results more and more each time. I ended up getting 14 gorgeous stampings. I finally stopped when the ladies implored me to "let it go!" 😆 Here they are laid out on the Playhouse floor:

I'm sorry you can't see the subtileties that showed up as the vibrancy of the ink faded. I can't wait to try this again with other solid stamps. Thanks again, Lolly, and Happy very-special-milestone Birthday, Susan!

Challenges

• Fun Friday (YNS): Make a card specifically for someone.
  
• Krafty Chicks: All occasions.
  
• Seize the Birthday: Anything birthday goes, with option of sparkle and shine.

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy, but keep safe! LITS!*

I am taking a break from posting for December, although I hope to do a bit of visiting, and I plan to post a December NBUS Challenge for you to share your accomplishments. I'm feeling like the Playhouse needs a reorg and I'll try once again to prioritize and tackle NBUS Mountain. It will also serve to simply remind me of what I have in my cupboards and drawers because, you know, forgetfulness is my super power now! I hope you all stay safe and make your holidays happy the best way you can!

*Life is too short!

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