3rd Card this week.................

...................well, not quite - but watch this space :)

Saturday Morning

I've just been looking through the challenges for this week - I have ten Christmas Card Challenges that I follow.  That doesn't mean I am setting myself a target of ten cards per week - fortunately four of them are monthly or fortnightly, and there is always the chance that some of the challenges can be combined into one card.  There are also the times when I have to miss some of the challenges altogether - lack of time defeated me one week, and lack of materials has been another thing.  And of course my usual lack of inspiration & the shredding of failed attempts :(    I am hoping to be able to attempt four of the weekly challenges this week.

I must also get some everyday cards onto here - but I need to find at least a couple more challenges that will help to inspire me for the cards that I need to make.  I have been concentrating on Christmas cards & only made the everyday cards that I needed at the last minute - I should really get on and have the cards ready so that those that need posting can have a 2nd class stamp on (Yes I did remember to buy a stock of stamps before the prices increased :)  )

Monday Morning 

Well no cards ready to blog yet - I had a change of plans yesterday. I had a lovely walk out with Mum & Misty, we walked around a nearby nature reserve.  Then Misty came up here to spend the evening and night here.  So I had a bit of a change of routine - she wouldn't settle unless we were squashed together on the recliner.  I was escorted into the kitchen a few times - she knew there was an orange in a bag on the worktop & I was expected to share it with her.  She didn't like my chiming clock - I think she thought it was a doorbell.  She is also used to being up early with mum & dad so I have been woken before the alarm went off, and she is now hinting that it is time to do something - not sure what as it is too early for her walk & she doesn't have breakfast.


The cards are planned - at least for those challenges that I can attempt - I won't be able to attempt the challenge at Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club because they want a Tilda stamp on the card - & I don't have any Tilda stamps.  

Another decision I have made is not to consider the Less is More challenges as a regular challenge - they will be occasional, providing they fit in with cards that I need at the time.  Although I have only attempted two of their challenges, & I do like that style of card - I find them easier to do than those ones with 15 different patterned papers and 49 embellishments (-OK I know that is an exaggeration, but I find if I try two different patterned papers they scream at each other & so those are the cards that either get shredded or remain in my "rubbish cards" box.)  Anyway - back to the Less is More challenges - I don't have enough stamps or the right sort of card to do one layer cards and I was not doing many of the other challenges, so I will have a look for some other challenges that I can have a go at as a regular weekly challenge.


Wednesday Morning
Guess what - still no cards to photograph :)  I had an early night on Monday to make up for missing sleep Sunday night, & last night I was reading - just finishing off a free book on my kindle.  Then I watched a little bit of TV - Crafter's Companion were launching some new scoring boards to go with the Ultimate.  I haven't tried many of the other scoring boards around, but I got the original boards from CC many years ago & was very happy with them. I still have them now as well as the Ultimate. 

I have some toppers printed out, so I will be trying to get them completed tonight.

Wednesday Evening
It wouldn't be me if everything was wonderful with regards to my card making would it? 
I have two cards made.  (Three cheers) But I have serious doubts about bits of them.  Is there too much on them?  Or something missing?  If I remain undecided they will be at the bottom of the box along with a couple of earlier cards that I'm not happy about - to be used only in emergency.  Which reminds me I need a bigger tin than the Edinburgh shortbread tin that I have been using. 


Card One - 

The challenge from Winter Wonderland is a photo inspiration.  The stripes on some of the baubles reminded me of the candy canes.

Hazel asked for circles for this week's CHNC challenge - so that is the bells decorating the candy cane. 
The topper was cut into an oval shape using nesties - so this is the third card this month for the Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - April challenge.



Card Two -

The recipe from Jingle Belles 

1 - as white as a ghost

2 - a present

3 - a bow or knot

4 - a touch of traditional Christmas colours

There are definitely presents & some white on this card, bows on the presents & the topper.  I've perhaps not used many traditional colours - but I had the glitter card & matching vellum to use.


Both cards have candy canes on them so both are for the Bah! Humbug! challenge.
Both cards also have bows on - which is what Christmas Card Challenges require 


If you have read through all this waffle then the other bits of information about the cards is that the toppers and candy cane backing paper are from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Christmas CD.    


And you will notice that it is actually 4 cards made this week.  :)