Tuesday 25 February 2014

Batch baking Christmas cards

A few challenges were in my sights when I sat down to think about making this card.

1. Rudolph Day where you have to make at least two Christmas cards for Miss Sarn - so for me that meant thinking of something I'd be happy to 'batch bake' as I don't mind making a few cards the same, although different ones would be fine too so long as they're in the one post.

2. Then, over at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge, Hazel wants us to use a sentiment so I found three identical LOTV Art Pad images really asking to have a sentiment stamped onto them - without the aid of a safety net stamp positioner even 'cos I chose a clear one (me not totally stoooopid).

3. Hmm, so what to do with the image? I know, let's go and check out the current Sketch Saturday Challenge. Perfect, then I was on a roll here:

This is one card.

And 'the trio' photo to show Sarn that I made at least two cards.

And this is the Saturday Sketch - I know, I probably followed it slavishly by using stars and exactly the same layout - but it was just so right for the image and patterned paper/card I wanted to use, so why tinker? Plus I really didn't feel up to doing handstands on the desk to look at the sketch upside down :)

I used:

- 6" x 6" square white card blank

- LOTV pre-coloured image from the 'Christmas Angels' Art Pad, trimmed and mounted onto silver mirri card

- sentiment by Personal Impressions' 'Many Greetings' set - I do so love this set and often turn to it - stamped using Memento 'Paris Dusk' ink pad

- the main dark blue patterned backing card is by Kanban, called 'Twinkling Stars', and the paler blue snowy paper is by LOTV from their 'Frosty Christmas' pad

- all that was left was to die cut three stars per card using a snippet of leftover silver mirri card and a couple of MFT Die-namics 'star' dies

As I made three cards the same, I reached my target of 12 Christmas cards per month - with a few days and one card to spare :) Whoop, whoop!

I'd also like to enter into Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for February where it's always anything goes.

And, the current theme over at 'Winter Wonderland' is 'The most wonderful time of the year' which is nice and open as well.

Caramba, all this linking took me ages!

I said above that 'me not totally stooopid'. Len would dispute that, I was all set to go to the dentist a week early last week and then on Sunday I was rabbiting on about plans to be out for most of yesterday with a pal. Duh, thankfully he reminded me that it's today we go out to play and not yesterday else I'd have been knocking on her door a day early! Sigh.

If I owe you a little Playground visit, I will be there ASAP to comment but today I'm out playing with a friend - hope that's OK huh?! Right now they seem to be dropping like flies :(

Di
x

30 comments:

  1. I just love your adorable card! All those stars, the cute image, the pretty blue background, the sketch - everything! And congratulations for being right on target with your Christmas card production!

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  2. Can we keeps the friend bit quiet like cos me no wanner drop like a fly!! These are super Miss. Twas thinking of going blue dis time twoee. Got my images out on my desk ready to do a batch baking.
    Hugs Mrs A.

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  3. Love the LOTV, love the sketch, love the colors (also love the easel!) I'm glad you got a chance to go play with a friend. You have to enjoy your friend when the chance presents itself. It's called Life. This other stuff is just blogging! Choose Life every time! Hugs & TFS

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  4. Great toppers, great papers and great sketch! What more could you want?

    I am so impressed...somehow I missed that you wanted to make 12 cards a month. Well done you for meeting your goal and then some!

    I have my cards all laid out on the worktop...tomorrow is craft day with my neighbour and we are making Xmas cards! Have to get my Rudolf day cards finished somehow...

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  5. A fabulous trio Di and the sentiment is just right xx

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  6. Lovely trio of cards. Really like the picture you've used.

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  7. Gorgeous trio Di,
    fabulous use of sketch
    hugs Tamara

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  8. oh well done Di - stamping with no safety net three times - wowza very brave and a lovely finished result too.
    Ann xxx

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  9. Love your cards Di. Hope you have a lovely day out.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  10. beautiful cards, well done on keeping to your targets!
    Tilly

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  11. Morning Di . . . aww . . .thank you for entering these 3 little beauties into Rudolph Day. They really are adorable.

    Hope you have lots of fun on your play date today!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  12. Awww pwetty cards there Miss.
    Hugs
    xx

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  13. Simply Gorgeous are your cards Di just love that adorable image and these will add to your christmas card list xx

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  14. Some very cute Christmas cards - well done on doing three!!
    Have fun out, eat cake and gossip. enjoy your time with your friends, tis a precious thing xx

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  15. Very cute cards Di and great job on all three of them! Hope you have a great day today huggles Sue xx

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  16. Great cards with a lovely serene scene. From my point of view that was way too much thinking to be done to get to the finished point. I don't see anything wrong with following the sketch to a "T" Isn't that what it is there for?

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  17. These are gorgeous, love the sketch you have followed! Very organised to be making christmas cards so early! x

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  18. These are perfect Di. It is such a charming image and goes so well with backing papers and the sketch. And of course, the sentiment is just right too. Kate x

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  19. Gorgeous card here Di,beautiful papers,lovely image, and a perfect sketch to compliment both.
    I hope you had a good time with your friend.
    Jean x

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  20. Fabulous set of card, love the image and the sketch that you have followed. Well done on hitting your target and I have just turned myself into your worst enemy!

    Kath xx

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  21. a beautiful Christmas card, thank you for joining us and preparing for that Special Time of Year
    hugs Kate xx
    Winter Wonderland DT
    ps I have some new release candy if you are interested :)

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  22. Thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges with your lovely cards from your batch baking sesseion - hope to see you again soon. x

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  23. Too true, some sketches don't need handstands and tinkering they just work.
    Hope you have some happy smiles come your way soon x

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  24. Excellent, so pretty, Di, and well done entering all the challenges! I'm glad to see someone else playing lots and having fun!! Speaking of, hope you had fun with your pal!! Hugs, Darnell

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  25. Gorgeous cards Di. The sketch doesn't look much but you certainly transformed it into a gorgeous card design. Oh, and how glad am I that I'm not the only one that gets all geed up to go to the dentist just to discover I've got not just the wrong date but the wrong week! It's those senior moments - they just can't be avoided :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  26. Thank you for joining us at Winter Wonderland with this fabulous creation!
    Such a gorgeous LOTV image and lovin all the blue too :)
    Kelly.x

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  27. Perfect use of the sketch! These are beautiful cards!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Sketch Saturday!!

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  28. Lovely card and interesting layout. I neeeeed to catch up with you, 12 a month would be fab. Xxx

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