Merry Monday #200 {Multi-Challenge Celebration!}

Merry Monday are celebrating their 200th challenge with a choice of themes this week. I truly thought I wouldn't find time to join in but it's amazing what a bit of determination can do when you try, especially as my card for last week's Merry Monday challenge had an Honorary Mention, which thrilled me no end. Here are the options to choose from - plenty of scope there for sure!

 

After rootling round a bit in my backing papers and stamps I picked the Snowman Theme - and came up with this:

I used:

- 6.75" x 3.75" white card blank

- first I stamped the snowman onto a snippet of white card using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink and an adorable Penny Black wood mounted stamp called 'Warm & Cold' - then coloured him in using Whispers brush markers

- fussy cut round the snowman and sliced across the bottom so the image would sit straight along the backing panel bottom edge

- the ready frosted snow scene backing panel was really a life saver (and maybe cheating a bit) but it did complicate the card measurements a lot. I've explained why and how I overcame the complications further down this blog post. I suspect the panel was from Kanban in the dim and distant past, it came with a silver border which had seen better days so that was first to go

- after trimming the backing panel to the carefully calculated size, I stamped the swirling sentiment using Memento ''Mediterranean Blue' ink and an Elzybells stamp

- then glued the snowman in place along the bottom edge

- glued the completed 'scene' panel onto a backing layer of slightly larger silver mirri card and then onto the card blank

The reason for the slightly odd sized card blank came about as a result of the backing 'snow scene' panel I used. It wouldn't have looked right on a full DL sized card and was too wide for the small long card size. Plus, I didn't have any envelopes that would be suitable.

So I worked backwards. Out came the Enveloper Pro leaflet and I found details for making a 7" x 4" envelope, using A3 paper (which I already have to hand for some odd reason). Next I calculated that a card measuring just quarter of an inch less along the top and down one side would be a good fit for a 7" x 4" envelope. And, the design of the backing panel had enough excess/spare sky at the top of the design to be able to cut it down to suit.

So, although you may think you're beaten at first, it pays to sit and fiddle around with possible measurements and options before giving up.

And, I found two more of the backing panels in my toppers box, so made three in one session. Sorry!

Di

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