The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Blue Christmas Joy

OK, I am really excited about the card I made this morning. After yesterday's less than stellar creation, I am super pleased with this one!!
Today I focused on completing the last of the {ippity} release week challenges, INRC3FALL2010, to use {ippity} stamps to create a Christmas or Holiday card that is in non-traditional holiday colors. So no red or green. . .

I don't have any {ippity} holiday stamps, so I had to think a bit on this one. In the end, I thought that the woodgrain star from Authentic Man would be perfect. The sentiment was a little harder, as I have nothing {ippity} that was Christmas-y. I decided to make a pennant banner {one of my fav techniques!} spelling out JOY with letters from the {ippity} sentiments that I DO have. The "J" comes from Authentic Man; the "O" comes from Love in Return; and the "Y" comes from Faith Blooms.

Oh, I've discovered an even better way to easily make pennant banners!! Want to know my secret?? I recently found this fabulous EK Success diamond punch (available from Amazon.com) As soon as I saw it, I knew it would streamline making pennant banners, especially when it comes time for stringing up all those little pennants. Punch a diamond, score across the middle, fold around a piece of cord for stringing, and adhere the front to back on the inside. Couldn't be simpler!!

I also used these challenges in the making of this card:
  • Splitcoast sketch challenge SC307: I flipped the sketch to make it work with my pennant banner design element.
  • EtsyInspired: #114, to be inspired by the wares of the Happy Day Designs Etsy store. I was inspired by the colors of this beautiful bracelet.
  • Tuesday Taggers: Peace, Joy, Love, to use one of these words featured somewhere on your project. I'm tickled pink that I have both JOY and PEACE on this card!
  • Critter Sketch: Texture (added with embossing)
We will be having our Thanksgiving dinner away from home next week, so DH requested that we have a turkey of our own either before or after, primarily for the leftovers we so enjoy!! So last night I roasted a turkey breast for supper, and oh, it was heavenly. The house smelled so good! We gorged ourselves and still had enough left over for turkey sandwiches for tonight's supper and two portions of turkey chunks for the freezer (these will be made into one of our FAVORITE turkey dishes on rush-rush nights in December).

Last night I also was finally able to finish getting my Thanksgiving cards to family and friends ready for mailing: jotting a note, signing, sealing, and addressing each one. I stopped at the post office this morning after delivering DS and my neighbor's daughters to school. Another task crossed off my list for this week!!

So, that just about does it for my little slice of bliss today. I hope you are having a super day of your own!! See you again soon :)

Card Recipe:
Stamps: {ippity} sets: Authentic Man, Love in Return, and Faith Blooms
Paper: PTI kraft CS, The Paper Company CS scraps, DCWV Winter Mat Stack DP
Ink: ColorBox frost white, Marvy LePlume II prussian blue marker
Accessories: EK diamond punch (for pennants), white EP, heat tool, buttons from my stash, hemp cord, white embroidery floss
Techniques: embossing

17 comments:

Benzi said...

Emily, I must tell you I love blue for Christmas. It has such a wintry feel to me. I really like the use of that star and I like your joy banner, too. Oh, am I excited and so glad you shared the diamond punch idea for pennant banners. I've never made one but I think this will be so easy. Can't wait to have one in my hands. LOL

PatR said...

Great card and such a fabulous idea to use the punch for the pennant banner. Thanks for playing along with the TT challenge this week.xx

Meg said...

Emily, you are just TOO clever! I'm going to run out and get that punch ASAP! Fabulous card, too, I love how clever you were at spelling out "joy"!

Kristy Smith said...

This card is GREAT! I love the colors and the stamps! =D

Joanne (jojot) said...

this card truly says CELEBRATION....fab

Susan said...

aren't you a smart cookie with the punch/pendant idea!!! That is so fast and cool, Emily. And I like your card with the SC layout.

Now you've got my mouth watering...but it'll have to wait for next Thursday!

Anonymous said...

wonderful card, I love the blue colors. Great tip for the pennants. thanks for playing the critter sketch challenge.

de said...

Gorgeous! Love the sketch and your color inspiration! Beautiful card!

Thanks for playing EtsyInspired this week!

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

Super cute, Em! :)

SmilynStef said...

What a clever way to use that punch ... fabulous Etsy Inspired Design.

Carol Hurlock said...

This is such a cute card. I really love your idea with the punch-should make doing the banners so much easier. Thanks for sharing.

Bear Hugs,
Carol :O}

Carola Bartz said...

This card is beautiful! I like the blue and the banner - thank you for telling us about the diamond punch. That looks like something useful.

Michelle said...

A lovely entry for this weeks challenge at Tuesday Taggers. Thanks for joining us.
x Michelle

Colleen said...

Such a neat card - love the banner! Thanks for joining us at Critter Sketch Challenges!

Unknown said...

This is lovely x Thanks for joining my challenge at Tuesday Taggers x Janet

marsha said...

This is just absolutely gorgeous! I love your colors and the banner is so unique! Thanks for joining us for this week's Critter Sketch Challenge and we hope you will come back and play again next week!
Hugs,
Marsha
CSCB-DT

Colleen Dietrich said...

How on earth did I miss this post?? I guess I was out in La La Land when you did this. So glad you shared your secret on making pennants. I'll be on the lookout for a diamond punch, now!