Tuesday 4 January 2022

First Christmas Card 2022!

Last year I joined in at CAS Christmas for almost every month apart from one so am trying to have another go this year. Seems quite weird making Christmas cards so early but last year playing along every month helped me a bit so there was not as mad a rush at the end which was just as well considering the house situation!
I also have not yet re-packed  the few Christmas stamps I'd got out so it made sense to use them!

The first challenge of the year is 'Silver and Gold'.

I took a circle stencil/mask and lightly inked the outside in Hickory Smoke then tore some paper to make 'snow drifts' inside the circle and inked.

The stamps are all from Lavinia and Inkylicious.
The embossing was a bit tricky!

I did all the silver stamping and embossing first, then embossed the gold tree. Used an embossing pen to dab onto the berries and gold embossed.
I was a little apprehensive in case I overheated the silver and made it dull but thankfully it all turned out OK and it really is shiny in real life!

The sentiment stamp was a freebie in a craft mag last year - was quite disappointed with it as it didn't give a crisp impression but you can make out the words 'Winter Greetings' when you have hold of it so overall am quite happy with the way the card looks.
One down - lots to go!
Peace On Earth have a Christmas theme of  'Anything Goes', so am popping this into their gallery too and Country View Challenges January challenge is 'A Year to Sparkle and Shine'.

33 comments:

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful card love all the silver and gold embossing
Carol x

Aquarius said...

What a brilliant combination of some lovely stamping and stencilling - the silver and gold certainly have great impact. Hope that 2022 comes good for you 😉

AlisonC said...

So beautiful. I was thinking trees for the gold and silver challenge. I must try and enter every month too. I love the addition of the branch at the edge of the circle. x

HilaryJane said...

This is fabulous, you should be really pleased with it. I love your soft shading and the wonderful gold and silver embossing. It is always tricky to use 2 colours but you have achieved it with style. Well done for getting straight in there with cards for next Christmas. I am still recovering from this Christmas! xx

Joan said...

Beautiful card Viv, I am still tempted to make more Christmas cards as I can't get interested in doing any other sort. Hope your house move gets a shift on now !


Joan x

Carole said...

I really love this Viv..its super stunning..well done on getting a head start. happy New year to you..lets hope its a moving time for you!..lol xx

Bonnie said...

Ooh, this is so elegant, Viv! I'm impressed with your two toned embossing and the sponged frame!

TK said...

Very pretty -- love all that shimmer and shine! I also love that you used the center mask for the circle, so pretty

Christine Alexander said...

amazing combination, I love the effect with Lavinia and Inkilicious stamps. thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas ♥

Loll said...

STUNNING card Viv! Your design is so beautiful and elegant. I never think to add sponging around a circle, what an amazing effect to create your snowdrifts and embossed trees inside. Love it! xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

What a stunning CAS card Viv. This is a challenge that I've mean't to take part in but never got around to it. Maybe this year I might make it.

Sue xx

Kathy Krug said...

Beautiful embossing. I love the mix of gold and silver. Great CAS design. Thanks for sharing with us at Peace on Earth Challenge Blog. We hope you will join us throughout the year.
Kathy
POE DT

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Well what an absolute beauty to start off the year Viv. I've sadly lost my mojo, so nothing crafty going on here at the moment. I did try making a card for your challenge a couple of days ago but it was a complete disaster and so I decided to stop there before I just ended up wasting poads of card! your card is a stunner and the colours work together beautifully xx

Diane said...

Gorgeous and elegant card! Thank you for joining our challenge at Peace On earth!
Diane POE DT {Nellies Nest}

Mac Mable said...

Fabulous heat embossing and extra love the way you've done the 'circle' on your beautiful card Viv x.

Darlene said...

Oh Viv this is simply GORGEOUS! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Peace On Earth Christmas challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often. We appreciate your support on our new challenge adventure!!

Darlene
PEACE ON EARTH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

Cathy said...

Beautiful! The sponging and snowdrifts look amazing with the embossed images Viv, such a gorgeous design, thankyou for playing along at CAS Christmas, Cathy x

Susan said...

What an absolutely gorgeous card - love your use of the gold and silver for the CAS Christmas challenge! Creating the circle with some soft inking and the addition of the berry branch is such an effective design tactic. It sets off the trees perfectly. Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Christmas! And since I'm also on the Peace on Earth design team - thanks for linking up with that challenge as well!

Sue said...

Gorgeous and elegant, Viv x

Ros Crawford said...

I adore this Viv... the framed trees using a stencil is so beautiful!
Wishing you a very happy and successful year!

nancy littrell said...

Love your soft stenciled circle masked sponging and your added silver and gold stamped and heat embossed trees and circle border with gold and silver eb powder. Gorgeous elegant Christmas card, Viv. TFS Love and Hugs..Nancy

Lee said...

Really love this Viv.xx

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous card, Viv! You have showcased these pretty trees beautifully with your gold and silver embossing, and I love your soft snowy hills! I also love how you added a pop of color with the red berries...such an elegant card!
Thanks so much for playing along with us at CAS Christmas!

Dora said...

Beautiful made. I like this style. Clever done.

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous card Viv, the wreath looks stunning embossed in silver with the gold berries and I love the little snowy scene you created in there.
Avril xx

Let's Art Journal said...

Simply stunning! I love how you created this card with the stamps and embossing powders, it really does sparkle and shine 😀. I'm in awe of how you added the berries of gold after your added the silver EP too - amazing! Thanks for creating all the sparkle and shine to join our challenge this month at Country View Challenges and wishing you a Happy New Year! Hugs Jo x

Sue - said...

Absolutely beautiful Viv! Any news on your house move?

Viv said...

Loving the silver and gold colour combo here Viv, such a beautiful card too ;) Viv xx

Julia Aston said...

What a beautiful design with your Lavinia vine and trees Viv! beautiful shading of circle and landscape to ground the trees - thanks for joining in my challenge for the first CAS Christmas - it really is helpful to get cards started right away! Julia xx

tonilea said...

I LOVE< LOVE LOVE this card. It's quite elegant. Great work. (Wish I was on your Christmas card list!)

LeAnne said...

This is gorgeous! Such pretty images and the sponging adds such depth!

Pat said...

Somehow I missed this beauty Viv though of course I did see it at the challenge but missed commenting here, I love the beautiful gold and silver trees and the softly blended grey hills and framed with the gold and silver foliage..really gorgeous!! It is a good idea to get a good amount made throughout the year and I am determined not to leave it all to the last minute myself which is usually what happens. x

rachel said...

So beautiful! Such a lovely card! Love it! Thanks for joining us at Countryview Challenges and good luck. Hugs Rachel x