Peace On Earth Christmas Challenge #44

 It's Christmas in July.................

I actually stumbled upon this Christmas challenge site in early July, just before the release of the Online Exclusive "One Horse Open Sleigh".  I was very excited to find a new to me Christmas Challenge site, as I've been looking for a nudge in that direction.  

Originally my plan for 2023, was to start making at a minimum 10 cards per month so I could have most of my Christmas cards ready to send out in November, but those plans fell to the wayside some time ago.  But it's never too late so be prepared to see a lot more Christmas cards from now on!  

This new to me Christmas themed challenge site is called Peace On Earth Christmas Challenge.  Here's their badge:

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #44

Their rules are pretty simple and clear - use the image that's posted bi-weekly as your theme and enter.  This site is all about Christmas ....yippee!!!  

Here's the Peace On Earth Challenge #44 inspiration:

Peace on Earth Challenge #44 

HERE ARE MY CARDS:

I took my inspiration from the two pictures of the cabins in the challenge picture.  I can imagine this couple gliding through the snow on their way home, anticipating a warm fire and a cup of hot chocolate.  

My card is fairly simple to make.  It's called a "W fold".  I've used a piece of the designer paper from Stampin' Up!s Open Sleigh  paper pack to create the beautiful snowy scene behind the sleigh.  

The sleigh and horse were coloured with Stampin' Blend markers.  The sentiment Wishing you a Season of Cheer is stamped in Black Momento Ink.  

Supplies:

Card Base:    

• Early Espresso card stock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" E
• Early Espresso W fold piece measures 3" by 5 1/4 and is scored at 1" & 1"  
• Use a bone folder to burnish the folds (mountain and a valley. The mountain fold faces the front and the valley is attached to the card base with adhesive.

Mats: 

• Cut x 6 x dsp piece for background to measure 4" by 5 1/4" adhere to card base front. 
• Cut two 3/4" x 5 1/4" strips for the front of the mountain and the valley folds.
• Cut a 4" x 5 1/4 inch piece of whisper white card stock for inside mat.  Stamp the barn image from the retired Christmas Barn Stampin' Up! stamp set in Gray Granite ink (stamp off to get a lighter image) and then stamp the sentiment across the center in Real Red ink.    

Embellishments and Colouring:

Blends:    Boho Blue, Real Red, Cinnamon Cider, Crumb Cake, Just Jade

Add ons:  Self-adhesive snowflake sequins (3) white, scrap of silver cardstock for carriage detail and runner.  Wink of Stella on snow portion of trees in background picture. 

While I was making the first card I was inspired to make a second one featuring  a silhouette of the couple gliding through the early morning light.  The inspiration for this card came from Tami White who created some awesome cards and a video on her blog featuring the One Horse Open Sleigh set.  I don't often CASE cards but I was excited to try the silhouette technique with this stamp set, and I wasn't disappointed.  

To make this card my own I've change up a few things including the mats, sentiment and interior of the card.  In the picture the horse and carriage look pitch black, but in real time, when you look at it the details show through the ink and it really does look like the carriage and horse are in the shadows as the sunsets.  Kudos to Tami for sharing this technique. 

For my card I started with Basic Black cardstock for the card base which measures 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and is scored at 4 1/4".  I've added a 5"1/4 x 4" mat in Boho Blue cardstock and a 5 1/8" x 4 1/8" Real Red Glimmer Paper as a second mat.  The final mat is a 5" x 3 7.8" mat from the One Horse Open Sleigh Designer Paper pack.  

I've stamped the Wishing You a Season of Cheer in Real Red Ink.  The horse and carriage were stamped in Momento Black Ink directly onto the designer paper.  To create the silhouette feature, I used a basic black marker with a brush tip, to colour over the entire image.  Voila!  That was quick and easy.   

For the inside mat I cut a 5 1/4 x 4" piece of Boho Blue cardstock and a 5 1/8 x 4 1/8" piece of Whisper White.  The Christmas Barn image is stamped in Gray Granite and once again I stamped the sentiment in Real Red ink. 

Well it was fun making some Christmas Cards today and I hope I can continue to participate in this challenge on a bi-weekly basis to add to my Christmas stash of cards.  What fun!  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, Independent Stampin' Up Demo