Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #114

I feel like the White Rabbit...."I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!" So, so sorry to be late posting this today. There has been general mayhem and foolishness in my home over the last 36 hours and it was all I could do to get the photo of my finished card to Selene at 411 to post on the group blog!

But, now that my Christmas in August class is over with for the day and I'm cleaning up I thought I'd take a minute to give you the details on my card for the week. Here is the great sketch we had to go by this week:

And here is my creation:

I have been in the Christmas card mood these past few days and I've also been itching to use some of my new products that are coming out in the Holiday Mini on Tuesday! Yes, you only have to wait 3 more days!

My card starts with a piece of Soft Suede cardstock, 8 1/2" x 11" cut in half to make a piece that is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This is folded in half with my Bone Folder to create a card that is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". The next layer is a piece of Shimmer White cardstock cut at 4" x 5 1/4". I used the fabulous new Medallion stamp to make a background. It was inked with Gold Encore ink and I just barely touched it to the cardstock so it would have a hazy shimmer to it. Unfotunately, it's hard to see in the photograph, but in real life, it's very cool!


The focal point of the card is a piece of Shimmer White cardstock cut at 2" x 3 1/2". I stamped the greeting with Gold Encore ink and embossed it with my Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder. The stamp set is called "Christ is Born" and actually the greeting and the verse are on one stamp. I only inked the part of the stamp I wanted to use each time.

This Shimmer White layer rests on a piece of Old Olive cardstock cut at 2 1/4" x 3 3/4". I added two Gold Brads to the upper corners to frame out the words. This was easily done using my Paper Piercing Tool and the Mat Pack. The entire focal point piece is then popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals to make it stand out.

For the bottom piece, I used a piece of the NEW Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper that comes out next Tuesday in the Holiday Mini! This paper has a soft sheen to it that you just have to see in real life to appreciate. Some of the papers even have fuzzy flocking on them - too cool!~

This one's subtle striping really worked well with the style of the card, so I cut a piece at 2" x 4" and gently tore the top edge all the way across. I then edged it lightly with the Gold Encore ink pad rubbing it directly onto the paper.

The verse was stamped with Gold Encore ink on just the bottom portion of my stamp and I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line it up perfectly! Patti, aren't you proud of me? heehee!

It too was heat embossed with Gold Powder and it adds just the right subtle touch to the card front.

Take a close look at the ribbon I've used here......

it's also new coming out on Tuesday! It's part of the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals 2 pack. This one is the Old Olive Taffeta ribbon and I just LOVE it! I've wrapped a 5 1/2" piece around the panel and used SNAIL to adhere it with, then I used a 4 1/2" piece to tie around the top, making a "faux bow". It's trimmed up with the Paper and Craft Scissors that cut through ribbon like 'buttah'.

I hope you've been inspired by the sketch and my interpretation of it! If you want to play along, please visit the Stamping 411 blog and post your creation to Mr. Linky. You have until Wednesday night to upload your card so get stampin'!

Have a great Saturday night!

~~Robin