A winter wish

This card is double duty for two challenges: TECC45 (Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge 45) and LSC197 on Splitcoast. Lots of rules to follow. First, Taylor's sketch was fairly specific--I used circles though instead of ovals (basically because I don't have oval nestabilities yet!). For the Limited Supplies challenge, I was asked to use

1. snowflake images only whether stamps, patterned paper...

2. a monochromatic colour scheme

3. some sort of “bling” or sparkle

4. one word only

I think I stuck to snowflakes--the 'swiss dots' embossing folder created the flurries. ;) My monochromatic scheme is winter silver, white and muted blue/soft grey. My bling is mostly in the silver embossing. And my one 'wish' is focal to the snowflake embellishment. The chipboard snowflake is inked up with basic gray classic ink, then sponged with white craft ink, embossed with detail silver embossing powder on the edges for a distressed look, and finally, sponged with more white craft ink and heat set. The snow flurries are also heat embossed in silver (but I used Versafine for finer detail). I was inspired by Karen's bella card recently; I've layered my nesting circle/scallop/circle in the same way.

Stamps: snow flurries and sentiment, SU

Ink: SU sahara sand classic, basic gray classic, whisper white craft; Versamark in onyx black

Paper: SU whisper white and going gray; Blitzen Fresh Snow and Jack Frost, Basic Grey

Other: circle/scallop nestabilities, SU 1/2" circle punch; SU detail powder in silver; heat gun; SU basic gray taffeta ribbon; silver hodgepodge brads; sponge; cuttlebug 'swiss dots' embossing folder

Inspiration from Starbucks

Starbucks design has always impressed me--from their suggestive siren to the cups, packaging, merchandising and print media. Have you seen their wreaths this year?! Awesome! I'm working on one now with wool and shiny balls and I'll post it when it's finished. This year's holiday cup is no exception. I love the distressed red, deer and I think there's even a bird in there somewhere, Karen. So, I was inspired to make a card...


Starting with a clean sheet of SU whisper white, I stamped the snowflakes with VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I cut branches from several large sticky notes to create the tree mask, then sponged and distressed the background with both SU real red and riding hood red ink (I think). I also made the darker marks using my brayer wrapped randomly with elastics. After I removed the tree mask, I clear embossed the Inkadinkado bird, lightly sponged over the tree and stamped a few red flakes. I stamped the buck from the SU Winter Post set with VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder--unfortunately not detail white by the looks of it. Of course, I had to mount the black on green because of my inspiration, so I used Wasabi. I'm not sure who would want this card, but it was my little challenge. Does anyone want to take it and run with it--the challenge, that is!

Stamps: bird and snowflakes, Inkadinkado; Winter Post, Stampin' UP!; Merry Christmas, I'll get back to you...
Ink: VersaMark, SU real red and riding hood red
Paper: SU whisper white, SU basic black, SU riding hood red textured, SU wasabi
Other: Coluzzle, white and clear embossing powder, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, sponges, brayer, elastics