Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - Coldwater, Michigan - KatheD@gmail.com

Friday, June 6, 2014

puzzle adventures

You have probably noticed that I like Christmas any time of year - I especially like to make Christmas cards all year, so they're ready to mail at the beginning of December without being more of a project than assign, sign, address and stamp (which is really kind of a big project, anyway).  I also really like challenges - they give me a place to start - and I like combining challenges, it's fun to make them all fit together, like a puzzle.  This week I started with the prompt from Christmas Card Challenge to use stencils; it was easy to fit in the photo inspiration/color combination from Merry Monday, and then I found sketch #19 from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown to really put it all together:
stamp set - More Merry Messages; ink - White Craft, Encore Silver; card stock - Coastal Cabana, Silver Glimmer; designer series paper - Winter Frost (retired); other tools & supplies - Simply Scored borders plate overlay, Big Shot with Holiday Collection framelits (retired), Candy Dots, Stampin' sponge, sponge daubers    
 
The first puzzle I had to solve was that I don't have any stencils in my active craft supplies and I didn't have time to drive over to the house and go searching through the inactive supplies in the basement.  I started by cutting an outline stencil in a piece of scrap card stock and then I revisited my earlier inspiration of using the Simply Scored borders plate overlay, again the wavy lines, for the garland.  My next puzzle was adding touches of color, but the Candy Dots solution was right under my nose!

To celebrate all those puzzles, I'll share my solution to the ICAD prompt "puzzle", which I made fit with the text theme for my #4 card:
stamp set: Really Good Greetings; punch - 3/4" circle
The puzzle piece itself was a puzzle, which I solved with more scrap card stock.  I was thinking "all things work together" or "all things fit together", which then led to this stamp - it may be my all-time forever favorite!


12 comments:

Marsha Reed said...

Hi, Kathe! I love that little Christmas tree. Thanks for joining us at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges.

Bonnie said...

You are a superb puzzle solver, Kathe! And it did it beautifully with this Christmas card! Love that little tree! Thanks for sharing it with us at Merry Monday!

Mynn xx said...

Such a lovely holiday card, Kathe! That tree is beautiful! Thanks for joining us at 52CCT! :) HUGS and enjoy the weekend! Mynn xx

Louise van Vuren said...

I remember this sketch! This is a gorgeous way to use it, love the aqua and white combo and the very contemporary tree. Thanks for playing along at 52 CCTV

Louise xx

Deborah Frings said...

I do like your take on the sketch. The cool aqua and the splash of colour on the tree works perfectly. Thanks so much for playing along with 52CCT this week!

Lori Turner said...

Hi Kathe!! Love this CAS design and that Christmas tree is darling :) Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday this week xoxoxo

wendipooh13 said...

so pretty and love the colors here!!! thanks sooo much for playing along with Christmas Card challenges!!!

Donna B. said...

Very pretty Christmas card! Love the colors. Thanks for joining us this week at Christmas Card Challenges.

Heidi Weaver said...

Hi Kathe, obviously you're a master puzzle solver. The result is a great Christmas card. I love the little tree, especially.

Karen (karey2005) said...

Pretty - so soft and sweet! Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges! Karen N (DT)

Notes by Nina said...

Both cards are great, your little tree is cute. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.

wienerhoneymooners said...

Cool way to use a stencil, and thanks for joining in the Merriment at Merry Monday!

...Paper Crafting Challenges is also running a current challenge of STENCILS, and home made is GREAT, so there is a chance at an ONLINE Card class of your choice, love to see you link up! See you there!