Another Year of WMSCCC Begins!

The Waltzingmouse Stamps Christmas Card Challenge - 2013 Version - has begun!

Cute new logo designed by Anya Schrier.

Each month on the 10th we will be challenged with a sketch or theme or concept, with the goal being to create as many Christmas cards as possible and eliminate the dreaded rush as December approaches. As a cardmaker, certain people on my Christmas list expect a handmade card from me, so this is the only way I can hope to make that happen! You can play anytime throughout the year.

For our first challenge, Anya Schrier created this sketch:

While I found it uber challenging, I still managed to make three cards "somewhat" inspired by the sketch. That's THREE Christmas cards now made for my 2013 mail out! I used the same papers for each of the cards, but changed up the stamps and focal point.

The shape of the Opera Tag die was a natural for my first attempt.

Stamps: Seasonal Remedies

For the second card, I embossed a background panel and aged it with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I used a Ranger Snow Cap Paint Dabber to soften the edges of the DP panels.

Stamps: Nutcracker Sweet

You can see how I made the label a little bit 3-D, below. I didn't bother colouring in the fellow - I think against the busy papers he is best as is. Plus, I'm lazy!

Lastly, I was itching to play with a couple of newly purchased Waltzingmouse stamp sets. I have long admired this pine cone spray and am so glad to get it inky. I cheated a bit on the placement of the banner.

Stamps: Festive Foliage, Little Lanterns, Very Vintage Christmas, Seasonal Remedies

I copper embossed the lantern on some gessoed and distressed sheet music. The pine cones are popped up on foam tape and accented with a white glaze pen.

So here's my trio using this sketch. What a nice feeling to have three Christmas cards already done only 10 days into the new year. If you'd like to play along, or see all the other cards based on this challenge, visit this post for details. Waltzingmouse probably has the most extensive and beautiful collection of Christmas-themed stamps out there, so I am glad to see this challenge continue!