Friday 11 December 2009

Christmas Cards (in the nick of time)

I was really beginning to think I might have to buy ALL my Christmas cards this year but I've managed to redeem myself a little. I'm finally 'getting into the Christmas groove' and I'm hoping to get a few more done before it's too late.

The first card I'm going to share is one I made for the swap we have on our Graphicus Guild Yahoo group. Janet received it this morning so I can post it on here now. I used little squares of BP from my Guild paper pack and stamped and gold embossed little Christmassy images taken from all the different Elusive Images Christmas themeplates I have. The greeting on the layered Nestie Labels is from one of the most recent monthly Guild stamps. Some of the little squares were fixed with DST and some with 3D foam and I used a thicker 3D foam to attach the greeting in the middle because I wanted different levels but I don't think this shows up in the photos very well. The two little poinsettias are sprayed with Glimmer Mists.

This first photo shows the different levels best but the colour is not too great as the light was poor.




These next two photos show the details a bit closer and the colours are truer too except that the base card is a lovely pearlescent gold.




This last photo was taken before the poinsettias were attached as I was waiting for them to dry but wanted to take the pic before the light got worse.


What do you reckon to my lovely snowman? He's an early Christmas gift from my Mum 'cos she knows I love Christmas ornaments. The lovely cottage scene lights up with a beautiful soft glow from the inside.

This second card is my first 'easel' card and I used a Santa image and co-ordinating paper from a pack I bought over 2 years ago. There are quite a lot of different images with Santas and children in the pack and after I bought it I hadn't a clue what to do with them (does anyone else do that?). Anyway, I finally came up with something partly inspired by some cards Helen Chilton made last year using the same paper pack. I also used my gorgeous Tim Holtz Reindeer Flight stamps which I bought from Graphicus at the Open Day a couple of weeks ago.


Well, it's a bit late but I think I've finally broken through the block I had over Christmas cards and I've got all the stuff prepared to make about a dozen similar to the one above. Hope I can get them done over the next few days!

I've finally managed to download all our holiday photos today too but they need a lot of editing so they'll have to wait a little while before I bore you with a few of them, Lol!

I hope you are all better prepared for Christmas than I am but that's what comes of going away in November. I know, I know, I should have done it all before we went!

Thanks for still visiting.

Lesley Xx

16 comments:

Val said...

Hi Lesley

Have just been admiring this - it is just stunning.

Love
val

PinksyDoodles said...

Hi Lesley,
These Christmas cards are fabulous. They must have taken you ages to make.
I adore your snowman too. We're putting our tree up today to start to feel Christmassy. Luckily all my cards are made, yet I still keep making more so at this rate I will be ok for next year too!!
Have a lovely weekend.
Clare x

Sally H said...

Wonderful cards, Lesley! I love the layout of the first one and the easel card is fabulous... I really think I'm going to be the very last person in blog land to make an easel card!

Anonymous said...

Love the card Lesley - I've made it the home page image on the GG group!

Glenda

veronica said...

they're beautiful Lesley, esp the Guild card, don't know how you have the patience to do that! have to admit my Guild card is still in progress, and have still to start on the other cards yet..........fortunately, i haven't sen any commercial ones I like (yet) so haven't been tempted to give in and buy some!

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

A lovely card - great layout and a wonderful centre greeting stamp too.

Plenty of time to get more cards done yet .. .. .. don't panic!! (Well that's what I am telling myself anyway - I still have loads to do LOL!!)

Mine won't be anywhere near as detailed as yours though!

Have fun!!

Love Jules xx

p.s. Super cute snowman!!!

Lynne K said...

Both wonderful! I like the first one especially.

lisa said...

Your cards are beautiful, Lesley. You're certainly maing up for lost time now. I love the mosaic card, the colours are lovely and the Tim Holtz stamps work perfectly with your image on the easel card.
Have a great week.

Lisax

brenda said...

Great makes Lesley, especially like the one with red and green squares.

B x

Christine (All She Crafts) said...

Ooh, loving that Santa card, Lesley! And the gold images are fab! Are the trees TH, as well? They're great!

Hugs,
Chris xx

Shirley said...

Wow, Lesley, where do I start. How lovely all of them are. I really like how your tiles turned out for both cards. The St. Nick card is beautiful too!

Unknown said...

A lovely card ... great design and fabulous stamping! Like it a lot :0)

Aquarius said...

Lovely card and such neat squares - I would have trouble keeping them straight if I did this!!

Val

Beryl said...

Sorry I missed this one. You posted it just before I went away for the weekend and by the time I got back on line is was way down the posts. It's a great use of the stamps and the papers. A beautiful card with loads of elegant detail.
Beryl xx

Suzanne C said...

Wowzers... Those are some gorgeous cards and glad you got some time to create.

Maya said...

Ohhh these are gorgeous,Lesley!!
Love the images and the details.
The first one is just stunning!!
And i love you`re snowman to,he is a cutie :)

Hugs from Maya :)