Monday, January 16, 2017

Christmas in January

Hello, crafty friends and visitors! One of my New Year's resolutions is to get an earlier start on my holiday and special occasion crafting. That means you will never know what will show up on my blog. Today I have a Christmas card for you!


Another resolution is to use some of those beautiful papers I've been hoarding. I have tucked away Pion's Christmas in Norway papers for I don't know how long. Doing a little bit of a craft storage purge brought them to my attention. I never really felt confident enough to cut into them...too pretty! But another promise I made to myself is to have permission to try things I feel terribly uncomfortable with. I was inspired by this beautiful birthday card my talented friend, Lisa of A Mermaid's Crafts sent me. Isn't this just gorgeous! It's really even prettier in real life if that's even possible!


The ribbon and the fluffy vintage package wrap tucked between the layers are from my stash, and the poinsettias are one of many, many gifts I received from my good friend Autumn of SewPaperPaint. I think we are crafty twins separated at birth, because I bought myself the very same package earlier in the season and never used them. I also used some of the holly with a flourish die cuts she sent me. Another crafty resolution is to use at least one thing she sent me each month. Additional die cuts used are La La Land Winter Branches and Tim Holtz  Holiday Greens, and all die cuts were colored with Distress inks in Peeled Paint and Forest Moss. All papers were distressed and edged in Frayed Burlap Distress ink. Lastly I flicked and sponged on white acrylic paint








One more promise to myself when it comes to crafting is I will have fun, and I sure did making this sweet Christmas card.


I'm sharing this with the following challenges:
Deep Ocean Challenge #146 "Anything New" Although I've had them in my stash for a very long time, my Pion papers are new and my poinsettias are new.

Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! I read and appreciate each and every one of them!
Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful Christmas card! I think I need to adopt your idea and start making Christmas cards at least one a month now. The card from your friend in fantastic as well.

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  2. Gorgeous holiday card Sara! Love the poinsettias and little tags :)
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  3. First of all, Happy Birthday Sara!! I hope you have a wonderful day! It looks as though great minds think alike as I have started my Christmas cards too - love yours and how you used those gorgeous papers and those beautiful flowers. I think it is much more fun doing this kind of card when the pressure is off! I hope my card arrived/arrives OK. Big hugs, Anne xxx

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  4. Gorgeous card! Sara. You've used those lovely papers and poinsettias to great effect and enhanced them with all your added extras.
    Hats off to you too for getting started on this years cards so early ... sounds like an excellent plan.

    Happy Birthday to you too . Hope you are have a day full to the brim with all the things that make your heart happy .
    hugs x





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  5. Whoever is the lucky recipient of this card will be overjoyed huni. It is stunning! So many lovely details, so perfectly your style I love everything about it. As it appears to be your birthday I wish you a very very happy one, with lots of lovely surprises and a few good presents too.
    You are not the only one either I have just created my second 2017 Christmas card because I'm trying to make a couple each month xx

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  6. Your Christmas card is fabulous -- how smart of you to get started now! I like your promises you have made.
    I am still in the process of "purging" our house. Almost two years ago we moved into a home that is half the size of our home in the mountains. I must stay, I like this house much better. But we brought way too much stuff with us and now I have been more or less going room by room and "getting rid of" the things I really don't want or need. It is much harder in my craft room - I seem to want it all!
    Your Christmas card is definitely one of the best I have EVER seen! Now let's go get some pulled pork for lunch!!!
    Sandy xx

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  7. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Sara Emily, happy birthday to you!! I hope you have the most fabulous day my dear friend!!

    Oh my gosh, I absolutely love, love your amazing Christmas card!! You have showcased the sweet papers perfectly!! I love the gorgeous poinsettias and every single detail you added!! Thank you for the sweet shout-out and I'm glad you drew inspiration from my card, but you far surpassed it with this stunner!! It's spectacular!! Now you've made me want to start my Christmas cards already :)

    Thinking of you on your special day and wishing you a year full of amazing blessings!! Big birthday hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  8. First - belated Happy Birthday, Sara Emily!! And stunning makes here - bravo for using your stash! Once I unpack mine, I'd better get cracking - this is wonderful inspiration!! xxx Lynn

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  9. Happy, happy Birthday, my lovely! I hope you had the most wonderful special day!
    Oooooh, what a stunning Christmas card this is! Is there any style in crafting you can't do? You are such an inspiration, my friend! You showcased those papers brilliantly and I adore all the fabulous elements you added! Those tucked tags are fantastic and I love that awesome poinsettia! A layered heaven, that's what it is! Sending lots of love to you! Branka xx

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  10. How did I miss your birthday???? Aaaaagh! You need to tell me when it is so that I can remember to send you a card. OK...now on to the business at hand, this card is so fun! I love the torn pocket filled with tags. And all those cute little snow people just make me smile from ear to ear. Your goals for 2017 are worthy ones, and I wish you well as you pursue them. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the Frilly and Funkie New Year Inspiration Challenge!

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  11. Belated Happy Birthday, Sara Emily! I love your card and love seeing/making Christmas cards anytime of the year! I just love the images from the Pion paper along with Autumn's poinsettias she sent you - perfect! Good for you using your stuff - earlier this month I also cut up some 12x12 paper I had been hoarding and need to keep that up. That's why we bought this stuff, right? Love your layers and the fluffy white layer, too - beautiful! Hugs :-)

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  12. Wow Sara, I think this may be my favourite Christmas card of yours this season!! How much do I adore that Pion image of the little kids and Santa's bag, so freaking cute!! I love the poinsettia too, the bright red with some green and neutrals is the most festive palette for me. Reminds me of my parents house and all the traditional decorations! Your pocket with the little tags tucked in is just fantastic, the whole layout is a winning design! The papers, the banner, the foliage, the added snow and that amazing fur poking out from behind the pocket edge. I really can't say enough about this one my friend. You are so talented, I'm completely inspired by you and your art!! sending hugs :)

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    Replies
    1. Man I always forget to say Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie! Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

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  13. Gorgeous card, Sara! You have filled it chock full of goodness, just like a Christmas stocking. I love that you made a pocket and put in the tags! I am so happy you have joined us this week for our Chill Out challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! hugs, Maura

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  14. Oh Sara Emily, this card is fantastic! Normally, I do Christmas cards 'til February each year but was too busy this year. I love love seeing you carry on the jolly holly season. Glad you enjoyed the poinsettias and dies, what a pleasure to share with a friend who in turn overwhelms you with fabulous inspiration! <3 And how lucky are you to have one of Lisa's cards!!! Amazing! Hugs, Autumn

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  15. Such beautiful work! So glad you joined our challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon!

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  16. This is gorgeous, Sara. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing art in our challenge. I hope that you have a blessed week, and that you will join us again soon. Love this!
    Karen
    Really Reasonable Ribbon

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  17. I know what you mean Sara Emily about those gorgeous papers..I've got lots and just stroke them..lol. your card is so sweet...delightful images and design. Thanks so much for joining in with our anything goes challenge over at Country View xx

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  18. Great idea to start early ! Fab card ! Thank you for joining us over at Country View Challenges !
    Corrie x

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  19. Okay dearie, I have to start by saying that this is a divine design and stunning compilation of loveliness. I so enjoy how versatile you are and I never know what you are going to do. So fun! Secondly-the red poinsettia flowers you got (3 to a package) are the same exact ones I used on Autumns secret Santa card for Anything But Cute! How hilarious is that!?! Huge props to you for starting your cards early, great idea and once I get back into arting I will have to join in. Huge Hugz to you muffin! ~Punkin

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