Wednesday 25 July 2012

The Countdown to Christmas Starts Here

Well, I've got some more fabulously exciting news today that I can finally share.  No only am I now officially on holiday from work for nearly a fortnight (woohoo!!!)  but also the lovely Samantha at The ABC Christmas Challenge asked me to join her design team.  I'm not sure if she actually likes my work, or whether she is merely trying to tell me that there has been a distinct lack of Christmas cards on my blog this past 6 months, despite my good intentions back in January!  Honestly, I'm getting better.  Slowly!!!

I was slightly nervous about accepting, partly because the girls on that team are freakin' talented so I'm really going to have to pull my socks up in order that I don't show myself up next to them.  But I was also worried about taking on another commitment.  But it is a fortnightly challenge so there's plenty of time to get creative.  Plus it really will help me to make my Xmas cards throughout the year, instead of having a repeat of the frenzy I had in November last year.  


And of course it gives me a great excuse to use glitter on every card!  


So of course I said yes.  


Thank you Samantha for having me on your wonderful sparkly team!  I hope I make you proud!

So today is my first card, and the theme this fortnight is O for Open it up.  You need to decorate the inside (with option of decorating the back).  I decided to cheat a little bit, cos the front is mostly acetate and therefore most of the inside shows through to the front!  Oh dear, it's only my first card and I'm cheating already!  LOL

I'll show you some pics, and then explain what I did.





I followed a tutorial for the Snow Globe card on Split Coast Stampers (which I actually found via Stempeleinmaleins but that wasn't in English and my Google translate was coming up with some dodgy translations, so I hopped over to Split Coast Stampers).  

The snowdrift on the top of the front is covered in Woodware "Fluffy Stuff" to make it look like snow.  Then I put some white liquid pearl dotted over the inside and the acetate to create more snow, and a couple of small snowflakes that were the cut out parts from another die cut.  The bear's nose and paws are glittered with Glossy Accents and Crystal Glamour Dust, and there is some stickles on the tree and around the edge of the acetate and the inside panel.

Here's the back which is decorated with a die cut, a sentiment and some more liquid pearl 'snow'.



Our sponsors this week are Bugaboo and The Ribbon Girl




I hope to see you all at The ABC Christmas Challenge.  It really is a great challenge to give you the motivation and inspiration to keep your Christmas crafting alive throughout the year, and let's be honest, who doesn't love to be elbow deep in glitter, snowflakes and mistletoe !!!


See my cards available to buy on eBay
eBay



Card Recipe:
Please pop on over to the  ABC Christmas challenge blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:
Happy crafting.

17 comments:

debby4000 said...

Oh what a cute card Annette, absolutely love it.
luv
Debby

Christina - Pieces of Dreams said...

A really sweet little Christmas card.
Love your choice of colours.
Hugs
Chris x

Crafty Mamma Mia said...

Beautiful card Annette - love the colourscheme, and all that glitter!!!!! :o)
Many congratulations on your new DT appointment. Your cards are fab, so I'm sure you'll be fine!
Helen x

Christine L said...

Absolutely gorgeous Annette... and congrats on your new DT position!!! I have some exciting news to share tomorrow too..... secret today tho!! Enjoy your holidays... I know the sun is shining down there because we were over on the Isle of Wight yesterday......

Hugs
Christine x

Kara Lynne said...

It's so obvious why you were picked for the team! Your card is clever, sweet, and gorgeous! Enjoy your next two weeks off!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Oh my goodness - this is just the cutest!!!!! Congrats too :)

Deanne :)

Anonymous said...

Annette you mad woman! I LOVE your creations your Obber talented and you will be showing me up more like! LOVE your card for today so cute and LOVE the bear too! but you know that wink! hahaha! well done and look forward to working with you on ABC Christmas challenge thanks for saying yes! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thehehe :0)
hugs me xx

downrightcrafty said...

hi Annette this is fabulous shaping and a lovely image with great additions, just love it
Hugs Kate xx

Anne-Marie said...

Huge congrats to yoooohoooo! I'm definitely going to check out that snow globe tutorial.....you made something fantastically gorgeous, as per usual!

Helen said...

Welcome aboard Annette - so pleased you're joining our happy little team! :0)
Awesome first DT card - love the snowglobe idea...so cute too!
Helen x

Zw@@n said...

Hi Annette, welcome to our team. Your card is great, love the idea of the snowglobe. Cute bear!
Love, Wilma

Dorte said...

Welcome to our team, Annette, great to have you with us.
Your creation is wonderful,and the image you have used so cute.
hugs Dorte

Carissa said...

Welcome to the team. Your snowglobe is so sweet. Such a creative use of the theme. I love the way that you have carried the snow onto the back of the card as well.
Hugs, Carissa

Mojca said...

Oh this is a great card, love the shape and the snow that is dripping down. Gorgeous. Hugs! Mojca

xxxtglxxx said...

Oooh, what a fab snowglobe card! :) Love the aqua colours and frosty topping!

Congrats on another DT spot hun! Very well deserved, and you are right, it will make you make your xmas cards! :D

hugs

xxalisonxx

Lola said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!

Valerie said...

This is an adorable card! Just love it! I like the snow globe look. The snow on top, the image the snowflakes. I like the whole thing! Nice job!