Friday, July 8, 2011

Sketchbook Saturday 18 and The Paper Players 54

I think I missed some kind of Christmas stamping memo because Christmas is the last thing on my mind now, but every time I turn around I see a Christmas in July challenge theme!  And this theme has carried over into other areas of my life too.  This past Monday I went to the 4th of July parade that my town hosts, and who do you suppose was sitting in the last float of the parade?  You guessed it!  None other than Santa Claus himself.  So I took this to be some kind of cosmic sign that I better get out my Christmas stamp sets and start inking them up.  The Christmas challenge at The Paper Players helped me along!

Once I decided on a theme, I wanted a sketch or a color challenge to get my creative juices flowing.  The Sketchbook Saturday challenge seemed to fit the bill.


I used some retired designer paper called Christmas Cocoa and Jolly Holiday to set the tone for the colors of my card, which are Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Old Olive, and Cherry Cobbler.  I was a HUGE fan of the Jolly Holiday paper which was all about Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler.  I've got quite a bit of it left, so I'm sure I'll be using it again to make some Christmas cards soon. 

At least I hope it will be soon!  I'd like to get my Christmas cards done early this year.  This, of course, is what I say every year but is not what actually happens!  Last year I nearly got them all done in time for me to realize that I hadn't made enough.  This precipitated an emergency card-making night that I'm not sure I have recovered from yet!   This year I'm confident that I'll do better!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have time to stamp!

11 comments:

Vicky Hayes said...

I did exactly the same Jen! And I have a lowering feeling it might happen again this year just as it does every year! I love this combination of colours and the lace looks gorgeous with them.

Lauri said...

Very pretty, I love the simplicity and design! I happen to have you in my reader and saw this! Don't forget to post in the PP links!! Thanks for playing!

jaydee said...

Jen. sigh.. this makes my CAS heart happy! I love the crumb cake with it... it really softens the whole look. fabulous sketch layout, too. all round... gorgeous!
so glad to see you playing along with us. i always look forward to seeing your creations
hugs
jaydee

Ann Schach said...

Clean and classy, Jen! I love the lace trim...the perfect touch! Thanks for playing with The Paper Players this week!

Anne Marie Hile said...

Jen...what can I say? This is simply stunning in every way! I'm still chuckling about your emergency card-making night, too. I may have had one of those last year, too. Many Dr. Pepper's were had to fuel that all-nighter. Great card, as always! Thanks so much for playing along with us at the Paper Players this week! :)

Lesley said...

Awesome all over. I think this is in my top 10 favourite cards you have made. I love the CAS look and the bold colours.
Hugs,
Lesley

Erna Logtenberg said...

Your card is BEAUTIFUL Jen!!! LOVE it!!!

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa) said...

What perfect, polished look! I just love classic christmas designs... and omg polka dots rule!! haha

Sue said...

Your card is absolutely beautiful. I love anything with Kraft paper involved and the combinations are great.

Lauri said...

Hi Jen! Just wanted to let you know I chose your card as my Cut Above pick for this week! Check out the paper players blog ! Thanks!

Bruce said...

This is a beautiful blog, thanks again
Christmas Gift Ideas 2011