In an effort to be organised in 2018, I am going to make a concerted effort to make Christmas cards throughout the year so I'm having a break from the 'new' today and have a Christmas card to share with you that was inspired by the following challenges:

The team over at SUO Challenges are inviting cards that fit with the theme of 'Brr! Baby it's cold outside', which I paired with the sketch over at Handstamped Sentiments, a new-to-me challenge and a little dry embossing for Stamps Ink Paper to come up with this cosy little number:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Wrapped In The Warmth of Christmas - I used the sentiment from 'Snowflake Sentiments' as the starting point for my card. I'm so glad this set is on carryover and will be available for a little longer. No snowflakes on this card though - it's all about the warm and cosy! 

A Chunky Knit - I added some great texture with my dry embossed background - a little difficult to see in the photos because of the contrast in colours and I'm a little over-exposed, but it is definitely reminiscent of warm, woollen sweaters which is exactly what I think of when it's cold outside. 

Sweater Weather - I needed a little bit of pattern to bring my elements together and found this piece of retired DSP that was just what I was looking for to complete my card. A few candy dots to finish and my first Christmas card of 2018 is complete! 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Snowflake Sentiments Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies	Banner Triple Punch	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock
Cherry Cobbler A4 Cardstock	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Layering Squares Framelits Dies

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the talented Sandy to host this week and she has a fun sketch challenge for you to work with:

 You all know me well enough by now to know how much I love a good sketch and this one is no exception - so many possibilities! I could have stamped the offset panel or featured a designer series paper; unusually for me though, I decided to showcase an embossing folder. Take a look:

Doesn't that look all warm and cosy and remind you of nights in by the fire?!  Here's the low-down on today's card:

Create An Impression With Cable Knit -  For my central panel I embossed a rectangle of Cherry Cobbler cardstock with the Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. This is one of Stampin' Up!'s new Dynamic folders, made to create deep, dimensional embossed impressions and it really does - you can almost feel the knitted stitches in that would-be sweater, the grooves are so deep.

Stitched Wrapped in Warmth - I inked my sentiment, from the Wrapped in Warmth stamp set, using Cherry Cobbler, Delightful Dijon and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers and added a stitched border using the new Stitched Shape Framelit Dies, before adding a little enamel heart embellishment too. I just love the stitched edging, so effective. 

Warmth and Cheer Colour Combo - The colour combination for my card came right out of the plaid background paper from the Warmth and Cheer paper stack, with its warm red, mustard yellow and basic black. Feel free to save it if it's a favourite of yours too:

A little ribbon and burlap to finish completes my festive, warm and cosy Christmas card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

I look forward to seeing what you create with Sandy's sketch this week. We are off for our usual Sunday morning of sport, followed by an afternoon of Christmas crafting preparations.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend as it will be over all too quickly; I'll be back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Wrapped In Warmth Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Warmth & Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack	Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies	Delightful Dijon 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Mini Striped Ribbon
5/8" (1.6 Cm) Burlap Ribbon	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Regals Enamel Shapes	2015-2017 In Color Stampin' Write Markers
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker	Cherry Cobbler & Garden Green Stampin' Write Markers