Kindest Gnomes and Christmas Blues AYSI 287

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a recipe challenge:

I normally struggle with recipe challenges, but this one came together really easily, especially with the layout over at Atlantic Hearts this week - take a look:

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

My starting point for today's card was the Storybook Gnomes designer series paper, and specifically the pattern that I used for the rectangular panels at the back that you can barely see on the finished card! It has a lovely mix of blues and earth tones, so ticked off two of my ingredients. Having layered these panels, I decided to build a scene using a combination of stamped diecut elements (my toadstool - check) and some other elements I'd already cut out from other patterns in this pack, namely the moose and the gnome. I added in a precut snowflake and some smaller snowflakes cut with the Chic Dies, to which I added some glittery gems - even a masculine card can have a little sparkle, right?!

I added a panel with my stamped sentiment and wrapped this in some (retired) white and Early Espresso baker's twine (check) to continue the earthy tones and tick off my final ingredient. 

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. 

This is one of those cards that just evolved with a mish-mash of bits and pieces until I felt like I had a cohesive scene. I think I'll send this to an old university friend who has an adorable little boy - I think Mr Gnome will be right up his street!

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
• If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.

Enjoy your day; I have a helper to complete my chores today as the oldest of the James Juniors is enjoying an extended half-term break. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather stays dry this evening please as we are off to a fireworks display at the school of James Junior number 2. It is usually a fantastic display and as it's within the school grounds, far enough away from residential housing to cause undue trauma to the neighbourhood cats and dogs. I'll be back on Sunday with my project for our new challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

KINDEST GNOMES BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (46.75)	STITCHED RECTANGLE DIES (33.00)	CHIC DIES (35.00)	STORYBOOK GNOMES 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)	FINE SPARKLE ADHESIVE BACKED GEMS (7.00)	WONDERFUL SNOWFLAKES (5.75)
ELEGANT FACETED GEMS (7.00)	BALMY BLUE A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (9.75)	SOFT SUEDE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)	NIGHT OF NAVY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)