Criss-Cross Christmas Card

Hello, my sweet friends! I hope you're having a sparkly start to the week. :o)

For over a year I have admired the lovely products from Marianne Design of the Netherlands. The exquisite designs of their metal dies especially made my heart flutter... and I am elated to finally own a few that I have longed for. :o)

Inspired by their beauty, I made a criss-cross Christmas card for a dear friend. :o)

This creative process actually began with the pull-out tab for the card's insert. Even before my package arrived, I knew I was going to use elements from Marianne Design's stunning Petra's Heart (LR0280) for an elegant tab. 

First, a closer look at some of the detailing on the exterior:

The festive sweetheart is Rowan Fairy from Wee Stamps (available as a digi or in rubber), which I've colored with Copics and accented with Star Dust. Her two-tone wings were a challenge with red and gold, but I was determined. ;) Polar White Flower Soft is gently sprinkled upon her hair and leaves, while sparkling snowflakes flutter about. The Cheery Lynn Designs snowflakes were cut out with acetate, covered with Glossy Accents, and smothered in Twinklets Diamond Dust. It is incredible how realistic they look in person!

I also used a couple of my new goodies on the front, of course! To create a frame for Rowan, I used Anja's Vintage Ornaments 2 (LR0270). The corner detailing is part of the Petra's Corners (LR0281) set. All of the cuts have been accented with pearls and sponged with Scattered Straw distress ink for a warm Christmas glow.

The beautiful papers (inside and out) are from Bo Bunny's Silver and Gold collection. I lined the criss-cross with a flat-back pearl strand from Wild Orchid Crafts and lace from Jo-Ann's (which makes me think of snowflakes ruffling through the sky). :o)

An angled view of the card's insert to show the golden angel. She is a Recollections stamp, which I heat-embossed with gold embossing powder. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot's Joy to the World stamp set. I designed this insert with the possibility of my friend leaving it out for a festive display, so my personal message will be on the back.

Side-by-side... I hope it fills my friend's beautiful heart with Christmas joy. :o)

Thank you for fluttering on by! I wish you a day of sparkling happiness. :o)

Challenges entered:

 *7 Kids College Fund~ Anything Goes (Image, dies, and paper available at 7 Kids!)

 *52 Christmas Card Throwdown~ Bling It Up!

 *613 Avenue Create~ Anything Goes/Create Your Own Challenge (I used a bunch! Image, sentiment, patterned paper, dies, embossing, Stickles, pearls, bling, ribbon, and lace)

 *Christmas Card Challenge~ Anything Goes (Optional: Flowers)

 *Crafty Little Fairies~ Christmas in October

 *Crafty Ribbons~ Anything Goes with Ribbon

 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 *Marianne's Design Divas~ Winter/Christmas (LR02270, LR0280, LR0281)

 *Moving Along with the Times~ Christmas Cuties

 *One Stitch at a Time~ Anything Goes

 *Simon Says Stamp~ Christmas/Happy Holiday