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Monday, October 29, 2012

Christmas Joy :)

Happy Monday, my dear friends! I know many of you are in Hurricane Sandy's path.. you have been and will continue to be in my prayers. **extra hugs**

I used my crafty time this weekend for the upcoming I Feel the Love Project collection. With a hunch that it'll be Christmas cards for kiddos in unfortunate situations, and my crafty time not what it once was, I wanted to get a bit of a head start. There's nothing more rewarding than using our passion to bless others, so I want to get my Christmas stash started for those sweet kiddos. It would break my heart to run out of time.
When creating for I Feel the Love, my heart is divided between happy-fluttery and panicky. I get myself so nervous, wanting everything to be just so! At the same time, it's when I have the most fun. :o) For my first Christmas surprise for a child in need of some extra love this season, I had it on my heart to create a festive scene.

With such a special recipient, I wanted to add something extra fun. I'm thrilled to finally own the Cricut Noel cartridge, so I was eager to use it. I chose the beautiful window, backed it with a reindeer scene from a K and Company paper, filled it in with Glossy Accents for realism, and added shimmery microbeads to the corners for frostiness. I hope the sweet kiddo likes it. :o)

This card was built around the precious Elisabeth Bell stamp, titled Star of Bethlehem. I colored the children in Copic golds and reds, adding Star Dust, Christmas Red, and Gold Stickles at various points. I dabbed Star Dust down the gold dress, as if she's leaving a trail of sparkles wherever she goes. :o) I originally was going to have them approaching a die-cut tree, but it wasn't working out as planned. I was so thankful to have this gorgeous Best Creation Merry Christmas paper to salvage the theme. The tree is beautiful and very sparkly in person. There are also sparkling flourishes throughout the entire sheet. :o)

The gift may seem disproportionate in size, but this is for I Feel the Love... I totally want to give them a life-size Christmas present! :o) I added buttons to the Art Philosophy gift for textural detail and sparklified the ribbon. I like to think it's ready to explode with sparkling love. Or maybe it's dusted with shimmery snow because Santa just delivered it. :o)

Lastly, I made a banner to help deliver the message of Christmas joy. :o) The cut is from Art Philosophy and I used golden paper with musical scores.. the heavenly angels are singing! The "joy" stamp is from CTMH Art Philosophy collection, which I heat-embossed in gold for shininess and a bit of dimension. The banner is 'secured' with rhinestones and Christmas twine. :o) I hope this little card delivers tangible hugs and love to its future recipient. I squeezed in as much sappy, sparkly, festive love as possible. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Christmas Crafting~ Buttons and Twine
 *Crafty Ann's~ Christmas in October
 *Crafty Ribbons~ Christmas
 *Elphine House Australia~ Buttons and Bows
 *Inspire Me Fridays~ Anything Goes
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Paper Playtime~ Anything Goes
 *Sparkles Christmas Challenge~ Traditional
 *Stampin' for the Weekend~ Anything Goes
 *Word Art Wednesday~ Encouraging/Uplifting

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

37 comments:

  1. Oh Karen, this is such a special card. I love the festive scene you have created with those sweet girls and the gorgeous tree. The window design looks so fabulous and the banner is the perfect way to add your festive message. As always you attention to detail is beautiful and filled with love
    all the best to you my kind friend
    Hugs Sue

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  2. Oh Wow Karen your card is totally stunning so Traditional too! beautiful image and fabulous detail all round stunning!! x

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  3. Karen this is a beautiful card and will be joyfully received. Love how you did your window,such a gorgeous scene you've created.
    Jayne x

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  4. Good morning beautiful!!! Festive indeed! Your card is truly amazing in everyway, so many sparkly elements that will certainly light up a spark in some child's eyes. I love the meaning and drive behind this card which makes it all the more special. Hurrican Sandy is heading our way as well so I appreciate your prayers as my prayers also go out to those who will endure the worst of it. We seem to be getting less than what others are by the forecast and I hope they are right.
    Have a very blessed day my friend, hugs

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  5. This is GORGEOUS! What a precious scene you have created...I just love it! Thank you for joining us at MIM this week! Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Good luck!
    Rene :D

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  6. You have created a beautiful Christmas scene. I'm so glad I saw this on MIM and was able to stop by for a closer look!

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  7. Oh my word Karen ~ what a pretty Christmas scenery... love all the details, the pretty shines, the banner, the window, the images so well put together... This card will bring many happy smiles to that recipient...

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  8. This is a really sweet Christmas card. It decipts a precious memory from every American family as they trim the tree. Thanks for sharing this, Karen. Your art is a blessing and an inspiration, and I'm always SO blessed when you are able to share with us.
    Have a great week, and I hope to see you again real soon.
    Blessings,
    Karen L
    Word Art Wednesday

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  9. Oh wow, my sweet friend, this is amazing!! I love the cozy scene you've created!! Every detail is perfect...the reindeer out the frosted window, the trail of sparkles, the gorgeous banner!! And you couldn't have found better paper...the tree is magnificent and it looks like it was made for the adorable image!! I love, love everything about it!! Stunning as always!! It puts me in the Christmas mood!! Now I'll be hearing Jingle Bells in my head all afternoon...thanks alot!! Just kidding :) I hope you have a wonderful, creative, happy weekend my dear friend!! HUGS!!

    Lisa :)
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  10. Oh my gosh Karen! I love how you used so many different elements. Copic-coloured images combined with Cricut cuts combined with cleverly-used paper - you're a crafting genius! A Yoda in the card-making world. :)

    Well done, my friend!

    Nita

    P.S. Did you know that every time you use your heat embosser you make me want one? ;)

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  11. It seems that you've really put time, effort and heart into this card! I think the image with reindeer is such a nice touch, and you've created a great Chrismas scene with beautifuuly colored images!

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  12. LOVE this card! The coloring is stunning! TFS! I am a new follower and would be honored if you would check out my blog and do the same at ACreativeJourneywithMelissa dot blogspot.com Thanks so much :)

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  13. Karen I adore reading your post as much as your amazingly beautiful cards. They both make my heart sing. Have a wonderful night. Karen

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  14. Wowee Karen, this is such a stunning creation. Your coloring and shading is absolutely Gorgeous! Lucky is the one who receives this beautiful Christmas card...
    Thanks so much for joining us at Elphine House Australia this week.
    Hugs,
    Lynda

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  15. It's stunning as always Karen.. you just have such an amazing talent to know exactly what to add... i know whoever receives this is going to be ticked pink... i absolutely LOVE the BIG present, and they will surely see and feel all the love you have added to this amazing card.. hugs

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  16. What a golden heart you have and I loved reading the way you created your card with such love and affection.

    Super card and am sure it will be much loved.
    Monica xxx

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  17. A brilliant creation!

    Thank you for sharing at Sparkles Christmas Challenges this time
    Good luck in the draw

    Shaz x

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  18. Your card is very pretty! Very "christmassy"...
    I hope you will be able to come back next week for another challenge at Crafty Ribbons!

    La Vikinga

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  19. Beautiful card!! It is just breath-taking. I love it and im sure it will put a big smile on someone's face when they receive it!
    Tracy

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  20. What a lovely card. I saw it on Make it Monday.

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  21. SQUEEE!!! Merry Christmas Everyone! Tee hee!

    Um sis? Know what? This is the most gorgeous super purdy ultra beautiful Christmas card EVER!!!!!!!!!! *hugglers it and you forever* My heart is just sooo smooshy with Christmas love right now sis it isn't even funny. Everytime I look at your gorgeous card, I get more and more of those precious Christmas flutterbys in my heart. The detail in this card Sunshine is truly spectacular. It looks SO incredibly real sis. I am beyond in love with the embossing and I seriously cannot get enough of the frostiness on the window. How did you do that?! *faints* I feel like I can reach right out and touch it. *peeks out the window* SANTA'S COMING!!! AHHHH!!! *bounces*

    You know what, sis? Your colouring seriously gets more and more magnificent every single day. Just look at how stunning it is! OMJ! You are amazing, Sunshine. It takes an extra extra special gift to be able to bring an image to life as you do.

    *shakes super happy button present to try and guess what might be inside* *carefully lifts lid to get a sneak peek inside* SQUEEE! It's full of my sis's huggles!!! SQUEEEEEEEEE!!! I simply cannot wait another second for the sweet recipent to get this card, sis. It will be the best Christmas present they could ever hope for. You will truly be the sparkling Christmas star in one very special someone's heart this holiday, Sunshine. They will never ever forget all the love you gave them through this extra special gift.

    I SOOOOOOOOO LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!!!

    *forever sparkling Christmas star hugglers*
    ~~~ Christina :)

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  22. Love your Christmas card and that sweet scene Karen!

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  23. What a great card ;o)
    Thank you for joining us at Elphine House ...

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  24. Hello again my dear Karen, it gives me so much pleasure to come back for another look at your gorgeous card so that I can say a big thank you for taking part in the Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge
    Hugs Sue

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  25. What a beautiful scene fantastic use of buttons on the gift and twine in the banner thank you for joining in at Christmas Crafting this month.

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  26. oh, this is so beautiful Karen!!! absolutely love this warm Christmas scene!!
    hugs & blessings

    Thank you so much for linking up @ Inspire Me Fridays!!

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  27. LOL...This is so funny!I am laughing because I had emailed Madison to let her know that I was Super excited because I just received CAC2 and that I will be working on some Christmas shaped cards for the "IFTL" project.Just to assure myself that I am not late...LOL
    And here you go and post this beautiful card...LOL
    OH!MY!GOODNESS,how we think alike..Your card looks like a portrait.Love the microbeads added to the windows.. just lovely.The coloring of the dresses are very sweet.The star looks like my tree topper.When I decorate my tree I will post a Picture for you to see..I love it!You are as SWEET as apple pie...lol
    Sending a HUGE amount of my bloggie love to you,
    Migdalia

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  28. Dropping back in to say Hi my sparkly friend! Thank you so much for pointing that out on my website!! I actually did have it there but there has been so many crashes and what not I forgot to put it back, it is very important so thank you!!! How observant you are!!!! Have a very blessed day my friend... hugs

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  29. This is such an adorable Christmas scene! I love the Joy banner and the reindeer outside of the window! I really like how you added the bling and buttons too! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  30. Beautiful card. I can see that you put some special love into making this.

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  31. Karen, OMG! This is so amazing. What I love about you so much is the thought you put into every detail. This card is proof of that! And your posts are so special. I think I am going to go back and print them all out and keep them all in a special place. They are just as important to me as the cards. Thank you for another beautiful card and for your continued support.
    ~Madison

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  32. Hi Miss Sparkle!! hehe.. I am just dropping in to let you know I am thinking of you and miss you! Have a super day!! hugs

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  33. Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing it with us at Crafty Ann's
    Ann x

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  34. Guess who?! TEE HEE!

    Just fluttering by to leave my sweetest Sunshine some extra sparklng hugglers tonight. Do you know just how much you are loved, sis? *squishers you silly to show you*

    *ties gold and silver tinsel in your hair and bakes endless snowflake cookies with you*

    I LOVE YOU MY SWEETEST SUNSHINE (aka the forever rainbow of my heart)!!!
    ~~~ Christina :)

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  35. What a gorgeous little scene you have made here. Love all the little details. Thanks for sharing it with us at Crafty Ribbons in our Christmas challenge.
    hugs
    Dawn xx

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  36. Wow what a beautiful Christmas scene, a really gorgeous card! Thanks for joining us at Crafty Ann's and good luck
    Claire xx

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Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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