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Monday, October 21, 2013

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


38 comments:

  1. Wow! This is gorgeous...love every single beautiful detail on your awesome creation! Thanks so much for playing along with us @ 613 Avenue Create & hope to see you back again for our next challenge!!!

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  2. Beautiful design with lovely paper combinations! Your pullout is amazing! Thanks for leaving this on our front porch here at 613 Avenue Create!
    Hugz
    Chana, Owner

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  3. Wow this is one festive card... love it Karen! the image and the details go so perfectly with the criss cross pattern of your card... love the gold angel and the wee bells and sparkly effects....

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  4. These are all gorgeous!

    Thanks for joining us at One Stitch at a Time this week and good luck!

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  5. "WOW" Absolutely fantastic Karen so talented it truly shines through x

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  6. Karen, i'm sure your friend will be overwhelmed when she receives this beautiful Christmas card - all the thought and creativity that you have put into it makes it very, very special. Good luck in our challenge this week. Ingrid xx (OSAAT Team)

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  7. WOW! Karen this is stunning. I adore the Wee image and your wonderful colouring had really brought her to life. I am pleased that you were able to buy some gorgeous new dies, you have used them so well. It is clear to see how much you enjoyed making this card.
    I am sure your friend is going to be thrilled to receive such a special card.
    I hope you have a good week, my talented and kind friend
    hugs Sue

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  8. Noticed your card on Make It Monday and stopped by your blog for a closer look. It's really lovely!

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  9. Wow your card is amazing. I love the dies and how you used them. Your image is gorgeous. So glad you joined us at http://www.7kidscollegefund.com. Hugs Kelly

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  10. These are both gorgeous! LOVE the gold embossing! Thanks for joining us at 52CCT! :)

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  11. Oh my good gosh, my sweetest friend, this is absolutely stunning!! What a gorgeous design!! It's so creative and absolutely fabulous!! The details are exquisite!! The gold embossing looks amazing!! Those dies are gorgeous!! I just love every single thing about this...it's just simply stunning!! I haven't even touched on how beautiful the image is!! Spectacular as always my dear friend...I love it!! Have a great evening :)

    HUGS, Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  12. What a lot of care you took with this beauty, Lisa! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

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  13. My gosh, this card is fabulous. It looks like a lot if effort was put into it. Nice job. Thank you for joining us at OSAAT. Good luck.

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  14. Hi Karen and welcome to the neighborhood at 613 Avenue Create! Thank you for your kind words on the blog and we're so glad you found us! Thank you so much for choosing to Create Your Own Challenge and the result is stunning! This is so beautiful from the image which is colored so lovely to the new dies and papers! It really is gorgeous and we appreciate you sharing with us this week!

    Kathi
    Co-Owner/DT Coordinator
    613 Avenue Cretae

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous with so many fabulous details. Thanks so much for playing along with 52CCT this week!

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  16. Stunning card Karen, awesome die cuts.....I personally love them too!
    Awesome details & design!

    Good to see you join us for the OSAAT Challenge, hope to you come back soon!
    ¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))*((¸¸.•´ ..•´
    Shell in Alaska
    http://akstamping.blogspot.com

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  17. What a STUNNING card Karen! Wow, you constantly come up with such amazing designs! I can tell, your heart is just poured into your creations. The image is so beautiful and the details give it such an whimsical feel yet elegant! Such passion in what you do...you are so inspirational Karen! Absolutely another beauty!
    Sherrie K

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  19. Hallo Karen...I love how you coloring the image she is too cuuutee and you did it very great...the gold inside the card is amazing...looks like a wedding invitation..elegant...love all in your card...amazing card..

    I see your card on Make It Monday. I wish you like to see my card on my blog, my card is #15 and I would be glad if you could leave me some love :) hugs, Monika

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  20. This is a real stunner. Fantastic colouring and layout. I spotted you over on MIM and had to come for a closer look and I am so glad that I did.

    Hugs
    Cathy
    xxxxx

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  21. Fantastic card and colors Karen. I spotted this on MIM.Loz

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  22. Your friends heart will be overflowing when she receives this card. It is stunning. Those dies are exquisite and your colouring is amazing - I love the wings! TFS and have a wonderful week.

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  23. This is gorgeous, beautiful card! Thanks so much for joining us at 7 Kids!
    Hugs, Christine

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  24. So very beautiful Karen...love the new dies,so elegant,and love the card design...
    Thanks for sharing with us at Make it Monday..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  25. Such a stunning card! Love the design and your colouring is fab! Thank you for playing along at Crafty Little Fairies xxx

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  26. Very pretty criss cross card, happy to hear we have a new MD fan!!
    Goodluck at MARIANNE DESIGN DIVA'S,
    HUgs Blankina
    DT MDD

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  27. What a wonderful card. Your colouring is great. Thanks for joining us at MAWTT this week. Clairex MAWTT DT

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  28. Absolutely gorgeous. Can I get on your Christmas Card list? LOL Beautiful work. Thanks for joining us this week at Christmas Card Challenges.

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  29. Karen, your beautiful card just leaves me breathless! Every element is just gorgeous! Thanks for joining us at OSAAT this week and hope you'll come back soon. Maggie - DT.

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  30. A true work of art and beautiful in every way. Thanks for joining us this week at 52CCT!

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  31. Wow, beautiful designs.

    Hugs Diane

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  32. This is stunning! I love the pretty die cuts and gorgeous image, just beautiful
    Hugs Julie P

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  33. Oh wow, this card is just stunning! So much gorgeous detail to see and I especially love how you've inked through those gorgeous Marianne dies (I love their dies too! :D).

    Thanks for joining in our Anything Goes challenge at OSAAT this week.

    Ali

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  34. Wow, this is impressive! I love all the details! Thanks for playing at 52CCT this week!

    Sarah

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  35. This is gorgeous! I especially love how you colored her wings, worth the effort you took!! Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges.

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  36. Hi Karen,love your pretty criss cross card. The pull out tab is beautiful.
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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  37. Such a beautiful Christmas card, Karen! Your coloring is amazing and I love all the colors you chose! The angel on the card's insert is so pretty and I love how you added the bells! Hope you have a great day! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  38. I just wanted to stop by to say "thank you" so much for stopping by my blog all week. You are so sweet leaving me comments! I appreciate your kind words and support:)
    Hugs my friend!
    Sherrie K

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

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