12 November 2013

The Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge # 83 - Use Stripes, Red, Chocolate and Stars or Hearts on your card.

Eeeek!! I am running late. Posting is at 2am New Zealand time now. I was engrossed in work and wasn't watching the time. Sorry! Thank goodness the post was mostly written.
The cards for the last challenge were all totally amazing. You really are a talented bunch.
I have to say, Lesley has been providing the best inspiration photos, and this weeks Merry Monday Challenge image is gorgeous as well. The whitewashed dresser made the image look french country to me.............


.................... and this is what it immediately brought to mind. Hanging dried flowers! I do not come up with an idea that fast EVER!! 
Now in the instructions it definitely tells you to use stripes, a piece of information I seemed to have overlooked when I first made the card. When I was writing the heading for this post this morning (err, yesterday morning now) I realized my mistake. Luckily, the stripes just slipped in, even though they do make the card a little more 'grunty'. (see the original card below)
The instructions do say 'stars or hearts', but the end of the wood rail was just asking for some wee hearts, I did try other things, including wee stars, and leaving it bare.





Stamps: PTI Larger than Life Dies and Stamps, Hero Arts Sentiment
Dies: PTI and Clearly besotted Flowers, Stars and hearts SSS
Ink: Versafine Black, brown and red, Distress ink edges.
Other: Glitter Donna Salazar, white gel pen Stitching line, twine, pearls buttons.

Here's the card before the stripes were added. I do love this version too.

Thanks for dropping by....see you next week.
Karen

24 comments:

Julia Aston said...

what a lovely design! love the hanging stems and the sweet cluster of hearts!

karen h said...

Gorgeous! Love the way you used the flowers!

somethingcraftybydottie said...

Hi Karen:
Just popping on over to say what a nice card love your take on the inspiration . !
Hugs
Dottie

Linda Callahan said...

Gorgeous! Love the hanging vines/flowers! Such a beautiful and creative arrangement!

Bonnie said...

I did the same thing. My first card didn't have a stripe on it and I had to start over. I love both of these and think the stripes add some pizzazz. Love the little bitty hearts and the hanging flowers! But that gorgeous bow takes it over the top! Have a great week!

Loll said...

Hi Karen. All I can say is WOW ... I actually gasped when I first saw it!! LOVE your French country inspired card. Brilliant design. The layered stars with the twine is amazing ... as is all the other details. Thanks for posting both versions ... they are both gorgeous, but I prefer the ones with the stripes - surprising because I'm such a CAS girl. :) Loll xx

Karren said...

Stunning card, Karen! All the little embellishments you've used are all perfect for this card.

Kerin said...

Wow this is gorgeous! I love both versions. The rustic look is absolutely beautiful!

LeAnne said...

Wow, this is fabulous! Love that little starry/flowery cluster! So pretty. I like the stripes, but I love the first version the most! :D

Susan Joyce said...

Love, Love your card this week Karen, I have been admiring it since you posted on the DT blog. The spray of flowers are lovely, I never would of thought of flowers. Simply gorgeous!

Cindy Lovell said...

WOW,i love everything about this card!! Beautiful colors,beautiful design...awesome!!

Narelle Farrugia said...

Karen this card is just stunning!

Wendy said...

Both cards are beautiful, Karen! Love your take on this with the pretty flowers, papers and little hearts! The twine & button tie it all together nicely! Wonderful Christmas card!!! :)

Lesley said...

I love the striped version the best. the cluster of dry flowers is such a cool idea. Such a beautiful card, Karen.

Jacquie Southas said...

I vote for the striped version Karen - LOVE the spray of hanging flowers!

Cathy Weber said...

This card totally reminds me of mistletoe hanging...although a different color. Love how you were able to add the stripes...This is a really well done card!

nancy said...

This card is fabulous, Karen. I enjoy learning your thought process behind the design. The trio of hearts adds just the sweetest little touch. And like most of the others, I too prefer the stripes. I think they add some great contrast.

Notes by Nina said...

Beautiful cards Karen,I love the bundle of elements they are so pretty.

cdoggett01@yahoo.com said...

GORGEOUS!!!!

Unknown said...

beautiful card!!!
The flowers bouquet with the laces is gorgeous

Nancy in Iowa said...

This is stunning!. Just popped over from Always Playing with Paper. Love the combination of elements. You are a very talented lady!

Unknown said...

So simple, yet so elegant. Love the embellishment. TFS
Have a gr8 day
Julie

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, this is gorgeous!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Wow, Karen! This is a great design, love the colors together, and all the elements you used. You have a very inspirational card here!

Thanks so much for leaving love at my blog recently. :) Too kind of you!