Monday, January 12, 2015

Getting a Head Start

I was so impressed with people playing in Christmas Card challenges that run year round, last year.  I wanted to join in but felt I had stumbled on the challenges too late for my way of doing things.  I like order, I don't always achieve it but, I do like it.  So with the new year, I am going to give it a try.

My first play along is with Merry Monday #141 Christmas Critters.  I picked up a few Lawn Fawn stamps duirng my fall visit to California and the critters...well they are so cute. 




I die cut this little penguin out of white paper, then 4 times more out of black paper.  I stamped him and colored him on the white paper using black ink and colored pencils to which I applied gamsol for blending. 
I wanted the little guy to really stand out, and I love giving heft to diecut words, and decided to try the same stacking technique with the penguin. To embellish him I added red and black WOS.  I love how it turned out. 

I stamped small snowflakes, and the sentiment.  Drew in a little ice patch to ground the penguin and added a festive red ribbon and bow to the card front.  After looking at the card I decided the opening corners of the card needed to be rounded.  This little guy makes me smile and I am sure his recipient next year will too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps- Lawn Fawn Winter Penguin
Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black, Simon Says Stamp Lipstick Red, Hero Arts Silver
Ribbon - Michaels
Glitz - Wink of Stella (Black and Red)
Pencils - Artist's Loft,  Gamsol from Inky Antics

14 comments:

Betty said...

well that little penguin is the cutest ever!!! i really like merry monday challenge and it really is great to have christmas cards ready to go in december! i don't do critters so probably won't enter this week.

Kylie said...

I agree! I am loving my new Lawn Fawn goodies that I got from Santa. Their critters are the best! I saw you over at Merry Monday! xx

Sally said...

Your card makes me smile big! The penguin is adorable in all his sparkle with the added bits of red. I may need to add him to my list for next year! I am hoping to play along in the Merry Monday Challenge some this year also.

Becca Cruger said...

FACT: You can never be unhappy while looking at a penguin. Your sweet card just proves it! :) I, for one, am so grateful for all those year-round Christmas card challenges. Here's to not having to do the last-minute-week-before-December mad stampathon!

Greta said...

How fun to do some shopping back in Calif! This is a darling card, Cat--will certainly bring a smile!

joy said...

So adorable! I don't own any critter stamps - but I may just make a Christmas card this week to have another one done. Hope you are staying warm.

Granmargaret said...

Lovely card. I saw it on Merry Monday.

Leslie Hanna said...

This guy IS adorable. Welcome to the world of Christmas All Year. By the end of November you will have (1) used all your holiday stamps, (2) have 40+ Christmas cards made, and (3) the right to say "neener neener" to everyone who is just beginning to panic about designing their holiday cards. #WIN

Laura Norris said...

SUPER cute card Cat!! Love that little penguin and you have showcased him well.

francesca said...

lovely card! :)

Jean said...

So fun! Great card for the challenge!

Lori Turner said...

This is such a fun card, Cat!! LOVE the CAS design - aren't one layer cards awesome?! Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday this week

Hansi Brittain said...

Yes, this card will definitely make someone smile! I love how you layered the die cuts to give your penguin dimension. By the way, you tie beautiful bows.

Notes by Nina said...

Fabulous CAS card, Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday.