Thought I'd Done, But Can't Resist!

No ladies, it is not 2016 yet!  I know I said that my last post would be my last post of 2015 - if that makes sense at all to you - but I couldn't resist this idea from Debby over at A Scrapjourney where she would like to see our favourite five Christmas card projects from 2015.  These are mine:

It's hard choosing a favourite, it's like asking a mother to choose her favourite child (they're all my 'babies' and I love them all equally!)  ;)  What would your favourite be?  Once again, thank you for everything during 2015 and I'll see you all, over in 2016!  Love you all.  Hazel xx

Last Post & Challenges For 2015 & A Word Of Thanks

Hello crafty beings!!  I have some cards for you today, that will probably be the last until next year (maybe), some of which are for some last minute challenges and others are just for my 'stash'.  I know you are all extremely busy at this time of year, but I just wanted to thank you all for following me, supporting me, and inspiring me throughout 2015.  Without all of you, my fabulous blog friends and your continued inspiration my card making would have probably stagnated, instead - I think - it has grown and blossomed. So, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I can't wait to see what you all create in 2016!

Without further ado and no more 'waffling', here are the last of my cards.

First up is another card for the Freshly Made Sketches #217 - A Sketch by Linda

It is the 'negative' of the first one I made for this challenge.  I am also entering it in the Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge 'Favourite Technique', because my favourite technique of late has been 'negative die cutting'

This is the card, unfortunately I've just realised that you can't see the red foil peeking out from underneath that snowflake ... but it is there!

The next card is made from 'snippets' laying around on my desk and getting in the way.  The snippets are, the striped piece that was made using black sparkle gel through a striped stencil and a flower that I had punched out quite a while ago, and I am going to enter that into Pixie's Playground  I'm ashamed to say that I keep forgetting about this fun challenge and have neglected it during 2015.  Sorry Di, I will try to do better in 2016!

Finally,  the last two cards are just for my stash for next year - I'm determined not to be so behind next year - a couple of New Years resolutions in there somewhere!

There you have it my wonderful, wonderful friends, all that is left is for me to say is , have a truly magical Christmas wherever you are and whatever you do and I can't wait to see you all over in 2016!

Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to visit!  Hazel xx

Three Challenges Today - Inkspirational, Freshly Made Sketches & HLS CAS

Today, I wanted to quickly squeeze in a new challenge to me and also two of my favourites - fairly regular - challenges as they fit nicely together.

The first, which I might just make by the 'skin of my teeth' is the new one (to me) Inkspirational Challenge #97 and the prompt is 'Flake'

Well, it was meant to be wasn't it, considering the amount of cards I have made lately with snowflakes on them!  The second challenge is for Freshly Made Sketches # 127 - A Sketch By Linda and this is her wonderful sketch.

Again, another 'meant to be' challenge as a lot of my designs lately has used this layout!

The third is Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Favourite Technique and as it also uses one of my favourite techniques at present, 'negative die cuts' and the snowflake is just that, it is another 'match made in heaven' . . . a hat trick!!

This is my card

 

Happy Little Stampers is also sponsoring their challenge and the lucky winner will receive a stamp set from HLS own shop!

First, I used Sparkle Medium through a Memory Box stencil on a plain, white layer, when that was dry, I mounted it straight on to a plain, white card base.

Next, I spread Sparkle Medium, straight on to a piece of white card and let it dry and then punched out the large snowflake, which I will use on another card and also punched out a smaller one and layered these up on to a piece of red foil cardstock.

I then mounted the focal piece on to the front of the base card with foam tape.  Finally, I layered up a sentiment and mounted tat also with foam tape.

Thank you for taking time to visit at this very busy time of year, I truly appreciate it and want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very magical Christmas and great times in the New Year!  Thank you all!  Hazel xx

Now Getting Ahead!

Well, my dear friends, I hope you all had a lovely weekend!  DH and I went out for a meal on Friday evening (bang went my pre Christmas diet) as it was my birthday on Thursday, but even though we are now both retired, we still prefer to go out over the weekends (non 'school nights') isn't it funny how old habits die hard?

Anywho, I finally caught up with making our Christmas cards, the decorations are up, not a vast amount as it is just us two - kids grown up and away now - so I am actually trying to get ahead for next year, as this year crept up on me (how it managed to do it so quietly, going by the speed it arrived is beyond me).  Here are the cards I made over the weekend.

These will probably end up sitting alone and waiting until the week before next Christmas before their siblings will join them, as I am always full of good intentions and then my memory lets me down!

Thanks for popping by and leaving me a little love, have a wonderful week!  Hazel xx

Catching Up!

Well my friends, I am gradually catching up on my Christmas cards for this year!  I have posted off the international ones a little while ago now, hopefully the recipients will have received them by now, if not, they should pretty soon (I hope).

I am hoping to post all the national ones after the weekend and then it will just be the hand delivered cards.

Here are some I have made over the paste couple of days.

I wish you could see just how much sparkle there is in these cards, it is just so difficult to catch it in a photograph, so I'm afraid you will just have to take my word for it . . . trust me they dazzle!  :)  Thank you for visiting and for all your lovely comments!  I hope you are all on top of it and haven't got caught out like me this year!

Have a great day!  Hazel xx

Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Favourite Technique

Today is the last challenge for 2015 at Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge, which is for your favourite technique!  A nice, open challenge in which you are able to do whatever you like best!

I have chosen to do negative die cutting for my favourite technique, as it is quick, easy and more importantly, effective.

First I die cut a panel with the largest My Favorite Things 'Cross Stitch' rectangle die, then I used Memory Box's 'Dazzling Snowflake' die to die cut a 'window' in the front panel.

Next, I adhered a panel of Stampin' Up's 'Glimmer Paper' underneath and also die cut the sentiment from the same glimmer paper and adhered that to the panel.

Finally, I mounted the whole thing on to a white card base.  I also made a second one while I had all the supplies out, but this time I just cut the front panel a little smaller than the base card as I felt this design with the gold was better with just a plain panel. I used some of Stampin' Up's Glimmer Paper' in gold this time for behind the snowflake and the sentiment.

 Why not head on over to the HLS CAS challenge and join in the fun!  Happy Little Stampers are sponsoring the challenge and there are prizes to be won!

As always, thanks for dropping by, I appreciate each and every one of you!  Have a lovely day!  Hazel xx